On May 1, 2017, the Senate Environment and Energy Committee met to consider S-3029, (Smith, B./Bateman) – Establishes ‘Volkswagen Settlement Utilization Fund for Motor Vehicle Emissions Reduction and Air Pollution Control’; directs DEP to use moneys in fund to establish and implement certain air pollution control programs.
The bill was amended and released from the Committee by a vote of 4-0-1 with Senator Thompson abstaining from voting on the measure. S-3029 was amended to authorize the use of settlement money on zero emission vehicles, allow for 15% of settlement money to be used for electric charging infrastructure, eliminates the requirement for a memorandum of agreement with the Port Authorities, and authorizes the use of money for grants and loans. The amendments are attached for your reference.