Singleton, Sarlo Bill to Refund Application Fees for Delayed State Permits Advances
TRENTON – The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Senator Troy Singleton and Chairman Paul Sarlo that would establish a fee refund program for individuals and businesses applying for permits, licenses, or certifications from state entities when processing delays exceed recommended timelines.
The bill, S-1788, would require state departments, agencies, boards, commissions, corporations, and authorities that issue permits, licenses, or certifications to create detailed catalogs of the applications they administer. These catalogs would be submitted to the Governor's Office and include descriptions of each application, the legal authority governing it, applicable fees, application methods, and current processing requirements.
“At its core, this bill is about making State government more predictable, transparent, and accountable for the people and businesses that must interact with it,” said Senator Singleton (D-Burlington). “A permit, license, or certification can be essential to opening a business, advancing a project, entering a profession, or making an investment. Applicants should know what is required, when an application is complete, how long the State expects its review to take, and what happens when a process materially falls behind. The objective is straightforward: government should be able to say what it needs, measure how long it takes, coordinate across agencies, explain legitimate delays, and be held accountable when ordinary administrative delay causes the State to miss its own targets.”
“Extensive permit delays can result in lost revenue for businesses,” said Senator Sarlo (D-Bergen/Passaic). “Putting a system in place to expedite the current review process and compensate businesses when reasonable timelines are exceeded will help to cut red tape and support companies when delays are out of their control.”
Under this bill, the Governor's Office will establish recommended application-processing timelines for permits, licenses, and certifications across New Jersey government. The Governor’s Office would also establish an online permitting and licensing performance dashboard that includes information on target processing times, the percentage of completed applications receiving final determination, and the number of applications pending a determination past the applicable processing time.
If an application exceeds the recommended timeline by 15 days, the issuing state entity would be required to refund the full application fee, to the extent permitted by law. Exemptions from issuing refunds will be made if delays are found to be the applicant's fault. The bill would also require State entities that issue permits, licenses, or certifications to individuals or businesses to create a checklist of the necessary information and documentation required to complete an application. The application would be made publicly available.
New Jersey currently requires a wide range of registrations, licenses, and certifications administered across multiple state organizations. For example, the Division of Consumer Affairs oversees 51 professional and occupational boards regulating more than 720,000 licensed professionals, while other departments administer specialized permits for activities ranging from waste transportation to agricultural labor management.
Despite recent efforts to modernize application systems, applicants have continued to report significant delays in processing approvals. By requiring comprehensive application catalogs, establishing clear processing expectations, and guaranteeing refunds when timelines are exceeded, the legislation aims to increase transparency and accountability in the permitting and licensing processes.