Legislator
Legislator > Jim Holzapfel
State Senator
Jim Holzapfel
(R) - New Jersey
New Jersey Senate District 10
In Office - Started: 01/10/2012
contact info
Brick Office
852 Highway 70
Brick, NJ 08724
Brick, NJ 08724
Phone: 732-840-9028
General Capitol Building Address
P.O. Box 068
State House, 145 W. State St.
Trenton, NJ 08625-0068
State House, 145 W. State St.
Trenton, NJ 08625-0068
Phone: 609-847-3905
| Bill | Bill Name | Summary | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1067 | Directs DHS to conduct landscape analysis of available mental health services. | Directs DHS to conduct landscape analysis of available mental health services. | Vetoed |
| S3309 | Establishes "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act"; revises motor vehicle franchise agreements. | Establishes "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act"; revises motor vehicle franchise agreements. | Passed |
| S3858 | Requires school bus personnel members to call 911 emergency line in potential life-threatening emergencies; requires certain school buses transportating students with disabilities to be equipped with certain safety features; makes appropriation. | Requires school bus personnel members to call 911 emergency line in potential life-threatening emergencies; requires certain school buses transporting students with disabilities to be equipped with certain safety features; makes appropriation. | Crossed Over |
| S3319 | Increases personal needs allowance to $140 for low-income persons residing in certain facilities. | This bill increases the monthly personal needs allowance (PNA), from the current rate of $50, pursuant to the FY 2024 Appropriations Act, to $140 for residents of nursing homes, State and county psychiatric hospitals, and State developmental centers. This allowance is intended for residents to spend at their discretion on items such as telephone expenses, a meal out with friends, cards to send to family, reading materials, or hobbies. The PNA provides residents the opportunity to participate in activities beyond those provided by the facility, to remain connected with family and friends, and to obtain basic items such as clothing and shoes. The bill also stipulates that beginning January 1 of the following year after the bill's enactment, the PNA is to be increased annually by the same percentage as the cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security benefits for that year. In the case of residents eligible to receive SSI public assistance, a federal income supplement program designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people with little to no income, the federal government provides up to $30 a month for small comfort items not provided by the facility. The State currently supplements the federal allowance by $20 to ensure that SSI recipients residing in nursing facilities, State and county psychiatric hospitals, and State developmental centers receive a total PNA per month equal to that of Medicaid recipients, or $50. Under the bill, absent any changes in the federal allowance, the State would be responsible for a $90 per month supplemental payment for each SSI recipient. | In Committee |
| S4610 | "Affordable Home Energy Protection Act"; prohibits adoption of State or local rules that restrict the use of certain fossil-fuel powered appliances or heating systems. | This bill, to be known as the "Affordable Home Energy Protection Act," would prevent State agencies and local governments from adopting any rule, regulation, ordinance or other measure that: (1) prohibits or unduly restricts the installation, connection, or use of appliances or heating systems powered by natural gas, propane, or fuel oil in residential or commercial buildings; or (2) requires a property owner to remove a functioning combustion-based appliance or heating system or replace a functioning combustion-based appliance or heating system with an electric alternative. | In Committee |
| S4611 | "Vehicle Choice Protection Act"; prohibits State agencies from adopting rules, regulations, or policies that restrict or prohibit sale, registration, or use of new internal combustion vehicles in State. | This bill, to be known as the "Vehicle Choice Protection Act," would prohibit State agencies from adopting any rule, regulation, policy, or executive action that has the purpose or effect of prohibiting or restricting the sale, registration, or use of new internal combustion engine vehicles in the State. | In Committee |
| S2376 | Requires boards of education to ensure that all staff are trained in care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders every five years. | Requires boards of education to ensure that all staff are trained in care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders every five years. | Crossed Over |
| S699 | Establishes program in SADC for acquisition of development easements on privately-owned woodlands. | Establishes program in SADC for acquisition of development easements on privately-owned woodlands. | Crossed Over |
| SR134 | Expresses no confidence in BPU. | This resolution expresses no confidence in the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU). The BPU is charged with regulating the generation, transmission, and distribution of energy in New Jersey, and it is required to ensure safe, adequate, and proper utility services at reasonable rates for customers in the State. However, the price of electricity in New Jersey is over 27 percent higher than the national average, and the average monthly electric bill in New Jersey is expected to increase approximately 17 to 20 percent in June 2025 following the Basic Generation Service auction, the results of which were certified by the BPU. A BPU commissioner has been quoted encouraging ratepayers to reduce consumption, and saying that dissenting views within the BPU are often "dismissed and marginalized." Because of the foregoing reasons, the General Assembly no longer has confidence that the BPU will ensure energy is provided to New Jersey ratepayers at an affordable and reasonable rate, and no longer has confidence that the board can successfully mitigate the impacts of rising energy costs for New Jerseyans. | In Committee |
| A4652 | Establishes offense of inciting public brawl; upgrades penalty for disorderly conduct in certain circumstances. | An Act concerning public brawls and disorderly conduct and amending N.J.S.2C:33-1 and N.J.S.2C:33-2. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3317 | Allows each county to create central registry and provide emergency supply kits to distribute to senior residents during emergencies. | Allows each county to create central registry and provide emergency supply kits to distribute to senior residents during emergencies. | In Committee |
| S4404 | Reinstates automatic COLAs for retirement benefits of certain PFRS members. | This bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for annual pension, ordinary disability pension, or accidental disability pension retirement benefits for certain members of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). Provisions contained in P.L.2011, c.78 (C.43:3C-16 et al.), signed into law on June 28, 2011, had suspended the automatic annual adjustment for current and future retirees and beneficiaries of PFRS and other State-administered retirement systems until those systems reach a target funded ratio. Decades of underfunding those systems by the State had placed the systems in precarious financial conditions. Although this bill does not reinstate COLAs for other retirees, it serves as the first step in reinstating COLAs for all retirees of the State-administered retirement systems. Through the prioritization of PFRS, the State will begin this process with retired first responders, police and firefighters, to provide them greater financial security and stability at a time when inflation has significantly eroded the value of their retirement benefit payments, which are already based on the lower salaries of years ago. To that end, the bill includes restrictions intended to limit costs and focus on segments among PFRS retirees expected to be most in need of an immediate benefit. Under the bill, members of PFRS will receive automatic COLAs for annual pension, ordinary disability pension, and accidental disability pension benefits if the member has been retired and receiving retirement benefits for a minimum of ten years. Longer-term retirees generally will have lower pension benefits and be less able to obtain employment to offset the erosion of their benefits. Members of PFRS who are hired more than 30 days following the effective date of this act will not be considered eligible to receive these automatic COLAs. Additionally, members who are enrolled in deferred retirement will not be considered eligible for these automatic COLAs, nor will members who retired with 20 or more years of service but less than 25 years of service. The COLAs will only apply to future pension benefit payments. The bill does not provide for retroactive COLAs. The adjustment in eligible members' pension benefits will be calculated based on an amount up to $75,000 of a retiree's benefit for the first year following the enactment of this bill. Eligible members receiving up to $75,000 of pension benefits will receive a COLA tied to the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. This will ensure that greater initial benefits will be provided to those likely to be most in need. The adjustment in eligible member's pension benefits will be limited to one percent if the member receives more than $75,000 in benefits for the first year following the enactment of the bill. After the first calendar year following the enactment of the bill, the $75,000 threshold will be adjusted annually according to the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, except that the adjustment will be calculated at a rate not to exceed three percent. The bill also grants the cost-of-living adjustment to the monthly pension or survivorship benefit of a surviving spouse, child, or beneficiary that is provided by PFRS. Under the bill, if the Board of Trustees of PFRS fails to comply with the provisions of this bill within six months following the effective date, then the State Treasurer will be responsible for implementing the cost-of-living adjustments. The bill requires the Legislature to appropriate monies from the General Fund as necessary to effectuate the cost-of-living adjustments established under the bill that are sufficient to cover both State and local expenses, and to reimburse each PFRS local employer for the full cost incurred. The bill further provides that this appropriation will take precedence over any additional funding added to the annual State budget by the Legislature through non-emergency supplemental appropriations, resolutions or other changes to the Governor's budget message. | In Committee |
| S4421 | Requires issuance of tourniquets to law enforcement officers; requires emergency service vehicles be equipped with tourniquets. | This bill requires tourniquets to be issued to all State, county, and municipal law enforcement officers and requires all emergency service vehicles to be equipped with a tourniquet. Tourniquets are not currently issued to all law enforcement officers in this State. In addition, tourniquets are not currently included as part of the basic equipment and supplies required for emergency vehicles pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Commissioner of Health. In the United States, the use of tourniquets fell out of favor following the civil war when they were questioned due to complications associated with their indiscriminate use. Until recently, tourniquets were thought to be a last resort, to be used only when more conventional methods (direct pressure, elevation, pressure point, and pressure dressing) were unsuccessful. In recent years there has been a resurgence in the use of tourniquets. The "first use" of the tourniquet has been found to save numerous lives in a number of emergencies including the Boston Marathon bombings and active shooter incidents. Victims of motor vehicle accidents have been saved in New Jersey by officers to whom tourniquets have been issued. It is the sponsor's view that these life-saving tools should be issued to all law enforcement officers, and be part of the basic equipment and supplies required for emergency vehicles in this State. Under the bill, a tourniquet is required to be issued to every State, county, and municipal law enforcement officer, and every basic life support ambulance and mobility assistance vehicle licensed by the Department of Health is required to be equipped with a tourniquet. The cost of the tourniquets issued to law enforcement officers under the bill may be funded by forfeiture funds received by the Attorney General as instrumentalities of crime. Finally, the bill authorizes the Attorney General and the Commissioner of Health to promulgate guidelines or directives in order to enforce the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| S664 | Increases amount of cigarette and other tobacco products tax revenues provided to New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research to $10 million; establishes dedicated, non-lapsing Cancer Research Fund. | This bill increases the amount of cigarette and other tobacco products tax revenues provided to the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research (NJCCR) to $10 million. The bill also establishes a dedicated, non-lapsing Cancer Research Fund within the Department of the Treasury. In doing so, the bill prioritizes funding: 1) to expand the NJCCR's capacity to fund research regarding the causes, prevention, treatment, and palliation of all cancers and to serve as a resource of information to providers and consumers of cancer care and treatment services; and 2) for cancer research grants that reduce and eliminate disparities among the various racial and ethnic populations within the State's minority and vulnerable communities by increasing access to clinical trials and high-quality cancer care and treatment. Pursuant to current statute, the NJCCR annually receives $1 million in cigarette and other tobacco products tax revenues. This money is deposited into an existing lapsing Cancer Research Fund and then appropriated to the commission. In recent years, pursuant to the annual appropriations act, this money has been transferred from the Cancer Research Fund to the General Fund. The appropriations act then provides the NJCCR funding via a budget line. Despite the statutory requirement, in FY 2022, the NJCCR was appropriated $4 million in funding. Under the bill, the existing lapsing Cancer Research Fund is replaced by a non-lapsing, revolving fund. This fund is to be the repository of the $10 million in cigarette and other tobacco products tax revenues deposited into the account under the bill and any other funds approved by the Department of Health or the NJCCR. Moneys deposited in the fund, and any interest earned thereon, are to be used exclusively for providing grants for cancer research projects authorized and approved by the commission, with at least $5 million to be used to fund general cancer research and at least $5 million to be used to fund pediatric cancer research. The State Treasurer will be the custodian of the fund and all disbursements from the fund are to be made by the State Treasurer upon vouchers signed by the chairperson of the NJCCR or the chairperson's designee. The monies in the fund are to be invested and reinvested by the Director of the Division of Investment in the Department of the Treasury in the same manner as other trust funds in the custody of the State Treasurer, in the manner provided by law. Interest received on the monies in the fund are to be credited to the fund. | In Committee |
| S4302 | "New Jersey Laken Riley Act;" establishes law enforcement procedures for arrests of aliens unlawfully present in the U.S. charged with certain crimes. | This bill, to be known as the "New Jersey Laken Riley Act," establishes law enforcement procedures for cases where an alien unlawfully present in the United States is arrested and charged with certain crimes. Under the bill, an alien who is confirmed by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to be an alien unlawfully present in the United States, and who is arrested for certain crimes, is presumed to require pretrial detention, notwithstanding the State's Criminal Justice Reform Law (also known as "bail reform"). The applicable crimes are any indictable crime of the first, second, third, or fourth degree; any motor vehicle violation involving bodily injury to another person; or any crime defined under federal law as an aggravated felony, serious criminal offense, or crime of violence. Additionally, the bill reforms certain law enforcement practices concerning illegal immigration. First, the bill expressly authorizes and requires law enforcement officers to comply with immigration detainers requested by DHS. Second, the bill expressly authorizes law enforcement agencies to enter into voluntary agreements with federal authorities to provide immigration enforcement services. Third, the bill repeals the law banning prisons and jails in this State from serving as immigration detention facilities. Finally, the bill directs the Attorney General to rescind A.G. Directive 2018-6 v.2.0, commonly known as the "Immigrant Trust Directive," which was issued on Sept. 27, 2019. Through this bill, it is the intent of the sponsor to align State law with federal immigration law, particularly the federal Laken Riley Act, Pub.L.119-1, signed into law by the President on January 29, 2025. | In Committee |
| S4331 | Prohibits local government from naming its property after foreign terrorist organization. | This bill prohibits a local government from naming property under its ownership or control, including, but not limited to, a road, bridge, school, building, neighborhood, community, or park, after a group, that has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the federal government, or after land controlled by a foreign terrorist organization, not including recognized, sovereign nations. The bill requires the Division of Local Government Services (division) in the Department of Community Affairs, in consultation with the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (office), to develop and publish a list of designated foreign terrorist organizations and lands controlled by foreign terrorist organizations, not including recognized, sovereign nations. The bill defines a "local government" as a municipality, county, school district, or other political subdivision of the State, or any public board, commission, committee, authority, or agency which is not a State board, commission, committee, authority, or agency. The bill requires a local government to remove or dismantle signs, street pole banners, plaques, or other forms of displays of support for, or the naming of property after, a foreign terrorist organization, under the control or ownership of the local government within 30 days following the bill's enactment. Within 90 days following the bill's effective date, the bill requires a local government that has named property under its control or ownership after a foreign terrorist organization to rename the property so that it does not identify the name of as a foreign terrorist organization. The bill requires the State to reimburse local governments for both of these costs, upon application. If a local government violates the provisions of the bill, the State Treasurer, for each day in which the local government is in violation of the bill, is directed to deduct a portion of the total amount of State aid allocated to the local government. The daily deduction is to be in an amount equal to the result of dividing the total amount of State aid allocated to the local government by the total number of days in the fiscal year in which the State aid is allocated. The bill provides that the division, in consultation with the office, is to adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| A4751 | Permits purchase of service credit in SPRS for period of enrollment in military service academy and in New Jersey State Police Academy, and employment as class two special law enforcement officer. | An Act concerning the purchase of service credit in the State Police Retirement System for certain military and police service and amending P.L.1965, c.89 and P.L.2013, c.87. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3587 | Upgrades, and in some circumstances provides for extended terms of imprisonment for, certain retail theft crimes, addresses gift card fraud, and authorizes new Attorney General initiatives to address organized retail theft. | An Act concerning retail theft, amending and supplementing various parts of the statutory law, and making an appropriation. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3606 | Permits purchase of service credit in SPRS for period of enrollment in military service academy and in New Jersey State Police Academy, and employment as class two special law enforcement officer. | This bill allows a member of the New Jersey State Police Retirement System (SPRS) to purchase credit in the retirement system for military service in the Armed Forces of the United States, the period of enrollment in the New Jersey State Police Academy, and employment as a class two special law enforcement officer prior to becoming a member. Under current law, a period of service in the United States Armed Forces qualifies as military service that a member of the SPRS may purchase for retirement purposes. This bill permits the purchase of the period of enrollment in a United States military service academy. The military service academies are the United States Military Academy, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and the Coast Guard Academy. These four service academies educate young people to serve as commissioned officers in the various branches of the United States Armed Forces. They are the only academies whose students are on active duty in the United State Armed Forces from the day they enter the academy, with the rank of cadet and midshipman, and subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice. This bill also allows a member of the SPRS to purchase credit in the retirement system for graduation from the New Jersey State Police Academy or for employment as a class two special law enforcement officer, or both, prior to becoming a member. The bill provides that a member may purchase credit for all or a portion of such service rendered while enrolled in the New Jersey State Police Academy or employed by a public employer as a class two special law enforcement officer, or both. Under the bill, the SPRS credit purchased for enrollment in the New Jersey State Police Academy or employment as a class two special law enforcement officer, or both, is equivalent to service in the State Police as a member of the SPRS in qualifying for retirement benefits. | In Committee |
| S4278 | Makes various revisions to law pertaining to electronic medical records and recording certain minor patients' demographic information. | This bill revises certain laws pertaining to electronic medical records and the recording of patients' demographic information. It is the sponsor's intent that this bill will prohibit general acute care hospitals and clinical laboratories from collecting, or requesting to collect, data concerning sexual orientation or gender identity from minor patients, unless the minor patient's parent or guardian voluntarily provides such information. If such information is voluntarily provided by a parent or guardian, the provisions of the bill should not be construed as prohibiting a health care provider from discussing and recording the information, as necessary for the provision of health care services. Specifically, this bill provides that a general acute care hospital or clinical laboratory will not collect, or request to collect, data concerning patient sexual orientation or gender identity for a patient who is a minor under the age of 18, unless the patient or patient's parent or guardian voluntarily provides the data. The bill also revises current law concerning electronic medical records or laboratory information management systems to provide that, in the case of a minor patient under the age of 18, certain electronic medical records or laboratory information management systems will be configured in a manner that does not require a selection for the patient's gender identity and sexual orientation in order to save or store the patient's demographic information. Under current law, a clinical laboratory is required to electronically record the race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity of each patient who presents with a non-electronic order for testing at a clinical laboratory patient service center. Current law also requires that certain electronic medical records or laboratory information management systems used by acute care hospitals and licensed clinical laboratories are to be configured in a manner that prevents an authorized user from saving or storing a patient's demographic information into the electronic medical records or laboratory information management systems unless a selection for a patient's gender identity, sexual orientation, and racial and ethnic information is recorded. | In Committee |
| S4221 | Prohibits the employment of unauthorized aliens and requires employers to use E-Verify program. | This bill requires every employer, before hiring an employee, to verify the employment eligibility of the employee through the E-Verify program. E-Verify is an electronic verification of work authorization program jointly operated by the United States Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. The bill provides for employers who employ 100 or more employees to comply with the E-Verify requirement by December 31, 2020. Employers who employ less than 100 employees must comply with the E-Verify requirement by December 31, 2020. The bill directs the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development to develop a Statewide random auditing program to inspect private employers for compliance with the E-Verify requirement. The commissioner is also directed, upon receipt of a written and signed complaint against an employer, or upon an investigation initiated by the commissioner for good cause, to institute an investigation if the commissioner finds reasonable grounds exist that an employer allegedly violated the E-Verify requirement. The bill provides for the assessment of a civil penalty of not less than $100 and not more than $1000 on employers found to be in violation of the E-Verify requirement. For a first occurrence involving a violation, if, upon notification by the commissioner, the employer complies within seventy-two hours, the employer shall not be assessed a penalty. Any subsequent occurrence involving a violation by the employer results in the assessment of a civil penalty by the commissioner. However, if the employer has not committed a violation of the E-Verify requirement within the previous five years, a subsequent occurrence shall be treated as a first occurrence. The bill also prohibits the employment of unauthorized aliens. It imposes penalties on employers who knowingly or intentionally employ unauthorized aliens. For the first violation where an employer knowingly hired unauthorized aliens, a court shall order the employer to terminate such employment, to be subject to a three year probationary period during which the employer shall submit quarterly reports for each new hire, to file a sworn affidavit within three business days after the order has been issued or face the suspension of any business license held by the employer until such time a signed sworn affidavit is filed. In addition, a court may consider a number of factors surrounding the violation and order the suspension of any business license for a period not to exceed ten business days. For the first violation where an employer intentionally hired unauthorized aliens, a court shall order the employer to terminate such employment; a five year probationary period during which the employer shall submit quarterly reports for each new hire; the suspension of any business license for a minimum ten days after considering all factors surrounding the violation; and the employer to file a sworn affidavit until which all licenses shall remain suspended. For any second violation of knowingly or intentionally employing an unauthorized alien, a court shall order the permanent revocation of any and all of the employers' business licenses issued by the State or any political subdivisions of the State. | In Committee |
| S3735 | Extends certain provisions of P.L.2022, c.9. | An Act concerning the mandatory retirement age of police chiefs and fire department chiefs and amending P.L.2022, c.9. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S4152 | Prohibits certain financial institutions from requiring certain disabled veterans to include anticipated property tax obligations as part of mortgage applications. | This bill prohibits certain financial institutions from requiring certain disabled veterans to include anticipated property tax obligations as part of a mortgage applications. Under current law, a veteran who has been declared by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs to have a 100 percent service-connected disability, and meets all of the requirements for a veterans' property tax exemption, may apply to the municipality in which their principal residence is located for a property tax exemption. The surviving spouse of such a veteran is also entitled to the property tax exemption for the duration of their widowhood or widowerhood, provided that certain eligibility criteria are met. Currently, when a person, including a disabled veteran or their surviving spouse, seeks a mortgage to purchase a home, banks, mortgage companies, and credit unions generally require that the person qualify for the mortgage based on the calculated monthly mortgage payment for the mortgage loan, plus the monthly share of the annual property tax bill. Although these persons may qualify for a total property tax exemption after purchasing the property, the inclusion of property tax obligations in the mortgage application can make it significantly more difficult for these persons to obtain a mortgage, as well as increase the interest rates that may be approved for these mortgage applicants. Under the bill, when a qualified veteran who has been declared by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs to have a 100 percent service-connected disability, or their surviving spouse, seeks a mortgage loan from a State-chartered bank, mortgage company, or credit union for a dwelling house that is to be the person's principal residence, the bank, mortgage company, or credit union may not require the person to indicate or disclose the annual property tax obligation on that dwelling house as part of the underwriting requirements for the mortgage loan, provided that the assessor of the municipality in which the property is located determines that the veteran or surviving spouse satisfies all of the eligibility requirements for the disabled veterans' property tax exemption, other than the ownership of the property, and certifies the same to the State-chartered bank, mortgage company, or credit union on a form promulgated for this purpose by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance. In the case of a mortgage refinance application, the qualified veteran or surviving spouse would be required to meet all of the eligibility requirements for the disabled veterans' property tax exemption, including ownership of the property. | In Committee |
