This bill proposes to officially rename Delaware Bay to the "Bay of New Jersey," requiring all state departments and agencies to update their official materials, including websites and signage, to reflect this change. It mandates that any references to "Delaware Bay" in New Jersey laws, regulations, and official documents be interpreted as referring to the Bay of New Jersey. Additionally, the Department of State is tasked with notifying relevant federal agencies to ensure consistency in federal documents. The bill also includes amendments to existing laws, replacing references to "Delaware Bay" with "Bay of New Jersey" in various legal contexts, including the powers of the State Department of Conservation and Economic Development and the South Jersey Port District.

Furthermore, the bill enhances the management and protection of New Jersey's coastal and marine resources by authorizing the South Jersey Port Corporation to enter into lease agreements with private marine terminal operators and expanding the definition of "coastal wetlands." It establishes a moratorium on the harvest of horseshoe crabs to protect shorebirds and creates the "Oyster Resource Development Account" for managing oyster populations. The bill also outlines regulations for menhaden fishing, updates licensing requirements, and establishes the "Delaware River and the Bay of New Jersey Authority" to oversee transportation and commerce facilities. Overall, the bill aims to promote sustainable practices, economic growth, and environmental conservation in the region while emphasizing the local identity of the Bay of New Jersey.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 12:6A-1, 12:11A-4, 12:11A-6, 12:11A-8, 12:11A-9, 13:9A-2, 13:19-4, 23:2B-20, 23:3-12.2, 23:3-72, 23:3-73, 27:1A-76, 32:11E-1, 32:11E-1.1, 32:11E-1.3, 32:11E-1.4, 32:11E-1.5, 32:11E-1.6, 32:11E-1.7, 32:11E-1.8, 32:11E-1.9, 32:11E-1.11, 32:11E-6, 34:1B-142, 36:2-37, 36:2-38, 50:2-6.1, 50:3-16.1, 50:3-16.13, 50:3-16.3, 50:3-20.10, .A:9-51.5