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NJ A4303

NJ A4303
"Smart Planning Wireless and Water Public Utility Facilities Act"; incentivizes placement of wireless communications equipment on water public utility towers.


summary

Introduced
06/22/2020
In Committee
06/02/2021
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/11/2022

Introduced Session

2020-2021 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill allows a water public utility, as that term is defined in the bill, to provide a wireless communications service provider with non-discriminatory access to any water tower owned or controlled by the water public utility for the installation of wireless communications equipment. Consistent with federal law, a water public utility may deny a wireless communications service provider access to its water tower, on a non-discriminatory basis, where there is insufficient space and for reasons of safety and structural integrity of the water tower based on generally accepted engineering principles. The bill provides that, in approving a water public utility's tariff, the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) is to consider fifty percent of any rental income received by the water public utility for the leasing of space on its water tower to a wireless communications service provider as "above the line income." The BPU is to consider the remainder of that rental income as "below the line income."

AI Summary

This bill allows water public utilities in New Jersey to provide non-discriminatory access to wireless communications service providers to install equipment on their water towers, with some exceptions for safety and structural integrity. The bill also requires the Board of Public Utilities to consider 50% of the rental income from such arrangements as "above-the-line income" for the water public utility, with the remaining 50% considered "below-the-line income." This is intended to incentivize water public utilities to make their towers available for wireless infrastructure deployment, benefiting both the utility's ratepayers and investors.

Committee Categories

Transportation and Infrastructure

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading (on 06/02/2021)

bill text


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