State of New Jersey
Executive Order #81

Governor Christine Todd Whitman

This executive order modified by EO #86 Whitman.

WHEREAS, Assembly Bill No. 292, enacted into law on this date makes several changes to the "Tenants Property Tax Rebate Act," P.L. 1976, c.63 (C.54:4-6.2 et seq.), which requires landlords to rebate reductions in property taxes to their residential tenants; and

WHEREAS, Assembly Bill No. 292 redefines the property subject to the "Tenants Property Tax Rebate Act," identifies the reductions to be rebated, changes the calculation of the property tax reduction to be rebated and clarifies the landlord and tenant procedures for making and receiving rebates; and

WHEREAS, those changes to the "Tenants Property Tax Rebate Act" contained in Assembly Bill No. 292 have generated interest and discussion regarding many and varied issues involving landlords and tenants in the State of New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, it is important for government officials, landlords, tenants and private investors to work together in order to promote cooperation to ensure both the proper and safe development of multi-family housing communities and the maintenance of existing communities;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHRISTINE TODD WHITMAN, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1. The creation of the Landlord-Tenant Task Force (hereinafter "Task Force") to study the issues affecting landlords and tenants and their relationship in multi-family housing communities.

2. A charge to the Task Force to consider issues which will include, but not be limited to:

a. the State's current laws concerning property tax rebates by landlords to tenants;

b. the existing laws regarding rent control and the sharing of tax rebates;

c. the effect of rent control on property costs;

d. the feasibility of using Alternative Dispute Resolution to resolve landlord-tenant disputes prior to the filing of a complaint in the Superior Court, Special Civil Part;

e. the problems relating to landlord-tenant proceedings in Superior Court, Special Civil Part;

f. the increase and improvement of multi-family housing communities in the State; and

g. the development of laws that clearly delineate the responsibilities of the landlord and the tenant.

3. The Task Force shall convene by July 1, 1998, and shall complete its study and report to me within one hundred and twenty (120) days of the date the Task Force first convenes.

4. The Task Force shall identify and report back to me articulating their concerns, agreements and disagreements and making recommendations regarding these issues.

5. The Task Force shall consist of the Attorney General, or his designee; the Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs, or her designee; a member of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate President; a member of the General Assembly to be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly; and one member from each of the following organizations to be appointed by the Governor: the New Jersey State Bar Association, the New Jersey Tenants Organization, the New Jersey Apartment Association, the League of Municipalities, the New Jersey Builders Association, and the New Jersey Bankers Association. The Governor shall designate a chairman and vice-chairman of the Task Force from among the members of the Task Force.

The members shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties subject to the availability of funds therefor. The Department of Community Affairs and all other State departments and agencies are hereby directed, to the extent not inconsistent with law and within budgetary constraints, to cooperate with the Task Force and to furnish it with such information, personnel, and assistance as are necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Order.

6. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal,
this 4th day of Mayin the Year
of Our Lord, One Thousand Nine
Hundred and Ninety-Eight, and of
the Independence of the United States,
the Two Hundred and Twenty-Second.

/s/ Christine Todd Whitman
Governor

[seal]

Attest:

/s/ John J. Farmer, Jr.
Chief Counsel to the Governor