ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 2131

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MARCH 3, 1997

      The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 2131 (1R).

      Assembly Bill No. 2131 (1R) establishes a pilot program for economic development in non-growth areas of the Pinelands. The Pinelands Commission will help certain municipalities establish local economic development entities. The commission and these local entities will develop a program to identify economic development opportunities that complement regional requirements for resource protection, and provide assistance and planning to attract such development to the area. The economic development pursuant to this bill will have to be compatible with the environmentally sensitive nature of the area. The commission will issue a report to the Governor and the Legislature concerning the program within two years following enactment. The report shall contain a detailed, itemized description of the expenditure of the funds appropriated by this bill.

      This bill is identical to Senate Bill No. 1262 (2R) as reported by the committee on this date.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      The bill appropriates $250,000 from the General Fund to the Pinelands Commission for the costs of this pilot program.