Environment in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1530: Requires DEP to assume responsibility for dredging of waterways providing boat access to lagoon communities; appropriates $6,000,000.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to take responsibility for dredging all waterways providing boat access to "lagoon communities" (coastal neighborhoods developed with lagoon-based boat access), including those not officially designated as navigational channels. It mandates the DEP to create a list of affected communities and a two-year dredging schedule within one year of the bill's effective date, followed by a maintenance schedule with annual cost estimates. The bill appropriates $6 million total ($5 million for initial dredging and $1 million for maintenance) to fund these efforts. It directly affects residents and properties in designated lagoon communities like Cedar Creek, Mystic Island Lagoons, and others, aiming to maintain economic and environmental health in coastal areas.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1644: Establishes Small Business Resiliency Project Loan Program in EDA for certain small businesses implementing certain resiliency projects.

New Jersey's S 1644 establishes a loan program through the Economic Development Authority (EDA) to provide low-interest loans to small businesses (under 50 employees) for climate resiliency projects. The program targets businesses implementing projects like flood protection, water system upgrades, broadband expansion, or climate adaptation measures to reduce damage from events like hurricanes or sea-level rise. Loans will be issued from a dedicated revolving fund, replenished by repayments, with priority given to projects benefiting communities with climate vulnerability plans. Businesses must submit applications proving eligibility and outlining how funds will be used, and must provide annual financial reports until loans are repaid.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Broadband Access Tags Small Business

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3141: Directs BPU to establish program concerning renewable natural gas; provides gas public utilities with customer rate recovery mechanism for costs associated with program.

This bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a program for gas utilities to gradually increase renewable natural gas (RNG) in their supply, starting at 5% by 2024 and reaching 30% by 2050. Gas utilities can make qualifying investments in RNG infrastructure and purchase RNG from third parties to meet these targets, with costs recoverable through regulated customer rate increases. The bill establishes a rate recovery mechanism allowing utilities to pass on approved costs to customers, while capping annual incremental costs at 5% of the utility's total revenue to protect ratepayers. It directly affects gas utilities and their customers by structuring a transition toward lower-carbon energy use through a regulated cost-recovery system.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Renewable Energy

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 748: Authorizes conveyance of certain State-owned real property in Stafford Township and Lacey Township in Ocean County to US Fish and Wildlife Service.

This bill authorizes New Jersey to exchange approximately 219 acres of State-owned land in Lacey and Stafford Townships (Ocean County) with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for about 52 acres in Galloway Township (Atlantic County). The State-owned land being transferred will become part of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, while the acquired land currently houses the Department of Environmental Protection’s Marine Resources Administration offices (occupied since 1964). The exchange allows the State to use its funds to construct new offices on the federal land, replacing aging facilities. The bill specifies that minor adjustments may be made to equalize the land values and exempts the transfer from certain state land sale regulations.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Public Lands Wildlife

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2415: Concerns calculation of municipal affordable housing obligations.

This bill amends New Jersey law to clarify how municipalities calculate their affordable housing obligations under the Fair Housing Act. It specifies that certain land types - such as conservation areas, small private parcels, historic sites, agricultural lands with restrictions, recreation areas, and environmentally sensitive lands - cannot be counted as "vacant" for housing purposes. Municipalities using this adjusted calculation for their affordable housing obligation will rely on it for the full 10-year compliance period, without needing to recalculate if new land becomes available. This provides certainty for municipalities in planning housing development and meeting their obligations.

Topics ✓ Environment ✗ Housing

Sub-Topics Conservation Affordable Housing Property Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2266: Limits regulated perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroaklyl substances from menstrual products.

New Jersey's S 2266 bans the use of regulated perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in menstrual products sold within the state. The bill defines menstrual products broadly to include tampons, pads, cups, and underwear (both disposable and reusable), and prohibits manufacturers from selling products containing intentionally added PFAS or PFAS above trace levels. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection to establish a testing system using approved labs, with results shared with the Department of Health, and violations would trigger penalties under the Consumer Fraud Act. This policy directly affects manufacturers distributing menstrual products in New Jersey, aiming to eliminate specific chemicals from these products.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SCR 45: Urges Congress to pass "Fix Our Forests Act."

SCR 45 is a New Jersey legislative resolution urging Congress to pass the federal "Fix Our Forests Act." It does not create new laws but formally requests congressional action on this pending bill. The resolution highlights New Jersey's wildfire risks (1,500 annual fires damaging 7,000 acres) and notes the federal bill would establish a data-driven Fireshed Center to assess wildfire risks and support forest management practices like prescribed burns and tree thinning. This procedural resolution directly targets Congress, not New Jersey residents or state agencies.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Forestry

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2349: Allocates $7.5 million annually of constitutionally dedicated CBT revenue for preservation of land in Highlands Region.

This bill allocates $7.5 million annually from constitutionally dedicated tax revenue specifically for preserving land in New Jersey's Highlands Region. It creates a new "Preserve New Jersey Highlands Preservation Fund" managed by the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council. Funds will be used to acquire land for recreation/conservation, farmland preservation, and matching federal grants under the Highlands Conservation Act. The council must report annually on fund usage, including land preserved and federal matches secured.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Revenue Conservation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 2161: Increases amounts of certain payments in lieu of taxes paid for lands owned by State or nonprofit organization for recreation and conservation purposes.

This bill (S 2161) increases compensation payments to New Jersey municipalities for lost property tax revenue when the State or qualifying nonprofit organizations own land for recreation or conservation. It raises annual payments for the first 13 years after land acquisition (starting at 100% of prior tax value and decreasing annually), then transitions to higher per-acre rates after year 13 based on the percentage of such land in the municipality (e.g., $3-$40 per acre depending on whether land constitutes less than 20%, 20-40%, 40-60%, or over 60% of the municipality’s total area). The payments, funded from the General Fund, replace previous formulas and apply to lands owned by the State, nonprofits, or the Palisades Interstate Park Commission. Municipalities directly affected are those with significant State or nonprofit-owned recreation/conservation lands.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue State Budget Conservation Parks & Recreation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1224: Requires DEP to study feasibility of using alternative water supply source when perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances exceed maximum contaminant level.

This bill (S 1224) requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to study feasible alternative drinking water sources when PFAS chemicals exceed safety limits. The DEP must evaluate existing water supplies, identify potential alternatives for public community water systems, and gather input from water providers, experts, and the public. Within one year of enactment, the DEP must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature, with the bill expiring 30 days after the report is filed. This study directly affects public water systems and their customers in areas with PFAS contamination.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

All environment bills