Environment in New Jersey

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

A 1589: Designates Earth Day week each year as Litter Law Enforcement Week for special effort to enforce littering laws.

This bill designates the week containing Earth Day (April 22) each year as "Litter Law Enforcement Week" in New Jersey. During this week, the Department of Environmental Protection and State Police must prioritize enforcing state littering laws (including specific statutes on illegal dumping and littering in public spaces), while encouraging local law enforcement to join the effort. Fines collected from littering violations during this period must be split equally into three state funds: the Clean Communities Program Fund (for public litter removal), the Coastal Protection Trust Fund (for beach cleanups), and the Municipal Stormwater Fund (for litter control at stormwater sites). Municipalities and counties can also choose to donate their collected fines to these funds.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

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

A 3338: Requires municipalities, public utilities, and State to use LED technology in certain street lights.

New Jersey's bill A-3338 requires municipalities, public utilities, and state agencies to install or replace street lights with LED technology during routine maintenance or new installations. Exceptions apply for temporary lighting (e.g., emergencies, special events), safety concerns, or historic properties. The law mandates compliance with minimum lighting standards while prioritizing energy conservation, reduced glare, and minimized light pollution. This policy directly affects all entities managing street lighting across the state, applying to lights funded by municipal budgets, utility rates, or state/federal sources.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Conservation

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

ACR 69: Determines that DEP rules and regulations to implement "Advanced Clean Trucks" program are inconsistent with legislative intent.

ACR 69 is a concurrent resolution declaring that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) 2021 rules implementing the "Advanced Clean Trucks" program are inconsistent with legislative intent. The resolution states the DEP adopted these rules - requiring 55-75% zero-emission truck sales by 2035 - without following a legal requirement to notify environmental committees, as mandated by 2003 law authorizing only California's "phase 2" low-emission vehicle program. The resolution gives the DEP 30 days to amend or withdraw the rules, or the legislature may later pass another resolution to invalidate them. This procedural action directly affects the DEP's rulemaking authority and the timeline for truck manufacturers to comply with the program.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

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

A 3553: Exempts certain plastic materials processed at advanced plastic processing facilities from State laws regulating solid waste disposal and recycling.

This bill exempts plastic materials processed at designated "advanced plastic processing facilities" from New Jersey's solid waste disposal and recycling laws. These facilities must transform plastic into non-fuel products (like chemicals or monomers) using methods such as pyrolysis, not into fuel. The exemption excludes PETE (code 1) and HDPE (code 2) plastics. Processors using these facilities avoid state recycling/disposal rules but remain subject to air/water pollution and land-use laws.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management Water Quality

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

A 2512: Directs DEP to select consultant to perform Statewide needs assessment regarding recycling of packaging products; establishes "Statewide Recycling Needs Assessment Advisory Council" in DEP; appropriates $500,000.

This bill directs New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to hire a consultant to conduct a statewide assessment of recycling, composting, and reuse conditions for packaging products. It establishes a "Statewide Recycling Needs Assessment Advisory Council" within the DEP and appropriates $500,000 for the assessment. The study will evaluate current packaging recycling rates, collection systems (including curbside and drop-off), waste disposal data, and infrastructure gaps across covered entities like schools, government facilities, and residential buildings. The findings will help identify needs and gaps in the state's packaging recycling system.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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

A 4379: Establishes State Agriculture Development Committee program preserving farmland in danger of being developed for warehouse purposes or other high-density development projects; appropriates $50 million from Global Warming Solutions Fund.

This bill creates a program to preserve farmland in New Jersey threatened by development for warehouses or high-density projects. It appropriates $50 million from the existing Global Warming Solutions Fund to allow the State Agriculture Development Committee to purchase land or development rights from landowners. Landowners selling to developers must notify the committee in writing, giving it the first right to buy the land at the offered price. The fund will be managed by the committee to prevent agricultural land from being converted to non-farm uses.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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

A 772: Requires HMFA to establish "Sustainable Tiny Home Pilot Program" in three regions of State; appropriates $5 million.

This bill proposes a 3-year pilot program through New Jersey's Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) to develop sustainable tiny homes under 300 square feet in three regions of the state (northern, central, and southern). It appropriates $5 million total ($1.65 million annually) to fund grants for builders constructing these homes, requiring compliance with green building standards and reporting on recycled construction waste. Participating municipalities must temporarily relax zoning rules to allow tiny home developments, with the goal of reducing carbon emissions (tiny homes produce ~93% less CO2 than standard homes) and construction waste. The program targets builders, eligible municipalities, and future residents of these affordable, eco-friendly housing units.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Climate Change Housing Finance Mortgages Zoning

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 5, 2026

A 4004: Establishes Division of Energy Resource and Development; transfers certain responsibilities from BPU to the Division of Energy Resource and Development.

This bill creates the Division of Energy Resource and Development within the Department of the Treasury, transferring key energy policy responsibilities from the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to the new division. It specifically moves BPU's energy efficiency programs, clean energy initiatives, electric vehicle incentives, and energy generation planning to the division. The division will focus on advancing New Jersey's clean energy goals through unified strategy development, public education on sustainable energy, and supporting state agencies in meeting greenhouse gas reduction targets. The division will be led by a governor-appointed director who will oversee the transition of BPU functions and develop crisis response plans for energy systems.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Climate Change

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1857: Excludes farmland from definitions of "redevelopment area" and "rehabilitation area" in "Local Redevelopment and Housing Law."

S 1857 amends New Jersey's Local Redevelopment and Housing Law to explicitly exclude farmland actively devoted to agricultural use (and taxed under the Farmland Assessment Act of 1964) from being classified as a "redevelopment area" or "rehabilitation area." This directly affects farmers who maintain agricultural operations and qualify for the farmland tax assessment program, preventing their land from being included in redevelopment projects. The key mechanism is a technical amendment to the legal definition of "redevelopment area" within the law. This change ensures farmland under the Farmland Assessment Act cannot be subject to redevelopment processes governed by the current law.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✗ Housing

Sub-Topics Community Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 703: Provides for regional economic and land use impact report and establishes review processes related to development of certain large warehouses; and requires related real property reassessments.

This bill requires New Jersey municipalities to complete regional impact assessments before approving large warehouse developments. It mandates that towns update their master plans to protect farmland and open spaces, and reassess property taxes after approval to balance municipal revenue. The law delays individual land use approvals until these assessments - covering traffic, environment, and cross-municipal effects - are reviewed and approved by the host and adjoining municipalities. It directly affects developers seeking warehouse permits and local governments managing land use planning.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

All environment bills