Requires Division of Travel and Tourism to establish campaign that displays certain tourism advertisements through plastic wrapping of certain utility boxes located at intersections.
Impact
This bill is poised to influence state advertisement regulations by integrating tourism promotion directly into public infrastructure—utility boxes. By coordinating with the Department of Transportation, the bill aims to identify suitable locations for advertisement displays and necessitates collaboration with utility box owners to obtain permissions. The Division of Travel and Tourism will also be responsible for creating eligibility criteria and determining which advertisements are suitable, thus centralizing control over how tourism is marketed using state property.
Summary
Assembly Bill A4515 requires the Division of Travel and Tourism within the New Jersey Department of State to establish a campaign aimed at promoting tourism ads through the plastic wrapping of utility boxes located at intersections across the State. The bill outlines the criteria for selecting which utility boxes may be wrapped and specifies that the advertisements displayed must hold state or local significance. Additionally, it provides definitions for 'plastic wrapping' as it pertains to the materials and technologies used to execute this initiative.
Contention
Notably, the bill emphasizes compliance with federal and municipal signage laws, which could provoke debate regarding the aesthetic and regulatory implications of wrapping utility boxes in advertising materials. Local governments may express concerns about maintaining the visual integrity of public spaces while still promoting tourism, potentially leading to discussions on the balance between economic development and community standards.
Carry Over
Requires Division of Travel and Tourism to establish campaign that displays certain tourism advertisements through plastic wrapping of certain utility boxes located at intersections.