Issue · Environment

Environment

Every environment bill, vote, and legislator stance in New Jersey, automatically classified by Maddy, our AI policy reader.

NJ Legislature US Congress

Total bills

674

2026-2027 Regular Session

Top supporter

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Top opponent

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Ranked legislators

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Showing 181–190 of 674 bills

All environment bills

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 12, 2026

A 4046: Extends initial and renewal terms of certain property agreements between local governments and nonprofit organizations for recreation and conservation purposes.

This bill extends the maximum initial and renewal terms for property leases between local governments (municipalities, counties) and nonprofit organizations (like land conservancies) from five to seven years. It applies specifically to agreements for recreation and conservation purposes, such as managing public parks or natural areas. The bill also codifies existing rules allowing longer terms - up to 25 years with "good cause" documentation or over 25 years with approvals from the Environmental Protection Commissioner and State House Commission. These changes aim to provide more stability for long-term conservation projects while maintaining current approval pathways.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SCR 106: Determines that DEP's "Protecting Against Climate Threats" rules, adopted January 20, 2026, are inconsistent with legislative intent.

This concurrent resolution (SCR 106) declares that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) "Protecting Against Climate Threats" rules - adopted January 20, 2026, and known as NJPACT-REAL - are inconsistent with legislative intent. The resolution argues the DEP overstepped its authority by adopting these rules without explicit legislative approval, as the DEP claimed authority under outdated laws that never intended to cover climate regulations. The rules significantly expand flood hazard areas, restrict development rights for property owners, and impact housing costs and property values. This resolution does not change the rules but formally states the Legislature’s position that the DEP must await future legislative action on climate policy.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 173: Provides gross income tax deduction for amounts paid to taxpayers for sale of certain real property interests for conservation purposes.

This bill allows New Jersey taxpayers a state income tax deduction equal to the capital gain realized from selling certain real property interests to qualified conservation organizations. It directly affects landowners who sell property (either at full market value or for less than full value in a "bargain sale") to groups preserving land through programs like Green Acres, farmland preservation, or wildlife conservation. The deduction covers the profit from the sale portion, with specific rules for allocating costs in bargain sales where part is treated as a charitable donation. The policy aligns with federal tax treatment for conservation donations and applies to sales benefiting conservation programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Income Tax Conservation Wildlife

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2920: Requires BPU to adjust societal benefits charge if excess funds are collected and provides that excess funds may only be spent on measures to reduce electric and natural gas usage.

This bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to adjust the societal benefits charge if excess funds are collected from utility customers. It mandates that any excess funds can only be spent on programs designed to reduce electricity and natural gas usage. The law directly affects electric and gas public utilities and their customers, as the societal benefits charge is collected through customer bills. Key provisions ensure excess funds cannot be diverted to other purposes and must support energy reduction initiatives, aligning with existing demand-side management and renewable energy programs.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Renewable Energy

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3031: Directs DEP to establish pollinator habitat program for closed landfills.

This bill (A 3031) requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create a program encouraging owners or operators of closed landfills to transform these sites into habitats supporting pollinators like bees, butterflies, and bats using native plants. The DEP must develop guidelines for establishing and maintaining these habitats within six months of the bill taking effect, and actively seek corporate or nonprofit partnerships to fund and support the program. It directly affects owners of legacy or closed sanitary landfills statewide, with the goal of repurposing underutilized landfill sites for ecological benefit. The bill focuses on concrete policy changes for habitat creation, not on outcomes or political arguments.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Waste Management

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3134: Allocates $10 million of constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues for grants for certain lake management activities for recreation and conservation purposes.

This bill allocates $10 million in constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues to fund grants for land acquisition and development projects focused on recreation and conservation. The funds would be distributed as follows: 55% to the state for land acquisition and development (including 22% for stewardship), 38% to local governments for similar projects, and 7% to qualifying nonprofit organizations. These grants support activities like protecting natural areas, enhancing public parks, and managing lands for public enjoyment. The bill modifies existing rules for the "Preserve New Jersey Green Acres Fund" but does not change the fund’s core purpose or create new tax requirements.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2463: Makes $100 million in federal funds available to DEP for grants to local governments for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure projects.

New Jersey's Bill A 2463 allocates $100 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for grants to local governments. The DEP must create a transparent grant program to fund drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure projects, with at least 10% reserved for projects targeting harmful algal blooms in Lake Hopatcong and Greenwood Lake. Grants must be distributed statewide, and the DEP must report all funded projects to the Governor and Legislature within three years, after which the program expires. This directly affects counties, municipalities, and regional entities needing water system upgrades.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1258: Modifies method of calculating impervious surface percentage for municipal parks in Highland preservation area.

This bill changes how municipalities calculate impervious surfaces for parks in the Highlands preservation area. It specifies that all municipal parks within a single town should be treated as one property (not individually) when measuring impervious surface percentage against the 3% limit. The calculation excludes Highlands open waters and solar panels from the impervious surface count. This directly affects municipal park development projects in the Highlands region, making compliance with the 3% limit easier by allowing combined park area calculations.

Topics ✓ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Solar Conservation Parks & Recreation

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2273: Establishes municipal water infrastructure planning and design project grant program in DEP; appropriates $100 million.

This bill establishes a $100 million grant program within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to fund municipal planning and design for water infrastructure projects. Municipalities can apply for grants covering up to $2 million per project to plan drinking water, stormwater, or wastewater system upgrades - without requiring matching funds - prioritizing projects in overburdened communities. The grants specifically cover the upfront planning phase (not construction), helping municipalities later access federal and state financing for actual infrastructure work. The DEP must report annually on the program's effectiveness and develop application guidelines for eligibility.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 24, 2026

A 4461: Requires municipal planning boards and zoning boards of adjustment to incorporate recommendations from certain local environmental commissions on applications for development.

This bill (A4461) requires New Jersey local planning boards and zoning boards to review and incorporate recommendations from municipal environmental commissions into decisions on development applications. It mandates that boards provide full copies (not just summaries) of all development applications to environmental commissions and must consider their input "to the extent possible" when making decisions. Currently, boards may choose whether to consider such recommendations, but this bill makes it mandatory. The law also changes current procedure by stating that failing to provide application copies to environmental commissions will now invalidate hearings or proceedings. This directly affects municipal planning/zoning boards, environmental commissions, and developers seeking approval for projects.

Topics ✓ Environment