This bill bans the intentional addition of carcinogens, reproductive toxicants, flame resistant chemicals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to synthetic hair products sold in New Jersey. It directly affects manufacturers and sellers of these products, which include synthetic hair made from materials like polyester or nylon. The law prohibits these substances based on federal agency designations (e.g., WHO Group 1 carcinogens or EPA Group A carcinogens) and makes violations punishable by fines up to $20,000 per offense. The ban takes effect 13 months after enactment.
S 2338, the "Climate Superfund Act," imposes strict liability on fossil fuel companies responsible for over one billion metric tons of covered greenhouse gas emissions during 1995-2026 (the "covered period"). It requires these companies to pay compensatory damages into a state fund managed by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The collected funds will finance climate change adaptation projects - such as flood protection, infrastructure upgrades, and heat-resilient housing - as defined in the bill. This legislation directly affects major fossil fuel extraction and refining entities operating in New Jersey during the covered period, establishing a new cost recovery program without requiring proof of negligence.
This bill appropriates approximately $64.8 million from various constitutionally dedicated funds to the State Agriculture Development Committee in New Jersey to support farmland preservation. The money will be used to purchase development easements or full ownership of farmland, provide grants to counties and municipalities for up to 80 percent of acquisition costs, and offer grants to non-profit organizations for up to 50 percent of such costs. Additionally, the legislation allocates $2.7 million specifically for stewardship activities like soil and water conservation and deer fencing on preserved lands. Any farmland bought with these funds must be resold or leased with agricultural restrictions to ensure it remains used for farming purposes.
This bill appropriates $3,479,032 from dedicated corporation business tax revenues to the State Agriculture Development Committee to fund farmland preservation projects. The funds are designated for grants to specific nonprofit organizations, primarily the Land Conservancy of New Jersey, to help purchase development easements or farm titles in Warren County. A key provision of the bill is that it increases the maximum grant coverage from 50 percent to 80 percent of the acquisition costs for these preservation efforts. The legislation specifically targets four farms in Blairstown and Harmony townships, with total grant amounts not to exceed the appropriated sum.
This bill appropriates $10 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues to the State Agriculture Development Committee for farmland preservation efforts. The funds are designated to provide municipal planning incentive grants to a specific list of 46 townships and boroughs across New Jersey counties. Each eligible municipality may receive a maximum grant of $2 million to support local planning initiatives aimed at preserving farmland. The legislation takes effect immediately and operates under existing state laws governing the "Preserve New Jersey" program.
This bill creates a new program within the New Jersey Department of Transportation to identify and address abandoned mines that threaten roads, bridges, and public utilities. It requires the department to develop a comprehensive plan that maps at-risk mines, prioritizes them by danger level, and outlines specific steps to stabilize or reclaim them. The legislation grants state employees the right to enter private property to conduct necessary safety investigations, provided they give proper notice and do not force owners to pay for the work. Once the plan is complete, the department can either perform the reclamation projects directly or hire private contractors to carry them out.
S 1370 requires that all new flooring installed in schools (K-12 public or private) and licensed child care centers must be certified by the manufacturer as mercury-free before a construction permit can be issued. This applies to any new construction, repair, or upgrade of flooring in these facilities. Manufacturers falsely claiming mercury-free flooring face civil penalties of $10,000 for a first offense and $25,000 for repeat violations. The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment.
S 685 creates a 15-member "Fleet Conversion Task Force" within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to study the transition of commercial vehicle fleets (like delivery trucks and company vehicles) to zero-emission models. The task force will examine challenges such as costs for small businesses, coordinate with stakeholders including fleet operators, manufacturers, and environmental groups, and develop policy recommendations to support this shift. It directly affects commercial fleet owners, operators, and related industries by seeking solutions to reduce transportation emissions, which account for 38% of New Jersey's total greenhouse gases. The task force must hold public hearings, gather input from diverse sectors, and submit findings to the state within a set timeframe.
