Bill Text: NJ S3473 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Appropriates $101,696,535 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to DEP for local government open space acquisition and park development projects; and for certain administrative expenses.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-06-28 - Substituted by A4572 [S3473 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-S3473-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JOHN F. MCKEON
District 27 (Essex and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Appropriates $101,696,535 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to DEP for local government open space acquisition and park development projects, and for certain administrative expenses.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act appropriating $101,696,535 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues to help local government units acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, and for certain administrative expenses.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. As used in this act:
"Constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues" means corporation business tax revenues dedicated pursuant to Article VIII, Section II, paragraph 6 of the State Constitution in the "Preserve New Jersey Green Acres Fund" for the acquisition or development of lands by local government units for recreation and conservation purposes in accordance with the provisions of P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-43 et seq.).
"Densely or highly populated municipality" means a municipality with a population density of at least 5,000 persons per square mile, or a population of at least 35,000 persons, according to the latest federal decennial census.
"Densely populated county" means a county with a population density of at least 5,000 persons per square mile according to the latest federal decennial census.
"Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" means the fund established pursuant to section 19 of P.L.1999, c.152 (C.13:8C-19).
"Green Acres bond act" means P.L.2009, c.117, P.L.2007, c.119, P.L.1995, c.204, P.L.1992, c.88, P.L.1989, c.183, P.L.1987, c.265, and P.L.1983, c.354.
"Highly populated county" means a county with a population density of at least 1,000 persons per square mile according to the latest federal decennial census.
"Preserve New Jersey Green Acres Fund" means the fund established pursuant to section 6 of the "Preserve New Jersey Act," P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-48).
"Stewardship activity" means the same as the term is defined in section 3 of the "Preserve New Jersey Act," P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-45).
2. There is appropriated to the Department of Environmental Protection the following sums for the purpose of providing grants or loans, or both, to assist local government units to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes pursuant to section 4 of this act and for the purpose of providing grants or loans, or both, to assist local government units to develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes pursuant to section 5 of this act:
a. $50,090,000 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues. Of the amount appropriated pursuant to this subsection, the sum of $4,292,000 is available due to interest earnings on the constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues;
b. $24,500,000 from the "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" and any Green Acres fund established pursuant to a Green Acres bond act, made available due to loan repayments and interest earnings; and
c. $24,696,535 from the "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" and any Green Acres fund established pursuant to a Green Acres bond act, made available due to project cancellations and withdrawals.
3. a. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the "Preserve New Jersey Green Acres Fund" the sum of $52,500,000 to implement the provisions of this act.
b. Of the amount appropriated pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the sum of $2,410,000 is appropriated from the "Preserve New Jersey Green Acres Fund" to the Department of Environmental Protection for the purposes of paying administrative costs associated with administering the applicable provisions of P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-43 et seq.).
