Environment (Coastal & Flood Protection) 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 May 11, 2026

A 5042: Establishes a pilot program for State flood monitoring and rainfall sensing; appropriates $2 million.

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.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

signed · New Jersey · Senate Jul 8, 2026

S 4217: Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program projects for FY2027.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Parks & Recreation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4223: Authorizes payment of relocation costs under Blue Acres program.

This bill amends the New Jersey Blue Acres program to explicitly authorize the payment of relocation costs for households affected by storm damage or flood risks. By clarifying the definition of "Blue Acres cost," the legislation allows the state to provide direct payments, advances, or bridge loans to help residents move out of vulnerable properties. The changes enable the program to cover a wide range of expenses, including professional services, demolition, debris removal, and land restoration, without requiring additional approval from the Division of Property Management. Ultimately, this update streamlines funding mechanisms to support the acquisition of damaged lands for recreation, conservation, and flood protection purposes.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

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

A 4902: Establishes "Clean Oceanfronts, Amusements, Safety, and Tourism Act" and appropriates $2.5 million.

This bill creates the 'Clean Oceanfronts, Amusements, Safety, and Tourism Act' to prepare New Jersey's coastal areas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It establishes a $2.5 million fund dedicated to a public awareness campaign that includes bilingual signage, additional lifeguard training, and educational materials on beach safety and environmental rules. The program specifically targets Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth, and Ocean counties to promote tourism, improve public health, and support local businesses while maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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 · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4140: Establishes a pilot program for State flood monitoring and rainfall sensing; appropriates $2 million.

This bill creates a two-year pilot program to improve flood monitoring and rainfall sensing across New Jersey, primarily benefiting municipalities in flood-prone areas. The Department of Environmental Protection will partner with the Davidson Laboratory at Stevens Institute of Technology to install sensors in 30 selected locations and analyze flood risks in the northern, central, and southern regions. The legislation appropriates $2 million to fund the project, with at least $1.5 million allocated for research and administrative support. At the end of the pilot, officials must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature detailing the program's results and recommending whether to make it permanent.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

signed · New Jersey · Senate Apr 8, 2026

S 3870: Modifies certain CAFRA permit review requirements for nuclear facilities.

This bill modifies permit review requirements under New Jersey's Coastal Area Facility Review Act to address nuclear energy facilities. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner to evaluate whether a nuclear facility's radioactive waste storage and disposal methods are safe, comply with Nuclear Regulatory Commission standards, and do not endanger life or the environment. Currently, the commissioner only assesses waste disposal, but this change expands the review to include storage methods as well. The bill applies specifically to nuclear energy generation facilities operating in the state. No fiscal impact is expected from this legislative change.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Nuclear Coastal & Flood Protection Waste Management

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

A 4633: Directs DEP to develop and implement water quality, flood control, and stream restoration pilot program.

This bill directs New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to create and run a pilot program that helps counties and municipalities restore streams, improve water quality, reduce flooding, and store carbon in natural areas. The program will provide grants for three projects across the state's southern, central, and northern regions, focusing on smaller waterways and tributaries rather than major rivers. Eligible activities include cleaning streams, stabilizing stream banks, dredging, and restoring historic stream beds, with specific definitions provided for terms like "bank," "sediment," and different water classifications to guide implementation.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 19, 2026

A 4764: Excludes flood-prone land from affordable housing vacant land analysis; provides housing obligation cap.

This bill modifies New Jersey's affordable housing requirements by excluding flood-prone and environmentally sensitive land from vacant land calculations used to determine housing obligations. It directly affects municipalities by allowing them to disregard certain land types - such as conservation areas, historic sites, and lands below flood elevation - when assessing available resources for affordable housing projects. The legislation also establishes a cap on housing obligations for municipalities that lack sufficient vacant land and removes the Council on Affordable Housing, shifting responsibility to local governments to calculate their housing needs. Additionally, the bill provides municipalities with immunity from exclusionary zoning lawsuits if they meet specific deadlines for determining housing obligations.

Topics ✗ Environment ✗ Housing

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Affordable Housing Zoning

All environment bills