Allows possession of bear spray under certain conditions.
New Jersey's Bill A154 allows individuals to possess bear spray for repelling aggressive bears in bear-prone areas without facing civil liability if used reasonably for self-defense. It amends existing laws to grant civil immunity when a person reasonably believes using bear spray is immediately necessary to protect themselves from a bear attack, excluding cases of willful, wanton, or grossly negligent misuse. The bill directly affects residents and visitors in outdoor settings where bear encounters may occur, such as hiking or camping areas. This policy change specifically modifies civil liability protections under New Jersey law, not criminal statutes or firearm regulations.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026
Last action Jan 13, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
1
Key actions
0
Committee
0
Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee
lower
3 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Aura Dunn
RRepublican
P
Dawn Fantasia
RRepublican
P
Mike Inganamort
RRepublican
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