4. a. The following planning incentive acquisition projects to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes are eligible for funding with the moneys appropriated pursuant to section 2 of this act:
|
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT
|
COUNTY |
PROJECT |
APPROVED AMOUNT |
|
Oakland Boro |
Bergen |
Boro of Oakland Open Space & Recreation Plan |
$700,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Burlington County |
Burlington |
Planning Incentive
|
1,400,000 |
|
Evesham Twp |
Burlington |
Planning Incentive
|
113,150
|
|
Medford Twp
|
Burlington
|
Open Space Incentive
|
550,000
|
|
Cherry Hill Twp |
Camden |
Planning Incentive Grant |
1,050,000
|
|
Livingston Twp |
Essex |
Open Space Acquisition
|
700,000
|
|
Verona Twp
|
Essex |
Verona Open Space Acquisition |
700,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
West Orange Twp
|
Essex |
Open Space Acquisition |
1,050,000 |
|
Gloucester County |
Gloucester |
Open Space Plan |
1,400,000
|
|
Readington Twp
|
Hunterdon |
Greenway Incentive Plan
|
300,000 |
|
Union Twp |
Hunterdon |
Union Twp Open Space Plan
|
650,000
|
|
East Windsor Twp
|
Mercer |
East Windsor Open Space Acquisition
|
330,000 |
|
Hamilton Twp |
Mercer |
Hamilton Township Open Space Acquisition
|
1,050,000 |
|
Princeton Boro
|
Mercer |
Princeton Open Space Acquisition
|
700,000
|
|
Robbinsville Twp |
Mercer |
Green Links Program
|
473,285 |
|
West Windsor Twp |
Mercer |
West Windsor Planning Incentive
|
700,000
|
|
Monmouth County |
Monmouth |
Planning Incentive Acquisition |
1,750,000
|
|
Howell Twp
|
Monmouth |
Planning Incentive 2
|
1,050,000
|
|
Hanover Twp |
Morris |
Open Space Acquisition
|
700,000 |
|
Madison Boro |
Morris |
Madison Boro Open Space Acquisition
|
700,000
|
|
Brick Twp |
Ocean |
Open Space & Recreation Plan
|
1,400,000
|
|
Montgomery Twp
|
Somerset |
Open Space Acquisition 5
|
700,000
|
|
Union County |
Union |
Open Space & Recreation Plan |
2,100,000
|
|
Knowlton Twp |
Warren |
Open Space Acquisition
|
500,000 |
|
TOTAL |
|
|
$20,766,435
|
b. The following standard acquisition projects to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes are eligible for funding with the moneys appropriated pursuant to section 2 of this act:
|
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT
|
COUNTY |
PROJECT |
APPROVED AMOUNT |
|
Wood-Ridge Boro
Monmouth Beach Boro
|
Bergen
Monmouth |
Wood-Ridge Recreation Complex Acquisition
Robbins Street Project |
$1,050,000
$387,500 |
|
TOTAL |
|
|
$1,437,500
|
c. The following site-specific incentive acquisition projects to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes are eligible for funding with the moneys appropriated pursuant to section 2 of this act:
|
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT
|
COUNTY |
PROJECT |
APPROVED AMOUNT |
|
Park Ridge Boro |
Bergen |
North 5th Street Acquisition |
$459,950
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
|
|
$459,950 |
|
|
|
|
|
d. The following urban aid acquisition
projects to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes are eligible
for funding with the moneys appropriated pursuant to section 2 of this act:
|
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT
|
COUNTY |
PROJECT |
APPROVED AMOUNT |
|
Neptune Township
Phillipsburg Town |
Monmouth
Warren |
Division Street Park Acquisition
Rails to Trails Acquisition |
$258,000
$1,400,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
|
|
$1,658,000 |
|
GRAND TOTAL |
|
|
$24,321,885 |
5. a. The following projects to develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, located in municipalities eligible to receive State aid pursuant to P.L.1978, c.14 (C.52:27D-178 et seq.) either as of June 30, 2021 or the effective date of this act, or sponsored by densely populated counties, are eligible for funding with the moneys appropriated pursuant to section 2 of this act:
|
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT
|
COUNTY |
PROJECT |
APPROVED AMOUNT |
|
Atlantic City |
Atlantic |
Gardner's Basin Improvements
|
$1,400,000 |
|
Garfield City |
Bergen |
Columbus Park Improvements
|
1,400,000 |
|
Mount Holly Twp
|
Burlington
|
Iron Works Park Improvements
|
1,400,000 |
|
Willingboro Twp
|
Burlington |
Millcreek Park Pickleball Courts
|
70,000 |
|
Camden County
|
Camden |
Cooper River Park Playground Improvements
|
1,750,000 |
|
Gloucester Twp
|
Camden |
Taylor Avenue Playground Redevelopment
|
948,630 |
|
Vineland City
|
Cumberland |
Romano Complex Improvements
|
1,400,000
|
|
Essex County |
