Concerns removal of abandoned vessels; appropriates $25 million.

S 876 creates a working group within New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety to help coastal communities identify and safely remove abandoned boats along the state's 100+ mile shoreline. The bill appropriates $25 million to establish the "Abandoned Vessels Fund," which will reimburse municipalities for removal costs under a new program. The working group - composed of 21 members including state agencies, county/municipal leaders, and industry representatives - must report annually to the Governor and Legislature on its progress. This bill directly affects coastal towns struggling with hazardous derelict vessels, particularly those impacted by Hurricane Sandy, by providing dedicated funding and a structured process for removal. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Law and Public Safety Committee.