SENATE, No. 3796

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

220th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED MAY 8, 2023

 


 

Sponsored by:

Senator  LINDA R. GREENSTEIN

District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)

Senator  JEAN STANFIELD

District 8 (Atlantic, Burlington and Camden)

Assemblyman  PEDRO MEJIA

District 32 (Bergen and Hudson)

Assemblywoman  VERLINA REYNOLDS-JACKSON

District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)

Assemblyman  REGINALD W. ATKINS

District 20 (Union)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Senators Johnson, Pou, Ruiz, Assemblywoman McKnight, Assemblymen Karabinchak, Freiman, DiMaio, Thomson, Bergen, McClellan, DePhillips, Assemblywoman Flynn, Assemblymen Auth, Sauickie, Clifton, Assemblywoman Eulner, Assemblyman Torrissi, Assemblywomen Piperno, Gove, Assemblymen Rumpf, Umba, McGuckin, Catalano, Rooney, Assemblywomen Dunn, Matsikoudis, Swift, Assemblymen Guardian, Simonsen, Scharfenberger, Wirths, Assemblywomen McCarthy Patrick, N.Munoz, Assemblymen S.Kean, Space, Assemblywoman Sawyer, Assemblymen Peterson and Webber

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY 2024.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  


An Act authorizing the expenditure of funds by the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank for the purpose of making loans to eligible project sponsors to finance a portion of the cost of construction of environmental infrastructure projects, and making an appropriation.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.  a.  The New Jersey Infrastructure Bank, established pursuant to P.L.1985, c.334 (C.58:11B-1 et seq.) (hereinafter referred to as "the trust"), is authorized to expend the aggregate sum of up to $1.782 billion and any uncommitted balance of the aggregate expenditures authorized pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2000, c.93, section 1 of P.L.2001, c.224, section 1 of P.L.2002, c.71, section 1 of P.L.2003, c.159, section 1 of P.L.2004, c.110, section 1 of P.L.2005, c.197, section 1 of P.L.2006, c.67, section 1 of P.L.2007, c.140, section 1 of P.L.2008, c.67, section 1 of P.L.2009, c.101, section 1 of P.L.2010, c.62, section 1 of P.L.2011, c.95, section 1 of P.L.2012, c.38, section 1 of P.L.2013, c.94, section 1 of P.L.2014, c.26, section 1 of P.L.2015, c.107, section 1 of P.L.2016, c.31, as amended by P.L.2017, c.13, section 1 of P.L.2017, c.142, as amended by P.L.2017, c.327, P.L.2018, c.84, as amended by P.L.2019, c.30, section 1 of P.L.2019, c.192, as amended by P.L.2019, c.515, and P.L.2020, c.48, as amended by P.L.2021, c.22, section 1 of P.L.2021, c.204, as amended by P.L.2021, c.316, and P.L.2022, c.100, as amended by P.L.2023, c.5, for the purpose of making loans, to the extent sufficient funds are available, to or on behalf of local government units or public water utilities (hereinafter referred to as "project sponsors") to finance all or a portion of the cost of construction of environmental infrastructure projects listed in sections 2 and 4 of this act.

     b.  The trust is authorized to increase the aggregate sums specified in subsection a. of this section by:

     (1) the amounts of capitalized interest, interest accrued pursuant to a short-term or temporary loan made to a project sponsor pursuant to the Interim Environmental Financing Program, administrative expenses associated with any federal funding programs, if applicable, and the bond issuance expenses as provided in subsection b. of section 7 of this act;

     (2) the amounts of reserve capacity expenses and debt service reserve fund requirements as provided in subsection c. of section 7 of this act;

     (3) the interest earned on amounts deposited for project costs pending their distribution to project sponsors as provided in subsection d. of section 7 of this act;

     (4) the amounts of the loan origination fee as provided in subsection e. of section 7 of this act;

     (5) the amount appropriated to the Department of Environmental Protection for the purpose of making zero interest and principal forgiveness loans pursuant to section 3 of P.L.    , c.    (pending before the Legislature as Senate Bill No. 3797 of the 2022-23 session and Assembly Bill No.      of the 2022-23 session) in connection with the project costs of a particular project sponsor, to the extent the priority ranking or an insufficiency of funding prevent the department from meeting program demand as provided in subsection f. of section 7 of this act; and

     (6) any funds transferred to the trust by the department pursuant to paragraph (21) of subsection a. of section 1 of P.L.    , c.    (pending before the Legislature as Senate Bill No. 3797 of the 2022-23 session and Assembly Bill No.      of the 2022-23 session).

     c.  (1) Of the sums made available to the trust from the "Water Supply Trust Fund" established pursuant to subsection a. of section 15 of the "Water Supply Bond Act of 1981" (P.L.1981, c.261), pursuant to P.L.1997, c.223, the trust is authorized to transfer such amounts to the Department of Environmental Protection as needed for drinking water project loans pursuant to the "Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996," Pub.L.104-182, and any amendatory and supplementary acts thereto (hereinafter referred to as the "Federal Safe Drinking Water Act"), under terms and conditions established by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection and the trust, and approved by the State Treasurer, which loans shall be jointly administered by the trust and department.

     (2) Of the sums appropriated to the trust from the "Wastewater Treatment Trust Fund" established pursuant to section 15 of the "Wastewater Treatment Bond Act of 1985," (P.L.1985, c.329), pursuant to P.L.1987, c.198, the trust is authorized to transfer such amounts as needed to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund established pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2009, c.77 for the purposes of issuing loans or providing the State match as required for the award of capitalization grants made available to the State for clean water projects pursuant to the "Water Quality Act of 1987" (33 U.S.C. s.1251 et seq.), and any amendatory and supplementary acts thereto (hereinafter referred to as the "Federal Clean Water Act").

     (3) Of the sums appropriated to the trust from the "1992 Wastewater Treatment Trust Fund" established pursuant to section 27 of the "Green Acres, Clean Water, Farmland and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 1992" (P.L.1992, c.88), pursuant to P.L.1996, c.86, the trust is authorized to transfer such amounts as needed to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for the purpose of providing the State match as required for the award of capitalization grants made available to the State for clean water projects pursuant to the Federal Clean Water Act.

