This bill authorizes the State Treasurer, in consultation with the Commissioner of Environmental Protection and the Secretary of Agriculture, to appoint an acting executive director for the Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT) when the position has been vacant for one year or longer. The acting executive director will serve for a minimum of one year and will be compensated at an annual expense set by the State Treasurer, not to exceed $150,000. The GSPT will maintain oversight authority over the acting executive director, ensuring that the trust's operations continue effectively during the vacancy.

The need for this bill arises from the current vacancy of the GSPT executive director position, which has been unfilled since July 1, 2021. The GSPT plays a crucial role in managing state initiatives related to conservation, open space preservation, park development, and farmland preservation, and is responsible for reporting progress to the Governor and the Legislature. This legislation aims to provide a temporary solution to ensure that the trust can continue its important work without further delay.