New Jersey Assembly Bill A522

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Permits public utilities to lease equipment from National Guard in event of emergency.

Impact

The proposed legislation is expected to have a notable impact on state laws by complementing emergency management protocols. Specifically, it would allow for a more coordinated and efficient response to emergencies that disrupt utility services. This bill mandates the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to compile and publicly list available equipment from the National Guard, potentially streamlining the process for utilities in urgent situations. This framework could enhance collaboration between civilian infrastructure and military resources during crisis events.

Summary

Bill A522, introduced in the New Jersey Legislature, aims to permit public utilities to lease equipment from the National Guard during emergencies. The intent behind this bill is to enhance the capacity for rapid response to emergencies such as storms or disasters, thereby improving the resilience of public utility services. By allowing these leases for a duration of up to 48 hours after an emergency, the legislation seeks to ensure that utilities can quickly recover and restore services affected by such incidents.

Contention

While the bill aims to provide clear benefits in terms of emergency readiness, it may raise questions regarding the provisions of equipment leasing and the framework of operational authority. Stakeholders might have concerns regarding the adequacy of timelines for response, and whether the implementation of such leases would meet the various legal and logistical hurdles that arise in emergency situations. The necessity for federal law compliance adds an additional layer of complexity, which could lead to debate over oversight and accountability in the emergency response framework.