New Jersey A 4020: Prohibits performance of revaluation in county by firm in which tax assessor has interest if assessor serves in the county.

Bill Text

A4020 

ASSEMBLY, No. 4020 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

� 

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 12, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman� ALEX SAUICKIE

District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman Fantasia

SYNOPSIS

���� Establishes Office of Energy Generation Ombudsman in 
Department of Treasury; requires State agencies to prioritize permit review and 
approval process for projects that result in increased electricity production. 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT 

���� As introduced.

�� 

An Act establishing an Office of the Energy Generation 
Ombudsman in the Department of the Treasury, requiring State agencies to 
prioritize review and approval of certain energy projects, and supplementing 
Title 52 of the Revised Statutes.

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

���� 1.��� a.� There is established 
in the Department of the Treasury the Office of the Energy Generation 
Ombudsman.� The purpose of the Office of the Energy Generation Ombudsman shall serve 
as a resource to provide informational and support services to energy producers 
in the State regarding rules and regulations governing energy generation, 
provide dispute resolution services between State agencies and applicants of 
energy generation permits, and develop best practices for the permitting of 
energy generation throughout the State.

���� b.� The Treasurer shall 
appoint an Energy Generation Ombudsman, who shall be qualified by training and 
experience to perform the duties of the office.� The ombudsman shall be a 
person of recognized judgment, integrity, and objectivity, and shall be skilled 
in communication, conflict resolution, and professionalism.

���� c.� The ombudsman shall 
organize and direct the work of the office, including the work of such 
professional and clerical staff as may be necessary to carry out the 
ombudsman's duties.

���� 2.��� a.� The duties of the 
Energy Generation Ombudsman shall include, but need not be limited to, the 
following:

���� (1) to serve as a source of 
information and assistance for energy producers in the State to navigate local, 
State, and federal laws and regulations governing energy generation;

���� (2) to provide advice and 
assistance on the process of obtaining and renewing permits of any kind 
relating to energy generation;

���� (3) to monitor 
the permit processing practices for energy generation projects issued by State 
agencies and local government units;

���� (4) to oversee State agencies 
in accordance with the provisions of section 3 of P.L.��� , c.���� (C.������� ) 
(pending before the Legislature as this bill); 

���� (5) to gather information from 
energy producers and prospective energy producers on impediments to energy 
generation in the State;

���� (6) to identify patterns of 
complaints that emerge regarding the permitting processes related to energy 
generation facilities;

���� (7) to assist the Department 
of the Treasury in developing and disseminating information to acquaint and 
educate energy producers and prospective energy producers about the services 
offered by the Office of the Energy Generation Ombudsman; and

���� (8) to serve as a resource for 
energy generation-related information and referral to other available programs 
and services for energy producers and prospective energy producers in the 
State.

���� b.� The ombudsman shall treat 
communications received in the course of the ombudsman's duties, including 
personally identifiable information regarding energy producers, potential 
energy producers, and others from whom information is acquired, as 
confidential, except when disclosure is necessary to enable the ombudsman to 
perform the duties of the office and consent for disclosure is obtained.� Upon 
receipt of information that is confidential or privileged by law, the ombudsman 
shall maintain the confidentiality of the information and shall not disclose or 
disseminate the information except as provided by applicable State or federal 
law.

���� 3.��� a.� As used in this 
section:

���� �Approval� means any 
waterfront development permit issued pursuant to R.S.12:5-1 et seq., permit 
issued pursuant to �The Wetlands Act of 1970,� P.L.1970, c.272 (C.13:9A-1 et 
seq.), permit issued pursuant to the �Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act,� 
P.L.1987, c.156 (C.13:9B-1 et seq.), approval of an application for development 
granted by the Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission pursuant to the �Delaware 
and Raritan Canal State Park Law of 1974,� P.L.1974, c.118 (C.13:13A-1 et 
seq.), permit issued pursuant to the �Hackensack Meadowlands Reclamation and 
Development Act,� P.L.1968, c.404 (C.13:17-1 et al.), approval of an 
application for development granted by the Pinelands Commission and 
determination of municipal and county plan conformance pursuant to the �Pinelands 
Protection Act,� P.L.1979, c.111 (C.13:18A-1 et seq.), permit issued and center 
designations pursuant to