Proposes constitutional amendment to require Statewide calculation of affordable housing obligation.
Summary
ACR139 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would change how New Jersey determines affordable housing obligations. Instead of calculating municipal obligations based on regional housing needs, the amendment would require the Legislature to enact laws establishing a single statewide calculation of affordable housing need. That statewide number would become the exclusive affordable housing obligation required by the Constitution.
The resolution also sets out the process for placing the amendment before voters. If finally agreed to by both houses, it would be submitted at the next general election more than three months later and printed on the ballot with a yes/no question and interpretive statement explaining the change from a regional to a statewide framework.
Impact
If adopted, the amendment would alter Article IV, Section VI, paragraph 2 of the New Jersey Constitution and shift the legal basis for affordable housing obligations away from regional fair-share calculations. It would require the Legislature to pass implementing laws defining how the statewide housing need is calculated, and it would make that statewide determination the sole constitutional measure of affordable housing responsibility. This would directly affect municipalities, zoning and land-use planning, and the state’s affordable housing enforcement framework.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be framed as a policy reform aimed at simplifying and centralizing affordable housing calculations, with no recorded committee testimony or votes available in the provided materials. The ballot language and statement present the proposal in neutral terms, emphasizing the replacement of regional calculations with a statewide one. Because no discussion transcripts or voting history are included, there is no documented legislative sentiment beyond the proposal itself.
Contention
The central point of contention is the bill’s elimination of regional housing needs as the basis for municipal affordable housing obligations. Supporters of the amendment would likely view a statewide calculation as a way to create a single, uniform obligation and reduce regional disparities, while opponents would likely argue that removing regional requirements could weaken local fair-share accountability and change how housing burdens are distributed among municipalities. The bill also leaves key implementation details to future legislation, which could be another source of debate.
Proposes temporary constitutional amendment allowing State constitutional convention convened to reform system of property taxation to propose statutory changes.
Proposes temporary constitutional amendment allowing State constitutional convention convened to reform system of property taxation to propose statutory changes.
(Constitutional Amendment) Provides for the election of constitutional convention delegates and vote requirements necessary for the adoption of a new constitution (RR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)
(Constitutional Amendment) Modifies disposition of certain state revenues through repeal of the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund and deposits of certain revenue streams into the Budget Stabilization Fund (RRF INCREASE GF RV See Note)
(Constitutional Amendment) Provides relative to the application of state monies to the unfunded accrued liability of the Teachers' Retirement System of La. (EN DECREASE SD RV See Note)
Proposing An Amendment To Article Xvii, Section 3 Of The Hawaii Constitution To Specify That The Standard For Voter Approval Of A Constitutional Amendment Proposed By The Legislature Is A Majority Of All The Votes Tallied Upon The Question.