ASSEMBLY CONSUMER AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 2078

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 6, 2021

      The Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 2078.

      As reported by the committee, this bill prohibits the use of flooring materials that contain mercury in the construction or renovation of schools and child care centers.

      The bill provides that a construction permit may not be issued for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, repair, or upgrade to any flooring in a school or child care center unless the applicant presents a certification issued by the manufacturer declaring that the materials to be used are free of mercury and compounds containing mercury. 

     Under the bill, if a flooring manufacturer issues a certificate falsely stating that a flooring product is free of mercury and compounds containing mercury the manufacturer will be liable to a civil penalty of $10,000 for a first offense and $25,000 for a second or subsequent offense.

     The bill will take effect 90 days after the date of enactment.

     This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2020-2021 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.