Bill Text: NJ S2773 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced

New Jersey Senate Bill 2773

Introduced

Bill Title: Requires certain public officials to complete course of study developed by Commissioner of Community Affairs on operation of public water and wastewater systems.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-02-15 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee [S2773 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2024-S2773-Introduced.html

SENATE, No. 2773

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

221st LEGISLATURE

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 15, 2024

Sponsored by:

Senator LINDA R. GREENSTEIN

District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)

SYNOPSIS

Requires certain public officials to complete course of study developed by Commissioner of Community Affairs on operation of public water and wastewater systems.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

As introduced.

An Act requiring certain public officials to complete a course of study on the operation of public water and wastewater systems, supplementing chapter 27D of Title 52 of the Revised Statutes, and amending various parts of the statutory law.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. (New section) a. The Commissioner of Community Affairs shall prepare and offer, not later than the first day of the seventh month next following the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), a basic course to be completed by any elected or appointed person having direct budgetary authority over public water and wastewater systems, concerning the management of the finances, including the adoption of the annual budget, and the infrastructure of public water and wastewater systems. The commissioner shall require the course to be completed by every person first appointed or elected to a county or municipal office having direct budgetary authority over the finances of a public water or wastewater system, after the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), and any person first appointed as a member of a commission or an authority having direct budgetary authority over the finances of a public water or wastewater system, after the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill). Any person who is serving in any of those capacities on the first date on which that course is offered shall be required to complete that course within 18 months of the date upon which the course is first offered.

b. The basic course to be prepared and offered pursuant to this section shall consist of no more than five hours of scheduled instruction and shall be structured so that a person may satisfy this requirement within one calendar day. The commissioner shall consult with the New Jersey Association of Environmental Authorities in establishing standards for the curriculum and the administration of the course of study.

For the purposes of this section, "public water and wastewater system" shall mean a public water or wastewater system created pursuant to the following laws of this State:

the "sewerage authorities law," P.L.1946, c.138 (C.40:14A-1 et seq.);

the "municipal and county utilities authorities law," P.L.1957, c.183 (C.40:14B-1 et seq.);

the "Municipal and County Sewerage Act," P.L.1991, c.53 (C.40A:26A-1 et seq.);

the "County and Municipal Water Supply Act," P.L.1989, c.109 (C.40A:31-1 et seq.);

the "county improvement authorities law," P.L.1960, c.183 (C.40:37A-44 et seq.);

the "New Jersey Pollution Control Financing Law," P.L.1973, c.376 (C.40:37C-1 et seq.);

R.S.58:14-1 et seq.;

R.S.40:62-109 et seq.;

the "New Jersey Water Supply Authority Act," P.L.1981, c.293 (C.58:1B-1 et seq.);

the North Jersey water supply district and the South Jersey water supply district law, P.L.1916, c.70 (C.58:5-1);

the municipal water district law, R.S.40:62-96 et seq.; and

with respect to joint meetings, P.L.1960, c.3 (C.40:48B-2.1 et seq.) and sections 15 and 16 of the "Uniform Shared Services and Consolidation Act," P.L.2007, c.63 (C.40A:65-15 and C.40A:65-16).

2. Section 4 of P.L.1946, c.138 (C.40:14A-4) is amended to read as follows:

4. (a) The governing body of any county may, by resolution duly adopted, create a public body corporate and politic under the name and style of "the ........ sewerage authority," with all or any significant part of the name of such county inserted. Said body shall consist of the five members thereof, who shall be appointed by resolution of the governing body as hereinafter in this section provided, together with the additional members thereof, if any, appointed as hereinafter in subsection (i) of this section provided, and it shall constitute the sewerage authority contemplated and provided for in this act and an agency and instrumentality of said county. After the taking effect of the resolution for the creation of said body and the filing of a certified copy thereof as in subsection (d) of this section provided, five persons shall be appointed as the members of the sewerage authority. The members first appointed shall, by the resolution of appointment, be designated to serve for terms respectively expiring on the first days of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth Februaries next ensuing after the dates of their appointments. On or after January 1 in each year after such first appointments, one person shall be appointed as a member of the sewerage authority to serve for a term commencing on February 1 in such year and expiring on February 1 in the fifth year after such year. In the event of a vacancy in the membership of the sewerage authority occurring during an unexpired term of office, a person shall be appointed as a member of the sewerage authority to serve for such unexpired term.

(b) The governing body of any municipality may, by ordinance duly adopted, create a public body corporate and politic under the name and style of "the ........ sewerage authority," with all or any significant part of the name of such municipality inserted. A sewerage authority created pursuant to this section by a municipality other than a city of the first class shall consist of five members and a sewerage authority created pursuant to this section by a municipality which is a city of the first class shall consist of five or seven members, as determined by the governing body. Members of the sewerage authority shall be appointed by resolution of the governing body as hereinafter in this section provided, and the authority shall constitute the sewerage authority contemplated and provided for in this act and an agency and instrumentality of said municipality. After the taking effect of such ordinance and the filing of a certified copy thereof as in subsection (d) of this section provided, the members of the sewerage authority shall be appointed. The members first appointed shall, by the resolution of appointment, be designated to serve for terms respectively expiring as follows: the terms of the first four members shall expire in turn on each of the first days of the first, second, third and fourth Februaries next ensuing after the dates of their appointments, and the remaining members shall be designated to serve for terms expiring on the first day of the fifth February next ensuing after the date of their appointment. On or after January 1 in each year after such first appointments, one person shall be appointed or reappointed as a member of the sewerage authority to succeed each member whose term is expiring, and shall serve for a term commencing on February 1 in such year and expiring on February 1 in the fifth year after such year. In the event of a vacancy in the membership of the sewerage authority occurring during an unexpired term of office, a person shall be appointed as a member of the sewerage authority to serve for such unexpired term.

The governing body of a municipality which is a city of the first class may increase the membership of its sewerage authority to seven members from five members. The two additional members shall be appointed to serve five-year terms, commencing on the February 1 next following their appointment and expiring on February 1 in the fifth year after their appointment.

(c) The governing bodies of any two or more municipalities or any two or more counties, the areas of which together comprise an integral body of territory, may, by parallel ordinances, or in the case of counties, by parallel resolutions, duly adopted by each of such governing bodies within any single calendar year, create a public body corporate and politic under the name and style of "the ........ sewerage authority," with all or any significant part of the name of each such municipality or county or some identifying geographical phrase inserted. Said body shall consist of the members thereof, in an aggregate number determined as hereinafter in this subsection provided, who shall be appointed by resolutions of the several governing bodies as hereinafter in this section provided, and it shall constitute the sewerage authority contemplated and provided for in this act and an agency and instrumentality of the said municipalities or counties. The number of members of the sewerage authority to be appointed at any time for full terms of office by the governing body of any such municipality or county shall be as may be stated in said ordinances or resolutions, which shall be not less than one nor more than three. After the taking effect of the said ordinances or resolutions of all such municipalities or counties and after the filing of certified copies thereof as in subsection (d) of this section provided, the appropriate number of persons shall be appointed as members of the sewerage authority by the governing body of each municipality or county. In the case of municipalities or counties which by ordinance or resolution are entitled to appoint only one member of the authority, the total number of members, if five or more, shall be divided into five classes as nearly equal as possible, except that if there are less than five members, each member shall constitute a class. The members initially appointed shall be appointed for such terms that the terms of one class shall expire on the first day of each of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth Februaries next ensuing the date of appointment. In the event the several municipalities or counties cannot agree on the terms of the respective representatives, such terms shall be determined by lot. On or after January 1 in each year after such appointments, the expiring terms shall be filled by the appointment for terms commencing February 1 in such year and expiring on the first day of the fifth February next ensuing.

