Bill Text: NJ S2655 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Prohibits eligibility for certain sign programs from being conditioned on availability of free drinking water or public telephone.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-05-18 - Substituted by A3669 [S2655 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-S2655-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JIM WHELAN
District 2 (Atlantic)
SYNOPSIS
Prohibits eligibility for certain sign programs from being conditioned on availability of free drinking water or public telephone.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the eligibility requirements for certain sign programs, amending P.L.1997, c.144, and supplementing Title 27 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.1997, c.144 (C.27:7-21.12) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. The Commissioner of Transportation may lease, license, or contract the use, management, or operation of any State right-of-way or any real property of the department for the purpose of placing motorist service signs and tourist-oriented directional signs in [such] a manner as to produce revenue for the support of the State.
b. In entering into a lease, license, or contract pursuant to this section, the commissioner shall either set a fee for the lease, license, or contract which shall yield at least a fair rental value for the use of the right-of-way or real property, or award the lease, license, or contract on the basis of competitive public bids or proposals to the responsible bidder or proposer whose bid or proposal is determined to be in the best interest of the State, price and other factors considered.
c. Any sign placed on departmental property pursuant to a lease, license, or contract entered into pursuant to this section shall conform to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices issued by the Federal Highway Administration, United States Department of Transportation.
d. Notwithstanding the provisions of any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, and consistent with federal law, a facility shall not be required to have a public telephone or free drinking water available in order to participate in any motorist service sign program or Tourist Oriented Directional Sign Program, as implemented by the department.
(cf: P.L.1997, c.144, s.1)
2. (New section) a. Notwithstanding the provisions of any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, and consistent with federal law, a facility shall not be required to have a public telephone or free drinking water available in order to participate in any specific service sign program, as implemented by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.
b. As used in this section,
"specific service sign program" means a program that provides for the
installation and maintenance of signs along the New Jersey Turnpike or Garden State Parkway
that identify and provide directional information to motorists for gas, food,
lodging, camping, and attraction facilities, including, but not limited to, a
tourist-oriented directional sign program, a specific service logo sign
program, or a highway sponsorship sign program.
3. (New section) a. Notwithstanding the provisions of any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, and consistent with federal law, a facility shall not be required to have a public telephone or free drinking water available in order to participate in any specific service sign program, as implemented by the South Jersey Transportation Authority.
b. As used in this section, "specific service sign program" means a program that provides for the installation and maintenance of signs along the Atlantic City Expressway that identify and provide directional information to motorists for gas, food, lodging, camping, and attraction facilities, including, but not limited to, a tourist-oriented directional sign program, a specific service logo sign program, or a highway sponsorship sign program.
4. This act shall take effect immediately and shall not apply to contracts entered into or renewed before the date of enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill prohibits eligibility in certain sign programs implemented by the Department of Transportation, New Jersey Turnpike Authority, and South Jersey Transportation Authority from being conditioned on whether a facility has a public telephone or free drinking water available. As used in this bill, "specific service sign program" means a program that provides for the installation and maintenance of signs along freeways, interstate highways, or toll roads in this State that identify and provide directional information to motorists for gas, food, lodging, camping, and attraction facilities, including, but not limited to, a tourist-oriented directional sign program, a specific service logo sign program, or a highway sponsorship sign program.
