Environment

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

A 4131: Prohibits dumping dredge spoils on and around islands without municipal approval.

This bill prohibits New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from approving dredge spoil dumping on Delaware River islands owned or controlled by the state or local governments, including Burlington Island. It requires the DEP to first petition all municipalities owning land on the island for authorization, and those municipalities must adopt a specific ordinance approving the dumping before any activity can proceed. The bill specifically applies to all dredge spoil dumping, including existing spoil banks, and aims to uphold longstanding protections for Burlington Island as a public recreational and educational space. Municipalities with land on the island would directly control whether such dumping occurs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires municipal approval for dredge spoil dumping on islands, preventing unregulated environmental harm and strengthening local oversight for pollution control.95% confidence

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died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2405: Directs DEP to establish scrap tire hauler license and scrap tire storage, collection, and disposal site permit.

This bill requires scrap tire haulers (businesses that collect and transport old tires) to obtain licenses from New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) starting 180 days after enactment. It mandates an electronic tracking system for all tire movements, financial assurance of at least $150,000 per hauler, and prohibits storage or transport to unapproved facilities. Additionally, it establishes permit requirements for scrap tire storage, collection, and disposal sites, setting safety and environmental standards. Note: The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was approved as P.L.2025, c.389, meaning it has become law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates DEP licensing, electronic tracking, financial assurance, and prohibits unapproved disposal of scrap tires to prevent environmental pollution and improper waste management.95% confidence

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

A 3763: "Construction Containment and Pollution Prevention Act"; requires contractors to use containment devices to prevent release of certain pollutants outside of worksites.

This bill requires all construction, renovation, and demolition contractors in New Jersey to use physical barriers (like tarps, enclosures, and vacuums) and industry-standard filters to prevent dust, debris, microplastics, and other pollutants from escaping worksites and entering soil, water, or public spaces. It mandates daily cleanup of waste, record-keeping for two years, and on-site training for workers with visual guides on proper containment methods. Contractors face penalties including $1,000 fines for repeat violations and up to $5,000 for ongoing non-compliance, with daily violations treated as separate offenses. The law applies to all commercial and residential projects and enforces compliance through inspections by the Department of Community Affairs or local officials.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires physical barriers/filters to prevent pollutants (dust, microplastics) from entering soil/water, mandating containment and cleanup to reduce environmental pollution at construction sites.95% confidence

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

A 1869: Requires owners and operators of certain landfills to control and monitor landfill gas emissions.

This bill requires owners and operators of certain sanitary landfills (those authorized to accept waste or closed after the law's effective date) to install and maintain landfill gas collection systems to control methane emissions. It mandates quarterly surface methane monitoring, limits emissions to 500 ppm at any single point or 25 ppm averaged across the site, and requires annual methane generation reports to the state environmental agency. Landfill gas systems must meet specific technical standards, including 99% methane destruction efficiency when flared. The law takes effect 24 months after enactment, with violations treated as breaches of New Jersey's Solid Waste Management Act.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires methane emission controls and monitoring at landfills, directly reducing pollution and advancing environmental protection standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Waste Management

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

A 981: Makes FY2025 supplemental appropriation of $8,000,000 to Monmouth County Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund to assist in the purchase of the Stein property in Upper Freehold Township, New Jersey.

This bill appropriates $8,000,000 from the Property Tax Relief Fund to Monmouth County's Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund. The funds are specifically designated to help purchase the Stein property in Upper Freehold Township, a historic Revolutionary War site. The funding supports permanent preservation of this farmland, preventing a proposed warehouse development that local residents and groups expressed concerns about affecting open space, water sources, and community quality.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $8M from Property Tax Relief Fund for farmland preservation, aligning with tax relief fund's purpose to fund conservation through existing budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds purchase of farmland to prevent warehouse development, preserving open space, water sources, and community quality per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Property Tax Conservation

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

A 1513: Prohibits sale of milkweed plants treated with certain pesticides.

This bill (A 1513) prohibits the sale, offer for sale, or transportation for sale of milkweed plants treated with pesticides identified as harmful to monarch butterflies by New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The DEP, working with the Department of Agriculture, will create a list of restricted pesticides under this law. Violations carry a civil penalty of up to $100 per day, with each day of continuing violation considered a separate offense. The law directly affects sellers of milkweed plants within New Jersey and aims to protect monarch butterfly habitats by preventing pesticide-treated plants from being sold.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits pesticides harming monarch butterflies, directly protecting species and habitat per DEP list.95% confidence

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

A 3113: Requires DEP to perform certain assessments concerning regulation of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to conduct a five-year assessment of unregulated perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. It specifically mandates the DEP to evaluate whether current drinking water standards adequately protect children (considering their smaller body size and higher water intake relative to weight) and determine if new standards are needed for unregulated PFAS. The DEP must submit written reports of these assessments to the Governor and Legislature, and publish them online. The bill is pending before the Assembly Environment Committee and has not yet become law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates DEP to assess PFAS drinking water standards for children's protection, requiring potential new regulations to strengthen environmental safeguards against harmful chemicals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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

A 1218: Provides for no net loss of DEP lands for fishing, hunting, and trapping purposes.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to maintain current levels of state park and forest land available for public fishing, hunting, and trapping. The DEP must replace any closed land with equivalent acreage and cannot reduce total available land for these activities, except for public safety, wildlife protection, or land exchanges. It also mandates annual reports to the legislature detailing acreage availability, closures, and replacement efforts. The law applies to all state parks, forests, wildlife management areas, and public hunting grounds managed by the DEP.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates DEP to maintain and replace lands for public hunting/fishing, preventing net loss of conservation areas and conserving natural resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Wildlife

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

A 3861: Allows State-owned, municipally-managed Blue Acres lands to be used for freshwater wetlands mitigation projects.

This bill (A 3861) adds State-owned, municipally-managed "Blue Acres" land as a permitted option for developers to compensate for freshwater wetland loss caused by construction projects. It allows wetland creation, enhancement, or restoration on Blue Acres land (property acquired by the State for recreation/conservation, often flood-prone or buffer land managed by municipalities) if both the State and the municipality grant permission. Currently, developers can use private land or contribute to a Wetlands Mitigation Bank when on-site wetland restoration isn't feasible; this bill creates a fourth option using Blue Acres land. The change directly affects developers seeking wetland mitigation, municipalities managing Blue Acres properties, and the Department of Environmental Protection overseeing permit approvals.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables wetland restoration on conservation lands, directly advancing environmental protection through mitigation of wetland loss.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3607: Requires State to use certain energy-efficient outdoor lighting fixtures.

This bill requires New Jersey state agencies to use energy-efficient outdoor lighting fixtures when installing, replacing, or maintaining such equipment with state funds. Specifically, it mandates that any fixture exceeding 1,800 lumens must be a "cutoff luminaire" (directing light downward to minimize glare and light pollution), while prioritizing energy conservation and natural night environment preservation. The rule applies only to state-owned properties and facilities, excluding counties, municipalities, and temporary or emergency lighting needs. It does not alter existing lighting on motor vehicles, aircraft, or historic properties.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates energy-efficient lighting for state agencies, directly promoting energy conservation and reducing consumption through specific fixture requirements.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates energy-efficient lighting to minimize light pollution, prioritize energy conservation, and preserve natural night environments - directly advancing environmental protection through reduced energy use and pollution control.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Conservation

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