SENATE ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2924

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 16, 2026

      The Senate Environment and Energy Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 2924.

      As amended, this bill, to be known as the “Liberty State Park Protection Act,” would establish certain requirements concerning actions by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) related to Liberty State Park.

      Specifically, the bill would prohibit the DEP from considering any proposal to commercialize, develop, or privatize Liberty State Park, except as provided in the bill.  The bill would restrict the DEP from conveying, leasing, or otherwise transferring any property rights within the interior of Liberty State Park or at Caven Point Peninsula.  Under the bill, the DEP may only approve an agreement for a concession, conveyance, lease, or other agreement with a private entity to provide small-scale commercial activities if the agreement enhances the experience of a visitor to Liberty State Park, except for agreements related to the continued operation of the marina and Liberty Science Center.

      In addition, the bill directs the DEP to develop and implement a public participation process to allow public citizens and civic organizations to provide public input on any proposed changes in land use at Liberty State Park that are not envisioned in the Liberty State Park Master Plan, and to also, at least twice each year, hold a public forum and receive public comment concerning plans, improvements, preservation, conservation, and management of the park.

      The bill would amend the “State Park and Forestry Resources Act,” P.L.1983, c. 324 (C.13:1L-1 et seq.), which, in part, allows the DEP to enter agreements with private entities for the construction, operation, and maintenance for private profit of any facility, utility, or device in State parks and forests as the DEP finds proper for the use and enjoyment of the lands by the public.  This bill would amend the “State Park and Forestry Resources Act” to reflect the provisions of this bill concerning agreements related to Liberty State Park.  Lastly, the bill would amend the “Hackensack Meadowlands Agency Consolidation Act,” P.L.2015, c.19 (C.5:10A-19 et seq.), to delete a provision that provides the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority with certain authority concerning Liberty State Park.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2026-2027 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) revise the findings and declarations section;

      (2) remove the provisions of the bill establishing the Liberty State Park Advisory Committee and delete the definition of “committee”;

      (3) revise the definition of “concession”;

      (4) modify the duties of the DEP with respect to Liberty State Park, including requiring public forums twice per year, rather than once per year, and including a two-week public comment period with each public forum;

      (5) authorize the DEP to execute an agreement with the existing marina for the construction of an indoor boat dry rack facility, provided that it is equal to or less than one half-acre in size;

      (6) add an exception to the bill’s provisions for the construction and maintenance of telecommunications infrastructure; and

      (7) make technical and clarifying changes.