Bateman/Corrado Bills Funding Public-Supported Preservation Projects Signed

Voter-approved and constitutionally dedicated money will help preserve open space

Senator Kip Bateman and Senator Kristin Corrado sponsor a series of bills, signed into law by the governor this week, appropriating almost $215 million in constitutionally dedicated funds for farm and land preservation, and clean water and Blue Acres projects.

“New Jerseyans have long supported open space and farmland preservation,” said Bateman (R-16). “In the most densely populated state in the nation, the public understands the need to protect undeveloped parcels and expanses of green fields. They have made their voices known at the polls where they have overwhelmingly favored the responsible acquisition of lands to sustain our State identity as the Garden State.”

“It’s obvious families in the state value our agricultural legacy and enjoy the tranquility of acreage that has been spared from development,” said Corrado. “These bills ensure the funds, the majority of which were committed by the voters, will be utilized responsibly and effectively. The public’s commitment has helped New Jersey become the nation’s Gold Standard in preserving farmland and open space.”

The signed measures include:

• S4276 (Corrado/Bateman) – Appropriates more than $32 million from various farmland preservation funds to the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) for preservation purposes.
• S2477 (Bateman) – Appropriates $5 million from constitutionally dedicated corporate business tax (CBT) revenue to SADC for municipal planning incentive grants and farmland preservation purposes.
• S4278 (Bateman) – Appropriates $21 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenue to SADC for municipal planning incentive grants and farmland preservation.
• S4279 (Bateman) – Appropriates $1,350,000 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to SADC for grants to nonprofit organizations for farmland preservation.
• S4310 (Bateman) – Appropriates $8,872,682 to DEP from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues for grants to nonprofit entities to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
• S4311 (Bateman) – Appropriates more than $77 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and various Green Acres funds to DEP for local government open space acquisition and park development projects.
• S4312 (Bateman) – Appropriates $36 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues for recreation and conservation purposes to DEP for State capital and park development projects.
• S4313 (Corrado/Bateman) – Appropriates $33.915 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to DEP for State acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes, including Blue Acres projects.
• A5971/S4202 (Bateman/Corrado) – Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend additional sums to make low-interest loans for 180 clean water environmental infrastructure projects for FY2020.