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Bill > S1878
NJ S1878
NJ S1878Requires grants to local government units to cover total cost of forest stewardship plans; provides for allocation of funding from "Global Warming Solutions Fund".
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill would require that a grant awarded by the Department of Environmental Protection for a forest stewardship plan to a local government unit be for the total cost of the development and implementation of the plan. Current law authorizes the department to award grants of up to $1,500 from the "Forest Stewardship Incentive Fund" (fund) to pay for the cost of developing a forest stewardship plan pursuant to section 3 of P.L.2009, c.256 (C.13:1L-31) to owners of forested land, including local government units. Current law also provides that, if the cost of developing a forest stewardship plan exceeds $1,500, the department may also award 80 percent of the cost that exceeds $1,500 to the owner, up to a maximum grant of $2,500. The fund is credited with moneys allocated for programs that enhance the stewardship and restoration of the State's forests pursuant to section 7 of P.L.2007, c.340 (C.26:2C-51) from the "Global Warming Solutions Fund." This bill would require a grant to a local government unit to cover the total cost of development and implementation of a forest stewardship plan for its forested land. Finally, the bill would require that of the moneys allocated for forest stewardship from the "Global Warming Solutions Fund," at least 10 percent of that allocation would be required to be allocated for grants for the development and implementation of forest stewardship plans.
AI Summary
This bill requires that any grant awarded by the Department of Environmental Protection to a local government unit for a forest stewardship plan, which is a plan to manage and care for forested land, must cover the entire cost of developing and implementing that plan. Currently, these grants are capped at $1,500, with an additional 80% of costs above that amount available up to a total of $2,500, and these funds come from the "Forest Stewardship Incentive Fund," which is partially funded by the "Global Warming Solutions Fund." This bill also mandates that at least 10% of the money allocated from the "Global Warming Solutions Fund" for forest stewardship programs must be specifically set aside for these grants to local government units for their forest stewardship plans.
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)
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/2026/S1878 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2000/1878_I1.HTM |
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