This bill amends the definition of "qualifying municipality" under P.L.1978, c.14 to expand eligibility for urban aid. The new criteria include municipalities that are either a city of the fourth class or have specific population demographics in a county of the sixth class, provided they have the highest effective property tax rate in the county or rank within the top three percent of the most distressed municipalities in the state, as determined by the Department of Community Affairs' Municipal Revitalization Index. This change allows the City of Wildwood and the Borough of Woodbine in Cape May County to qualify for urban aid.

Additionally, the bill modifies the legal language to clarify the context of the act and introduces a new distribution factor formula for qualifying municipalities based on various metrics, including the number of Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) and property tax rates. The amendments aim to ensure that municipalities facing economic distress receive the necessary support and resources to improve their conditions. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 52:27D-178