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A 3408

Relates to the termination of law enforcement officer benefits for malfeasance or serious misconduct

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Demond Meeks and 1 co-sponsor

Designates at least one bat-house area in every NJ state park and forest, with signs and expert input to protect bats and reduce human-bat conflicts; effective immediately.

REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEES
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Bill Summary · A 3408

Legislative Bill Summary: A 3408 (Introduced Version)

Note: The bill’s title in the header references termination of law enforcement officer benefits, but the text provided for A 3408 concerns bat houses in state parks and forests. This summary covers the introduced version text as published.

Overview

  • Bill Number: A 3408
  • Introduced: February 1, 2024
  • Status: Referred to Governmental Employees (as of January 27, 2025)
  • Sponsors: Al Taylor (primary); Demond Meeks (cosponsor)
  • Related/Companion Bills: A 9977 (prior-session), A 4881 (prior-session); S 3818 (companion)

Purpose and Intent

  • To promote bat conservation and awareness by designating designated areas within all State parks and forests for the construction and maintenance of bat houses.
  • The bill aims to support New Jersey bat populations, many of which are protected under state and federal law, and to emphasize the ecological benefits bats provide, including insect control.

Key Provisions

1) Designation of Bat House Areas
- The Commissioner of Environmental Protection must designate, in each State park and forest, at least one area where a bat house will be constructed and maintained.
- This designation must be included in the master plan and management plan for each park/forest.
- The Commissioner must consult with experts on bats, nonprofit organizations, and other knowledgeable entities to determine proper location, construction, and maintenance.
- The designations should minimize fire risk, danger to the public, and conflicts with public use and enjoyment of the parks.

2) Public Notification and Safety Measures
- The Division of Parks and Forestry shall post signs to notify the public of the bat house area perimeters and the purpose of the bat houses.
- The Division must implement cautionary measures to prevent destruction of bat houses and to reduce injurious interactions between bats and the public.

Effective Date

  • Effective: Immediate upon enactment.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Primary Agencies: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Division of Parks and Forestry.
  • Affected Areas: All State parks and forests in New Jersey.
  • Public: Visitors to state parks/forests, who will encounter designated bat house areas and related signage.
  • Conservation Context: Aligns with protections for nine bat species in New Jersey, including the Indiana bat, and supports environmental health indicators via bat populations.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • No funding or appropriation is specified in the text provided.
  • Requires updates to each park/forest master plan and management plan to reflect bat house designations.
  • Immediate effect upon enactment; ongoing implementation as plans are updated.

Notes

  • The “Statement” portion emphasizes ecological rationale and benefits of bats, including insect control and pesticide considerations.
  • There is a documented mismatch between the stated bill title (termination of officer benefits) and the introduced version text (bat houses). The summary above reflects the introduced text as published.

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

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