Environment (Conservation) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 4400: Requires DEP to conduct study of short and long term effects of water use by large-scale data centers.

This New Jersey bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection to study how large-scale data centers affect the state's water supply, wastewater systems, and the environment. The study must examine both short-term impacts over the last three years and long-term effects over the past seven years, while also looking at potential future impacts and strategies to reduce water consumption. To gather this information, the department can request data from data center operators regarding their water usage, cooling methods, and conservation practices. The department is required to submit a final report to the Governor and the Legislature within fifteen months, and the law will end once that report is delivered.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 15, 2026

A 5278: Establishes "New Farmers Improvement Grant Program" to provide matching grants for farm improvements to beginning farmers.

This bill creates the New Farmers Improvement Grant Program within the Department of Agriculture to offer financial assistance to beginning farmers in New Jersey. Eligible recipients, defined as those with ten years or less of farming experience or who are first-time farmers, can receive matching grants of up to $50,000 to cover 50 percent of project costs. These funds are specifically intended for projects that diversify farm operations, implement sustainable practices like organic farming or water conservation, or expand partnerships for processing and selling agricultural products. To qualify, applicants must be at least 18 years old, actively participate in daily farm production, operate farms of 150 acres or less located entirely within the state, and have generated at least $10,000 in annual agricultural sales. The Department of Agriculture will request a minimum of $100,000 annually in the state budget to fund these grants and may also seek additional federal and private funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics State Budget Conservation

signed · New Jersey · Senate Jul 30, 2026

S 4423: Appropriates $77,406,208 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and various Green Acres funds to DEP for local government open space acquisition and park development projects, and for certain administrative expenses.

This bill allocates approximately $77.4 million from dedicated tax revenues and Green Acres funds to the Department of Environmental Protection to support local government projects. The funding is divided between acquiring land for conservation and developing existing parks, with specific amounts designated for planning incentives, standard projects, and areas with high population density. Local municipalities and counties that meet certain population criteria are eligible to receive grants or loans to help them purchase or improve recreational spaces. Any remaining funds after the listed projects are funded may be used for additional approved initiatives with further committee approval.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 4425: Appropriates $64,787,327 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and other farmland preservation funds to State Agriculture Development Committee for farmland preservation purposes.

This bill appropriates approximately $64.8 million from various constitutionally dedicated funds to the State Agriculture Development Committee in New Jersey to support farmland preservation. The money will be used to purchase development easements or full ownership of farmland, provide grants to counties and municipalities for up to 80 percent of acquisition costs, and offer grants to non-profit organizations for up to 50 percent of such costs. Additionally, the legislation allocates $2.7 million specifically for stewardship activities like soil and water conservation and deer fencing on preserved lands. Any farmland bought with these funds must be resold or leased with agricultural restrictions to ensure it remains used for farming purposes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 4426: Appropriates $10,000,000 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for municipal planning incentive grants for farmland preservation purposes.

This bill appropriates $10 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues to the State Agriculture Development Committee for farmland preservation efforts. The funds are designated to provide municipal planning incentive grants to a specific list of 46 townships and boroughs across New Jersey counties. Each eligible municipality may receive a maximum grant of $2 million to support local planning initiatives aimed at preserving farmland. The legislation takes effect immediately and operates under existing state laws governing the "Preserve New Jersey" program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Conservation

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

A 5334: Appropriates $77,406,208 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and various Green Acres funds to DEP for local government open space acquisition and park development projects, and for certain administrative expenses.

This bill allocates approximately $77.4 million from dedicated tax revenues and Green Acres funds to the Department of Environmental Protection to support local governments in New Jersey. The money will be used to provide grants or loans for acquiring and developing land for recreation and conservation purposes, as well as for certain administrative expenses. Specific funding is designated for open space acquisition and planning projects in several municipalities, including Burlington, Gloucester, Livingston, Verona, West Orange, and Kingwood. The legislation defines eligibility based on population density and utilizes existing funds made available through interest earnings, loan repayments, and project cancellations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 26, 2026

S 4522: Establishes State school aid category to support certain school districts located in municipalities that are part of Highlands or Pinelands preservation areas.

This bill creates a new state funding category to provide additional financial support to specific school districts located in municipalities within New Jersey's Highlands or Pinelands preservation areas. To qualify for this aid, a school district must have experienced a net loss in state funding under previous legislation, have a resident enrollment of at least 500 students, and be situated in a municipality where at least 10 percent of the land is designated for preservation. The amount of additional funding a district receives is calculated by multiplying $250 by the number of preserved acres in its municipality, subject to annual caps of $2.5 million for districts with fewer than 1,000 students and $5 million for those with more.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

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

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 4427: Appropriates $3,479,032 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for grants to certain nonprofit organizations for farmland preservation purposes.

This bill appropriates $3,479,032 from dedicated corporation business tax revenues to the State Agriculture Development Committee to fund farmland preservation projects. The funds are designated for grants to specific nonprofit organizations, primarily the Land Conservancy of New Jersey, to help purchase development easements or farm titles in Warren County. A key provision of the bill is that it increases the maximum grant coverage from 50 percent to 80 percent of the acquisition costs for these preservation efforts. The legislation specifically targets four farms in Blairstown and Harmony townships, with total grant amounts not to exceed the appropriated sum.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Conservation

signed · New Jersey · Senate Jul 30, 2026

S 4424: Appropriates $15,546,575 to DEP from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues for grants to certain nonprofit entities to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, and for certain administrative expenses.

This bill directs approximately $15.5 million from dedicated corporation business tax revenues to the Department of Environmental Protection for land conservation and recreation projects. The funds will provide grants to nonprofit organizations to purchase or develop land for open space, with specific allocations for land acquisition, park development, and stewardship activities. Additionally, the legislation allows the department to use leftover money from canceled projects to provide extra funding to previously approved initiatives, subject to oversight committee approval.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Conservation Parks & Recreation

All environment bills