The Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee focuses on the protection of the natural and historic resources in the state, as well as the management of waste disposal and recycling. The Committee is committed to preserving the quality of New Jersey's air, waters and land, as well as the health and safety of the state's residents.
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Eustace Bill to Help Homeowners Protect Properties in Flood Prone Areas, Keep Flood Insurance Low Clears Assembly

The Assembly on Monday approved legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Tim Eustace (D-Bergen) that would allow limited exemptions to local land use restrictions when raising a structure to meet new federal flood elevation standards would violate said restrictions.

"It is a catch-22 for property owners. You want to raise your property to meet new federal guidelines to protect your home from future flooding and avoid higher flood insurance premiums, but doing so might mean breaking land use restrictions set by your local government," said Eustace. "The bill helps avoid this potential conflict by providing a partial exemption that would allow the property owner to raise an existing structure without violating local land use restrictions..."

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Riley, Burzichelli & Coughlin Measure to Allow Private Sponsorship of Highway-Related Services As a Cost Saving Measure Clears Assembly

Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Celeste M. Riley, John J. Burzichelli and Craig J. Coughlin to allow private entities to sponsor the operational activities of certain state transportation agencies, as well as highway-related services in order to help alleviate the burden on taxpayers was approved Monday by the General Assembly.

"This legislation authorizes a simple move that would potentially offer a great benefit to taxpayers," said Riley (D-Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem). "Covering the cost for upkeep of state highway rest areas and other services may be minimal in ways but it is money that can add up over time. In this economy, every little bit we save would make a big difference in the long run..."

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Wagner, Eustace & Gordon Hail Funding for Buyouts, Urge Relief for Residents In Flood-Prone Areas Statewide

Assemblyman Tim Eustace, Assemblywoman Connie Wagner and Senator Bob Gordon (all D-Bergen/Passaic) hailed the governor's announcement that $300 million in federal funding will be used to buy out Sandy-affected properties as well as repetitively flood-damaged homes in the Passaic River Basin, but said that relief is needed for residents in flood-prone areas statewide.

"Bergen County residents are beset by flood problems that result in damage and destruction to their homes with each storm that hits," Wagner said. "While the funding announced today is great news, we need to ensure residents in flood-prone areas across the state no longer have to deal with the torment caused by constant flooding…"

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Final Legislative Approval for Gun Violence Prevention Legislation Highlights Monday Assembly Voting Session

Economic Development Reform, Social Media Instruction for Students, Making Dog Fighting a Crime & Protecting First Responders Also on Tap

Final legislative approval for four Assembly Democratic gun violence prevention measures, economic development incentive reform, social media instruction for students, making dog fighting a crime and protecting first responders top Monday's Assembly voting session.

The four gun violence prevention bills - these dealing with school security, mental health records, improved firearms information sharing among law enforcement and unlawful weapon disposal - would be the first from the Assembly Democratic gun violence prevention effort to go to the governor's desk...

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