Environment in New Jersey

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 677: Requires certain State-funded construction projects to utilize plastic construction materials that contain certain amounts of postconsumer recycled content.

This bill requires all plastic construction materials (over 50% plastic by cost) used in State-funded projects by government entities (state, county, or municipal) to contain at least 10% postconsumer recycled content for two years after enactment, increasing to 15% thereafter. It exempts projects if compliant materials would raise costs by 25% or aren’t available in needed quantities. The bill applies to materials like pipes, panels, or insulation incorporated into construction projects. Note: This bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was approved in P.L.2025, c.308.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 82: Provides State income tax credit for removal of lawns near Barnegat Bay.

This bill provides a $250 annual state income tax credit for homeowners within 1,000 feet of Barnegat Bay and its tributaries who replace grass lawns with stone, crushed shells, or similar non-maintenance materials. Property owners who already made this change before the bill's effective date also qualify for the credit. The credit aims to reduce chemical runoff from lawns - like fertilizers and pesticides - that flow into the bay, addressing a key factor in the bay's environmental degradation. It applies to taxable years starting January 1 after the bill takes effect, with tax credit rules to be established by the Division of Taxation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2745: Revises law prohibiting feeding of bears; establishes program in DEP for distribution of bear-proof garbage cans.

This bill creates a "Bear Smart Fund" within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to finance the distribution of bear-proof garbage cans. The fund will be supported by civil penalties from existing bear-feeding violations, state/federal appropriations, and investment earnings. The DEP will prioritize distributing these cans in counties with high bear populations - Sussex, Warren, Morris, and Passaic - to reduce human-bear conflicts, potentially charging residents a small fee or partnering with local governments for cost efficiency. The bill also updates the state's bear-feeding law to clarify prohibited actions (like leaving food accessible to bears) and directs penalty collections into the new fund.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Waste Management

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 660: Provides FY 2024 supplemental appropriations to, and establishes "Drinking Water Emergency Response Fund" in, DEP; appropriates $6.85 million to fund and various divisions of DEP.

This bill creates the "Drinking Water Emergency Response Fund" within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), appropriating $1 million from the General Fund to establish this nonlapsing (renewable) fund. The fund directly affects the DEP and publicly owned drinking water systems by providing resources for emergency responses to unexpected contamination events, such as chemical spills, water contamination incidents, or harmful algal blooms. Key provisions allow the fund to cover both DEP-led emergency efforts and direct financial support to public water systems for similar emergencies. The bill also includes additional FY2024 supplemental appropriations totaling $5.85 million for specific DEP divisions, including $2 million for water supply operations and $1.45 million for park management, to support new staff salaries.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics State Budget Drinking Water Parks & Recreation Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2299: Creates Highlands Conservation Trust to preserve land in Highlands Region, and authorizes Highlands conservation license plate to raise revenue therefor.

S 2299 creates the Highlands Conservation Trust to permanently preserve environmentally significant land in New Jersey's Highlands Region. The trust will acquire and hold land - such as forests, wetlands, and historic sites - to protect natural resources like clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreational areas. It will fund these efforts through revenue generated by a new "Highlands conservation license plate" program. The trust is governed by a seven-member board appointed by the Governor and local officials, with oversight focused on long-term land conservation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality Wildlife

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 2275: Establishes certain testing, certification, and labeling requirements for manufacturers and sellers of final hair products; establishes limits on amount of certain intentionally added chemicals. **

This bill bans the intentional addition of carcinogens, reproductive toxicants, flame resistant chemicals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to synthetic hair products sold in New Jersey. It directly affects manufacturers and sellers of these products, which include synthetic hair made from materials like polyester or nylon. The law prohibits these substances based on federal agency designations (e.g., WHO Group 1 carcinogens or EPA Group A carcinogens) and makes violations punishable by fines up to $20,000 per offense. The ban takes effect 13 months after enactment.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 616: Provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for purchase and installation of electric vehicle charging stations and for commercial zero emission vehicle fleet conversions.

S 616 provides New Jersey businesses with tax credits for installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and converting commercial vehicle fleets to zero-emission models. Businesses that purchase and install EV charging stations (capped at $1,000 per station) or buy qualifying zero-emission vehicles (with credits up to $100,000 based on vehicle weight) can claim a 50% credit against corporation business tax or gross income tax. To qualify, businesses must apply for certification from the Environmental Protection Commissioner, proving purchase dates, costs, and installation details, with decisions made within 90 days. The credits apply for five years starting after the bill’s effective date and require submitting certification with tax returns.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Electric Vehicles

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 673: "Packaging and Paper Product Stewardship Act."

This bill requires producers of packaging and paper products sold in New Jersey to implement environmentally sound management plans for their products. It creates a system where producers must join or form Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) to manage the end-of-life disposal of covered products through recycling, composting, or reuse - excluding landfilling and certain energy recovery methods. Key provisions include defining "covered products" (like food containers, bags, and beverage packaging), setting recycling rate targets, and mandating that PROs ensure compliance with environmental standards, particularly in overburdened communities. The law shifts responsibility for waste management from municipalities to producers, aiming to reduce landfill waste and promote sustainable product lifecycle practices.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SCR 27: Proposes constitutional amendment to make State trustee of public natural resources and guarantee to the people other environmental rights.

SCR 27 proposes a constitutional amendment to guarantee all New Jersey residents a fundamental right to a clean and healthy environment, including clean air, pure water, safe climate, and healthy habitats. It designates the State as the trustee of all natural resources (waters, air, lands, wildlife, and climate) for both current and future generations, requiring the state to conserve and maintain these resources for public benefit. The amendment would be self-executing, meaning courts could enforce it directly without new laws, and it explicitly states these rights are in addition to existing environmental protections. This change would apply to all New Jersey residents and require the state government to uphold these environmental rights through its actions and policies.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Air Quality Conservation Wildlife

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2304: Provides CBT credit for development of anaerobic digestion facilities that process food waste.

This bill creates a tax credit for businesses developing anaerobic digestion facilities that process food waste in New Jersey. It allows eligible taxpayers to claim a credit equal to up to 50% of facility development costs or $250,000 per facility, whichever is lower, against their corporation business tax. The credit is available for six years, with a total cap of $15 million in combined credits statewide. The policy directly affects businesses constructing these facilities, aiming to incentivize investment in infrastructure that converts food waste into biogas while excluding donated food and consumer waste from eligibility.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits

All environment bills