New Jersey Assembly Bill A355

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

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

Caption

Establishes fund to reimburse municipalities for police and sanitation costs related to crowding at MVC sites; appropriates $500,000.

Impact

By providing financial assistance to municipalities, Bill A355 seeks to alleviate the fiscal strain caused by unexpected circumstances during the pandemic, thereby ensuring local governments are not held accountable for expenses that stemmed from state-level decision-making. The $500,000 fund will help municipalities manage these costs related to traffic and crowd control, litter collection, and the provision of portable sanitation facilities, allowing them to focus resources on public safety and health during the ongoing COVID-19 emergency period.

Summary

Bill A355 aims to address the financial burdens that municipalities faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically in relation to managing large crowds and associated sanitation efforts at New Jersey Motor Vehicles Commission (MVC) sites. It seeks to establish a fund dedicated to reimbursing municipalities for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by their police forces and for sanitation services. The bill appropriates $500,000 from the Property Tax Relief Fund to cover these costs, which arose when MVC locations had to reopen to the public, leading to significant crowding and the need for enhanced police presence and sanitation measures.

Contention

One notable aspect of Bill A355 is its retroactive provision, which allows municipalities to seek reimbursements for expenses incurred starting from March 9, 2020, when the Governor declared a state of emergency due to COVID-19. This provision acknowledges the proactive and necessary measures municipalities had to undertake amidst the pandemic. However, there may be contention regarding the adequacy of funding, as the initial allocation of $500,000 may be deemed insufficient if the pandemic continues or if the volume of incurred expenses exceeds the anticipated amounts. Local officials may also raise questions about the application process for reimbursement and how efficiently these funds can be disbursed during ongoing emergencies.