Requires DCA to resume Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation program with remaining funds for unmet recovery and rebuilding needs for Superstorm Sandy-impacted homeowners.

2026-2027 Regular Session

The bill directs New Jersey to restart the RREM program using remaining funds to address unmet Sandy recovery needs through reconstruction, elevation, and mitigation.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee

Summary of Bill S 4368 (New Jersey, 222nd Legislature)

Purpose and intent

The bill requires the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to resume the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation, and Mitigation (RREM) program using any remaining funds to address unmet recovery and rebuilding needs for homeowners affected by Superstorm Sandy.

The overarching goal is to continue and complete assistance to Sandy-impacted homeowners by deploying unused program dollars to prioritized rebuild and resilience efforts.

Key provisions and changes

Directive to DCA: The bill directs the DCA to restart or continue administering the RREM program using the remaining funds that have not yet been expended or fully allocated.

Allocation focus: Funds would be specifically directed toward unmet recovery and rebuilding needs of homeowners who experienced damage or loss from Superstorm Sandy.

Program scope: The reactivated or extended RREM initiative would aim to support measures such as reconstruction, rehabilitation, elevation (raising structures to mitigate flood risk), and hazard mitigation.

Priority considerations (implied): While the bill text provided here does not specify new rating criteria, the focus is on addressing unmet needs, which could influence prioritization of applications based on remaining funds and severity of damage.

Affected parties and stakeholders

Primary beneficiaries: Homeowners in New Jersey who sustained damage from Superstorm Sandy and who are seeking assistance under the RREM program.

State agency: New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), which administers the RREM program and would be responsible for resuming operations, evaluating applications, and distributing funds.

Potentially impacted entities: Local governments and supporting contractors may be involved in project identification, permitting, and implementing RREM-funded improvements.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Operational restart: The bill creates an obligation for the DCA to resume activities under the RREM program using remaining funds. This implies a timeline to reinitiate outreach, intake, application processing, and project implementation, though specific dates are not provided in the summary.

Funding status: The focus is explicitly on “remaining funds,” indicating that the bill presumes some portion of the original RREM appropriation has not been fully utilized and seeks to ensure those dollars are used for continued recovery efforts.

Legislative posture: By enacting the directive, the Legislature signals continued commitment to Sandy recovery efforts and program efficiency, potentially prompting administrative kick-off steps, funding disbursement schedules, and reporting requirements.

Potential impacts and considerations

Increased access to capital for Sandy-impacted homeowners seeking elevation, reconstruction, or mitigation projects.

Streamlined use of leftover funds to cover unmet needs, potentially reducing delays in finalizing recovery projects.

The success of the measure depends on available remaining funds, administrative capacity at the DCA, and any corresponding federal requirements or reporting standards tied to the RREM program.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to focus on specific sections (e.g., fiscal implications, eligibility criteria, or anticipated reporting requirements) or compare it to prior RREM program provisions.