Environment in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 30, 2026

A 5348: Concerns temporary use of funding for open space, recreation, floodplain protection, farmland and historic preservation for certain municipalities.

This bill allows New Jersey municipalities that have established an arts and culture trust fund to temporarily redirect money collected from local taxes for open space, farmland, and historic preservation into their general operating funds. The change specifically applies only to the tax levy for fiscal year 2027 and any leftover money from previous years that has not yet been spent. Under the new rules, local governments can decide how to use these funds for purposes other than the original conservation and preservation goals. The legislation also permits residents to petition for changes to existing tax levies or to add new purposes for the funds through a vote.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 30, 2026

A 5352: Revises minimum percentage of postconsumer recycled content in certain plastic trash bags.

This bill modifies New Jersey's existing rules for plastic trash bags by lowering the required amount of recycled material they must contain. Manufacturers of thicker plastic bags, specifically those 1.00 mil thick or more, will no longer need to include 40 percent postconsumer recycled content, as the new requirement is reduced to 20 percent. The law also adjusts recycled content targets for thinner bags, increasing the minimums for 0.70 to 0.80 mil bags from five to 10 percent and for 0.80 to 1.00 mil bags from 10 to 20 percent. These changes apply to all plastic trash bags sold in the state, with the exception of bags designed for hazardous or regulated medical waste. The legislation takes effect immediately upon introduction.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4230: Provides permanent exemption for certain polystyrene foam food service products from law prohibiting sale and provision of polystyrene foam food service products.

This bill permanently exempts specific polystyrene foam food service products from New Jersey's law that generally bans their sale and use. It directly affects businesses by allowing the continued use of meat and fish trays for raw or butchered meat and any food items pre-packaged by the manufacturer in these materials. The legislation clarifies that these two categories of products are no longer subject to the state's prohibition, even though other polystyrene foam items remain banned. Additionally, the bill prevents local municipalities from creating their own rules regarding these specific exempted items.

Topics ✗ Environment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SCR 136: Determines that DEP rules and regulations known as " New Jersey Protecting Against Climate Change - Resilient Environment and Landscapes" are inconsistent with legislative intent.

This bill is a procedural resolution that declares the Department of Environmental Protection's proposed climate change rules inconsistent with the Legislature's intent. It directly affects the DEP by formally notifying the agency and the Governor that the proposed regulations exceed the department's constitutional authority to create new laws. The key mechanism involves transmitting this finding to the agency, which then has 30 days to amend or withdraw the rules, or face potential invalidation by the Legislature. The bill does not change any existing laws but instead initiates a constitutional review process to halt the proposed regulatory changes.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Climate Change

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4273: Requires DEP to modify certain timelines and requirements for certain approvals associated with development of affordable housing projects.

This bill requires the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to speed up and simplify approval processes for affordable housing projects. It mandates specific deadlines for reviewing applications, such as a 180-day limit for water quality plans that triggers automatic approval if missed, and requires certain reviews to happen simultaneously rather than sequentially. The legislation also establishes presumptions that sites designated for affordable housing comply with water quality rules and ensures that previously approved permits remain valid even if new regulations are later adopted.

Topics ✗ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Water Quality Affordable Housing Property Development

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 28, 2026

A 5130: "Vehicle Choice Protection Act"; prohibits State agencies from adopting rules, regulations, or policies that restrict or prohibit sale, registration, or use of new internal combustion vehicles in State.

The Vehicle Choice Protection Act prevents New Jersey state agencies from creating any rules or policies that ban or limit the sale, registration, or use of new internal combustion engine vehicles. This legislation defines internal combustion vehicles as those powered by gasoline, diesel, or other hydrocarbon fuels and explicitly forbids government bodies from restricting consumer access to these cars. By blocking future regulations that would phase out these vehicles, the bill ensures that drivers can continue to purchase and operate traditional cars without state interference. The law takes effect immediately upon introduction, securing the ability to buy and use new non-electric vehicles across the state.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment ✗ Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4971: Prohibits DEP and other State agencies from adopting certain rules and regulations without Legislative approval.

This bill restricts the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and other state agencies from creating climate change rules that go beyond the specific scope authorized by the Global Warming Response Act. It explicitly prevents agencies from adopting regulations based on climate projections for areas like flood hazards and coastal permitting without legislative approval. The legislation aims to ensure that the Legislature, rather than unelected administrators, retains the final authority over major energy and environmental policy decisions.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Climate Change Coastal & Flood Protection

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4819: Withdraws New Jersey's participation in Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative; repeals "Global Warming Response Act" and related sections of Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative implementing law.

This bill removes New Jersey from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and repeals the state's Global Warming Response Act. It directs money currently held in the Global Warming Solutions Fund to the General Fund for use in providing relief to ratepayers. Additionally, the legislation amends existing laws to establish a Forest Stewardship Incentive Fund for managing state forests and creates a three-year program to test the reliability and cost of electric school buses.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics State Budget Climate Change Forestry

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4629: Repeals certain energy reduction and reporting requirements for electric and natural gas usage.

This bill removes specific energy reduction and reporting rules that previously required electric and natural gas suppliers to disclose environmental information on customer bills. The legislation eliminates mandates for suppliers to show fuel mix details, emissions data, and emission reduction credits to help consumers compare energy providers. It also repeals requirements for the state board to establish interim disclosure standards and greenhouse gas emissions portfolio standards for electricity and gas providers. Directly affected parties include electric power suppliers, basic generation service providers, and New Jersey consumers who previously relied on these disclosures for informed energy choices. The changes simplify regulatory compliance for energy companies by removing these specific reporting obligations.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Climate Change

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4632: Extends for five years date of certain greenhouse gas emissions and clean energy goals.

This bill extends New Jersey's greenhouse gas emissions and clean energy reduction goals by five years, moving the target date from 2050 to 2055. It directly affects the state's environmental regulations and entities responsible for emissions, including businesses and electricity consumers. The legislation amends existing laws to require statewide greenhouse gas emissions to reach 80 percent below 2006 levels by the new 2055 deadline, while also requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to update emission inventories. The bill maintains the original 2020 emissions reduction target and includes provisions for the department to consider economic impacts when implementing measures to meet these goals.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Climate Change

All environment bills