Committee advances package of bills to clarify EV parking credits and streamline charger permitting

The State and Local Government Committee on May 24 advanced three related measures aimed at making it easier to install electric-vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure while preserving municipal safety oversight.

The bills released were A4375, which clarifies rounding and application of EV parking-space credits; A4530, which would require qualifying EV supply equipment and make-ready parking-space applications at existing sites to be approved administratively via a nondiscretionary permit if they meet statutory criteria; and A4531, which establishes an alternate compliance method allowing jurisdictions to consider total charger capacity rather than a strict count of parking spaces.

Committee staff said the amendments to A4375 specify that fractional EV parking credits be rounded up to the next whole space but that such rounding may not result in a credit exceeding the statute's existing 10% limit on parking reductions. Whitney Schlumbach, deputy director of the New Jersey Law Revision Commission, told the panel the commission supports A4375 as a clarification following an appellate decision and a March 19, 2026 report: "The commission respectfully supports Assembly Bill number 4 3 7 5," she said, arguing the bill will help municipalities, redevelopment agencies, developers and courts apply the statute consistently.

Private-sector testimony focused on permitting delays. Anthony Willingham, state government affairs manager at Electrify America, said permitting ambiguity has led the company to abandon at least three station sites: "We have had to cancel a couple of sites, at least three, for reasons related to an uncertain permitting process... often requires legal representation and an urban planner to appear on behalf of us," Willingham said, adding that the bill "preserves municipal oversight where it matters the most while focusing review on issues that are directly related to protecting public health and safety."

Several committee members pressed on home-rule concerns and whether the measures would unduly curtail local land-use authority. Willingham and other witnesses replied that the intent is to align EV-charger review with how essential electrical infrastructure is treated and to preserve municipal enforcement of fire, electrical and construction codes.

All three bills were moved and released from committee after recorded roll-call votes. A4530 drew at least one abstention on the floor and a member who said they wanted to consult the sponsor further before voting on the Assembly floor; despite that, the committee released the bill.

The measures now proceed to the next legislative steps in the Assembly. If enacted, the bills would change how municipalities and redevelopment agencies apply EV parking credits and process permitting for new chargers, aiming to reduce permitting delays that private providers said have stalled installations.