Bill > S291

Introduced Session

This bill provides that 10 percent of the Green Acres funding provided for grants and loans to fund local government open space acquisition and development projects would be allocated as grants for the development of completely inclusive playgrounds by local government units. The "Preserve New Jersey Act" implements the constitutional dedication of corporation business tax (CBT) revenues for open space, farmland, and historic preservation. For State fiscal years 2017 through 2019, the act provides that of the 60 percent of dedicated CBT revenues allocated each year for the Green Acres program: 55 percent shall be used for State open space acquisition and development projects; 38 percent shall be used for grants and loans to fund local government open space acquisition and development projects; and 7 percent shall be used for grants to fund open space acquisition and development projects undertaken by qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organizations. Currently, the Green Acres program requires all development projects to comply with all applicable federal and State requirements of the "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990" and "barrier free" codes. This bill would provide that of the funding for local government open space acquisition and development projects, 10 percent would be allocated as grants for the development of completely inclusive playgrounds, including the retrofitting of existing playgrounds, by local government units. The bill further provides that a grant by the State for development of a completely inclusive playground by a local government unit that is not an urban aid municipality would be for 50 percent of the cost of development of the playground. This bill is essentially tied to Assembly Bill No. 2187 (1R) (currently awaiting action by the Governor), to be known as "Jake's Law," which would require the Department of Community Affairs, in consultation with the Department of Education, to adopt rules and regulations for the design, installation, inspection and maintenance of completely inclusive playgrounds. A2187 (1R) defines "completely inclusive playground" as a playground designated for public use for children two to five years of age or five to twelve years of age, that meet certain accessibility requirements. A2187 (1R) also would require the Commissioner of Environmental Protection to prioritize any application submitted by a county seeking to acquire or develop lands for recreational and conservation purposes using Green Acres funds, provided that the Green Acres funds requested by the county are to be used for the design and construction of an inclusive playground. This bill would provide that a portion of Green Acres funds be specifically allocated for the development of completely inclusive playgrounds by counties and municipalities.

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Joe Pennacchio (R)*,  Troy Singleton (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee (on 01/14/2020)