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Bill > A3156
NJ A3156
NJ A3156Revises timeframes for issuance of certain construction permits by DEP in 90 days.
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 amend P.L.1975, c.232 (C.13:1D-29 et seq.), commonly referred to as the "90-Day Law." This law sets forth timeframes to be followed by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) when processing applications for certain construction permits. The current law provides that the DEP must approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove an application for a construction permit within 90 days following the date that the application is complete. The law further provides that this time period may be extended for a 30-day period by the mutual consent of the applicant and the DEP, provided that the DEP asks the applicant for the extension at least 15 days prior to the expiration date for the decision on the application. This bill would amend the law to allow the DEP to request this extension only when the need for the extension is necessary for the DEP to obtain information that is dependent on specific seasonal or weather conditions. In addition, this bill would amend the law to specify that if the DEP is unable to obtain information that is dependent on specific seasonal or weather conditions within the specified timeframe, then, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, the application would be deemed to meet the necessary criteria for approval or conditional approval of the application. The "90-Day Law" governs permits generally referred to as waterfront development permits, coastal wetlands permits, Coastal Area Facility Review Act or "CAFRA" permits, stream encroachment or flood hazard area permits, and treatment works approvals.
AI Summary
This bill modifies the "90-Day Law," which sets deadlines for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to process certain construction permit applications, such as those for waterfront development, coastal wetlands, CAFRA (Coastal Area Facility Review Act), stream encroachment, and treatment works. Currently, the DEP has 90 days to approve, conditionally approve, or deny an application once it's complete, with a possible 30-day extension if both the applicant and DEP agree, and the DEP requests it at least 15 days before the deadline. This bill restricts the DEP's ability to request such an extension, allowing it only when the delay is necessary to gather information dependent on specific seasonal or weather conditions. Furthermore, if the DEP cannot obtain this weather-dependent information within the extended timeframe, the bill states that the application will be considered approved or conditionally approved unless there is evidence to the contrary.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste 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/A3156 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A3500/3156_I1.HTM |
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