Environment in New Jersey

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

A 1513: Prohibits sale of milkweed plants treated with certain pesticides.

This bill (A 1513) prohibits the sale, offer for sale, or transportation for sale of milkweed plants treated with pesticides identified as harmful to monarch butterflies by New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The DEP, working with the Department of Agriculture, will create a list of restricted pesticides under this law. Violations carry a civil penalty of up to $100 per day, with each day of continuing violation considered a separate offense. The law directly affects sellers of milkweed plants within New Jersey and aims to protect monarch butterfly habitats by preventing pesticide-treated plants from being sold.

Topics ✓ Environment

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

A 3113: Requires DEP to perform certain assessments concerning regulation of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to conduct a five-year assessment of unregulated perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. It specifically mandates the DEP to evaluate whether current drinking water standards adequately protect children (considering their smaller body size and higher water intake relative to weight) and determine if new standards are needed for unregulated PFAS. The DEP must submit written reports of these assessments to the Governor and Legislature, and publish them online. The bill is pending before the Assembly Environment Committee and has not yet become law.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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

A 1218: Provides for no net loss of DEP lands for fishing, hunting, and trapping purposes.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to maintain current levels of state park and forest land available for public fishing, hunting, and trapping. The DEP must replace any closed land with equivalent acreage and cannot reduce total available land for these activities, except for public safety, wildlife protection, or land exchanges. It also mandates annual reports to the legislature detailing acreage availability, closures, and replacement efforts. The law applies to all state parks, forests, wildlife management areas, and public hunting grounds managed by the DEP.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Wildlife

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

A 3861: Allows State-owned, municipally-managed Blue Acres lands to be used for freshwater wetlands mitigation projects.

This bill (A 3861) adds State-owned, municipally-managed "Blue Acres" land as a permitted option for developers to compensate for freshwater wetland loss caused by construction projects. It allows wetland creation, enhancement, or restoration on Blue Acres land (property acquired by the State for recreation/conservation, often flood-prone or buffer land managed by municipalities) if both the State and the municipality grant permission. Currently, developers can use private land or contribute to a Wetlands Mitigation Bank when on-site wetland restoration isn't feasible; this bill creates a fourth option using Blue Acres land. The change directly affects developers seeking wetland mitigation, municipalities managing Blue Acres properties, and the Department of Environmental Protection overseeing permit approvals.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3607: Requires State to use certain energy-efficient outdoor lighting fixtures.

This bill requires New Jersey state agencies to use energy-efficient outdoor lighting fixtures when installing, replacing, or maintaining such equipment with state funds. Specifically, it mandates that any fixture exceeding 1,800 lumens must be a "cutoff luminaire" (directing light downward to minimize glare and light pollution), while prioritizing energy conservation and natural night environment preservation. The rule applies only to state-owned properties and facilities, excluding counties, municipalities, and temporary or emergency lighting needs. It does not alter existing lighting on motor vehicles, aircraft, or historic properties.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Conservation

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

A 3001: Requires DEP to develop, and solid waste management districts to use, standardized labels for recycling bins.

This bill requires the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create standardized labels for recycling bins, clearly showing which materials (like paper, plastic, or glass) each bin accepts. Solid waste management districts must then use these labels across all public recycling bins in their areas. The goal is to reduce confusion among residents about proper recycling practices and improve recycling efficiency. The DEP must develop this labeling system within one year of the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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

A 2481: Establishes recycling program for unused road sign posts.

New Jersey's Bill A 2481 requires the Department of Transportation to create a program recycling road sign posts unused for over a year. It mandates identifying these posts, setting up municipal collection points, tracking recycled materials, and using recycled content for new signs. The program must seek funding and submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature detailing recycled quantities, program improvements, and environmental benefits. This directly affects the Department of Transportation and local municipalities managing road infrastructure. The bill focuses on diverting waste from landfills through a structured recycling system.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Recycling Roads & Highways

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

A 3086: Prohibits certain uses of paraquat dichloride.

This bill (A 3086) prohibits all consumer and commercial uses of paraquat dichloride, a toxic herbicide and desiccant, within two years of its effective date. It directs New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to create rules banning these uses and requiring facilities that currently use paraquat to implement worker safety measures. The law specifically exempts uses already regulated under federal law (Toxic Substances Control Act). The bill affects farmers, gardeners, and businesses using paraquat, directly addressing health risks noted by the EPA, including fatal ingestion and serious skin/eye injuries from exposure.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Labor & Employment

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

A 1134: Imposes restrictions on vehicle idling.

This bill restricts vehicle idling in New Jersey, limiting diesel-powered motor vehicles to no more than two consecutive minutes of idling when not in motion (with specific exceptions like passenger loading or extreme cold). It also applies a similar two-minute limit to gasoline-powered vehicles, excluding electric vehicles. Key exceptions include emergency vehicles, traffic congestion, necessary mechanical operations (e.g., cargo temperature control), and passenger loading for buses (up to 15 minutes per hour). Violations may result in penalties under existing law, but the bill does not override local or federal regulations.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Freight

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

A 1878: Permits business entities and nonprofit organizations to adopt certain responsibilities related to stormwater management basins; provides corporation business tax credit for adoption of stormwater management basins in certain watersheds.

This bill allows businesses and nonprofits to adopt and maintain stormwater basins in specific New Jersey watersheds (including Lake Hopatcong, Budd Lake, and others), with the state offering a corporation business tax credit for participation. It requires government agencies to verify adopters' capability to manage basins per environmental regulations, establishes formal adoption agreements, and provides liability protections through waivers and insurance requirements. The program applies only to basins owned by state or local agencies in designated watersheds, with no cost to the agencies themselves. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Environment Committee (introduced January 13, 2026).

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Water Quality

All environment bills