| S4085 | Requires certain law enforcement entities and courts to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. | This bill requires every law enforcement agency to notify the appropriate federal immigration authorities when a person who is arrested and charged with any crime and certain offenses is a non-citizen who is unlawfully present in this county. The purpose of notifying federal immigration authorities is to initiate deportation proceedings. Under the bill, "federal immigration authority" is defined as any officer, employee, or person otherwise paid by or acting as an agent of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement or United States Customs and Border Protection, or any division thereof, or any officer, employee, or person otherwise paid by or acting as an agent of the United States Department of Homeland Security who is charged with immigration enforcement. The bill also requires every sentencing court to immediately contact appropriate federal immigration authorities in order to initiate deportation proceedings upon convicting a non-citizen who is unlawfully present in this country of certain crimes or offenses. Finally, correctional facilities in which the convicted non-citizen is held would be required to contact appropriate federal immigration authorities for the purpose of initiating deportation proceedings. Parole or probation officers with a supervisory role over a convicted non-citizen also would be required to contact federal immigration authorities for the purpose of initiating deportation proceedings. The crimes and offenses included under the bill that would require notification are any crime of the first through fourth degree or any disorderly or petty disorderly persons offense involving the unlawful manufacture, distribution, possession and use of controlled dangerous substances, theft, robbery, or any other crime or offense resulting in detention. | In Committee |
| SCR122 | Determines that DEP rules and regulations known as " New Jersey Protecting Against Climate Change - Resilient Environment and Landscapes" are inconsistent with legislative intent. | This concurrent resolution embodies the finding of the Legislature that the rules and regulations proposed by the Department of Environmental Protection in the August 5, 2024 New Jersey Register, 56 N.J.R. 1282(a), are not consistent with the intent of the Legislature. The Department of Environmental Protection would have 30 days from the date of transmittal of this resolution to amend or withdraw the proposed rules and regulations or the Legislature may, by passage of another concurrent resolution, exercise its authority under the Constitution to invalidate the rules and regulations in whole or in part. | In Committee |
| S4096 | Prohibits certain electric public utility rate increases and requires certain protections for ratepayers. | This bill prohibits any electric public utility from increasing the rate charged to ratepayers after the bill's enactment for the purpose of recovering the cost of installing smart meters. Beginning on the date 30 days prior to, and until 30 days after, the effective date of any electric public utility rate increase, the bill requires an electric public utility to publish the following information on its Internet website and in any customer communication, including, but not limited to, a paper or electronic bill: (1) the amount and effective date of the rate increase; (2) the reasons for the rate increase; (3) an explanation of any anticipated impact on ratepayer bills, including, but not limited to, a clear statement of the percentage by which ratepayer bills are expected to increase; and (4) information on how ratepayers can provide feedback on the impact of or file a complaint concerning the rate increase. The Board of Public Utilities (board) is authorized to impose a fine of up to $10,000 if the board finds that an electric public utility violated this requirement. An electric public utility is required to report to the federal Department of Energy any rate increase expected to result in an average increase of five percent or greater of ratepayer bills, no less than 60 days prior to the effective date of the rate increase. Within its report to the Department of Energy, an electric public utility is required to include the following information: (1) the amount and effective date of the rate increase; (2) the reasons for the rate increase; (3) an explanation of any anticipated impact on ratepayer bills, including, but not limited to, a clear statement of the percentage by which ratepayer bills are expected to increase; and (4) any measures the electric public utility may take to mitigate the rate increase's impact on ratepayer bills. An electric public utility is also required to provide to the federal Department of Energy an annual report on: (1) any trends in the duration, location, and cause of an electric public utility's electric service interruptions, including, but not limited to, a summary of electric service interruptions during the preceding calendar year; and (2) any trends in overdue bills from an electric public utility's ratepayers during the preceding calendar year. The bill prohibits an electric public utility from disconnecting electric service to or assessing a late fee for bill nonpayment to any ratepayer affected by a rate increase resulting in an average increase of five percent or greater of ratepayer bills within six months following that rate increase. | In Committee |
| SR123 | Urges Congress to pass H.R.9997 naming US Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic Leonard G. "Bud" Lomell, Jr. VA Clinic. | This resolution urges the Congress of the United States to pass H.R.9997, currently pending before the Subcommittee on Health in the House of Representatives. This bill names the US Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Toms River, New Jersey, the Leonard G. "Bud" Lomell, Jr. VA Clinic. Born in 1920, Second Lieutenant Leonard G. "Bud" Lomell, Jr. and his parents moved to Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Second Lieutenant Leonard G. "Bud" Lomell, Jr. later became a long-time resident of Toms River and Ocean County. After college, Second Lieutenant Lomell enlisted in the Army, volunteering for the elite Ranger Corps, and was a member of the Second Rangers Battalion during the June 6, 1944, D-Day invasion, commanding his own platoon as First Sergeant. Then-First Sergeant Lomell saved countless Allied lives during his service, resulting in a battlefield promotion to Second Lieutenant and the awarding of some of the military's highest honors, including the Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart, and Silver Star. Following World War II, Second Lieutenant Lomell attended law school on the G.I. Bill, eventually settling with his family in Toms River and, in 1957, establishing his own law firm, which grew to become one of Ocean County's largest law firms. Serving as selflessly in civilian life as he did in the military, Second Lieutenant Lomell was involved in numerous civic and charitable organizations, including by serving as president of the Ocean County Bar Association, a director of the First National Bank of Toms River, a member of the Dover Township Board of Education, and as a founding member of the World War II Army Rangers Battalion Association. Since Toms River, New Jersey, in the Fourth Congressional District, was designated as the site for the new Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic, a state-of-the-art facility serving the region's large veteran population, it is altogether fitting and proper to name this clinic the Leonard G. "Bud" Lomell, Jr. VA Clinic in honor of the decorated war hero, model citizen, and dedicated husband and father. | In Committee |
| SCR120 | Proposes constitutional amendment to provide property tax exemption for primary residence of police officer, firefighter, or emergency medical technician who suffers line of duty injury. | If approved by the voters, this proposed constitutional amendment would require the Legislature to enact a law to provide a 100 percent property tax exemption for police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians who have been injured in the line of duty and qualify for an accidental disability pension. The exemption would be for the primary residence of the police officer, firefighter, or emergency medical technician. | In Committee |
| S2712 | Requires public schools to include instruction on cursive handwriting. | This bill a board of education to include instruction on how to read and write in cursive for students in grades kindergarten through five. The instruction is required to include learning activities and resources designed to ensure a student is able to read cursive documents and write in cursive by the end of grade three. Cursive is defined as a type of handwriting in which all the letters in a word are connected. The ever-increasing reliance on computers and related technologies in contemporary society has left students with keyboarding skills, but lacking the ability to read and write in cursive. Yet, scientists are discovering that learning cursive has important benefits for cognitive development, and that when learning to write cursive, multiple parts of the brain are activated, as compared to typing or simply viewing letters. In addition, documents that are fundamental to our nation's history and laws, including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, were drafted in cursive. So that students are able to read our most valued historical documents in their original form, can write or sign their names in cursive when required, and are enriched by any cognitive, motor skill, or other benefits that result from learning to write in cursive, this bill requires that cursive be included in the public school curriculum. | In Committee |
| S1783 | Requires instruction on cursive handwriting in public school curriculum. | Requires instruction on cursive handwriting in public school curriculum. | In Committee |
| S684 | Requires telecommunications, cable television, and Internet service providers to allow for service contracts to be paused or canceled following service recipients's admission to long-term care facility. | An Act allowing for service contracts to be paused or canceled following service recipients' admission to certain long-term care facilities and supplementing Title 56 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S354 | Updates scope of practice of optometrists. | Updates scope of practice of optometrists. | In Committee |
| S1577 | Requires maintenance of roadways surrounding State capitol complex. | Requires maintenance of roadways surrounding State capitol complex. | Crossed Over |
| S3935 | "Flood Zone Clarification Act"; modifies procedure for delineation of State flood hazard areas. | This bill prohibits the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from implementing or adopting, prior to June 1, 2038, the rules and regulations proposed by the DEP and published in the New Jersey Register on August 5, 2024, which are known as New Jersey's Protecting Against Climate Threats (NJPACT) Rules. The bill also prohibits the DEP from implementing or adopting a rule or regulation that is substantially similar to one or more provisions set forth in the NJPACT rule proposal, unless, prior to that date, the Legislature has passed a concurrent resolution authorizing the DEP to adopt those rules and regulations. Additionally, the bill limits the DEPs current discretion over the delineation of the State's flood hazard areas by requiring the DEP to set the State's flood hazard area delineation for each watercourse at no more than one foot above the 100-year flood elevation delineated for that watercourse by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Current law requires the DEP to make flood hazard area delineations at least as protective as floodplain delineations approved by the FEMA for the NFIP. This bill would not change that requirement, but would remove the unlimited discretion current law affords the DEP in determining the height of a flood hazard area. Specifically, the bill requires the DEP, within three months following the bill's effective date, to set the State's flood hazard area delineation for each watercourse at one foot above the 100-year flood elevation delineated for that watercourse by the FEMA. The bill also requires the DEP, within three months following each subsequent FEMA delineation of a floodplain for a watercourse, to set the State's flood hazard area delineation for that watercourse at one foot above the 100-year flood elevation delineated for that watercourse by the FEMA. The bill provides that a person applying to the DEP for a permit or other approval, pursuant to the "Flood Hazard Area Control Act," P.L.1962, c.19 (C.58:16A-50 et seq.) on and after the first day of the fourth month next following the bill's effective date, would be subject to the State's flood hazard area delineation of one foot above the FEMAs delineation of the 100-year flood elevation for that watercourse. The bill also provides that after the bill's effective date, the DEP may not adopt a rule or regulation relevant to delineating an area as a flood hazard area unless the DEP first submits the proposed rule or regulation to the Legislature, and the Legislature passes a concurrent resolution authorizing the DEP to adopt the rule or regulation. The bill requires the DEP to submit to the Legislature each rule or regulation it proposes to delineate an area as a flood hazard area, and prohibits the DEP from adopting a proposed rule or regulation unless the Legislature passes a concurrent resolution specifically approving the proposed rule or regulation. The bill is introduced in response to the DEPs recently proposed NJPACT Rules. The proposed NJPACT Rules, in relevant part, propose to establish a "climate-adjusted flood elevation" of five feet above the FEMA 100-year flood elevation for each New Jersey watercourse. The DEP's justification for proposing the rule is to adjust flood-hazard development thresholds to take into account projected sea level rise due to climate change. The adoption of the DEP's proposed NJPACT rules would be detrimental to New Jersey, and particularly to our State's coastal communities. The DEP has failed to conduct a proper cost-benefit analysis to justify adoption of the proposed rules. The adoption of the rule proposal would cause large portions of New Jersey's coastal area as being improper for development and use. The DEPs assertions that development of these areas would constitute a threat to the safety, health, and general welfare from flooding due to projected climate change are not accurate. The DEP used an outdated and flawed 2019 Rutgers report to justify its proposed establishment of a "climate-adjusted flood elevation" of five feet above the FEMA 100-year flood elevation. Rather than protect the general welfare, adoption of the rule proposal would significantly harm the general welfare, which the DEP is responsible to protect. Adoption of the DEP's rule proposal would limit the ability of middle- and lower-income families to own, improve, or restore coastal properties, and thereby incentivize many of those families to sell their coastal properties to the wealthy or to the government. Adoption of this bill would set a standard delineation mechanism in State law, and thereby prevent the DEP from setting the State's flood hazard area delineation at more than one foot above the FEMA-delineated 100-year flood elevation. | In Committee |
| S3925 | Requires driver's licenses and identification cards issued to non-citizens to bear distinct color and include statement providing document cannot be used to vote; requires identification to vote. | This bill establishes certain design requirements for driver's licenses and identification cards issued to non-citizens by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission). Under the bill, a driver's license or identification card issued to an individual who is not a United States citizen is required to be a distinctly different in color than those issued to citizens of the United States. A driver's license or identification card issued to a non-citizen is also required to include a clear statement on the document that reads: "This document shall not be used as identification to vote in elections." Additionally, this bill requires voters seeking to vote either by mail using a mail-in ballot, in person during the early voting period, or in person at the polling place on election day to present identification before being permitted to vote. | In Committee |
| S3904 | "S2 Appropriations Rescue Act"; appropriates $106.5 million to provide Emergency Supplemental Aid to certain school districts, including districts negatively impacted by effects of P.L.2018, c.67. | This bill provides a supplemental appropriation of $106.5 million from the Property Tax Relief Fund to the Department of Education to provide "Emergency Supplemental Aid" to certain school districts. The aid is to be distributed to school districts that have been allocated a total amount of State school aid in the 2024-2025 school year that is:· less than the district's adequacy budget, which under current law represents the portion of the costs that a school district is expected to incur to provide a thorough and efficient education; and · less than or equal to $19,000 per resident pupil; and· either: less than or equal to the total amount of State school aid allocated to the district in the 2023-2024 school year; or greater than the total amount of State school aid allocated to the district in the 2023-2024 school year by up to $200,000. The amount of Emergency Supplemental Aid provided to an eligible district pursuant to the bill is to be determined by multiplying $250 by the number of resident pupils in the district. School districts from all parts of the State have experienced negative budgetary effects over the seven years following the enactment of P.L.2018, c.67, commonly referred to as "S2." The severity of these budgetary reductions have forced districts to lay off hundreds of teachers and staff, adopt half-day schedules, eliminate sports and clubs, reduce academic programming such as Advanced Placement classes, eliminate busing, and sell land and close schools just to balance their budgets. This educational funding crisis has affected hundreds of school districts representing an array of socioeconomic groups, from urban districts such as the City of East Orange, Jersey City, and Passaic City, to suburban districts such as Hillsborough Township, Freehold Regional School District, Old Bridge Township, Jackson Township, Toms River Regional School District, Brick Township, and Evesham Township, and extending to rural districts, such as Chesterfield Township, Lenape Regional School District, Estell Manor City, and Hardyston Township. This bill provides emergency restoration aid to help stabilize the budgets of these school districts, as well as 290 other districts, for the purpose of providing these children with a quality education. | In Committee |
| S3908 | Authorizes creation of temporary Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary commemorative license plate. | This bill authorizes the creation of temporary Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary commemorative license plates and establishes a public contest to select the design of these commemorative license plates. Specifically, the bill requires the New Jersey Historical Commission, in consultation with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, to establish a license plate design contest in which participants can submit one or more designs for a Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary license plate that represents the State of New Jersey and commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States. In establishing the contest, the New Jersey Historical Commission is required to, at a minimum: (1) develop an application process for participants to submit one or more designs to the New Jersey Historical Commission for the commemorative license plate; (2) review the applications received and select a license plate design; and (3) advertise the opportunity to participate in the license plate design contest. The bill also authorizes the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to create and issue a commemorative temporary Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary license plate using the license plate design selected by the New Jersey Historical Commission. Only one commemorative license plate will be issued per motor vehicle, and the license plate will serve as a decorative license plate, without the inclusion of a registration number. The bill requires the chief administrator to authorize the displaying of the Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary license plate on the front of a motor vehicle in place of an alternate license plate for a period of two years beginning on January 1, 2026. In addition to the required motor vehicle registration fees, there is an application fee of $50 and an annual renewal fee of $10 for the Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary license plate. After deducting the cost to implement the Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary license plate program, the additional fees collected are required to be deposited into the "Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary License Plate Fund," and the funds are to be appropriated annually to the New Jersey Historical Commission to be used to support and preserve Revolutionary War sites throughout New Jersey. The chief administrator is required to annually certify the average cost per commemorative license plate in producing, issuing, renewing, and publicizing the Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary license plate. The bill also requires that the New Jersey Historical Commission appoint a liaison to represent the New Jersey Historical Commission in all communications with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission regarding the Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary license plate. The bill provides that, in addition to any non-public monies contributed by the individual or entity designated by the New Jersey Historical Commission to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, State or other public funds may be used by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission for the initial cost of designing, producing, issuing, and publicizing the availability of the Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary license plate or any computer programming changes which may be necessary to implement the Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary license plate program. The bill also provides that an individual or entity designated by the New Jersey Historical Commission may contribute monies in an amount to be determined by the chief administrator, not to exceed a total of $25,000, to be used to offset the initial costs incurred by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission for designing, producing, issuing, and publicizing the availability of the Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary license plate, and any computer programming which may be necessary to implement the program. The bill authorizes the New Jersey Historical Commission to receive funds from private sources to be used to offset the initial costs. The bill prohibits the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission from designing, producing, issuing, or publicizing the availability of the Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary license plate, or making any necessary programming changes, until the New Jersey Historical Commission's liaison has provided the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission with a minimum of 500 completed applications for the Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary license plates, upon the availability for purchase of those license plates. The chief administrator is responsible for publicizing the availability of the commemorative license plates on the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission's website. Except for the establishment of the license plate design contest, the provisions of the bill will remain inoperative until the first day of the 13th month after the appropriate number of applications are provided to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. The bill expires on the last day of the 12th month after the date of enactment if sufficient applications are not received by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. | In Committee |
| S3909 | Authorizes creation of "250th Anniversary Revolutionary War" license plates. | This bill requires the Chief Administrator (chief administrator) of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to issue 250th Anniversary Revolutionary War license plates. The design of the license plate is to be chosen by the chief administrator, in consultation with the New Jersey Historical Commission (historical commission) in the Department of State. In addition to the required motor vehicle registration fees, there is an application fee of $50 and an annual renewal fee of $10 for the license plates. After deducting the costs to implement the plates, the additional fees collected are to be deposited into the "250th Anniversary Revolutionary War License Plate Fund." The proceeds of the fund are to be appropriated annually to support and preserve Revolutionary War sites throughout New Jersey. The chief administrator is required to annually certify the average cost of producing, issuing, renewing, and publicizing the availability of the specialty license plates. If the average cost per plate exceeds $50 in two consecutive fiscal years, the chief administrator may discontinue the license plate program. The bill also requires that the Chair of the New Jersey Historical Commission appoint a liaison to represent the historical commission in all communications with the MVC regarding the license plates. The bill provides that State or other public funds may not be used by the MVC for the initial cost to implement the license plate program. The bill requires the historical commission, or an individual or entity designated by the historical commission, to contribute non-public monies, not to exceed $25,000, to offset the initial costs to design, produce, issue, and publicize the license plates and for any computer programming necessary to implement the program. The bill authorizes the historical commission to receive funds from private sources to be used to offset the initial costs. The MVC is not required to design, produce, issue, or publicize the availability of the license plates, or make any necessary programming changes, until: (1) the historical commission, or an individual or entity designated by the historical commission, has provided the MVC with the money necessary to offset the initial costs incurred by the MVC in establishing the license plate program; and (2) the historical commission has provided the MVC with a minimum of 500 completed applications for the license plates, upon the availability for purchase of those license plates. The provisions of the bill will remain inoperative until the appropriate applications and fees required to offset the initial costs incurred by the MVC are provided by the historical commission or its designee. The bill expires on the last day of the 12th month following the bill's enactment if sufficient applications and fees to offset the initial costs are not received. | In Committee |
| S3437 | Requires creation of license plates that allow disabled veterans to park in parking spots reserved for persons with disabilities. | Requires creation of license plates that allow disabled veterans to park in parking spots reserved for persons with disabilities. | In Committee |
| S3878 | Eliminates transfer inheritance tax for step-grandchildren. | This bill eliminates the State's transfer inheritance tax for the step-grandchildren of a decedent by treating step-grandchildren the same as a decedent's stepchildren and grandchildren under the New Jersey Transfer Inheritance Tax Act, R.S.54:33-1 et seq. Currently, step-grandchildren are treated as Class D beneficiaries under subsection d. of R.S.54:34-2 because they do not fall within any of the other statutory classes of beneficiaries (Classes A and C; subsections a. and c.) set forth in that section of law. As Class D beneficiaries, step-grandchildren of a decedent are subject to a transfer inheritance tax of: 15 percent on any property transfer of an amount up to $700,000; and 16 percent on any property transfer in excess of that amount. By contrast, the grandchildren of a decedent, being the "issue of any child or legally adopted child of a decedent," are classified as Class A beneficiaries under subsection a. of R.S.54:34-2, and thus are not subject to any transfer inheritance tax pursuant to the provisions of that section of law. Transfers to stepchildren are likewise treated as Class A beneficiaries and exempt from any transfer inheritance tax under R.S.54:34-2.1. Under the bill, step-grandchildren, i.e., the issue of any stepchild of a decedent, would be treated like stepchildren and grandchildren with respect to a decedent's property transfer, and thus be considered Class A beneficiaries subject to no taxation. | In Committee |
