S 699 New Jersey Senate · 2024-2025 Regular Session

Establishes program in SADC for acquisition of development easements on privately-owned woodlands.*

This bill creates a state program to permanently restrict development on qualifying privately-owned woodlands through easement acquisitions. Landowners with woodlands meeting specific criteria (minimum 20 acres, used for agriculture/forest products, or managed under approved stewardship plans) can participate. The State Agriculture Development Committee will administer the program using existing farmland preservation funds and seek federal programs like the Forest Legacy Program, with easements recorded similarly to property deeds. The goal is to preserve forested lands for agricultural, silvicultural, and conservation purposes.
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2024
Committee Review
Dec 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
General Assembly Passage
Jan 2026
Governor
Introduced Jan 9, 2024 Last action Jan 12, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Mar 24, 2025

How they voted

390
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 40
Mar 24, 2025
D Democratic25
24 Yea 1
96% Yea
R Republican15
15 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
10
Key actions
4
Committee
5
Jan 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed Assembly (Passed Both Houses) (68-1-1)
lower
Dec 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading
lower
Jun 16, 2025
Committee
Reported and Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Committee
Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste Committee
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (39-0)
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported out of Senate Committee, 2nd Reading
upper
Dec 12, 2024
Committee
Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
upper
Jan 9, 2024
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee
upper
5 primary · 29 co-sponsors

Sponsors