ASSEMBLY ENVIRONMENT, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND SOLID WASTE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 575

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 16, 2024

      The Assembly Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 575.

      This bill would require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop, and update as appropriate, guidelines for use by State and local agencies when entering into contracts for the purchase of goods, in order to encourage the maximum purchase of goods made with the highest percentage of recycled material.  The bill provides that these guidelines may be based upon, or may incorporate by reference, guidelines developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, including, but not limited to, the recommended recovered materials content levels specified in the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Consolidated Recovered Materials Advisory Notice.

      The bill requires the Director of the Division of Purchase and Property in the Department of the Treasury, the Director of the Division of Property Management and Construction in the Department of the Treasury, and all State and local agencies having authority to contract for the purchase of goods or services to ensure that all product specifications for new procurements advertised after the bill is enacted into law reflect the guidelines developed, or updated, if applicable, and to the extent practical and feasible.  However, this requirement would not apply to a contract entered into by a local contracting unit, if following the guidelines developed, or updated, pursuant to the bill would increase the cost of the contract.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.