Environment in New Jersey

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

A 126: Establishes Office of River Maintenance in DEP; repeals P.L.1993, c.376 concerning stream cleaning activities.

This bill creates a new Office of River Maintenance within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to oversee all stream cleaning and bank restoration projects statewide. The office will replace the previous system under P.L.1993, c.376, and must follow strict environmental rules - including protecting "Category one waters" (like trout streams and park-adjacent waters) and coordinating with agencies for endangered species or wetlands. Projects must avoid altering stream beds beyond historical levels, preserve shading vegetation, and comply with existing wetlands and flood control laws. The bill directly affects DEP operations and any entities conducting stream or bank work, requiring all such projects to be managed through this new office.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Parks & Recreation Water Quality

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

A 267: Requires labeling of ingredients and restricts phosphorus in household cleansing products.

This bill requires manufacturers to label household cleansing products (like soaps and detergents) with the weight and percentage of key ingredients, including phosphorus, that may harm health or the environment. It bans most products containing phosphorus compounds - except for limited amounts (0.5% for dishwashers, 8.7% for food/dairy equipment) - and prohibits commercial establishments (e.g., restaurants, hospitals) from using non-compliant products. Violations carry fines of $500-$1,000 per offense, with daily violations treated as separate offenses. The law directly affects manufacturers, retailers, and commercial users of these products in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Environment

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

AR 104: Urges Congress and President to increase funding for fusion energy research.

This New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 104) urges Congress and the President to increase federal funding for fusion energy research. It specifically calls for higher appropriations to the Department of Energy's Fusion Energy Sciences program to support the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) in New Jersey and the international ITER project in France. The resolution highlights fusion energy's potential as a sustainable, clean power source with no long-term radioactive waste, while noting PPPL's leadership and the economic benefits of public-private partnerships. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change funding levels but formally advocates for greater investment in this research area.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 3081: Requires DEP to establish program to map stormwater infrastructure.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create a program mapping all stormwater infrastructure - including culverts, drains, and underground pipes - using drone and LIDAR technology. It directly affects DEP, counties, and municipalities, especially older communities with outdated or missing records of aging infrastructure. The DEP must prioritize vulnerable areas, store all collected data in a central database accessible to relevant agencies, and submit annual progress reports to the Governor and Legislature. The goal is to improve flood prevention, emergency response, and infrastructure planning by replacing incomplete records with accurate, modern maps.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

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

A 3107: Directs BPU to establish rebate program for purchase of zero-emission lawn equipment.

This bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a rebate program for residents and businesses purchasing electric or battery-powered lawn equipment (like mowers, leaf blowers, and trimmers), replacing gas-powered alternatives. Rebates are calculated as 25% of the purchase price, capped at $50 for equipment under $250, $100 for $250-$500, and $150 for equipment over $500. Funding comes from the societal benefits charge, and the BPU must advertise rebates through existing channels like the Clean Energy Program. The program aims to reduce emissions by incentivizing cleaner equipment adoption across households and businesses.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Storage Renewable Energy

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 30, 2026

A 3094: Establishes "pollinator-friendly" label for plants.

This bill would create a standardized "pollinator-friendly" label for plants sold in New Jersey, requiring the Environmental Protection Commissioner (with Agriculture Secretary) to establish specific standards. These standards must prohibit or limit pesticides harmful to pollinators and define "pollinator-friendly" plants as native, non-invasive species. Retailers and distributors could only use the label on plants meeting these standards, which cover bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. The bill does not ban pesticides but sets requirements for labeling to help consumers identify pollinator-safe plants. (Note: The bill is currently pending in committee and has not yet been enacted.)

Topics ✓ Environment

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

A 1851: Prohibits use of paper receipts containing bisphenol-A or bisphenol-S; provides for phased-in prohibition on use of all paper receipts; authorizes continued use of electronic receipts.

New Jersey's A 1851 prohibits retailers and service providers from using paper receipts containing bisphenol-A (BPA) or bisphenol-S (BPS) starting immediately, with a full phase-out of all paper receipts required within 13 months. The bill mandates that businesses switch to electronic receipts (via email or text) for all transactions, with violations subject to $250-$500 civil penalties per offense. It directly affects all retail and service businesses in New Jersey, aiming to eliminate exposure to toxic chemicals linked to health issues and reduce environmental harm from receipt production. The law focuses on concrete policy changes: banning specific chemicals, setting clear deadlines, and enabling digital alternatives.

Topics ✓ Environment

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

A 2766: Establishes deadline for DEP implementation of prescribed burn program, and provides for establishment of prescribed burn acreage goals, schedules, calendars, training program, and mobile deployment units to provide on-site prescribed burn training and assistance.

This New Jersey bill (A-2766) requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish a prescribed burn program with specific deadlines, acreage goals, and training requirements. It directly affects landowners, lessees, and local fire officials who conduct controlled burns on private or public land to reduce wildfire risks. Key provisions include setting annual burn targets, creating mobile training units for on-site assistance, and mandating certification for burn operators through a DEP-approved program. The DEP must implement the full program within 18 months of the bill's passage. (Pending before the Assembly Agriculture Committee; not yet law.)

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands

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

ACR 87: Determines that DEP rules and regulations to implement "Advanced Clean Cars II" program are inconsistent with legislative intent.

ACR 87 is a New Jersey legislative resolution declaring that the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) adoption of California's "Advanced Clean Cars II" (ACC II) program rules - published in the December 18, 2023, New Jersey Register - is inconsistent with state law. The resolution states that New Jersey's 2003 law (P.L.2003, c.266) only authorized the DEP to implement California's earlier "LEV II" program, not the newer ACC II rules, and that the DEP failed to provide required notice to environmental committees before adopting them. The resolution gives the DEP 30 days to amend or withdraw the rules, or allows the legislature to pass another resolution to invalidate them. It directly affects the DEP's rulemaking authority and the implementation of vehicle emissions standards in New Jersey.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 12, 2026

A 4060: Limits speculative development of warehouses until 500,000 acres of farmland are preserved under farmland preservation programs.

This bill (A4060) prevents local governments from approving new warehouse construction on active farmland unless developers commit to preserving an equivalent amount of farmland. It requires that no "speculative" warehouse development (construction without a tenant or buyer) can proceed until the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) confirms 500,000 acres of farmland are preserved under state programs. Developers may still move forward by pledging to preserve farmland equal to the proposed warehouse site size. The bill expires once the SADC reports reaching the 500,000-acre preservation target, which currently stands at 248,009 acres as of January 2023.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

All environment bills