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Bill > S2906


NJ S2906

NJ S2906
Establishes natural disaster relief grant program in DEP; appropriates $250 million.


summary

Introduced
03/04/2024
In Committee
03/04/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill would direct the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish a program to provide relief, in the form of grants for up to 50 percent of eligible project costs, to local government units or school districts whose facilities have been damaged or otherwise harmed by a climate change-related natural disaster. The purpose of the program would be to ameliorate the harmful effects of climate change on residents of the State. Under the bill, the DEP would determine the eligibility criteria, covered costs, priority ranking of projects, and application procedures for the program. The bill would require the DEP to report to Governor and the Legislature on the progress of the program in achieving its goals. The bill would appropriate $250 million from the General Fund to the DEP to provide the initial funding for the program.

AI Summary

This bill directs the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create a grant program to help local government units (which include counties, municipalities, and their agencies like housing authorities) and school districts recover from damage caused by "climate change-related natural disasters," meaning events like flooding, storms, droughts, or extreme heat that are worsened by global climate change. The program will offer grants covering up to 50% of eligible project costs to lessen the impact of climate change on residents, with the DEP responsible for setting rules on who qualifies, what costs are covered, how projects are prioritized, and how to apply. The DEP will also need to report on the program's progress to the Governor and the Legislature, and $250 million is being allocated from the General Fund to establish and run this new Climate Change Relief Fund.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee (on 03/04/2024)

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