S 3739 New Jersey Senate · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Establishes certain electric vehicle supply equipment development processes and standards concerning public health and safety; removes certain existing approval requirements while preserving applicable safety and inspection standards.

This bill streamlines the approval process for installing electric vehicle charging equipment at existing buildings like gas stations and retail stores by replacing complex land use reviews with a simpler administrative permit system. The key provision allows these installations to proceed through a non-discretionary permit process as long as they meet state construction codes and safety standards, eliminating the need for site plan board reviews or variance requests. Local governments retain the authority to review applications only for specific, demonstrable public health and safety concerns rather than general planning issues, while inspections remain required to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Jun 2026
Senate Passage
Jun 2026
General Assembly Passage
Jun 2026
Governor
Introduced Mar 5, 2026 Last action Jun 30, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Reprint · 6 edits
MODERATE
The First Reprint of S3739 adds several substantive provisions to the EVSE permitting streamlining bill: it allows EVSE to encroach on local setback requirements (with a 6-foot clearance minimum), exempts corporate logos and branding on EVSE from local sign ordinances, requires a site plan or scale drawing showing features within 50 feet of the proposed installation, and adds formal definitions for key terms. These changes make the bill more workable by addressing practical concerns about setbacks and signage that could otherwise block installations.
SCOPE

New subsection f. permits EVSE infrastructure to encroach upon required setbacks established by local government, with a minimum of six feet of grounds maintenance clearance from any natural or man-made construction. It explicitly prohibits obstruction of sight triangles, fire lanes, or emergency access.

ELIGIBILITY

New subsection a(4) provides that corporate logos, branding, or other symbology integrated into EVSE shall not be considered signage for purposes of enforcing local sign ordinances.

REQUIREMENT

Subsection d. now requires applicants to submit a site plan or scale drawing showing all existing and proposed features on the property and within 50 feet of the proposed EVSE, giving the administrative officer sufficient information to base an approval or denial.

DEFINITION

New subsection g. defines 'Administrative officer' (cross-referencing C.40:55D-3) and 'Non-discretionary permit' (a permit approved as a ministerial act upon verification of compliance, not requiring discretionary judgment, variance relief, or land use board review).

TECHNICAL

Subsection a(1) now includes the qualifier 'except as otherwise provided in subsection f.' to cross-reference the new setback encroachment provision.

Subsection e. simplified language from 'A municipality's, county's, or municipality's and county's review' to 'a municipal or county review, as appropriate' and added 'Except as otherwise provided in subsection a.'

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
11
Key actions
3
Committee
2
Jun 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (Passed Both Houses) (27-11)
upper
Jun 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed by the Assembly (58-19-0)
lower
Jun 28, 2026
Committee
Recommitted to Assembly Budget Committee
lower
May 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by the Senate (31-4)
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Committee
Transferred to Senate Transportation Committee
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee
upper
2 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors