5:10A-2 Findings, declarations relative to the "Hackensack Meadowlands Agency Consolidation Act."

2. The Legislature finds and declares that:

a. The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission is currently the zoning and planning agency for a 30.4 square-mile area covering parts of 14 municipalities in Bergen and Hudson Counties in New Jersey. The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, created in 1969, was charged with the development and redevelopment of the Hackensack Meadowlands in an orderly and comprehensive fashion, with special consideration to the ecological and environment challenges facing the Hackensack Meadowlands.

b. During the past 45 years, the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission has successfully provided for orderly comprehensive development, solid waste management, and environmental protection within the Hackensack Meadowlands, as well as guiding the investment of tens of millions of dollars in development, municipal services, and significant infrastructure projects, among other things.

c. There are several vital components necessary for the continuation and expansion of the comprehensive plan for the economic development growth of the Hackensack Meadowlands. Among them are infrastructure improvements, transportation, tourism, the completion of the development of the sport complex site, the delivery of municipal services, flood control, and the continuance of the Intermunicipal Tax Sharing Program, which is the fiscal underpinning of the district's master plan.

d. The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority has promoted the holding of athletic contests, horse racing, and other spectator sporting events, trade shows, and other expositions in the State.

e. The 750 acres of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority complex in the Hackensack Meadowlands is a significant economic stimulant to the development of the meadowlands. The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority's ability to plan, construct, and maintain its holdings in the sports complex has been an extraordinary feat, making it a premier sporting facility.

f. It is also appropriate and necessary to recognize the consistent impact of the Hackensack Meadowlands on tourist related activities and development, including retail, sports, and entertainment venues constructed at New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority properties with support from private investment.

g. The authority and powers of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission should be reviewed and amended to reflect the issues of the day so as to adequately address the evolving economic and environmental issues in the Hackensack Meadowlands.

h. In order to more effectively address the modern needs of the Hackensack Meadowlands, the Legislature finds that the two agencies with the common interest of promoting the economic growth of the meadowlands and northern New Jersey, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, should be consolidated to promote efficiency of operation, cost effectiveness, and the elimination of unnecessary government bureaucracy.

i. Nothing in P.L.2015, c.19 (C.5:10A-1 et al.) is intended to revise, limit, or nullify the rights of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority under the provisions of P.L.1971, c.137 (C.5:10-1 et seq.) or other applicable laws. In the case of any conflict between P.L.1971, c.137 (C.5:10-1 et seq.) and the provisions of P.L.1968, c.404 (C.13:17-1 et seq.) or P.L.1971, c.137 (C.5:10-1 et seq.) and P.L.2015, c.19 (C.5:10A-1 et al.), the provisions of P.L.1971, c.137 (C.5:10-1 et seq.) shall control.

j. Except as expressly provided in P.L.2015, c.19 (C.5:10A-1 et al.) nothing is intended to revise, limit, or nullify the rights of the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission under P.L.1968, c.404 (C.13:17-1 et seq.). In the case of any conflict between P.L.1968, c.404 (C.13:17-1 et seq.) and the provisions of P.L.2015, c.19 (C.5:10A-1 et al.) the provisions of P.L.2015, c.19 (C.5:10A-1 et al.) shall control.

k. Notwithstanding anything in P.L.2015, c.19 (C.5:10A-1 et al.) to the contrary, sections 8 through 16, 18, 23, 24, 25, 29 through 48, and 74 of P.L.2015, c.19 (C.5:10A-1 et al.) shall not apply to the sports complex or adversely affect the rights, benefits, entitlements, contracts, agreements, liabilities, responsibilities, or obligations upon existing developers or ground tenants within the sports complex or any other project of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, wherever located, as of the date of enactment of P.L.2015, c.19 (C.5:10A-1 et al.), and with respect to the sports complex, the rights and powers of the commission shall only be those set forth in P.L.1971, c.137 (C.5:10-1 et seq.).

L.2015, c.19, s.2; amended 2015, c.72, s.1.