Environment (Conservation) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 28, 2026

S 4332: Concerns endangered plant species in NJ.

This bill updates New Jersey's laws regarding endangered plant species by clarifying definitions and expanding the state's ability to manage invasive plants. It directs the Department of Environmental Protection to create a list of endangered plants based on federal designations, rarity, or having five or fewer populations in the state, while explicitly excluding invasive species from this protection. The legislation also grants the department authority to control or remove invasive plants even if they grow near endangered species, provided such actions do not violate federal laws. These changes aim to balance the conservation of rare native flora with the prevention of environmental damage caused by aggressive non-native plants.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 4382: The "Family and Private Burial Grounds Preservation Act."

This bill establishes the "Family and Private Burial Grounds Preservation Act" to regulate privately owned burial sites in New Jersey that are not operated by government or religious entities. It defines key terms such as family burial grounds, human remains, and burial objects to clarify what the law protects. The Department of Environmental Protection will oversee these sites and has the authority to manage grants, loans, and other funding for their preservation. The legislation aims to ensure the maintenance and integrity of these private cemeteries while allowing for their continued use by descendants and other relatives.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4879: Increases cap on grants for farmland stewardship activities to $100,000 per application.

This bill increases the maximum grant amount available to New Jersey farmers for farmland stewardship activities from $20,000 to $100,000 per application. The legislation directly affects farmers who manage land preserved for agricultural use and wish to undertake projects like installing deer fencing or implementing soil conservation measures. By raising the funding cap, the bill allows for larger-scale improvements to preserved farmland without changing the existing rules on how grants are distributed per acre. This change aims to address rising costs associated with maintaining and restoring farmland while keeping the program's overall structure intact.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 23, 2026

A 4805: Permits small businesses to qualify for loans from EDA for costs of energy audit and making energy efficiency or conservation improvements.

This bill allows small businesses in New Jersey to apply for low-interest loans from the Economic Development Authority to cover the full cost of energy audits and the installation of energy efficiency improvements. To qualify, businesses must be independently owned, operate primarily within the state, and meet other criteria set by the authority. The loans can have terms of up to ten years and carry interest rates capped at the greater of 3% or half the prime rate. The authority will work with the Board of Public Utilities and the Department of Community Affairs to administer this program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Energy Efficiency Conservation

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 23, 2026

A 4795: Changes certain allocations and amounts of constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues for Fiscal Year 2026 and thereafter; authorizes Garden State Preservation Trust and local governments to acquire lands in urban areas for agricultural or horticultural purposes.

This bill adjusts how certain constitutionally dedicated cigarette tax revenues are allocated for Fiscal Year 2026 and future years, directing five percent of those funds to a new Urban Agriculture and Horticulture Fund. It also authorizes the Garden State Preservation Trust and local governments to purchase land in urban areas specifically for agricultural or horticultural use. Additionally, the bill establishes a process where the Garden State Preservation Trust will annually review funding needs for conservation, farmland preservation, and historic preservation programs and can recommend changes to funding allocations to legislative committees. These changes aim to support urban agriculture initiatives while maintaining oversight over how state preservation funds are distributed.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 19, 2026

A 4765: Establishes additional factors for municipal adjustment used in calculating fair share affordable housing obligations; provides population-based cap for housing obligations.

This bill modifies how New Jersey municipalities calculate their affordable housing obligations by adding specific factors that can reduce the amount of land counted as available for development. It directly affects towns and cities that must meet state-mandated fair share housing requirements, allowing them to exclude certain types of land from their calculations. The key provisions include excluding government-owned land dedicated to public purposes, conservation areas, small private parcels, historic sites, agricultural land with development restrictions, environmentally sensitive areas, and lands where infrastructure or school capacity would be significantly strained. Additionally, the bill eliminates the Council on Affordable Housing and requires municipalities to determine their housing obligations using updated formulas that consider these new adjustment factors.

Topics ✓ Environment ✗ Housing

Sub-Topics Conservation Affordable Housing Property Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 10, 2026

S 3848: Allows counties and municipalities to use open space trust funds for remediation of collapsed mine shafts and sinkholes on property owned by county or municipality.

This bill allows New Jersey counties and municipalities to use open space trust funds to repair collapsed mine shafts and sinkholes on land they own. It amends existing state law to expand the purposes for which these funds can be spent, specifically adding mine remediation to the list of authorized uses. The legislation applies to local governments that have already approved trust funds through voter initiatives for open space, recreation, and related conservation purposes. By making this change, the bill provides local governments with a legal mechanism to address environmental hazards caused by abandoned mines using existing public funds.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 18, 2026

S 4061: Allows value of SREC-IIs to be included in cost-benefit calculations under energy savings improvement programs.

This bill allows school districts in New Jersey to count the value of SREC-IIs (Solar Renewable Energy Credits) as part of the financial calculations when deciding whether energy-saving projects are cost-effective. It directly affects school boards and energy service companies that implement energy conservation programs in public schools. The key change permits these renewable energy credits to be included in cost-benefit analyses, potentially making it easier for districts to justify and fund energy efficiency improvements. The bill does not alter existing requirements for public bidding, prevailing wages, or contractor qualifications under current energy savings improvement programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Solar Conservation

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

A 3718: Creates Highlands Conservation Trust to preserve land in Highlands Region, and authorizes Highlands conservation license plate to raise revenue therefor.

This bill (A 3718) creates the Highlands Conservation Trust to permanently preserve environmentally sensitive lands in New Jersey's Highlands Region. The Trust will acquire and manage land to protect natural resources like forests, watersheds, and wildlife habitats, preserve historic sites, and provide passive recreation opportunities. It will fund its work primarily through revenue from special "Highlands Conservation" license plates sold to vehicle owners. The Trust is governed by a seven-member board appointed by the Governor and state officials, with land acquisition focused on areas defined under existing Highlands protection laws.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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

A 1563: Requires DEP to establish artificial reef plan for commercial and recreational fishing.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop a plan for two artificial reefs within state waters (within three nautical miles of the coast) within one year of enactment. The plan must consider fishing history and both commercial/recreational uses of the sites, while the DEP will also establish rules governing the number of fish and lobster pots allowed on these reefs. Currently, 17 artificial reefs exist off New Jersey's coast - only the two within state waters are directly affected by this bill, though the DEP may seek to extend similar management to 15 federal reef sites via the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. The law focuses on creating clear usage rules for existing reefs to balance fishing activities with conservation.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

All environment bills