SENATE ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 4688

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 11, 2025

      The Senate Environment and Energy Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 4688.

This bill would appropriate $58.145 million in dedicated natural resource damages revenues, collected from various legal actions enumerated in the bill, to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for certain habitat restoration and enhancement projects, land acquisition projects, restoration oversight activities, and administrative costs.  The bill would authorize the DEP to utilize the funds for State costs, as grants or loans to local governments, or as grants or loans to nonprofit organizations.