Bill

Bill > S669


NJ S669

NJ S669
Establishes natural disaster relief grant program in DEP; appropriates $250 million.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 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 establishes a natural disaster relief grant program within the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to help local government units, which include counties and municipalities, and school districts recover from damage caused by climate change-related natural disasters, such as flooding or storms. The program will provide grants covering up to 50 percent of eligible project costs, aiming to lessen the impact of climate change on residents. The DEP will be responsible for setting the rules for the program, including who is eligible, what costs are covered, how projects will be prioritized, and how to apply. The DEP will also need to report on the program's progress to the Governor and the Legislature. To fund this initiative, $250 million is being appropriated from the General Fund to a newly created Climate Change Relief Fund, which will be managed by the State Treasurer and used exclusively for administering this grant program.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee (on 01/13/2026)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...