TRENTON, N.J. — Municipalities that charge for access to public beaches would be required to disclose detailed financial information under a new bill introduced in the New Jersey Legislature.
The proposed legislation mandates that towns with municipally owned beaches provide a full accounting of beach-related revenues and expenses as part of their public access plans, as required under the state’s Municipal Land Use Law.
Specifically, the bill calls for four key disclosures: an itemized budget of actual costs from the prior beach season, total revenues collected, a projected cost breakdown for the upcoming season, and an explanation of how any surplus revenue will be used.
The measure aims to increase transparency for residents and visitors who pay beach tag fees, which can range from a few dollars per day to over $100 per season in some municipalities.
If passed, municipalities would have to include the financial data in their public access plan filings, which are submitted to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for review and approval.
Municipalities would disclose beach costs and surplus use
Under current state law, towns are permitted to charge for beach access but are expected to use the funds only for maintenance, safety, and operations directly tied to beach management. Critics have occasionally raised concerns about lack of oversight on how beach tag money is spent.
This bill does not alter the ability of municipalities to charge fees but instead focuses on public accounting of those funds.
Towns with surplus revenues would be required to explain how they plan to spend the extra funds. This could include reinvestments in beach infrastructure, environmental protection, or public amenities, though the bill does not prescribe specific uses.
There is no announced opposition to the bill as of Thursday. The legislation has not yet been assigned to a committee for hearings or further review.
