ASSEMBLY SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON INFRASTRUCTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4822

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 23, 2023

      The Assembly Special Committee on Infrastructure and Natural Resources reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4822.

      This bill would require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish and implement a program to provide rebates to State residents for the purchase of a microfiber washing machine filter or a replacement microfiber washing machine filter in order to encourage the purchase of microfiber washing machine filters and replacement filters and reduce the amount of microfiber pollution in the State.  Under the bill, one-time rebates would be available to any resident of the State who purchases an eligible microfiber washing machine filter or replacement filter, as determined by the DEP, submits a complete application for the rebate, in a manner and form determined by the DEP, and meets the bill’s requirements.  The amount of the rebate would not exceed the lesser of:  (1) the cost of the microfiber washing machine filter or replacement filter; or (2) $100.

      The DEP would be required to determine the types or brands of microfiber washing machine filters and replacement filters that are eligible for the rebate, determine the manner and form for residents to apply for and, if eligible, receive a rebate, and adopt rules and regulations as necessary to implement the rebate program established by the bill.  The bill would also require the DEP to prepare and submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature.  Finally, the bill would appropriate $2.5 million from the General Fund to the DEP for the purposes of providing rebates pursuant to the rebate program established by the bill.