LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE
[First Reprint]
SENATE, No. 3014
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
DATED: AUGUST 18, 2026
SUMMARY
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Synopsis: |
Requires certain golf courses to maintain automated external defibrillator. |
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Type of Impact: |
Annual increase in local revenues and expenditures. |
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Agencies Affected: |
Local governments; Department of Health. |
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Office of Legislative Services Estimate |
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Annual Fiscal Impact |
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Local Expenditure Increase |
Indeterminate |
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Local Revenue Increase |
Indeterminate |
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· The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) finds that the bill would result in an annual increase in local expenditures as a result of the enforcement responsibilities imposed on county and municipal health agencies to enforce the provisions of the bill, and any cases that may be brought before the municipal courts for violations of the bill’s provisions. The number of violations that will occur in each municipality and the cost of enforcing and adjudicating each case is unknown; therefore, the increase in local expenditures is indeterminate.
· The OLS determines that the bill would also result in an increase in local revenues from the civil penalties imposed by the bill, which are to be paid to the municipality in which the violation occurred. The OLS cannot anticipate the number of violations that will occur in each municipality and, therefore, the increase in annual local revenue is indeterminate.
· For local governments that operate a public golf course, there will be an additional increase in expenditures for the cost of purchasing and maintaining an automated external defibrillator, paying for staff training, and keeping a certified employee on site.
BILL DESCRIPTION
The bill requires the owner or operator of certain publicly- and privately-owned golf courses, within one year of the bill’s effective date, to acquire an automated external defibrillator, test and maintain the device, and notify the appropriate first aid, ambulance, or rescue squad, or other emergency medical services provider regarding the defibrillator. A golf course owner or operator would be required to pay for employee training in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillator use, and ensure that at least one employee with a current CPR and defibrillator certification from a Department of Health-recognized training program is on site during regular business hours.
A golf course owner or operator who violates the bill’s provisions would be liable for a civil penalty of at least: $250 for the first violation, $500 for the second violation, and $1,000 for third and subsequent violations of the bill’s provisions. Penalties would be collected in a summary proceeding before the municipal court having jurisdiction. A State or local health officer, or a law enforcement officer of the municipality in which the violation occurred, would issue a summons for the violation. Penalties recovered under the bill would be paid to the municipality in which the violation occurred for the general use of the municipality.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
None received.
OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES
The OLS finds that the bill would result in an increase in local expenditures and revenues as a result of the cost of enforcing the requirements of the bill and the proceeds of the penalties for violations, including costs to the county or local health agency for enforcement of the bill, costs to the municipal court for overseeing cases brought pursuant to the bill, and revenues from penalties paid for violations. The OLS cannot anticipate the number of violations that will occur in each municipality or the cost of enforcement in each case of a violation. Therefore, the increase in local revenues and expenditures is indeterminate. According to the PGA of America, there is at least one golf course in 203 New Jersey municipalities.
For local governments that operate a golf course, the bill would result in an additional increase in expenditures due to the costs of complying with the provisions of the bill. A municipal golf course in violation of the provisions of the bill would be subject to escalating monetary penalties, depending on the number of offenses. The compliance requirements for a golf course include:
(1) acquiring an automated external defibrillator, which for an outdoor setting may cost between $1,400 and $3,700;
(2) providing training for employees through the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or other program recognized by the Department of Health, which individually may cost between $37 and $129, or may vary for group training;
(3) maintaining the automated external defibrillator, the cost of which is indeterminate; and
(4) ensuring that the golf course has at least one employee on site during normal business hours who holds the required certification, the cost of which is indeterminate.
This legislative fiscal estimate has been produced by the Office of Legislative Services due to the failure of the Executive Branch to respond to our request for a fiscal note.
This fiscal estimate has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67 (C.52:13B-6 et seq.).