52:16A-43 - Findings, declarations; authority of department
52:16A-43 Findings, declarations; authority of department
1. The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. The New Jersey Railroad and Transportation Museum Study Commission was created under P.L.1987, c.41, continued under P.L.1988, c.5, and reconstituted under P.L.1990, c.58, for the purpose of investigating the feasibility of establishing a railroad and transportation museum in New Jersey; including in its study such issues as the possible location of the museum, the costs associated with the creation and operation of the museum, and the potential sources and types of financial support required for the museum;
b. In its Interim Report, published in February 1988, the study commission documented the public interest in, the historical need for, and the financial viability of, a railroad and transportation museum in this State;
c. Since then, the study commission has devoted many hours to meetings, on-site inspections, public hearings, research and planning, to ensure that the State's railroad and transportation heritage will be preserved in a well-planned, financially sound manner, and that there will be enthusiastic public support for the museum;
d. The continuity of this planning process must extend beyond the September 30, 1991 expiration date of the legislation authorizing the study commission, if the museum is to succeed, and the extensive preparatory work of the study commission, a major contribution to the museum project, should be expanded upon, so as not to lose the momentum of public interest in the project, and to take advantage of the opportunities now available to obtain equipment, artifacts and other memorabilia, railroad rights-of-way and other real properties, and the sources of funding for the project;
e. Therefore, it is only appropriate that the Legislature create a new long-term commission, to continue the work of the study commission, and to take further preparatory actions toward creation of the museum. At this time the Department of Transportation is deemed the appropriate authority to establish the museum, pending any final decision made in the future, and for this reason the Department of Transportation is authorized to receive funds for the proposed museum and to take other appropriate preparatory and transitional action.
L.1993,c.209,s.1; amended 1997, c.50, s.1; per s.13 of 1993, c.209, expired September 30, 2002.