Essex |
Watsessing Park Playground
|
1,605,310
|
|
Belleville Twp |
Essex |
Municipal Stadium Grandstand Improvements
|
1,400,000 |
|
Newark City
|
Essex |
Broadway Park
|
1,400,000
|
|
Orange City Twp |
Essex |
Colgate Park Improvements Phase II
|
380,830
|
|
Hudson County |
Hudson |
JJ Braddock Park Picnic Area Improvements
|
1,746,000
|
|
Bayonne City
|
Hudson |
Newark Bay Waterfront Phase II
|
1,400,000 |
|
Hoboken City |
Hudson |
Southwest Park Development |
1,400,000
|
|
Kearny Town |
Hudson |
Norman A. Doyle Pavilion Playground
|
528,380 |
|
Trenton City |
Mercer |
Amtico Square Skatepark Complex
|
1,400,000
|
|
Carteret Boro
|
Middlesex |
Arthur Kill River Walk North
|
1,400,000
|
|
New Brunswick City
|
Middlesex
|
Alec E. Baker Park Renovation
|
1,400,000
|
|
Perth Amboy City |
Middlesex |
Veteran Memorial Park Improvements
|
1,400,000
|
|
Clifton City |
Passaic |
Main Memorial Park Improvements
|
1,400,000
|
|
Passaic City |
Passaic |
Colonel Johnson Park Revitalization
|
1,400,000
|
|
Paterson City
|
Passaic |
Vista Park Development Project
|
1,400,000
|
|
Plainfield City
|
Union |
Rushmore Ave. Rec. Complex - Phase II
|
1,400,000
|
|
TOTAL |
|
|
$29,429,150 |
b. The following projects to develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, located in densely or highly populated municipalities or sponsored by highly populated counties, are eligible for funding with the moneys appropriated pursuant to section 2 of this act:
|
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT
|
COUNTY |
PROJECT |
APPROVED AMOUNT |
|
Bergen County
|
Bergen |
Carlton Hill Bergen County Greenway Park
|
$1,750,000
|
|
Fort Lee Boro |
Bergen |
Inwood Terrace Park Pool Improvements
|
375,000 |
|
Teaneck Twp
|
Bergen |
Sagamore Park Improvement Project
|
750,000
|
|
South Orange Village Twp
|
Essex
|
Cameron Recreation Area Renovation |
1,025,000 |
|
Monroe Township
|
Middlesex
|
Monroe Community Gardens
|
469,000
|
|
Sayerville Boro
|
Middlesex
|
Kennedy Park Trail Improvements
|
325,000
|
|
Red Bank Boro
|
Monmouth |
Count Basie Bleacher Replacement
|
577,875 |
|
Passaic County |
Passaic |
Peckman Preserve Improvements
|
482,500
|
|
Haledon Boro
|
Passaic |
Roe Street Park Improvements |
497,145 |
|
Prospect Park Boro |
Passaic |
Hofstra Park Courts Project |
255,250
|
|
Union Twp
|
Union |
Weber Park Renovation |
1,050,000 |
|
TOTAL |
|
|
$7,556,770
|
c. The following standard
park development projects are eligible for funding with the moneys appropriated
pursuant to section 2 of this act:
|
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT
|
COUNTY |
PROJECT |
APPROVED AMOUNT |
|
Burlington Twp |
Burlington |
Tennis Court Rehabilitation at Green Acres I
|
$700,000 |
|
Hainesport Twp |
Burlington |
Creek Turn Park |
700,000
|
|
Greenwich Twp |
Gloucester |
Memorial Park Improvements |
700,000
|
|
Hightstown Boro |
Mercer |
Dawes Park Recreational and ADA Improvements |
127,700
|
|
Little Falls Twp |
Passaic |
Amity Park Playground |
145,000
|
|
Carneys Point Twp
|
Salem
|
Recreational Complex Infrastructure Improvements
|
700,000
|
|
TOTAL |
|
|
$3,072,700 |
d. The following projects for stewardship activities are eligible for funding with the moneys appropriated pursuant to section 2 of this act:
|
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT
|
COUNTY |
PROJECT |
APPROVED AMOUNT |
|
Oradell Boro |
Bergen |
Memorial Field Trail Stewardship Project
|
$71,115 |
|
Evesham Twp |
Burlington |
Passive Park Improvements
|
125,360 |
|
Union County
|
Union
|
Homestead Farmhouse at Oak Ridge Park
|
239,900
|
|
Union Township
|
Union |
Joe Collins Park Renovation
|
57,000
|
|
Rocky Hill Boro
|
Somerset
|
Van Horne Park Raised Walkway
|
240,235
|
|
Passaic County |
Passaic |
Lambert Castle Landscape Restoration
|
1,025,000
|
|
TOTAL |
|
|
$1,758,610
|
e. The following projects for completely inclusive playgrounds, pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2018, c.104 (C.13:8C-27.1), are eligible for funding with the moneys appropriated pursuant to section 2 of this act:
|
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT
|
COUNTY |
PROJECT |
APPROVED AMOUNT |
|
|
Bergen County
|
Bergen |
Saddle River County Park Inclusive Playground |
$1,000,000 |
|
|
Dumont Boro |
Bergen |
Charlie O'Connor Park Improvements
|
489,570 |
|
|
Englewood City
|
Bergen
|
Mackay Park Playground Improvements Project
|
540,920
|
|
|
Fort Lee Boro
|
Bergen |
Coytesville Park Playground Improvements Project
|
562,500
|
|
|
