Environment in New Jersey

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 30, 2026

A 1517: Establishes NJ Native Seed Commission to develop plan to increase production and use of native seeds in State.

This bill establishes the New Jersey Native Seed Commission within the Department of Agriculture to develop a plan increasing native seed production and use. The commission, made up of state agency heads and stakeholders (including seed suppliers, land managers, and conservation groups), will focus on boosting native seed availability for public projects like roadside landscaping, habitat restoration, and state land management. It must submit a final report with specific recommendations within one year of forming, aiming to make native seeds commercially available at reasonable prices. The commission expires 30 days after submitting its report.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3538: Directs BPU to establish two-year innovative drinking water supply and wastewater infrastructure grant program.

This bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a two-year grant program using funds from the societal benefits charge. It provides grants to individuals, businesses, non-profits, and educational institutions to develop innovative technologies for pilot projects at publicly-owned drinking water and wastewater systems. These projects must implement new technology (not routine upgrades) to improve water quality, flow, purification, conservation, energy efficiency, or infrastructure - specifically prioritizing renewable energy solutions like in-pipe hydropower. The BPU must evaluate proposals, coordinate with systems, and report annually on funded projects and their statewide potential. The program expires 25 months after enactment.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Hydroelectric Renewable Energy Conservation Drinking Water Water Quality

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 30, 2026

A 2403: Directs BPU to adopt rules and regulations incentivizing solar energy generation in roadside rights-of-way.*

This bill establishes a pilot program allowing solar energy projects on state and local government-owned roadside rights-of-way (land adjacent to roads, 30-100 feet from the road centerline) in New Jersey. Projects must not exceed 10 megawatts individually, with a total program cap of 200 megawatts, and must avoid disrupting traffic, safety, or road maintenance. The Board of Public Utilities, with input from the Transportation Commissioner, will review applications based on criteria like safety monitoring, environmental impact, and project size, requiring permits before construction. The pilot runs for 36 months, with possible two 12-month extensions (max 50 megawatts increase per extension) to evaluate outcomes.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Solar Roads & Highways

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1859: Prohibits use of receipt paper containing bisphenol A.

This bill prohibits businesses and banks from using receipt paper containing bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical added during manufacturing to improve paper characteristics. It directly affects retailers, financial institutions, and any entity that provides transaction records like receipts or credit card slips. Violators face civil penalties of $250-$500 per offense, with daily fines for ongoing violations, enforced by the Department of Environmental Protection or courts. The law takes effect 18 months after enactment, aiming to reduce consumer exposure to BPA through everyday transaction documents.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

AR 81: Urges schools to implement share tables in order to reduce food waste and help alleviate food insecurity.

AR 81 is an Assembly Resolution (not a binding law) urging New Jersey public schools to implement "share tables" in cafeterias. These tables allow students to place unopened, unconsumed food for others to take or donate to food pantries, directly targeting school food waste and food insecurity. The resolution cites USDA data showing 21% of school lunch calories are wasted and notes 9% of New Jersey residents (including 10% of children) face food insecurity. It recommends schools adopt this low-cost, simple initiative to reduce waste, lower disposal costs, and increase food availability for pantries. The resolution has no enforcement power and will be shared with school districts via the Commissioner of Education.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Environment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1751: Establishes "New Jersey Invasive Species Task Force."

This bill (A 1751) establishes the "New Jersey Invasive Species Task Force" within the Department of Agriculture. The task force, composed of state agency leaders (Agriculture, Environmental Protection, Health, Forestry, and Rutgers) plus four public members appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders, will study invasive species control, develop prevention and restoration plans, and maintain a public list of invasive species updated every three years. It must hold quarterly public meetings statewide and submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature detailing species impacts, spread patterns, and policy recommendations. The task force aims to coordinate state efforts to protect native ecosystems from harmful non-native plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Forestry

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 8, 2026

S 3254: Prohibits expenditure of Green Acres funds for purchase, use, installation, or replacement of artificial turf fields.

This bill prohibits New Jersey's Green Acres program from using state funds to purchase, install, or replace artificial turf fields. It directly affects municipalities, school districts, and state agencies that rely on Green Acres funding for recreational facilities. The bill cites health and environmental concerns, including harmful chemicals, microplastics, and PFAS "forever chemicals" in artificial turf, as reasons to redirect funding toward natural grass fields maintained with organic practices. The policy change requires entities using Green Acres funds to prioritize safer, natural grass alternatives instead. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3486: Excludes environmentally sensitive and flood-prone land from designation as vacant or available for purposes of affordable housing construction.

This bill requires New Jersey municipalities to exclude environmentally sensitive and flood-prone land from being counted as available for affordable housing construction. It specifically excludes land regulated by agencies like the Highlands Water Protection Council, flood hazard areas under the Flood Hazard Area Control Act, and wetlands protected by the Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act. The law changes current policy by removing the requirement that development must be "prohibited" on such land - now regulated land automatically qualifies for exclusion. This affects municipalities obligated to provide affordable housing under New Jersey's Fair Housing Act, preventing them from using these lands to meet their housing quotas.

Topics ✓ Environment ✗ Housing

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Affordable Housing Property Development

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

A 4365: Requires State to bear costs of interconnection of net-metered, residential, Class I renewable energy systems.

This bill requires New Jersey to cover the cost of connecting residential, net-metered Class I renewable energy systems (such as home solar panels) to the electric grid. It amends state law to include these interconnection costs in the existing "societal benefits charge," a fee added to all electricity bills. This shifts the financial responsibility from homeowners or utilities to the state, with costs shared by all ratepayers. The bill also mandates that 25% of funding for renewable energy programs must support Class I projects.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Transmission

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3576: Establishes "Zero Energy Construction Act"; requires all new residential and commercial developments to be zero energy ready; requires developers to offer zero energy construction.

S 3576, the "Zero Energy Construction Act," requires all new residential and commercial buildings in New Jersey to be constructed as "zero energy ready" starting January 1, 2027. This means buildings must be designed to be highly energy-efficient and capable of meeting their energy needs through on-site renewable power (like solar panels). Developers must offer zero energy construction to potential buyers during sales negotiations, disclose associated costs and energy savings, and provide information about available incentives. The state will also maintain online resources detailing environmental benefits and financial incentives for zero energy buildings.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar

All environment bills