ASSEMBLY STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

ASSEMBLY, No. 2532

 

with committee amendments

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED: JANUARY 23, 1997

 

      The Assembly State Government Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly, No. 2532.

      This bill increases the maximum value of State land that may be sold without specific legislative authorization.

      Under the existing general law governing the sale of State lands, the head or principal executive of any State department, with the written approval of the Governor, is authorized to sell and convey the State's interest in any real property and the improvements thereon held by the department, provided that: (1) a finding is made that the department does not require such property for any public interest and that the sale is in the best interests of the State, and (2) that the value of the property is $100,000 or less. The sale of the property is upon such terms and conditions as the State House Commission determines to be in the best interests of the State and is by public auction to the highest bidder unless the commission shall otherwise direct. This bill would increase the maximum value of the property subject to the law from $100,000 to $3,000,000 and provide that this maximum value would be subject to annual adjustment for inflation. In addition, the bill includes language clarifying that this maximum value does not affect provisions in other statutes, such as the Green Acres and Farmlands Preservation statutes, concerning the disposition of public lands.

      The bill also amends existing law regarding the membership of the commission. The current statute provides that the Comptroller of the Treasury shall be a member of the commission. The duties of the Comptroller are now performed by the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting. The bill amends the law to reflect this fact and to authorize the Executive Branch members of the commission (the Governor, the State Treasurer, and the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting) to name designees to serve on the commission in their stead.

 

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

 

      The committee adopted amendments to the bill to (1) reduce the increase in the amount of the maximum value of State land subject to sale without specific legislative authorization to $3,000,000 from $5,000,000 under the bill as introduced, (2) provide for the annual adjustment for inflation of this maximum value amount, and (3) clarify that the general statute governing the sale of State lands should not be construed to revise other statutes governing the disposition of publicly owned real property.