Bill Text: NJ S4423 | 2026-2027 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Appropriates $77,406,208 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and various Green Acres funds to DEP for local government open space acquisition and park development projects, and for certain administrative expenses.
Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced) 2026-06-08 - Reported from Senate Committee, 2nd Reading [S4423 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2026-S4423-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JOHN F. MCKEON
District 27 (Essex and Passaic)
Senator LATHAM TIVER
District 8 (Atlantic and Burlington)
SYNOPSIS
Appropriates $77,406,208 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and various Green Acres funds 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 $77,406,208 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues and various Green Acres funds to assist local government units to acquire and 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. $43,665,000 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues. Of the amount appropriated pursuant to this subsection, the sum of $8,276,000 is available due to interest earnings on the constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues;
b. $11,880,000 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. $19,998,708 from the "Preserve New Jersey Green Acres Fund," 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 $45,527,500 to implement the provisions of this act.
b. Of the amount appropriated pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the sum of $1,862,500 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 |
|
Burlington County |
Burlington |
Planning Incentive |
$1,316,115 |
|
Evesham Township |
Burlington |
Planning Incentive |
$405,000 |
|
Gloucester Township |
Camden |
Open Space Acquisition |
$205,000 |
|
Livingston Township |
Essex |
Open Space Acquisition |
$900,000 |
|
Verona Township |
Essex |
Open Space Acquisition |
$900,000 |
|
West Orange Township |
Essex |
Open Space Acquisition |
$1,350,000 |
|
Gloucester County |
Gloucester |
Open Space Plan |
$1,800,000 |
|
Kingwood Township |
Hunterdon |
Open Space Plan |
$650,000 |
|
Raritan Township |
Hunterdon |
Land Acquisition Plan |
$650,000 |
|
Readington Township |
Hunterdon |
Greenway Incentive Plan |
$900,000 |
|
West Windsor Township |
Mercer |
Planning Incentive |
$900,000 |
|
Monmouth County |
Monmouth |
Planning Incentive Acquisition |
$2,250,000 |
|
Colts Neck Township |
Monmouth |
Planning Incentive |
$900,000 |
|
Madison Borough |
Morris |
Open Space Acquisition |
$900,000 |
|
Mendham Township |
Morris |
Open Space Acquisition |
$900,000 |
|
Brick Township |
Ocean |
Open Space and Recreation Plan |
$1,752,250 |
|
Somerset County |
Somerset |
County Open Space Acquisition |
$334,000 |
|
Montgomery Township |
Somerset |
Open Space Acquisition |
$900,000 |
|
Peapack and Gladstone Borough |
Somerset |
Open Space Acquisition |
$412,000 |
|
Warren County |
Warren |
Open Space Plan |
$32,000 |
|
Knowlton Township |
Warren |
Open Space Acquisition |
$390,000 |
|
Total |
|
|
$18,746,365 |
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 |
|
Fairview Borough |
Bergen |
444 North 8th Street Acquisition |
$300,000 |
|
Wood-Ridge Borough |
Bergen |
Wood-Ridge Recreation Complex Acquisition |
$1,350,000 |
|
Riverside Township |
Burlington |
Riverdel Woodlands Acquisition |
$500,000 |
|
Total |
|
|
$2,150,000 |
c. The following projects to acquire 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 |
|
Hackensack City |
Bergen |
155 Main Street Land Acquisition |
$1,400,000 |
|
Bloomfield Township |
Essex |
Bloomfield Township Third River Park and Preserve Acquisition |
$33,333 |
|
Neptune Township |
Monmouth |
Division St. Park Acquisition |
$126,000 |
|
Total |
|
|
$1,559,333 |
d. 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 |
|
Waldwick Borough |
Bergen |
197 Wykoff Avenue Open Space Acquisition |
$700,000 |
|
Total |
|
|
$700,000 |
|
Grand Total, Acquisition |
|
|
$23,155,698 |
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 |
|
Camden City |
Camden |
Union Field Improvements |
$1,350,000 |
|
Gloucester Township |
Camden |
Community Park Improvements |
$1,325,000 |
|
Pennsauken Township |
Camden |
Lena Skelly Park Project |
$918,179 |
|
Bridgeton City |
Cumberland |
Improvements to Rec. Facilities in City Park |
$1,138,112 |
|
Vineland City |
Cumberland |
Howard Pagliughi Park Improvements |
$1,180,000 |
|
Essex County |
Essex |
Turtle Back Zoo African Adventure Exhibit |
$2,250,000 |
|
Belleville Township |
Essex |
Municipal Stadium Grandstand Improvements |
$1,500,000 |
|
East Orange City |
Essex |
Memorial Park Improvements |
$1,500,000 |
|
Montclair Township |
Essex |
Canterbury Park Improvements |
$1,500,000 |
|
Newark City |
Essex |
Broadway Park |
$489,000 |
|
Nutley Township |
Essex |
Monsignor Owens Park Facilities |
$398,580 |
|
Orange City Township |
Essex |
Metcalf Park Improvements |
$606,144 |
|
Glassboro Borough |
Gloucester |
Elsmere Park Improvements |
$1,022,305 |
|
Monroe Township |
Gloucester |
Amphitheater at Owens Memorial Park |
$1,269,045 |
|
Union City |
Hudson |
Ellsworth Park Improvements Phase 2 |
$1,400,000 |
|
Mercer County |
Mercer |
Harlan Joseph Peace Park |
$1,750,000 |
|
Carteret Borough |
Middlesex |
