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 executive director 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. Importantly, the GSPT will retain oversight authority over the acting executive director, ensuring that the trust maintains its governance structure.

The need for this bill arises from the current vacancy in 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 and preservation, including open space, park development, farmland preservation, and historic preservation. By allowing for the appointment of an acting executive director, the bill aims to ensure that the trust can continue its important work without further delay.