Bill Text: NJ S1049 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Directs DEP to adopt regulations concerning identification and testing of microplastics in drinking water.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-01-09 - Withdrawn Because Approved P.L.2023, c.318. [S1049 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-S1049-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator LINDA R. GREENSTEIN
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Senator ANDREW ZWICKER
District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)
SYNOPSIS
Directs DEP to adopt regulations concerning identification and testing of microplastics in drinking water.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning the identification and testing of microplastics in drinking water and supplementing P.L.1977, c.224 (C.58:12A-1 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Drinking Water Quality Institute established pursuant to section 10 of P.L.1983, c.443 (C.58:12A-20) shall study the issue of microplastics in drinking water and, within two years after the effective date of this act, recommend to the Department of Environmental Protection a definition of microplastics in drinking water.
2. No later than three years after the effective date of this act, the Department of Environmental Protection shall:
a. adopt a standard methodology to be used in the testing of drinking water for microplastics;
b. adopt requirements for four years of testing and reporting the concentration of microplastics in drinking water by public water systems, including public disclosure of test results; and
c. accredit qualified laboratories in New Jersey to analyze microplastics.
3. The Department of Environmental Protection may adopt rules and regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), to implement the provisions of this act.
4. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the Drinking Water Quality Institute (DWQI) to study the issue of microplastics in drinking water. It also requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to adopt regulations related to the sampling and testing for the presence of microplastics in drinking water by public water systems.
The bill directs the DWQI to recommend a definition of microplastics in drinking water within two years after the bill's effective date. The bill also directs the DEP, within three years after the effective date, to adopt a standard methodology to be used in the testing of drinking water for microplastics, to formulate requirements for testing and reporting the concentration of microplastics in drinking water by public water systems, and to accredit qualified laboratories in New Jersey to analyze microplastics.