Section 34:1B-379 - Local C-PACE programa. An authorized municipality that has adopted an opt-in ordinance may also establish a local C-PACE program to facilitate the financing of C-PACE projects in that authorized municipality. A county may also establish a local C-PACE program pursuant to a local C-PACE program ordinance to facilitate the financing of C-PACE projects in participating municipalities located in that county that have adopted an opt-in ordinance. A local C-PACE program ordinance adopted by a county shall establish a program for the benefit of municipalities located within the county, but participating municipalities shall remain responsible for the process of levying, billing, collecting, remitting, and enforcing the C-PACE assessment. In a county or authorized municipality that has established a local C-PACE program pursuant to a local C-PACE program ordinance, any C-PACE projects in that authorized municipality or, in the case of a county, in any participating municipality located in that county that has adopted an opt-in ordinance, may be financed pursuant to the Garden State C-PACE program or the local C-PACE program. In a municipality that has not established, or is located in a county that has not established, a local C-PACE program pursuant to a local C-PACE program ordinance, any C-PACE projects in that municipality may be financed pursuant to the Garden State C-PACE program only.b. Notwithstanding the provisions of P.L. 2011, c. 187(C.40:56-1.4 et al.), or any other law, to the contrary, a county or authorized municipality seeking to establish and implement a local C-PACE program shall adopt a local C-PACE program ordinance consistent with this section and section 5 of P.L. 2021, c. 201(C.34:1B-378). An authorized municipality may establish a local C-PACE program through the adoption of a local C-PACE program ordinance if the municipality has entered a Garden State program agreement with the authority, and obtained approval of the ordinance from the authority pursuant to section 7 of P.L. 2021, c. 201(C.34:1B-380). A county may establish a local C-PACE program through the adoption of a local C-PACE program ordinance if the county has obtained approval of the ordinance from the authority pursuant to section 7 of P.L. 2021, c. 201(C.34:1B-380). In addition to prescribing criteria for qualifying a C-PACE project for a C-PACE assessment pursuant to subsection b. of section 5 of P.L. 2021, c. 201(C.34:1B-378), a local C-PACE program ordinance shall establish the following:
(1) A participating municipality or a county may enter into an agreement with a county improvement authority or it may, pursuant to the "Local Public Contracts Law," P.L. 1971, c.198 (C.40A:11-1 et seq.) enter into contracts with one or more private parties, to assist the participating municipality or county in its implementation and administration, or a combination thereof, of the local C-PACE program. The municipality or county may delegate to one or more private parties or a county improvement authority such matters as the participating municipality determines, except that it may not delegate its reporting obligations pursuant to section 3 of P.L. 2021, c. 201(C.34:1B-376) or its obligation to ensure that its local C-PACE program complies in all respects with P.L. 2021, c. 201(C.34:1B-374 et al.) and its local C-PACE program guidelines.(2) An authorized municipality or a county may, in addition to direct financing, offer financing of C-PACE projects through the issuance of bonds pursuant to section 9 of P.L. 2021, c. 201(C.34:1B-382).(3) A local C-PACE program shall not be operational and available for the participation of capital providers and property owners until the authorized municipality or county, as applicable, by resolution of the governing body, authorizes local C-PACE program guidelines pursuant to subsection c. of section 5 of P.L. 2021, c. 201(C.34:1B-378). The program guidelines for any local C-PACE program shall be consistent with the Garden State C-PACE program guidelines and the requirements set forth in P.L. 2021, c. 201(C.34:1B-374 et al.) for C-PACE projects and financing, and shall be subject to approval by the authority pursuant to subsection a. of section 7 of P.L. 2021, c. 201(C.34:1B-380). In addition, such program guidelines may include supplemental provisions, provided that they are not inconsistent with the Garden State C-PACE program guidelines and the requirements set forth in P.L. 2021, c. 201(C.34:1B-374 et al.).Added by L. 2021, c. 201, s. 6, eff. 8/24/2021.