LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE
[First Reprint]
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
ASSEMBLY, No. 3540
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
220th LEGISLATURE
DATED: DECEMBER 27, 2023
SUMMARY
Synopsis: Creates Code Red alert pilot program to shelter at-risk individuals
during hot weather.
Type of Impact: Three-year local government expenditure increase; one-time local
government revenue increase; one-time State expenditure increase.
Agencies Affected: Office of Emergency Management, local governments.
Office of Legislative Services Estimate
Fiscal Impact Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4
Up to $6
State Cost Increase million
Up to $2 Up to $2 Up to $2
Local Cost Increase million million million
Up to $6
Local Revenue Increase million
 The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) concludes that this bill would increase local
government expenditures by up to $2 million annually, or $6 million in total, for the three-year
Code Red alert pilot program.
 This estimate is based on the annual costs incurred by local governments under the Code Blue
alert program, which serves as the model for this pilot program and operates in a similar
manner. These costs were $1.9 million in FY 2022 and $1.7 million in FY 2023.
 Following the end of the three-year pilot program, the State will incur a one-time expenditure
increase of up to $6 million to reimburse local governments for their expenses under the Code
Red alert pilot program. These reimbursements would represent one-time revenue increases
for all counties in the State.
Office of Legislative Services Legislative Budget and Finance Office
State House Annex Phone (609) 847-3105
P.O. Box 068 Fax (609) 777-2442
Trenton, New Jersey 08625 www.njleg.state.nj.us
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BILL DESCRIPTION
This bill establishes a three-year pilot program under which counties are to formulate plans for
issuing a Code Red alert on extreme heat days to municipal governments, social service agencies,
and non-profit organizations that provide services to certain at-risk individuals. Each county
office of emergency management is required to coordinate with municipal emergency
management coordinators in municipalities with a documented homeless population of at least
10 people in developing consistent Code Red alert plans throughout the county that provide
for communication and outreach, cooling centers, and transportation during implementation of
a Code Red alert plan. This plan may be carried out by designated volunteer organizations,
which are to receive cooperation and logistical support from the municipal coordinator but are
to operate autonomously.
A county emergency management coordinator should declare the Code Red alert when the
National Weather Service declares a heat advisory for that county’s region.
Following the conclusion of the pilot program, the bill permits counties to submit their certified
costs incurred under the program to the State Office of Emergency Management for
reimbursement.
The bill also requires the office to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature on the pilot
program and to recommend whether or not to make the program permanent.
The bill provides “Good Samaritan” protection from civil liability to the State and local
governments and their employees, as well as to volunteer organizations and their members who,
during implementation of a Code Red alert plan, provide emergency cooling centers to at-risk
individuals.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
None received.
OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES
The OLS concludes that this bill would increase local government expenditures by up to $2
million annually, or up to $6 million in total, for the three-year Code Red alert pilot program. This
estimate is based on the annual costs incurred by local governments under the Code Blue alert
program, which serves as the model for this pilot program and operates in a similar manner. These
costs were $1.9 million in FY 2022 and $1.7 million in FY 2023. Following the end of the three-
year pilot program, the State will incur a one-time expenditure increase of up to $6 million to
reimburse local governments for their expenses under the Code Red alert pilot program. These
reimbursements would represent one-time revenue increases for all counties in the State. The OLS
notes that some communities in the State already have established programs similar to the one
contemplated in the bill. These local governments would likely have fewer costs and revenues
arising from the bill compared to ones without comparable programs in place.
Some additional costs for staff time may accrue to the State Office of Emergency Management
and local governments following the conclusion of the pilot program to prepare a report on the
Code Red alert pilot program for the Governor and the Legislature.
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Section: Law and Public Safety
Analyst: Kristin Brunner Santos
Lead Fiscal Analyst
Approved: Thomas Koenig
Legislative Budget and Finance Officer
This legislative fiscal estimate has been produced by the Office of Legislative Services due to the
failure of the Executive Branch to respond to our request for a fiscal note.
This fiscal estimate has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67 (C.52:13B-6 et seq.).


Statutes affected:
Introduced: .A:9-43.19, .A:9-43.20, .A:9-43.21, .A:9-52