June 29, 2021
I. Senate to Consider Bill Preempting Local Control Over Small Cell/5G Deployment in
Municipal ROW
II. State FY 22 Budget Signed
Municipal Clerks: Please forward to your Mayor, Governing Body, and Department Heads.
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I. Senate to Consider Bill Preempting Local Control Over Small Cell/5G Deployment in Municipal ROW
Just added to tomorrow’s Senate voting session is S-2674/A-1116, legislation which seeks to preempt and supersede local regulation of small cell (5G) deployment within the municipal rights-of-way. The League opposes S-2674/A-1116 because it provides broadband telecommunications providers with favorable and discounted access to public rights-of-way without requiring these cost savings be passed on to customers, or requiring broadband infrastructure buildout necessary to help bridge the digital divide. Further, recent amendments to S-2674/A-1116 expand the scope of the legislation beyond the bill’s original intention, further limiting safeguards for local communities.
The Assembly has already approved the measure. If approved tomorrow the bill will head to the Governor for his consideration. We urge our members to contact and ask your State Senator to oppose this legislation.
For more information please see the League’s blog post on the topic, and the recent op-ed written by Mayors Ras Baraka of Newark and Adrian Mapp of Plainfield.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.
II. State FY 22 Budget Signed
Today, Governor Phil Murphy, along with legislative leaders and cabinet members gathered in Woodbridge for the signing of the 2022 Fiscal Year State Budget, which appropriates $46.3 billion in state funds and $6 billion in federal funds. This year’s budget includes an extensive list of allocations, including a full payment to the state pension system for the first time since 1996, property tax relief and community affairs funding, and number of other grants in aid allocations.
Contact: Andrew LaFevre Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.com, 609-695-3481 x116.