New Jersey S 743: Appropriates $111.6 million in dedicated natural resource damages revenues to DEP for habitat restoration, land acquisition, and restoration oversight projects.*

Bill Text

S743 1R 

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 743 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

� 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Senator JOHN J. BURZICHELLI

District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)

Assemblyman� JAMES J. KENNEDY

District 22 (Somerset and Union)

Assemblywoman� HEATHER SIMMONS

District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)

Co-Sponsored by:

Senator Timberlake, Assemblywomen Brennan, Haider and 
Assemblyman Bhalla

SYNOPSIS

���� Appropriates $111.6 million in dedicated natural 
resource damages revenues to DEP for habitat restoration, land acquisition, and 
restoration oversight projects.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT 

���� As reported by the Senate Environment and Energy 
Committee on February 12, 2026, with amendments.

�� 

An Act appropriating 1[$58.145] 
$111.61 million 
in dedicated natural resource damages revenues to the Department of 
Environmental Protection for certain projects.

���� Be It 
Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of 
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.� 
a.� There is appropriated to the Department of Environmental Protection the sum 
of 1[$58,145,000] $111,600,0001 from 
dedicated natural resource damages revenues pursuant to Article VIII, Section 
II, paragraph 9 of the State Constitution in the Natural Resource Damages � 
Constitutional Dedication account, from funds recovered in connection with 
claims made by the State in the matters of N.J. Dep�t of Env. Protection v. 
Atlantic Richfield Co., et al., No. 08 CIV 00312 (S.D.N.Y.); N.J. Dep�t of Env. 
Protection v. Exxon Mobil Corporation, No. GLO-L-000297-19 (a/k/a �Exxon 
Lail�); N.J. Dep�t of Env. Protection v. Bank of America, N.A., No. 23-2598 
(D.N.J) (a/k/a �White Swan Cleaners�); N.J Dep�t of Env. Protection v. Handy 
& Harman, et al; Kinder Morgan, Inc., and Its Related Entities; The Estate 
of Ralph F. Brass; Michael A. Tramontana (a/k/a �Eton Dry Cleaners�); N.J Dep�t 
of Env. Protection v. Carbide-Graphite Group, Inc., et al., No. MID-L-5793-07 
(a/k/a �Sayreville Landfill�); 1N.J. 
Dep�t. of Env. Protection v. Solvay Specialty Polymers USA, LLC, and Arkema, 
Inc. No. GLO-L-001239-20,1 
The Ciba Geigy Toms River Superfund Site, and The American Cyanamid Superfund 
Site, for projects to repair, restore, or replace damaged or lost natural 
resources of the State, or permanently protect the natural resources of the 
State pursuant to the prioritization set forth in Article VIII, Section II, 
paragraph 9 of the State Constitution as follows:

 RESTORATION/ACQUISITION

 1[$53,145,000] $102,400,0001 �

 Habitat Restoration and 
 Enhancement/ Land Acquisition Statewide

 $33,500,000

 Habitat Restoration and 
 Enhancement/ Land Acquisition in the Lower Delaware Water Region

 1[$5,200,000] $54,455,0001 

 Habitat Restoration and 
 Enhancement/ Land Acquisition in the Atlantic Water Region

 $2,250,000

 Habitat Restoration and 
 Enhancement/ Land Acquisition in the Northeast Water Region

 $10,250,000

 Habitat Restoration and Enhancement 
 in the Raritan Water Region

 $1,345,000

 Restoration Oversight � Ciba-Geigy 
 Superfund Site

 $500,000

 Restoration Oversight � Headgates 
 Dam Removal

 $100,000

 ADMINISTRATION

 1[$5,000,000] $9,200,0001 

���� b.� The department may 
reallocate funds among the projects appropriated hereinabove, subject to the 
approval of the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting in the 
Department of the Treasury.� The department shall send written notification of 
any such reallocation of funds to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of 
the General Assembly, the Legislative Budget and Finance Officer, the Joint 
Budget Oversight Committee, or its successor, and the Chairs of the Senate 
Environment and Energy Committee and Assembly Environment, Natural Resources, 
and Solid Waste Committee, or their respective successor committees. 

���� c.� Moneys appropriated 
hereinabove are appropriated for State costs, including, but not limited to, 
grants or loans to local governments, and grants or loans to nonprofit 
organizations, as determined by the department.

���� 2.��� This act shall take 
effect immediately.