a. The department is hereby empowered and directed, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act” (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.), and after public hearings thereon, to promulgate rules and regulations concerning the development and use of designated adjacent areas of land, which rules and regulations shall also serve as minimum standards for the adoption of appropriate rules and regulations by any commission created by the affected municipalities in accordance with section 9 of this act; provided, however, that such rules and regulations shall not be construed so as to affect any use of such lands which exists at the time of the effective date of this act; provided, further, however, that such rules and regulations shall not be construed so as to prohibit or adversely affect the expansion of any agricultural use of such lands which exists at the time of the effective date of this act.

b. The department is further authorized, pursuant to the aforesaid, “Administrative Procedure Act,” and after public hearings thereon, to adopt, amend or repeal such other rules and regulations as are necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act.

c. The department shall transmit copies of all rules and regulations proposed pursuant to this section to the Assembly Agriculture and Environment Committee and to the Senate Energy and Environment Committee.

d. The department shall further transmit copies of all rules and regulations proposed pursuant to this section to the Senate and General Assembly on a day on which both Houses shall be meeting in the course of a regular or special session. The provisions of the aforesaid “Administrative Procedure Act’ or any other law to the contrary notwithstanding, no such rule or regulation shall take effect if, within 60 days of the date of its transmittal to the Senate and General Assembly, the Legislature shall pass a concurrent resolution stating in substance that the Legislature does not favor such proposed rule or regulation.

L.1977, c. 236, s. 8, eff. Sept. 28, 1977.