New Jersey Statutes Title 27. Highways 27 § 7-44.8

(a) All sales shall be at public auction;

(b) All rentals shall be made in the following order of preference: to the original owner or user of a relocated structure or structures; to an original user of a relocated structure or structures; to an owner user of a structure or structures on the property acquired for highway purposes, which was impractical to remove; to a tenant of any structure or structures on the property acquired for highway purposes; to any war veteran, including any member of the American Merchant Marine during World War II who is declared by the United States Department of Defense to be eligible for federal veterans' benefits, residing in the municipality in which the structure or structures was relocated and who, under the Constitution, qualifies for tax exemption, or the widow of such veteran. As between persons within the same preference category, preference shall be determined upon a competitive basis, if practicable; otherwise as the commissioner shall determine. In the event that no person or persons having preference as hereinabove provided, shall desire to rent property acquired pursuant to this act, the State Highway Commissioner may rent the same in whatever manner will, in his judgment, best serve the interest of the State.