S 3944 New Jersey Senate · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Authorizes renewable energy systems on preserved farmland to provide power or heat to adjacent properties, under certain conditions.

This bill allows owners of preserved farmland in New Jersey to install renewable energy systems like solar, wind, or biomass facilities on their property to generate power or heat. The systems can supply energy to the farm itself or to an adjacent property if that property is the primary residence of the farm's owner or operator. Key provisions require that the energy facilities do not significantly interfere with farming activities, are owned by the landowner, and are limited in size to either 10% above the farm's previous year's energy demand or one percent of the total farm area. Landowners must obtain approval from a designated committee before construction, and the committee must consider input from development easement holders within a 30-day window. The bill also mandates that no fees be charged for the review process and requires the creation of regulations to set standards for impervious cover and other environmental considerations.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
General Assembly Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 12, 2026 Last action May 28, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
1
Committee
1
May 28, 2026
Committee
Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee
lower
May 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by the Senate (36-0)
upper
Mar 12, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors