This bill prohibits New Jersey state agencies, counties, and municipalities from adopting rules or ordinances that ban the installation or use of fossil fuel-powered kitchen appliances (like natural gas stoves or ovens) in residential or commercial kitchens, as long as the appliances meet existing federal and state safety standards. It does not prevent voluntary programs that incentivize switching to electric appliances. The law directly affects homeowners, renters, and businesses that use or install kitchen appliances, ensuring local governments cannot mandate a shift away from gas appliances while allowing incentive programs to encourage electric alternatives. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.
This bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create rules allowing low- and moderate-income residential customers to self-attest to their income for community solar program participation, instead of providing traditional income documentation. It directly affects households qualifying as low- or moderate-income who wish to join community solar programs established under 2018 law (P.L.2018, c.17). The key provision replaces current income verification requirements with a self-attestation method, to be defined by the BPU in new regulations. This change aims to simplify access to community solar benefits for qualifying residents.
This bill (S 1680) allows property owners within New Jersey's Highlands preservation area to request removal from the preservation zone under specific conditions. It applies only to owners who have continuously owned their land since the original 2004 Highlands Act and whose property was rejected by the state for purchase due to insufficient funding at the 2004 fair market value (appraised using 2004 land use zoning and environmental rules). Upon written request with state documentation confirming funding limitations, the property is exempt from preservation rules and regulated like standard property in the planning area, with the exclusion recorded on deeds and maps. The bill directly affects long-term landowners in the Highlands who face state refusal to buy their land at 2004 valuation.
S 392, the "Palisades Cliffs Protection Act," limits new building heights in areas east of the Palisades cliffs in Hudson and Bergen counties, directly affecting developers planning construction between the cliffs and the Hudson River. The bill requires all new buildings or structures to be at least 10 feet shorter than the cliff wall's lowest point west of the site or the elevation of Palisade Avenue, whichever is lower. This applies to all new proposals, excluding projects that already have all required government approvals before the law takes effect. The measure aims to maintain the natural topography and visual character of the Palisades area by restricting vertical development near the cliffs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
