CHAPTER 188

 

An Act appropriating $55 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues for the development of lands by the State for recreation and conservation purposes.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1. a. For the purposes of this section, "Green Acres bond act" means P.L.2009, c.117, P.L.2007, c.119, P.L.1995, c.204, P.L.1992, c.88, and P.L.1989, c.183.

     b.  There is appropriated the sum of $50,300,000 from dedicated corporation business tax revenues pursuant to Article VIII, Section II, paragraph 6 of the State Constitution in the “Preserve New Jersey Green Acres Fund,” established pursuant to section 6 of the “Preserve New Jersey Act,” P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-48), to the Department of Environmental Protection for the development of lands by the State for recreation and conservation purposes in accordance with the provisions of the “Preserve New Jersey Act,” P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-43 et seq.).  Of the amount appropriated pursuant to this subsection, the sum of $9,100,000 is available due to interest earnings on the dedicated corporation business tax revenues pursuant to Article VIII, Section II, paragraph 6 of the State Constitution.

     c.  There is appropriated $4,700,000 from the funds established pursuant to any Green Acres bond act and 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.), to the Department of Environmental Protection for the development of lands by the State for recreation and conservation purposes in accordance with the provisions of the “Preserve New Jersey Act,” P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-43 et seq.).  Of the amount appropriated pursuant to this subsection, the sum of $4,700,000 is available due to interest earnings.

     d.  The funds appropriated pursuant to subsections b. and c. of this section shall be allocated as follows:

 

Project                                                                                                                        Amount

 

BOATING & FISHING ACCESS

                Access Facilities                                                                                      1,000,000

 

CAMPING DEVELOPMENT

                Camping, Cabin/Shelter Program                                                      3,000,000

                Sanitary Facilities                                                                                   3,000,000

 

HABITAT ENHANCEMENT & ACCESS

                Habitat Enhancements & Access                                                        2,500,000

INFRASTRUCTURE

                Bridge Repairs                                                                                        2,000,000

                Building Repairs and Renovations                                                                    5,200,000

                Dam Inspections, Repairs, Removals                                               2,000,000

                Health and Life Safety Projects                                                        10,000,000

                Historic Structure Stabilization and Repairs                                   6,000,000

                Recreational Development                                                                 13,200,000

                Road Repairs                                                                                           2,000,000

 

IN-HOUSE PROJECTS                                                                                           525,000

 

PALISADES INTERSTATE PARK COMMISSION                                      800,000

 

OTHER

                Contingency Fund for Repairs                                                            2,525,000

                Administration                                                                                         1,250,000

 

TOTAL                                                                                                 $55,000,000

     e.     Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection e. of section 6 of P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-48) or any other law to the contrary, the expenditure of funds pursuant to this section shall not require the approval of the Joint Budget Oversight Committee, or its successor.  The department may reallocate funds among the projects identified in subsection d. of this section, subject to the approval of the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting in the Department of the Treasury.  The department shall send written notification of any such reallocation of funds to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the General Assembly, the Legislative Budget and Finance Officer, the Joint Budget Oversight Committee, or its successor, and the Chairs of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee and Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee, or their respective successor committees.

 

     2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the “Preserve New Jersey Green Acres Fund,” established pursuant to section 6 of the “Preserve New Jersey Act,” P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-48), the sum of $41,200,000 to implement the provisions of section 1 of this act.

 

     3.    This act shall take effect immediately.

 

     Approved December 23, 2025.