This bill requires landlords of properties used for child care services (such as daycares, after-school programs, or preschools caring for six or more children under 13) to install and maintain NSF/ANSI-certified water filters at all drinking, food prep, and baby formula fixtures if they refuse access to replace lead service lines. Landlords must annually certify filter installation to the Department of Environmental Protection and face $500 daily penalties for noncompliance. Tenants can notify landlords of violations, triggering a 30-day correction period, after which they may seek court-ordered rent escrow to fund required filter installation. The requirement applies only if lead service lines remain connected and active.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to identify and designate municipalities with "critical headwaters" (water sources supplying drinking water to at least 1 million residents, per census data) as "headwater guardians." These municipalities must implement specific environmental protections like enhanced stormwater management, groundwater recharge standards, and riparian buffers to safeguard water quality and supply. The DEP must develop this process within one year, publish designated municipalities online, and hold public comment periods before finalizing protections. Annual reports will track outcomes like pollutant reductions and preserved buffers, aligning with existing water quality laws.
SJR 18 designates the first week of May each year as "Composting Awareness Week" in New Jersey. The bill requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and residents to observe the week with activities promoting composting. It highlights composting's benefits - such as enriching soil, conserving water (reducing usage by up to 30%), reducing landfill waste (which makes up ~30% of landfill material), and mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon. The resolution is purely symbolic, with no new requirements or funding, and aligns with existing state climate initiatives like Executive Order No. 221.
This bill allows grocery stores to provide single-use paper bags for delivery orders (with a fee), reversing a previous prohibition that banned such bags for delivery. It requires grocery stores and other retailers to repurpose cardboard delivery boxes for reuse when feasible, instead of discarding them. The change amends New Jersey's 2020 law that previously restricted both plastic and paper carryout bags, with the exception now explicitly permitting paper bags for delivery. This policy directly affects grocery stores, delivery services, and retailers handling food deliveries.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to assess the combined stormwater impact of warehouse and high-density development projects when reviewing permit applications. It mandates the DEP to evaluate how these projects affect not just the applicant municipality, but also neighboring towns and the broader watershed. The DEP must ensure stormwater management minimizes runoff to adjacent properties, protects stream health, recharges groundwater, and prevents increased pollution in the watershed. This policy directly affects developers seeking permits for warehouses or dense projects and ensures regional environmental considerations are part of the review process.
This bill exempts sales of reusable carryout bags from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It directly affects retailers selling qualifying bags and customers purchasing them, removing the tax on these items. A "reusable carryout bag" is defined as one made from specific machine-washable materials (like cloth, polypropylene, or nylon), with stitched handles, and designed for multiple uses. The exemption applies to all sales made four months after the bill's enactment.
This bill creates a state-certified program for private wildlife habitats in New Jersey. Property owners who establish habitats meeting DEP standards - using native plants and approved by certified entities like conservation groups or landscaping companies - can file a certificate with their municipality. Once filed, owners gain legal protection ("affirmative defense") against fines or penalties from local nuisance ordinances that might otherwise target natural habitat features. The certification lasts two years (with one renewal option) and requires inspections, with municipalities allowed to charge up to $25 for filing.
S 1476 modifies New Jersey's existing plastic bag law to restrict grocery stores (2,500+ sq ft) from providing standard single-use paper carryout bags. Instead, stores may only offer paper bags containing significant recycled content. This bill targets paper bags specifically, as the legislature found they use comparable energy/resources to plastic bags and contribute to pollution. The law aims to reduce single-use plastic and paper waste while promoting recycled materials, affecting all qualifying grocery stores statewide.
This bill requires all New Jersey institutions of higher education to test every drinking water outlet (like fountains and faucets) for lead annually, beginning 90 days after the law takes effect. Institutions must report results to state education and environmental officials, post findings online, and notify students/faculty within 30 days of testing. If lead levels exceed EPA or state standards, schools must immediately close affected outlets, provide alternative water, and install certified lead-removing filters or treatment devices in all buildings containing lead pipes or fixtures. The law mandates these filters be maintained per manufacturer guidelines to ensure ongoing safety.
S 681, the "Electronic Cigarette Extended Producer Responsibility Act," requires e-cigarette manufacturers and distributors in New Jersey to form a producer responsibility organization (PRO) within two years. This PRO must manage the collection, recycling, reuse, and environmentally sound disposal of discarded e-cigarettes, including single-use devices and batteries. The law directly affects e-cigarette producers and distributors by shifting end-of-life waste management costs and responsibilities from local governments and consumers to the industry. Key provisions mandate the PRO to follow environmental standards, maintain financial accountability, and operate under state approval to ensure effective waste handling.