| S3854 | Extends Wounded Warrior Caregivers Relief Act to caregivers of certain veterans. | This bill amends the Wounded Warrior Caregivers Relief Act to extend the tax credit benefit to caregivers of certain veterans. Under current law, the Wounded Warrior Caregivers Relief Act provides a gross income tax credit to family caregivers of armed service members with service-connected disabilities arising out of service on or after September 11, 2001. The bill revises the definition of veteran to mean any citizen and resident of this State discharged or released under honorable circumstances from active service in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States and extends the tax credit to caregivers of veterans who fall under the revised definition. | In Committee |
| S3852 | Modifies requirements for associations to protect structural integrity of certain buildings; expands timeframes for associations to establish adequate reserves. | This bill amends a recent enactment, P.L.2023, c.214, (C.52:27D-132.2 et al.), which imposed various requirements upon associations responsible for the management and maintenance of the common elements and facilities of residential buildings within planned real estate developments. The bill also limits applicability of the capital reserve study and funding requirements of P.L.2023, c.214, (C.52:27D-132.2 et al.) to residential condominium and cooperative buildings that are three stories or more in height. The bill further modifies current law to enable impacted associations to increase the amounts required to hold in necessary reserve funds over a longer period of time. The Legislature enacted P.L.2023, c.214 for the purpose of enhancing the structural integrity of the primary load bearing systems of residential buildings. However, language contained in the underlying enactment may be interpreted as having imposed requirements to protect against failures of common areas and capital improvements even though they do not impact a building's structural integrity. The recent enactment may also be interpreted as imposing requirements on non-residential buildings as well as residential ones. This bill modifies language from the recent enactment to address these issues and to limit applicability of P.L.2023, c.214 to residential buildings that are three stories or more in height. Additionally, the bill would double the timeframe imposed under current law within which an impacted association is required to establish and maintain a reserve fund in an adequate amount. | In Committee |
| SJR14 | Designates third Sunday of November of each year as "World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims" in NJ. | Designates third Sunday of November of each year as "World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims" in NJ. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S507 | Concerns installation, modification, and sale of certain mufflers and exhaust systems; requires inspection of mufflers and exhaust systems. | Concerns installation, modification, and sale of certain mufflers and exhaust systems; requires inspection of mufflers and exhaust systems. | In Committee |
| S1887 | Creates offense of financial exploitation of the elderly. | Creates offense of financial exploitation of the elderly. | Crossed Over |
| S2697 | Permits certain motor vehicles to display both amber and green warning lights. | Permits certain motor vehicles to display both amber and green warning lights. | In Committee |
| S3817 | Requires DEP to implement Advanced Clean Trucks regulations no earlier than January 1, 2027. | This bill would delay the implementation of the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP's) Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulations to January 1, 2027. Under current law, N.J.A.C. 7:27-31.3, the regulations would become operative on January 1, 2025. The DEP adopted the Advanced Clean Trucks regulations in 2021. Pursuant to P.L.2003, c.266 (C.26:2C-8.15 et al.), the DEP is authorized to implement California's Low Emission Vehicle Program in New Jersey. The ACT regulations would require, among other things, that manufacturers of medium-duty and heavy-duty motor vehicles sell an increasing percentage of zero-emissions vehicles, capping at 40 percent to 75 percent of annual sales in 2035, depending on the type of vehicle sold. | In Committee |
| S3257 | Allows law enforcement agencies to distribute epinephrine to officers; requires training. | Allows law enforcement agencies to distribute epinephrine to officers; requires training. | In Committee |
| A2607 | Authorizes taxicabs, limousines, and transportation network companies to provide paratransit services for two-year period. | An Act concerning paratransit services. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A2180 | Permits certain persons to operate Type S school buses. | An Act concerning school transportation, amending P.L.2015, c.268 (C.18A:39-20.1). | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3698 | Permits surviving spouse of retired member of PFRS to be enrolled in SHBP and to continue to receive pension benefit after remarriage in certain circumstances. | Under this bill, certain surviving spouses of retired members of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) will receive State-paid health care benefits through the State Health Benefits Program and a continuation of pension benefits after remarriage. The surviving spouse of a retired member of the PFRS who died prior to, on, or after the effective date of this bill and who was receiving an accidental disability retirement allowance at the time of death will be eligible to enroll for health care benefits coverage in the State Health Benefits Program after the effective date of this bill and the annual premiums for such coverage for the surviving spouse and any dependent children will be paid in full by the State. Such a surviving spouse will also be eligible to continue to receive upon remarriage the pension benefit provided by current law to surviving spouses of deceased retired members. The State will be responsible for any increase in contributions to the retirement system required of employers other than the State due to the continuation of the payment of the pension benefit after remarriage. This bill will only apply if the surviving spouse provides documentation, approved by the Board of Trustees of the PFRS, demonstrating that the injury that caused the disability, the complications from that disability, or the aggravation or acceleration of a preexisting condition caused by the disability was a significant contributing factor in the retired member's death. An eligible surviving spouse whose pension was terminated due to remarriage prior to the effective date of this bill may apply to the board to have the pension benefit reinstated and payable again commencing from the date of application. | In Committee |
| S3501 | Requires certain public awareness campaigns to include information about duty of motorist to take certain action when approaching pedestrian, bicycle, or personal conveyance. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Transportation (commissioner) and the Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety (director) to update, on an annual basis, public awareness programs and a public awareness campaign that inform motorists of their duty to take certain actions when approaching certain vehicles and the importance of taking these actions. The bill also requires the commissioner to use variable message signs at least once per year to inform motorists of their duty to take certain actions when approaching certain vehicles and the importance of taking these actions. Additionally, this bill requires the commissioner to develop, and update annually, public awareness programs and use, at least once per year, variable message signs to inform motorists of their duty to take certain actions when approaching a pedestrian, bicycle, or personal conveyance. The bill further requires the director to establish and update annually a public awareness campaign that includes information about the importance of complying with a law that requires motorists to take certain actions when approaching a pedestrian, bicycle, or personal conveyance, the risks associated with failing to comply with the law, and the penalties and fines that will be imposed for violating the law. | In Committee |
| S3191 | Permits certain transportation research contracts to be awarded to private research institutions of higher education and other entities. | This bill permits the New Jersey Transportation Research Bureau within the Department of Transportation (bureau) to award research contracts to private research institutions of higher education and certain other entities. Under current law, the bureau is required to award research contracts only to New Jersey public research institutions of higher education, except when the manager of the bureau (manager) makes a written determination that additional competition in terms of quality of work product, timeliness of work product delivery, or availability of specific transportation expertise from entities other than New Jersey public research institutions will benefit the Department of Transportation (department). The bill removes a provision that authorizes the manager to allow for competitive bidding for research contracts when doing so will benefit the department. The bill requires the bureau to determine whether awarding a research contract to a public or private research institution of higher education or another entity is in the public interest and provides that the manager has a duty to establish and maintain relationships with private research institutions of higher education and other entities. Additionally, the bill changes the definition of "entities" to include entities other than non-profit organizations. | In Committee |
| S3526 | Changes certain Mobility and Transportation Innovation Program requirements; appropriates $20 million. | Changes certain Mobility and Transportation Innovation Program requirements; appropriates $20 million. | In Committee |
| SJR128 | Urges US Senate to pass federal "Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act." | This joint resolution urges the US Senate to pass the federal "Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act." To be eligible to vote in federal elections, voters must be US citizens. The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA), referred to as the "motor voter law," was enacted to make it easier for American citizens to register to vote by requiring states to allow individuals to register to vote when applying for or renewing their driver's licenses. However, efforts to streamline voter registration with states' departments of motor vehicles have resulted in state agencies mistakenly registering noncitizens to vote in federal elections. While the prevalence of voting by noncitizens is unknown, the shortcomings of voter registration systems have eroded public confidence in the integrity of federal elections, with over a quarter of Americans surveyed reporting concerns about counting ineligible votes, including votes cast by noncitizens, in the 2024 presidential election. Currently, federal law does not require documentary proof of citizenship when registering individuals to vote. Amid growing concerns about the adequacy of voting registration safeguards, members of the House of Representatives introduced and passed the federal "Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act." The SAVE Act would create uniform procedural safeguards for voter registration by amending the NVRA to require individuals to provide documentary proof of US citizenship and identity before registering to vote in federal elections and require states to implement programs to verify registrants' citizenship status. The SAVE Act would also grant states free access to federal databases to ensure ineligible voters are identified and removed. As confidence in the electoral process and results are fundamental to American democracy, the Legislature of the State of New Jersey urges the US Senate to take swift action to enact the federal SAVE Act. | In Committee |
| SCR112 | Urges Congress to enact "Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act of 2024" to reimburse State and local units for public safety expenses incurred during major presidential and vice presidential candidates' visits. | This concurrent resolution urges the President and Congress of the United States to enact the "Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act of 2024." Under federal law, the United States Secret Service, under the direction of the Secretary of Homeland Security, is mandated to protect the President and the Vice President of the United States, as well as the president-elect, and the vice president-elect. The agency is also authorized to provide protective services to certain other individuals, including the immediate families of the president, vice president, president-elect, and vice president-elect; former presidents and vice presidents, their spouses, and certain children; major presidential and vice presidential candidates; visiting heads of foreign states or foreign governments; and certain other designated individuals. Although it is often unrecognized, the Secret Service's ability to maintain public safety and security for individuals, facilities, and events covered under its protection depends on the agency's effective cooperation and coordination with state and local governments. The July 13, 2024 assassination attempt on Former President, and current presidential candidate, Donald J. Trump, further highlights the ongoing need for effective cooperation and coordination to protect major presidential and vice-presidential candidates and maintain public safety throughout election campaigns. The State of New Jersey and its municipalities are not only honored to host any individuals under Secret Service protection, but also take seriously the responsibility to cooperate with the Secret Service to ensure the safety and security surrounding such occasions. However, the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities that are dedicated to ensuring effective cooperation with the Secret Service often place undue financial burdens on the State and its municipalities. The "Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act of 2024," recently introduced in Congress as H.R.9332, would authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to utilize the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of State and local governments, on a reimbursement basis, for public safety and law enforcement purposes surrounding events and appearances involving major presidential and vice presidential candidates. The enactment of this bill would provide the State and its municipalities the funding necessary to effectively cooperate and coordinate with the Secret Service in order to protect major presidential and vice presidential candidates and ensure public safety during campaign events and appearances within the State. | In Committee |
| S3531 | Establishes rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention for child sexual abuse and child endangerment. | This bill establishes a rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention for a defendant charged with sexual assault or criminal sexual contact when the victim is a minor, or endangering the welfare of a child. Under P.L.2014, c.31, also known as the "Bail Reform Law," criminal courts are authorized to order the pretrial release of a defendant pending further proceedings, or order pretrial detention of a defendant who is found to be a flight risk, a danger to another or the community, or likely to obstruct further criminal proceedings. Currently, there is a rebuttable presumption that a defendant who is charged with murder or a crime that subjects the defendant to an ordinary or extended term of life imprisonment is to be detained pending trial. This rebuttable presumption applies when a prosecutor makes a motion for pretrial detention, but may be rebutted upon a showing of proof, by a preponderance of the evidence, in favor of the defendant. If the presumption is not rebutted, the court may order pretrial detention of the defendant. If the presumption is rebutted, the prosecutor still has the opportunity to establish other grounds for pretrial detention. This bill provides that the rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention also applies to defendants charged with the crime of sexual assault pursuant to N.J.S.2C:14-2 when the victim is a minor, the crime of criminal sexual contact pursuant to N.J.S.2C:14-3 when the victim is a minor, and the crime of endangering the welfare of a child under N.J.S.2C:24-4. | In Committee |
| S1385 | Establishes four-year pilot program in Ocean County for electronic monitoring of certain domestic violence offenders; appropriates $2.5 million. | Establishes four-year pilot program in Ocean County for electronic monitoring of certain domestic violence offenders; appropriates $2.5 million. | Crossed Over |
| S360 | Authorizes taxicabs, limousines, and transportation network companies to provide paratransit services for two-year period. | Authorizes taxicabs, limousines, and transportation network companies to provide paratransit services for two-year period. | In Committee |
| S3482 | Increases resource threshold for certain Medicaid eligibility groups. | This bill increases the resource threshold for certain non-Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) Medicaid eligibility groups, or those applicants who are over 65 years of age or disabled, such as individuals eligible for nursing homes services; Medicare Shared Savings Programs; the Medically Needy pathway; and home and community-based services. This bill does alter any eligibility requirements regarding the NJ Workability Program, a non-MAGI eligibilty pathway which offers full Medicaid coverage to working disabled individuals whose income or assets would otherwise make them ineligible. Currently, NJ Workability does not limit eligibility based on resources. Generally, in increasing the resource standard under these programs, this bill more closely aligns resource requirements under Medicaid for these populations with individuals under 65 years of age without disabilities, also known as the MAGI eligibility group, who currently do not have a resource test to determine eligibility pursuant to the federal "Affordable Care Act." The current resource standards for the affected eligibility groups varies. For example, an individual applying for the Medicaid Managed Long-Term Services and Supports is required to have resources of less than $2,000, while an individual applying for a Medicare Savings Program can have resources up to $9,090. | In Committee |
| SCR81 | Proposes constitutional amendment to increase amount of veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $2,500 over four years. | If approved by the voters of the State, this proposed constitutional amendment would increase the amount of the veterans' property tax deduction from the current $250 to $2,500. The increase would occur over four years. Veterans who are honorably discharged from active service in a branch of the United States Armed Forces qualify for the deduction. A qualified veteran's surviving spouse would receive the deduction after the qualified veteran dies. The amendment would increase the amount of the deduction to $1,000 in tax year 2025, $1,500 in tax year 2026, $2,000 in tax year 2027, and $2,500 in tax year 2028, and every tax year thereafter. The voters of the State last approved an increase in the amount of the deduction in 1999, from $50 to $250, over four years. The amount of the deduction has been $250 since 2003. | In Committee |
| S3084 | Allows property tax rebate for disabled veterans. | This bill allows veterans with a service-connected disability to receive a property tax rebate from the State in proportion to the percentage of their service-connected disability. The bill provides property tax relief to veterans who have a disability rating of less than 100 percent total and permanent disability. Veterans who have a disability rating of 100 percent total and permanent disability are already exempt from paying property taxes. Veterans with a service-connected disability are assigned a disability rating from the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs. A disability rating may range from 0 percent to 100 percent. That rating will determine the percentage of property taxes paid that the veteran will be allowed as a rebate under this bill. Funding for the rebate allowed by this bill is dependent on annual appropriations by the Legislature. The bill caps the rebate at $5,000 and limits availability of the rebate to veterans with gross income of up to $200,000. | In Committee |
| S3330 | Requires New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association to adopt policy on use of instant replay in playoff tournament basketball games. | This bill requires the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) to adopt a policy on the use of instant replay in playoff tournament basketball games. Under the bill, the NJSIAA is required to develop and adopt a policy that requires an official video and audio recording of each playoff tournament basketball game conducted by the association for use in the review of game clock decisions. The bill permits the head coach of each team to make two game clock challenges per game. | In Committee |
| S3359 | "CJ's Law"; Criminalizes manufacture, sale, and possession of substances containing kratom. | This bill, designated as "CJ's Law," would criminalize the manufacture, possession and sale of products containing kratom. Kratom, as known as mitragyna speciosa korth, mitragynine extract, biak-biak, cratom, gratom, ithang, kakuam, katawn, kedemba, ketum, krathom, krton, mambog, madat, Maeng da leaf, nauclea, or Nauclea Speciosa, is a botanical substance that grows naturally in Southeast Asia. The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises that kratom poses a threat to public health and has the potential for abuse. Kratom is frequently marketed on the Internet for its psychoactive and opioid-like analgesic effects, and for use in the treatment of morphine and heroin addiction. However, kratom is not approved in the United States for any medical use. In a statement released in April 2022, the FDA warned the public against using kratom, warning that the substance "affects the same opioid brain receptors as morphine" and that it appears to have "properties that expose users to the risks of addiction, abuse, and dependence." According to the FDA, scientific literature has disclosed serious concerns regarding the toxicity of kratom in multiple organ systems, with consumption leading to a number of health issues, including depressed respiratory function, nervousness, agitation, aggression, sleeplessness, hallucinations, delusions, loss of libido, tremors, skin hyperpigmentation, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and severe withdrawal signs and symptoms. Currently, possession and distribution of kratom is not barred by federal or New Jersey law. However, the FDA Import Alert # 54-15 provides guidance for FDA field personnel regarding the detention of dietary supplements and bulk dietary ingredients that contain kratom. The FDA has also issued a number of warning letters and conducted seizures of illegally sold, unapproved, or misbranded drug products containing kratom that make unproven claims about their ability to treat or cure opioid addiction and withdrawal symptoms. Kratom is banned or its uses restricted in several countries, including Australia, Denmark, Finland, France , Germany, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. Kratom is also illegal in several states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Several states have passed laws restricting its sale and use, while several other states have introduced legislation that would ban this drug. This bill amends existing law to include kratom as a controlled dangerous substance and to sets out gradations for crimes involving the substance. The bill would make it a crime of the second degree to manufacture, distribute or dispense, or possess or have under one's control with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, a substance containing kratom in an amount of one ounce or more, including adulterants and dilutants. A crime of the second degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. It would be a crime of the third degree to manufacture, distribute or dispense, or possess or have under one's control with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a substance containing kratom in an amount of less than one ounce, including adulterants and dilutants. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. Under the bill, the possession of one ounce or more, including adulterants and dilutants, of a substance containing kratom would be a crime of the third degree, and possession of less than one ounce, including adulterants and dilutants, would be a crime of the fourth degree. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. CJ's Law is designated in remembrance of Christopher James (CJ) Holowach, who died at age 33 from cardiac arrest caused by mixture of drugs that included his physician prescribed Adderol and kratom. While awaiting arm surgery, CJ Holowach consumed kratom to numb his arm pain without jeopardizing his recovery from opioid addiction. However, he was unaware of the dangers of kratom as the supplement's bottle provided no warning labels or suggestions on safe dosage amounts. Kratom is marketed in a way to make it appear to be a safe herbal pain supplement, when it poses serious health risks. Further, addiction experts warn, echoing the sentiments of FDA warnings, that kratom can be highly addictive and create risk of abuse and dependence. It is the sponsor's hope that this bill will stop the sale of kratom in New Jersey, avoiding further tragedies including death. | In Committee |
| S3320 | Permits school districts to receive loans from State to support operating budget under certain circumstances. | This bill permits school districts to receive loans from the State to support the district's operating budget if the district is anticipating a significant budgetary shortfall. The bill establishes the School District Budget Relief Loan Account for the purpose of providing loans to school districts that have significant budgetary shortfalls that would otherwise require the elimination of multiple nonmandatory programs including: advanced placement courses and other specialized instructional programs; kindergarten; sports teams; student clubs and other programs, such as honor societies; musical programs, including bands; and student body government programs. A school district that has submitted an application for a loan would be allowed to delay submission of a proposed budget, the holding of public hearings on the proposed budget, the date for the notification of nontenured staff, and any additional budgeting deadlines that the Commissioner of Education deems appropriate until a decision has been made to approve or deny the loan application and the school district has been notified of the decision. Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, a school district is to be able to apply for a loan after the district has received its State school aid notice following the State budget message by the Governor. Within 30 days of enactment, the commissioner is to develop a process by which districts are able to apply for the loans. The loan application is to include the following information: (1) the nature and amount of the budgetary shortfall, including an explanation as to why the district is unable to make sufficient changes to its budget through personnel and program reductions or general fund tax levy increases; (2) an analysis of the impact of the budgetary shortfall on the district's ability to provide a thorough and efficient education, which may include a description of the impact of the budgetary shortfall on student learning and participation in extracurricular activities, and which is required to include a demonstration that the district spent below adequacy in the year prior to the budget year for which the district is applying for the loan; (3) information about the district's general fund tax levy, including a demonstration that, in each of the five years preceding the budget year for which the district is applying for the loan, the district increased its general fund tax levy by at least two percent; and (4) information concerning the district's capital reserve fund balance and capital outlay budget. Prior to submitting the application for a loan to the department, a district is required to first submit its application and a preliminary budget to the executive county superintended and, if a State monitor has been appointed to the district, the district's State monitor. The executive county superintendent and, if applicable, the State monitor are to review the information provided and indicate to the commissioner whether they recommend that the commissioner approve the loan to the district. When making a decision regarding a district's loan application, the commissioner is to consider whether the loan is necessary to ensure the provision of a thorough and efficient education. For any district for which a State monitor has been appointed, the commissioner is required to approve the loan application if the State monitor has indicated that viable budget reductions and general fund tax levy increases are not sufficient to meet the budgetary shortfall. If the commissioner denies a district's loan application, the commissioner shall provide written documentation to the superintendent of the district which shall explain the reasons why the commissioner has determined that the quality of education in the district is better served by denial of the application than by approval. | In Committee |
