New Jersey Legislature Considers ‘Snookiville Law’
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MTV Networks(NEW YORK) — Filming drunken stars on the streets has become a staple of reality TV. Now a law proposed in New Jersey could give towns more authority when it comes to regulating the messier effects of those scenes.
The Snookiville Law, bill A-3273, was introduced earlier this month and named for Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, star of MTV’s Jersey Shore.
The legislation would permit towns to regulate production and impose fees on crews for additional police surveillance during filming.
“New Jersey has a tradition of being a desirable location for reality TV shows such as Jersey Shore, The Real Housewives of New Jersey and Cake Boss,” New Jersey assemblyman Ronald Dancer (R), who introduced the bill, said. “These shows can attract crowds, which can benefit local businesses and challenge a community’s resources.”
Dancer says the bill, “will permit local officials to make sure taxpayers don’t get ‘Snook’-ered or public safety is compromised.”
“It’s designed to provide towns with an option. It’s not a mandate, but an option,” Dancer said. “For a local municipal to license filming as a special event, we can better manage and plan to prevent poor situations, such as crowds, traffic congestion and drunkenness.”
Towns that choose to adopt the ruling could require crews to pay for additional security, specifically if stars are stumbling down the streets, engaging in disorderly conduct.
“Reality TV can be an asset to a host community, as long as we remember that these shows may cost taxpayers money by requiring additional services when cameras are rolling in town,” Dancer said.
Dancer says he hopes the law will take effect by the end of this year.
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