Bill > A5987

Introduced Session

This bill would direct the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to prepare a State Water Infrastructure Investment Plan every five years. The bill would also require the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (NJIB) to publish additional information about water infrastructure projects in the State. No later than 12 months after the bill's effective date and every five years thereafter, the bill would direct the DEP, in consultation with the NJIB and, where appropriate, the Board of Public Utilities and the Department of Community Affairs, to prepare and submit to Governor and the Legislature a State Water Infrastructure Investment Plan (plan). The plan would serve as the State's long-term capital investment strategy for upgrading and maintaining the State's drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. The bill would establish various requirements for the contents of the plan, as enumerated in subsection b. of section 2 of the bill. In addition, each time the DEP prepares a plan, the bill would require the DEP to conduct at least three public meetings on the proposed plan, and meet with other stakeholders as described in subsection c. of section 2 of the bill. The bill would also require the NJIB to prepare an Annual Water Infrastructure Capital Program (annual program), which would provide details about current water infrastructure projects in the State. The annual program would be submitted to the Governor, Legislature, and the DEP. The bill would establish various requirements for the content of the annual program, as enumerated in subsection a. of section 3 of the bill. The bill would also require the NJIB to develop and maintain an Internet website that provides similar details about water infrastructure projects in the State. The bill would require the NJIB to update the website at least twice a year. In addition, the bill would establish various requirements for the content of the website, as enumerated in subsection b. of section 4 of the bill. In addition, the bill would require municipalities to review and consider any applicable recommendations of the current State Water Infrastructure Investment Plan before adopting or amending their municipal master plans. Finally, the bill would appropriate $200,000 to the NJIB to develop and maintain the website required under section 4 of the bill.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Daniel Benson (D)*,  Raj Mukherji (D)*,  Anthony Verrelli (D)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee (on 11/15/2021)