Could New Jersey finally have a universal beach access rule in time for summer?

The issue became front and center following the scuffle between a surfer and Belmar police. The incident forced residents to pose the question, should people who are trying to simply access the ocean pay to get on the beach?

“The people have that right. However, you need to work that out to give them that right that’s what you have to do,” said Ross Kushner, of the New Jersey Coastal Alliance.

More than 200 municipalities in New Jersey border tidal waters. Getting them all on the same page when it comes to the public trust doctrine and beach access is the goal of Assemblywoman Margie Donlon.

“It’s not to eliminate beach badge fees. The goal is to ensure clarity about the public trust doctrine about ocean access and possibly tidal water access moving forward,” said Donlon.

RELATED:Arrest of surfer in Belmar sheds light on whether beachgoers should have to pay for beach access

The issue came to a head last September when surfer Liam Mahoney was charged with disorderly conduct for not following a Belmar police officer’s order. Days after this incident, Donlon drafted her bill which has since been amended to include ocean recreational activities, not just fishing and surfing.

Mike Gleason, owner of Tak Waterman Surf and Fish in Long Branch, agrees.

“It would be nice to have something universal where it’s set in stone everybody knows the deal and it’s just plain black and white,” said Gleason.

“The Army Corps of Engineers has replenished these beaches, and it cost billions of dollars. Citizens feel they already paid for the beach why do I have to pay twice,” said Kushner.

The bill’s second reading took place last Thursday in front of the New Jersey Tourism, Gaming, and Arts Committee.

“The goal is to have this clarified by the summer hopefully it will come to the floor for a vote soon,” said Donlon.