Environment (Wildlife) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SCR 27: Proposes constitutional amendment to make State trustee of public natural resources and guarantee to the people other environmental rights.

SCR 27 proposes a constitutional amendment to guarantee all New Jersey residents a fundamental right to a clean and healthy environment, including clean air, pure water, safe climate, and healthy habitats. It designates the State as the trustee of all natural resources (waters, air, lands, wildlife, and climate) for both current and future generations, requiring the state to conserve and maintain these resources for public benefit. The amendment would be self-executing, meaning courts could enforce it directly without new laws, and it explicitly states these rights are in addition to existing environmental protections. This change would apply to all New Jersey residents and require the state government to uphold these environmental rights through its actions and policies.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Air Quality Conservation Wildlife

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 672: Provides gross income tax deduction for amounts paid to taxpayers for sale of certain real property interests for conservation purposes.

This bill allows New Jersey property owners to deduct the capital gain from selling land to qualified conservation organizations on their state gross income tax return. It applies to both full-market-value sales and "bargain sales" (where land is sold below market value but with conservation restrictions). The deduction equals the gain calculated under federal tax rules, covering sales to groups like Green Acres, farmland preservation programs, or wildlife conservation initiatives. This directly benefits landowners who sell environmentally valuable property to these conservation entities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Income Tax Conservation Wildlife

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1542: Provides for payment to small municipalities, in certain cases, of certain penalty moneys assessed for violations of fish and game laws.

This bill (S 1542) changes how penalty money from fish and game law violations is distributed in small municipalities. It requires that when a small municipality (population under 2,000) handles violations in its local court, 50% of recovered penalty money must go to the municipality itself, and the other 50% to the Division of Fish and Wildlife. This applies to both state and federal fish and game law violations adjudicated in the small municipality’s court, unless federal law prohibits it. The change addresses the financial burden small towns face when enforcing these laws locally. The bill updates existing law to ensure municipalities receive reimbursement for their role in adjudication.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Wildlife

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 956: Requires DEP to establish "private wildlife habitat certification program"; creates affirmative defense against municipal nuisance ordinances for properties certified under the program.

This bill creates a state-certified program for private wildlife habitats in New Jersey. Property owners who establish habitats meeting DEP standards - using native plants and approved by certified entities like conservation groups or landscaping companies - can file a certificate with their municipality. Once filed, owners gain legal protection ("affirmative defense") against fines or penalties from local nuisance ordinances that might otherwise target natural habitat features. The certification lasts two years (with one renewal option) and requires inspections, with municipalities allowed to charge up to $25 for filing.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1337: Establishes Office of River Maintenance in DEP; repeals P.L.1993, c.376 concerning stream cleaning activities.

S 1337 establishes a dedicated Office of River Maintenance within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to manage river health. This office will oversee all stream cleaning (removing debris/sediment) and bank stabilization projects across state waterways, replacing the previous system under P.L.1993, c.376. Key provisions require projects to preserve historic stream contours, protect vegetation on southern/western banks, coordinate with wildlife agencies near endangered species, and comply with wetlands and flood control laws. The bill directly affects DEP operations, local municipalities managing waterways, and ecosystems in protected waters like trout habitats and Category One waters.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Wildlife

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1683: Provides for no net loss of DEP lands for fishing, hunting, and trapping purposes.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to prevent any net loss of state park, forest, and wildlife area acreage available for public recreational fishing, hunting, and trapping. It mandates the department to inventory current access areas, replace any closed land with equivalent new acreage, and maintain accessibility except for safety, security, or environmental management reasons. The law applies directly to state lands managed by the department, ensuring recreational opportunities aren't reduced over time. The department must also submit annual reports detailing land access, closures, and replacement efforts to the legislature.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Wildlife

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 748: Authorizes conveyance of certain State-owned real property in Stafford Township and Lacey Township in Ocean County to US Fish and Wildlife Service.

This bill authorizes New Jersey to exchange approximately 219 acres of State-owned land in Lacey and Stafford Townships (Ocean County) with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for about 52 acres in Galloway Township (Atlantic County). The State-owned land being transferred will become part of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, while the acquired land currently houses the Department of Environmental Protection’s Marine Resources Administration offices (occupied since 1964). The exchange allows the State to use its funds to construct new offices on the federal land, replacing aging facilities. The bill specifies that minor adjustments may be made to equalize the land values and exempts the transfer from certain state land sale regulations.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Public Lands Wildlife

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1739: Requires establishment and implementation, in certain circumstances, of wildlife management plans for open space and farmland, and authorizes use of constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to finance activities undertaken pursuant to such plans.

S 1739 requires New Jersey to create wildlife management plans for certain open space and farmland areas, specifically where conservation efforts are underway. It directly affects state agencies (like the Department of Environmental Protection), local governments, and nonprofit organizations using constitutionally dedicated conservation funds. The key mechanism authorizes the use of existing cigarette tax revenues (CBT funds) to pay for activities under these new wildlife management plans. This bill does not create new taxes but changes how specific conservation funds can be applied to support wildlife habitat management on preserved lands.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1630: Requires DEP to consider potential impacts to natural resources when classifying dams according to hazard potential.

This bill (S 1630) amends New Jersey's Safe Dam Act to require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to consider potential impacts to natural resources - such as wildlife, fish, habitat, plants, and historic sites - when classifying dams based on hazard potential. Currently, DEP's classification system only considers potential loss of life and property damage. The bill mandates that the DEP update its classification criteria to include natural resource impacts alongside existing factors. This change affects dam owners (who must comply with inspection requirements) and the DEP (which must revise its classification process). The legislation does not alter dam inspection procedures but adjusts how dams are categorized by risk level.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Wildlife

All environment bills