NJ Lawmaker Proposes 'Snookiville' Bill To Let Towns Regulate Reality TV Filming

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) - A New Jersey state legislator has introduced a bill dubbed "Snookiville" that would allow towns to regulate the filming of reality television shows.

The title of the bill is a play on "Jersey Shore" star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi's nickname.

"The purpose of the legislation is to provide the local community, if it so desires, to adopt a local ordinance to license and regulate reality TV shows so that both the public safety and the taxpayers are protected when the reality TV cameras begin rolling," Ocean County Assemblyman Ronald Dancer told WCBS 880.

Dancer said reality shows sometimes bring unwanted attention to suburban communities and towns should get a say in the filming.

"We've had the 'Jersey Shore,' we've had the 'Real Housewives of New Jersey,' the 'Cake Boss,' so in the last few years we've had a number of reality TV shows and we know from experience that while they can be very beneficial to a community, to its local businesses, they do attract a certain number of curiosity-seekers, people that want to see the filming of the show and their stars," Assemblyman Ron Dancer told WCBS 880.

The Republican lawmaker was tongue-in-cheek when talking about his proposed legislation.

"The legislation's going to provide towns in New Jersey with an option to prevent a 'Situation,' pardon the pun, in which the taxpayers could get perhaps 'Snookered' or public safety compromised by filming reality TV shows in our state," Dancer told WCBS 880.

"Jersey Shore" recently wrapped up the filming of its third and final season in Seaside Heights.

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