Credit: (Edwin J. Torres/NJ Governor's Office)A broad package of legislation aimed at easing an affordability crisis faced by many in New Jersey was advanced by the state Assembly on Thursday.
Among the measures approved by the Democratic-controlled lower house were several seeking to ease rapidly rising housing and residential utility costs.
These included, among others, measures seeking to limit rent increases in certain cases, and to increase the residential income thresholds for some state utility bill payment assistance and energy efficiency programs.
Another piece of legislation now one step closer to becoming law would seek to address concerns about the rising utility bills by requiring state Board of Public Utilities members to have certain subject-matter expertise, such as experience in public-utility management or regulation and consumer advocacy and public-interest regulation.
More private-sector workers in New Jersey would have an opportunity to boost their retirement savings by participating in the state-administered RetireReady NJ program under another bill approved during Thursday’s voting session.
Up for election
The advancement of the Assembly’s affordability measures comes ahead of a November election that will determine whether Democrats can remain in control of the 80-member Assembly for another two years. Democrats have held onto control of both the Senate and Assembly for over two decades.
But voter concerns about a rising cost of living and other pocketbook issues, including a lack of affordable housing in many communities, are threatening to upset the political status quo in Trenton during a year that will also see control of the governor’s office in contention in the fall.
“Housing policy isn’t just about buildings — it’s about dignity, access and stability,” said Assembly Housing Committee chair Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez (D-Middlesex). “That’s why we took steps today to improve how we develop, regulate and expand housing across the state.”
The following are some of the bills passed by the Assembly Thursday. Legislation must win the approval of the Assembly and Senate, and be endorsed by the governor, to become law.
Housing costs
A-3361 – Establishes a limit on rent increase for certain dwelling sites for modular or industrialized buildings or manufactured homes.
A-3363 – Requires each municipality to submit information quarterly to the commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs concerning the affordable housing units, and housing units for senior citizens and veterans, located within the municipality, in order to provide a centralized directory of affordable housing units, and housing units for senior citizens and veterans, in New Jersey.
A-4899 – Limits residential rental application fees by prohibiting a landlord, or a landlord’s agent, from requiring an application or other similar fee, to apply to lease or sublease a residential rental property, which exceeds $50.
A-4913 – Establishes certain state funding preferences for municipalities that enhance opportunities to develop housing.
A-5424 – Promotes housing availability and prevents speculation by imposing a fee for institutional ownership of certain unproductive residential property.
A-5432 – Establishes standards for determining an “unconscionable rent increase.”
Residential utility costs
A-5264 – Requires establishment of an automated platform to expedite construction code approval of applications to install residential solar energy systems.
A-5435 – Requires Division of Housing and Community Resources in the Department of Community Affairs and applicable state agencies and nonprofits to establish a consolidated application for residential utility assistance programs.
A-5442 – Requires Board of Public Utilities members to have certain experience and complete certain training.
A 5463 – Requires electric public utilities to file an annual report with the Board of Public Utilities on recorded votes at meetings of PJM Interconnection, the regional grid operator serving more than 65 million consumers, across 13 states, including New Jersey, and Washington, D.C.
A-5466 – Directs the Board of Public Utilities to carry out a study, within one year after the bill’s effective date, on the effect of electricity usage by data centers on electricity costs in the state.
A-5733 – Provides for state agency reviews and increases of income thresholds for residential customers to participate in certain state utility bill-payment assistance and energy efficiency programs.
Retirement savings
A-5358 – Reduces the threshold for required participation in the New Jersey Secure Choice Savings Program, branded RetireReady NJ, from businesses that have 25 or more employees to businesses that have one or more employees.
