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Bill > S1586
NJ S1586
NJ S1586Requires municipal governing body to submit public question to voters if area of municipality with over 10 percent property tax ratables is to be subject to annexation by other municipality.
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
Under current law, land in one municipality may be annexed to another municipality to which that land is contiguous. To effect such an annexation, a petition in writing is required to be presented to the governing body of the municipality to which the annexation is sought to be made, specifically setting forth the boundaries of the land, signed by at least 60 percent of the legal voters residing thereon. In addition to the annexation processes required under law, this bill amends the law to provide that, if the land proposed to be annexed amounts in aggregate to 10 percent or more of the tax ratables of the municipality in which the land is located, the governing body for the municipality in which the land is located is required to submit a public question on the proposed annexation of the land to the electors of the municipality at the general election next occurring at least 45 days after receipt of the petition for annexation. Under the bill, the municipal clerk is required to cause to be published in at least one newspaper having general circulation in the municipality, the municipal public question to be voted upon by the voters on the 30th day before the day of the general election. The bill specifies that if a majority of the electors voting on the public question vote against the proposed annexation by the contiguous municipality, then the proposal fails and the land is not be subject to another public question for annexation within one calendar year from the date of the previous election. The bill also specifies that if a majority of the electors voting on the public question vote to approve the proposed annexation by the contiguous municipality, then the proposed annexation is to be allowed to proceed as provided pursuant to N.J.S.40A:7-12 through N.J.S.40A:7-25. The bill also provides that, in any judicial review of the refusal of the governing body of the municipality in which the land is located or the governing body of the municipality to which annexation is sought to consent to the annexation, the petitioners have the burden of establishing that the refusal to consent to the annexation is in violation of the results of the public question on the proposed annexation submitted to the electors of the municipality at the previous general election.
AI Summary
This bill requires that if a proposed annexation of land from one municipality to another involves an area that represents 10 percent or more of the total property tax ratables (the assessed value of taxable property) of the original municipality, the governing body of that original municipality must put the annexation to a public vote. This vote will occur at the next general election, provided it's at least 45 days after the annexation petition is received. The public question will be published in a local newspaper 30 days before the election. If a majority of voters reject the annexation, it fails and cannot be proposed again for a year. If a majority approves, the annexation can proceed according to existing laws. The bill also clarifies that in any legal challenge to a refusal to consent to an annexation, petitioners must prove that the refusal violates the results of such a public vote.
Committee Categories
Housing and Urban Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs 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/S1586 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2000/1586_I1.HTM |
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