New Jersey Assembly Bill A1458

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/22
• Refer: 1/11/22

Caption

Requires public utilities and cable television companies to accommodate and relocate facilities and pay costs thereof when necessary for infrastructure projects.

Impact

The bill establishes a legal framework that clearly delineates the rights and responsibilities of both contracting entities (such as state or local governments) and public utilities or cable companies. Contracting entities are required to prepare detailed project plans and schedule meetings to coordinate between all involved parties. This process is intended to mitigate delays and ensure that any necessary accommodations or relocations are done efficiently and without additional costs to the taxpayers.

Summary

Bill A1458, proposed in New Jersey, addresses the accommodation and relocation of public utility and cable television facilities during infrastructure projects. The primary objective of this bill is to shift the financial responsibility for the relocation and accommodation of these facilities from taxpayers to the companies themselves. Infrastructure projects funded by the state, counties, or municipalities frequently require the adjustment of such utilities, which can incur significant costs that were previously absorbed by public funds. This bill aims to rectify that by mandating that public utilities and cable companies pay for relocation costs when their facilities interfere with publicly funded projects.

Contention

One notable point of contention is the potential financial impact on public utilities and cable television companies. They may face increased operational costs due to their obligation to fund the relocation of their facilities. Critics of the bill could argue that this could lead to higher service fees for consumers as companies seek to recoup these costs. Additionally, the bill’s provisions could result in tensions between municipalities and utilities over the timing and execution of relocations, especially given the potential for delays to infrastructure projects if utility companies do not promptly comply with relocation requirements.