This bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities and the Department of Environmental Protection to conduct a study on the potential for wave and tidal energy within the state. The study will evaluate impacts on energy prices, ecosystems, and the grid, while also exploring the feasibility of creating renewable energy credits or other incentives to encourage development. Following the study, the bill requires the state to update its Energy Master Plan to include specific goals for ocean energy and take steps to position New Jersey as a national leader in this sector.
This bill creates a new program within the New Jersey Department of Transportation to identify and address abandoned mines that threaten roads, bridges, and public utilities. It requires the department to develop a comprehensive plan that maps at-risk mines, prioritizes them by danger level, and outlines specific steps to stabilize or reclaim them. The legislation grants state employees the right to enter private property to conduct necessary safety investigations, provided they give proper notice and do not force owners to pay for the work. Once the plan is complete, the department can either perform the reclamation projects directly or hire private contractors to carry them out.
This bill modifies New Jersey's Green Acres program to allow local governments and nonprofit organizations to use specific constitutionally dedicated funds for administrative expenses related to land acquisition. It increases the state's financial contribution for certain municipalities and counties, raising the maximum grant share from 25% to 50% or 75% under special circumstances, and permits state loans to cover up to 100% of project costs with low interest rates. Additionally, the legislation clarifies rules for grants to tax-exempt nonprofits, requiring them to match funds with their own resources rather than using restricted state money, while also setting conditions for public access and land conservation.
This New Jersey bill prohibits the farming of fur-bearing animals, including fox, rabbit, mink, and muskrat, by making it illegal to breed, raise, produce, or market them for fur. The law explicitly excludes pets, domestic companions, and service animals from this ban, ensuring they can still be bred and sold. Additionally, the bill removes fur-bearing animals from the state's list of agricultural products and excludes them from definitions of land used for farming purposes in tax and zoning regulations. Violations of the ban are classified as disorderly persons offenses, while existing laws regarding the release or importation of these animals remain unchanged.
This bill approves the Fiscal Year 2027 financial plan for the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank, a state agency that provides loans and debt guarantees for environmental projects. The resolution authorizes the bank to fund specific initiatives such as clean water, drinking water, stormwater management, and pollution control projects based on eligibility lists created by the Department of Environmental Protection. By passing this concurrent resolution, the Legislature formally validates the bank's budget and financing strategy for the upcoming fiscal year, allowing the agency to proceed with its authorized lending activities.
This New Jersey bill prohibits the use of lead ammunition for hunting, directly affecting hunters and firearm manufacturers in the state. It defines 'nonlead ammunition' as bullets containing no lead, less than one percent lead, or those approved by the federal government, and requires the Fish and Game Council to phase in these restrictions over time. Violations of the new rules could result in fines ranging from $100 for a first offense to $4,000 for subsequent offenses.
This bill classifies greenhouse gases as air pollutants under New Jersey's existing Air Pollution Control Act, allowing the state to regulate their emissions. It formally recognizes scientific evidence that these gases contribute to climate change and pose risks to public health, safety, and the environment. By amending state law, the measure directs the Department of Environmental Protection to create specific emission standards for stationary sources like power plants and industrial facilities. The legislation also mandates rules to support broader state goals, such as establishing low-carbon fuel standards and increasing the sales of zero-emission vehicles.
This bill creates a two-year pilot program in New Jersey to improve flood monitoring and rainfall sensing, primarily affecting flood-prone areas and local municipalities. The Department of Environmental Protection will partner with the Davidson Laboratory at Stevens Institute of Technology to install sensors in 30 selected municipalities across the state's northern, central, and southern regions. The program includes $2 million in funding to support research, data analysis, and best practice identification, with a final report required after two years to determine if the initiative should become permanent.
This bill creates a new loan program through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to help small businesses with fewer than 50 employees fund projects that make them more resilient to climate-related hazards like flooding and extreme heat. Eligible businesses can apply for low-interest loans with flexible repayment terms to improve infrastructure such as water systems, electrical grids, and broadband, or to upgrade facilities against environmental risks. To qualify, a business must be registered in New Jersey, plan to stay in the state, and submit an application detailing how the loan funds will be used. The program prioritizes businesses located in municipalities that have already assessed climate risks in their land-use plans, and recipients must provide annual financial reports until the loan is fully repaid.
This bill authorizes the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to lend $13.093 million to local governments for specific hazard mitigation and resilience projects in fiscal year 2027. The funds are designated for four locations: Jersey City's McGovern Park, Brigantine's Golf Course Drive, Highlands Borough's flood mitigation efforts, and Manasquan Borough's shoreline protection. To receive these loans, project sponsors must meet eligibility requirements set by the State Office of Emergency Management and agree to repay the money within 30 years. The legislation also allows the bank to grow its lending capacity using interest earned from previous loans and fees charged for processing new applications.
