Bill Text: NJ S2425 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Authorizes local units to temporarily make special emergency appropriations for COVID-19 response.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-05-07 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee [S2425 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-S2425-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JOSEPH A. LAGANA
District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Authorizes local units to temporarily make special emergency appropriations for COVID-19 response.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act authorizing local units to temporarily make special emergency appropriations for COVID-19 response and amending N.J.S.40A:4-53.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. N.J.S.40A:4-53 is amended to read as follows:
40A:4-53. A local unit may adopt an ordinance authorizing special emergency appropriations for the carrying out of any of the following purposes:
a. Preparation of an approved tax map.
b. Preparation and execution of a complete program of revaluation of real property for the use of the local assessor, or of any program to update and make current any previous revaluation program when such is ordered by the county board of taxation.
c. Preparation of a revision and codification of its ordinances.
d. Engagement of special consultants for the preparation, and the preparation of a master plan or plans, when required to conform to the planning laws of the State.
e. Preparation of drainage maps for flood control purposes.
f. Preliminary engineering studies and planning necessary for the installation and construction of a sanitary sewer system.
g. Authorized expenses of a consolidation commission established pursuant to the "Municipal Consolidation Act," P.L.1977, c.435 (C.40:43-66.35 et seq.) or sections 25 through 29 of the "Uniform Shared Services and Consolidation Act," P.L.2007, c.63 (C.40A:65-25 through C.40A:65-29).
h. Contractually required severance liabilities resulting from the layoff or retirement of employees. Such liabilities shall be paid without interest and, at the sole discretion of the local unit, may be paid in equal annual installments over a period not to exceed five years.
i. Preparation of a sanitary or storm system map.
j. Liabilities incurred to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development for the reimbursement of unemployment benefits paid to former employees.
k. Subject to approval by the Director of the Division of Local Government Services, non-recurring expenses incurred by a municipality to implement a consolidation with another municipality, or municipalities, pursuant to the "Municipal Consolidation Act," P.L.1977, c.435 (C.40:43-66.35 et seq.); the sparsely populated municipalities law, P.L.1995, c.376 (C.40:43-66.78 et seq.); sections 25 through 29 of the "Uniform Shared Services and Consolidation Act," P.L.2007, c.63 (C.40A:65-25 through C.40A:65-29); or N.J.S.40A:7-1 et seq., in the case of a consolidation effectuated through the annexation of land comprising an entire municipality or entire municipalities, to another municipality. The director shall approve the ordinance if he or she determines that the non-recurring expenses are reasonable and permissible by law and that the consolidation will result in long-term savings for the municipality.
l. For the five-year period following the effective date of P.L. , c. (pending before the Legislature as this bill), expenses incurred by a municipality in response to COVID-19, including but not limited to those relating to any management, testing, and treatment, and the provision or distribution of economic assistance.
As used in this subsection, "COVID-19" means the coronavirus disease 2019, as announced by the World Health Organization on February 11, 2020, and first identified in Wuhan, China.
A copy of all ordinances or resolutions as adopted relating to special emergency appropriations shall be filed with the director.
(cf: P.L.2017, c.101, s.1)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill would authorize a municipality or county to make special emergency appropriations to support its response to the COVID-19 crisis. As a result of this authorization, municipalities and counties would also be able to issue special emergency notes to fund these appropriations under current law. This bill would provide these local units with added financial flexibility to effectively respond to the COVID-19 public health and economic emergency.
Under the bill, municipalities and counties could, over a five year period, make special emergency appropriations as they grapple with the unexpected costs related to COVID-19. These cost uncertainties may persist over this period as long-term testing, financial measures, and other responses needed for public health and economic recovery continue to evolve.
