Signed by Governor Phil Murphy

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires the installment of electric vehicle charging stations in common interest communities.

Highlights:

• Prohibits common interest communities from adopting rules that prohibit or unreasonably restrict the installation or use of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in the designated parking space of a unit owner (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that any covenant, restriction, or condition contained in any deed, contract, security instrument, or other community governing document that restricts the installation of EV charging stations in a designated parking space is void and unenforceable (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes an association of common interest communities to impose reasonable restrictions on EV charging stations and requires that charging stations meet applicable health and safety standards (Sec. 4).

• Requires EV charging stations to meet the following standards if required by the governing documents or the association’s rules and regulations, including (Sec. 4):

• Comply with the association’s architectural standards for the installation of the EV charging station;

• Engaged a licensed electrician to install all necessary electric lines and electrical infrastructure;

• Pay for the electricity usage associated with the EV charging station and other reasonable charges imposed by the association to recover costs; and

• Within 14 days of approval or prior to installation, obtain and maintain during the duration that the EV charging station is in place, insurance protecting the association and other unit owners from damage as a result of the existence and operation of the EV charging station.

• Authorizes an association to deny an application for the installation or use of an EV charging station if the association reasonably concludes that the EV charging station constitutes a life-safety risk (Sec. 4).

• Requires a unit owner of an EV charging station to at all times maintain a homeowner’s liability coverage policy of $100,000 and name the association as the certified holder with the right to receive notice of the cancellation (Sec. 6).

• Specifies that an association may install EV charging stations in common element parking spaces for the use of all unit owners and adopt rules and regulations for the use of common electric vehicle charging stations (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text