27:7-44.19 Establishment of sponsorship program.

2. a. There is established in the department a sponsorship program to allow for private sponsorship of department operational activities or other highway-related services or programs.

b. The department shall adopt a policy on sponsorship agreements that is applicable to all highways within the State as is required by pertinent federal laws, rules, regulations, or orders to administer the program established pursuant to this section. The policy shall:

(1) include language requiring the department to terminate a sponsorship agreement if it determines the sponsorship agreement or acknowledgement sign present a safety concern, interferes with the free and safe flow of traffic, or is not in the public interest;

(2) describe the sponsors and sponsorship agreements that are acceptable and consistent with applicable State and federal laws;

(3) require that any monetary contribution received through the program be used solely for highway purposes;

(4) include a requirement that a person, firm, or entity shall comply with the State's "Law Against Discrimination," P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-1 et seq.) to be eligible to participate in the program; and

(5) be approved by the Federal Highway Administration's New Jersey Division Office.

c. Under the sponsorship program established pursuant to this section, the department may enter into a sponsorship agreement with a person, firm, or entity to receive a highway-related service, product, or monetary contribution in exchange for acknowledging the person, firm, or entity on an acknowledgement sign. A sponsorship agreement concerning any portion of the interstate highway system shall be subject to approval by the Federal Highway Administration.

d. Nothing in this section shall permit the use of or erection of any advertising sign as part of a sponsorship program authorized pursuant to P.L.2013, c.130 (C.27:7-44.18 et al.).

L.2013, c.130, s.2.