Bill > S2899

Introduced Session

This bill would require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), counties, and municipalities to periodically, but at least annually at the appropriate season, survey and inspect all ponds, lakes, and other water bodies located in any park they respectively own for the presence of duckweed (Lemna spp.). Duckweed is a small aquatic plant that floats on or just beneath the surface of still or slow-moving bodies of freshwater and often appears as a deceptively thick-looking mat on the water body's surface. The bill would require, whenever duckweed is detected at any pond, lake, or other water body, the DEP, county, or municipality, as the case may be, to erect a clear and conspicuous sign or signs at the pond, lake, or other water body warning of the presence of duckweed and the danger caused by its false appearance of being a solid surface to walk upon. In addition, the bill would require the DEP, in consultation with the Department of Community Affairs, to: (1) develop educational materials on duckweed, including information on how to identify it, which would be distributed to every county and municipality; (2) develop the language to be used on the warning signs required by the bill, and produce an appropriate quantity of these signs for use by counties and municipalities; and (3) distribute to any requesting county or municipality a sufficient number of duckweed warning signs needed by the county or municipality to comply with the bill's posting requirement.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Raj Mukherji (D)*, 

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

Official Document