| S2908 | Requires MVC to issue special windshield stickers marking electric vehicles exempt from emission inspections. | This bill requires the Chief Administrator (chief administrator) of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission) to issue special windshield stickers for electric vehicles that are owned or leased and registered in New Jersey to indicate that the electric vehicles are exempt from emission inspections. The bill defines "electric vehicle" to mean any vehicle powered solely by electric without an on-board engine or generator, and that does not use a hydrocarbon fuel to create electricity. Electric vehicle includes a plug-in electric, but not plug-in hybrid electric, or solar-powered vehicle. Under the bill, the windshield stickers are to be designed by the chief administrator, in consultation with the Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety in the Department of Law and Public Safety (director). There is to be no fee for the issuance of the windshield stickers. The windshield stickers are required to be displayed in a manner prescribed by the chief administrator, in consultation with the director, and to be clearly visible to law enforcement officers. The windshield stickers are required to be removed and returned to the commission within 30 days of the date that the ownership or leasehold period of the vehicle has ended. The bill requires the chief administrator, in consultation with the director, to adopt regulations specifying the size, placement, and other formal requirements or additional safeguards as the chief administrator deems necessary for the issuance and display of the windshield stickers. | In Committee |
| S3293 | Modifies eligibility requirements for other retirement income exclusion concerning other sources of income. | This bill amends the eligibility requirements concerning other sources of income as it relates to the retirement income exclusion. Under current law, taxpayers are not allowed to claim the retirement income exclusion if they have income in excess of $3,000 from certain sources of income, such as salaries, wages, tips, fees, commissions, net profits from businesses, distributive share of partnership income, net pro rate share of S corporation income, and others. This bill increases the income limit for those sources of income to $25,000. However, if a taxpayer's total gross income exceeds $100,000, the taxpayer will still be ineligible for this exclusion. | In Committee |
| S3000 | Permits certain persons to operate Type S school buses. | Permits certain persons to operate Type S school buses. | In Committee |
| SCR106 | Proposes constitutional amendment to provide property tax exemption for primary residence owned and occupied by surviving spouse of first responder who dies in line of duty. | If approved by the voters, this proposed constitutional amendment would provide a property tax exemption for the primary residence owned and occupied by the surviving spouse of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or first aid, ambulance, or rescue squad member who dies in the line of duty. The exemption would include the surviving spouses of both paid and volunteer firefighters and first aid, ambulance, or rescue squad members. The property receiving the exemption is also required to have been the primary residence of the first responder at the time the first responder's death. A surviving spouse would qualify for the exemption, and continue to receive it, for as long as the spouse owns and occupies the home as a primary residence and does not remarry. The constitutional amendment would also require the State to annually reimburse each taxing district for the amount of property taxes that would have otherwise been due for each property receiving the exemption established under the bill had the property been taxed the same as other land within the taxing district. | In Committee |
| S2083 | Allows certain volunteer firefighters, rescue and first aid squad members to claim $2,000 gross income tax exemption. | Allows certain volunteer firefighters, rescue and first aid squad members to claim $2,000 gross income tax exemption. | In Committee |
| S3175 | Removes registered apprenticeship program requisites of public work contractors; sets apprenticeship standards for prevailing wage projects. | This bill amends the "New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act" by setting a standard for apprenticeship programs if a contractor or subcontractor chooses to participate in an apprenticeship program. The bill revises "The Public Works Contractor Registration Act" by removing the requirement that a contractor participate in a registered apprenticeship program in order to be eligible for public works projects. | In Committee |
| SR95 | Urges Congress and President of United States to enact "Laken Riley Act." | This resolution urges the United States Congress and the President of the United States to enact the "Laken Riley Act," which requires that migrants who enter the country illegally and are accused of theft be taken into federal custody. The "Laken Riley Act" was introduced in response to the tragic murder of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley. Jose Antonio Ibarra, a Venezuelan migrant, was charged with the crime. The death of Laken Riley is a stark example of the devastating consequences that can result from lax immigration policies. Before being taken into custody for murder, Ibarra had been arrested for shoplifting. The "Laken Riley Act" would have prevented Riley's murder by requiring that migrants who enter the country illegally and are accused of theft be taken into federal custody. The passage of the "Laken Riley Act" by the United States Congress and its enactment into law by the President would represent a significant step towards enhancing public safety across the country and the State of New Jersey. | In Committee |
| S323 | Requires MVC to conduct unscheduled surprise inspections of certain school buses. | This bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to conduct a minimum of two annual inspections of school buses through the MVC school bus enhanced safety inspection program (program). In addition to the annual scheduled inspection of school buses required under current law, MVC is also required to conduct unscheduled surprise inspections. The bill also provides that any fine imposed pursuant to the "School Bus Enhanced Safety Inspection Act" that is collected and remitted to the MVC is required to be used for the continued administration of the program. | In Committee |
| S349 | Concerns motor vehicles overtaking certain pedestrians and persons operating bicycles and personal conveyances. | An Act concerning motor vehicles overtaking certain pedestrians and persons operating bicycles and personal conveyances and amending P.L.2021, c.194. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3076 | Amends appropriations act to provide funding for restoration of State school aid reductions for certain school districts; shifts $64,920,000 from certain appropriations for purposes of restoring aid; provides supplemental appropriation of $145,215,047. | This bill amends the FY 2024 appropriations act to provide funding for the restoration of State school aid reductions for certain school districts. The bill ensures that: 1) school districts that previously received an allotment of Supplemental Stabilization Aid under P.L.2023, c.32 receive such aid in the same amount allocated to the district under that law; and 2) that a school district proposed to experience a State school aid reduction in the 2024-2025 school year receive an additional amount of State school aid equal to the difference between the amount of aid received in the 2023-2024 school year and the amount of aid proposed for the 2024-2025 school year. The total funds that would be appropriated under the bill to effectuate these purposes is $210,135,047. The bill would shift a total of approximately $64.9 million in funds from current FY 2024 appropriations, as well as certain unexpended balances from appropriations made in prior fiscal years, to provide for a portion of the total funding needed to effectuate the purposes of the bill. In order to provide for the remaining need, the bill appropriates an additional $145.2 million from the General Fund for the bill's purposes. | In Committee |
| S3093 | Establishes expedited ejectment proceeding to remove certain unauthorized real property occupants. | This bill establishes an expedited ejectment proceeding to remove certain unauthorized occupants of real property. In an action by a property owner in the Superior Court to obtain possession of real property from a person occupying the property without the consent of the owner, without color of title, and without making any prior payment for the occupancy, the bill requires the court to, within three business days of receiving a verified complaint, allow a hearing on the complaint to proceed. The court is required to notify the real property owner or the owner's agent of the court's determination. If the court allows a special expedited ejectment proceeding, the court is required to fix the date of the hearing, to occur on or before the fifth business day following the court's determination. In the complaint filed by the real property owner or the owner's agent, the real property owner or the owner's agent is required to certify the following:· that prior to the submission of the complaint to the court, the property occupant has been provided with written notice of the complaint or written notice has been posted prominently on the real property;· the person verifying the complaint is the property owner or the owner's agent;· the occupant of the property has never been a lawful tenant of the property, and does not lawfully own or possess the real property; · the occupant of the property has never paid rent to the property owner or the owner's agent; and · the occupant of the property has never had a written lease or other written permission from the property owner or the owner's agent, to reside on the property. In addition to any notice that the Administrative Director of the Courts may determine to be appropriate, a property occupant, who is the subject of a complaint submitted in accordance with the bill, would be provided with written notice of the date, time, and location of the special expedited ejectment proceeding within 24 hours of scheduling. If, in a special expedited ejectment proceeding, the court determines that the information certified by the owner or the owner's agent is accurate, the bill requires the court to issue a writ of possession. An officer of the court is required by the bill to remove the unauthorized occupant following the issuance of the writ of possession. The bill provides that the court would be authorized to extend the timeline requirements, if necessary in the interest of justice, in extraordinary circumstances. The bill provides that a person commits a crime of the third degree if the person knowingly forges a document for the purpose of availing oneself of, or circumventing, the special ejectment proceeding processes established in the bill. A crime of the third degree is punishable by imprisonment for three to five years, and a fine of up to $15,000. As a result of existing provisions of chapter 39 of Title 2A of the New Jersey Statutes, which this bill supplements, a property owner who prevails in an action initiated pursuant to the bill, would recover all damages proximately caused by the unlawful occupancy, including court costs and reasonable attorney's fees. Additionally, the bill provides that a prevailing property owner would be entitled to treble damages for all damages proximately caused by the unlawful entry and detainer. The bill would take effect on the first day of the third month following enactment, and would apply to an action for a writ of possession initiated on or after that date. | In Committee |
| S3075 | Establishes State aid reduction cap of one percent for calculation of State school aid. | This bill establishes a State aid reduction cap for the calculation of State school aid in any school year. The bill ensures that the amount of State school aid disbursed to a district in a school year is reduced by no more than one percent of the prior year's amount of aid. | In Committee |
| S2965 | Prohibits State funding to assist immigrants facing detention or deportation. | The bill prohibits State funds from being used to provide legal assistance or legal services to individuals facing detention or deportation based on their immigration status. The bill prohibits this funding directly, or under the terms of any contract with, or grant to, any public agency or nonprofit entity providing for such assistance or services. The purpose of this bill is to prevent State funds from being used to support an Office of Immigration Protection, or another organization or entity with a mission of offering legal assistance or legal services to protect immigrants. The Fiscal Year 2025 Budget, as proposed by Governor Murphy, includes language providing for an amount not to exceed $8,200,000 to be appropriated for Legal Services of New Jersey for the provision of legal services and related costs to individuals at risk of detention or deportation based on their immigration status. | In Committee |
| S2839 | "Energy Security and Affordability Act"; requires BPU to consider energy security, diversity, and affordability when preparing Energy Master Plan and perform economic and ratepayer impact analysis of energy generation projects and Energy Master Plan. | This bill would amend P.L.1977, c.146 (C.52:27F-14), which establishes the State's Energy Master Plan Committee, to require the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), when preparing the Energy Master Plan or any portion thereof or amendment thereto, to consider the following: (1) the energy needs, supplies, and reliability in all geographic areas of the State; (2) the use and development of diverse energy generation sources including, but not limited to, solar, wind, nuclear, hydrogen, natural gas, and renewable natural gas to assure a reliable and sufficient energy supply; (3) the affordability of energy generation, transmission, and distribution to ratepayers; (4) the prioritization of in-State energy generation, to the extent practicable and feasible to minimize subsidies for out-of-State energy generation; and (5) the use of incentives, rather than mandates, when feasible, to increase consumer transparency and choice. The bill would also require the Energy Master Plan to provide that intermittent energy sources are not to exceed 50 percent of the State's energy generation portfolio. The bill updates membership of the Energy Master Plan Committee in accordance with Governor Murphy's Executive Order No. 28. The bill also adds the heads of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of the Rate Counsel, and New Jersey Infrastructure Bank, or their designees, as members of the Energy Master Plan Committee. In addition, the bill would require the BPU to perform an analysis of any energy generation facility project prior to issuing final approval, and of the State's Energy Master Plan no later than six months after publishing an update thereto. Specifically, the analysis would: (1) detail the cost, financial impact to the State and any applicable local government unit, effect on ratepayers, and economic impact of the energy policy or project, as applicable; (2) provide a breakdown of all associated costs including, but not limited to, the capital cost of energy generation, transmission, and distribution as well as the capital cost of any infrastructure upgrades needed; (3) use only open source modeling software, and provide details about the software used and all parameters entered into the model; (4) provide an opportunity for public comment at least 30 days prior to the publication of the analysis, and include all pertinent written comments received as part of the analysis; and (5) be published and maintained for at least 10 years on the board's Internet website. The bill would also require the BPU, upon invitation, to present testimony each year to the Senate Environment and Energy Committee and the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee on the analyses it performed during the previous year. | In Committee |
| SR77 | Directs AG to repeal and amend certain provisions of directive restricting law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. | This resolution directs the Attorney General to repeal and modify the Attorney General Law Enforcement Directive No. 2018-6 to allow law enforcement to fulfil their responsibilities and obligations to protect the citizens of the State of New Jersey without legal barriers. The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General issued Attorney General Law Enforcement Directive No. 2018-6 on November 29, 2018 which established strict limits on when State, county, and local law enforcement may assist United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Attorney General is urged to repeal the directive with the exception for subsections A, B, and C of section IV relating to T-Visa (victims of human trafficking) and U-Visa (crime victims) certifications and to modify subsection D of section IV to read as follows:"State, county, and local law enforcement agencies and officials may ask any questions necessary to complete a T- or U-visa certification. Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict, prohibit, or in any way prevent a State, county, or local law enforcement agency or official from sending to, maintaining, or receiving from federal immigration authorities information regarding the citizenship or immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of any individual." The highest responsibility of government and law enforcement is to ensure the safety of our schools, hospitals, and local communities. It is the sponsor's opinion that the welfare of the residents of New Jersey must be our first priority. | In Committee |
| S675 | Requires adult day care centers to provide reasonable accommodations for certain persons. | This bill requires adult day care centers to provide reasonable accommodations for certain persons. Under the bill, to the extent that it is within its capacity, an adult day care center is to make reasonable efforts to accommodate the religious dietary needs of individuals who are in the care of the adult day care center. The bill defines "adult day care center" to mean an adult day health care services facility licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.), or any center that provides a community-based group program designed to meet the needs of functionally or cognitively impaired adults through an individual plan of care structured to provide a variety of health, social, and related support services in a protective setting during any part of a day but less than 24 hours. | In Committee |
| S2723 | Exempts certain motor vehicles that are owned by certain nutrition programs and certain nonprofit organizations that offer social services from motor vehicle registration fees. | This bill provides an exemption from motor vehicle registration fees for motor vehicles not used for pleasure or for hire that are owned by a local nutrition program for seniors that is a Meals on Wheels America member and those that are owned by certain nonprofit organizations that offer social services. | In Committee |
| S2721 | Establishes immunity for senior planned real estate development associations relating to COVID-19. | This bill would establish immunity for senior planned real estate development associations, and any members, employees, and agents thereof, for any civil damages caused by an exposure to COVID-19 alleged to have been sustained as a result of an act or omission in the course of managing or maintaining the common elements and facilities of the age-restricted planned real estate development. The immunity established by the bill would be retroactive to March 9, 2020, when Executive Order No. 103 was issued, declaring a public health emergency and state of emergency in response to COVID-19. This immunity would not apply to acts or omissions constituting a crime, actual fraud, actual malice, gross negligence, recklessness, or willful misconduct. This immunity would apply in addition to any other available immunity. | In Committee |
| S2715 | Increases annual income limit for eligibility to receive homestead property tax reimbursement. | This bill would increase the annual income limit for eligibility to receive a homestead property tax reimbursement. Under current law, the income limit is $80,000 or less for single persons or married couples. This bill would increase that income limit to $100,000 or less in 2017 and each year thereafter, to allow more senior citizens and disabled persons to qualify for this property tax relief program. | In Committee |
| S2720 | Establishes loan program for first-time homebuyers who move to areas with most abandoned properties; appropriates $5 million. | This bill would establish a loan program for first-time homebuyers who move to parts of the State with the highest numbers of abandoned properties. This bill would help encourage the revitalization of these areas. The loan program that would be created by the bill would provide interest-free, deferred second mortgage loans to eligible applicants to cover the cost of qualified repairs to residential properties in eligible areas. An eligible applicant is a first-time homebuyer who purchases and occupies a residential property in an eligible area, and who meets certain other criteria. An eligible area is any one of the 10 municipalities with the highest numbers of abandoned properties in the State, and all areas within five miles of the boundaries of the municipality. A qualified repair encompasses basic rehabilitation repairs to a residential property, including but not limited to improvements to the plumbing, heating system, electrical system, roof, windows, doors, insulation, or exterior, including painting. The maximum amount for a loan issued pursuant to a program under this bill would be $10,000. A loan may be deferred up until the time of sale or transfer of title of the residential property. The bill requires the Executive Director of the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency to adopt rules and regulations on or before the first day of the ninth month next following the effective date of the bill. Lastly, the bill appropriates $5 million from the General Fund to the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency to effectuate the purposes of the bill. | In Committee |
| S2718 | Permits county board of chosen freeholders to appoint interim member of county tax board under certain circumstances. | This bill provides that in the event that the Governor has failed to fill a vacancy on a county tax board within 30 days, the vacancy shall be filled by an interim member to be selected by the board of chosen freeholders of the county, who shall serve until the vacancy has been filled by the Governor. In the past, several county tax boards have had to operate with only one or two members due to a failure in the appointment process. The bill will permit the county government to ensure that the property tax assessment and appeal processes can continue to function when county tax board appointments are not made. | In Committee |
| S2717 | Provides gross income tax deduction for home office expenses incurred during COVID-19 pandemic. | This bill provides a gross income tax deduction to an eligible taxpayer classified as self-employed, an independent contractor, or an employee. The taxpayer will be allowed to deduct home office expenses incurred by the utilization of the taxpayer's home as a principal place of business during the COVID-19 public health emergency as declared by the Governor of the State of New Jersey through Executive Order No. 103 of 2020. This bill will apply to the period of time following the Governor's Executive Order until the Governor determines that an emergency no longer exists. The bill defines a "principal place of business" as a part of a home used primarily to conduct business due to the lack of a readily available fixed location. A taxpayer may deem their home office as a "principal place of business" if they spent a significant amount of time conducting business from their home office, even if another fixed location is available to them on occasion, such as an office provided by an employer to the taxpayer which can only be accessed on a limited basis. The taxpayer will be allowed to deduct expenses incurred by the operation of a home office. The bill defines "expenses" as self-purchased supplies and equipment, including those unreimbursed by a taxpayer's employer, necessary to operate a home office. | In Committee |
| S2722 | Prohibits public utility from filing rate increase petition under certain circumstances. | This bill prohibits the Board of Public Utilities (board) from considering, reviewing, or approving, and prohibits a public utility from being permitted to file, a request for a rate increase during any period of time when: 1) the board has directed the public utility to file a base rate case to determine whether the public utility exceeded its authorized rate of return; or 2) the public utility has been notified by the board that the board is investigating whether the public utility exceeded its authorized rate of return. This prohibition is to continue until such time as the board determines that the base rate case proceeding or the investigation has been concluded. | In Committee |
| S2719 | Requires suspension without pay and health care benefits if public officer or employee formally charged with crime involving or touching office, position, or employment. | This bill provides that if a person who holds any public office, position, or employment is formally charged with a crime or offense under the laws of this State, or of a substantially similar offense under the laws of another state or the United States, that involves or touches the office, position, or employment, the person will be suspended from that office, position, or employment without pay and without benefits including health care benefits, until either convicted or exonerated of the charges or upon dismissal of the charges. A person who is not convicted or who is exonerated, or for whom the crime or offense is dismissed, and who is restored to the public office, position, or employment will be entitled to back pay and reimbursement for the cost of health care benefits for the period of the suspension. | In Committee |
| S2716 | Increases income eligibility limit for homestead property tax reimbursement program. | This bill would increase the income eligibility limits for the homestead property tax reimbursement program, also commonly known as the senior and disabled citizens' property tax freeze program, to $160,000 beginning in tax year 2021. The homestead property tax reimbursement program provides certain senior and disabled homeowners a reimbursement of any annual increase in property taxes above the amount of the tax liability for the year in which the homeowner became eligible for the program. The program applies to anyone who:? is 65 or more years of age, or who is a disabled person;? is an owner of a homestead or leases a site in a mobile home park on which site the person owns a manufactured or mobile home;? has an annual income below the amount specified in the law governing the program; and? has paid property taxes directly, or through rent, on any homestead or rental unit used as a principal residence in this State for at least 10 consecutive years, at least three of which were as owner of the homestead for which a reimbursement is first sought, or after moving to another homestead in New Jersey, in the full second tax year after moving. Under the bill, the income eligibility limits for the program will increase to $160,000 in tax year 2021 for single claimants and for married couples. The income limit for tax year 2020 was $92,969. This increase in the income limits will allow additional citizens to benefit from the program, which effectively holds qualified participants harmless from property tax increases on their homestead after establishing their "base year" liability for the tax. | In Committee |
| S2725 | Provides gross income tax deduction for senior citizens for certain medical expenses for in-home care or care in assisted living and long-term care facilities and funeral expenses. | This bill provides a gross income tax deduction for senior citizens and for blind and disabled individuals for certain unreimbursed qualified long-term care expenses, not to exceed $50,000, paid by the taxpayer for the care of the taxpayer or the taxpayer's spouse or dependent who is also a senior or blind or disabled individual. This bill addresses a financial concern for senior citizens and others who have to pay gross income tax on income that they receive from long-established savings and investments that are then expended to pay for their residence-based medical care, nursing care, and maintenance or personal care. Qualified long-term care expenses are defined the same as for purposes of the federal medical expenses deduction, and include services provided for in-home care and care provided in assisted living and long-term care facilities for chronically ill and disabled individuals. They include a variety of services provided through a variety of service providers that are necessary diagnostic, therapeutic, curing, treating, mitigating, rehabilitating, and maintenance and personal care services required by such an individual and are provided pursuant to a plan of care prescribed by a licensed health care practitioner. This deduction will allow these taxpayers to avoid tax on the income they pay for their own medical care that is delivered in their home or in an assisted living and long-term care facility. The medical expenses allowed for this deduction may not be claimed also under the existing statutory gross income tax deduction for medical expenses. This bill also provides a gross income tax deduction for senior citizens, blind individuals, and disabled individuals for unreimbursed funeral expenses, not to exceed $50,000, paid by the taxpayer for the funeral of the taxpayer's spouse or the taxpayer's dependents, if those individuals were 62 years of age or over, blind, or disabled at the time of death. This deduction addresses the financial concern of elderly and disabled taxpayers who are faced with using income from life-long savings and investments to pay for the funeral expenses of close family members. | In Committee |
