Bill > A2328

Introduced Session

This bill appropriates the sum of $55 million to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to provide funding for capital projects and park development projects on lands administered by the DEP for recreation and conservation purposes pursuant to the "Preserve New Jersey Act," P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-43 et seq.). The funding in this bill is provided from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues pursuant to Article VIII, Section II, paragraph 6 of the State Constitution, approved by the voters of the State in November 2014. The "Preserve New Jersey Act" implements the constitutional dedication of CBT revenues for open space, farmland, and historic preservation. The act provides that a certain amount of the portion of dedicated CBT revenues allocated each year for the Green Acres program is to be used for: the acquisition of lands for open space, including Blue Acres projects, and development projects on lands administered by the State for recreation and conservation purposes; grants and loans to fund local government open space acquisition and development projects; and grants to nonprofit entities to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes. Additional funding in this bill is provided from the accumulated interest earnings in the Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund, established pursuant to the "Garden State Preservation Trust Act," P.L.1999, c.152 (C.13:8C-1 et seq.), and the funds established pursuant to Green Acres bond acts. This bill appropriates funds for capital and park development projects on State lands administered by the DEP's State Parks, Forests, and Historic Sites program and Fish and Wildlife program. These programs were formerly known, respectively, as the Division of Parks and Forestry and Division of Fish and Wildlife, prior to the DEP's current reorganization. The "Preserve New Jersey Green Acres Fund" was established by section 6 of the "Preserve New Jersey Act." The projects and appropriations listed in this bill have been approved by the DEP and the Garden State Preservation Trust.

AI Summary

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Luanne Peterpaul (D)*, 

Withdrawn Because Approved P.L.2025, c.188. (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document