Ridgefield Park Village
|
Bergen
|
Fellowship Park Playground Improvements |
487,500
|
|
|
Burlington City
|
Burlington |
JFK Park Improvements |
750,000 |
|
|
Evesham Twp |
Burlington |
Evesboro Downs Park Inclusive Playground
|
731,845 |
|
|
Willingboro Twp |
Burlington |
Millcreek Park Inclusive Playground |
750,000
|
|
|
Pennsauken Twp |
Camden |
Welcome Home Jake's Place |
702,750
|
|
|
Cedar Grove Twp |
Essex |
Lower Playground Reconstruction |
750,000
|
|
|
Maplewood Twp |
Essex |
Maplecrest Completely Inclusive Playground
|
750,000 |
|
|
Millburn Twp |
Essex |
Taylor Park Inclusive Playground |
750,000
|
|
|
Montclair Twp |
Essex |
Nishuane Park Inclusive Playground |
750,000
|
|
|
Verona Twp |
Essex |
Everett Field Inclusive Playground |
750,000
|
|
|
Monroe Twp |
Gloucester |
Inclusive Playground at Peiffer Community Center
|
750,000 |
|
|
Washington Twp |
Gloucester |
Washington Lake Park Inclusive Playground
|
750,000 |
|
|
Hudson County |
Hudson |
Washington Park Inclusive Playground
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
Hoboken City |
Hudson |
Church Square Park Playground Upgrades
|
750,000 |
|
|
Secaucus Town |
Hudson |
Ivanoski Park Improvements |
750,000
|
|
|
Hunterdon County |
Hunterdon |
South County Park Inclusive Playground
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
Clinton Town |
Hunterdon |
Halstead Street Inclusive Playground |
562,500
|
|
|
Clinton Twp |
Hunterdon |
Runkle Drive Park Inclusive Playground
|
750,000 |
|
|
East Brunswick Twp
|
Middlesex |
Inclusive Playground at Lenape Park |
750,000 |
|
|
Monroe Twp |
Middlesex |
Inclusive Playground at Monroe Community Gardens
|
750,000 |
|
|
Old Bridge Twp |
Middlesex |
Geick Park Inclusive Playground |
750,000
|
|
|
South River Boro |
Middlesex |
Grekoski Park Inclusive Playground |
554,250
|
|
|
Belmar Boro |
Monmouth |
Maclearie Park Inclusive Playground |
525,750
|
|
|
Eatontown Boro |
Monmouth |
Wolcott Park Jake's Law Playground |
660,000
|
|
|
Freehold Boro |
Monmouth |
Lenoir Park Inclusive Playground |
508,600
|
|
|
Holmdel Twp |
Monmouth |
Cross Farm Park All-Inclusive Playground
|
700,000 |
|
|
Howell Twp |
Monmouth |
Echo Lake Park Improvements |
562,500
|
|
|
Little Silver Twp |
Monmouth |
Sickles Park Inclusive Playground |
750,000
|
|
|
Oceanport Boro |
Monmouth |
Blackberry Bay Park All-Inclusive |
337,500
|
|
|
West Long Branch Boro
|
Monmouth |
Sorrentino Park Playground Improvements |
350,250 |
|
|
Madison Boro |
Morris |
Dodge Field Playground |
517,500
|
|
|
Seaside Heights Boro
|
Ocean |
Beach Playground |
750,000 |
|
|
Bloomindale Boro |
Passaic |
Bogue Pond Park Inclusive Playground
|
750,000 |
|
|
Little Falls Twp |
Passaic |
Duva Field Playground Updates |
726,000
|
|
|
Wayne Twp |
Passaic |
Inclusive Playground at the Wayne Museum
|
330,000 |
|
|
Woodland Park Boro
|
Passaic |
Dian Grimes Memorial Park Inclusivity Upgrade |
750,000 |
|
|
Montgomery Twp |
Somerset |
Montgomery All-Inclusive Playground
|
750,000 |
|
|
Byram Twp |
Sussex |
CO Johnson Park Inclusive Playground
|
464,120 |
|
|
Sparta Twp |
Sussex |
Station Park Inclusive Playground |
517,165
|
|
|
Union County |
Union |
Playground at Warinanco Park |
915,000
|
|
|
New Providence Boro
|
Union |
Oakwood Park Playground |
750,000 |
|
|
Plainfield City |
Union |
Rushmore Park Inclusive Playground |
665,200
|
|
|
Summit City |
Union |
Mabie Playground Improvements |
750,000
|
|
|
Union Twp |
Union |
Irene Hoppe Park Renovation |
486,000
|
|
|
Phillipsburg Town |
Warren |
Brainard Street Park Inclusive Playground
|
750,000 |
|
|
TOTAL |
|
|
$33,147,420
|
|
|
GRAND TOTAL |
|
|
$74,964,650 |
|
6. a. Any transfer of funds, or change in project sponsor, site, or type, listed in section 4 or 5 of this act shall require the approval of the Joint Budget Oversight Committee or its successor.
b. To the extent that moneys remain available after the projects listed in section 4 or 5 of this act are offered funding pursuant thereto, any project of a local government unit that previously received funding appropriated or reappropriated from any Green Acres bond act, any annual appropriations act, or the Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund for recreation and conservation purposes, or that receives funding approved pursuant to this act, shall be eligible to receive additional funding, as determined by the Department of Environmental Protection, subject to the approval of the Joint Budget Oversight Committee or its successor.
