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Bill

A 5136

Requires all new residential construction to have pre-installed sufficient raceways to allow post-construction broadband cable deployment.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Wayne DeAngelo

New Jersey requires all new homes to include raceways sized for future broadband cables, enabling easier post-construction fiber or cable deployment.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 5136

Overview

New Jersey Assembly Bill A-5136 (Session 222) requires all new residential construction to be pre-installed with sufficient raceways to enable post-construction deployment of broadband cable. The bill lists Wayne DeAngelo as a co-sponsor.

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes a proactive infrastructure requirement to facilitate future expansion of broadband access.
  • Aims to reduce future disruption, labor, and cost associated with retrofitting homes for broadband by ensuring conduit pathways are already in place during initial construction.

Key provisions

  • Mandatory installation of pre-installed raceways: All new residential construction must include raceways that are sized and positioned to accommodate later broadband cable deployment.
  • Raceways defined: The bill specifies that these raceways are channels or conduits designed for the passage of fiber or coaxial broadband cables, enabling easier post-construction connectivity.
  • Compliance standards: Standards or specifications (e.g., sizing, routing, and access points) are to be determined by the bill or implementing regulations, ensuring raceways are accessible and usable for future installations.
  • Scope: Applies to new residential buildings constructed after the effective date of the bill, potentially including single-family homes and multi-unit dwellings, depending on the final text.

Who/what is affected

  • Homebuilders and developers constructing new residential properties in New Jersey.
  • Property owners and future occupants who will benefit from easier broadband installation or upgrades.
  • Electrical/plumbing/low-voltage contractors who may perform ongoing work using the installed raceways.
  • Local building departments or code officials responsible for compliance verification at permitting and/or inspection stages.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Introduced as A-5136 in the New Jersey Legislature; co-sponsored by Wayne DeAngelo.
  • Implementation: Likely to require promulgation of implementing regulations or amendments to building codes to specify raceway standards, installation methods, approval processes, and inspection criteria.
  • Compliance timeline: The bill would set a future effective date after enactment, with prospective applicability to new residential projects commencing after that date.
  • Enforcement: Local or state building authorities would enforce the requirement, potentially through permitting and inspection workflows.

Potential impacts

  • Positive: Streamlines future broadband deployment, potentially lowering costs for homeowners and service providers; reduces need for disruptive retrofits in existing structures.
  • Negative/considerations: Could increase upfront construction costs for developers; requires clear specifications to prevent ambiguity and ensure consistent application across jurisdictions.
  • Economic/neighborhood effects: May spur partnerships between builders and broadband providers or enable quicker rollout of high-speed internet access in new neighborhoods.

Notable details

  • The bill explicitly lists Wayne DeAngelo as a co-sponsor.
  • The summary above reflects typical drafting patterns for infrastructure pre-installation mandates; exact technical specifications and enforcement mechanisms will be clarified in the bill’s text or subsequent implementing regulations.

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

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