     (4) Of the sums appropriated to the trust from the "Stormwater Management and Combined Sewer Overflow Abatement Fund" created pursuant to section 14 of the "Stormwater Management and Combined Sewer Overflow Abatement Bond Act of 1989," P.L.1989, c.181, pursuant to P.L.1998, c.87, the trust is authorized to transfer such amounts as needed to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for the purpose of providing the State match as required for the award of capitalization grants made available to the State for clean water projects pursuant to the Federal Clean Water Act.

     (5) Of the sums appropriated to the trust from the "2003 Water Resources and Wastewater Treatment Trust Fund" established pursuant to subsection b. of section 19 of the "Dam, Lake, Stream, Flood Control, Water Resources, and Wastewater Treatment Project Bond Act of 2003" (P.L.2003, c.162), pursuant to P.L.2004, c.110, the trust is authorized to transfer such amounts as needed to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for the purpose of providing the State match as required for the award of capitalization grants made available to the State for clean water projects pursuant to the Federal Clean Water Act.

     (6) Of the sums appropriated to the trust from repayments of loans deposited in any account, including the "Clean Water State Revolving Fund," "Wastewater Treatment Fund," the "1992 Wastewater Treatment Fund," the "Water Supply Fund," the "Stormwater Management and Combined Sewer Overflow Abatement Fund" or the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, as appropriate, pursuant to sections 11 and 12 of P.L.1995, c.219, sections 11 and 12 of P.L.1996, c.85, sections 11 and 12 of P.L.1997, c.221, sections 12 and 13 of P.L.1998, c.84, section 11 of P.L.1999, c.174, section 11 of P.L.2000, c.92, section 11 of P.L.2001, c.222, section 11 of P.L.2002, c.70, section 11 of P.L.2003, c.158, section 11 of P.L.2004, c.109, section 11 of P.L.2005, c.196, section 11 of P.L.2006, c.68, section 10 of P.L.2007, c.140, section 10 of P.L.2008, c.67, section 10 of P.L.2009, c.101, section 10 of P.L.2010, c.62, section 10 of P.L.2011, c.95, section 10 of P.L.2012, c.38, section 10 of P.L.2013, c.94, section 10 of P.L.2014, c.26, section 10 of P.L.2015, c.107, section 10 of P.L.2016, c.31, section 10 of P.L.2017, c.142, as amended by section 10 of P.L.2017, c.327, section 10 of P.L.2018, c.84, as amended by P.L.2019, c.30, section 10 of P.L.2019, c.192, as amended by section 10 of P.L.2019, c.515, section 10 of P.L.2020, c.48, as amended by P.L.2021, c.22, section 10 of P.L.2021, c.204, as amended by P.L. 2021, c.316, section 10 of P.L.2022 c.100, as amended by P.L.2023, c.5, and section 10 of P.L.    , c.    (pending before the Legislature as this bill), for deposit into one or more reserve funds or accounts established by the trust pursuant to section 11 of P.L.1985, c.334 (C.58:11B-11), the trust shall transfer to the respective fund of origin the uncommitted balance of all such moneys no longer utilized by the trust for such purposes.

     d.  For the purposes of this act:

     (1) "capitalized interest" means the amount equal to interest paid on trust bonds which is funded with trust bond proceeds and the earnings thereon;

     (2) "debt service reserve fund expenses" means the debt service reserve fund costs associated with reserve capacity expenses, water supply projects for which the project sponsors are public water utilities as provided in section 9 of P.L.1985, c.334 (C.58:11B-9), other drinking water projects not eligible for, or interested in, State or federal debt service reserve funds pursuant to the "Water Supply Bond Act of 1981," P.L.1981, c.261 as amended and supplemented by P.L.1997, c.223, and any clean water projects not eligible for, or interested in, State or federal debt service reserve funds from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund;

     (3) "issuance expenses" means any costs related to the issuance of trust bonds and includes, but is not limited to, the costs of financial document printing, bond insurance premiums or other credit enhancement, underwriters' discount, verification of financial calculations, the services of bond rating agencies and trustees, the employment of accountants, attorneys, financial advisors, loan servicing agents, registrars, and paying agents.

     (4) "loan origination fee" means the fee charged by the Department of Environmental Protection and financed under the trust loan to pay a portion of the costs incurred by the department in the implementation of the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Financing Program; and

     (5) "reserve capacity expenses" means those project costs for reserve capacity not eligible for loans under rules and regulations governing zero interest loans adopted by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1985, c.329 but which are eligible for loans from the trust in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by the trust pursuant to section 27 of P.L.1985, c.334 (C.58:11B-27).

     e.  The trust is authorized to increase the loan amount in the future to compensate for a refunding of the issue, provided adequate savings are achieved, for the loans issued pursuant to P.L.1995, c.218, P.L.1996, c.87, P.L.1997, c.222, P.L.1998, c.85, P.L.1999, c.173, P.L.2000, c.93, P.L.2001, c.224, P.L.2002, c.71, P.L.2003, c.159, P.L.2004, c.110, P.L.2005, c.197, P.L.2006, c.67, P.L.2007, c.140, P.L.2008, c.67, P.L.2009, c.101, P.L.2010, c.62, P.L.2011, c.95, P.L.2012, c.38, P.L.2013, c.94, P.L.2014, c.26, P.L.2015, c.107, P.L.2016, c.31, as amended by P.L.2017, c.13, P.L.2017, c.142, as amended by P.L.2017, c.327, P.L.2018, c.84, as amended by P.L.2019, c.30, P.L.2019, c.192, as amended by P.L.2019, c.515, P.L.2020, c.48, as amended by P.L.2021, c.22, P.L.2021, c.204, as amended by P.L.2021, c.316, P.L.2022, c.100, as amended by P.L.2023, c.5, and section 10 of P.L.    , c.    (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

