This bill amends existing laws regarding the annexation of land between municipalities in New Jersey. It requires that if the land proposed for annexation constitutes 10 percent or more of the property tax ratables of the municipality from which it is being annexed, the governing body must submit a public question to the voters at the next general election occurring at least 45 days after the petition for annexation is received. The municipal clerk is tasked with publishing the public question in a local newspaper 30 days prior to the election. If a majority of voters oppose the annexation, the proposal fails and cannot be resubmitted for a year. Conversely, if the majority approves, the annexation can proceed as outlined in the law.

Additionally, the bill specifies that in any judicial review concerning the refusal of the governing bodies to consent to the annexation, the petitioners must demonstrate that the refusal was arbitrary or unreasonable, detrimental to the residents' well-being, or in violation of the public question results from the previous election. The bill includes various amendments to the legal language surrounding the annexation process, including changes to the requirements for petitions and the responsibilities of municipal governing bodies.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 40A:7-12.1