S 4268 New Jersey Senate · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Requires Division of Travel and Tourism to establish New Jersey Film Trail.

This bill directs New Jersey's Division of Travel and Tourism to create an official New Jersey Film Trail that highlights locations used for movies and television productions. The program will identify filming sites, install official markers at public locations, and oversee any markers placed by private entities while explicitly excluding private residences from the trail. To support visitors, the bill requires the creation of a searchable online map and website featuring driving directions, tour information, photos, and vacation itineraries that connect filming sites with nearby attractions. The initiative relies on public-private partnerships for funding and allows the state to accept financial assistance from private sources to cover marker-related costs.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

May 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced May 14, 2026 Last action Jun 30, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Reprint · 6 edits

MODERATE

The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee made substantial amendments to S4268 (New Jersey Film Trail), deleting three of six subsections in Section 1 that contained key operational requirements. The committee removed the specific duties for site selection, marker design standards, oversight of private markers, rulemaking authority, and funding restrictions. Senator Johnson was added as a co-sponsor.

Scope change

The bill's scope narrowed significantly. While it still establishes the Film Trail and website, the committee stripped out most of the operational framework: specific site selection criteria, marker design standards, private entity oversight, rulemaking authority, and funding mechanisms were all removed, leaving a much thinner legislative mandate.

REQUIREMENT

Subsection 1(b) was deleted entirely. This removed the requirement that the Division determine and select filming sites, design official markers with specific content (production name, performers, dates), and provide oversight of markers erected by private entities.

In Section 2(a)(4), the requirement that website descriptions include 'at a minimum, the same information provided on the associated filming marker' was removed, making the website content requirements less specific.

ENFORCEMENT

Subsection 1(e) was deleted, removing the division's authority to establish guidelines, rules, or regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act regarding filming markers.

FISCAL

Subsection 1(f) was deleted, removing both the prohibition on using public funds to produce or erect markers on private property AND the authority for the division to receive gifts, grants, or financial assistance from private sources to fund marker costs.

TECHNICAL

Subsection renumbering: original subsection d became new subsection b, and cross-references in Section 2(d) were updated accordingly. Minor language fix in Section 2(a) changing 'it's locations' to 'the locations included in the film trail.'

SCOPE

Senator Johnson was added as a co-sponsor alongside Senator Diegnan.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

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Key actions

Committee

Jun 11, 2026

Committee

Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee

upper

May 14, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee

upper

2 primary · 1 co-sponsor