§ 48:13A-5 — Award of franchises

6. a. The Department of Environmental Protection may, by order in writing, when it finds that the public interest requires, award a franchise to any person or persons engaged in solid waste disposal at rates published in tariffs or contracts accepted or to be accepted for filing by the Department of Environmental Protection. After November 10, 1997, the Department of Environmental Protection shall not award a franchise to any person or persons engaged in solid waste disposal in this State. b. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2003, c.169). c. For the purposes of this section, "franchise" shall mean the exclusive right to control and provide for the disposal of solid waste, except for recyclable material whenever markets for those materials are available, within a district as awarded by the Board of Public Utilities or the department prior to November 10, 1997. d. In no event shall the department award a franchise to any person required to be listed in the disclosure statement, or otherwise shown to have a beneficial interest in the business of the applicant, permittee or the licensee as defined in section 2 of P.L.1983, c.392 (C.13:1E-127), if the department determines that there is a reasonable suspicion to believe that the person does not possess a reputation for good character, honesty and integrity, and that person or the applicant, permittee or licensee fails, by clear and convincing evidence, to establish his reputation for good character, honesty and integrity. e. Nothing in section 11 of P.L.1970, c.40 (C.48:13A-10) shall be interpreted to prevent the implementation of this section by the Department of Environmental Protection. L.1970,c.40,s.6; amended 1975, c.326, s.31; 1985, c.38, s.36; 1990, c.113, s.3; 1991, c.269, s.11; 2003, c.169, s.12.