Upon the expiration of the terms of office of members, in office on July 1, 1970, of sewerage authorities created by two or more municipalities or counties, where only one member is appointed by any participating municipality or county, their immediate successors, except for appointments to fill vacancies, shall be appointed for designated terms of one, two, three, four or five years in the same manner as in this subsection (c) provided as to initial appointees.

In municipalities or counties entitled to appoint three members, the appointing authority shall designate one of the initial appointees to serve for a term of three years, one for four years and one for five years. In municipalities or counties entitled to appoint two members, the appointing authority shall designate one of the initial appointees to serve for a term of five years and one for four years. On or after January 1 in the year in which expire the terms of the said members first appointed and in every fifth year thereafter, the appropriate number of persons shall be appointed as members of the sewerage authority by the governing body of each municipality or county, to serve for terms commencing on February 1 in such year and expiring on February 1 in the fifth year after such year. In the event of a vacancy in the membership of the sewerage authority occurring during the unexpired term of office, a person shall be appointed as a member of the sewerage authority to serve for such unexpired term by the governing body which made the original appointment for such unexpired term.

Upon the expiration of the terms of office of members, in office on July 1, 1967, of sewerage authorities created by two or more municipalities or counties, where more than one member is appointed by any participating municipality or county, their immediate successors, except for appointments to fill vacancies, shall be appointed for designated terms of three, four or five years in the same manner as in this subsection (c) provided as to initial appointees.

(d) A copy of each resolution or ordinance for the creation of a sewerage authority adopted pursuant to this section, duly certified by the appropriate officer of the local unit, shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State. Upon proof of such filing of a certified copy of the resolution or ordinance or of certified copies of the parallel ordinances for the creation of a sewerage authority as aforesaid, the sewerage authority therein referred to shall, in any suit, action or proceeding involving the validity or enforcement of, or relating to, any contract or obligation or act of the sewerage authority, be conclusively deemed to have been lawfully and properly created and established and authorized to transact business and exercise its powers under this act. A copy of any such certified resolution or ordinance, duly certified by or on behalf of the Secretary of State, shall be admissible in evidence in any suit, action or proceeding.

(e) A copy of each resolution appointing any member of a sewerage authority adopted pursuant to this section, duly certified by the appropriate officer of the local unit, shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State. A copy of such certified resolution, duly certified by or on behalf of the Secretary of State, shall be admissible in evidence in any suit, action or proceeding and, except in a suit, action or proceeding directly questioning such appointment, shall be conclusive evidence of the due and proper appointment of the member or members named therein.

(f) The governing body of a county which may create or join in the creation of any sewerage authority pursuant to this section shall not thereafter create or join in the creation of any other sewerage authority. No governing body of any municipality constituting the whole or any part of a district shall create or join in the creation of any sewerage authority except upon the written consent of the sewerage authority and in accordance with the terms and conditions of such consent, and in the event such consent be given and a sewerage authority be created pursuant thereto, the terms and conditions of such consent shall thereafter be in all respects binding upon such municipality and the sewerage authority so created, and any system of sewers or sewage disposal plants constructed or maintained in conformity with the terms and conditions of such consent by the sewerage authority so created shall be deemed not to be competitive with the sewerage systems of the sewerage authority giving such consent. In the event that prior to the creation of a sewerage authority of a county the governing body of any municipality located in said county shall have created or joined in the creation of a sewerage authority, the area within the territorial limits of such municipality shall not be part of the district of the sewerage authority of said county.

(g) Within 10 days after the filing in the office of the Secretary of State of a certified copy of a resolution for the creation of a sewerage authority adopted by the governing body of any county pursuant to this section, a copy of such resolution, duly certified by the appropriate officer of the county, shall be filed in the office of the clerk of each municipality within the county. In the event that the governing body of any such municipality shall, within 60 days after such filing in the office of the Secretary of State, adopt a resolution determining that such municipality shall not be a part of the district of such sewerage authority and file a copy thereof, duly certified by its clerk, in the office of the Secretary of State, the area within the territorial limits of such municipality shall not thereafter be part of such district, but at any time after the adoption of such resolution, the governing body of such municipality may, by ordinance duly adopted, determine that such area shall again be a part of such district, and if thereafter a copy of such ordinance, duly certified by the appropriate officer of such municipality, together with a certified copy of a resolution of such sewerage authority approving such ordinance, shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State, then from and after such filing the area within the territorial limits of such municipality shall forever be part of such district.

(h) The governing body of any local unit which has created a sewerage authority pursuant to subsection (a) or subsection (b) of this section may, in the case of a county by resolution duly adopted or in the case of a municipality by ordinance duly adopted, dissolve such sewerage authority on the conditions set forth in this subsection. The governing bodies of two or more local units which have created a sewerage authority pursuant to subsection (c) of this section may, by parallel ordinances duly adopted by each of such governing bodies within any single calendar year, dissolve such sewerage authority on the conditions set forth in this subsection. Such a sewerage authority may be dissolved on condition that (1) either the members of such authority have not been appointed or the sewerage authority, by resolution duly adopted, consents to such dissolution, and (2) the sewerage authority has no debts or obligations outstanding. Upon the dissolution of any sewerage authority in the manner provided in this subsection, the governing body or bodies dissolving such sewerage authority shall be deemed never to have created or joined in the creation of a sewerage authority. A copy of each resolution or ordinance for the dissolution of a sewerage authority adopted pursuant to this subsection, duly certified by the appropriate officer of the local unit, shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State. Upon proof of such filing of a certified copy of the resolution or ordinance or of certified copies of the parallel ordinances for the dissolution of a sewerage authority as aforesaid and upon proof that such sewerage authority had no debts or obligations outstanding at the time of the adoption of such resolution, ordinance or ordinances, the sewerage authority therein referred to shall be conclusively deemed to have been lawfully and properly dissolved and the property of the sewerage authority shall be vested in the local unit or units. A copy of any such certified resolution or ordinance, duly certified by or on behalf of the Secretary of State, shall be admissible in evidence in any suit, action or proceeding.

(i) Whenever the sewerage authority of any county shall certify to the governing body of any county that it has entered into a contract pursuant to section 23 of this act with one or more municipalities situate within any other county, one additional member of the sewerage authority for each such other county shall be appointed by resolution of the governing body of such other county as in this section provided. The additional member so appointed for any such other county, and his successors, shall be a resident of one of said municipalities situate within such other county. The additional member first appointed or to be first appointed for any such other county shall serve for a term expiring on the first day of the fifth February next ensuing after the date of such appointment, and on or after January 1 in the year in which expires the term of the said additional member first appointed and in every fifth year thereafter, one person shall be appointed by said governing body as a member of the sewerage authority as successor to said additional member, to serve for a term commencing on February 1 in such year and expiring on February 1 in the fifth year after such year. If after such appointment of an additional member for any such other county the sewerage authority shall certify to said governing body of such other county that it is no longer a party to a contract entered into pursuant to section 23 of this act with any municipality situate within such other county, the term of office of such additional member shall thereupon cease and expire and no additional member for such other county shall thereafter be appointed.

