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Bill > A2273
NJ A2273
NJ A2273Establishes municipal water infrastructure planning and design project grant program in DEP; appropriates $100 million.
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 direct the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish a program to provide grants to municipalities that undertake planning and design projects related to prospective water infrastructure projects. In order to be eligible for a grant, a planning and design project would be required to be in support of a water infrastructure project that would be eligible for financing under the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Financing Program, carried out jointly by the DEP and the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank. The maximum grant award per project would be $2 million. Municipalities would not be required to provide matching funds in order to be eligible for a grant. The bill would also require the DEP to provide priority to applications for projects located in overburdened communities. Under the bill, the DEP would determine the application procedures and criteria for evaluating applications. The bill would require the DEP to report to Governor and the Legislature on the progress of the program in achieving its goals. Finally, the bill would appropriate $100 million from the General Fund to the DEP for the purposes of the grant program established by the bill.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a municipal water infrastructure planning and design project grant program within the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and appropriates $100 million to fund it. The program will provide grants to municipalities for the planning and design phases of water infrastructure projects, which include drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater systems, to help them secure future financing. To be eligible, these planning and design projects must support water infrastructure projects that would qualify for funding through the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Financing Program, a joint effort by the DEP and the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank. Grants will be capped at $2 million per project, and municipalities will not be required to contribute matching funds. The DEP will prioritize applications for projects located in "overburdened communities," which are areas disproportionately burdened by environmental pollution. The DEP will also set the application procedures and evaluation criteria, and will be required to report annually to the Governor and Legislature on the program's progress.
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/A2273 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A2500/2273_I1.HTM |
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