SENATE COMMUNITY AND URBAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 3551

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 2, 2023

      The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 3551.

      Current law requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs to establish the "Electronic Permit Processing Review System," an Internet-based system allowing for the electronic submission of applications for construction permits, plans, and specifications pursuant to the "State Uniform Construction Code Act," N.J.S.A.52:27D-119 et seq., for the electronic review and approval of applications, plans, and specifications, for the scheduling of inspections and for the exchange of information between the applicant, the applicant’s professionals, and the Department of Community Affairs or enforcing agency during the review process.  The electronic system offers a permit applicant:

· the ability to submit the materials necessary for application review;

· the ability to submit requests for on-site inspection of a project; and 

· continuous, 24-hour accessibility for these submissions.

      This bill amends current law to specify that the electronic permit system is also required to offer an applicant the ability to submit electronic signatures for all materials necessary for the permit application review, including all construction permits, plans and specifications, and for the scheduling of inspections.  The bill also requires the department to accept an electronic reproduction of stamps, seals, certifications, and notarizations.

      As reported by the committee, Senate Bill No. 3551 is identical to Assembly Bill No. 5036, which was also reported by the committee on this date.