ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4554

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 23, 2026

      The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4554.

      As reported, this bill would appropriate $111.6 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.

      As reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No. 4554 is identical to Senate Bill No. 743 (1R), which was also reported by the committee on this date.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      This bill is not certified as requiring a fiscal note.