ASSEMBLY TOURISM, GAMING AND THE ARTS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5122

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 1, 2026

      The Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 5122.

      This bill establishes a Rest Stop Tourism Display Program in the Division of Travel and Tourism. 

      Under the bill, the division will coordinate with the Department of Transportation (DOT), the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA), the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA), destination marketing organizations (DMOs), and businesses to install temporary informational displays promoting tourism attractions and locations near highway rest stops.  The displays will be temporary and the length of time the display is offered will be determined jointly by the division and the appropriate highway rest stop transportation authority.  The displays may include an informational exhibit, free informational materials that may be taken by visitors at the rest stop, and materials sold by owners of local tourism attractions and destinations. 

      The bill permits DMOs and businesses to propose the installation of displays at highway rest stops.  The division will publish information on the division’s Internet website detailing how to apply to install a temporary informational display at a nearby highway rest stop.

      The bill requires that, every six months, the SJTA and the NJTA will submit to the DOT and to the division a list of planned and existing displays at highway rest stops for the following six months.