ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 2188

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: SEPTEMBER 16, 1996

      The Assembly Transportation and Communications Committee favorably reports Assembly Bill No.2188 with committee amendments.

      As amended by the committee, this bill would amend section 1 of P.L.1967, c.59 (C.2A:14-1.1) to clarify that the provisions of that section of law are applicable to all actions, including those brought by State and local public agencies. That section provides that actions for damages for design deficiency or defective improvements may not be brought more than 10 years after the performance or furnishing of such services and construction. The sponsors' intention is to clarify that the original and continuing intent of the Legislature that this statute be applied equally to claims by both private citizens and public agencies in all such actions against contractors, subcontractors, architects, sureties and engineers, among others.

      The committee adopted amendments to clarify that the provisions of the bill apply to all State and local public agencies and to actions arising out of or relating to all completed, pending and future improvements.