SENATE ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 199

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 12, 2024

      The Senate Environment and Energy Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 199.

      This bill, as amended by the committee, would require the State Capitol Joint Management Commission to prepare, adopt, and implement an environmental sustainability plan for the State House Capitol Complex.

      The commission would be required to adopt an environmental sustainability plan that includes energy savings and efficiency upgrades, water conservation techniques, applicable principles set forth by the United States Green Building Council, the involvement of food services, the consideration of methods to reduce the carbon emissions and minimize the State’s “carbon footprint,” and the establishment of performance measures to be reported annually and made available on the Internet websites of the Governor and Legislature.

      This bill also would amend current law to ensure that the commission considers environmentally sustainable options with respect to contracting and the management and operation of the State House Capitol Complex. The environmental sustainability plan would be revised as necessary at least every four years and an advisory committee of experts in environmental sustainability would be appointed to assist the commission.

      This bill was prefiled 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.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amendments to the bill:

      (1) remove a reference to "xeriscaping" as an example of a water conservation technique to be included in the environmental sustainability plan;

      (2) replace a reference to "biodegradable or bioplastic utensils" with "compostable utensils"; and

      (3) require the environmental sustainability plan to include an estimate of any expenditure increases needed to implement the plan, and an identification of potential funding sources for any expenditure increases.