Environment

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.