Bill

Bill > S3500


NJ S3500

NJ S3500
Reduces allowed diversion of funds from stormwater, water, and sewer purposes to municipal and county budgets; requires municipalities and counties to notify Division of Local Government Services of diversions.


summary

Introduced
02/12/2026
In Committee
02/12/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill would reduce the amount of funds that counties and municipalities may divert from stormwater, water, and sewer utilities and authorities to county and municipal budgets. Under current law, municipalities may transfer available surplus revenue that was collected to fund a utility to other expenditures made by the municipality, in an amount up to five percent of the utility's annual operating costs. This bill would reduce the allowed transfer for stormwater, water, and sewer utilities to three percent of the utility's annual operating costs. Similarly, current law allows counties and municipalities to appropriate undesignated funds and unreserved retained earnings held by an authority that was created by the county or municipality, in an amount up to five percent of the authority's annual operating costs. This bill would reduce the allowed appropriation for water and sewer purposes to three percent of the authority's annual operating costs. This bill would also require counties and municipalities to notify the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs whenever the county or municipality: (1) transfers funds from a stormwater, water, or sewer utility, or (2) appropriates funds from a water or sewer authority.

AI Summary

This bill reduces the percentage of surplus funds that municipalities and counties can transfer from their stormwater, water, and sewer utilities and authorities to their general budgets, lowering the allowed diversion from five percent to three percent of the utility's or authority's annual operating costs. It also requires municipalities and counties to notify the Division of Local Government Services, which is part of the Department of Community Affairs, whenever they transfer these types of funds or appropriate undesignated funds or retained earnings from water or sewer authorities. This change aims to ensure more dedicated funding for essential utility services.

Committee Categories

Housing and Urban Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee (on 02/12/2026)

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