This bill proposes to officially rename Delaware Bay to the "Bay of New Jersey" across all New Jersey statutes and official references. It mandates that all state departments and agencies update their public-facing materials, including websites, signage, and maps, to reflect this name change. Additionally, the bill requires that any references to Delaware Bay in existing laws, rules, regulations, contracts, or documents be interpreted as referring to the Bay of New Jersey. The Department of State is tasked with notifying relevant federal agencies to ensure that federal publications are also updated accordingly.

The bill includes several amendments to enhance the management and protection of coastal wetlands and marine resources in New Jersey. It authorizes the South Jersey Port Corporation to enter into lease agreements with private marine terminal operators and expands the definition of "coastal wetlands" to include various tidal areas. Furthermore, it establishes a moratorium on the harvest of horseshoe crabs to protect shorebird populations and creates the "Oyster Resource Development Account" for managing oyster landings in the Bay of New Jersey. The bill also modifies regulations related to menhaden and eel fishing, updates the governance structure of the Delaware River and Bay Authority, and emphasizes compliance with environmental laws, all while promoting economic development and sustainable resource management in the region.

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