Environment in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 338: Authorizes voluntary donation of expired food or food waste to farmers; authorizes donations if farmer waives liability.

This bill allows grocery stores, restaurants, and other retail sellers to voluntarily donate expired food or food waste (like items past their sell-by date or spoiled leftovers) to farmers for use as animal feed. Farmers must sign a liability waiver acknowledging the risks of using expired food and releasing the business from legal responsibility. The bill also directs the Farm Liaison to help coordinate donations between retailers and farmers by developing networks and sharing information about available food. It directly affects retail businesses and farmers by creating a legal pathway for food waste donation while limiting business liability. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 623: Prohibits sale and use of certain gas-powered leaf blowers; provides CBT credit for purchase of electric leaf blower that replaces gas-powered leaf blower.

S 623 bans the sale and use of gas-powered leaf blowers with two-stroke engines after two years and restricts four-stroke models in residential areas after four years, allowing limited non-residential use only during March 15-May 15 and October 15-December 15. It exempts gas blowers used for pest management applications and imposes penalties: $500-$1,000 for businesses and $25 for individuals for violations. The bill also creates a 50% tax credit (up to 50% of purchase cost, including batteries) for homeowners and businesses replacing gas blowers with electric models, valid for five years after the bill’s effective date. This directly affects residents, property managers, and landscaping businesses operating in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 610: Prohibits municipal zoning ordinances from regulating solar panels under certain circumstances; limits fees for certain renewable energy installations.

This bill (S 610) prevents New Jersey municipalities from restricting rooftop or ground-mounted solar panel installations on residential properties under specific conditions. It prohibits zoning rules for systems that extend 12 inches or less beyond roof edges (roof-mounted) or have 10 or fewer panels more than 50 feet from property lines (ground-mounted). The bill also limits municipal fees for approving solar or small wind energy systems to only the actual cost of review and approval, banning extra charges. It directly affects residential property owners seeking solar installations and municipal governments managing local zoning and permitting.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Wind

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1255: Requires BPU to adopt regulations allowing wastewater utilities to impose wastewater system improvement charge.

This bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create rules allowing wastewater utilities to charge customers a specific "wastewater system improvement charge." The charge would cover costs for rehabilitating, improving, or replacing aging wastewater infrastructure, such as pipes and treatment facilities. It directly affects wastewater utilities (like municipal sewer systems) and their customers who pay for wastewater services. The rules would mirror existing regulations already in place for water utilities (N.J.A.C.14:9-10.1 et seq.), enabling similar cost recovery for wastewater infrastructure needs. The goal is to accelerate repairs to deteriorating systems by providing a clear funding mechanism.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 625: Establishes limits on zoning restrictions for certain electric battery storage equipment installation.

This bill, S 625, streamlines zoning approvals for small electric battery storage equipment in New Jersey. It directly affects homeowners (allowing residential installations as a permitted accessory use without special permits) and businesses (exempting commercial/industrial installations from site plan reviews or variances). Key provisions require municipalities to approve qualifying applications within 20 days if complete, mandate compliance with existing safety codes, and direct the state to publish a model ordinance for installation standards. The bill removes local barriers to battery storage deployment while maintaining safety requirements and allowing municipalities to adopt reasonable, non-review-based standards.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Storage Solar

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2735: Provides sales and use tax exemption for sales of fuel cell devices and systems and certain tangible personal property powered by fuel cells.

This bill (S 2735) exempts sales of fuel cell devices and systems from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It applies to devices that generate electricity from fuel without combustion (e.g., for heating, cooling, or power) and covers related tangible property. The exemption also extends to fuels like natural gas, propane, and hydrogen used in these systems. This directly benefits businesses and consumers purchasing fuel cell technology for energy use.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Tax Incentives Oil & Gas

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 2333: Requires DOT to erect and maintain certain electric vehicle charging station signs.

This bill (S 2333) requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to install and maintain highway exit signs that direct motorists to electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. It directly affects EV drivers traveling on designated highways, including Interstates and limited-access roads. The signs must follow federal design standards for traffic control devices, ensuring clear, consistent placement and sizing. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles Roads & Highways

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2075: Prohibits the sale of certain children's products containing lead, mercury, or cadmium.

S 2075 prohibits the sale, distribution, import, or manufacture of children’s products (like toys or play equipment) intended for children under age six that contain lead, mercury, or cadmium. It requires manufacturers, distributors, or importers to issue immediate recalls if such products are discovered, and mandates retailers to remove recalled items from sales within 48 hours and return inventory within 14 business days. Manufacturers must destroy recalled products within 60 days to prevent public access. Violations carry penalties: $10,000-$20,000 fines for sales or recall failures, or criminal charges (up to 10 years imprisonment) for repeated noncompliance.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 607: Establishes Renewable and Efficient Energy Financing Program; authorizes BPU to transfer up to $20 million annually in societal benefits charge revenues to New Jersey Infrastructure Bank for purposes of program.

This bill establishes a program to help New Jersey state agencies, local governments, and school districts finance energy efficiency upgrades in their buildings. It authorizes the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to provide loans and financial assistance for projects like solar panels, improved insulation, and efficient HVAC systems, using up to $20 million annually from societal benefits charge revenues. Projects must demonstrate that total costs will be offset by energy savings within 10 years or the equipment's useful life. The program requires applicants to complete an energy assessment showing cost-effectiveness before receiving funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Solar

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 484: Requires municipal planning boards and zoning boards of adjustment to incorporate recommendations from certain local environmental commissions on applications for development.

This bill requires New Jersey municipal planning boards and zoning boards of adjustment to review and incorporate recommendations from local environmental commissions when considering development applications. It directly affects these municipal boards and environmental commissions by changing how they interact during development reviews. Key mechanisms include mandating that boards provide environmental commissions with actual copies (not just informational copies) of all development applications, and requiring boards to consider and incorporate environmental recommendations into their decisions where possible. The bill updates existing law, which previously allowed boards to ignore environmental recommendations without consequence.

Topics ✓ Environment

All environment bills