Determines that DEP's 2026-2027 Game Code rules, proposed April 6, 2026, are inconsistent with legislative intent.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Jon Bramnick

The Legislature asserts the DEP’s 2026-27 Game Code proposals conflict with statutory intent and urges revisions to align rules with legislative goals.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee

Summary of SCR 139 (Session 222, New Jersey)

Purpose and intent

SCR 139 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution in New Jersey that expresses that the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) 2026-2027 Game Code rules, proposed on April 6, 2026, are inconsistent with the legislative intent of the State.

The resolution is a formal statement by the Legislature regarding the DEP’s proposed game code regulations, signaling disapproval or concerns about alignment with statutory intent and policy goals.

Co-sponsor: Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (and likely Senate sponsors not listed here), indicating cross-chamber support for evaluating DEP rulemaking.

Key provisions and changes

The bill does not itself implement new regulatory requirements or change existing DEP authority in law; rather, it takes a formal position that the DEP’s proposed 2026-2027 Game Code rules are inconsistent with legislative intent.

As a concurrent resolution, it serves as an expression of the Legislature rather than a binding statute. It may:

Request or require review by relevant committees.
Encourage DEP to reconsider or modify the proposed Game Code rules to better align with legislative intent.
Potentially influence administrative practices or future rulemaking by signaling legislative expectations.

Affected parties and entities

Department of Environmental Protection (DEP): The primary agency whose proposed Game Code rules are being scrutinized and urged to align with legislative intent.

State legislators and committees with jurisdiction over wildlife, game management, and environmental regulations.

Stakeholders in hunting, wildlife management, conservation groups, and regulated industries who are subject to the Game Code and its rules.

General public, as game codes impact hunting regulations, wildlife protection, and recreational activities.

Procedural and timeline considerations

The date of the DEP’s proposed Game Code rules: April 6, 2026.

The resolution’s likely trajectory: introduction, committee referrals, potential amendments, and a floor vote in both chambers depending on state procedures for concurrent resolutions.

As a non-binding expression, it does not create enforceable rules but can affect subsequent administrative decisions, public commentary, and legislative sentiment.

If adopted, it may prompt DEP to issue revised proposed rules or provide additional justification for the existing proposals.

Potential implications

Clarification of legislative intent: Signals the Legislature’s desire for DEP rules that more closely reflect statutory goals.

Administrative consequences: DEP may adjust the 2026-27 Game Code proposals in response to legislative feedback, affecting timelines for public comment, hearings, or final adoption.

Stakeholder impact: Hunters, conservation groups, and other users of the Game Code could see changes in how wildlife regulation and game management are implemented, depending on DEP’s response and any revised rulemaking.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to focus on specific stakeholders or provide a comparison with the existing statute and the proposed rules to highlight exact points of alignment or conflict.