In early March Governor Christie appointed a task force to study privatization of various state operations, with an eye towards streamlining State government operations and moving functions from State control which might be better managed by the private sector. The task force, led by former US Congressman Dick Zimmer (R-Hunterdon), delivered their final report on July 9. Most media reports focused on recommendations pertaining to privatization of motor vehicle inspections, food service at state prisons, construction of pre-school facilities, or food/beverage concessions at state parks. However, contained within the 61-page report are two recommendations that should be of interest to NJAA members, including a recommendation to privatize the Dept. of Community Affairs' (DCA) Housing & Uniform Construction Code Enforcement and a recommendation to privatize the Dept of Labor & Workforce Development's Boiler & Pressure Vessel Inspections. Some two months before the Privatization Task Force Report was released, the NJAA met with senior staff at the DCA and the Governor's policy office to discuss changes to the current internal BHI policy of "every unit, every time" and instead move back to the original Legislative intent of the Hotel & Multiple Dwelling Act, which sets a standard of 20% of the units as part of the 5-year cyclical inspection. This 20% threshold would set a minimum for BHI inspectors, allowing them flexibility to focus more resources on buildings which might need closer scrutiny. Regarding the Dept. Labor & Workforce Development's Boiler & Pressure Vessel Inspections, the NJAA raised the issue of reforming and revising current boiler inspection requirements with the Lt Governor's bi-partisan Red Tape Group Report earlier this year, and our recommendation was contained within the Red Tape Group's final report. We have already met with senior staff in the Commissioner's Office, and have commenced an internal working group to craft detailed recommendations for the Labor Dept. As always, the NJAA will continue to engage with the Christie-Guadagno Administration on reform issues surrounding the regulatory environment affecting multi-family rental housing. For a full copy of the 61-page report,
click here.
