summary
Introduced
03/10/2025
03/10/2025
In Committee
03/10/2025
03/10/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill would establish a "Forest Fire Preparedness Commission" in the Department of Environmental Protection. The commission would be composed of 20 members, including the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, the State Firewarden, and the Superintendent of the State Police, or their designees, and representatives of local emergency response organizations. The commission would be charged with various duties related to ensuring that the State is prepared to respond in a timely and effective manner to wildfires, including: (1) performing a comprehensive audit of the State's current protocols related to wildfire response; (2) developing a comprehensive roadmap that may be utilized by State, regional, county, and local emergency responders, including firefighters, police, and medical responders, in order to coordinate their responses to wildfires; and (3) developing standardized lines of communication among the State Forest Fire Service and State, regional, county, and municipal emergency response organizations for the purposes of wildfire response. The bill would require the commission to produce a report that produces its findings, plans, recommendations, and activities no later than two years after the bill's enactment, after which the Forest Fire Preparedness Commission would dissolve.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a Forest Fire Preparedness Commission within the Department of Environmental Protection to improve New Jersey's wildfire response capabilities. The commission will consist of 20 members, including key state officials like the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, State Firewarden, and State Police Superintendent, as well as representatives from various state agencies, firefighting organizations, and emergency response groups. The commission's primary responsibilities include conducting a comprehensive audit of the state's current wildfire response protocols, developing a coordinated emergency response roadmap for state and local responders, creating standardized communication lines among emergency organizations, reviewing existing forest fire plans, assessing the effectiveness of controlled burns, and recommending potential changes to state regulations and laws to enhance wildfire prevention and mitigation. The commission is required to submit a detailed final report to the Governor and Legislature within two years of the bill's enactment, after which it will automatically dissolve. By bringing together diverse stakeholders and experts, the bill aims to improve New Jersey's preparedness and response capabilities for potential wildfires, ultimately protecting lives and property.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (5)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee (on 03/10/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A5431 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A5500/5431_I1.HTM |
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