Bill
Bill > S1314
NJ S1314
NJ S1314Exempts expansion or reconstruction, within 125% of existing footprint, of municipal and county buildings and certain emergency services buildings from "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act."
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill would exempt the expansion or reconstruction, under certain circumstances, of municipal and county buildings and buildings used by certain emergency service organizations from the "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act." Specifically, the bill amends the "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act" to add a new exemption for the expansion or reconstruction within 125 percent of the footprint of the lawfully existing impervious surfaces on the site, provided that the expansion or reconstruction does not increase the lawfully existing impervious surface on the site by one-quarter acre or more, of: a building owned by a municipality or county and used for the purposes of municipal or county government; a court house; or a building used for the purposes of a volunteer fire department, incorporated volunteer fire company, or volunteer first aid, emergency, rescue, or ambulance squad. This expansion or reconstruction would be exempt from the provisions of the "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act," the regional master plan adopted pursuant thereto, any rules or regulations adopted by the Department of Environmental Protection pursuant thereto, or any amendments to a master plan, development regulations, or other regulations adopted by a local government unit to specifically conform them with the Highlands regional master plan. The exemption in this bill is mirrored on an existing exemption in the act that allows the reconstruction of any building or structure for any reason within 125 percent of the footprint of the lawfully existing impervious surfaces on the site, provided that the reconstruction or expansion does not increase the lawfully existing impervious surface on the site by one-quarter acre or more. This bill would specifically exempt the limited expansion or reconstruction of buildings owned by a municipality or county (such as a municipal or county office building or a building housing a police department or fire department), court houses, and buildings used by volunteer fire departments, incorporated volunteer fire companies, or volunteer first aid, emergency, rescue, or ambulance squads.
AI Summary
This bill would exempt certain municipal, county, and emergency services buildings from the requirements of the "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act," which is a law designed to protect a critical watershed region. Specifically, the bill allows for the expansion or reconstruction of buildings owned by municipalities or counties for government purposes, courthouses, and buildings used by volunteer fire departments or emergency medical squads, as long as the new footprint does not exceed 125% of the original building's footprint and does not add more than a quarter of an acre of impervious surface (like pavement or buildings). This exemption mirrors an existing one for general building reconstruction and aims to facilitate necessary upgrades to public facilities without imposing the full regulatory burden of the Highlands Act.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S1314 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S1500/1314_I1.HTM |
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