Environment in New Jersey

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

A 3559: Authorizes expenditures from open space trust funds to develop or maintain recreation and conservation land although the land was not acquired by the municipality.

This bill (A 3559) allows New Jersey municipalities with voter-approved "open space taxes" to use those funds for developing or maintaining recreation and conservation land within their borders - even if the land isn’t owned by the municipality (e.g., public school fields or land owned by other public entities). Currently, such funds could only be spent on land the municipality itself acquired. The bill permits municipalities to adopt an ordinance authorizing this expanded use, ensuring improvements benefit local residents. It directly affects municipalities collecting these specific taxes and the recreation/conservation land within their jurisdiction.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

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

A 574: Directs DEP to use funds from perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances contamination settlement with 3M Company for purchase of equipment to remediate perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances contamination.

This bill directs New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to use funds from a settlement with 3M Company to address PFAS contamination. It creates a dedicated "PFAS Settlement Remediation Fund" to pay for water filtration systems, equipment, and remediation efforts. The fund specifically covers DEP-purchased equipment and reimburses local governments (counties, municipalities) for their eligible PFAS cleanup costs. All spending must follow clear reimbursement processes, with annual reports tracking how funds are used for drinking water filtration or broader PFAS remediation.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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

A 3565: Provides corporation business tax credits and gross income tax credits for purchase of certain compressed natural gas vehicles.

This bill provides tax credits to New Jersey businesses and individuals for purchasing compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles. Businesses can claim credits up to $3,500 (2023), $2,500 (2024), or $1,500 (2025) for standard CNG vehicles, and up to $25,000 (2023), $15,000 (2024), or $7,500 (2025) for Class 8 CNG trucks. Individuals may claim credits up to $3,500 (2023), $2,500 (2024), or $1,500 (2025) for personal CNG vehicles under the gross income tax system. To qualify, purchasers must obtain certification from the Environmental Protection Commissioner confirming the vehicle’s CNG use, and unused credits can be carried forward for up to seven years.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Procurement Oil & Gas Electric Vehicles

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2328: Appropriates $55 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues for recreation and conservation purposes and various Green Acres funds to DEP for State capital and park development projects.

This bill appropriates $55 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues and Green Acres funds to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for state park and conservation projects. The funds will support specific improvements including boating access facilities, camping development, habitat enhancements, infrastructure repairs (like bridges and buildings), and historic site stabilization across state-managed lands. The money comes from existing dedicated revenue streams established by law and constitutional voter approval, not new taxes. The bill was enacted as P.L.2025, c.188 and is now law, directing the DEP to implement these projects under the "Preserve New Jersey Act" framework.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Conservation Parks & Recreation

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

A 3760: Requires DEP to establish maximum contaminant level for hexavalent chromium in drinking water.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to set a maximum contaminant level of 10 parts per billion for hexavalent chromium (chromium-VI) in drinking water. It directly affects public water systems, with deadlines varying by system size: large systems (10,000+ connections) must comply within 2 years, mid-sized systems (1,000-9,999 connections) within 3 years, and small systems (<1,000 connections) within 4 years after the bill takes effect. The bill does not change existing limits for total chromium but explicitly prohibits hexavalent chromium from exceeding 10 ppb. The DEP may adopt stricter standards later if recommended by the Drinking Water Quality Institute.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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

A 3223: Establishes procedure for notification to, and review by, municipalities of certain grant and loan applications for acquisition or development of lands for recreation and conservation purposes.

This bill requires the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and county governing bodies to notify municipalities in writing when they receive grant or loan applications for acquiring or developing land for recreation or conservation purposes within the municipality. Municipalities then have 30 days to review the application and submit written feedback on whether the land is appropriate for such use. The state or county must consider this municipal input when making final funding decisions, though they may proceed without it if no feedback is received within the 30-day window. The bill directly affects municipalities by giving them a formal role in local land-use decisions involving public funding.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

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

A 315: Requires DEP to publish certain information regarding natural resources damages when entering into certain settlements under "Spill Compensation and Control Act."

Bill A 315 requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to publicly share settlement details 60 days before finalizing agreements under the Spill Compensation and Control Act, specifically when natural resource damages (like harm to ecosystems) are involved. The DEP must post the case name, settlement parties, property location, payment amounts, and a website link to environmental damage reports and restoration plans on its website and in the New Jersey Register. This affects the DEP (which must publish), settlement parties (who receive written notice), and the public (who gains access to environmental impact data). Existing law already required some disclosures, but this bill adds the mandatory website link for natural resource damage documentation. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Environment

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2016: Requires water supplier to notify affected municipalities, school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, and institutions of higher education of violations of drinking water quality standards.

This bill requires public water suppliers in New Jersey to immediately notify local governments and schools whenever a serious drinking water violation occurs under federal EPA rules. Specifically, suppliers must contact municipal officials and school administrators (including charter schools, nonpublic schools, and colleges) via phone and email within the affected area. The notification must detail the contaminant, test results, locations of violations, and suggested remedies for affected customers. It applies to all public water systems and ensures transparency about water safety issues impacting communities and educational institutions.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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

A 3735: "Polluters Pay to Make New Jersey More Affordable Act"; imposes cost recovery payments on certain fossil fuel companies for funds needed for climate change adaptation; establishes program in DEP to collect and oversee distribution of funds.**

The Climate Superfund Act (A 3735) holds fossil fuel companies liable for climate change damages by requiring them to pay compensatory payments into a state fund. Companies that extracted or refined fossil fuels during 1995-2026 and emitted over one billion metric tons of greenhouse gases must pay based on their proportional liability, with joint liability for companies in a "controlled group." Funds collected will be distributed to implement climate adaptation projects, such as flood protection, infrastructure upgrades, and health programs in overburdened communities. The Department of Environmental Protection will administer the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program to manage payments and fund these projects.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Climate Change Coastal & Flood Protection Hazardous Materials

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

A 3922: Directs DEP to establish rebate program for purchase of microfiber washing machine filter or replacement filter; appropriates $2.5 million.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create a rebate program within one year for residents purchasing microfiber washing machine filters. The program offers up to $100 per filter (capped at the filter's cost) to encourage adoption of devices that capture plastic microfibers from laundry wastewater before they enter waterways. It appropriates $2.5 million from the General Fund to fund these rebates, with the DEP required to report annually on program effectiveness, rebate numbers, and funding use. The policy directly affects New Jersey residents who buy eligible filters, aiming to reduce microfiber pollution - a source of plastic contamination in waterways.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Procurement State Budget Recycling

All environment bills