New Jersey S 3608: Implements certain guidelines concerning purchase of catalytic converters.

Bill Text

S3608 

SENATE, No. 3608 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

� 

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 19, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� JAMES BEACH

District 6 (Burlington and Camden)

SYNOPSIS

���� Provides for uniform regulation of small wireless 
facility deployment in this State. 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT 

���� As introduced.

�� 

An Act concerning deployment of small wireless 
facilities and supplementing Title 40 of the Revised Statutes.

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

���� 1.��� The Legislature finds 
and declares that:

���� a.���� The deployment of small 
wireless facilities and other next-generation wireless and broadband network 
facilities is a matter of federal and statewide concern and interest;

���� b.��� Wireless and broadband 
products and services are a significant and continually growing part of the 
State�s economy and encouraging the development of strong and robust wireless 
and broadband communications networks throughout the State is integral to the 
State�s economic competitiveness;

���� c.���� Rapid deployment of 
small wireless facilities will serve important Statewide goals, such as: 
meeting the growing consumer demand for wireless data; increasing competitive 
options for communications services available to the State�s residents; 
promoting the ability of the State�s residents to communicate with their 
neighbors and with their State and local governments; and promoting public 
safety;

���� d.��� Small wireless 
facilities, including facilities commonly referred to as small cells and 
distributed antenna systems, are most cost-effective for a wireless service 
provider when deployed� in rights-of-way;

���� e.���� To meet the key 
objectives of federal law and P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending 
before the Legislature as this bill), wireless providers must be granted access 
to rights-of-way and have the ability to attach to infrastructure in rights-of-way 
on a competitively neutral basis to 
densify wireless networks and to provide next-generation wireless services;

���� f.���� Rates and fees for the 
permitting and deployment of small wireless facilities in rights-of-way and on 
authority infrastructure, including utility poles, throughout the State, 
consistent with federal law, is reasonable and will encourage the development 
of robust next-generation wireless and broadband networks for the benefit of 
residents throughout the State;

���� g.��� Authorities actively 
manage rights-of-way, acting as trustees of this limited public asset, to 
protect residents� safety, preserve the character of communities, and maintain 
availability for current and future uses; and

���� h.��� The procedures, rates, 
and fees established in P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending 
before the Legislature as this bill) should be consistent with federal law and 
are fair, reasonable, and further the State�s interest in facilitating and 
supporting a robust, reliable, and technologically-advanced wireless and 
broadband network and reflect a balancing of the interests of the wireless 
providers deploying new small wireless facilities and the interests of 
authorities in managing and recovering the cost of managing the rights-of-way.

���� 2.��� As used in P.L.��� , 
c.��� (C.������� ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill):

���� "Antenna" means an 
apparatus designed for the purpose of emitting radio frequency, to be operated 
or operating from a fixed location pursuant to Federal Communications 
Commission authorization, for the provision of personal wireless service and 
any commingled information services. 

���� �Antenna equipment� means 
equipment, switches, wiring, cabling, power sources, shelters, or cabinets 
associated with an antenna, located at the same fixed location as the antenna, 
and, when collocated on a structure, is mounted or installed at the same time 
as the antenna. 

����� �Antenna facility� means an 
antenna and associated antenna equipment. �Antenna 
facility� includes small wireless facilities. �Antenna facility� shall not 
include: 

����� a.� 
the structure or improvements on, under, or within which the equipment is 
located; 

����� b.� 
wireline backhaul facilities; or 

����� c.� 
coaxial or fiber optic cables that are not immediately adjacent to or directly 
associated with a particular antenna.

���� �Applicable codes� means 
uniform building, fire, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical codes adopted by 
the Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs pursuant to P.L.1975, 
c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.), or authority amendments to those codes that are 
of general application and are consistent with P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending 
before the Legislature as this bill).

���� "Applicant" means 
any person who submits an application and is a wireless provider. 

���� "Application" means 
a request submitted by an applicant to an authority for a permit to: collocate 
a small wireless facility; install, modify, or replace a pole on w