(j) If a municipality, the governing body of which has created a sewerage authority pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, has been or shall be consolidated with another municipality, the governing body of the new consolidated municipality may, by ordinance duly adopted, provide that the members of the sewerage authority shall thereafter be appointed by the governing body of such new consolidated municipality, which shall make appointment of members of the sewerage authority by resolution as hereinafter in this subsection provided. On or after the taking effect of such ordinance, one person shall be appointed as a member of the sewerage authority for a term commencing on February 1 in each year, if any, after the date of consolidation, in which has or shall have expired the term of a member of the sewerage authority theretofore appointed by the governing body of the municipality which has been or shall be so consolidated, and expiring on February 1 in the fifth year after such year. Thereafter, on or after January 1 in each year, one person shall be appointed as a member of the sewerage authority to serve for a term commencing on February 1 in such year and expiring February 1 in the fifth year after such year. In the event of a vacancy in the membership of the sewerage authority occurring during an unexpired term of office, a person shall be appointed as a member of the sewerage authority to serve for such unexpired term. Each member of the sewerage authority appointed by the governing body of a municipality which has been or shall be so consolidated shall continue in office until his successor has been appointed as in this subsection provided and has qualified.

(k) If a municipality, the governing body of which has created a sewerage authority pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, has been or shall be consolidated with another municipality, the governing body of the new consolidated municipality, subject to the rights of the holders, if any, of bonds issued by the sewerage authority, and upon receipt of the sewerage authority's written consent thereto, may provide, by ordinance duly adopted, that the area within the territorial boundaries of the new consolidated municipality shall constitute the district of the sewerage authority, and upon the taking effect of such ordinance, such area shall constitute the district of the sewerage authority. Until the taking effect of such ordinance, the district of the sewerage authority shall be the area within the territorial boundaries, as they existed at the date of the consolidation, of the municipality the governing body of which created the sewerage authority.

(l) Whenever, with the approval of any sewerage authority created by the governing bodies of two or more municipalities, any other municipality not constituting part of the district shall convey to the sewerage authority all or any part of a system of main, lateral or other sewers or other sewerage facilities located within the district and theretofore owned and operated by such other municipality, then, if so provided in the instruments of such conveyance, one additional member of the sewerage authority for such other municipality shall be appointed by resolution of its governing body as in this section provided. The additional member so appointed for such municipality, and his successors, shall be residents of such municipality. The additional member first appointed or to be first appointed for such municipality shall serve for a term expiring on the first day of the fifth February next ensuing after the date of such appointment, and on or after January 1 in the year in which expires the term of the said additional member first appointed and in every fifth year thereafter, one person shall be appointed by said governing body as a member of the sewerage authority as successor to said additional member, to serve for a term commencing on February 1 in such year and expiring on February 1 in the fifth year after such year. If at any time after such conveyance of sewers or sewerage facilities by a municipality its governing body shall adopt a resolution determining not thereafter to be represented in the membership of the sewerage authority and shall file a copy thereof duly certified by its clerk in the office of the sewerage authority, the term of office of any such additional member theretofore appointed for such municipality shall thereupon cease and expire and no additional member for such municipality shall thereafter be appointed.

(m) (i) The governing body of any municipality which is contiguous to the district of a sewerage authority created by the governing bodies of two or more other municipalities may at any time, by ordinance duly adopted, propose that the whole or any part of the area herein referred to as "service area" within the territorial limits of such municipality shall be a part of said contiguous district. Such ordinance shall (1) state the number of members of the sewerage authority, not less than one nor more than three, thereafter to be appointed for full terms of office by the governing body of such municipality, and (2) determine that, after the filing of a certified copy thereof and of a resolution of the sewerage authority in accordance with this subsection, such service area shall be a part of said contiguous district. If thereafter a copy of such ordinance duly certified by the appropriate officer of such municipality, together with a certified copy of a resolution of said sewerage authority approving such ordinance, shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State, then from and after such filing the service area shall forever be part of said contiguous district and said sewerage authority shall consist of the members thereof acting or appointed as in this section provided and constitute an agency and instrumentality of such municipality, as well as such other municipalities. The governing body of the said municipality so becoming part of said contiguous district shall thereupon appoint members of the sewerage authority in the number stated in such ordinance, for periods and in the manner provided for the first appointment of members of a sewerage authority under subsection (c) of this section.

(ii) If the service area of such municipality shall then be part of the district of any other sewerage authority or municipal authority, such other authority shall, by resolution adopted not more than one year prior to the adoption of such ordinance, consent to the inclusion of the service area in the district of said contiguous district, and the service area shall become part of said contiguous district as aforesaid and shall no longer be part of the district of such other authority for sewerage purposes. If only part of the area within the territorial limits of such municipality shall constitute the service area to become part of said contiguous district, the service area shall be that so designated or shown on a map thereof bearing legend or reference to this section and filed in the office of the clerk of such municipality and in the office of the secretary of each authority referred to in this section, and such map shall be incorporated by a reference thereto in such ordinance and resolution as or for a description of the service area. For all the purposes of this act, such sewerage authority shall be deemed to have been created by the governing body of such municipality jointly with the other municipalities (the territorial areas of which constitute the district of such contiguous authority), and such municipality shall have all powers, duties, rights and obligations provided for by this act or any other law for or with respect to such sewerage authority or any other sewerage authority or municipal authority, notwithstanding that only a part of the area within the territorial limits of such municipality shall become part of said contiguous district.

(n) The governing body of a county or municipality may provide, in the ordinance or resolution creating the sewerage authority, for not more than two alternate members. Alternate members shall be designated by the governing body as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2" and shall serve during the absence or disqualification of any regular member or members. The governing body of the county or municipality shall provide by ordinance or resolution for the order in which the alternates shall serve. The term of each alternate member shall be five years commencing on February 1 of the year of appointment; provided, however, that in the event two alternate members are appointed their initial terms shall be four and five years, respectively. The terms of the first alternate members appointed pursuant to this amendatory act shall commence on the dates of their appointments and shall expire on the fourth or fifth January 31 next ensuing after the dates of their appointments, as the case may be. Alternate members may participate in discussions of the proceedings but may not vote, except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member. A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular member may vote instead of an alternate member.

(o) Whenever any sewerage authority has entered into a contract for the treatment or disposal of sewage originating in the district, pursuant to section 23 of P.L.1946, c.138 (C.40:14A-23), with any contiguous sewerage authority, then, with the approval of the contiguous sewerage authority, the sewerage authority may appoint, by resolution duly adopted, two additional members to the contiguous sewerage authority, as provided in this subsection. The additional members shall be either residents of the district of the sewerage authority or members or the executive director of the sewerage authority. The additional members shall serve five year terms, except that the additional members first appointed shall serve for terms respectively expiring on the first days of the fourth and fifth Februaries next ensuing after the dates of their appointments. On or after January 1 in the years in which the terms of the additional members expire, one person shall be appointed by the sewerage authority as a member of the contiguous sewerage authority as successor to the additional member, to serve for a term commencing on February 1 of that year. Vacancies shall be filled in the manner of the original appointments but for the unexpired terms only. If a sewerage authority has entered into a contract with a contiguous sewerage authority for the treatment or disposal of sewage, and thereafter adopts a resolution determining not to be represented in the membership of the contiguous sewerage authority and files a copy thereof, duly certified by its secretary, in the office of the contiguous sewerage authority, the terms of office of any additional members shall cease and no additional members shall be appointed thereafter.

