ASSEMBLY AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1592

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 9, 2021

      The Assembly Agriculture Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1592.

      This bill directs the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish a leasing program for the lease, development, use, and management of appropriate and suitable State-owned land as pollinator habitat by any person, local government unit, nonprofit organization, or other entity that the DEP determines is qualified and appropriate to manage State-owned land for this purpose.

      The bill also directs the DEP, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, to adopt rules and regulations providing for:

      1)   the identification of State-owned lands that are appropriate and suitable for management as pollinator habitat; and

      2)   criteria for the selection of appropriate entities to lease, develop, use, and manage State-owned land for this purpose.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2020-2021 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.