WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

A 4926

Relates to the definition of an indoor area; and to repealing certain provisions of the public health law relating thereto

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Rosenthal

DEP and DOT must jointly create a statewide Wildlife Corridor Action Plan to map corridors, hotspots, barriers, and crossing criteria, due in 36 months and updated every 10 years.

REFERRED TO HEALTH
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 4926

Summary — A4926 (1R / as amended)

Note on title discrepancy: the document package supplied includes text, committee statements, and fiscal notes for A-4926 concerning a “Wildlife Corridor Action Plan.” The bill title provided in your prompt (relating to the definition of an indoor area / public health law) does not match the bill text. This summary follows the committee-amended wildlife‑corridor bill materials.

Main purpose

Require the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Department of Transportation (DOT) to jointly develop a statewide "Wildlife Corridor Action Plan" to identify wildlife movement corridors, reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, and recommend measures to improve wildlife connectivity and motorist safety.

Key provisions

  • Plan development deadline: DEP and DOT must jointly develop the Wildlife Corridor Action Plan no later than 36 months after the bill’s effective date (committee-amended timeline).
  • Plan update: the plan must be updated every 10 years.
  • Plan content must:
    • Identify wildlife corridors, wildlife-vehicle collision hotspots, and existing or planned barriers to wildlife movement.
    • Maximize corridor effectiveness and safety.
    • Recommend criteria for crossing projects that promote driver safety and wildlife connectivity (committee amendments clarify the plan recommends criteria rather than naming specific projects).
    • Use relevant State databases and complement existing conservation strategies (e.g., State Wildlife Action Plan, NJ CHANJ).
    • Consider the impact of transportation projects on corridors and recommend mitigation strategies for incorporation into transportation projects.
    • Coordinate actions among State agencies, independent authorities, federal agencies, and conservation organizations.
  • DOT review and project recommendations: no later than 36 months after the plan is submitted to the Governor and Legislature, DOT must review the plan and identify/recommend crossing projects for inclusion, where feasible, in transportation projects — but not for transportation projects that have advanced beyond concept development, selection of a preferred alternative, or an equivalent milestone since enactment.
  • Collaboration and authority: the DEP and DOT may seek advice and services from other governmental and non‑governmental entities. They are permitted (not mandated) to adopt implementing regulations.

Fiscal and implementation impact

  • Office of Legislative Services (OLS) estimate: approximately $600,000 in State expenditures every 10 years to develop/update the plan — assumes four new full‑time equivalent positions (two in each department).
  • Potential ongoing/annual costs: indeterminate. DOT construction, maintenance, and repair projects could incur higher costs if recommended crossings are incorporated; costs depend on project timing and design choices.
  • Committee amendments removed an earlier $90,000 appropriation that appeared in the introduced version.

Who is affected

  • State agencies: DEP and DOT (primary implementers).
  • Transportation programs and budgets: potential changes to project design and costs when crossings are added to qualifying transportation projects.
  • Motorists, communities, and wildlife: expected benefits include reduced wildlife-vehicle collisions, improved wildlife connectivity, and potential ecosystem and quality-of-life gains.

Procedural status and sponsors (from available documents)

  • Introduced: Oct 21, 2024.
  • Referred to committees and reported with amendments (Transportation & Independent Authorities; Commerce, Economic Development & Agriculture).
  • Substituted by S3618 (3R) on 2025-06-30.
  • Committee documents list sponsorship by Assemblymen Clinton Calabrese, Chris Tully, Assemblywoman Shama A. Haider, with several co-sponsors. (The package included conflicting sponsor information; see official bill text for final sponsor data.)
  • Companion: S3618; related prior-session bills A10441, A3648, A1132.

If you want, I can produce a short one‑page briefing for agency staff that highlights implementation steps, likely staffing needs, and key decision points for integrating crossing projects into transportation programs.

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

Sign in to ask a question.