| S2563 | Requires chief law enforcement officer or Superintendent of State Police to notify federal immigration authorities when non-citizen applies for firearms purchaser identification card or handgun purchase permit. | This bill requires a chief law enforcement officer or Superintendent of State Police to notify federal immigration authorities when a non-citizen who is unlawfully present in the United States applies for a firearms purchaser identification card (FPIC) or permit to purchase a handgun (PPH). Under current law, a person who purchases a rifle or shotgun is required to obtain a FPIC; handgun purchasers are required to obtain a PPH. An applicant for a FPIC or PPH is required submit to the chief law enforcement officer or the superintendent, as appropriate, a written application, consent for a mental health records search, and two sets of fingerprints for a criminal history records background check. Federal law prohibits selling or transferring a firearm to a non-citizen who is unlawfully present in the United States pursuant to 18 U.S.C. s.922(d)(5). This bill incorporates the federal standard governing the sale or transfer of firearms to a non-citizen. In addition, the bill requires a chief law enforcement officer or the superintendent to notify and cooperate with federal immigration authorities when the officer or superintendent determines that an applicant for a FPIC or PPH is a non-citizen who is unlawfully present in the United States. | In Committee |
| S2561 | Concerning noncitizens voting in local elections and conduct in office by local government officers. | This bill concerns conduct by local government officers while in office by declaring the actions of any local unit to authorize or permit individuals who are not citizens of the United States to vote in elections of the local unit to be against public policy and declare any such policies null and void. The bill maintains that, pursuant to Article II, Section I, paragraph 3 of the New Jersey Constitution and Title 19 of the New Jersey Statutes, only individuals who are citizens of the United States are eligible to vote in elections held in the State, and specifically prohibits elected local government officers from voting or acting to approve any ordinance or resolution which would allow individuals who are not citizens of the United States to vote in elections of the local unit. At least 14 municipalities in various states allow noncitizens to participate in certain elections. The bill also amends the "Local Government Ethics Law" to include violations of an elected local governmentofficer's oath of office by a local government officer as a violation under the "Local Government Ethics Law," and subject to potential fine. | In Committee |
| S2562 | Directs AG to enter into agreement with U.S. Attorney General to empower certain corrections officers to investigate immigration status of inmates. | This bill authorizes the Attorney General to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Attorney General, as provided under section 287(g) of the federal Immigration and Naturalization Act (8 U.S.C. s.1357(g)) to train and empower certain designated State and county corrections officers to perform limited enforcement functions and activities. Under the provisions of the bill, the designated officers would be trained and empowered to investigate, at the time of their incarceration, whether inmates are lawful residents and, in those cases where that investigation reveals that the inmate's presence in the United States is not authorized under federal law, to so notify United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the federal Department of Homeland Security. The terms of the memorandum are to set forth the training curriculum, protocols for the working relationship between the affected State, county and federal officers, offices and agencies; the amounts of federal assistance the State is to receive under the Homeland Security Appropriations Act for participating in the ICE 287(g) program and a certification that the participating corrections officers and parole officers are acting under color of federal authority for the purposes of determining the liability, and immunity from suit, for any civil action brought under federal or State law. | In Committee |
| SR68 | Urges Congress and President to enact immigration policies that better serve national interest. | This resolution urges Congress and the President to enact immigration policies that better serve the national interest. Each nation has the sovereign right to determine its own immigration policies, and the United States government has a responsibility to its citizens to end illegal immigration. According to United States Customs and Border Protection, in fiscal year 2023, there was a record-breaking number of 3.2 million encounters with illegal immigrants at our borders nationwide, surpassing the previous record-breaking number of 2.7 million encounters in fiscal year 2022. Illegal immigration into the United States is threatening America's foundation, and Congress as well as the President should immediately enact immigration policies that better serve the national interest. | In Committee |
| S2560 | Prohibits municipal ordinance to create sanctuary city; establishes State and local employee ethics violation upon noncompliance with federal immigration enforcement request. | This bill is intended to make certain that State and local officials in New Jersey cooperate with federal authorities with respect to immigration and customs enforcement requests. The bill prohibits counties and municipalities from establishing formal or informal policies of non-cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Several jurisdictions, such as California, have established a formal prohibition on cooperation with federal authorities on immigration issues. In San Francisco, a young woman named Kate Steinle was brutally murdered by an individual who intentionally committed the crime in San Francisco because it had designated itself a sanctuary city. Other jurisdictions, such as certain municipalities in New Jersey, have an informal practice of not cooperating with requests from the federal government regarding immigration matters. This bill is intended to prevent the State, municipalities, or any subdivision thereof, from establishing a formal or informal "sanctuary city" policy, which has led to recent violent crimes around the country. Under this bill, a State or local official who fails to cooperate with federal authorities with respect to immigration enforcement will be committing an ethics violation. The regular process for the disposition of ethics violations at the State or local level will be applicable to these situations. The bill also creates a civil fine for any member of a municipal or county governing body which votes in favor of a sanctuary city ordinance after the effective date of the bill. | In Committee |
| S2511 | Prohibits sale of cats, dogs, or rabbits by pet shops; repeals "Pet Purchase Protection Act." | This bill repeals the "Pet Purchase Protection Act," P.L.1999, c.336 (C.56:8-92 et seq.) and replaces it with a prohibition on the sale of cats, dogs, and rabbits by pet shops. The bill also imposes several other requirements concerning the sale and adoption of animals. The bill provides that, without limiting the prosecution of any other practices which may be unlawful pursuant to State consumer fraud laws, it would be an unlawful practice and a violation of State consumer fraud law, P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.), for any breeder or broker to knowingly sell a cat or dog that is unfit for purchase. The bill defines "unfit for purchase" as having any disease, deformity, injury, physical condition, illness, or defect which is congenital or hereditary and severely affects the health of the animal, and which was manifest, capable of diagnosis or likely contracted on or before the sale and delivery of the animal to the consumer. The bill specifies that the death of an animal within 14 days of its delivery to the consumer, except by death by accident or as a result of injuries sustained during that period, would be construed to mean the animal was unfit for purchase. The bill establishes a prohibition on the sale of cats, dogs, or rabbits by pet shops and establishes a $500 fine for each violation of this prohibition to be collected in a civil action under the Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999. The bill authorizes a pet shop to: 1) sell or offer for sale any other type of animal as may be otherwise permitted pursuant to State law or regulation, or sell or offer for sale pet supplies for any type of animal, including a cat, dog, or rabbit, if it is licensed by its municipality to do so; and 2) offer, in collaboration with an animal rescue organization, shelter, or pound, space in the pet shop to showcase cats, dogs, and rabbits that are available for adoption, provided that no payment or compensation, monetary or otherwise, is exchanged between the pet shop and animal rescue organization, shelter, or pound, for the use of the pet shop or for the adoption of any cat, dog, rabbit, or any other animal. The bill prohibits animal rescue organizations, animal rescue organization facilities, pet shops, shelters, or pounds from obtaining a cat, dog, or rabbit from a breeder or broker in exchange for any type of compensation. The bill specifies that: 1) no provision of the bill may be construed to alter, diminish, replace, or revoke the requirements for pet dealers that are not pet shops or the rights of a consumer purchasing an animal from a pet dealer that is not a pet shop, as may be provided elsewhere in law or any rule or regulation; 2) any provision of law or regulation pertaining to pet shops that does not pertain to the sale of cats, dogs, or rabbits would continue to apply to pet shops; and 3) no provision of the bill may be construed to alter, diminish, replace, or revoke any recourse or remedy that is otherwise available to a consumer purchasing a cat, dog, rabbit, or any other type of animal and provided under any other law. The bill specifies that the bill's provisions may not be construed to interfere with the implementation of, or otherwise invalidate, or limit or restrict any municipality, county, local health agency, or municipal or county board of health from enacting or enforcing, any law, ordinance, rule, or regulation that places additional obligations or restrictions on pet shops, pet shop sales, pet dealers, breeders, brokers, or breeder or broker sales. | In Committee |
| S1022 | Establishes special license plates for honorably discharged veterans. | Establishes special license plates for honorably discharged veterans. | In Committee |
| S781 | Authorizes creation of registered nurse license plates. | Authorizes creation of registered nurse license plates. | In Committee |
| S799 | Allows corporation business tax credit for subcontracting work to NJ small businesses. | This bill allows taxpayers subject to the corporation business tax to claim a credit against that tax equal to one percent of the amount the taxpayer paid to New Jersey small businesses for subcontracted work. For purposes of the credit, subcontracted work is that work which the taxpayer subcontracts to New Jersey small businesses for performance of all or an element of the taxpayer's own contracted duties. In addition, the subcontracted work must be performed in New Jersey and the subcontractor must have less than 50 employees. | In Committee |
| S501 | Requires State aid reduction to municipalities and school districts by amount of accumulated absences paid to employees upon their retirement. | This bill would require each municipality to report to the Director of the Division of Local Government Services annually, as part of its budget, the amount paid by a municipality to its employees for accumulated absences upon their retirement in the previous budget year. The bill also would require the State Treasurer to reduce the total amount of financial assistance provided to each municipality in the next succeeding State fiscal year from Consolidated Municipal Property Tax Relief Aid, Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Aid, Extraordinary Aid or Transitional Aid to Localities, or any combination thereof, by the amount of those unused sick leave payments. Similarly, the bill requires that the Commissioner of Education reduce a school district's State aid by the amount paid to the district's employees for accumulated absences upon retirement, as identified in the district's most recent annual audit. The purpose of this bill is to ensure that a municipality or school district does not use State aid as a means to pay its employees for egregious amounts of accumulated absences accrued over long careers in government. The sponsor believes that if municipalities and districts choose to have policies that require payment for accumulated absences at the end of an employee's career, the property taxpayers of those entities should cover those costs. | In Committee |
| S450 | Requires mortgage lenders to maintain vacant, age-restricted dwelling units during foreclosure. | This bill places certain obligations on creditors to maintain vacant dwelling units in age-restricted communities during foreclosure. The bill provides that if the owner of a dwelling unit in an age-restricted community vacates or abandons a unit on which a foreclosure proceeding has been initiated or if a unit becomes vacant at any point subsequent to the creditor's filing the summons and complaint in an action to foreclose on a mortgage against the unit, but prior to vesting of title in the creditor or any other third party, a representative of the community may notify the creditor of the vacancy. The creditor, in addition to any other applicable responsibilities under the current provisions of section 17 of P.L.2008, c.127 (C.46:10B-51) with respect to maintaining residential property, shall have the responsibility, in the same manner and to the same extent as the title owner of the unit pursuant to the bylaws, rules, and regulations of the community, to: (1) pay the unit's monthly maintenance fee and the unit's share of any other common expenses of administering, maintaining, or operating the community; and (2) maintain the unit. The creditor may recover, against the title owner in the foreclosure or any other action, any outstanding fees paid or expenses incurred toward the maintenance of a vacant or abandoned property. If the creditor, subsequent to receipt of notice from the community, fails to pay the monthly maintenance fee or other common expenses or fails to maintain the dwelling unit pursuant to the bylaws, rules, and regulations of the community, the community shall have the same recourse against the creditor as it would have against the title owner of the unit pursuant to the bylaws, rules, and regulations of the community. The bill adds the nonpayment of any condominium or age-restricted community unit's monthly maintenance fee and common expenses for administering, maintaining, or operating the community or maintenance of the unit to the list of conditions indicating that a property is vacant and abandoned pursuant to P.L.2012, c.70 (C.2A:50-73). | In Committee |
| SCR61 | Constitutes special committee of Senate and General Assembly entitled "New Jersey Public Employee Health Care Program Costs Investigation Committee." | This concurrent resolution constitutes a special committee of the Legislature entitled the "New Jersey Public Employee Health Care Program Costs Investigation Committee." The creation of this committee is in response to several news articles highlighting the recommended increase in premiums and periodic charges for the State health care programs and allegations the Governor's Office may have intervened during contract disputes with the State's contractor, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield. The committee will review and investigate the recommended increases in the premiums of the State Health Benefits Program and School Employees' Health Benefits Program. The committee will also investigate allegations that the Governor's Office may have pressured staff at the Department of the Treasury to halt the contract dispute with Horizon and the effort by the department to recoup the $34 million from the contract. Additionally, the committee will review the implementation, if any, of P.L.2019, c.143, which created subaccounts in the State Health Benefits Program Fund and the School Employees' Health Benefits Program Fund and also required the State to procure a professional services contract for a third-party medical claims reviewer for the State Health Benefits Program and School Employees' Health Benefits Program. The committee will make recommendations that address this subject. | In Committee |
| S438 | Extends to 90 days statute of limitations for unlawful use of cell phone while driving; increases penalties for texting while driving. | This bill extends from 30 to 90 days the statute of limitations for the traffic offense of unlawfully using a cell phone while driving. The bill also increases the penalty for sending text messages while driving. A person who sends or receives text messages while driving is to be fined $600 and assessed two motor vehicle penalty points for a first offense; $800 and three penalty points for a second offense; and $1,000 and four penalty points for a third offense. In addition, a person who causes an accident resulting in death or serious bodily injury as a result of sending a text message is subject to a two-year license suspension which would commence upon completion of the person's prison sentence. | In Committee |
| S2117 | Directs State Board of Education to rescind New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education and directs boards of education to establish Parental Advisory Committees and adopt standards for health instruction. | This bill directs the State Board of Education to rescind the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education, which were most recently adopted by the board on June 3, 2020. Under the bill, the board will be prohibited from adopting any future Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education or from mandating any similar curriculum requirements or standards in the subjects of health and physical education. The bill directs each local board of education to establish a Parental Advisory Committee to work with the board and school district personnel in the development of curriculum standards for the instruction of students in the subjects of health and physical education. Under the bill, committee membership is required to be reflective of the parents and guardians of students enrolled in the district. The bill requires any meeting of the committee to be open to members of the public and requires that the committee's recommendations are posted on the school district's website for public inspection. The bill directs local boards of education to, within 180 days of the bill's enactment, adopt curriculum standards for the instruction of students in the subjects of health and physical education. The bill amends numerous sections of law that pertain to the development of, or requirements within, the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. The bill maintains these instruction requirements, but provides that the instruction will be given as part of a local school district's implementation of the curriculum standards in health and physical education adopted by the local board pursuant to the bill's provisions. These sections of law require public school instruction on the topics of: suicide prevention; organ donation; sexual abuse and assault; dating violence; gang violence; cardiopulmonary resuscitation; sexting; consent for physical contact and sexual activity; mental health; the "New Jersey Safe Haven Infant Protection Act"; breast self-examination; and substance abuse. The bill removes any provisions within these sections of law that require the Department of Education to provide sample learning activities, resources, or materials to local school districts on these topics. | In Committee |
| S2123 | Requires parental consent for student to participate in health, family life education, or sex education program and provides parents with access to certain public school curricula. | This bill requires parental consent for a public school student to participate in health, family life education, or sex education program and provides parents and guardians with access to the health, family life education, and sex education curricula in public schools. Under current law, any child whose parent or guardian presents to the school principal a signed statement that any part of the instructions in health, family life education or sex education is in conflict with his conscience, or sincerely held moral or religious beliefs will be excused from that portion of the course where such instruction is being given and no penalties as to credit or graduation will result therefrom. This bill provides that any child whose parent or guardian does not provide written consent to participate in any health, family life education, or sex education program will be excused from that portion of the course where such instruction is being given and no penalties as to credit or graduation will result. The bill also provides that any parent or guardian may review the complete health, family life education, or sex education program curricula, including all supplemental materials, to be used in the education program in a class or course in which the parent's or guardian's child is enrolled. A complete copy of all printed materials not subject to copyright protection and a description of all audio-visual materials is required to be made available through any available parent or guardian online portal and kept in the school library or office and made available for review to any parent or guardian during school office hours before and during the school year. The audio-visual materials are required to be made available to parents and guardians for in-person review, upon request, on the same basis as printed materials are made available. Under the bill, each board of education is required to develop and distribute to the parents or guardians of a student enrolled in a class or course in which a health, family life education, or sex education program is included in the curricula and post for public viewing on the school district's website a summary designed to assist parents and guardians in understanding the program as such program progresses and to encourage parental guidance and involvement in the instruction of the students. The summary will reflect the curricula of the program as taught in the classroom and will include contact information for the individual or office responsible for maintaining printed and audio-visual materials. | In Committee |
| S472 | Clarifies that fishing license is not required to fish at private community lake. | This bill would specify that a fishing license is not required in order for a resident of a private community, or the authorized guests thereof, to take fish from a private community lake in the resident's community. "Private community lake" is defined by the bill to mean: "a manmade, self-contained body of water that is located on land owned by a private community, and which body of water is under the exclusive control of community members or residents, and is stocked and maintained at their sole expense." Although current statutory law provides that a person must obtain a fishing license in order to engage in fishing activities on the "waters of this State," it also specifies that "[a]ll ponds, lakes and waters created by or under the exclusive control of any individuals or associations, stocked and maintained at their sole expense and not runways for migratory fish shall be considered private waters" (emphasis added), rather than "waters of this [S]tate." Apparently, however, the Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) does not interpret the current law in this regard as providing an exemption from the State's fishing licensure requirements for persons who are engaged in authorized fishing activities at a private community lake, as defined above. As a result, and in order to prevent the future issuance by DFW of citations to such persons for unlicensed fishing, this bill would add a provision to the State's fishing licensure law in order to clearly specify that a fishing license is not required for these authorized persons to fish at a private community lake. | In Committee |
| S500 | Establishes three-year nonpublic school pupil transportation pilot program in Ocean County to provide funding to county consortium of nonpublic schools that will assume responsibility for mandated nonpublic school busing. | This bill establishes a three-year nonpublic school pupil transportation pilot program to provide funding to a county consortium of nonpublic schools that will assume responsibility for the school districts' mandated nonpublic school busing for those students. Under the pilot program, the Commissioner of Education will disburse to a county consortium of nonpublic schools located in an eligible county, defined to include only Ocean County, an amount equal to the aid in-lieu-of transportation amount (currently set at $1,000) for each nonpublic school pupil who is attending a nonpublic school in the county consortium and who is required by law to be transported by a school district to and from school. The county consortium will assume the responsibilities of transporting the pupils for whom it receives the aid in-lieu-of transportation amount. The bill also provides that the county consortium will assume the assets and liabilities incurred as of June 30, 2019 by the consortium of nonpublic schools which was formed pursuant to the three-year pilot program established in the Lakewood Township School District pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2016, c.22 (C.18A:39-1d) and set to expire in 2019. The bill provides that if the per pupil cost of the lowest bid received exceeds the aid in-lieu-of transportation amount, the parent or guardian of the student will be eligible to receive the aid in-lieu-of transportation amount from the county consortium for that school year. In addition, if after providing the required pupil transportation any of the funds disbursed to the county consortium of nonpublic schools remain unspent, the county consortium is permitted to use the remaining funds to offer courtesy busing to pupils who reside in an eligible county and are attending a nonpublic school in the county consortium. Under the pilot program, school districts located in the eligible county will not be permitted to provide courtesy busing to any pupil attending a nonpublic school in the county consortium. At the end of the school year, the bill requires the county consortium to refund to the Department of Education any unexpended funds it received under the pilot program. The bill establishes a committee to oversee the operations of the consortium in implementing the pilot program, consisting of five members: three members appointed by the Governor; one member appointed by the Senate President; and one member appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly. Under the provisions of the bill, the commissioner will submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature two years following the establishment of the pilot program which will include information on the implementation of the pilot program and the commissioner's recommendation on the advisability of continuing the program and expanding it Statewide. The bill requires the county consortium to assume the assets and liabilities incurred as of June 30, 2019 by the consortium of nonpublic schools in the Lakewood Township School District under the three-year pilot program established pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2016, c.22 (C.18A:39-1d). The bill takes effect immediately and provides that the pilot program will first be applicable in the 2019-2020 school year. | In Committee |
| S510 | Prohibits download or use of TikTok application on any State-issued electronic device. | This bill prohibits the download or use of the social media application TikTok and visiting the TikTok Internet website, or that of any successor application or service, on State-issued electronic devices. On November 17, 2022, FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before the United States House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee that TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, present a significant security risk to the people of New Jersey and the United States. TikTok collects massive amounts of user data, which can be accessed by ByteDance employees. This includes employees in ByteDance's offices in China. Director Wray also testified that Chinese law allows the government to access data obtained from companies headquartered there. This combination of access and Chinese law may expose Americans to the risk of data collection and influence campaigns by the Chinese government. By prohibiting TikTok on State-issued devices, this bill protects the people of New Jersey and the State government from these security risks. The bill also provides an exception for law enforcement officers using TikTok in investigative activities. The Attorney General will establish guidelines for the appropriate use of TikTok as an investigative tool. | In Committee |
| S962 | Prohibits mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 as condition of attending public K-12 schools. | This bill prohibits the Commissioner of Health and other State governmental entities from requiring immunization against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as a condition of attendance at a public primary or secondary school. | In Committee |
| S518 | Requires Division of Consumer Affairs display list of all registered ticket brokers on division's website. | This bill requires the Division of Consumer Affairs maintain a list of all registered ticket brokers in the State, and display that list on the division's website. Making the list publicly available is crucial for ensuring transparency in the ticket industry, and protecting consumers from unregistered ticket brokers. | In Committee |
