Office of Legislative Services
State House Annex
P.O. Box 068
Trenton, New Jersey 08625
Legislative Budget and Finance Office
Phone (609) 847-3105
Fax (609) 777-2442
www.njleg.state.nj.us
LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE
ASSEMBLY, No. 1403
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
DATED: JANUARY 23, 2025
SUMMARY
Synopsis: "Penny's Law"; requires DEP to develop beach accessibility guidelines
for persons with disabilities.
Type of Impact: One-time State cost increase.
Agencies Affected: Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Human
Services.
Fiscal Impact
One-Time State Cost Increase Up to $132,000
The OLS estimates that the bill would result in a one-time State cost increase of up to $132,000
to develop the beach accessibility guidelines. This estimate assumes that staff time comparable
to one full-time equivalent employee would be required to complete the tasks enumerated in
the bill.
BILL DESCRIPTION
This bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection, in consultation with the
Department of Human Services, to develop guidelines for facilities and accommodations necessary
to provide beach access for persons with disabilities. The guidelines are to be developed and made
public within one year of the bill’s effective date. These would include recommendations for
ramps, restrooms, showers, boardwalks, surf chairs, parking spaces, and other facilities. The bill
requires the Department of Human Services to develop a process by which experts would be
notified of the need for their input in the development of the guidelines. Additionally, the
Department of Environmental Protection is required to consider procedures for beach access routes
and facilities on federal lands. The bill requires the department to publish these beach accessibility
recommendations on its website and to distribute copies to every county and municipality with
publicly owned beach or waterfront property. The department is also required to design a uniform
label or sign so that State and local governments can display notice of accessibility measures for
individuals with disabilities.
FE to A1403
2
FISCAL ANALYSIS
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
None Received.
OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES
The OLS estimates that the bill would result in a one-time State cost increase of up to $132,000
to develop the beach accessibility guidelines. This estimate assumes that staff time comparable to
one full-time equivalent employee would be required to complete the tasks enumerated in the bill.
The cost reflects the average salary of a Department of Environmental Protection employee, which
is about $81,000, plus fringe benefits. The guidelines are to be developed within one year of the
bill’s effective date so no additional costs are anticipated beyond that time.
Section: Environment, Agriculture, Energy, and Natural Resources
Analyst: Anna Heckler
Assistant Fiscal Analyst
Approved: Thomas Koenig
Legislative Budget and Finance Officer
This legislative fiscal estimate has been produced by the Office of Legislative Services due to the
failure of the Executive Branch to respond to our request for a fiscal note.
This fiscal estimate has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67 (C.52:13B-6 et seq.).