3. The additional seven zones authorized pursuant to P.L.1995, c.382 (C. 52:27H-66.1 et al.), the additional zone authorized pursuant to P.L.2003, c.285, and the additional zone designated pursuant to P.L.2004, c.75, shall be designated within 90 days of the date of the submittal of an application and zone development plan. The authority shall accept applications within 90 days of the effective date of P.L.1995, c.382 (C. 52:27H-66.1 et al.) or P.L.2003, c.285, as applicable, for those zones that fulfill the criteria set forth in this section. Notwithstanding the provisions of P.L.1983, c.303 (C. 52:27H-60 et seq.) to the contrary, the nine additional enterprise zones to be designated by the authority pursuant to the criteria for priority consideration set forth in this section shall be entitled to an exemption to the extent of 50% of the tax imposed under the “Sales and Use Tax Act,” P.L.1966, c.30 (C. 54:32B-1 et seq.). The following criteria shall be utilized in according priority consideration for designation of the seven additional enterprise zones authorized pursuant to P.L.1995, c.382 (C. 52:27H-66.1 et al.), the additional enterprise zone authorized pursuant to P.L.2003, c.285, and the additional zone designated pursuant to P.L.2004, c.75:

(1) One zone shall be located in a qualifying municipality with a population greater than 55,000 and less than 65,000 according to the latest federal decennial census in a county of the first class with a population density greater than 6,100 and less than 6,700 persons per square mile according to the latest federal decennial census provided that the qualifying municipality is contiguous to a municipality in which an enterprise zone is designated;

(2) One zone shall be located in a qualifying municipality with a population greater than 70,000 and less than 80,000 according to the latest federal decennial census;

(3) One zone shall be located in a qualifying municipality with a population greater than 38,000 and less than 39,500 according to the latest federal decennial census;

(4) One zone shall be located in a qualifying municipality with a population greater than 45,000 and less than 55,000 according to the latest federal decennial census;

(5) One zone shall be located in a qualifying municipality with a population greater than 21,000 and less than 22,000;

(6) One zone shall be located in a qualifying municipality with a population greater than 29,000 and less than 32,000 according to the latest federal decennial census;

(7) One zone shall be located within a qualifying municipality having a population greater than 7,000 and less than 9,000 according to the latest federal decennial census in a county of the first class with a population greater than 550,000 and less than 560,000 according to the latest federal decennial census;

(8) An additional zone shall be located within a qualifying municipality with a population greater than 11,400 and less than 11,600 according to the latest federal decennial census in a county of the second class with a population greater than 500,000 and less than 520,000 according to the latest federal decennial census; and

(9) An additional zone shall be located within a qualifying municipality with a population greater than 48,000 and less than 49,000 according to the latest federal decennial census in a county of the second class with a population of greater than 750,000 according to the latest federal decennial census.

L.1995,c.382,s.3; amended 2003, c.285, s.3; 2004, c.75, s.3.