     2.  a.  (1) The New Jersey Infrastructure Bank is authorized to expend funds for the purpose of making supplemental loans to or on behalf of the project sponsors listed below for the following clean water environmental infrastructure projects:

 

Project Sponsor

Project Number

Estimated Allowable Trust Loan Amount

Estimated Total Loan Amount

Clinton Town

S340924-07R

$600,000

$800,000

Hoboken City

S340635-06R

$30,000,000

$40,000,000

Jersey City MUA

S340928-15R

$2,625,000

$3,500,000

Newark City

S340815-24R

$15,750,000

$21,000,000

North Bergen MUA

S340652-14R

$6,150,000

$8,200,000

Ocean Township SA

S340750-14R

$1,500,000

$2,000,000

Passaic Valley SC

S340689-40R

$1,125,000

$1,500,000

Paterson City

S340850-03-1

$1,912,500

$2,550,000

Plumsted Township

S340607-03R

$7,500,000

$10,000,000

Rutgers University

S340500-01R

$3,150,000

$4,200,000

Somerville Borough

S342013-01-1

$1,387,500

$1,850,000

Total Projects: 11

$71,700,000

$95,600,000

 

     (2) A loan authorized by this subsection shall be made for the difference between the allowable loan amount required by the project based upon final building costs pursuant to subsection a. of section 7 of this act and the loan amount certified by the chairperson, vice chairperson, or secretary of the trust in State fiscal years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023 and for increased allowable costs as defined and determined in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by the trust pursuant to section 27 of P.L.1985, c.334 (C.58:11B-27).  A loan authorized by this subsection shall be made to or on behalf of the project sponsor listed, up to the individual amount indicated and in the priority stated, to the extent sufficient funds are available, except if a project fails to meet the requirements of section 6 of this act.

     (3) The loans for projects authorized by this subsection shall have priority over the environmental infrastructure projects listed in subsection a. of section 4 of this act.

     b.  (1) The trust is authorized to expend funds for the purpose of making supplemental loans to or on behalf of the project sponsors listed below for the following drinking water environmental infrastructure projects:

Project Sponsor

Project Number

Estimated Allowable Trust Loan Amount

Estimated Total Loan Amount

National Park Borough

0812001-004R

$750,000

$1,000,000

North Jersey District WSC

1613001-025R

$19,125,000

$25,500,000

Total Projects: 2

$19,875,000

$26,500,000

 

     (2) A loan authorized by this subsection shall be made for the difference between the allowable loan amount required by the project based upon final building costs pursuant to subsection a. of section 7 of this act and the loan amount certified by the chairperson, vice chairperson, or secretary of the trust in State fiscal year 2017, 2019, and 2020 and for increased allowable costs as defined and determined in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by the trust pursuant to section 27 of P.L.1985, c.334 (C.58:11B-27).  A loan authorized by this subsection shall be made to or on behalf of the project sponsor listed, up to the individual amount indicated and in the priority stated, to the extent sufficient funds are available, except if a project fails to meet the requirements of section 6 of this act.

     (3) The loans for projects authorized by this subsection shall have priority over environmental infrastructure projects listed in subsection b. of section 4 of this act.

     c.  The trust is authorized to adjust the allowable trust loan amount for the projects authorized in this section to between zero percent and 100 percent of the total allowable loan amount.

 

     3.  a.  The New Jersey Infrastructure Bank is authorized to make loans to or on behalf of the project sponsors for the clean water projects listed in subsection a. of section 2 and subsection a. of section 4 of this act up to the individual amounts indicated and in the priority stated, except that any such amount may be reduced by the trust pursuant to subsection a. of section 7 of this act, or if a project fails to meet the requirements of section 6 of this act.  The trust is authorized to increase any such amount pursuant to subsections b., c., d., e., or f. of section 7 of this act, or pursuant to section 8 of this act.

     b.  The trust is authorized to make loans to project sponsors for the drinking water projects listed in subsection b. of section 4 of this act up to the individual amounts indicated and in the priority stated, except that any such amount may be reduced by the trust pursuant to subsection a. of section 7 of this act, or if a project fails to meet the requirements of section 6 of this act.  The trust is authorized to increase any such amount pursuant to subsections b., c., d., e., or f. of section 7 of this act, or pursuant to section 8 of this act.

     c.  The trust is authorized to make loans to local government units for clean water and drinking water projects partially funded from the "Pinelands Infrastructure Trust Fund" established pursuant to section 14 of P.L.1985, c.302 for the balance of allowable project costs up to the individual amounts indicated, provided that any such amount may be reduced by the trust pursuant to subsection a. of section 7 of this act, or if a project fails to meet the requirements of section 6 of this act.  There is appropriated to the trust from the "Pinelands Infrastructure Trust Fund" established pursuant to section 14 of the "Pinelands Infrastructure Trust Bond Act of 1985," P.L.1985, c.302, an amount sufficient to implement the provisions of this subsection.   

     The following local government units are eligible for funding from the "Pinelands Infrastructure Trust Fund" and for loans from the trust in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by the trust pursuant to section 27 of P.L.1985, c.334 (C.58:11B-27) for the following clean water and drinking water projects:

Project Sponsor

Project Number

Estimated Total Loan Amount

Pemberton Twp.

Pinelands 1

$2,929,000

Manchester Twp./

Jackson MUA

Pinelands 2

$7,192,035

Galloway Twp.

Pinelands 4

$3,493,440

Winslow Twp.

