Environment in New Jersey

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

A 910: Prohibits application, implementation, or enforcement of policies and rules established by international organizations in this State.

This bill prohibits New Jersey state entities - including departments, courts, and local governments - from applying, implementing, or enforcing any policies, rules, or regulations established by international organizations. It specifically defines "international organization" to include bodies like the United Nations, World Health Organization, and World Economic Forum. The law takes immediate effect and applies to all state agencies, boards, and courts without exception. This would prevent New Jersey from adopting or complying with rules from these international bodies at the state level.

Topics ✗ Environment

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

A 887: Prohibits EDA from issuing subsidies for wind energy projects.

This bill prohibits the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) from providing any financial assistance - including grants, loans, tax credits, or other subsidies - to wind energy projects. It directly affects wind energy developers who would have sought EDA funding for project development or operations. The key mechanism removes wind energy projects from eligibility under the EDA’s existing funding allocation for renewable energy, specifically deleting references to "qualified offshore wind projects" from the 60% funding allocation meant for energy efficiency and renewable projects. This change shifts EDA funding priorities away from wind energy toward other renewable and energy efficiency initiatives. The bill also repeals prior provisions that allowed wind project subsidies.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Appropriations Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Wind

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3280: Repeals law prohibiting sale or distribution of single-use plastic carryout bags, single-use paper carryout bags, polystyrene foam food service products, and single-use plastic straws.

S 3280 repeals New Jersey's current law that prohibits the sale or distribution of single-use plastic carryout bags, single-use paper carryout bags, polystyrene foam food service products, and single-use plastic straws. If enacted, it would allow retailers, restaurants, and other businesses to sell these items again, directly affecting both businesses that previously had to comply with the ban and consumers who use these products. The repeal removes existing restrictions without creating new requirements or funding mechanisms. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3256: Eliminates prohibition on provision of single-use paper and plastic carryout bags by grocery stores for delivery, pick-up or curbside pickup orders.

This bill (S 3256) removes a ban on grocery stores providing single-use paper or plastic carryout bags specifically for delivery, pick-up, or curbside pickup orders. It directly affects grocery stores (defined as self-service retail establishments over 2,500 sq. ft. selling food for off-site consumption) when handling these order types. The key mechanism is amending the existing law to add a new exemption in the definition of "carryout bag," explicitly allowing these bags for delivery/pickup orders while maintaining bans for other in-store purchases. The change follows findings that single-use paper bags use similar resources to plastic, and aims to align with New Jersey's broader plastic reduction goals.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

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

A 1292: Exempts local government entities from annual remediation fees under certain circumstances.

This bill exempts local government entities from annual environmental remediation fees when they acquire contaminated property through specific involuntary means (like bankruptcy, tax foreclosure, eminent domain, or redevelopment efforts). It directly affects municipalities and counties that inherit such properties, removing a financial obligation under two key environmental laws: the Site Remediation Reform Act and the Brownfield and Contaminated Site Remediation Act. The exemption applies only to fees for contamination that existed *before* the government entity gained ownership. This change aligns with existing liability exemptions but eliminates the annual fee burden for these properties.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3281: Repeals law that prohibits certain establishments from providing or selling various single-use products to customers.

S 3281 repeals a law (P.L.2020, c.117) that prohibited certain businesses from selling or providing single-use products like plastic bags or straws. This bill directly affects retailers, restaurants, and other establishments previously restricted from offering these items. The repeal removes the legal ban, allowing those businesses to resume selling single-use products without penalty. No new funding or programs are created; the bill solely eliminates the existing prohibition. The bill's text confirms it repeals sections 1-9 of P.L.2020, c.117, which contained the single-use product restrictions.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

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

A 4033: Expands definition of "qualifying land" to include certain deeds of easement excluding certain portions of farm from preservation.

This bill amends New Jersey's rural microenterprise permit law by expanding the definition of "qualifying land" to include properties covered by certain types of easement deeds. It specifically excludes portions of farms from preservation requirements when these easements are in place. The change allows farmers with such easements to apply for special permits for small-scale rural businesses (like bed-and-breakfasts or equipment repair) on their land, subject to limits like a one-acre area cap and no interference with farming. This directly affects farmers holding specific easements who seek to operate permitted microenterprises without triggering full farmland preservation rules on excluded portions.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Tags Agriculture

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

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SCR 82: Determines that DEP rules and regulations to implement "Advanced Clean Trucks" program are inconsistent with legislative intent.

SCR 82 is a legislative resolution declaring that New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) rules implementing the "Advanced Clean Trucks" program are inconsistent with prior legislative intent. The DEP adopted these rules in December 2021, requiring truck manufacturers to sell specific percentages of zero-emission trucks (e.g., 55% for Class 2b-3 vehicles) by 2035, but the resolution states this program was never authorized by the legislature. The resolution cites that previous law (P.L.2003, c.266) only permitted DEP to implement the *second phase* of California's low-emission vehicle program, not the "Advanced Clean Trucks" program, and that the DEP failed to provide required notice to environmental committees about the change. The resolution gives the DEP 30 days to amend or withdraw the rules, or the legislature could later invalidate them via another resolution.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment ✗ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles

All environment bills