| SR27 | Urges United States Congress to dedicate additional federal funds for highway maintenance and infrastructure improvements in New Jersey. | This resolution respectfully urges the United States Congress to invest additional federal dollars in maintaining the highways and improving the transportation infrastructure in this State. | In Committee |
| S467 | Provides State income tax credit for removal of lawns near Barnegat Bay. | This bill authorizes a recurring annual tax credit of $250 against the State income tax to owners of properties situated within 1,000 feet of Barnegat Bay and its tributaries who replace grass lawns with stone, crushed shells, or other similar materials. Property owners with existing stone or crushed shell lawns would also be eligible for this benefit. The bill's objective is to provide an incentive to property owners to reduce the amount of lawn fertilizers and other chemical agents used in landscaping that flow into Barnegat Bay. These substances are believed to be one of the major causes of the degradation of the bay's waters and ecosystems. | In Committee |
| S2090 | Revises emergency care services referral standards for providers of telemedicine and telehealth. | This bill expands the requirements of current law as they pertain to emergency care referrals made during a telemedicine or telehealth encounter. Under current law, there is a provision under which a health care provider engaging in telemedicine or telehealth is to make appropriate referrals for emergency care, if needed. The bill revises this provision to require a health care provider engaged in telemedicine or telehealth to make a good faith effort to directly activate and coordinate with emergency care services in accordance with the standard of care upon determining the patient is in need of emergency services. The bill provides that an emergency care plan is to pertain to areas where patients are located during a telemedicine or telehealth visit. A health care provider engaging in telemedicine or telehealth is to make a good faith effort to: provide the name and location of the patient to emergency services in oral and written form; determine the location of a patient if a patient is unaware of the patient's location; and provide the provider's and the patient's contact information to emergency services. A health care provider engaging in telemedicine or telehealth is to report suicide threats and suicide attempts made by a patient during a telemedicine or telehealth encounter to the Department of Health in a manner that is consistent with federal and State privacy laws, and will be required to document emergencies which occur during a telehealth or telemedicine visit. The bill requires professional licensing boards to include in their rules and regulations implementing the telemedicine and telehealth law requirements for emergency care plans that include standards and protocols for activating and coordinating with emergency care service providers serving the area in which the patient is located at the time of the telemedicine or telehealth encounter. | In Committee |
| S485 | Establishes "Distracted Driver Enforcement and Education Fund." | This bill increases the fines for talking on a hand-held cell phone or texting while driving and establishes the "Distracted Driver Enforcement and Education Fund." Under the bill, a person who unlawfully talks or texts on a hand held wireless communications device while driving is to be fined $600 and assessed two motor vehicle penalty points for a first offense; $800 and three penalty points for a second offense; and $1,000 and four penalty points for a third offense. In addition, a person who causes an accident resulting in death or serious bodily injury as a result of sending a text message is subject to a two-year license suspension. The bill also establishes the "Distracted Driver Enforcement and Education Fund" to be funded by fines for unlawfully talking on a hand-held cell phone or texting while driving. Specifically, $100 of each fine imposed and collected for a violation is to be forwarded to the State Treasurer to deposit in the fund. The fund is to be administered by the Division of Highway Traffic Safety. The division is to use monies from the fund to provide grants to municipalities and counties with demonstrated distracted driver safety problems and to establish an education campaign on the dangers of cell phone use and text messaging while driving. The bill defines "distracted driving" as the inattention of a motor vehicle operator that occurs when the operator diverts attention away from the driving task to focus on another activity including, but not limited to, using a wireless telephone, electronic communication device, or navigation system; interacting with passengers; eating, drinking, or smoking; and adjusting controls and other equipment within the vehicle The number of injuries and deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents involving distracted drivers is on the rise. It is the sponsor's intent to deter this dangerous behavior by increasing the fines for unlawfully talking or texting while driving and to use these monies to educate drivers about this growing threat to the safety of the motoring public. | In Committee |
| S892 | Upgrades burglary of a residence to a crime of the second degree; requires mandatory period of parole ineligibility if residence was occupied at time of offense. | This bill would upgrade burglary of a residence to a crime of the second degree and provide that an offender is not eligible for early release if a person was present in the residence at the time of the offense. Currently, all burglary offenses are crimes of the third degree unless the offender purposely, knowingly, or recklessly inflicts, attempts to inflict, or threatens to inflict bodily injury on someone or if the offender is armed with explosives or a deadly weapon, in which case it is a crime of the second degree. This bill would provide that it is also a crime of the second degree to unlawfully enter or surreptitiously remain in a dwelling or other structure adapted for overnight accommodation of persons, whether or not a person is actually present. Additionally, the bill would provide that, if a person was present in the dwelling at the time of the burglary, the offender would be subject to the provisions of subsection a. of section 2 of P.L.1997, c.117 (C.2C:43-7.2), commonly known as the "No Early Release Act (NERA)," which requires that certain offenders must serve a minimum 85% of the sentence of imprisonment imposed for the offense. A crime of the second degree is punishable by imprisonment for five to 10 years, up to a $150,000 fine, or both. A crime of the third degree is punishable by imprisonment for three to five years, up to a $15,000 fine, or both. | In Committee |
| S678 | Establishes "New Jersey No Patient Left Alone Act"; requires certain facilities to establish policies guaranteeing visitation rights for facility residents. | This bill establishes the "New Jersey No Patient Left Alone Act." The bill provides that, within 30 days of the bill's effective date, each facility is to establish visitation policies and procedures, as a condition of licensure. Under the bill, "facility" means a community residence for the developmentally disabled, hospice, long-term care facility, or veterans' home, as each of those terms are defined in the bill. The policies and procedures are to: (1) establish infection control and education policies for facility visitors, including screening, personal protective equipment, and other infection control protocols for facility visitors; (2) establish rules for the length of visits and the number of visitors, which rules are to meet or exceed the visitation standards established in the bill; (3) designate a person to ensure that staff adheres to the policies and procedures; (4) not be more stringent than the policies and procedures that apply to facility staff; (5) forbid staff from asking visitors to disclose vaccination status or requiring visitors to submit proof of any vaccination or immunization; and (6) allow consensual physical contact between visitors and residents, clients, or patients. Under the bill, a facility resident, client, or patient is to be permitted to receive visitors who are domestic partners, essential caregivers, family members, friends, guardians, persons licensed to provide financial, legal, or tax services, or religious or spiritual advisors. A facility resident, client, or patient is to be permitted in-person visitation for at least two hours on a daily basis. In addition, a resident, client, or patient of a health care facility licensed by the Department of Health, who is terminally ill or otherwise near death, is to be permitted to receive visitors who are domestic partners, essential caregivers, family members, friends, guardians, persons licensed to provide financial, legal, or tax services, or religious or spiritual advisors. The resident, client, or patient is to be permitted unlimited in-person visitation on a daily basis. The provisions outlined in this paragraph are to apply irrespective of any declared public health emergency or state of emergency, law, rule, regulation, or order to the contrary. A facility may require a visitor to agree in writing to the facility's policies and procedures as a condition of visitation. A facility may suspend the in-person visitation privileges of a visitor if the visitor violates the facility's policies and procedures. Within 24 hours of establishing the policies and procedures, a facility is to make the policies and procedures easily accessible on the homepage of the facility's Internet website. The Departments of Health and Human Services are to dedicate a stand-alone page on the Internet website of each department that explains the visitation requirements provided for in this bill. Finally, the bill amends N.J.S.A.26:2H-12.22, which pertains to the visitation of a domestic partner who is a patient in a health care facility licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.), to ensure that the provisions of this statute do not affect the provisions of this bill. | In Committee |
| S1469 | Authorizes use of school bus monitoring systems. | This bill authorizes the use of a school bus monitoring system to enforce section 1 of P.L.1942, c.192 (C.39:4-128.1), the State law governing passing a school bus. A school bus monitoring system is defined as a system meeting certain requirements set forth in the bill and having at least one camera and computer that captures and records a digital video or image of any motor vehicle operating near a school bus. Under current law, school buses are required to exhibit flashing red lights when the bus has stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging any person with a developmental disability or a child. Drivers of vehicles approaching or overtaking the school bus are required to stop at least 25 feet from a school bus that has activated its flashing lights. The penalty for violating this law, for a first offense, is: 1) a fine of no less than $100; 2) imprisonment for no more than 15 days or community service; or 3) both. For subsequent offenses, the penalty is: 1) a fine of no less than $250; 2) imprisonment for no less than 15 days; or 3) both. This bill provides that the penalty for violating the law, when the violation is not evidenced by the recorded images captured by a school bus monitoring system, would be: 1) a fine of $250; 2) 15 days of community service; or 3) both, in the case of a first offense. For each subsequent offense, the penalty would be a fine of $500 and no less than 15 days of community service. Under the bill, a civil penalty of $250 would be imposed on a person who passes a school bus in violation of current law if the violation is evidenced by the recorded images captured by a school bus monitoring system. Under these circumstances, any civil penalty imposed and collected for this violation is to be forwarded to the financial officer of the municipality in which the violation occurred and used for general municipal and school district purposes, including efforts to improve the monitoring and enforcement of this law through the utilization of a school bus monitoring system and other public education safety programs. A violation that is evidenced by the recorded images captured by a school bus monitoring system would not result in penalty points or automobile insurance eligibility points being assessed on the violator. The bill authorizes a municipality or school district operating or providing Type I or Type II school buses that transport students to contract with a private vendor to provide for the installation, operation, and maintenance of a school bus monitoring system for enforcement purposes. The bill provides that a school bus monitoring system must be capable of capturing and producing a record of any occurrence that may be considered illegal passing of a school bus, and include in that recorded image: -- if the school bus is exhibiting its flashing light; -- if a motor vehicle passes a school bus; -- the license plate, make, and model of the violating vehicle; and -- the date, time, and location of the violation. The bill requires any suspected violation captured in a recorded image produced by a school bus monitoring system to be made available to the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality in which the violation occurred. A law enforcement officer is to issue a summons within 90 days of determining that a suspected violation occurred. A summons may not be issued for a violation occurring more than 90 days from date of the violation. The bill provides that any recorded image or information produced in connection with a school bus monitoring system is not a public record under New Jersey's "Open Public Records Act," is not discoverable as a public record except upon a subpoena issued by a grand jury or a court order in a criminal matter, and is not to be offered into evidence in any civil or administrative proceeding unless directly related to illegally passing a school bus. The bill provides that recorded images or information produced in connection with a school bus monitoring system pertaining to a specific violation are not to be retained for more than 60 days after the collection of any civil penalty imposed, and are then to be purged. All recorded images and information collected but not resulting in the issuance of a summons are to be purged within 95 days of the recording. The bill provides that the owner of a motor vehicle is liable for a summons for illegally passing a school bus as evidenced by a recorded image captured by a school bus monitoring system. However, a lessor or owner of a motor vehicle is not liable for a summons if: -- the lessor demonstrates that the vehicle was used without the lessor's express or implied consent, and provides the name and address of the vehicle operator or registrant; -- the lessee was operating or in possession of the vehicle at the time of the violation and the lessor provides the name and address of the lessee; or -- the owner, lessor, or lessee demonstrates that the vehicle was stolen at the time the violation occurred and provides a copy of the police report regarding the vehicle theft. The bill permits the Commissioner of Education, the Superintendent of State Police, and the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of the bill, including specifications and certification procedures for the school bus monitoring systems and devices that may be installed. The bill also permits the Supreme Court of New Jersey to adopt Rules of Court as appropriate or necessary to effectuate the purposes of the substitute. The bill will take effect on the first day of the seventh month next following enactment, but permits the Commissioner of Education, the Superintendent of State Police, and the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to take anticipatory administrative actions in advance of the bill's effective date. | In Committee |
| SCR30 | Proposes constitutional amendment prohibiting any student from being compelled to attend public school other than one nearest to student's residence. | This constitutional amendment would prohibit compelling any student to attend a public school other than the public school nearest to the student's residence and which is located within the school district in which the student resides, provided the public school provides the course of study which the student is pursuing. | In Committee |
| SJR20 | Designates October 1 of each year as "New Jersey Diner Day". | This joint resolution designates October 1 of each year as "New Jersey Diner Day". New Jersey is known as the "Diner Capital of the World". The history of diners in New Jersey started during the automobile industry's rise in the 1910s and 1920s wherein New Jersey diners began as portable wooden food wagons. Jerry O'Mahony and his brother of Bayonne, New Jersey, owned several lunch wagons that operated throughout Hudson, County, New Jersey. The O'Mahony brothers hired a carpenter to build their own food wagon and sold it to a restaurant entrepreneur. In the decades that followed, nearly all of the major United States diner builders, including Jerry O'Mahony Inc., started operating in New Jersey. Due to New Jersey's location between Philadelphia and New York City, New Jersey built highly developed transportation systems and road networks for commuters traveling between the two metropolitan hubs. As busy commuters traveled between these three states, New Jersey's 24-hour diners became destinations to eat and rest. Travelers and locals alike sought out these diners for an affordable, convenient meal. New Jersey is home to approximately 525 diners, the most diners in any state. Diners play an important role in New Jersey's economy and culture and should be celebrated. | In Committee |
| S344 | Establishes School Safety and Security Task Force. | This bill establishes the School Safety and Security Task Force. The purpose of the task force is to study and develop recommendations to improve school safety and security, and to ensure a safe learning environment for students and employees. The task force consists of 15 members as follows: the Commissioner of Education, or a designee; the Director of the Office of Homeland Security, or a designee; the Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority, or a designee; seven members appointed by the Governor including one each from the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials, the New Jersey Education Association, the New Jersey School Boards Association, the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities, the New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association, the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, and the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association; and five members of the public, three of which have demonstrated expertise in the development or implementation of school security standards or technology, one of which is an active or retired law enforcement officer, and one of which is an active or retired mental health professional. The members of the public will be appointed by the Governor, upon consideration of the recommendations of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the General Assembly. It is the duty of the task force to identify potential breaches of security in the public schools, and make recommendations to improve school safety and security. The issues studied by the task force include: (1) placing screening systems at school entrances; (2) stationing school resource officers in each school building; (3) improving response times to emergency situations, including lockdowns, active shooter, and bomb threats; (4) requiring advanced student and visitor identification cards; (5) using biometric, retina, or other advanced recognition systems for authorized entrance into school buildings; (6) the effectiveness of installing panic alarms in school buildings to alert local law enforcement authorities to emergency situations, required under "Alyssa's Law"; (7) scheduling periodic patrols of school buildings and grounds by local law enforcement officers; (8) hardening the school perimeter and building entryways; and (9) considering strategies to ensure the needs of students with disabilities are reflected in all areas of emergency planning and response measures. Also under the bill, the task force is required to review and develop recommendations on building security and assessment standards for existing school facilities and new construction, including, but not limited to, standards for: (1) architectural design for new construction; (2) assessing and abating security risks in existing school facilities; (3) emergency communication plans; (4) staff training; and (5) addressing elevated risk factors, such as proximity to a chemical facility or nuclear power plant. The task force is required to issue a final report of its findings and recommendations, including any recommended legislation, to the Governor and the Legislature no later than six months after its organizational meeting. The task force will expire upon the issuance of the final report. | Dead |
| S484 | Exempts police from jury duty. | This bill amends N.J.S.2B:20-10 to exempt from jury duty full-time State, county and municipal police officers and Class Two special law enforcement officers appointed pursuant to P.L.1985, c.439 (C.40A:14-146.8 et seq.). Under current law, police officers are not afforded an exemption from jury duty. However, prior to revision of the statutes governing jury service in 1995, police officers were exempted from jury duty under the provisions of N.J.S.2A:69-2, now repealed. At present, exemptions from jury duty are statutorily authorized for persons: 75 years of age or older; who have served on a jury within the previous three years; or who will suffer severe hardship due to circumstances that are unlikely to change within a year (i.e. medical conditions, care of another or financial hardship). Members of volunteer fire departments and first aid or rescue squads and, under certain circumstances, teachers are exempted. | In Committee |
| S1331 | "Fairness in Women's Sport Act." | This bill requires that participation in school-sanctioned sports be based on biological sex at birth. It provides that public and nonpublic schools, as well as institutions of higher education, designate athletic or sports teams on the basis of biological sex. The bill also prohibits any athletic teams or sports designated for females, women, or girls from being open to males. In the event the sex of a student is disputed, the student will establish sex by presenting a signed physician's statement that indicates the student's sex based solely on (1) the student's internal and external reproductive anatomy; (2) the student's normal endogenously produced levels of testosterone; and (3) an analysis of the student's genetic makeup. A school or institution of higher education would not be subject to investigation or any adverse action for maintaining separate athletic teams or sports for students of the female sex. Students who are deprived of athletic opportunities or suffer any harm as a result of a violation of the provisions of this bill would have a private cause of action for injunctive relief, damages, or other legal remedy permitted by law against the school or institution of higher education. A student subject to retaliation or any adverse action by his or her school, institution of higher education, or athletic association or organization for reporting a violation of the bill would also have a private right of action against the school, institution of higher education, or athletic association or organization. A school or institution of higher education that suffers any harm as a result of a violation of this bill would likewise have a private cause of action for injunctive relief, damages, or other legal remedy permitted by law. Any student, school, or institution of higher education able to bring suit under this bill would be required to bring their claims within two years after the harm occurred. Students or organizations that prevail on any claim brought pursuant to this bill would be entitled to monetary damages, including damages for any psychological, emotional, and physical harm suffered, reasonable attorney's fees and costs, and any other appropriate relief. | In Committee |
| SCR21 | Urges Congress to investigate claims that insurance companies have used revised engineering reports to deny flood claims from Superstorm Sandy. | This resolution urges Congress to conduct immediate investigations and hearings to determine the extent to which insurance companies providing flood insurance policies in New Jersey and similarly situated states have used revised engineering reports to deny legitimate claims from homeowners for damage to their properties from Superstorm Sandy. | In Committee |
| S654 | Clarifies court's discretion in imposing monetary conditions of bail; establishes rebuttable presumption that person charged with violent crime be detained prior to trial. | This bill clarifies the court's discretion in imposing monetary conditions of bail and establishes a rebuttable presumption that persons charged with certain violent crimes be detained prior to trial.Monetary Conditions of Bail The bill provides that, notwithstanding any provision of law, court rule, or directive to the contrary, when a prosecutor does not seek pretrial detention for a defendant pursuant to N.J.S.A.2A:162-19, the court may impose any combination of monetary bail and non-monetary conditions which would reasonably assure the defendant's appearance in court when required, protect the safety of any other person or the community, or prevent the person from obstructing or attempting to obstruct the criminal justice process. The bill also provides that the defendant or prosecutor shall have the right to request that a monetary condition of bail be set and shall receive the court's due consideration of such request.Pretrial Detention Under current law, upon motion by the prosecutor the court may order a defendant detained before trial under certain circumstances. In addition, if the court finds probable cause that the defendant committed murder or committed any crime for which the defendant would be subject to life imprisonment, there is a rebuttable presumption that the defendant be detained pending trial. This bill provides that the rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention would also apply to a defendant charged with any crime of the first or second degree enumerated under subsection d. of N.J.S.A.2C:43-7.2. These crimes include murder; aggravated manslaughter or manslaughter; vehicular homicide; aggravated assault; disarming a law enforcement officer; kidnapping; aggravated sexual assault; certain sexual assaults; robbery; carjacking; aggravated arson; burglary; extortion; booby traps in CDS manufacturing or distribution facilities; strict liability for drug induced deaths; terrorism; producing or possessing chemical weapons, biological agents or nuclear or radiological devices; racketeering, when it is a crime of the first degree; firearms trafficking; and causing or permitting a child to engage in a prohibited sexual act, knowing that the act may be reproduced or reconstructed or be part of an exhibition or performance. | In Committee |
| S437 | Increases criminal penalties if leaving loaded firearm within easy access of minor results in injury or death. | This bill increases the penalties for allowing a minor to gain access to a loaded firearm when such a violation results in bodily injury or death. Under current law, a person who knows or reasonably should know that a minor is likely to gain access to a loaded firearm at a premises under the person's control is required to store the firearm in a securely locked box or container or in a location which a reasonable person would believe to be secure, or to secure the firearm with a trigger lock. A person who fails to follow these precautions is guilty of a disorderly person's offense if a minor gains access to the loaded firearm. This bill upgrades this offense to a crime of the fourth degree if a violation of the current law results in bodily injury, and a crime of the third degree if a violation results in serious bodily injury or death. A disorderly person's offense is punishable by up to six months imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both; a crime of the third degree is punishable by three to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. Current law defines "bodily injury" as physical pain, illness or any impairment of physical condition. "Serious bodily injury" is defined as bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ. In addition, under current law, a person is not guilty of the offense of allowing a minor to obtain a loaded firearm under circumstances where: 1) a minor uses a firearm for activities authorized by current law; or 2) a minor obtained a firearm as a result of an unlawful entry by any person. This bill clarifies that a person also is not guilty of the offense of allowing a minor to obtain a loaded firearm under circumstances where a minor obtained the firearm for the purpose of self-protection, as permitted under current law. | In Committee |
