Committee releases amended bill clarifying beach access for surfers, anglers; municipalities raise concerns

Assembly Bill A4816, which seeks to clarify public access to shoreline areas, was amended and released by the Assembly Tourism, Gaming and Arts Committee after extensive testimony from anglers, surf and conservation groups and business associations.

The bill as amended prohibits a municipality from requiring a beach badge or admission pass for individuals accessing the wet sandy beach area below the mean high tide line "for recreational purposes," language that the sponsor’s statement and supporters described as targeted to surfers and anglers who do not use municipal beach services. Assemblywoman Donlon (sponsor; statement read into the record) told the committee she intended the bill to "solidify access to one of our greatest natural resources in this state, our ocean and shoreline" and to…