39:4-8.4 Issuance of order.

3. a. An order to be issued pursuant to this act shall cite the public highway or transportation system under the jurisdiction of the commissioner to which it is to be applicable; provide an explanation in plain language as to why the order is needed at the location in question; provide a description in plain language of what the order requires; identify the individual or public body who or which requested the order or initiated a request leading to the order; name the date on which the order became final and the effective date of the order; and contain any other information the commissioner deems necessary.

b. A copy of a proposed order shall be mailed to the governing body and chief uniformed law enforcement official of each county and municipality in which that portion of the public highway or transportation system under the jurisdiction of the commissioner affected by the order is located. On or after the date of mailing, the commissioner shall cause an informational notice of the proposed order, including therein a summary of the provisions of the proposed order, to be published in a newspaper or newspapers having general circulation in the municipality or municipalities affected by the order. The notice shall provide for a telephone number or address which a member of the public may use to receive a copy of the complete text of the proposed order and shall provide for a 30-day period from the date of publication for public comment. The order shall be final on the 31st day after publication of the informational notice or on a later date if the commissioner so determines, except that if comments are received during the 30-day period the order shall be final after the commissioner reviews and responds in writing to the comments received but in no event shall the order be final earlier than the 31st day after publication. Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the commissioner from extending the comment period or from modifying or withdrawing the proposed order as a result of the review of public comment.

c. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of this section to the contrary, an order may be made final immediately or at a later date and without the requirement of mailing or publication by the commissioner if it is issued in response to a resolution from the governing body of a municipality and if the order pertains exclusively to a public highway or transportation system located within the boundaries of that municipality. Such a resolution shall be adopted by the governing body and shall memorialize the commissioner to issue an order regulating traffic or parking on a public highway or transportation system located within the boundaries of the municipality. The governing body shall cause an informational notice of the proposed resolution to be published in the official newspaper if there be one or, if that is not the case, in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality in question, in advance of a meeting at which the resolution is to be considered. A copy of the final order shall be mailed to the governing body and the chief uniformed law enforcement official of the county and municipality in which that portion of the public highway or transportation system under the jurisdiction of the commissioner affected by the order is located.

d. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section to the contrary, upon a finding by the commissioner that an emergent condition exists with respect to a public highway or transportation system under the jurisdiction of the commissioner, an order may be made final immediately. In such an event, a copy of the final order issued pursuant to this subsection shall be provided within 24 hours of issuance to the governing body and the chief uniformed law enforcement official of the county and municipality in which that portion of the public highway or transportation system under the jurisdiction of the commissioner affected by the order is located. Nothing in this section shall be construed to supersede, limit or alter the authority and powers of the Attorney General pursuant to P.L.1950, c.70 (C.39:4-213 et seq.) to control traffic during emergency conditions. The exercise of the Attorney General's authority and powers pursuant to P.L.1950, c.70 (C.39:4-213 et seq.) shall supersede an order issued by the commissioner pursuant to this act.

e. A final order shall be effective upon compliance with the notice and briefing provisions of R.S.39:4-198 and shall be binding and enforceable on that date.

L.1998,c.28,s.3.