(p) On or after the first date on which a course in management of public water and wastewater systems developed by the Commissioner of Community Affairs pursuant to the provisions of section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) is offered, a person shall not be seated as a first-term member or alternate member of a sewerage authority unless the person agrees to take that course, which the person shall successfully complete within 18 months of assuming membership, in order to retain membership on the authority. Any person who is serving as a member or alternate member of a sewerage authority on the first date on which that course is offered shall be required to complete that course within 18 months of the date upon which the course is first offered, in order to retain membership on the authority.

A hearing or proceeding held, or decision or recommendation made, by a member or alternate member of a sewerage authority shall not be invalidated if a member or alternate member has participated in the hearing or proceeding, or in the decision making or recommendation, and that member or alternate member is subsequently found not to have completed that course.

(cf: P.L.1994, c.85, s.1)

3. Section 4 of P.L.1957, c.183 (C.40:14B-4) is amended to read as follows:

4. a. Any governing body may, in the case of a county by resolution or ordinance duly adopted, or in the case of a municipality by ordinance duly adopted, create a public body corporate and politic under the name and style of "the ................. municipal utilities authority," or of "the .............. county utilities authority," with the name of said county or municipality inserted. Said body shall consist of the five members thereof, who, in the case of a county utilities authority, shall be appointed by the county governing body, or by the county executive pursuant to section 37 of P.L.1972, c.154 (C.40:41A-37), as appropriate. In the case of a municipal utilities authority, the governing body of a municipality which is not organized under the town form of government pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.40A:62-5, or the mayor of a municipality organized under the town form of government pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.40A:62-5 shall make the appointment. The appointments shall constitute the county or municipal authority contemplated and provided for in this act and an agency and instrumentality of said county or municipality. After the taking effect of the resolution or ordinance for the creation of said body and the filing of a certified copy thereof as in section 7 of this act provided, five persons shall be appointed as the members of the county or municipal authority. The members first appointed shall, by the resolution of appointment, be designated to serve for terms respectively expiring on the first days of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth Februaries next ensuing after the date of their appointment. On or after January 1 in each year after such first appointments, one person shall be appointed as a member of the county or municipal authority to serve for a term commencing on February 1 in such year and expiring on February 1 in the fifth year after such year. In the event of a vacancy in the membership of the county or municipal authority occurring during an unexpired term of office, a person shall be appointed as a member of the county or municipal authority to serve for such unexpired term.

b. (1) Any county governing body may provide by resolution or ordinance as appropriate that the county utilities authority created by it shall consist of seven members. The two additional members first appointed pursuant to the resolution or ordinance shall be designated to serve for terms respectively expiring on the first day of the second and third Februaries next ensuing after the date of their appointment. On or after January 1 in the year in which expires the term of the additional member first appointed and in every fifth year thereafter, one person shall be appointed as a member of the county utilities authority by the county governing body as a successor to such additional member, or reappointment of the additional member, to serve for a term commencing on February 1 of such year and expiring on February 1 in the fifth year after such year.

(2) Any county governing body may provide by resolution or ordinance as appropriate that the county utilities authority created by it shall consist of nine members. The four additional members first appointed pursuant to said resolution or ordinance shall be designated to serve for terms respectively expiring on the first day of the second, third, fourth and fifth Februaries next ensuing after the date of their appointment. On or after January 1 in the year in which expires the term of said additional member first appointed and in every fifth year thereafter, one person shall be appointed as a member of the county utilities authority by said county governing body as a successor to such additional member, to serve for a term commencing on February 1 of such year and expiring on February 1 in the fifth year after such year.

c. Whenever the municipal authority of any county shall certify to the governing body of any county that it has entered into a contract pursuant to section 49 of this act (C.40:14B-49) with one or more municipalities situate within any other county one additional member of the municipal authority for each such other county shall be appointed by the governing body of such other county as in this section provided. The additional member so appointed for any such other county, and his successors shall be a resident of one of said municipalities situate within such other county. The additional member first appointed or to be first appointed for such other county shall serve for a term expiring on the first day of the fifth February next ensuing after the date of such appointment, and on or after January 1 in the year in which expires the term of the said additional member first appointed, and in every fifth year thereafter, one person shall be appointed by said governing body as a member of the municipal authority as successor to said additional member, to serve for a term commencing on February 1 in such year and expiring on February 1 in the fifth year after such year. If after such appointment of an additional member for such other county the municipal authority shall certify to said governing body of such other county that it is no longer a party to a contract entered into pursuant to section 49 of this act (C.40:14B-49) with any municipality situate within such other county, the term of office of such additional member shall thereupon cease and expire and no additional member for such other county shall thereafter be appointed.

d. In any county wherein a county sewer authority is reorganized as a municipal authority pursuant to section 6 of this act (C.40:14B-6), its governing body shall, by resolution or ordinance as appropriate, reappoint the existing members of the authority to terms corresponding to terms of members first appointed to a municipal authority pursuant to subsection a. of this section; provided, however, that, if said county sewer authority has seven members, then the existing members shall be reappointed to the reorganized municipal authority pursuant to subsections a. and b. of this section.

e. The governing body of a county or municipality may provide in the ordinance or resolution creating the utilities authority for not more than two alternate members. In the case of a county utilities authority the county governing body, or the county executive pursuant to section 37 of P.L.1972, c.154 (C.40:41A-37), shall make the appointment. In the case of a municipal utilities authority, the governing body of a municipality which is not organized under the town form of government pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.40A:62-5, or the mayor of a municipality organized under the town form of government pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.40A:62-5, shall make the appointment. Alternate members shall be designated by the governing body, or mayor, as appropriate, as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2" and shall serve during the absence or disqualification of any regular member or members. The governing body of the county or municipality shall provide by ordinance or resolution for the order in which the alternates shall serve. The term of each alternate member shall be five years commencing on February 1 of the year of appointment; provided, however, that in the event two alternate members are appointed their initial terms shall be four and five years respectively. The terms of the first alternate members appointed pursuant to this amendatory act shall commence on the day of their appointment and shall expire on the fourth or fifth January 31 next ensuing after the date of their appointments, as the case may be. Alternate members may participate in discussions of the proceedings but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member. A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular member may vote instead of an alternate member.

f. On or after the first date on which a course in management of public water and wastewater systems developed by the Commissioner of Community Affairs pursuant to the provisions of section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) is offered, a person shall not be seated as a first-term member or alternate member of a municipal or county utilities authority unless the person agrees to take that course, which the person shall successfully complete within 18 months of assuming membership, in order to retain membership on the authority. Any person who is serving as a member or alternate member of a municipal or county utilities authority on the first date on which that course is offered shall be required to complete that course within 18 months of the date upon which the course is first offered, in order to retain membership on the authority.