Pinelands 5

$1,728,940

Total Pinelands Projects: 4

$15,343,415

 

     4.  a.  The following environmental infrastructure projects shall be known and may be cited as the "Storm Sandy and State Fiscal Year 2024 Clean Water Project Eligibility List":

 

Project Sponsor

Project Number

Estimated Allowable Trust Loan Amount

Estimated Total Loan Amount

Musconetcong  SA

S340384-09

$4,650,000

$6,200,000

Oakland Borough

S340418-06

$5,790,000

$7,720,000

Rahway Valley SA

S340547-17

$4,350,000

$5,800,000

Mendham Borough

S340159-04

$2,625,000

$3,500,000

Camden County MUA

S340640-29

$9,525,000

$12,700,000

Montgomery Township

S340130-03

$16,500,000

$22,000,000

Newark City

S340815-26

$3,300,000

$4,400,000

Camden City

S340366-07

$7,500,000

$10,000,000

Camden City

S340366-15

$9,997,500

$13,330,000

Middlesex County UA

S340699-17

$19,500,000

$26,000,000

Jersey City MUA

S340928-40

$6,000,000

$8,000,000

Jersey City MUA

S340928-21

$9,750,000

$13,000,000

Jersey City MUA

S340928-24

$93,750,000

$125,000,000

Elizabeth City

S340942-20

$7,725,000

$10,300,000

Elizabeth City

S345070-01

$3,000,001

$4,000,001

Bayonne City

S340399-31

$3,750,000

$5,000,000

Kearny Town

S340259-11

$12,750,000

$17,000,000

Long Branch SA

S340336-08

$1,305,525

$1,740,700

Ocean County UA

S340372-64

$37,500,000

$50,000,000

Mount Laurel Township MUA

S340943-06

$7,875,000

$10,500,000

North Hudson SA

S340952-33

$20,250,000

$27,000,000

North Hudson SA

S340952-39

$13,500,000

$18,000,000

Riverside SA

S340490-01

$630,000

$840,000

Perth Amboy City

S340435-19

$300,000

$400,000

Perth Amboy City

S345220-01

$2,437,500

$3,250,000

Hackensack City

S340923-13

$12,750,000

$17,000,000

Passaic Valley SC

S340689-44

$18,000,000

$24,000,000

Passaic Valley SC

S340689-52

$50,250,000

$67,000,000

Pennsville SA

S340870-05

$3,000,000

$4,000,000

Beach Haven Borough

S344220-01

$2,700,000

$3,600,000

Logan Township MUA

S340123-02

$9,000,000

$12,000,000

Bergen County UA

S340386-21

$5,700,000

$7,600,000

Bergen County UA

S340386-23

$37,500,000

$50,000,000

Bergen County UA

S340386-24

$1,462,500

$1,950,000

Linden Roselle SA

S340299-08

$20,250,000

$27,000,000

Passaic Valley SC

S340689-50

$6,600,000

$8,800,000

Wanaque Valley RSA

S340780-05

$8,625,000

$11,500,000

Gloucester County UA

S340902-15

$10,875,000

$14,500,000

Stony Brook RSA

S340400-11

$16,500,000

$22,000,000

Evesham MUA

S340838-09

$375,000

$500,000

Bergen County UA

S340386-26

$4,500,000

$6,000,000

Ocean County

S344080-10

$187,500

$250,000

Ocean County

S344080-11

$262,500

$350,000

Rockaway Valley RSA

S340821-08

$11,625,000

$15,500,000

Wildwood City

S340664-06

$12,000,000

$16,000,000

New Jersey Water Supply Authority

S340421-02

$71,250,000

$95,000,000

Camden County MUA

S340640-36

$11,625,000

$15,500,000

Long Branch SA

S340336-09

$4,200,000

$5,600,000

Stafford Township

S340946-08

$2,625,000

$3,500,000

Stafford Township

S340946-09

$3,510,000

$4,680,000

Metuchen Borough

S340360-02

$6,750,000

$9,000,000

Somerville Borough

S340551-01

$2,775,000

$3,700,000

Manasquan River RSA

S340911-03

$495,000

$660,000

Vernon Township

S340745-03

$2,271,750

$3,029,000

Delanco SA

S340956-03

$1,186,500

$1,582,000

Bergen County UA

S340386-25

$3,000,000

$4,000,000

Monmouth County Bayshore Outfall Authority

S340325-04

$2,625,000

$3,500,000

Monmouth County Bayshore Outfall Authority

S340325-04a

$2,625,000

$3,500,000

Camden County MUA

S340640-30

$5,625,000

$7,500,000

Toms River MUA

S340145-07

$6,750,000

$9,000,000

Toms River MUA

S340145-08

$1,018,800

$1,358,400

Two Rivers Water Reclamation Authority

S340117-10

$2,475,000

$3,300,000

Brick Township MUA

S340448-13

$3,450,000

$4,600,000

Northwest Bergen County UA

S340700-19

$6,099,338

$8,132,450

Franklin Township SA

S340839-09

$5,700,000

$7,600,000

Parsippany Troy Hills Township

S340886-05

$8,888,126

$11,850,835

Mount Laurel Township MUA

S340943-07

$2,400,000

$3,200,000

North Brunswick Township

S340888-03

$2,475,000

$3,300,000

North Brunswick Township

S340888-04

$1,912,500

$2,550,000

Winslow Township

S340895-10

$1,287,750

$1,717,000

Scotch Plains Township

S340512-01

$2,025,000

$2,700,000

Hopewell Township

S340282-03

$1,230,000

$1,640,000

Princeton

S340656-11

$2,944,259

$3,925,678

Mantua Township MUA

S340514-01

$2,007,375

$2,676,500

Mantua Township MUA

S340514-03

$1,022,625

$1,363,500

Middlesex Borough

S340698-03

$900,000

$1,200,000

Pennsville SA

S340870-04

$1,200,000

$1,600,000

South Monmouth RSA

S340377-06

$1,725,000

$2,300,000

North Haledon Borough

S340229-01

$1,875,000

$2,500,000

North Haledon Borough

S340229-02

$75,000

$100,000

Haddon Heights Borough

S340877-02

$487,500

$650,000

Emerson Borough

S340497-01

$75,000

$100,000

Emerson Borough

S340497-02

$525,000

$700,000

Mount Arlington Borough

S340451-05

$412,500

$550,000

Highlands Borough

S340901-05

$6,375,000

$8,500,000

Medford Lakes Borough

S340319-03

$8,250,000

$11,000,000

Mendham Borough

S340159-03

$2,775,000

$3,700,000

Hamburg Borough

S340149-03

$75,000

$100,000

Hamburg Borough

S340149-04

$600,000

$800,000

Long Beach Township

