STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 765

with Senate Floor Amendments

(Proposed by Senator JOHNSON)

ADOPTED: DECEMBER 19, 2024

      These floor amendments would:

      (1) add a new section to the bill, which establishes a program in the Department of Environmental Protection for the distribution of bear-proof garbage cans to New Jersey residents, and a permanent fund, the "Bear Smart Fund," in order to support the program;

      (2) provide that the provisions of subsection a. of section 1 of P.L.2002, c.97 (C.23:2A-14) would apply to food placement activities carried out in a manner accessible to bears, rather than in a manner potentially accessible to bears;

      (3) provide that the provisions of subsection a. of section 1 of P.L.2002, c.97 (C.23:2A-14) would apply only in areas known to be frequented by bears;

      (4) provide that bird feeders would be completely exempt from the provisions of section 1 of P.L.2002, c.97 (C.23:2A-14);

      (5) clarify that baiting, carried out only during the correct time of year for the target species, is among the hunting and trapping activities exempted by the bill;

      (6) clarify that the placement of garbage cans outdoors for the purpose of being collected for disposal would be exempt from the provisions of section 1 of P.L.2002, c.97 (C.23:2A-14);

      (7) provide that civil penalties for violations of section 1 of P.L.2002, c.97 (C.23:2A-14) would be remitted to the "Bear Smart Fund"; and

      (8) make technical changes to the bill.