NJ A5265

Transfers oversight of landscape irrigation contractor licensing from the Department of Environmental Protection to the Department of Community Affairs

Authorizes local enforcing agencies (municipal or county construction officials) to investigate violations, issue warnings, assess penalties, and initiate civil actions in addition to the state Landscape Irrigation Contractors Examining Board

Doubles civil administrative and civil penalty amounts: first offense increases from $2,500 to $5,000, second offense from $5,000 to $10,000, and adds new third-offense maximum of $15,000

Establishes penalty revenue sharing: when the state board brings enforcement actions, 100% of penalties go to the board; when local agencies bring actions, 70% is retained by the municipality or pilot county and 30% goes to the board

Defines "local enforcing agency" as municipal or county construction officials and subcode officials, including those in the County Code Enforcement Pilot Program