S340023-09

$4,923,750

$6,565,000

Borough of Wenonah

S340531-01

$997,500

$1,330,000

Ship Bottom Borough

S340311-05

$3,750,000

$5,000,000

Fieldsboro Borough

S340522-01

$1,200,000

$1,600,000

Willingboro MUA

S340132-10

$13,650,000

$18,200,000

Passaic Valley SC

S340689-45

$7,657,577

$10,210,102

Passaic Valley SC

S340689-54

$16,950,000

$22,600,000

Montville Township

S340931-04

$2,625,000

$3,500,000

Hackensack City

S340923-15

$1,200,000

$1,600,000

Camden County MUA

S340640-26

$21,150,000

$28,200,000

Lower Township MUA

S340810-05

$22,500,000

$30,000,000

Little Egg Harbor Township

S340579-04

$1,530,000

$2,040,000

Gloucester Township

S340364-11

$712,500

$950,000

Gloucester Township

S340364-15

$1,087,500

$1,450,000

Northfield City

S340508-02

$112,500

$150,000

Jersey City MUA

S340928-32

$9,225,000

$12,300,000

Atlantic City MUA

S340439-04

$2,300,000

$3,066,667

East Orange City

S340843-03

$12,825,000

$17,100,000

Cumberland County Improvement Authority

S342015-04

$4,439,778

$5,919,704

Sussex County MUA

S342008-06

$32,250,000

$43,000,000

Burlington City

S340140-02

$1,950,000

$2,600,000

Bloomfield Township

S340516-01

$5,423,228

$7,230,970

South Orange Village

S340103-02

$2,002,500

$2,670,000

Brick Township MUA

S340448-14

$1,500,000

$2,000,000

West Deptford Township

S340947-06

$3,540,000

$4,720,000

Bordentown City

S340219-04

$2,250,000

$3,000,000

Ship Bottom Borough

S340311-04

$2,062,500

$2,750,000

Total Projects: 116

 

$913,836,380

$1,218,448,507

 

     b.  The following environmental infrastructure projects shall be known and may be cited as the "Storm Sandy and State Fiscal Year 2024 Drinking Water Project Eligibility List":

 

Project Sponsor

Project Number

Estimated Allowable Trust Loan Amount

Estimated Total Loan Amount

Trenton City

1111001-011

$15,255,000

$20,340,000

Passaic Valley Water Commission

1605002-002

$54,000,000

$72,000,000

Orange City

0717001-011

$1,162,500

$1,550,000

Orange City

0717001-013

$525,000

$700,000

Newark City

0714001-022

$17,250,000

$23,000,000

Bloomfield Township

0702001-003

$823,796

$1,098,395

Trenton City

1111001-005

$23,328,750

$31,105,000

Hopatcong Borough

1912001-002

$1,050,000

$1,400,000

Bloomfield Township

0702001-004

$3,000,000

$4,000,000

Bloomfield Township

0702001-005

$6,000,000

$8,000,000

National Park Borough

0812001-005

$1,350,000

$1,800,000

Brick Township MUA

1506001-011

$15,667,500

$20,890,000

East Orange City

0705001-014

$24,750,000

$33,000,000

High Bridge Borough

1014001-004

$1,500,000

$2,000,000

East Greenwich

0803001-004

$4,500,000

$6,000,000

Jersey City MUA

0906001-017

$1,305,180

$1,740,240

NJ American Water Company, Incorporated

2004002-012

$15,000,000

$20,000,000

Hackettstown MUA

2108001-002

$757,500

$1,010,000

Jersey City MUA

0906001-019

$5,025,000

$6,700,000

Wildwood City

0514001-006

$4,637,403

$6,183,204

Lower Township MUA

0505002-004

$9,000,000

$12,000,000

Seaside Park Borough

1527001-004

$1,125,000

$1,500,000

Brick Township MUA

1506001-014

$2,700,000

$3,600,000

Hawthorne Borough

1604001-002

$3,750,000

$5,000,000

Hightstown Borough

1104001-009

$712,500

$950,000

Jersey City MUA

0906001-025

$26,250,000

$35,000,000

Willingboro MUA

0338001-010

$5,400,000

$7,200,000

Jersey City MUA

0906001-009

$3,750,000

$5,000,000

NJ American Water Company, Incorporated

0712001-016

$21,210,000

$28,280,000

Old Bridge MUA

1209002-005

$2,025,000

$2,700,000

Clinton Town

1005001-010

$1,980,000

$2,640,000

Point Pleasant Beach Borough

1525001-002

$2,625,000

$3,500,000

Jersey City MUA

0906001-020

$4,965,000

$6,620,000

Jersey City MUA

0906001-021

$8,250,000

$11,000,000

Allentown Borough

1302001-004

$1,746,720

$2,328,960

Jersey City MUA

0906001-015

$2,691,950

$3,589,266

Brick Township MUA

1506001-008

$4,912,500

$6,550,000

Ship Bottom Borough

1528001-004

$3,150,000

$4,200,000

East Windsor MUA

1101002-005

$1,500,000

$2,000,000

Clinton Town

1005001-012

$2,625,000

$3,500,000

Farmingdale Borough

1314001-002

$680,250

$907,000

Clinton Town

1005001-013

$2,250,000

$3,000,000

Washington Township MUA

1438004-001

$3,750,000

$5,000,000

Winslow Township

0436007-010

$2,868,750

$3,825,000

Mount Arlington Borough

1426005-001

$1,575,000

$2,100,000

Willingboro MUA

0338001-005

$1,500,000

$2,000,000

Hopatcong Borough

1912001-004

$75,000

$100,000

High Bridge Borough

1014001-001

$75,000

$100,000

Total Projects: 48

 

$320,030,299

$426,707,065

 

     c.  The trust is authorized to adjust the allowable trust loan amount for projects authorized in this section to between zero percent and 100 percent of the total allowable loan amount, and, if the trust loan amount is adjusted to 100 percent of the total allowable loan amount, the loan shall be provided pursuant to the terms and conditions of the financing program year in which the construction loan component of the project was certified by the department, and for which the trust issued an interim financing program loan for the project, or, in the absence of an interim financing program loan, the terms and conditions of the State fiscal year 2024 financing program.

