ASSEMBLY ENVIRONMENT AND SOLID WASTE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5321

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

      The Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 5321.

      As amended, this bill supplements the “Garden State Preservation Trust Act” to provide that qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organizations may be eligible to receive Green Acres funding for the development, capital repair, or improvement of property on State-owned land without providing matching funds for that purpose.  In addition, the bill allows the use of Green Acres funding to fully fund projects carried out by a qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organization for the development, capital repair, or improvement of property on State-owned land.

      In order to improve the stewardship, good repair, maintenance, and safe operations of certain preserved State facilities and lands for educational, research, outdoor recreation and other suitable uses, this bill provides for the development, capital repair, or improvement by certain nonprofit organizations of property on State-owned land.

      As amended and reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No. 5321 is identical to Senate Bill No. 4495 (1R), which was also reported by the committee on this date.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amendments to the bill stipulate that the Department of Environmental Protection may, at its discretion, require qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organizations to provide matching funds in order to receive Green Acres funding pursuant to the bill.