A hearing or proceeding held, or decision or recommendation made, by a member or alternate member of a municipal or county utilities authority shall not be invalidated if a member or alternate member has participated in the hearing or proceeding, or in the decision making or recommendation, and that member or alternate member is subsequently found not to have completed that course.

(cf: P.L.1991, c.10, s.1)

4. N.J.S.40A:31-4 is amended to read as follows:

40A:31-4. A local unit may, either separately or in combination with one or more other local units, a private water company subject to regulation by the Board of Public Utilities as a public utility, or the State, acquire, construct or operate a water supply facility upon a determination by the governing body of the local unit or each participating local unit that the public health, safety or welfare can best be assured by the acquisition, construction or operation of water supply facilities by the local unit or units. The determination shall be by ordinance or resolution, or parallel ordinances or resolutions, as the case may be, of the governing body of the local unit or each of the participating local units.

No water supply facilities may be acquired, constructed or operated pursuant to this act until all necessary permits and approvals have been received from the appropriate State agency.

On or after the first date on which a course in management of public water and wastewater systems developed by the Commissioner of Community Affairs pursuant to the provisions of section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) is offered, an elected or appointed county or municipal official having an oversight role or responsibility for the construction or operation of a water supply facility pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1989, c.109 (C.40A:31-1 et seq.) shall not exercise that oversight role or responsibility unless the person agrees to take that course, which the person shall successfully complete within 18 months of assuming elected or appointed office in order to retain that oversight or responsibility. Any elected or appointed county or municipal official having an oversight role or responsibility for the construction or operation of a water supply facility on the first date on which that course is offered shall be required to complete that course within 18 months of the date upon which the course is first offered in order to retain that oversight or responsibility.

A hearing or proceeding held, or decision or recommendation made, by an elected or appointed county or municipal official shall not be invalidated if that official has participated in the hearing or proceeding, or in the decision making or recommendation, and that official is subsequently found not to have completed that course.

(cf: N.J.S.40A:31-4)

5. Section 5 of P.L.1960, c.183 (C.40:37A-48) is amended to read as follows:

5. a. After expiration of the period of 45 days following the first publication as provided in section 3 [hereof] of P.L.1960, c.183 (C.40:37A-46) a notice regarding creation of an authority, [5] five persons shall be appointed as the members of the authority. The members first appointed shall, by the resolution of appointment, be designated to serve for terms respectively expiring on the first days of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth Februarys next ensuing after the date of their appointment. On or after January 1 in each year after such first appointments, one person shall be appointed as a member of the authority for a term commencing on or after February 1 in such year and expiring on February 1 in the fifth year after such year. Each member shall hold office for the term of appointment and until his successor shall have been appointed and qualified. Any vacancy in the membership of the authority during an unexpired term shall be filled by appointment of a person as member for the unexpired term. A copy of any resolution appointing any such members, certified by the clerk of the governing body, may be filed in the office of the Secretary of State. A copy of any such certified resolution, duly certified by or on behalf of the Secretary of State, shall be admissible in evidence in any action or proceeding and shall be conclusive evidence of due and proper adoption and filing thereof as aforesaid and, except in an action or proceeding seeking only exclusion of the appointee from office, shall be conclusive evidence of the due and proper appointment of the members named therein.

b. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection a. of this section and section 3 of P.L.1960, c.183 (C.40:37A-46), whenever any county governed by the "Optional County Charter Law," P.L.1972, c.154 (C.40:41A-1 et seq.) shall proceed to reorganize its county improvement authority pursuant to the reorganization powers granted under section 30 of [that act] P.L.1972, c.154 (C.40:41A-30), the ordinance adopted for that purpose shall prescribe the number of members of the authority, their respective terms of office, and the dates upon which their respective terms of office shall expire.

c. On or after the first date on which a course in management of public water and wastewater systems developed by the Commissioner of Community Affairs pursuant to the provisions of section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) is offered, a person shall not be seated as a first-term member or alternate member of a county improvement authority unless the person agrees to take that course, which the person shall successfully complete within 18 months of assuming membership, in order to retain membership on the authority. Any person who is serving as a member or alternate member of a county improvement authority on the first date on which that basic course is offered shall be required to complete that course within 18 months of the date upon which the course is first offered, in order to retain membership on the authority.

A hearing or proceeding held, or decision or recommendation made, by a member or alternate member of a county improvement authority shall not be invalidated if a member or alternate member has participated in the hearing or proceeding, or in the decision making or recommendation, and that member or alternate member is subsequently found not to have completed that course.

(cf: P.L.1982, c.113, s.4)

6. Section 4 of P.L.1973, c.376 (C.40:37C-4) is amended to read as follows:

4. a. Any county may create an authority under the provisions of this act which shall be a public body corporate and politic and a political subdivision of the State for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, reconstructing, repairing, altering, improving, extending, owning, leasing, financing, selling, maintaining, operating and disposing of pollution control facilities within such county; provided that, with respect to any pollution control facility which is not engaged in resource recovery, the Department of Environmental Protection certifies that the proposed undertaking of the authority is the proper method of solving the problem under consideration; and provided further that, with respect to any pollution control facility which is engaged in resource recovery, the facility conforms to the Statewide solid waste management plan and the applicable district solid waste management plan and has an approved registration statement and engineering design pursuant to section 5 of P.L.1970, c.39 (C.13:1E-5).

b. The authority shall be created by resolution and shall be known as the "Pollution Control Financing Authority of ," inserting all or any significant part of the name of the county creating the authority. The authority shall constitute an agency and instrumentality of the county creating it.

c. An authority shall consist of five members appointed by resolution of the governing body of the county which created such authority.

Members shall serve for terms of [5] five years, provided that the members first appointed shall be designated by the resolution of appointment to serve for terms expiring on the first days of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth Februarys next ensuing after such appointment. Each member shall hold office for the term of his appointment and until his successor shall have been appointed and qualified. Any vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment but for the unexpired term only.

d. The governing body of any county which has created an authority may dissolve the authority by resolution on condition that the authority has no debts or obligations outstanding or that provision has been made for the retirement of such debts or obligations. Upon any such dissolution, all property, funds and assets of the authority shall be vested in the county which created the authority.

e. A certified copy of each resolution creating or dissolving an authority and each resolution appointing members thereto shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State. A copy of any such certified resolution, certified by or on behalf of the Secretary of State, shall be conclusive evidence of the due and proper creation or dissolution of the authority or the due and proper appointment of the member or members named therein.

f. The powers of an authority shall be vested in the members thereof from time to time and three members shall constitute a quorum. Action may be taken and motions and resolutions adopted by an agency at any meeting thereof by the affirmative vote of at least three members of the authority.

