New Jersey § 40a:11-16

§ 40a:11-16.

Whenever any contract, the total price of which exceeds $100,000.00, entered into

by a contracting unit, for the construction, reconstruction, alteration or repair

of any building, structure, facility or other improvement to real property, requires

the withholding of payment of a percentage of the amount of the contract, the contractor

may agree to the withholding of payments in the manner prescribed in the contract,

or may deposit with the contracting unit registered book bonds, entry municipal bonds,

State bonds or other appropriate bonds of the State of New Jersey, or negotiable bearer

bonds or notes of any political subdivision of the State, the value of which is equal

to the amount necessary to satisfy the amount that otherwise would be withheld pursuant

to the terms of the contract. The nature and amount of the bonds or notes to be deposited shall be subject to

approval by the contracting unit. For purposes of this section, “ value ” shall mean par value or current market value, whichever is lower. If the contractor agrees to the withholding of payments, the amount withheld shall

be deposited, with a banking institution or savings and loan association insured by

an agency of the Federal government, in an account bearing interest at the rate currently

paid by such institutions or associations on time or savings deposits. The amount withheld, or the bonds or notes deposited, and any interest accruing

on such bonds or notes, shall be returned to the contractor upon fulfillment of the

terms of the contract relating to such withholding. Any interest accruing on cash payments withheld shall be credited to the contracting

unit.