 

     5.  In accordance with and subject to the provisions of sections 5, 6, and 23 of P.L.1985, c.334 (C.58:11B-5, C.58:11B-6, and C.58:11B-23), and as set forth in the financial plan required pursuant to section 21 of P.L.1985, c.334 (C.58:11B-21), or the financial plan required pursuant to section 25 of P.L.1997, c.224 (C.58:11B-21.1), any proceeds from bonds issued by the trust to make loans for priority environmental infrastructure projects listed in sections 2 and 4 of this act which are not expended for that purpose may be applied for the payment of all or any part of the principal of, or interest and premium on, the trust bonds whether due at stated maturity, the interest payment dates, or earlier upon redemption.  A portion of the proceeds from bonds issued by the trust to make loans for priority environmental infrastructure projects pursuant to this act may be applied for the payment of capitalized interest and for the payment of any issuance expenses; for the payment of reserve capacity expenses; for the payment of debt service reserve fund expenses for the payment of the loan origination fees; and for the payment of increased costs, as defined and determined in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by the trust pursuant to section 27 of P.L.1985, c.334 (C.58:11B-27).

 

     6.  Any loan made by the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank pursuant to this act shall be subject to the following requirements:

     a.  The chairperson, vice chairperson, or secretary of the trust has certified that the project is in compliance with the provisions of P.L.1977, c.224, P.L.1985, c.334, P.L.1992, c.88, P.L.1997, c.223, P.L.1997, c.224, P.L.1997, c.225, P.L.1999, c.175 or P.L.2003, c.162, and any amendatory and supplementary acts thereto, and any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, as applicable. In making this certification, the chairperson, vice chairperson, or secretary may conclusively rely on the project review conducted by the Department of Environmental Protection without any independent review thereof by the trust;

     b.  The loan shall be conditioned upon inclusion of the project on a project eligibility list approved pursuant to section 20 of P.L.1985, c.334 (C.58:11B-20) or section 24 of P.L.1997, c.224 (C.58:11B-20.1);

     c.  The loan shall be repaid within a period not to exceed 30 years, or 35 years for loans funded pursuant to the federal "Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014," 33 U.S.C. s.3901 et seq., as amended and supplemented, or 45 years for combined sewer overflow abatement projects, of the making of the loan;

     d.  The loan, including any portion thereof made by the trust pursuant to subsection f. of section 7 of this act, shall not exceed the allowable project cost of the environmental infrastructure facility, exclusive of capitalized interest, interest accrued pursuant to a short-term or temporary loan made to a project sponsor pursuant to the Interim Environmental Financing Program, administrative expenses associated with federal funding programs, if applicable, and issuance expenses as provided in subsection b. of section 7 of this act, reserve capacity expenses and the debt service reserve fund expenses as provided in subsection c. of section 7 of this act, interest earned on project costs as provided in subsection d. of section 7 of this act, the amounts of the loan origination fee as provided in subsection e. of section 7 of this act, refunding increases as provided in section 8 of this act and increased costs as defined and determined in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by the trust pursuant to section 27 of P.L.1985, c.334 (C.58:11B-27);

     e.  The loan shall bear interest, exclusive of any late charges or administrative fees payable to the trust pursuant to subsection o. of section 5 of P.L.1985, c.334 (C.58:11B-5) by the project sponsors receiving trust loans, at or below the interest rate paid by the trust on the bonds issued to make or refund the loans authorized by this act, adjusted for underwriting discount and original issue discount or premium, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the financial plan required pursuant to section 21 of P.L.1985, c.334 (C.58:11B-21) or the financial plan required pursuant to section 25 of P.L.1997, c.224 (C.58:11B-21.1);

     f.  The loan shall be subject to all other terms and conditions as the trust shall determine to be consistent with the provisions of P.L.1985, c.334 (C.58:11B-1 et seq.) and any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, and with the financial plan required by section 21 of P.L.1985, c.334 (C.58:11B-21) or the financial plan required pursuant to section 25 of P.L.1997, c.224 (C.58:11B-21.1);

     g.  Notwithstanding any provision of this act or a financial plan of the trust for State fiscal years 2018 through 2022 developed pursuant to section 21 of P.L.1985, c.334 (C.58:11B-21) or section 25 of P.L.1997, c.224 (C.58:11B-21.1) to the contrary, a loan for an environmental infrastructure project listed in section 2 or 3 of this act that is partially funded from the proceeds of bonds issued by the trust to the United States Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the federal "Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014," 33 U.S.C. s.3901 et seq., shall be subject to terms and conditions regulating the blending of federal and other funds that are consistent with those provisions of Section III of the applicable financial plan of the trust for State fiscal year 2024 that reference the federal "Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014"; and

     h.  The eligibility lists and authorization for the making of loans pursuant to this act shall expire on July 1, 2024, and any project sponsor which has not executed and delivered a loan agreement with the trust for a loan authorized in this act shall no longer be entitled to that loan.