No vacancy in the membership of an authority shall impair the right of a quorum of the members thereof to exercise all the powers and perform all the duties of the authority.

g. At the first meeting of any authority and thereafter on or after February 1 in each year, the members shall elect from among their number a chairman and vice chairman who shall hold office until February 1 next ensuing and until their respective successors have been appointed and qualified. Every authority also may appoint, without regard to the provisions of Title [11] 11A of the New Jersey [Revised] Statutes, a secretary, treasurer and such other officers, agents and employees as it may require.

h. The members of an authority shall serve without compensation, but the authority shall reimburse its members for actual expenses necessarily incurred in the discharge of their official duties.

i. No member, officer or employee of an authority, nor member of their family, shall have or acquire any interest, direct or indirect in any pollution control facilities undertaken or planned by the authority or in any contract or proposed contract for materials or services to be furnished to or used by the authority, but neither the holding of any office or employment in the government of any county or municipality or under any law of the State shall be deemed a disqualification for membership in or employment by an authority, except as may be specifically provided by law, and members of the governing body of a county may be appointed by such governing body and may serve as members of the authority. A member may be removed only by the governing body by which he was appointed for inefficiency or neglect of duty or misconduct in office or conviction of a crime, and after he shall have been given a copy of the charges against him and, not sooner than 10 days thereafter, had the opportunity in person or by counsel to be heard thereon by such governing body.

j. On or after the first date on which a course in management of public water and wastewater systems developed by the Commissioner of Community Affairs pursuant to the provisions of section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) is offered, a person shall not be seated as a first-term member or alternate member of a pollution control financing authority unless the person agrees to take that course, which the person shall successfully complete within 18 months of assuming membership, in order to retain membership on the authority. Any person who is serving as a member or alternate member of a pollution control financing authority on the first date on which that basic course is offered shall be required to complete that course within 18 months of the date upon which the course is first offered, in order to retain membership on the authority.

A hearing or proceeding held, or decision or recommendation made, by a member or alternate member of a pollution control financing authority shall not be invalidated if a member or alternate member has participated in the hearing or proceeding, or in the decision making or recommendation, and that member or alternate member is subsequently found not to have completed that course.

(cf: P.L.1983, c.298, s.5)

7. N.J.S.40A:26A-4 is amended to read as follows:

40A:26A-4. A local unit may, either separately or in combination with one or more other local units acquire, construct or operate a sewerage facility upon a determination by the governing body of the local unit or each participating local unit that the public health, safety or welfare can best be assured by the acquisition, construction or operation of sewerage facilities by the local unit or units. The determination shall be by ordinance or resolution, or parallel ordinances or resolutions, as the case may be, of the governing body of the local unit or each of the participating local units.

No sewerage facilities may be acquired, constructed or operated pursuant to this act until all necessary permits and approvals have been received from the appropriate State agencies.

On or after the first date on which a course in management of public water and wastewater systems developed by the Commissioner of Community Affairs pursuant to the provisions of section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) is offered, an elected or appointed official of a local unit having an oversight role or responsibility for the construction or operation of a sewerage facility shall not exercise that oversight role or responsibility unless the person agrees to take that course, which the person shall successfully complete within 18 months of assuming elected or appointed office in order to retain that oversight or responsibility. Any elected or appointed official of a local unit having an oversight role or responsibility for the construction or operation of a sewerage facility on the first date on which that basic course is offered shall be required to complete that course within 18 months of the date upon which the course is first offered in order to retain that oversight or responsibility.

A hearing or proceeding held, or decision or recommendation made, by an elected or appointed official of a local unit shall not be invalidated if that person has participated in the hearing or proceeding, or in the decision making or recommendation, and that person is subsequently found not to have completed that course.

(cf: N.J.S.40A:26A-4)

8. Section 4 of P.L.1951, c.280 (C.40:62-105.4) is amended to read as follows:

4. At the first meeting of the board of water commissioners elected in any newly created district the members of the board shall divide themselves by lot into three classes; the term of the two members composing the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of the first year; the term of the two members composing the second class shall be vacated at the expiration of the second year, and the term of the one member composing the third class shall be vacated at the expiration of the third year, so that after the first election two members of the board of water commissioners shall be elected annually, except every third year when but one member shall be elected, all of whom shall hold office for three years and until their successors are elected.

A hearing or proceeding held, or decision or recommendation made, by a member shall not be invalidated if that member has participated in the hearing or proceeding, or in the decision making or recommendation, and that member is subsequently found not to have completed that course.

(cf: P.L.1951, c.280, s.4)

9. Section 7 of P.L.1960, c.3 (C.40:48B-2.1) is amended to read as follows:

7. a. A joint meeting or regional service agency, both as defined in section 3 of P.L.2007, c.63 (C.40A:65-3), shall be a public body corporate and politic constituting a political subdivision of the State exercising public and essential governmental functions to provide for the public health and welfare, and qualifies as a "local unit," as defined in section 3 of the "Local Fiscal Affairs Law," N.J.S.40A:5-3. The joint meeting or regional service agency shall have the following powers and authority, which may be exercised by the management committee to the extent provided in the joint contract:

(1) To sue and be sued;

(2) To acquire and hold real and personal property by deed, gift, grant, lease, purchase, condemnation or otherwise;

(3) To enter into any and all contracts or agreements and to execute any and all instruments;

(4) To do and perform any and all acts or things necessary, convenient or desirable for the purposes of the joint meeting or regional service agency or to carry out any powers expressly provided in section 7 of P.L.1960, c.3 (C.40:48B-2.1);

(5) To sell real and personal property owned by the joint meeting or regional service agency at public sale;

(6) To operate all services, lands, public improvements, works, facilities or undertakings for the purposes and objects of the joint meeting or regional service agency;

(7) To enter into a contract or contracts providing for or relating to the use of its services, lands, public improvements, works, facilities or undertakings, or any part thereof, by local units who are not members of the joint meeting or regional service agency, and other persons, upon payment of charges therefor as fixed by the management committee;

(8) To receive such State or federal aids or grants as may be available for the purposes of the joint meeting or regional service agency and to make and perform such agreements and contracts as may be necessary or convenient in connection with the application for, procurement, acceptance or disposition of such State or federal aids or grants; and

(9) To acquire, maintain, use and operate lands, public improvements, works or facilities in any municipality in the State, except where the governing body of such municipality, by resolution adopted within 60 days after receipt of written notice of intention to so acquire, maintain, use or operate, shall find that the same would adversely affect the governmental operations and functions and the exercise of the police powers of such municipality.

b. If the governing body of a municipality in which a joint meeting or regional service agency has applied for the location and erection of sewage treatment or solid waste disposal facilities refuses permission therefor or fails to take final action upon the application within 60 days of its filing, the joint meeting or regional service agency may, at any time within 30 days following the date of such refusal or the date of expiration of said period of 60 days, apply to the Department of Environmental Protection, which is authorized, after hearing the joint meeting or regional service agency and the municipality interested, to grant the application for the erection of the sewage treatment or disposal or solid waste treatment or disposal facilities, notwithstanding the aforesaid refusal or failure to act of the governing body, upon being satisfied that the topographical and other physical conditions existing in the local units comprising the joint meeting or regional service agency are such as to make the erection of such facilities within its boundaries impracticable as an improvement for the benefit of the whole applying joint meeting or regional service agency.

c. On or after the first date on which a course in management of public water and wastewater systems developed by the Commissioner of Community Affairs pursuant to the provisions of section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) is offered, a person shall not be seated as a first-term member of a management committee unless the person agrees to take that course, which the person shall successfully complete within 18 months of assuming membership, in order to retain membership on the management committee. Any person who is serving as a member on the first date on which that basic course is offered shall be required to complete that course within 18 months of the date upon which the course is first offered, in order to retain membership on the management committee.