| SCR20 | Urges President and Congress to enact legislation forgiving community disaster loans issued after Superstorm Sandy. | This resolution urges the United States President and Congress to enact legislation forgiving community disaster loans issued after Superstorm Sandy. New Jersey has faced several economic upheavals in recent years, from Superstorm Sandy in 2012 to the current COVID-19 pandemic. These natural disasters have had a profound and devastating impact on the economy of the State and its residents, with many still struggling financially as a result of Superstorm Sandy to this day. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused, and will continue to cause, increasing uncertainty and economic disruptions throughout the State, which is the second highest impact area in the United States for the novel coronavirus. Recently, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has begun to press New Jersey municipalities to start repaying the loans passed out to help the State recover post-Superstorm Sandy. This mandatory repayment would have a devastating effect throughout the State, as these demands come at a time when the State, like many across the United States, is struggling to fight COVID-19. The payments on the community disaster loans were originally assured to be allowed to be paid back over time and slowly, with the possibility of forgiveness. Furthermore, New Jersey residents who were granted loans under the "Small Business Act," which was passed to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small businesses through the creation of small business loans, now face the possibility that they may be precluded from receiving further disaster relief aid during the COVID-19 pandemic since any new grant issuances may be counted as a duplicate benefit. The duplication of benefit policy was partially abolished by the Department of Housing and Urban Development in February 2018 under the "Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018" and should be extended to funds received following disasters dating to 2011, including Superstorm Sandy. Rep. Chris Smith reintroduced H.R. 6454 on April 3, 2020, which mandated forgiveness of certain community disaster loans secured by New Jersey municipalities from FEMA to help with Superstorm Sandy recovery. The bill also addressed the lingering duplication of benefit problem by removing the receipt of small business loans as a disqualifier for people who sought or received federal money to help them recover in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. The passage of legislation like H.R. 6454 would have a profound impact throughout the State in helping stabilize the economy and would provide much needed support to the citizens of the State in the fight against COVID-19. | In Committee |
| S464 | Requires Director of Division of Taxation to include sales of properties in age-restricted developments by third parties in table of equalized valuations. | This bill would require the Director of the Division of Taxation to include sales of properties in age-restricted developments by third parties such as guardians, trustees, executors, and administrators in the promulgation of a table of equalized valuations, for the purposes of establishing local tax assessments. Currently, such sales are not considered usable, because they are not "arms-length transfers" and therefore not considered to be true market-transaction indicators of fair market value. However, because the majority of sales of properties in age-restricted developments are transacted by third parties who have been entrusted by senior citizens with these transactions, this exclusion places an unfair burden on the residents of age-restricted communities. | In Committee |
| S941 | Requires MVC to provide certain services at each MVC agency location. | This bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to provide both vehicle and licensing services at each commission agency location and to allow these services to be completed in-person at each agency. The bill also requires that, at each commission agency location, the commission provide service to walk-in customers seeking vehicle and licensing services. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the commission designated each commission agency location as either a licensing center or vehicle center, required appointments for certain services, and required certain services to be completed online. The commission continues to operate in this manner, which in certain circumstances, requires customers to travel a great distance or make multiple appointments to obtain service. This bill requires the commission to operate as it did prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and to offer both vehicle and licensing services at each agency location, allow walk-in customers to obtain service, and allow customers to obtain service at each agency rather than requiring certain services to be completed online. | In Committee |
| S380 | Requires entities to accept confirmation of prior COVID-19 infection or protective immune response against COVID-19 when proof of vaccination is required. | This bill requires any entity that requires proof of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 as a condition of employment with the entity, as a condition of receiving services from or through the entity, as a condition of admission to the entity's premises, or as a condition of participating in an activity sponsored by the entity, to accept any individual's confirmation of a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection or a protective immune response against SARS-CoV-2 in lieu of providing proof of vaccination against COVID-19. This confirmation will be accepted as equal to any proof of vaccination required by an entity. Confirmation of a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection or a protective immune response against SARS-CoV-2 is to only be provided voluntarily. An entity may accept an individual's confirmation verbally. An individual providing such confirmation is to have the same terms of employment and be provided with the same level of access to the premises, services, and activities of the entity, as the entity provides to an individual who submits proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Nothing in this bill is to be construed to conflict with any federal law, rule, regulation, or executive order concerning COVID-19. The provisions of the bill will apply to facilities that include, but are not limited to, preschool programs, elementary or secondary schools, colleges, universities, or any other institutions of education. It is the sponsor's intent that this legislation will prevent individuals, who have recovered from a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and developed a natural immunity to COVID-19, from being compelled to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and discriminated against in workplaces and public venues based on vaccination status. This legislation is not to be construed as promoting the establishment of a vaccine passport system. However, in order to conform to existing State and federal policy, proof of vaccination status may be required under certain circumstances. The sponsors prefer that, when such proof is required, simple verbal acknowledgment of natural immunity be sufficient to satisfy proof of vaccine requirements. | In Committee |
| S454 | Prohibits discrimination against individuals who have not received COVID-19 vaccine. | This bill prohibits discrimination against individuals who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine. Under the bill, it is to be unlawful to ask any individual if the individual has received a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, to require any individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, or to require any individual to show proof of having received a COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of or as a prerequisite to: (1) the exercise of any privilege or right granted under State or federal law; (2) conducting any business or commerce; (3) travelling to, outside, or within the State; (4) obtaining or maintaining an internship, obtaining or maintaining employment, or receiving a promotion from an employer; (5) participation in any governmental or political activity; (6) admission or enrollment into any child or adult day care program; (7) admission in, enrollment in, or graduation from a preschool program, elementary or secondary school, college, university, or any other institution of education; (8) participation in any activity, internship, opportunity, program, or sport offered by a preschool program, elementary or secondary school, college, university, or any other institution of education; (9) receiving adequate dental care or health care; (10) maintaining, receiving, or renewing a professional certification or license; (11) obtaining or renewing membership in any professional organization; (12) entrance into or service from any place of business, including, but not limited to, any market, restaurant, or store; (13) entrance into and service from any public building, office, or structure; (14) entrance into and use of any public park or beach; or (15) admission into or service from any amusement park, concert venue, theater, or sporting event. The bill provides that it is to be unlawful to discriminate against or to take any adverse action against any individual who has not received a COVID-19 vaccine or who does not disclose whether the individual has received a COVID-19 vaccine. An individual who violates the provisions of this bill is to, in addition to any other relief authorized by law, be liable for civil damages to the victim in the amount of $25,000 in an action brought in the Superior Court in the county where the offense occurred. In addition to an award of civil damages, the court is to order the defendant to pay such attorney's fees or expenses, or both, that are actually and reasonably incurred by the victim who is the successful party in the action. | In Committee |
| S495 | Establishes immunity for businesses against damage claims for COVID-19 exposure; excludes reckless or intentional conduct. | This bill provides immunity to businesses against claims for damage to individuals arising out of exposure to the COVID-19 at premises owned or operated by the employer, or during activity managed by the employer. The immunity provided in the bill is in addition to any other immunity protections under state or federal law. The immunity provided in this bill shall not apply to willful misconduct, reckless infliction of harm or the intentional infliction of harm. Under the bill "employer" includes any individual, partnership, association, corporation, business trust, legal representative or any organized group of persons acting directly or indirectly in the interest of an employer in its relations to employees. It is the sponsor's view that establishing immunity for businesses against claims for damage to individuals arising out of exposure to COVID-19 will aid in restoring strength and vitality to the economy, a key objective, by removing the risk of costly actions for damage arising from exposure to the virus. With that view in mind, the immunity of the bill extends to include employees and patrons of businesses, except where reckless or intentional conduct is involved. | In Committee |
| S181 | Requires temporary detention and notification to parent or guardian of underage person who unlawfully purchases or possesses alcoholic beverages or cannabis. | This bill provides that if a person under the age of 18 violates the law by purchasing or possessing alcoholic beverages or cannabis and receives a written warning from a law enforcement officer, the law enforcement officer would also be required to take the person into custody and notify the minor's parent, guardian, or other person having legal custody of the minor that the underage person was taken into custody. Under the bill, the minor would be taken into temporary custody but not subject to arrest. P.L.2021, c.25 established certain consequences for persons who purchase or possess alcoholic beverages or cannabis items when under the legal age to do so. These consequences include notification to the minor's parent, guardian, or other person having legal custody of the minor. However, P.L.2021, c.25 does require that the minor be temporarily detained and the minor's parent, guardian, or other person having legal custody of the minor be notified of the temporary detention. This bill requires that the minor be temporarily detained but not subject to arrest. The bill preserves provisions of current law that prohibit a record of the minor's possession of alcoholic beverages or cannabis in any juvenile delinquency matter. The bill also clarifies that a law enforcement officer is required to seize from persons under 21 years of age any alcoholic beverage, marijuana, hashish, cannabis item, or drug or cannabis paraphernalia to be destroyed or secured for use in law enforcement training or educational programs. | In Committee |
| S399 | Broadens riot; enhances penalties for certain crimes committed during riot; creates new crimes of mob intimidation and cyber-intimidation by publication; establishes duty in municipality to permit law enforcement to respond appropriately. | This omnibus bill addresses riot and certain violent crime committed during the course of riot. Presently, a person is guilty of riot if he participates with four or more others in a course of disorderly conduct with an unlawful purpose, enumerated in the statute. This bill amends subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:33-1, riot, and expands the categories of riot to include aggravated riot, inciting a riot and aggravated inciting a riot. Under the bill, a person commits riot if the he participates in a violent public disturbance involving an assembly of three or more persons, acting with a common intent to assist each other in violent and disorderly conduct, resulting in (1) Injury to another person; (2) Damage to property; or (3) Imminent danger of injury to another person or damage to property. A person who commits a riot when he or any other participant, known to him, uses or plans to use a firearm or other deadly weapon is guilty of a crime of the third degree. A crime of the third degree is punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. Otherwise riot is a crime of the fourth degree. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. New subsection b. is added to N.J.S.2C:33-1 to provide a person commits aggravated riot if, in the course of committing a riot, he: (1) Participates with 25 or more other persons; (2) Causes serious bodily injury to a person not participating in the riot; (3) Causes property damage in excess of $5,000; (4) Displays, uses, threatens to use, or attempts to use a deadly weapon; or (5) By force, or threat of force, endangers the safe movement of a vehicle traveling on a public street, highway, or road. A person who commits aggravating riot commits a crime of the second degree. A crime of the second degree is punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. New subsection c. is added to N.J.S.2C:33-1 to provide a person commits inciting a riot if he willfully incites another person to participate in a riot, resulting in a riot or imminent danger of a riot. A person who commits inciting a riot commits a crime of the third degree. New subsection d. is added to N.J.S.2C:33-1 to provide a person commits aggravated inciting a riot if he (1) Incites a riot resulting in serious bodily harm to another person not participating in the riot; (2) Incites a riot resulting in property damage in excess of $5,000; or (3) Supplies a deadly weapon to another person or teaches another person to prepare a deadly weapon with intent that the deadly weapon be used in a riot for an unlawful purpose. A person who commits aggravated inciting a riot commits a crime of the second degree. Under the bill, a person arrested for a violation of N.J.S.2C:33-1 shall be held in custody until brought before the court for a pretrial detention hearing. The bill does not prohibit constitutionally protected activity such as a peaceful protest. The bill amends N.J.S.2C:33-7, obstructing highways or other passages, to provide that it shall be unlawful for a person, having no legal privilege to do so, to purposely or recklessly obstruct any highway or other public passage whether alone or with others. No person shall be deemed in violation of this subsection solely because of a gathering of persons to hear him speak or otherwise communicate, or solely because of being a member of such a gathering. The amendment leaves intact subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:33-7, which concerns refusal to obey a reasonable official request or order to move. The bill amends N.J.S.2C:12-1, Assault. Currently, paragraph (5) of subsection b. enumerates specific circumstances when aggravated assault occurs. This bill adds that a person is guilty of aggravated assault if he attempts to cause or purposely, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another in the course of a riot. Aggravated assault under this circumstance is a crime of the third degree, punishable by up to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. Paragraph (5) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:12-1 further elevates simple assault to aggravated assault when committed against certain categories of persons, including when committed against a law enforcement officer acting in the performance of the officer's duties while in uniform or exhibiting evidence of authority or because of the officer's status as a law enforcement officer, and is graded as a crime of the third degree. Under the bill, if, in the course of a riot, an object is thrown at certain emergency personnel including law enforcement officers, or if the emergency personnel is struck, whether or not with an object, the presumption of non-imprisonment for a first offense of a crime of the third degree shall not apply, and a mandatory period of six months imprisonment shall apply. The bill amends N.J.S.2C:17-3, criminal mischief, to add an additional category to the offense. Under the new provision, a person is guilty of criminal mischief if he without the consent of the owner thereof, willfully and maliciously defaces, injures, or otherwise damages by any means a memorial or historic property, and the value of the damage to the memorial or historic property is greater than $200. The bill grades this offense as a crime of the third degree where the damage is to a memorial or historic property. The bill provides that "historic property" means any building, structure, site, or object that has been officially designated or approved for inclusion, or which meets the criteria for inclusion, in the New Jersey Register of Historic Places pursuant to P.L.1970, c.268 (C.13:1B-15.128 et seq.) as a historic building, historic structure, historic site, or historic object through a federal, state, or local designation program. "Memorial" means a plaque, statue, marker, flag, banner, cenotaph, religious symbol, painting, seal, tombstone, structure name, or display that is constructed and located with the intent of being permanently displayed or perpetually maintained; is dedicated to a historical person, an entity, an event, or a series of events; and honors or recounts the military service of any past or present United States Armed Forces military personnel, or the past or present public service of a resident of the geographical area comprising the state or the United States. A court shall order any person convicted of violating this provision to pay restitution, which shall include the full cost of repair or replacement of such memorial or historic property. The bill amends N.J.S.A.2C:18-2, burglary, to add an additional circumstance to the grading scheme. Under the bill, burglary is a crime of the second degree if it occurs during a riot or an aggravated riot and the perpetration of the burglary is facilitated by conditions arising from the riot. The section is further amended to provide that "conditions arising from the riot," means civil unrest, power outages, curfews, or a reduction in the presence of or response time for first responders or homeland security personnel. A person arrested for committing a burglary during a riot or aggravated riot may not be released until the person appears before a judge at a pretrial detention hearing. The bill amends N.J.S.A.2C:20-2, theft, to add an additional circumstances to the grading scheme. Under the bill, theft is a crime of the second degree if the property stolen is law enforcement equipment, valued at $300 or more, that is taken from an authorized emergency vehicle, as defined in R.S.39:1-1. "Emergency medical equipment" means mechanical or electronic apparatus used to provide emergency services and care or to treat medical emergencies. "Law enforcement equipment" means any property, device, or apparatus used by any law enforcement officer as defined in section 3 of P.L.1993, c.220, (C.52:17B-161) in the officer's official business. If the property is stolen during a riot or an aggravated riot prohibited under section N.J.S.2C:33-1 and the perpetration of the theft is facilitated by conditions arising from the riot; the theft is committed after the declaration of emergency is made, and the perpetration of the theft is facilitated by conditions arising from the emergency, the theft is a crime of the second degree. Under the bill, the term "conditions arising from the riot" means civil unrest, power outages, curfews, or a reduction in the presence of or response time for first responders or homeland security personnel and the term "conditions arising from the emergency" means civil unrest, power outages, curfews, voluntary or mandatory evacuations, or a reduction in the presence of or response time for first responders or homeland security personnel. Third degree theft is elevated to a crime of the second degree if the property is stolen during a riot or an aggravated riot prohibited under N.J.S.2C:33-1 and the perpetration of the theft is facilitated by conditions arising from the riot; the property is stolen after the declaration of emergency is made, and the perpetration of the theft is facilitated by conditions arising from the emergency. A person arrested for committing a theft during a riot crime, or other crime amended by the bill, may not be released until the person appears before a judge at a pretrial detention hearing. The bill amends N.J.S.59:2-2, concerning public entity liability to provide that a municipality has a duty to allow the municipal law enforcement agency to respond appropriately to protect persons and property during a riot or an unlawful assembly based on the availability of adequate equipment to its municipal law enforcement officers and relevant State and federal laws. The bill creates the new offenses of mob intimidation and cyber-intimidation by publication. Under the bill, mob intimidation occurs when a person, assembled with two or more other persons and acting with a common intent, to use force or threaten to use imminent force, to compel or induce, or attempt to compel or induce, another person to do or refrain from doing any act or to assume, abandon, or maintain a particular viewpoint against his or her will. A person who violates this section commits a disorderly persons offense. A disorderly persons offense is punishable by up to 6 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. A person arrested for a violation of this section shall be held in custody until brought before the court for a pretrial detention hearing. Under the bill, cyber-intimidation by publication occurs when a person electronically publishes another person's personal identification information with the intent to, or with the intent that a third party will use the information to (a) Incite violence or commit a crime against the person; or (b) Threaten or harass the person, placing such person in reasonable fear of bodily harm. A person who violates this subsection commits a crime of the fourth degree. The bill establishes an affirmative defense in action for personal injury, wrongful death, or property damage that action arose from an injury or damage sustained by a participant acting in furtherance of a riot. The bill establishes a procedure to appeal law enforcement funding reduction proposal in local budgets. This bill is modeled closely on Florida Laws ch.6; 2021 Fla. HB 1. | In Committee |
| S520 | Provides gross income tax deduction for E-ZPass tolls paid. | This bill provides a deduction from New Jersey gross income for certain tolls paid on State toll roads via the E-ZPass system. The deduction, in the amount of $1,000 per taxable year, is available to an individual who has an E-ZPass account, for the operation of a motor vehicle by the individual or any member of the individual's household on any toll roadway in this State, or any interstate toll bridge or toll tunnel connecting New Jersey with another state, including, but not limited to those operated by the Delaware River Joint Tollbridge Commission, the Burlington County Bridge Commission, the Delaware River and Bay Authority, the Delaware River Port Authority, or the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, during the taxable year if, in the aggregate, such E-ZPass tolls paid by the individual exceed $1,000 in the aggregate, for the taxable year. The bill provides that amounts paid as fines, penalties, administrative fees, or which are reimbursed, or deductible as business expenses, or otherwise under certain provisions of State or federal law, are not includible in determining the aggregate amount of E-ZPass tolls paid in a taxable year. This bill is intended to assist individuals in offsetting the considerable expenses associated with commuting, which have been aggravated by the recent increase in the State gasoline tax rate. By providing toll-paying commuters with a way to offset a portion of their costs, this bill recognizes that these individuals are paying more than their fair share of the burden of maintaining safe, modern, and ample roadways in the State. | In Committee |
| S494 | Revises polysomnography license fees. | This bill revises the requirements for polysomnography license fees. The bill provides that neither the initial license fee nor the license renewal fee shall exceed $150 for polysomnographic technologists or polysomnographic technicians, or $50 for polysomnographic trainees. Currently, the fee for initial and renewed licensure as a polysomnographic technologist is $500, to be renewed on a biennial basis. The fee for initial and renewed licensure as a polysomnographic technician is $150, and the fee for initial licensure as a trainee is $50. These fees are comparable to the initial licensing and license renewal fees for medical doctors. This bill makes polysomnography initial licensing and license renewal fees more affordable for practitioners, and makes these fees comparable to other similarly trained licensed professionals at the same time. | In Committee |
| S519 | Prohibits sale of tickets not in reseller's possession. | This bill amends current law governing the reselling of tickets by prohibiting tentative ticket sales, otherwise known as "speculative ticketing." Specifically, the bill removes provisions of current law that allow for the sale of tickets not in the reseller's possession under certain circumstances. The bill prohibits resellers from employing tentative ticket policies, whereby the reseller sells tickets that are not in the reseller's possession at the time of sale. | In Committee |
| S505 | Requires electric public utility to reimburse residential customer for cost of food and prescription medicine spoiled or compromised as a result of sustained electric service outage. | This bill would require an electric public utility to reimburse a residential customer for the cost of food and prescription medicine that spoils or is compromised as a result of a sustained power outage. Under the bill, a customer whose food spoils due to a lack of refrigeration caused by a sustained power outage would be entitled to a reimbursement of up to $500 for the amount paid for the food that spoiled. A customer whose prescription medicine is compromised due to a lack of refrigeration caused by a sustained power outage would be entitled to a reimbursement of up to $1,000 for the amount paid for the prescription medicine that is compromised. In both cases, a customer would be required to submit to the electric public utility an itemized list of losses and proof of loss, as specified in the bill. No later than 90 days after the effective date of the bill, each electric public utility in the State would be required to develop and implement a system for customers of the electric public utility to apply for a reimbursement online via the electric public utility's Internet website. Applications for a reimbursement would be made in a form and manner as determined by the Board of Public Utilities. The board would be authorized to adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement the bill. | In Committee |
| SCR22 | Urges U.S. Department of Justice to investigate certain claims handling practices related to Superstorm Sandy flood insurance claims. | A recent court case in New York, and similar reports in New Jersey, have revealed in great detail, allegations that insurance companies handling Superstorm Sandy flood insurance claims, in potentially hundreds of cases, committed reprehensible practices including secretly rewriting engineering reports to change the reports' conclusions to avoid covering the loss, leaving insured homeowners to suffer the loss. This resolution urges the United States Department of Justice to investigate the claims handling practices of insurance companies handling flood insurance claims to determine if engineering reports or other investigatory activities were manipulated to fraudulently deny coverage to Superstorm Sandy victims, and if laws have been violated, to hold those insurers accountable. | In Committee |
| SCR19 | Urges Governor to protect religious liberty during declared state of emergency. | Rising COVID-19 infections in New Jersey prompted Governor Murphy to declare a state of emergency and announce a Statewide curfew on March 9, 2020 and a Statewide stay-at-home-order on March 21, 2020. Churches and houses of worship were affected by the Statewide stay-at-home order and were closed between March and June 2020 for in-person religious services and once re-opened, remained heavily restricted by indoor capacity limits placed by Governor Murphy. Not all secular businesses and services were equally restricted. Many, like grocery stores, pharmacies, and liquor stores were deemed "essential" by executive order and remained open with few or no restrictions. Churches and houses of worship were not deemed "essential" despite the important services they provide New Jersey residents, such as food pantries, homeless shelters, and a sense of community, unity, and hope. Religious liberty is protected by the United States Constitution and the New Jersey Constitution. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution prevents the government from prohibiting the free exercise of religion and the freedom to peaceably assemble and the New Jersey Constitution specifically protects the manner of worshipping Almighty God. The Supreme Court of the United States determined that certain COVID-19 restrictions in the states of California, Colorado, and New York, in particular indoor gathering restrictions and religious household gathering restrictions, violated religious liberty as guaranteed by the First Amendment. Governor Murphy has utilized his gubernatorial powers aggressively since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in ways that have abridged, and not protected, the freedom of New Jersey residents. Restrictions on religious gatherings in New Jersey during the COVID-19 health emergency potentially violated certain unalienable rights protected by the Constitution of the United States, and in light of these violations, the Legislature of New Jersey urges the Governor of New Jersey to protect religious liberty during a declared state of emergency. | In Committee |
