ASSEMBLY TOURISM, GAMING AND THE ARTS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4209

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 16, 2024

      The Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4209.

This bill establishes in the Department of State (department) a program to provide matching grant funds of up to $25,000 each to local government units to fund the hiring of storytellers with Revolutionary War historical expertise for the purpose of attracting tourists in celebration of the United States Semiquincentennial.

     The bill provides that, in establishing the matching grant program, the department is to develop guidelines, terms and conditions, and reporting procedures, as enumerated in the bill.

     Matching grants are to be awarded to local government units on a competitive basis based upon an applicant’s demonstration of certain criteria, which are to include, but not be limited to:

     (1)   submission of specific objectives in the hiring of one or more storytellers with Revolutionary War historical expertise for the United States Semiquincentennial; and

     (2)   evidence the local government unit is located within an area of historical significance concerning the Revolutionary War.

     The bill provides that within 90 days after enactment of the bill, and notwithstanding the provisions of the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) to the contrary, the department is to adopt, immediately upon filing proper notice with the Office of Administrative Law, the rules and regulations prepared by the department necessary to establish and implement the grant program.

     The rules and regulations adopted by the department are to be in effect until the expiration of the grant program, which is to occur upon the exhaustion of the $2,000,000 appropriated from the General Fund or by the end of 2026.