Arthur Kill River Walk North |
$1,500,000 |
|
Old Bridge Township |
Middlesex |
Ticetown Road Soccer Fields |
$1,400,000 |
|
Woodbridge Township |
Middlesex |
Ford Avenue Park Improvements |
$1,500,000 |
|
Neptune Township |
Monmouth |
Division St. Park Development |
$462,000 |
|
Passaic County |
Passaic |
North Pulaski Park Renovation Project |
$1,875,000 |
|
Clifton City |
Passaic |
Surgent Park Improvements |
$1,500,000 |
|
Passaic City |
Passaic |
Colonel Johnson Park Revitalization |
$1,170,000 |
|
Total |
|
|
$29,003,365 |
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 |
Riverside County Park South |
$1,875,000 |
|
Englewood City |
Bergen |
Denning Park Improvements |
$1,050,000 |
|
New Milford Borough |
Bergen |
Kennedy Tennis Courts Improvement |
$421,292 |
|
Teaneck Township |
Bergen |
Sagamore Park Improvement Project |
$175,000 |
|
Audubon Borough |
Camden |
Audubon Family Park Improvements |
$500,000 |
|
Haddon Township |
Camden |
Crystal Lake Park Soccer Fields |
$105,225 |
|
Maplewood Township |
Essex |
Dehart Park Rec. Improvements |
$967,500 |
|
West Caldwell Township |
Essex |
Grover Cleveland Field Improvements |
$750,000 |
|
Ewing Township |
Mercer |
Completely Inclusive Playground |
$939,692 |
|
Middlesex County |
Middlesex |
Metuchen Trailhead Park |
$1,875,000 |
|
Red Bank Borough |
Monmouth |
Johnny Jazz Park Improvements |
$384,500 |
|
Morris County |
Morris |
Boonton Reservoir Trail |
$1,727,250 |
|
Somerset County |
Somerset |
Skillman Park Improvements |
$712,500 |
|
Linden City |
Union |
James Dobson Park Improvements |
$1,115,000 |
|
Total |
|
|
$12,597,959 |
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 |
|
Buena Borough |
Atlantic |
Bruno Melini Park Athletic Lighting |
$700,000 |
|
Hammonton Town |
Atlantic |
Hammonton Lake Park Rec. Improvements |
$750,000 |
|
Somers Point City |
Atlantic |
Kern and Fehrle Field Improvements |
$700,000 |
|
Burlington City |
Burlington |
William Allen School Park Improvements |
$750,000 |
|
Paulsboro Borough |
Gloucester |
Fort Billings Park Improvements |
$543,000 |
|
East Windsor Township |
Mercer |
Etra Lake Park Inclusive Playground |
$622,500 |
|
Eatontown Borough |
Monmouth |
Wolcott Park Court Renovations |
$476,702 |
|
Fair Haven Borough |
Monmouth |
Waterfront Access Park |
$318,750 |
|
Manasquan Borough |
Monmouth |
Axel Carson Park Improvements |
$750,000 |
|
Roxbury Township |
Morris |
Imagination Station |
$750,000 |
|
Beachwood Borough |
Ocean |
Mayo Park Recreation Improvements |
$337,335 |
|
Harvey Cedars Borough |
Ocean |
Sunset Park Waterfront Access |
$400,000 |
|
Lakehurst Borough |
Ocean |
Lake Horicon Inclusive Playground |
$700,000 |
|
Seaside Heights Borough |
Ocean |
Reflection Park |
$700,000 |
|
Seaside Park Borough |
Ocean |
J Street Marina Rehabilitation |
$750,000 |
|
Bernardsville Borough |
Somerset |
Nervine Memorial Park Improvements |
$690,525 |
|
Total |
|
|
$9,938,812 |
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 |
|
Somers Point City |
Atlantic |
DeFeo Lane Nature Trail |
$116,461 |
|
Hamilton Township |
Mercer |
Sayen Gardens Restoration Project |
$11,333 |
|
Princeton Borough |
Mercer |
Princeton Ridge East Forest Restoration |
$150,000 |
|
Warren Township |
Somerset |
Dealaman Nature Trail and Pond |
$570,080 |
|
Total |
|
|
$847,874 |
|
Grand Total, Development |
|
|
$52,388,010 |
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, 2026, 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 $77,406,208 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, $75,543,708 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 $1,862,500 would be used for the DEP's associated administrative costs.
The total amount of funding allocated for local government projects listed in this bill is $75,543,708. Of this amount, $23,155,698 is for projects to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes identified in section 4 of the bill, and $52,388,010 is for projects to develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes identified in section 5 of the bill.
Of the sum for projects to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes: $18,746,365 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); $2,150,000 is allocated for standard acquisition projects; $1,559,333 is allocated for open space acquisition projects in urban aid municipalities or sponsored by densely populated counties; and $700,000 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).
Of the sum for projects to develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes: $29,003,365 is allocated for local park development projects in urban aid municipalities or sponsored by densely populated counties; $12,597,959 is allocated for local park development projects in densely or highly populated municipalities or sponsored by highly populated counties; $9,938,812 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); and $847,874 is allocated for stewardship activity projects.
The projects approved by the bill include projects in "urban aid" and densely or highly populated municipalities and counties. 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.
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 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. The projects listed in the bill have been approved by the DEP and the Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT).
