New Jersey § 13:18a-51

§ 13:18a-51.

a. If the commissioner determines that any land or interest therein acquired pursuant

to subsection a. of section 1 of this act 1 is not useful to be retained by the State, or any agency, authority, or entity thereof,

for recreation and conservation purposes as defined pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1992, c. 88, or for farmland preservation, historic preservation, water supply protection, or

other public purposes, the commissioner may sell, exchange, or otherwise convey or

transfer that land or interest therein to: (1) any public entity, including the federal

government or a local government unit, or any agency, authority, or entity thereof,

or any private nonprofit organization that agrees to retain and maintain the land

for public purposes, at no cost or at such cost as may be established by the commissioner;

or (2) any private party as set forth in subsection b. of this section. b. If the commissioner determines that any land or interest therein acquired pursuant

to subsection a. of section 1 of this act should be sold, exchanged, or otherwise

conveyed or transferred to a private party, the commissioner may offer the land or

interest therein first for private sale to any owner of land contiguous thereto acting

either individually or jointly with another such owner, at a price to be established

by the commissioner. The minimum price for which the land or interest therein may be offered for private

sale shall be the same as the cost of acquisition of that land or interest therein

by the commissioner pursuant to subsection a. of section 1 of this act, or, if the

private sale involves an exchange, a value equivalent to the cost of acquisition;

except that, if the land or interest therein offered for private sale includes a deed

restriction imposed by the commissioner, the minimum price shall be the same as the

cost of acquisition less the value of that deed restriction. If more than one such owner of contiguous land indicates interest in obtaining the

land or interest therein at issue at the established price, it shall be sold, exchanged,

or otherwise conveyed or transferred to the highest bidder from among all such landowners. If no owner of contiguous land indicates interest in obtaining the land or interest

therein at issue, it may be offered for public sale at auction to the highest bidder. c. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, rule, or regulation to the contrary,

no sale, exchange, conveyance, or transfer of any land or interest therein as authorized

pursuant to this section shall be subject to the approval of the State House Commission

or the requirements of P.L.1993, c. 38 ( C. 13:1D-51 et al.). 1

N.J.S.A. § 13:18A-50.