On Monday, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee is scheduled to consider A-1145/S-1739, which the League opposes. A-1145/S-1739 would establish an electronic permit processing review system requiring electronic submission of applications for construction permits, plans, and specifications as required under the State Uniform Construction Code (UCC), and for the scheduling of inspections. All municipal enforcement agencies would be required to use this new system.
The League supports efforts to modernize the process of UCC applications and reviews, however, we have some concerns with the bill. For one, certain documents required to be reviewed during the construction permitting process are not easily reviewable through electronic means. Municipal enforcement agencies will incur substantial costs to purchase the equipment necessary to implement the electronic review of these applications. And, while the bill allows municipalities to charge a surcharge for the first three years after the bill is adopted to recoup start-up costs, this may not be sufficient for initial costs or the continuing expense of operating such systems.
We encourage you to review A-1145/S-1739 and to contact your representatives requesting they oppose this legislation until municipal concerns are properly addressed.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x137.