Environment in New Jersey

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

A 3026: Requires adoption of school tick remediation policy in public and private schools.

This bill requires New Jersey public and private schools in counties with high Lyme disease incidence to adopt a tick remediation policy. Within 12 months, the Environmental Protection Commissioner must develop county-specific, pesticide-free strategies to reduce ticks based on local factors like vegetation and deer populations. Schools must implement these measures within 18 months, prioritize non-chemical solutions first, and only use low-impact pesticides if needed. Schools must also designate a coordinator to educate staff and parents about tick prevention, habitats, and safe removal techniques.

Topics ✓ Environment

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

AR 53: Expresses to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission opposition to proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement Project; urges consideration of certain alternative projects.

AR 53 is a New Jersey Assembly Resolution expressing opposition to the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) Project, a proposed natural gas pipeline expansion. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents in Franklin Township (where the project would build a compressor station near an active quarry), local emergency responders, and the environment. Key provisions cite concerns including potential pipeline safety risks from aging infrastructure, lack of emergency preparedness plans, carcinogen emissions during operations, and environmental harm to Raritan Bay. The resolution urges the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to consider alternative energy projects that meet New York's needs without these risks. This is a non-binding resolution, not a law, intended to influence FERC's review of the project.

Topics ✗ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure

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

A 2035: Requires MVC to conduct unscheduled surprise inspections of certain school buses.

This bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to conduct two annual school bus safety inspections per bus, including at least one unscheduled "surprise" inspection at the operator's terminal. It directly affects school bus operators (owners/responsible for daily operations) and the MVC, mandating they maintain detailed records of bus maintenance, driver qualifications, and emissions compliance. Key provisions include mandatory emission checks for diesel buses during all inspections and fines of $50-$500 per violation for non-compliance (e.g., failing to provide records or withhold buses without 24-hour notice). The law amends existing safety regulations to strengthen oversight without altering bus definitions or operational standards.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 454: Requires certain State-funded construction projects to utilize plastic construction materials that contain certain amounts of postconsumer recycled content.

This bill requires State-funded construction projects (carried out by state, county, or municipal entities) to use plastic construction materials containing at least 10% postconsumer recycled content for the first two years after enactment, increasing to 15% thereafter. Plastic construction materials are defined as those made of over 50% plastic by cost. Exemptions apply if compliant materials would raise project costs by 25% or are unavailable for the intended use. The bill aims to increase recycled content in construction without imposing undue financial burdens. (Note: This bill was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.308.)

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

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

A 122: Makes $500,000 supplemental appropriation from General Fund to DEP for dredging and restoration of Passaic River.

This bill provides $500,000 in additional state funding from the General Fund to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for the Township of Fairfield in Essex County to dredge and restore a section of the Passaic River. The funds will cover specific river cleanup activities like dredging, restoration, cleaning, and removing debris, as outlined in a plan the township must submit to the DEP. The DEP must waive permit fees for any work consistent with the approved plan and the Statewide general permit for river restoration. This directly affects Fairfield Township’s river management efforts and requires specific project planning before funds are allocated.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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

A 2794: Provides for payment to small municipalities, in certain cases, of certain penalty moneys assessed for violations of fish and game laws.

This bill changes how penalty money from fish and game law violations is distributed. It requires that for violations handled in the municipal court of a "small municipality" (defined as a town with under 2,000 residents), 50% of recovered penalties go to the municipality itself, while the other 50% goes to the Division of Fish and Wildlife. This applies to both state fish and game law violations and federal violations when adjudicated in the small municipality's court (unless federal law prohibits it). The change addresses the financial burden on small towns that handle these local court cases but currently receive no penalty funds.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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

A 2264: Establishes four-year pilot program, and creates Triploid Grass Carp Commission, to study use of triploid grass carp in freshwater lakes for weed control; appropriates $150,000.

This bill creates a four-year pilot program to test using triploid grass carp (a sterile type of grass carp) for controlling weeds in freshwater lakes, as an alternative to herbicides. It appropriates $150,000 to provide matching grants (up to $50,000 each) to three lake management organizations managing lakes between 10 and 25 acres, covering costs for purchasing the carp and building containment barriers. The bill also establishes a Triploid Grass Carp Commission within the Department of Environmental Protection to evaluate the program's effectiveness, safety, and lessons from other states, and to submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature. The commission must report within 120 days after the pilot ends, and the bill expires 30 days after that report is submitted.

Topics ✓ Environment

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

AR 58: Opposes all proposals to change designation of Delaware Water Gap from National Recreation Area to National Park and Preserve, including proposal from Delaware River National Park and Lenape Preserve Alliance.

This resolution opposes proposals to reclassify the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area as a National Park and Preserve (specifically the "Delaware River National Park and Lenape Preserve" plan) and expand its boundaries. It cites concerns about potential restrictions on recreational activities like hunting, negative economic impacts on local tourism businesses and farmers, and possible federal land acquisition using eminent domain. The resolution formally expresses New Jersey's opposition to these changes and directs copies to state and federal officials, including the National Park Service and congressional representatives.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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

A 1270: Prohibits DEP from requiring certain municipalities to adopt ordinance that controls tree removal and replacement.

This bill prohibits New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from requiring certain municipalities to adopt rules controlling tree removal and replacement. It specifically applies to Tier A municipalities under the state's stormwater program - those meeting criteria like being in urban areas with high population density, specific stormwater systems, or designated discharge points. The law stops the DEP from enforcing this requirement, which was recently added to the stormwater permit program in 2023. The change affects only Tier A municipalities, not all local governments.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Water Quality

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 1873: Requires DEP to prioritize funding for certain projects for acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes and certain environmental infrastructure projects that include, or allow for, flood mitigation projects.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to prioritize funding for two types of projects: (1) land acquisition for recreation and conservation, and (2) environmental infrastructure projects that include or enable flood mitigation. It directly affects local governments, nonprofits, and communities seeking DEP grants under the Green Acres program, which uses constitutionally dedicated funds. Key provisions mandate that DEP establish criteria prioritizing projects that protect floodplains, reduce flood risk, conserve natural resources, and support recreational access. The bill amends existing laws to ensure these factors are explicitly considered when ranking eligible projects for funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Parks & Recreation

All environment bills