Bill > A2971

Introduced Session

This bill would require State agencies, when developing and proposing a rule for adoption, to utilize approaches that will accomplish the objectives of statutory law while minimizing any adverse economic impact of the proposed rule on municipalities. Current law, enacted as part of P.L.2001, c.342 (the last of a series of "mandate relief" bills enacted during the 1990's and the early 2000's that provided relief from State mandates on municipalities, counties, and boards of education) requires State agencies, when developing and proposing a rule for adoption, to utilize approaches that will accomplish the objectives of statutory law while minimizing any adverse economic impact of the proposed rule on small municipalities. This bill would amend P.L.2001, c.342 to remove the adjective "small" from the law so that the requirements of the statute would apply to the development and adoption of rules that would affect all municipalities. The sponsor believes that, given the recent enactment of statutory law restricting the school district, county, and municipal property tax levy cap from 4% to 2.0%, municipal budgets will be hard-pressed to fund the implementation of any State mandate that requires the expenditure of local funds, and the provisions of this bill will require State government to more carefully consider the effect of a proposed rule on local budgets, and to utilize approaches or methods that will accomplish the objectives of statutory law and at the same time, minimize any adverse economic impact of the proposed rule on municipalities.

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Tony Bucco (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee (on 02/08/2018)