A hearing or proceeding held, or decision or recommendation made, by a member of the management committee shall not be invalidated if that member has participated in the hearing or proceeding, or in the decision making or recommendation, and that member is subsequently found not to have completed that course.

(cf: P.L.2019, c.433, s.2)

10. R.S.58:14-3 is amended to read as follows:

58:14-3. The board shall consist of nine members who shall be appointed by the Governor in the following manner. Each county in the district shall be represented on the board by two members, of different political parties, both of whom shall reside in the district and in the county they represent. At least one of the two members from each county must reside in a contracting municipality as defined in [R.S.58:14-34.11] section 2 of P.L.1953, c.388 (C.58:14-34.11) or in a leasing municipality. Not more than five of the nine members of the board shall be from the same political party. The ninth member shall be an at-large member appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, and shall serve during the term of office of the Governor. As used in this section, "at-large member" means a resident of the Passaic Valley Sewerage District as defined in R.S.58:14-1. Upon the expiration of the term of office of a commissioner, his successor shall be appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of five years, except that the term of the at-large member shall be concurrent with the term of office of the Governor. The Governor may remove any commissioner from office for cause. Each commissioner shall hold his office until his successor has been appointed, and any vacancy in the membership of the commission because of death, resignation or removal, shall be filled for the unexpired term in the manner provided for on original appointment. In making any appointment hereunder, either for a full term or to fill a vacancy, regard shall be had to ability and fitness, and also locality, so that each section of the district may be represented as far as practicable.

(cf: P.L.1991, c.145, s.1)

11. Section 4 of P.L.1981, c.293 (C.58:1B-4) is amended to read as follows:

4. a. There is established in but not of the Department of Environmental Protection a public body corporate and politic, with corporate succession, to be known as the "New Jersey Water Supply Authority." The authority is hereby constituted as an instrumentality of the State exercising public and essential governmental functions.

b. The authority shall consist of the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, who shall be a member ex officio with full voting rights, and six public members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate for terms of [3] three years; provided that of the members of the authority first appointed by the Governor, two shall serve for terms of [1] one year, two shall serve for terms of [2] two years, and two shall serve for terms of [3] three years, of whom two shall be recognized experts in the fields of water resource management and distribution, and public finance, respectively. The remaining public members appointed by the Governor shall represent the following: the agricultural community, industrial water users, residential water users and private watershed associations. Each member shall hold office for the term of his appointment and until his successor shall have been appointed and qualified. A member shall be eligible for reappointment. Any vacancy in the membership occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment but for the unexpired term only.

c. Each appointed member may be removed from office by the Governor, for cause, after a public hearing, and may be suspended by the Governor pending the completion of the hearing. Each member before entering upon his duties shall take and subscribe an oath to perform the duties of his office faithfully, impartially and justly to the best of his ability. A record of these oaths shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State.

d. The chairman, who shall be the chief executive officer of the authority, shall be the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, and the members of the authority shall elect one of their number as vice chairman thereof. The authority shall elect a secretary and a treasurer who need not be members, and the same person may be elected to serve both as secretary and treasurer. The powers of the authority shall be vested in the members thereof in office from time to time and four members of the authority shall constitute a quorum at any meeting thereof. Action may be taken and motions and resolutions adopted by the authority at any meeting thereof by the affirmative vote of at least four members of the authority. No vacancy in the membership of the authority shall impair the right of a quorum of the members to exercise all the powers and perform all the duties of the authority.

e. No resolution or other action of the authority providing for the issuance of bonds or the refunding of bonds shall be adopted or otherwise made effective by the authority without the prior approval, in writing, of the Governor and of the State Treasurer or the Comptroller of the Treasury. A true copy of the minutes of every meeting of the authority shall be prepared and forthwith delivered to the Governor. No action taken at such meeting by the authority shall have effect until 10 days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, after the copy of the minutes has been so delivered. If, in this 10-day period, the Governor returns the copy of the minutes with a veto of any action taken by the authority at that meeting, the action shall be of no effect.

f. Each member and the treasurer of the authority shall execute a bond to be conditioned upon the faithful performance of the duties of the member or treasurer, as the case may be, in a form and amount as may be prescribed by the Comptroller of the Treasury. The bonds shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State. At all times thereafter the members and treasurer of the authority shall maintain these bonds in full force. The costs of the bonds shall be borne by the authority.

g. The members of the authority shall serve without compensation, but the authority shall reimburse its members for actual expenses necessarily incurred in the discharge of their duties. No officer or employee of the State shall be deemed to have forfeited or shall forfeit his office or employment or any benefits or emoluments thereof by reason of his acceptance of the office of ex officio member of the authority.

h. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection may designate an officer or employee of the department to represent him at meetings of the authority, and the designee may lawfully vote and otherwise act on behalf of the commissioner. The designation shall be in writing delivered to the authority and shall continue in effect until revoked or amended by writing delivered to the authority.

i. The authority may be dissolved by act of the Legislature on condition that the authority has no debts or obligations outstanding or that provision has been made for the payment or retirement of debts or obligations. Upon a dissolution of the authority all property, funds and assets thereof shall be vested in the State.

(cf: P.L.1981, c.293, s.4)

12. R.S.58:5-3 is amended to read as follows:

58:5-3. The governor shall, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, appoint a commission consisting of seven members who shall be residents of the water supply district which they represent and not more than four of whom shall be of the same political party. The commissioners first appointed shall hold office, one for one year, one for two years, one for three years and two for four years. The two commissioners first appointed pursuant to P.L.2001, c.374 shall hold office for four years. Upon the expiration of the term of office of any commissioner, his successor shall be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, for a term of four years. Each commissioner shall hold his office until his successor has been appointed, and any vacancy in the membership of the commission shall be filled for the unexpired term in the manner provided for an original appointment. If the senate is not in session at the time of making any such appointment, the governor may make an ad interim appointment for a time extending only until such time as the senate shall convene.

A hearing or proceeding held, or decision or recommendation made, by a commissioner shall not be invalidated if that commissioner has participated in the hearing or proceeding, or in the decision making or recommendation, and that commissioner is subsequently found not to have completed that course.

(cf: P.L.2001, c.374, s.1)

13. R.S.40:62-110 is amended to read as follows:

40:62-110. Every commission appointed in pursuance of [section] R.S.40:62-109 [of this Title] shall consist of not more than five persons, residents of the municipalities making the application for their appointment and joining therein. The commission shall organize as soon as practicable by electing one of its number as president, shall appoint a secretary and a treasurer, who need not be members of the commission, and adopt a seal and a name whereby it may sue and be sued.

The secretary shall keep correct minutes of the meetings and transactions of the commission, and perform such other duties as may be required of him. The treasurer shall give bond for the faithful performance of his duties in such amount as the commission shall prescribe. The offices of secretary and treasurer may be held by the same person. The members of the commission shall receive for their services compensation to be fixed by agreement with municipalities having at least two-thirds of the population of all of the municipalities making the application for their appointment and joining therein, or, in case of failure to agree, by the Superior Court. The secretary and the treasurer shall each receive such compensation as the commission may determine.

