Bill > A2947

Introduced Session

This bill would require the Department of Environmental Protection to designate at least one area in each State park and forest in which a bat house would be constructed and maintained. New Jersey is home to nine species of bats, all of which are protected by "The Endangered and Nongame Species Conservation Act." Six species, including the Indiana bat - designated as a State and federal endangered species - are year-round residents, and three species are migratory. Bats are important indicators of a healthy environment. Since they are particularly vulnerable to pollution and pesticides, the presence or absence of bats can provide scientists with information on the overall health of the local environment. New Jersey's bat species are insectivorous and can consume thousands of insects in a single night, helping to reduce agricultural crop pests, mosquitos, and the use of pesticides. Accordingly, the State should do as much as possible to facilitate increases in the populations of all bat species in the State. Building bat houses on State lands is one such way.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Parker Space (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture Committee (on 02/20/2020)