Bill
Bill > A2556
NJ A2556
NJ A2556Requires certain green building initiatives in plans for development or redevelopment of affordable housing planned for construction or substantial renovation.
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 requires the developer of an applicable project to build the project to, at minimum, the currently applicable version of the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star Single-Family New Homes or Multifamily New Construction program standards, as applicable, through participation in the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities' Residential New Construction Program. Under the bill, an "applicable project" means: (1) a newly constructed development intended to be an inclusionary development, as defined in subsection f. of section 4 of P.L.1985, c.222 (C.52:27D-304); or (2) an existing affordable housing unit undergoing substantial gut renovation or remodeling. The bill also requires the developer to make a good faith effort to include behind the meter solar facilities. If the inclusion of behind the meter solar facilities is not feasible, a developer may apply to the Board of Public Utilities for an exemption to this requirement. The bill further requires certain green building standards in applicable project plans concerning lighting, energy, heat island reduction, air quality, sustainability, building envelope, landscaping, building automation, and transportation. The bill also requires soil testing in certain circumstances and prohibits constructing new affordable housing on land containing contaminated soil unless the land is remediated pursuant to P.L.1993, 139 (C.58:10B-1 et al.). A developer would be required to submit test results to the municipality. The Energy Star Single Family New Homes program standard is designed to achieve 10 percent more energy efficiency than the building code and meet version 3.1 or version 3.2 standards. Energy Star Multifamily New Construction requires a development achieve 15 percent increased energy savings above the building code and meet version 1.1 or version 1.2 standards. Participation in the Residential New Construction Program, administered by the Board of Public Utilities through New Jersey's Clean Energy Program, makes a development eligible for Energy Star program incentives. The bill directs the Board of Public Utilities, in consultation with the Department of Community Affairs and the Department of Environmental Protection, to adopt rules and regulations to effectuate certain provisions of the bill. The bill further directs the Board of Public Utilities to prepare, and make available on its Internet website, a form for developers to request an exemption from the requirement to install solar facilities. The Board of Public Utilities would have 45 days within which to make a determination on an application. The bill further directs the Board of Public Utilities to notify the Department of Community Affairs of each application for exemption approved. The bill directs the Department of Community Affairs, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, to adopt rules and regulations to effectuate certain provisions of the bill. The bill would take effect on the first day of the 13th month next following enactment.
AI Summary
This bill requires that new affordable housing developments and substantial renovations of existing affordable housing units meet specific green building standards, aiming to improve energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. Developers of these "applicable projects" must adhere to the latest Energy Star Residential New Construction Program standards, which are designed to be more energy-efficient than standard building codes, and participate in the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities' Residential New Construction Program to access incentives. The bill also mandates a good-faith effort to install solar panels on the property ("behind the meter solar facilities"), with an option to apply for an exemption from this requirement if it's not feasible, requiring developers to provide justification. Furthermore, the bill outlines detailed green building standards for aspects like lighting (e.g., using LED lights and occupancy sensors), energy efficiency (e.g., Energy Star rated appliances, advanced HVAC systems, and passive design elements), heat island reduction, indoor air quality (low-VOC paints), sustainability (recycled materials), building envelope improvements (e.g., Energy Star rated windows and reflective roofs), landscaping (native plants, minimized lawns and irrigation), building automation, and transportation infrastructure (EV charging stations and secure bicycle storage). For new developments, soil testing for contamination is required, and construction on contaminated land is prohibited unless the land is remediated, with test results submitted to the municipality. The bill also specifies that violations of these green building standards could affect how affordable housing units count towards a municipality's housing obligations. The Board of Public Utilities and the Department of Community Affairs are tasked with developing the necessary rules and regulations to implement these provisions, with the bill taking effect 13 months after enactment.
Committee Categories
Housing and Urban Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Housing 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/A2556 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A3000/2556_I1.HTM |
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