 

     7.  a.  The New Jersey Infrastructure Bank is authorized to reduce the individual amount of loan funds made available to or on behalf of project sponsors pursuant to sections 2 and 4 of this act based upon final building costs defined in and determined in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the trust pursuant to section 27 of P.L.1985, c.334 (C.58:11B-27) or rules and regulations adopted by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1985, c.329, section 11 of P.L.1977, c.224 (C.58:12A-11) or section 5 of P.L.1981, c.261.  The trust is authorized to use any such reduction in the loan amount made available to a project sponsor to cover that project sponsor's increased costs due to differing site conditions or other allowable expenses as defined and determined in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by the trust pursuant to section 27 of P.L.1985, c.334 (C.58:11B-27).

     b.  The trust is authorized to increase each loan amount authorized in sections 2 and 4 of this act by the amount of capitalized interest, interest accrued pursuant to a short-term or temporary loan made to a project sponsor pursuant to the Interim Environmental Financing Program, issuance expenses, and administrative expenses associated with federal funding programs, if applicable, allocable to each loan made by the trust pursuant to this act.

     c.  The trust is authorized to increase each loan amount authorized in sections 2 and 4 of this act by the amount of reserve capacity expenses, and by the debt service reserve fund expenses associated with the costs identified in paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection d. of section 1 of this act.

     d.  The trust is authorized to increase each loan amount authorized in sections 2 and 4 of this act by the interest earned on amounts deposited for project costs pending their distribution to project sponsors.

     e.  The trust is authorized to increase each loan amount authorized in sections 2 and 4 of this act by the loan origination fee.

     f.  The trust is authorized to increase each loan amount authorized in sections 2 and 4 of this act by the amount appropriated to the Department of Environmental Protection for the purpose of making the corresponding zero interest loan pursuant to section 3 of P.L.    , c.    (pending before the Legislature as Senate Bill No. 3797 of the 2022-23 session and Assembly Bill No.      of the 2022-23 session) in connection with the project costs of the project sponsor, to the extent the priority ranking or an insufficiency of funding prevents the department from meeting program demand, and for lead abatement projects ineligible for department loans under the Federal Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act.

 

     8.  The New Jersey Infrastructure Bank is authorized to increase the individual amount of loan funds made available to project sponsors by the trust pursuant to P.L.1989, c.190, P.L.1990, c.97, P.L.1991, c.324, P.L.1992, c.37, P.L.1993, c.192, P.L.1994, c.105, P.L.1995, c.218, P.L.1996, c.87, P.L.1997, c.222, P.L.1998, c.85, P.L.1999, c.173, P.L.2000, c.93, P.L.2001, c.224, P.L.2002, c.71, P.L.2003, c.159, P.L.2004, c.110, P.L.2005, c.197, P.L.2006, c.67, P.L.2007, c.140, P.L.2008, c.67, P.L.2009, c.101, P.L.2010, c.62, P.L.2011, c.95, P.L.2012, c.38, P.L.2013, c.94, P.L.2014, c.26, P.L.2015, c.107, P.L.2016, c.31, as amended by P.L.2017, c.13, P.L.2017, c.142, as amended by P.L.2017, c.327, P.L.2018, c.84, as amended by P.L.2019, c.30, P.L.2019, c.192, as amended by P.L.2019, c.515, P.L.2020, c.48, as amended by P.L.2021, c.22, P.L.2021, c.204, as amended by P.L.2021, c.316, P.L.2022, c.100, as amended by P.L.2023, c.5, or P.L.    , c.    (pending before the Legislature as this bill), provided that adequate savings are achieved, to compensate for a refunding of trust bonds issued to make loans authorized by the aforementioned acts.

 

     9.    The expenditure of funds authorized pursuant to this act is subject to the provisions of P.L.1977, c.224 (C.58:12A-1 et al.), P.L.1985, c.329, P.L.1985, c.334 (C.58:11B-1 et seq.) as amended and supplemented by P.L.1997, c.224, P.L.1992, c.88, P.L.1989, c.181, P.L.1997, c.223, P.L.1997, c.225, P.L.1999, c.175, or P.L.2003, c.162, the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, and the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, as appropriate.

 

     10.  a.  There is appropriated to the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank, as needed to make short-term or temporary loans, from funds deposited in any account, including the "Wastewater Treatment Fund," the "1992 Wastewater Treatment Fund," the "Water Supply Fund," the "2003 Water Resources and Wastewater Treatment Trust Fund," the "Stormwater Management and Combined Sewer Overflow Abatement Fund," the "Clean Water State Revolving Fund," the "Drinking Water State Revolving Fund," or the funds transferred to the trust by the department pursuant to paragraph (21) of subsection a. of section 1 of P.L.    , c.    (pending before the Legislature as Senate Bill No. 3797 of the 2022-23 session and Assembly Bill No.      of the 2022-23 session), as appropriate, and from any net earnings received from the investment and reinvestment of such deposits, an amount of up to $1 billion, to the extent funds are available, consisting of:

     (1) The uncommitted balance currently on deposit as of July 1, 2023 in the special fund (hereinafter referred to as the "Interim Environmental Financing Program Fund") created and established by the trust for the short-term or temporary loan financing or refinancing program (hereinafter referred to as the "Interim Environmental Financing Program") authorized pursuant to subsection d. of section 9 of P.L.1985, c.334 (C.58:11B-9), which balance previously had been appropriated to the trust for such purpose pursuant to section 11 of P.L.2019, c.192, less any Interim Environmental Financing Program Fund amounts appropriated to the Department of Environmental Protection to supplement the sums appropriated from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for clean water projects pursuant to the Federal Clean Water Act and from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for drinking water projects pursuant to the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, provided that at no time shall funds committed pursuant to this section exceed funds required by the Department of Environmental Protection to meet long-term obligations; and

     (2) such other amounts to be deposited in the Interim Environmental Financing Program Fund, in an aggregate amount that does not exceed at any time, the amount appropriated, provided that the amount so reappropriated and appropriated to the trust for deposit in the Interim Environmental Financing Program Fund shall be utilized by the trust to make short-term or temporary loans pursuant to the Interim Environmental Financing Program to any one or more of the project sponsors, for the respective projects thereof, identified in the interim environmental financing project priority list (hereinafter referred to as the "Interim Environmental Financing Program Project Priority List") in the form provided to the Legislature by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection.

     b.  The Interim Environmental Financing Program Project Priority List shall be submitted to the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the General Assembly at least once each fiscal year.  The Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the General Assembly shall cause the date of submission to be entered upon the Senate Journal and the Minutes of the General Assembly, respectively. Any environmental infrastructure project or the project sponsor thereof not identified in the Interim Environmental Financing Program Project Priority List shall not be eligible for a short-term or temporary loan from the Interim Environmental Financing Program Fund.

     c.  The trust may issue market rate interest short-term temporary loans for wastewater treatment and water supply projects on the Interim Environmental Financing Program Project Priority List for the reduction of lead in publicly-owned facilities otherwise ineligible to receive funding for that purpose pursuant to subsection a. of this section.

