13:1D-119. Reports on backlogs of review of permit applications
1. a. The Department of Environmental Protection shall report, in writing, to the Assembly Energy and Environment Committee and Senate Environmental Quality Committee, or their successors, whenever the number of applications for a given class or category of permits, as established pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1991, c.423 (C.13:1D-105), that is pending before the department exceeds by more than:
(1) 33% the maximum number of permit applications that can be reviewed on a timely basis at current staff levels, as determined by the department. Vacant staff positions shall be excluded for purposes of determining current staff levels; or
(2) 10% the number of permit applications determined to be complete for purposes of technical review and pending before the department, which percentage of applications remain outstanding for more than 45 days beyond the time-frame for completing the review of that class or category of permits as contained in the review schedule therefor established pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c. 423 (C.13:1D-106).
b. Department reports shall be submitted to the legislative committees within 15 days of a determination that either condition specified in subsection a. of this section exists. The report shall identify the nature of the condition requiring the submission of a report, including the class or category of permits involved; detail current work force levels, and work load and productivity levels; provide a plan and schedule for, as applicable, reviewing the applications in a timely manner, or completing the outstanding reviews in an expeditious manner; and identify with specificity any additional resources, including qualified private consultants, that are required by the department to effectuate the department's plan.
L.1991,c.424,s.1.