State Issues
Governor Signs Law Expanding Outdoor Dining Timeframe
On Wednesday, Governor Murphy signed S-2364 into law. The new law expands the time period during which certain restaurants, bars, distilleries, and breweries are allowed to utilize tents, canopies, umbrellas, tables, chairs, and other fixture on the establishments’ property. The previous law was set to expire on November 30, 2022. That date is extended until November 30, 2024.
The new law also allows as a permitted use, the continuous use of tents, canopies, umbrellas, tables, chairs, and other fixtures on private property or public property or right of way designated by a municipality, provided these fixtures comply with the Uniform Fire Code. The permitted use, however, is limited to the timeframe of April 1 through the close of business on November 30.
Please review this new law with your code enforcement officials, administrator, and municipal attorney for more information..
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director & Director of Government Affairs, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.
DEP Stormwater Utility Feasibility & Technical Assistance Grants Available
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has announced it is seeking applications for grants to modernize stormwater management systems and to provide technical assistance to municipal, county, and utility authorities to plan to become more resilient, including conducting studies on the feasibility of forming stormwater utilities and resilience planning for local governments impacted by Tropical Storm Ida, that will focus on strategies to better manage the impact of stormwater.
$7 million is made available through the Stormwater Competitive Grant Program. This program is available to any property owner and will be used for green infrastructure, stormwater asset management planning, existing infrastructure enhancement, and removal and restoration of impervious areas. Grant applications are due midnight, September 14.
$2 million in grants is being made available to municipalities, counties, and public utility authorities for feasibility study and technical assistance with creating a stormwater utility. Grants are capped at $100,000 for municipal studies and $250,000 for regional studies.
An additional $1 million is available through the Resilient NJ program for resilience planning for local governments impacted by Tropical Storm Ida in September 2021. The DEP will provide technical and planning assistance to develop community-led resilience action plans that result in comprehensive climate resilience action.
The deadline to Show Interest for public assistance is August 24. A virtual public information session hosted by the DEP has been set up for 10 a.m. on August 10. For additional information and to register for the information session, please visit the DEP website or email stormwatergrantsinfor@dep.nj.gov.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.
NJ CRC Proposes New and Amended Personal Use Cannabis Rules
On Monday, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ CRC) published proposed new rules and amendments of previously adopted rules. Amendments to the previously adopted rules include clarification of certain application processes and other technical changes. The new rules proposed by the NJ CRC include, for the first time, regulations concerning cannabis wholesaler and delivery license holders. The rule proposal does not include rules for Workplace Impairment Recognition Experts.
Comments on the rule proposals are due September 30 and can be submitted either electronically on the NJ CRC website or via regular mail to Dave Tuasan, Deputy Counsel, New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission, PO Box 216, Trenton, NJ 08625.
The League is currently reviewing the rule proposals and anticipates submitting comments. If your municipality intends to submit comments, we ask that you also provide the League with a copy by emailing League Associate General Counsel, Frank Marshall, Esq., at fmarshall@njlm.org.
Contacts: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.
Governor Appoints Director of the Office of the Food Security Advocate
This week, Governor Murphy announced the appointment of Mark Dinglasan as Director of the Office of the Food Security Advocate, a position created last year through a comprehensive legislative package aimed at combatting food insecurity. The Office of Food Security Advocate will coordinate administration of the State’s food insecurity programs, advocate for the food insecure, and develop new policy initiatives to combat hunger and facilitate greater access to food relief programs.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.
Federal Issues
Ground Broken on Portal North Bridge
Earlier this week, Governor Murphy, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, and other officials broke ground on the Portal North Bridge, a critical link in the congested territory between New Jersey and New York. Replacement of the 111-year-old bridge is part of the larger Gateway Program that will eventually double rail capacity between New Jersey and New York. The long-delayed project is made possible through a combination of state and federal funding.
The new bridge is scheduled to open in 2026. The League and our members are long-time advocates of Gateway Program and Portal North Bridge project completion, noting that the infrastructure project is key to the economic wellbeing of the surrounding area and the state. The League has adopted numerous Conference Resolutions supporting these projects specifically, and infrastructure improvement more generally.
The League would like to thank Senators Booker and Menendez, along with all of the members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation, for their work in making this project possible.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.
Also of Interest
Applications for the Innovation in Governance Program Sought
The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the New Jersey State League of Municipalities (NJLM) will again acknowledge and promote Innovation in Governance through our annual recognition program. This is a great opportunity to showcase innovative solutions to any problems that have cropped up – either suddenly or over time – in your municipality. It can also be an opportunity to let your peers in on innovations that prevented problems from even arising. This year the Innovation in Governance Awards Committee is looking for any new and distinctive approaches in any department of municipal government.
The deadline is Friday, October 7, 2022.
Visit our awards page to see previous years’ ideas created by winning municipalities as well as the full invitation and application to this year’s program.
Contact: Ciara Bradley, Legislative Administrator, cbradley@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x128.
2022 Annual League Conference Registration Now Open
Registration for the 2022 Annual League Conference is now open with an early bird discount rate available through Sept. 30. We invite you to register and take your place at the nation’s largest gathering of municipal officials for education, networking, and a front-row seat for the latest in products and services to improve local governing.
Government and Non-Government registrations will be paperless and processed online. For tips on preparing for the registration process and to access the registration system, please visit the Conference website registration area.
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