Since the exercise of the powers granted by this act will be in all respects for the benefit of the people of the State, all projects, lands and other property of the commission are hereby declared to be public property of a political subdivision of the State and devoted to an essential public and governmental function and purpose and shall be exempt from all taxes and special assessments of the State or any subdivision thereof; provided, however, that when property or land of the commission exempt from taxation is leased or licensed to another whose property is not exempt, and the licensing or leasing of which does not make the real estate taxable, the estate created by the lease or license and the appurtenances thereto shall be listed as the property of the lessee or licensee thereof, or his assignee, and be assessed and taxed as real estate.
N.J.S. § 13:17-36