S 303 New Jersey Senate · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Requires DEP to provide time period during which mobile sport fishing permits may be purchased only by NJ residents.

S 303 requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to sell mobile sport fishing permits - used for operating vehicles on beaches for fishing - in a 14-day initial window exclusively for New Jersey residents. This applies to all permit types (annual, 3-day, weekday, and daily) and directly affects anyone seeking these permits, excluding non-residents during that period. The DEP may create rules to verify residency, such as acceptable ID, under the Administrative Procedure Act. The law takes effect six months after enactment.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Mar 16, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Technical Review Of Prefiled Bill → Introduced · 3 edits · Jan 13, 2026

MINOR

This diff reflects a procedural transition from a technical review version to an introduced version of S303. The bill's substantive text is unchanged, but administrative markings were updated and a summary statement was added describing the bill's purpose: requiring DEP to create a 14-day resident-only window for purchasing mobile sport fishing permits.

TECHNICAL

Bill designation changed from 'S303 TR' (Technical Review) to 'S303' (Introduced), and status line changed from 'As reported by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee with technical review' to 'Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.'

Added notation that the bill is pre-filed for introduction in the 2026 session.

SCOPE

Added a formal statement summarizing the bill's purpose: requiring DEP to sell mobile sport fishing permits with an initial 14-day period during which only New Jersey residents may purchase them, and authorizing DEP to adopt implementing rules. Effective six months after enactment.

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Full legislative history

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Committee

Jan 13, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor