The bill establishes the New Jersey Invasive Species Task Force within the Department of Agriculture, consisting of nine members, including five ex officio members: the Secretary of Agriculture, the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, the Commissioner of Health, the State Forester, and the Executive Director of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers. Additionally, four public members with extensive knowledge of invasive species will be appointed by the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the Assembly. The task force is required to hold quarterly public meetings across the state and must organize within 90 days of the bill's enactment. Members will serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses.
The task force's responsibilities include studying methods to control invasive species, developing plans to prevent new species from entering the state, restoring ecosystems, and identifying regulatory obstacles to effective management. It will also prepare a comprehensive list of invasive species, updated every three years, and submit an annual report detailing the current state of invasive species, their impact, and policy recommendations to the Governor and Legislature. The bill emphasizes public transparency by requiring meeting minutes to be made available online.