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Bill

S 4578

Provides voters an opportunity to cure deficiencies regarding affidavit ballots

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Leroy Comrie

Establish a six-year statewide and Pinelands prescribed burn program with escalating minimum acreages to reduce wildfire risk and integrate into environmental plans.

REFERRED TO ELECTIONS
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Bill Summary · S 4578

Summary of New Jersey Bill S 4578

Note on title versus introduced text: The bill’s title states it “Provides voters an opportunity to cure deficiencies regarding affidavit ballots,” but the introduced version content focuses on prescribed burns. The following summary reflects the introduced text provided (prescribed burns) and notes the apparent mismatch with the stated title.

At a glance

  • Bill number: S 4578
  • Primary sponsor: Leroy Comrie
  • Title (provided): Provides voters an opportunity to cure deficiencies regarding affidavit ballots
  • Introduced: June 5, 2025
  • Status: Referred to Elections (record also shows mention of Elections committee actions; another reference lists Senate Environment and Energy Committee)
  • Key aim (as introduced): Establish and ramp up a statewide and Pinelands-area prescribed burn program with specific minimum acreages, to be integrated into environmental and land-management planning

Purpose and intent

  • The introduced text directs the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to ensure annual prescribed burns, with escalating minimum acreages over six years, in the Pinelands Area and statewide.
  • The overarching goal is wildfire risk reduction and resource management through prescribed fire, while ensuring coordination across multiple state agencies and planning programs.

Key provisions

1) Minimum prescribed burn acreage
- Within one year, establish annual prescribed burns with minimums:
- Year 1: 25,000 acres in the Pinelands area + 10,000 acres statewide
- Year 2: 30,000 (Pinelands) + 12,000 (Statewide)
- Year 3: 35,000 (Pinelands) + 14,000 (Statewide)
- Year 4: 40,000 (Pinelands) + 16,000 (Statewide)
- Year 5: 45,000 (Pinelands) + 18,000 (Statewide)
- Year 6 and subsequent years: 50,000 (Pinelands) + 20,000 (Statewide)

2) Conductors of burns
- Prescribed burns may be conducted by the DEP, the federal government, or landowners/lessees pursuant to the existing Prescribed Burn Act (P.L. 2018, c. 107).

3) Burn timing
- All prescribed burns statewide must be conducted and completed between November and March, prior to the typical wildfire season.

4) Planning integration
- The DEP, in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council, the Pinelands Commission, the State Planning Commission, and other relevant state entities, must incorporate the burn requirements into applicable environmental and land-management plans, programs, surveys, and updates.

5) Effective date
- The act would take effect immediately.

Affected entities and impact

  • State agencies: DEP, Agriculture, Highlands Council, Pinelands Commission, State Planning Commission, and other planning bodies.
  • Landowners and lessees: May participate directly in prescribed burns, with DEP approval under existing law.
  • Environmental and land-management programs: Must incorporate the burn requirements into plans and surveys.

Procedures and timeline

  • Within one year: DEP must ensure annual burns meet the initial minimums.
  • Six-year ramp: Acreage increases annually to reach final targets.
  • Ongoing oversight: Integration into multiple plans and programs, potentially affecting local and state initiatives.

Legislative context

  • Related bills and companions: S 8947, S 4184, S 5547; A 361 and A 5689 (companions).
  • Legislative actions show initial referral to Elections (and in some records to Environment and Energy), with the introduced date of June 5, 2025.

If you want, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with the actual affidavit-ballot cure concept or pull in related statutes to assess potential conflicts or compatibility.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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