Environment in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1256: Prohibits planting of non-native species in landscaping at State parks and forests; establishes grant program to support use of native plants at local parks and forests; appropriates $250,000.

This bill prohibits the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection from planting non-native species in landscaping at State parks and forests, effective three months after enactment. It establishes a $250,000 grant program to provide local government units (counties, municipalities, or park authorities) with funding - up to $5,000 per project - for using native plants in local park landscaping, land management, reforestation, and habitat restoration. The Department of Environmental Protection must develop grant guidelines, monitor recipients, and report annually on program effectiveness to the Governor and Legislature. The bill defines "native plants" as species naturally occurring in New Jersey or the Mid-Atlantic region without human assistance.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation Public Lands

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2882: Authorizes DCA, DEP, DOT, and municipalities, to provide priority consideration to permit applications for green building projects.

This bill (S 2882) allows New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Transportation (DOT), and municipalities to give priority consideration to permit applications for "green building projects." To qualify, projects must meet holistic sustainability standards (like LEED certification or equivalent) and include a letter from a licensed architect or engineer verifying compliance. The priority means these applications would receive faster review without guaranteeing approval. It directly affects developers seeking permits for sustainable buildings and local agencies reviewing construction projects.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1366: Makes $1.3 billion in federal funds available to DEP for use in New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Financing Program for lead service line replacement projects.

This bill allocates $1.3 billion in federal pandemic recovery funds (from the American Rescue Plan Act or similar sources) to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for lead service line replacement projects. It directly affects water suppliers across the state, requiring them to provide matching funds for replacements - except small suppliers (serving ≤3,300 connections), who may defer matching funds with department approval. The DEP and New Jersey Infrastructure Bank will administer the program, using the funds to support low-interest loans and financial assistance for replacing lead pipes connecting water mains to buildings. The program aligns with existing state infrastructure financing rules and aims to address lead contamination in drinking water systems.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1200: Requires water supplier to notify affected municipalities, school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, and institutions of higher education of violations of drinking water quality standards.

This bill (S 1200) would have required public water suppliers to immediately notify municipalities, school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, and colleges when drinking water violations occur that trigger federal Tier 2 Public Notices. The notification would detail specific contaminants, test results, locations, and suggested remedies. The bill was introduced in January 2026 but was withdrawn the same day because it was already enacted as part of P.L.2025, c.341. It does not currently require action, as the requirement is already in effect through prior legislation.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3235: The "Safe Playing Fields Act"; restricts use of lawn care pesticides at child care centers and certain schools.

S 3235, the "Safe Playing Fields Act," prohibits the use of lawn care pesticides (excluding low-impact pesticides defined in current law) on the grounds of child care centers and schools serving kindergarten through 8th grade, including playgrounds and athletic fields. The bill allows exceptions only for immediate health emergencies, determined by facility leaders, and requires children to be kept away from treated areas for at least seven hours after application. It also mandates that the Environmental Protection Commissioner, with health officials, create new rules for pesticide use, record-keeping, and parent/staff notifications at these facilities within one year of the law taking effect. This directly affects child care centers and K-8 schools in New Jersey by restricting pesticide applications on their grounds.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1901: Requires NJ Clean Energy Program incentives be made available to commercial farms.

S 1901 makes commercial farm owners in New Jersey eligible to apply for and receive energy efficiency incentives through the state's Clean Energy Program (NJCEP). The bill requires the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a program helping farm owners conduct energy audits - assessing energy use and identifying conservation measures - to maximize savings. It also mandates the BPU to publish all available farm-specific incentives online. This addresses a gap where commercial farms were excluded from NJCEP programs (unlike residential dwellings on farms), directly benefiting farm operators seeking to improve energy efficiency.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Conservation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1383: Requires DEP to prioritize funding for certain projects for acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes and certain environmental infrastructure projects that include, or allow for, flood mitigation projects.

This bill (S 1383) requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to prioritize funding for two types of projects: 1) land acquisition for recreation and conservation, and 2) environmental infrastructure projects that include flood mitigation. It directs the DEP to use specific criteria - such as protecting floodplains, wetlands, and flood-prone areas - to rank projects for funding under existing Green Acres programs. The bill amends current law to ensure projects addressing flood risk receive priority when allocating constitutionally dedicated funds. This affects local governments and nonprofits applying for DEP grants to acquire or develop land for public recreation or conservation uses.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 662: Establishes various programs in DEP concerning management of publicly owned forested land; appropriates $60 million.

This bill establishes a program for managing publicly owned forested lands across New Jersey. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to survey, map, and develop management plans for all state and local government-owned forested areas (minimum 0.5 acres with 10% canopy cover), including identifying cultural sites, wildfire risks, and areas for carbon sequestration. The bill creates "Carbon Reserve Forests" to protect mature forests, advance greenhouse gas reduction goals, and promote old-growth development, with management focused on ecological health rather than commercial use. It appropriates $60 million for these efforts and mandates public input through regional hearings. The program directly affects state/local land managers, indigenous communities (through cultural site protections), and climate initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Climate Change Conservation Forestry

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 803: Establishes program in SADC for acquisition of development easements on privately-owned woodlands.

S 803 creates a program for New Jersey to acquire development easements on privately-owned woodlands, permanently restricting future development to protect land for farming, forestry, and conservation. Woodlands must be at least 20 acres, used for agriculture or forestry production, and managed under approved stewardship plans to qualify. The program will use existing farmland preservation funds and coordinate with federal agencies to access additional support, such as the federal Forest Legacy Program. Landowners who sell these easements retain ownership but lose development rights, with restrictions recorded to last indefinitely.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2361: Requires DEP to establish maximum contaminant level for hexavalent chromium in drinking water.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to set a legal limit of 10 parts per billion for hexavalent chromium (a toxic form of chromium) in drinking water. It affects all public water systems, with deadlines based on system size: larger systems (10,000+ connections) must comply within 2 years, medium systems (1,000-9,999 connections) within 3 years, and smaller systems (under 1,000 connections) within 4 years after the law takes effect. The bill does not change existing limits for total chromium but specifically restricts hexavalent chromium to the new 10 ppb standard. The DEP may later adopt stricter limits if recommended by the Drinking Water Quality Institute.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

All environment bills