1. The head or principal executive of any State department, with the written approval of the Governor, is hereby authorized to sell and convey all or any part of the State’s interest in any real property and the improvements thereon held by the department or to grant an easement in or across such property if he shall find that his department does not require such property or interest for any public purpose and that such sale is in the best interests of the State or that a grant of such easement is in the best interests of the State.

The sale or grant shall be upon such terms and conditions as the State House Commission shall determine to be in the best interests of the State and shall be by public auction to the highest bidder unless the commission shall otherwise direct.

In the case of lands subject to the provisions of P.L.1993, c.38 (C. 13:1D-51 et al.), the State House Commission shall conduct a public hearing at least 90 days in advance of determining the terms and conditions of the sale or conveyance. In addition to any other applicable requirements of law, rule, or regulation concerning notice for public hearings, the State House Commission shall provide notice of the public hearing at least 30 days in advance of the date of the hearing in the same manner and according to the same procedures prescribed for the Department of Environmental Protection pursuant to sections 3 and 4 of P.L.1993, c.38 (C. 13:1D-53 and C. 13:1D-54). Any meeting at which the State House Commission is to determine the terms and conditions of the sale or conveyance or to decide to approve or disapprove a conveyance of lands subject to the provisions of P.L.1993, c.38 (C. 13:1D-51 et al.) shall be open to the public, and the commission shall provide public notice of any such meeting at least 30 days prior thereto.

The proceeds from the sale of any property or interest in property sold pursuant to the provisions of this section or from the grant of an easement shall be paid into the General Treasury of the State, except, in the case of lands subject to the provisions of P.L.1993, c.38 (C. 13:1D-51 et al.), the proceeds shall be deposited, appropriated, and utilized as prescribed pursuant to section 7 of P.L.1993, c.38 (C. 13:1D-57).

L.1962,c.220,s.1; amended 1993,c.38,s.13.