Bill
Bill > A974
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 radon gas or radon progeny testing in buildings used by public schools, private schools, and institutions of higher education at least once every five years. If such a building has been tested for radon within the five-year period preceding the bill's effective date, the test required under the bill would need to be performed on such building within five years after that prior test and once every five years thereafter. If a building has not been tested for radon within the five-year period preceding the bill's effective date, the test required by the bill is to be performed on the building within 60 days after the bill's effective date and once every five years thereafter. The Commissioner of Education or Commissioner of Higher Education, as appropriate, in consultation with the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, would be required to determine the extent of testing required by the bill, and the superintendent of each school district in the State, the board of trustees of a charter school, the principal or chief administrator of a private school, or the chief administrator of the institution of higher education, as applicable, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, would be required to identify the buildings to be tested, the locations within each building to be tested, the method of testing, and the procedures concerning notification and circulation of the testing results. This bill repeals an existing section of law that previously required radon testing in public school buildings, but that was deemed to be expired after a determination by the Council on Local Mandates that it constituted an unfunded mandate. Because this bill's radon testing requirements would be equally applicable to similarly situated government and non-government entities, it would not constitute an unfunded mandate.
AI Summary
This bill mandates that all buildings used by public schools, private schools, and institutions of higher education (colleges and universities) in the state must be tested for radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, or its byproducts, at least every five years. If a building has been tested within the five years before the bill becomes law, the next test must occur within five years of that prior test, and then every five years thereafter; if no recent test exists, the initial test must happen within 60 days of the bill's effective date, followed by tests every five years. The Commissioner of Education or Higher Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, will define the scope of these tests, while school and college administrators, also in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, will determine which specific buildings and locations within them need testing, the testing methods, and how results will be communicated. This legislation repeals an older law that required similar radon testing in public schools but was deemed an unfunded mandate, meaning it cost local entities money without state reimbursement; this new bill is structured to apply equally to both public and private institutions, thus avoiding the unfunded mandate designation.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste 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/A974 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A1000/974_I1.HTM |
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