The Assembly Agriculture Committee released Assembly Bill A49261 (identical to Senate Bill S36182), which would require the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Department of Transportation (DOT) to jointly develop a wildlife corridor action plan within 36 months identifying wildlife corridors, vehicle collision hotspots, barriers to wildlife movement, and recommended crossing projects for inclusion in transportation planning.

Rebecca Hilbert of The Nature Conservancy of New Jersey told the committee habitat fragmentation and road networks make movement difficult for many species, noting New Jersey already experiences approximately 15,000 wildlife-vehicle collisions annually and an estimated $90 million in associated costs. Hilbert highlighted endangered-species impacts, saying vehicle strikes cause an annual mortality equal to about 20% of the state’s bobcat population in some analyses. Chris Hitchcock of the Sierra Club summarized research from other states showing wildlife crossings can reduce collisions substantially—examples cited were an 81% drop in collisions in Wyoming and nearly 90% reduction in Colorado projects.

The bill would require the DOT to review and recommend crossing projects for inclusion in transportation projects, and permits DEP and DOT to consult with agencies and environmental organizations during plan development. Committee testimony emphasized both human‑safety benefits and conservation gains. The proposed appropriation (in earlier draft language) of $90,000 was removed in committee amendments and the bill synopsis was updated accordingly.

Committee members observed past experience with crossings in New Jersey; one member said crossings on the Atlantic City Expressway reduced collisions. On a motion to amend and release, the committee voted to release the bills for further consideration.

If enacted, the measure would set a 36‑month timeline for plan completion and ask DOT to identify feasible crossing projects for transportation planning processes, with DEP and DOT jointly responsible for plan development and consultation.