This bill mandates the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to ensure public access for boats to State-owned lakes where boating is permitted. Within two years of the bill's enactment, the DEP is required to either construct public boat access or enter into long-term contracts with private marina owners through a public bidding process. If the DEP cannot provide access, it must report to the Governor and the Legislature, detailing the lakes affected and the reasons for the inability to provide access, including any funding shortfalls.

To facilitate this initiative, the bill appropriates $2 million from the General Fund to the DEP specifically for the construction of public boat access. The legislation aims to address the growing demand for public access to lakes, particularly in light of increased usage during the COVID-19 pandemic, as private marinas have reached capacity and limited public access. The bill highlights the need for equitable access to recreational boating opportunities for the public, exemplified by the situation at Greenwood Lake, where no public boat launch currently exists.