New Jersey Assembly Bill A3434

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/22
• Refer: 3/8/22

Caption

Requires New Jersey Historical Commission to conduct public competition for commemorative medallion or medallion series to celebrate independence of United States.

Impact

The passage of A3434 would serve to institutionalize a recognition of the American Revolution within New Jersey state celebrations, tying this commemorative action back to the state's heritage and educational initiatives. By establishing a contract for the production of the medallion, the bill ensures that the state's role in America's history is acknowledged and celebrated in tangible form. The Historical Commission will oversee the contest details and manage the production process, thus involving public participation in the design aspect which may foster community engagement and pride.

Summary

Bill A3434 requires the New Jersey Historical Commission to conduct a public competition for the design of a commemorative medallion or series of medallions celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. The intent of this bill is to honor the critical role that New Jersey played during the revolution, as it was one of the original 13 colonies and the site of numerous pivotal battles and political events. The competition will allow for a variety of design submissions that reflect the celebratory nature of this historical milestone.

Contention

While the bill is largely supported for its commemorative intent, it may face discussions around the allocation of state resources for the production and promotion of the medallion. Questions may arise regarding the appropriateness of spending state funds on a commemorative project, particularly in discussions about budget priorities and the use of historical commemorations to foster a particular narrative. The stipulation that the production company need not be a tax-exempt nonprofit organization may also lead to debates regarding public-private partnerships in state-funded projects.