Bill > A4137

This bill, known as the "Invasive Species Management Act," aims to protect New Jersey's native ecosystems by prohibiting the sale, distribution, import, export, and propagation of certain invasive species, which are non-native organisms that can cause harm to the environment, native species, or human health. To achieve this, the bill establishes the New Jersey Invasive Species Council, comprised of government officials and public members with relevant expertise, to advise state departments on invasive species issues and develop management strategies. The act also lists specific plant species that are considered "prohibited invasive species" and outlines a timeline for these prohibitions to take effect, with some exceptions for specific cultivars of certain plants, provided they are properly labeled. The Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Agriculture are tasked with enforcing these provisions, with the ability to issue penalties for violations, and the bill also mandates the creation of educational resources and a central information hub on invasive species.