(cf: P.L.1953, c.37, s.215)

14. Section 1 of P.L.1989, c.145 (C.40:62-110.1) is amended to read as follows:

1. In any county of the second class with a population of at least 440,000, but not more than 450,000, according to the 1980 federal decennial census, in which at least three municipalities, two of which each have populations of 50,000 or more, but less than 100,000, and one of which has a population of 100,000 or more according to the 1980 federal decennial census, have joined together to create, under R.S.40:62-109, or elect or appoint under R.S.40:62-129, a waterworks or water commission, the provisions of this section shall control the number and method of appointment of the waterworks or water commission members, their terms of office and their salaries, notwithstanding the provisions of R.S.40:62-108 et seq. to the contrary. Any agreements entered into pursuant to R.S.40:62-129 shall be amended to conform with the provisions of this section.

a. The commission shall consist of seven members. A municipality with a population of 100,000 or more shall have three members on the commission and a municipality with a population of 50,000 or more, but less than 100,000, shall have two members on the commission. Members shall be appointed by the mayor in any municipality organized under P.L.1950, c.210 (C.40:69A-1 et seq.) and by the governing body, by a majority vote, in any municipality organized under R.S.40:79-1 et seq. A member of the commission shall be required to reside in the appointing municipality at the time of appointment; however, if the commission member moves outside the appointing municipality during the member's term of office, the member may continue to serve on the commission to the end of the member's term. A mayor, a manager or a member of the governing body of the appointing municipality may serve as a member of the commission unless this service is prohibited by the conflict of interest laws of this State.

On or after the first date on which a course in management of water systems developed by the Commissioner of Community Affairs pursuant to the provisions of section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) is offered, a person shall not be seated as a first-term commissioner unless the person agrees to take that course, which the person shall successfully complete within 18 months of assuming membership, in order to retain membership on the commission. Any person who is serving as a commissioner on the first date on which that course is offered shall be required to complete that course within 18 months of the date upon which the course is first offered, in order to retain membership on the commission.

b. Each commission member shall be appointed for a four-year term. All additional members who may be appointed to a commission under this section shall be appointed before January 1, 1989, and their first term shall expire not later than December 31, 1992. All terms of office of commission members already appointed and serving on the effective date of this amendatory and supplementary act shall not be affected by the provisions of this act.

c. The salaries of the president and the members of the commission shall be as follows: The president shall receive a salary at the rate of $8,500.00 annually as compensation for service on the commission; and any other member of the commission shall receive a salary at the rate of $7,500.00 annually as compensation for service on the commission.

(cf: P.L.1989, c.145, s.1)

15. Section 20 of P.L.2007, c.63 (C.40A:65-20) is amended to read as follows:

20. a. The joint contract shall provide for the constitution and appointment of a management committee to consist of at least three members, of which one shall be appointed by the governing body of each of the local units executing the joint contract. The members shall be residents of the appointing local unit, except that a member who is the chief financial officer, business administrator, municipal administrator, or municipal manager of the local unit making the appointment need not be a resident of the appointing local unit. The appointees may or may not be members of the appointing governing body. Each member of the management committee shall hold office for the term of one year and until the member's successor has been appointed and qualified. In the event that there is an even number of local units that are parties to the joint contract, the management committee shall consist of one member appointed by each of the governing bodies and one member selected by the two other appointed members.

b. The management committee shall elect annually from among its members a chair to preside over its meetings. The management committee may appoint such other officers and employees, including counsel, who need not be members of the management committee or members of the governing bodies or employees or residents of the local units, as it may deem necessary. The employees appointed by the management committee shall hold office for such term not exceeding four years as may be provided by the joint contract. The management committee shall adopt rules and regulations to provide for the conduct of its meetings and the duties and powers of the chairman and such other officers and employees as may be appointed. All actions of the management committee shall be by vote of the majority of the entire membership of the committee, except for those matters for which the contract requires a greater number, and shall be binding on all local units who have executed the joint contract. The management committee shall exercise all of the powers of the joint meeting or regional service agency subject to the provisions of the joint contract.

The joint contract may provide for the delegation of the administration of any or all of the services, lands, public improvements, works, facilities or undertakings of the joint meeting or regional service agency to the governing body of any one of the several contracting local units, in which event such governing body shall have and exercise all of the powers and authority of the management committee with respect to such delegated functions.

c. In the case of a joint meeting or regional service agency created for a public water supply system, on or after the first date on which a course in management of public water and wastewater systems developed by the Commissioner of Community Affairs pursuant to the provisions of section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) is offered, a person shall not be seated as a first-term member of the management committee unless the person agrees to take that course, which the person shall successfully complete within 18 months of assuming membership, in order to retain membership on the management committee. Any person who is serving as a member on the first date on which that course is offered shall be required to complete that course within 18 months of the date upon which the course is first offered, in order to retain membership on the management committee.

(cf: P.L.2019, c.433, s.11)

16. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill would require the Commissioner of Community Affairs to prepare and offer, not later than the first day of the seventh month next following the effective date of the bill, a basic course to be completed by any elected or appointed person having direct budgetary authority over public water and wastewater systems, concerning the management of the finances, including the adoption of the annual budget, and the infrastructure, of public water and wastewater systems. The Commissioner shall require the course to be completed by every person first appointed or elected to a county or municipal office having direct budgetary authority over the finances of a public water or wastewater system, after the effective date of the bill, and any person first appointed as a member of a commission or an authority having direct budgetary authority over the finances of a public water or wastewater system, after the effective date of the bill. Any person who is serving in any of those capacities on the first date on which that course is offered shall be required to complete that course within 18 months of the date upon which the course is first offered.

For the purposes of the bill, "public water and wastewater system" means a public water or wastewater system created pursuant to the following State laws:

the "sewerage authorities law," P.L.1946, c.138 (C.40:14A-1 et seq.);

the "municipal and county utilities authorities law," P.L.1957, c.183 (C.40:14B-1 et seq.);

the "Municipal and County Sewerage Act," P.L.1991, c.53 (C.40A:26A-1 et seq.);

the "County and Municipal Water Supply Act," P.L.1989, c.109 (C.40A:31-1 et seq.);

the "county improvement authorities law," P.L.1960, c.183 (C.40:37A-44 et seq.);

the "New Jersey Pollution Control Financing Law," P.L.1973, c.376 (C.40:37C-1 et seq.);

R.S.58:14-1 et seq.;

R.S.40:62-109 et seq.;

the "New Jersey Water Supply Authority Act," P.L.1981, c.293 (C.58:1B-1 et seq.);

the North Jersey water supply district and the South Jersey water supply district law, P.L.1916, c.70 (C.58:5-1);

the municipal water district law, R.S.40:62-96 et seq.; and

with respect to joint meetings, P.L.1960, c.3 (C.40:48B-2.1 et seq.) and sections 15 and 16 of the "Uniform Shared Services and Consolidation Act," P.L.2007, c.63 (C.40A:65-15 and C.40A:65-16).

The provisions of the bill were part of the recommendations of the Joint Legislative Task Force on Drinking Water Infrastructure.

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Bill Text: NJ S2773 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced

New Jersey Senate Bill 2773

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