 

     11.  a.  There is appropriated to the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank for deposit in an environmental subaccount of the special fund created and established by the trust for the short-term or temporary Disaster Relief Emergency Financing Program loan financing or refinancing program (hereinafter referred to as the "Disaster Relief Emergency Financing Program") authorized pursuant to subsection a. of section 1 of P.L.2013, c.93 (C.58:11B-9.5) such sums as needed consisting of:

     (1) sums from the "Interim Environmental Financing Program Fund" as needed by the trust to make short-term or temporary loans pursuant to the Disaster Relief Emergency Financing Program to any one or more of the project sponsors, for the respective projects thereof; and

     (2) such other amounts to be deposited in the Disaster Relief Emergency Financing Program Fund, provided that the amount so appropriated to the trust for deposit in the Disaster Relief Emergency Financing Program Fund shall be utilized by the trust to make short-term or temporary loans pursuant to the Disaster Relief Emergency Financing Program to any one or more of the project sponsors, for the respective projects thereof.  Any environmental projects funded by the Disaster Relief Emergency Financing Program shall be subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Environmental Protection.

     b.  The Environmental Disaster Relief Emergency Financing Program Project Priority List shall be submitted to the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1) at least once in each fiscal year.  Any environmental infrastructure project or the project sponsor thereof not identified in the Environmental Disaster Relief Emergency Financing Program Project Priority List shall not be eligible for a short-term or temporary loan from the Environmental Disaster Relief Emergency Financing Program Fund.

 

     12.  There is appropriated to the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank, such funds as are available from the "Economic Development and Infrastructure Improvement Revolving Fund" created pursuant to the annual appropriations act for State fiscal year 2021, P.L.2020, c.97, to provide a debt service reserve or guarantee to a local government unit that meets the department's affordability criteria, in order to satisfy creditworthiness requirements of the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Financing Program to finance an environmental infrastructure component of a redevelopment project.

 

     13.  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of section 23 of P.L.1985, c.334 (C.58:11B-23) or any other law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, the funds generated by the operation of the trust, including, but not limited to: proceeds from the sale of the trust's bonds, notes, or other obligations; revenues derived from investments by the trust; loan repayments, including interest from local government units; any funds received from the federal government permitted to be used for operating expenses; fees and charges levied by the trust; or any other sources of funds permitted to be used for operating expenses may be utilized by the trust for its annual operating expenses.

     14.  Notwithstanding the provisions of the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) to the contrary, the trust shall not be required to adopt rules and regulations governing the making of Disaster Relief Emergency Financing Program loans.

 

     15.  This act shall take effect immediately.

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill would authorize the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (NJIB) to expend up to $1.782 billion to provide loans to local governments and privately-owned water companies (project sponsors) for a portion of the costs of water infrastructure projects, for the purpose of implementing the State fiscal year 2024 New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Financing Program (NJEIFP).  A companion bill, Senate Bill No. 3797 of this session, would appropriate certain federal and State moneys to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for the purpose of partially funding the costs of the clean water and drinking water projects enumerated by the bill.

     The bill would authorize the NJIB to provide loans to fund the following projects:

     (1) in subsection a. of section 2 of the bill, a list of 11 projects to improve water discharge and treatment systems that had previously received a loan and require supplemental loans, representing $95.6 million in estimated total loan amounts;

     (2) in subsection b. of section 2 of the bill, a list of two projects to improve drinking water systems that had previously received a loan and require supplemental loans, representing $26.5 million in estimated total loan amounts;

     (3) in subsection c. of section 3 of the bill, a list of four projects in the Pinelands area that are receiving funding under the "Pinelands Infrastructure Trust Bond Act of 1985," P.L.1985, c.302 to improve water discharge and treatment systems, representing $15.3 million in estimated total loan amounts;

     (4) in subsection a. of section 4 of the bill, the "Storm Sandy and State Fiscal Year 2024 Clean Water Project Eligibility List," a list of 116 projects to improve water discharge and treatment systems, representing $1.2 billion in estimated total loan amounts; and

     (5) in subsection b. of section 4 of the bill, the "Storm Sandy and State Fiscal Year 2024 Drinking Water Project Eligibility List," a list of 48 projects to improve drinking water systems, representing $426.7 million in estimated total loan amounts.

     The bill would also appropriate to the NJIB an amount up to $1 billion, as necessary, to make short-term or temporary loans to project sponsors on the "Interim Environmental Financing Program Project Priority List," which is required to be submitted to the Legislature by the DEP Commissioner.  The bill would also appropriate to the NJIB the amount needed to fund project sponsors on the "Environmental Disaster Relief Emergency Financing Program Project Priority List," which is also required to be submitted to the Legislature by the DEP Commissioner.  In addition, the bill would appropriate available funds from the "Economic Development and Infrastructure Improvement Revolving Fund" created pursuant to the annual appropriations act for State fiscal year 2021, P.L.2020, c.97, to provide debt service reserves or guarantees to certain local government units for the purpose of making them eligible to receive a loan from the NJIB to finance the environmental infrastructure component of a redevelopment project.

     The bill would also authorize the NJIB to transfer moneys between various State funds, for the purpose of funding the NJEIFP and providing the State match for federal funding provided under the federal laws, including the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act, as detailed in subsection c. of section 1 of the bill.

     The bill would establish certain requirements on loans to project sponsors made by the NJIB pursuant to the bill, as enumerated in section 6 of the bill.  The bill would also authorize the NJIB to decrease or increase the loan amounts it provides, subject to certain conditions enumerated in sections 7 and 8 of the bill.  Finally, the bill would authorize the NJIB to utilize certain moneys to fund its annual operating expenses.