New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A1041

Introduced

1/9/24

Refer

1/9/24

Caption

Requires newly-constructed grocery stores to have generators.

Impact

The bill falls under the jurisdiction of the State Uniform Construction Code Act and aims to amend existing regulations regarding grocery store construction. By establishing a requirement for automatic standby generators, it seeks to enhance public safety and the resilience of grocery stores in the face of natural disasters and utility failures. This law is expected to greatly improve residents' access to groceries during emergencies, a crucial consideration given historical power outages in the state.

Summary

Assembly Bill A1041 mandates that all newly-constructed grocery stores in New Jersey must be equipped with automatic standby emergency power generators. The intent of this bill is to ensure that these stores can continue to operate during power outages, particularly during emergencies, thereby helping the public access essential food and household supplies. This legislation follows the challenges faced during Hurricane Sandy, which left many stores without power and unavailable to meet community needs for basic necessities.

Contention

While the bill may receive bipartisan support due to its positive implications for public health and safety, there could be contention related to the financial burden it places on grocery store developers. Opposition may come from stakeholders concerned about the additional costs and potential delays in store construction. Some may argue that it is unreasonable to impose such stringent requirements, while proponents will advocate that the long-term benefits to the community outweigh these concerns.