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

Visitors get New Jersey Film Trail

The law takes effect 60 days after enactment. It requires New Jersey’s Division of Travel and Tourism to create and maintain a Film Trail. The trail highlights sites used in popular movies, television, and other entertainment, but excludes private homes. The Division selects sites with the state’s Motion Picture and Television Development Commission. Public and private groups can suggest sites through an online form. These submitted sites cannot be government-owned, operated, or maintained; the Commission must verify them before inclusion. The Division designs, buys, and installs official markers at state-owned sites or on state property. Markers identify the production, performers, filming dates, and any other required details. Private entities need Division approval for official markers, and the Division oversees them. Division-installed markers belong to the State and must meet its design and content standards. Installing, obtaining, keeping, moving, changing, or removing those markers requires written permission; installation, changes, and removal must follow Division directions. Copying markers or making, selling, or installing misleading or fake official markers is prohibited. The Division can coordinate marker placement with private owners, except at private homes. Public funds cannot pay to produce, buy, or install markers on private property. Private gifts, grants, and assistance can cover marker review, production, purchase, and installation costs. The Division can set marker rules and make agreements with private sources and nonprofit, educational, or charitable groups to operate and improve the trail. A required website provides searchable lists, an interactive map, photos, filming details, and driving directions from multiple regions. It must list available tours, how to take them, their frequency, and hours. Trip plans highlight nearby attractions, restaurants, lodging, and other places of interest. The Division must update the website when the Commission identifies new locations and can revise it using submitted information.