Requires DCA to establish optional certification courses for planning professionals on development of warehouses and high-density buildings.

A4370

ASSEMBLY, No. 4370

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 19, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman� ALEX SAUICKIE

District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)

SYNOPSIS

���� Requires DCA to establish optional certification
courses for planning professionals on development of warehouses and
high-density buildings.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

An Act
establishing certification courses for planning
professionals and supplementing chapter 55D of Title 40 of the Revised
Statutes.

����
Be It
Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� a.� Within 120 days of
the effective date of
P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending
before the Legislature as this bill), the Department of Community Affairs shall
develop and offer optional certification courses to planning professionals and
other interested individuals on current topics and issues relating to the
development of warehouses and high density buildings.

���� b.� Certification courses
offered pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall:

���� (1) be developed in
conjunction with institutions of higher education, the State Planning
Commission, and non-profit organizations representing planning associations
including, but not limited to, the New Jersey Association of Planning and
Zoning Administrators, the New Jersey Planning Officials, the New Jersey State
League of Municipalities, the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning
Association, the New Jersey Association of Counties, and the New Jersey
Builders Association, to establish standards for the curriculum, including
content and materials, and administration of the courses; and

���� (2) include modules
specifically on warehouse development and high-density development.

���� c.� Completion of a
certification course offered pursuant to this section by individuals subject to
the provisions of section 2 of P.L.2005, c.133 (C.40:55D-23.3), shall not be
construed as fulfilling the land use law and planning course requirement of that
section.

���� d.� The Department of
Community Affairs shall issue a certificate of completion to a planning
professional who completes a certification course offered pursuant this
section.

���� e.� As used in this section,
�warehouse� means a building that stores cargo, goods, or products of any type
on a short-term or long-term basis for later distribution to wholesale or
retail customers, and includes, but is not limited to, a distribution center,
flex-warehouse, or any other type of warehouse.

���� 2.��� This act shall take
effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This bill requires the
Commissioner of Community Affairs to establish certification courses for
planning professionals on the development of warehouses and high-density
buildings.

���� The bill requires the
Department of Community Affairs to develop and offer optional certification
courses for planning professionals on current topics and issues relating to the
development of warehouses and high density buildings. The courses are to be developed
in conjunction with institutions of higher education, the State Planning
Commission, and non-profit organizations representing planning associations and
include modules specifically on warehouse development and high-density
development.

���� Additionally, the bill
specifies that these optional courses offered to planning professionals do not
meet the land use law and planning course requirement for planning board and
zoning board members required pursuant to the �Municipal Land Use Law.�

���� Local planners are crucial in
leading a community in its development and implementation of the Master Plan.
It is the sponsor�s intent to give planners additional tools to provide
leadership to their communities. Warehouse construction has become a leading
concern among both the public and local government officials. Many communities
feel overwhelmed by the size and consequences of high-density development.
Providing planning professionals with greater and up to date information will
better allow them to serve their communities and local officials.