33. a. Within 270 days after the date of enactment of this act, and notwithstanding the provisions of the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.) to the contrary, the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, after consultation with the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Community Affairs, the State Planning Commission, and the Department of Transportation, shall, immediately upon filing proper notice with the Office of Administrative Law, adopt the rules and regulations prepared by the department pursuant to section 34 of this act and any other rules and regulations necessary to establish the Highlands permitting review program established pursuant to section 35 of this act.

b. The rules and regulations adopted pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall be in effect for a period not to exceed one year after the date of the filing. These rules and regulations shall thereafter be adopted, amended, or readopted by the commissioner in accordance with the requirements of the “Administrative Procedure Act,” after consultation with the council, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Community Affairs, the State Planning Commission, and the Department of Transportation.

c. The requirements and provisions of sections 33 through 43 of this act shall not apply in the planning area.

L.2004,c.120,s.33.