ASSEMBLY TOURISM, GAMING AND THE ARTS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4818

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  NOVEMBER 14, 2024

      The Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4818.

This bill modifies and clarifies provisions of law governing municipal tourist development commissions which concern their expenditures for advertising outside of the municipality to attract tourists into the municipality.  Under the bill, a tourist development commission would be required to disburse at least 20 percent of its revenues for such advertising.  Current law requires a tourist development commission to disburse at least 50 percent of its revenues for such advertising.

     Additionally, the bill defines the term “advertising outside of the municipality” to clarify that the term applies to advertisements targeted to people who work or reside outside of the municipality, encouraging them to patronize tourist opportunities within the municipality, regardless of whether the advertisement also reaches people working or residing inside the municipality.