7. a. There is reappropriated to the Department of Environmental Protection the unexpended balances, due to project withdrawals, cancellations, or cost savings, of the amounts appropriated or reappropriated from any Green Acres bond act, any annual appropriations act, or the Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund to assist local government units to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, for the purposes of providing:
(1) grants or loans, or both, to assist local government units to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, for projects approved as eligible for such funding pursuant to this act; and
(2) additional funding, as determined by the Department of Environmental Protection, to any project of a local government unit that previously received funding appropriated or reappropriated from any Green Acres bond act, any annual appropriations act, or the Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund for recreation and conservation purposes or that receives funding approved pursuant to this act, subject to the approval of the Joint Budget Oversight Committee or its successor. Any such additional funding provided from a Green Acres bond act may include administrative costs.
b. There is appropriated to the Department of Environmental Protection such sums as may be, or may become, available on or before June 30, 2024, due to interest earnings or loan repayments in any "Green Trust Fund" established pursuant to a Green Acres bond act or in the "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund," for the purpose of providing:
(1) grants or loans, or both, to assist local government units to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, for projects approved as eligible for such funding pursuant to this act; and
(2) additional funding, as determined by the Department of Environmental Protection, to any project of a local government unit that previously received funding appropriated or reappropriated from any Green Acres bond act, any annual appropriations act, or the Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund for recreation and conservation purposes or that receives funding approved pursuant to this act, subject to the approval of the Joint Budget Oversight Committee or its successor. Any such additional funding provided from a Green Acres bond act may include administrative costs.
8. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill appropriates $101,696,535
from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues, and
various Green Acres funds to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Of the total amount appropriated by the bill, $99,286,535
would be used by the DEP to provide grants or loans, or both, to assist local
government units in the State to acquire or develop lands for recreation and
conservation purposes, and $2,410,000 would be used for the DEP's associated
administrative costs. Of the total amount appropriated by the bill, $24,321,885
is allocated for projects to acquire lands for recreation and conservation
purposes, as identified in section 4 of the bill, and $74,964,650 is allocated
for projects to develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, as
identified in section 5 of the bill.
Of the $24,321,885 sum being appropriated for projects to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes: $20,766,435 is allocated for planning incentive open space acquisition projects (i.e., projects located in municipalities and counties that have an open space tax and an approved open space plan); $1,437,500 is allocated for standard open space acquisition projects (i.e., projects located in municipalities that do not have an open space tax); $459,950 is allocated for site-specific incentive acquisition projects (i.e., projects located in municipalities that have an open space tax, but do not have an open space plan); and $1,658,000 is allocated for urban aid acquisition projects.
Of the $74,964,650 sum being appropriated for projects to develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes: $29,429,150 is allocated for local park development projects in urban aid municipalities or sponsored by densely populated counties; $7,556,770 is allocated for local park development projects in densely or highly populated municipalities or sponsored by highly populated counties; $3,072,700 is allocated for standard local park development projects (i.e., projects located in municipalities that do not meet the criteria of the prior two categories); $1,758,610 is allocated for stewardship activity projects; and $33,147,420 is allocated for completely inclusive playground projects, pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2018, c.104 (C.13:8C-27.1), otherwise known as "Jake's Law." While Green Acres funding for Jake's Law purposes has, in prior funding rounds, been made available only to eligible counties, in the current funding round, both counties and municipalities are eligible for non-competitive grant awards for completely inclusive playground projects thereunder.
The bill defines a "densely or highly populated municipality" as a municipality with a population density of at least 5,000 persons per square mile or a population of at least 35,000 persons; a "densely populated county" as a county with a population density of at least 5,000 persons per square mile; and a "highly populated county" as a county with a population density of at least 1,000 persons per square mile.
The projects listed in the
bill have been approved by the DEP and the Garden State Preservation Trust
(GSPT).
To the extent that there are funds remaining after the local government unit projects listed in this bill are offered funding, the bill also authorizes the DEP, with the approval of the Joint Budget Oversight Committee (JBOC), to use those funds to provide additional funding for local government unit projects listed in this bill, as well as for local government unit projects previously approved for funding pursuant to various other laws.
