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S 3399

Relates to sales of rental vehicles

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Andrew Gounardes

Owners must remove and recycle expired solar facilities and related infrastructure, with DEP establishing rules and secure storage for toxic components.

REFERRED TO BUDGET AND REVENUE
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Bill Summary · S 3399

Summary — S3399 (Relates to sales of rental vehicles)

(Note: bill text concerns end‑of‑life recycling for solar and photovoltaic facilities)

Purpose

S3399 requires owners of solar and photovoltaic energy generation facilities and structures to remove and recycle those installations and any related equipment or infrastructure when their useful life ends. The bill directs the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to adopt implementing regulations, including standards for removal, recycling, and safe interim storage of toxic components.

Key provisions

  • Owner responsibility: Owners must remove and recycle a solar or photovoltaic facility or structure, including related equipment or infrastructure, after termination of its use.
  • DEP rulemaking: DEP must adopt rules under the Administrative Procedure Act establishing minimum requirements for the removal and recycling of solar and photovoltaic facilities and structures.
  • Toxic component storage: Committee amendments require DEP rules to obligate recyclers to securely store any toxic solar panel components that cannot be safely recycled until DEP approves a viable and safe recycling method.
  • Stakeholder process: DEP must conduct a public stakeholder process and consider similar end‑of‑life recycling requirements and programs from other states when developing rules.
  • Civil penalty: Any person who violates the statute or DEP rules may be subject to a civil penalty of up to $1,000. Penalties are to be collected under the Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999; enforcement jurisdiction includes Superior and municipal courts.
  • Effective date: The act would take effect 180 days after enactment; DEP may take administrative actions in advance as necessary for implementation.

Who is affected

  • Owners/operators of solar and photovoltaic generation systems (utility‑scale, commercial, and likely some residential systems depending on final rules).
  • Recyclers and waste handlers who process solar panels and related equipment.
  • DEP, which must develop and administer rules and stakeholder processes.
  • Courts and enforcement entities that would collect civil penalties.

Implementation & timeline

  • DEP rulemaking required before or after the 180‑day effective date; DEP may begin administrative work prior to effective date.
  • Rules must be developed through the APA process and include public stakeholder engagement and comparative review of other states’ programs.

Legislative status & related bills

  • Introduced: 6/3/2024 (Senate Environment & Energy Committee).
  • Reported with committee amendments: 6/20/2024.
  • Passed Senate: 6/28/2024 (40–0); referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee.
  • Subsequent actions (2025): Referred/Reported to Budget and Revenue; reported and committed to Finance (3/12/2025).
  • Primary sponsor: Sen. Andrew Gounardes.
  • Related: Companion A6005; prior-session S9374.

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

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