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A 4627

Provides for the payment of state aid to the town of Ashford, in the county of Cattaraugus, for state land therein

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Sempolinski

Extends a two-appraisal rule for Highlands land acquisitions through 2029, potentially raising state purchase costs and enabling per-acre municipal aid from the Highlands Protectio

REFERRED TO REAL PROPERTY TAXATION
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Bill Summary · A 4627

Summary — A4627 (S3466 companion)

Status: Referred to Real Property Taxation
Introduced: June 25, 2024 (reported out of Assembly committee with amendments 1/27/2025; substituted by S3466 1/30/2025)
Primary sponsor: Assemblyman Joseph Sempolinski

Main purpose

A4627 extends and refines temporary protections and payment rules for State-funded land acquisitions in New Jersey’s Highlands Region. It (1) extends a special appraisal process that can raise the acquisition valuation used in negotiations for certain State land purchases, and (2) requires per‑acre state aid to municipalities that host watershed lands but currently do not receive watershed moratorium offset aid.

Key provisions

  • Special appraisal process extension:

    • Extends the expiration date of the “special appraisal process” for lands in the Highlands Region from June 30, 2024 to June 30, 2029.
    • Under that process, acquisitions using constitutionally dedicated moneys, Green Acres bond act funds, or constitutionally dedicated CBT moneys must include two appraisals:
    • one reflecting land use zoning and applicable State environmental rules at the time of proposed acquisition, and
    • one reflecting zoning and rules as of January 1, 2004.
    • The higher of the two appraised values is used as the basis for negotiation; both values must be provided to the landowner. A landowner may waive these protections or accept a lower price.
    • The special appraisal provision applies only when the current owner is the same person (or immediate family member) who owned the land on the 2004 enactment date and has owned it continuously.
    • The rule does not apply to acquisitions funded in whole or part with federal monies.

  • Municipal watershed aid:

    • Requires annual distribution, from the Highlands Protection Fund, to municipalities within the Highlands Region that host watershed lands but do not receive watershed moratorium offset aid (per section 1 of P.L.1999, c.225 / C.58:29‑8).
    • Payments must equal the per‑acre rate provided for watershed moratorium offset aid.
    • Directs the State Treasurer to include necessary funding in the Administration’s annual budget request.

Who is affected

  • Landowners in the Highlands Region who owned property continuously since the 2004 enactment date (or immediate family members) — potentially increasing the negotiated acquisition price in favor of the landowner.
  • Municipalities in the Highlands Region that host watershed lands but do not already receive watershed moratorium offset aid — they would become eligible for per‑acre payments from the Highlands Protection Fund.
  • State and local agencies (DEP, Green Acres, Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council) and the State Treasurer — responsible for appraisals, aid determinations, and budget requests.

Procedural/legislative notes

  • Committee amendments removed an earlier provision that would have allocated $7.5 million annually in constitutionally dedicated Corporation Business Tax revenue to the Highlands Council.
  • The bill is identical to reported Senate Bill S3466 (1R). Related prior-session and companion bills are listed (e.g., S1302).
  • Key dates: appraisal comparison includes valuation as of January 1, 2004; extension runs through June 30, 2029.

Potential impact

  • Short‑term fiscal: may increase State acquisition costs where the 2004-based appraisal is higher than current-value appraisals; creates recurring municipal aid obligations payable from the Highlands Protection Fund and to be requested in the annual State budget.
  • Local governments hosting watershed lands could receive new or increased revenue; landowners gain stronger negotiation positions for sales to the State.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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