Bill Text: NJ A3994 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes annual photography competition to promote ecological and agricultural wonders of NJ.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-12-15 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee [A3994 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-A3994-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman SAMUEL L. FIOCCHI
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes annual photography competition to promote ecological and agricultural wonders of NJ.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act establishing an annual ecological and agricultural photography competition and supplementing chapter 9A of Title 52 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Department of State shall establish an annual photography competition highlighting and promoting the many ecological and agricultural wonders and resources of New Jersey. The photographs shall be of wildlife, plants and plant-like organisms, landscapes, wilderness or other points of natural or agricultural interest in the State.
b. The department shall establish the terms of the competition, including the rules of the competition and submission requirements, including, but not limited to, the following conditions: (1) photographs shall have been taken within two years of the year of competition for which they are being submitted; (2) each entrant may submit up to three photographs; (3) if an individual is submitting more than one photograph, a separate entry form must be submitted with each photograph, indicating clearly which form belongs with which photograph; (4) photographs must be available as a digital image; (5) the competition is open to amateur photographers only, and any person having sold more than 10 photographs shall not be considered an amateur photographer and shall not be eligible to participate in this competition; and (6) the photographer grants unlimited use of submitted photograph(s) by the State of New Jersey for publications, web pages, presentations, exhibits, and other promotional and educational products. However, the State is required to give credit to the photographer when the photograph is used, and the photographer may continue to use the photograph for personal uses, but the photographer is prohibited from selling or otherwise transferring the copyright of the photograph to any other person or entity.
c. There shall be three categories of competition: (1) submissions from individuals aged 10 years old and younger; (2) submissions from individuals aged 11 years old through 17 years old; and (3) submissions from individuals aged 18 years old and older.
d. The winning photograph from each category shall be displayed for at least one year on the website of the Department of State, as well as within the State House Complex, in consultation with the State Capitol Joint Management Commission.
e. The panel determining the winning photographs of the competition shall be comprised of the following individuals, or their designees: the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, the Executive Director of the Highlands Council and the Chairman of the Pinelands Commission. Members of the panel shall serve without compensation.
f. The department shall publicize the photography competition in such a manner so as to attract photography submissions. The Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Agriculture, in a manner approved by the Secretary of State, shall publicize the competition on their Internet websites.
2. This act shall take effect on the first day of the sixth month next following enactment, except the Department of State may take any anticipatory administrative action in advance as shall be necessary for the implementation of this act.
STATEMENT
This bill would establish an annual photography competition to promote and support the many ecological and agricultural wonders of New Jersey. Submitted photographs must be of wildlife, plants, landscapes, wilderness or other points of natural or agricultural interest in the State.
There would be three age categories for the competition: (1) submissions from individuals aged 10 years old and younger; (2) submissions from individuals aged 11 years old to 17 years old; and (3) submissions from individuals aged 18 years old and older. The panel judging the competition would be comprised as follows: the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, the Executive Director of the Highlands Council and the Chairman of the Pinelands Commission.
Entries will be subject to the rules established by the Department of State, including, but not limited to, the following: (1) photographs shall have been taken within two years of the year of competition for which they are being submitted; (2) each entrant may submit up to three photographs; (3) photographs must be available as a digital image; (4) an entry form must be submitted with each photograph; (5) the competition is open to amateur photographers only; and (6) the photographer grants unlimited use of submitted photograph(s) by the State of New Jersey for publications, web pages, presentations, exhibits, and other promotional and educational products. However, the State is required to give credit to the photographer when the photograph is used, and the photographer may continue to use the photograph for personal uses, but the photographer is prohibited from selling or otherwise transferring the copyright of the photograph to any other person or entity.
The winning photograph from each category would be displayed for at least one year on the Department of State's website, as well as within the State Capitol Complex.
From Ramapo Mountain State Park to Island Beach State Park to Wharton State Forest, and throughout the State, there exists an abundance of raw beauty and wildlife. The charming and rustic landscapes of the many farms and wineries in the State are a vivid reminder that New Jersey truly is the "Garden State." Through the photography competition, this bill would highlight the various ecological and agricultural resources and attractions within New Jersey.
