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Bill > S1534


NJ S1534

NJ S1534
Authorizes municipalities to establish dredging control reserve fund.


summary

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

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill authorizes a municipality to establish a dredging control reserve fund (reserve). Unexpended balances budgeted annually for dredging may be lapsed into the reserve. Upon passage of a resolution of the municipality's governing body, funds in the reserve may be used by the municipality after current budget appropriations for any purpose related to dredging, including, but not limited to: the removal of sand, silt, mud, clay, rock, or other material from the bottom of a waterway in order to maintain or deepen navigation channels and berths; related infrastructure development of the project; the management of the dredged material through decontamination; acceptable placement or beneficial use; and the potential funding of the projects, as necessary, to support New Jersey's or the municipality's maritime, recreation, or tourism industries. Any reimbursement of these expenditures shall be deposited back into the reserve. Unexpended balances budgeted annually for expenses relating to dredging control may be lapsed into the reserve. The bill authorizes the Local Finance Board to adopt rules and regulations in order to effectuate the purposes of the bill.

AI Summary

This bill authorizes municipalities to create a special savings account, called a dredging control reserve fund, to manage money set aside for dredging projects. Dredging is the process of removing materials like sand, silt, or mud from the bottom of waterways to keep them deep enough for boats to navigate or for other uses. If a municipality has money left over from its annual budget for dredging, it can put that unspent money into this reserve fund. Once established, the municipality's governing body can decide, by passing a resolution, to use the money in the reserve fund for various dredging-related activities. These activities include the actual removal of materials, building any necessary infrastructure for the project, properly handling the removed material (like cleaning it or finding a suitable place to put it), and even using the funds to support local industries like shipping, recreation, or tourism that rely on these waterways. Any money reimbursed for these projects will be returned to the reserve fund. The bill also allows for unspent money budgeted for general dredging control expenses to be added to the reserve, and it empowers the Local Finance Board to create rules to help implement these provisions.

Committee Categories

Housing and Urban Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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