New Jersey Assembly Bill A1174

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Requires municipal accounting of abandoned properties before receiving certain State aid; establishes State database of abandoned properties; requires owners of abandoned properties to document rehabilitation efforts.

Impact

The bill significantly impacts state and municipal laws concerning property management. Municipalities that fail to comply with these requirements risk losing state aid, which could strain their resources and finances. The intention behind the bill is to encourage better maintenance of abandoned properties, thereby improving community safety and property values, and to hold property owners accountable for rehabilitation efforts.

Summary

A1174 is a legislative bill from the State of New Jersey that mandates municipalities to maintain a registry of abandoned properties before being eligible for certain state aid. The bill defines abandoned properties and outlines the requirements for municipalities, establishing accountability in addressing neglected properties. Municipalities must track and report comprehensive details about abandoned properties, including ownership and rehabilitation status, to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), which will compile a statewide database of such properties for public access.

Contention

Some of the notable points of contention surrounding A1174 include the potential financial burden on municipalities, which may face challenges in keeping comprehensive records and managing additional administrative costs. Critics might argue that requiring municipalities to maintain an extensive registry and report regularly could stretch their already limited resources. Additionally, the introductory provisions stipulating that failing to comply with the bill will result in the loss of various municipal aid forms could be seen as punitive.