| S462 | Expands statute authorizing temporary restraining orders for certain alleged stalking victims to include victims of any age or mental capacity. | This bill would allow any person who alleges that he is a victim of stalking to apply for a temporary restraining order against the defendant. Under current law, where there is an allegation that a person has stalked a child under the age of 18, a developmentally disabled person or a person with a mental disease or defect which renders the person temporarily or permanently incapable of understanding the nature of his conduct, the parent or guardian of the alleged victim may apply for a temporary restraining order limiting the contact of the defendant and the alleged victim. This bill would expand these provisions to allow alleged victims of any age or mental capacity to apply for these orders. Current law provides that a conviction of stalking operates as an automatic application for a permanent restraining order limiting the contact of the defendant and the victim. (See N.J.S.A.2C:12-10.1). However, it may take several years before a defendant charged with stalking is convicted of the crime. Under the bill, a person could apply for a temporary restraining order against the defendant on an emergency basis, before the defendant is convicted. The bill provides that if the hearing is held on an emergency, ex parte basis, without the presence of the defendant, the court issuing the temporary restraining order would be required to hold a hearing within 10 days after notice to the defendant. At the hearing, the court would decide whether the temporary restraining order should be continued. The standard for continuing the temporary order would be by a preponderance of the evidence. If continued, the temporary restraining order would be in effect until either (1) the defendant is convicted, in which case the court would hold a hearing on the issue of whether a permanent restraining order would be entered (pursuant to current law), or (2) the victim, or a parent or guardian acting on the victim's behalf, requests that the temporary restraining order be dismissed. | In Committee |
| S725 | Criminalizes unlawful occupancy of dwellings. | This bill would criminalize unlawful occupancy of a dwelling, also known as "squatting." Currently, squatting is not a criminal act. In order to lawfully evict a squatter, the owner of the property must apply to the court for a writ of possession. This bill would create three criminal offenses: housebreaking, unlawful occupancy, and unlawful reentry. They would be crimes of the fourth degree. Housebreaking. Under the bill, a person who forcibly enters an uninhabited or vacant dwelling knowing or having reason to believe that such entry is without permission of the owner of the dwelling or an authorized representative of the owner, with the intent to take up residence or provide a residency to another therein, would be guilty of housebreaking. The bill provides that a person is presumed to know that an entry is without the permission of the owner of the dwelling or an authorized representative of the owner unless the person provides a written rental agreement that is notarized or signed by an authorized agent of the owner and includes the current address and telephone number of the owner or the owner's authorized representative. Unlawful Occupancy. The bill provides that a person who takes up residence in an uninhabited or vacant dwelling and knows or has reason to believe that such residency is without permission of the owner of the dwelling or an authorized representative of the owner is guilty of unlawful occupancy. A person is presumed to know that the residency is without the permission of the owner or an authorized representative unless the person provides a written rental agreement that is notarized or signed by an authorized agent of the owner, and includes the current address and telephone number of the owner or the owner's authorized representative. Unlawful Reentry. The bill provides that a person commits unlawful reentry if an owner of real property has recovered possession of the property from the person pursuant to a court order and, without the authority of the court or permission of the owner, the person reenters the property. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. | In Committee |
| S461 | Restricts phosphorus content and requires labelling thereof for household cleansing products. | This bill would restrict the amount of phosphorus in household cleansing products and require wrappers and containers for such products to include certain information on phosphorous content. The bill would prohibit the distribution, sale, or offer for sale in the State of any household cleansing product unless the product wrapper or container is labeled in accordance with the requirements of the bill. The bill would require a wrapper or container of a household cleansing product to list the percentage by weight of phosphorous in the container and the weight, in grams per recommended use level, of phosphorous, and conform to any other requirements established by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The bill would also generally prohibit any household cleansing product from being distributed, sold, or offered for sale in the State if it contains a phosphorus compound other than trace concentrations. However, a household cleansing product could be distributed, sold, or offered for sale in the State if it contains a phosphorus compound not more than: 0.5 percent by weight, for a product used in dishwashers; and 8.7 percent by weight for a product used in food and beverage processing equipment and dairy equipment. A person could distribute, sell, or offer for sale existing stock of household cleansing products only for a period of up to one year beyond the date of enactment of this bill into law. A person who violates the labeling requirement or sale restrictions, set forth in section 2 and 3 of the bill, would be subject to a penalty of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000 for each offense. If the violation is of a continuing nature, each day during which it continues would constitute an additional, separate, and distinct offense. Under the bill, the DEP would be authorized to adopt rules and regulations to require manufacturers of household cleansing products to submit certain information to the DEP, which would also be posted on the DEP website. | In Committee |
| SR49 | Urges immediate moratorium on sonar testing and wind turbine mapping due to recent unexplained deaths of marine life off the coast of New Jersey. | This resolution urges the State and federal governments to impose an immediate moratorium on sonar testing and wind turbine mapping due to recent unexplained deaths of whales and dolphins off the coast of New Jersey. Since December 2022, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has recorded at least twelve whale deaths off the coast of New Jersey, eight of which have been humpback whales. In addition, there were also five deaths of dolphins recorded in February 2023 alone. Most of these deaths remain unexplained, but have occurred in or near areas of offshore wind energy development. Given the unprecedented number of these recent deaths, their occurrence in or near areas of offshore wind energy development may be more than coincidental and warrants State and federal investigation. A possible cause of these deaths is the increased use of sonar and other underwater mapping technologies for the development of offshore wind energy projects, which may interfere with marine mammals' ability to hear, communicate, and navigate underwater. Therefore, an immediate moratorium on sonar testing and wind turbine mapping for these offshore wind energy projects is urged, so that further scientific study of these projects' impact on marine life can be conducted. | In Committee |
| S1704 | Reinstates penalty for underage possession and consumption of alcohol and cannabis as disorderly person offense. | This bill reinstates the criminal penalty for underage possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages, cannabis, marijuana, and hashish as a disorderly person offense. A disorderly person offense is punishable by a term of imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. This bill also re-establishes a minimum fine of $500 and re-establishes the penalty of a six month suspension of driving privileges. The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement, Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act" ("CREAMMA"), P.L.2021, c.16, established a penalty for underage possession and consumption of cannabis and marijuana equivalent to the penalty for underage alcohol. Shortly after CREAMMA was enacted, the criminal penalties for underage alcohol and cannabis were replaced with a system of non-punitive written warnings, under P.L.2021, c.25, and P.L.2021, c.38. It is the sponsor's view that the written warning scheme has proven ineffectual in curbing underage use and abuse of alcohol and cannabis, as demonstrated by a sharp rise in 2022 and 2023 in the number of police complaints regarding underage parties where alcohol and cannabis were found, particularly in the beach communities along the Jersey Shore. It is the sponsor's intent to control underage alcohol and cannabis use and abuse by reinstating the threat of criminal prosecution, as well as driver's license suspension. | In Committee |
| S1983 | Eliminates certain practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses. | This bill eliminates practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses (APNs), including restrictions that limit the ability of APNs to prescribe medications and administer anesthesia, and establishes new requirements for APNs to prescribe medications. The bill expressly provides that, notwithstanding the provisions of any other law or regulation to the contrary, an APN with greater than 24 months or 2,400 hours of licensed, active, advanced nursing practice will be authorized to practice without a joint protocol with a collaborating provider. With regard to prescribing medications, the bill requires the use of New Jersey Prescription Blanks and satisfying continuing professional education requirements related to pharmacology and prescribing controlled substances. An APN with fewer than 24 months or 2,400 hours of licensed, active, advanced nursing practice in an initial role will be permitted to prescribe medication only if a formal joint protocol with a physician or experienced advanced practice nurse is in place. The bill revises the requirements for APNs to authorize patients for medical cannabis and to issue written instructions for medical cannabis, to provide that the APN will only be required to meet the requirements set forth under the "Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act," P.L.2009, c.307 (C.24:6I-1 et al.). Those requirements include: possessing active State and federal registrations to prescribe controlled dangerous substances; being the health care practitioner responsible for the ongoing treatment of a patient's qualifying medical condition; and complying with various other requirements for issuing written instructions for medical cannabis. The bill further provides that every APN who is an APN-Anesthesia and who has completed 24 months or 2,400 hours of licensed, active, advanced nursing practice in an initial role will be authorized to practice as an APN-Anesthesia to the full scope of practice for APNs-Anesthesia, without any requirement for supervision by a licensed physician and without any requirement that the APN-Anesthesia enter into joint protocols with a licensed physician. The bill provides that any State law or regulation that requires the signature or similar endorsement of a physician will be deemed to require the same of an APN, to the extent consistent with an APN's scope of practice. The bill revises and repeals certain sections of law that are obviated by the changes made under the bill. | In Committee |
| S477 | Requires newly-constructed grocery stores to have generators. | This bill would establish a requirement under the "State Uniform Construction Code Act," P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.), that newly-constructed grocery stores, including supermarkets and convenience marts, have automatic standby emergency power generators. In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, access to food and other basic necessities was greatly compromised due to the widespread and lengthy power outages throughout the State. This bill would require that newly-constructed grocery stores have the capacity to continue operations if power is lost during an emergency, to help ensure that the public has ready access to food and other basic necessities. | In Committee |
| S425 | Prohibits adoption of State and local rules that prohibit use of fossil fuel-powered kitchen appliances. | This bill would prohibit the adoption of State rules and regulations, and county and municipal ordinances, which prohibit the installation or use of a fossil fuel-powered appliance in a residential or commercial kitchen in the State, including, but not limited to, a natural gas-powered oven or stove. The bill would not prohibit the use of voluntary incentive programs to encourage the use of electric kitchen appliances. | In Committee |
| S448 | Increases fines for failing to report suspected abuse or exploitation of institutionalized elderly person. | This bill increases the fine for a person required to report suspected abuse or exploitation of an institutionalized elderly person, who fails to make a report, as well as the fine for the facility that employs the person. The bill increases the fine for the person from not more than $500 to not more than $1,500, and the fine for the facility from not more than $2,500 to not more than $5,000. | In Committee |
| S486 | Increases fines for failing to have required markings on commercial vehicles. | This bill increases the fines for failing to display certain required information on commercial vehicles. Current law requires the owner, lessee, or lessor of commercial vehicles, with the exception of passenger automobiles and vehicles owned leased by a pharmacy and utilized for delivery, to conspicuously display on the vehicle itself, or on a name plate affixed to the vehicle, the name of the owner, lessee, or lessor, and the municipality of the owner, lessee, or lessor's principal place of business. The sign or name plate is to be in plain view and be at least three inches high. The current fine for a violation of this provision is $10. This bill increases the fine for these violations to $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second offense, and $1,000 for a third or subsequent offense. | In Committee |
| S509 | Eliminates weekly COVID-19 testing requirement for unvaccinated State employees. | This bill eliminates the periodic COVID-19 testing requirement for unvaccinated State employees. Under the bill, a State employer will not maintain a policy requiring that employees, regardless of vaccination status, submit to periodic COVID-19 testing or show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. This bill does not prohibit an employee of the State from voluntarily testing for COVID-19. The bill also does not prohibit a State employer from requiring testing of an employee who is symptomatic for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status. | In Committee |
| S470 | Changes law regulating size limits of lobsters. | This bill amends current law authorizing the Department of Environmental Protection to regulate the size limits of lobsters caught for commercial and personal use by clarifying that these size limits would apply only to lobsters taken from the marine waters of the State. | In Committee |
| S1703 | Credits $2.35 billion to "New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund"; appropriates $4.32 billion to Department of Treasury to provide funds to municipalities and counties for debt retirement and avoidance. | This bill adds $2.35 billion from the General Fund to the "New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund," and appropriates a total of $4.32 billion from the fund to the Department of the Treasury for the purpose of providing funds to each municipality and county in the State to be used by the municipality or county to retire and defease local debt or to fund capital projects on a pay-as-you-go basis rather than issuing additional local debt. The total amount of funds appropriated by the bill includes $1.97 billion in currently unallocated balances in the New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund. Under the bill, $3.0 billion would be allocated to each municipality on an equal per capita basis wherein each municipality receives the same dollar amount per resident. The remaining $1.32 billion appropriated by the bill would be allocated to each county on an equal per capita basis. The bill requires that all funds appropriated by the bill be distributed to each municipality and each county within 30 days of enactment. The State budget has recently benefited from debt reduction and avoidance from prior appropriations to the New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention account, though typically only after funds have remained in the account for inordinately long periods of time while inflation destroys its value. Local governments can frequently have significant debt which can be equally or more expensive for taxpayers than State debt. Local governments have compelling infrastructure and capital needs that include, but are not limited to: water, sewer, parks, flooding, storm water, public safety, emergency medical services, community development, and traffic improvements. The State's budgeting process has frequently provided only small and symbolic amounts of assistance towards local infrastructure and capital improvements and only after burdensome, inefficient, and politicized processes that chose winners and losers based on favoritism. The sponsor believes it is sound public policy to quickly and efficiently direct remaining balances in the New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund towards debt reduction and avoidance that benefits property taxpayers and all residents of the State through a fair and reasonable allocation process. | In Committee |
| S449 | Provides that school districts spending below adequacy will not be subject to certain State school aid reductions. | P.L.2018, c.67 (C.18A:7F-67 et al.), commonly referred to as "S-2," stipulates that State school aid to certain school districts will be reduced in accordance with a schedule detailed in the law. Under section 4 of P.L.2018, c.67 (C.18A:7F-68), two groups of school districts are not subject to State aid reductions: 1) SDA (former Abbott) districts that spend below adequacy and are located in a municipality in which the equalized total tax rate exceeds the Statewide average; and 2) non-SDA districts that spend below adequacy by at least 10 percent and are located in a municipality in which the equalized total tax rate exceeds the Statewide average by more than 10 percent. This bill provides that any school district that is spending below adequacy will not be subject to State school aid reductions under P.L.2018, c.67. | In Committee |
| S363 | Requires person convicted, or fleeing charge, of sex offense in foreign country to register under Megan's Law; requires law enforcement to inquire about immigration status of sex offenders and cooperate with federal immigration authorities. | This bill requires persons who have been convicted, or fled a charge, of a sex offense in a foreign country to register as a sex offender under Megan's Law under certain circumstances. In addition, contrary to a recent directive issued by the New Jersey Attorney General, the bill requires law enforcement agencies to inquire about the immigration status of a convicted sex offender and notify and cooperate with federal immigration authorities when the law enforcement agency is unable to confirm that the sex offender's presence in the United States is authorized under federal law. Under current State law, a person who is convicted, adjudicated delinquent, or acquitted by reason of insanity under the laws of the United States, this State, or another state of an offense similar to those classified as sex offenses under current law is required to register as a sex offender. This bill expands the requirement to register in this State as a sex offender to also include persons who were convicted, adjudicated delinquent; or acquitted by reason of insanity under the laws of any foreign government of an offense similar to those classified as sex offenses under current law, and persons who were charged with such offenses by a foreign government, but fled the jurisdiction prior to the adjudication of those charges. The Attorney General Directive No. 2018-6 generally prohibits State, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies from providing certain types of assistance to federal immigration authorities charged with enforcing federal civil immigration law, with certain limited exceptions. The directive also prohibits, with certain limited exceptions, a State, county, or municipal law enforcement agency from inquiring about the immigration status of any individual. Furthermore, the directive does not mandate that law enforcement officials provide assistance in any particular circumstance, even when, under the limited exceptions of the directive, they are permitted to do so. Thus, when an offender who is not authorized to be in the United States has been convicted of a Megan's Law offense, under the directive, local law enforcement is under no obligation to cooperate with federal authorities that may be seeking to enforce federal immigration laws with respect to that offender. In contrast to the directive, the bill requires every county prosecutor to notify the appropriate law enforcement agency when a person has been convicted, adjudicated delinquent, or acquitted by reason of insanity for the commission of a sex offense, as defined under current law. Upon notification, the law enforcement agency is required to inquire about the immigration status of the person who has been convicted. The bill provides that if, based upon the inquiry required by the bill, a law enforcement agency is unable to confirm that the person's presence in the United States is authorized under federal law, the law enforcement agency is to provide notification to a federal immigration authority. Under the bill, the law enforcement agency also is to cooperate with any immigration enforcement initiated by the federal immigration authority, which includes but is not limited to: (1) participating in civil immigration enforcement operations with respect to the sex offender; (2) providing any non-public personally identifying information regarding the sex offender; (3) providing access to any State, county, or local law enforcement equipment, office space, database, or property not available to the general public; (4) providing access to a detained sex offender for an interview; (5) providing notice of a detained sex offender's upcoming release from custody; and (6) continuing the detention of a sex offender past the time the sex offender would otherwise be eligible for release from custody when presented with a civil immigration detainer request. Finally, the bill requires the cooperation of a New Jersey law enforcement agency with any immigration enforcement upon an inquiry by a federal immigration authority concerning a registered sex offender convicted of a sex offense by a foreign government, or who was charged with a sex offense by a foreign government and absconded from that jurisdiction prior to the charge being adjudicated or resolved, and if the law enforcement agency is unable to confirm that the sex offender's presence in the United States is authorized under federal law. This cooperation is to include, but not be limited to, participating in civil immigration enforcement operations; providing any non-public personally identifying information regarding an individual; providing access to any State, county, or local law enforcement equipment, office space, database, or property not available to the general public; providing access to a detained individual for an interview; providing notice of a detained individual's upcoming release from custody; and continuing the detention of an individual past the time the individual would otherwise be eligible for release from custody based solely on a civil immigration detainer request. The bill further requires a law enforcement agency that registers a sex offender and has knowledge that the sex offender was (1) convicted by a foreign government, or (2) charged with a sex offense by a foreign government and absconded prior to the charges being adjudicated or resolved, to provide notification to a federal immigration authority if the agency is unable to confirm that the sex offender's presence in the United States is authorized under federal law. It is the sponsor's firmly held belief that because sex offenders pose a grave danger to public safety, especially for women and children, law enforcement officials should be required to cooperate with immigration enforcement actions initiated by a federal immigration authority, in order to ensure that dangerous predators are not permitted to find safe harbor in New Jersey. | In Committee |
| S503 | Requires installation of emergency power supply systems to certain common areas of new planned real estate developments; provides related tax incentives. | This bill would require the installation of an emergency power supply system to supply standby power to each clubhouse or community room in a new common interest community. Hurricane Sandy resulted in prolonged power outages throughout the State of New Jersey and surrounding areas. While Hurricane Sandy is the most recent and prominent example of extended power outages caused by extraordinary weather conditions, it was not an isolated occurrence with regard to extended power outages. Many parts of New Jersey have been developed as common interest communities. Although these planned communities may isolate residential dwellings from public and commercial buildings, these communities often contain clubhouses or other facilities that could be used as a shelter during times of emergency. By requiring new common interest communities to equip clubhouses and community rooms with an alternate source of electrical power, the bill will provide residents of these communities with a centrally-located, well-powered shelter to better wait-out future power outages. While this bill would not require existing common interest communities to retrofit their clubhouses and community rooms with emergency power supply systems, the sponsors recommend and encourage these communities to do so. In recognition of the quasi-public purpose of this initiative, the bill provides a corporation business tax deduction and gross income tax deduction (not to exceed $10,000 in either case), and a sales tax exemption, for the purchase of equipment necessary for the installation of emergency power supply systems by developers of new common interest communities as required under the bill. | In Committee |
| S504 | Authorizes payment of just compensation to businesses for losses due to public health emergency closures. | This bill provides that the closure of a business due to an order declaring a public health emergency is a public purpose for which the State may have to pay the business owner just compensation. Under the bill, the owner of a business may bring an action to compel the State to exercise condemnation and to pay just compensation for either: · loss of income during, and for a reasonable time after, a temporary partial or complete closure of the business, if the business would not have closed but for compliance with the order; or· loss of going concern, including the loss of real property, if the closure of the business results in the owner going out of business and the owner proves the owner would not have gone out of business but for compliance with the order. The bill would assign to the business owner: the burden of proving that the alleged loss is due to the public health emergency; and the burden of proving the amount of compensation for losses. The bill provides that it's provisions would apply to a public health emergency declared on or after January 1, 2020. An action to compel condemnation and the payment of just compensation brought under the bill must be filed within one year of the expiration of the order that declared or renewed the public health emergency. | In Committee |
| S457 | Prohibits NJT from making major alterations to rail yards located near certain environmentally sensitive areas. | This bill would prohibit the New Jersey Transit Corporation from making any major alterations, renovations, improvements, upgrades, or additions to any rail yard: (1) which is located within the coastal area as defined and regulated by the "Coastal Area Facility Review Act" (CAFRA); (2) from which surface water or groundwater flows into the watershed of the Barnegat Bay Estuary or into wetlands designated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency to be priority wetlands; and (3) any portion of which is located in, or within 1,000 feet of: (a) a freshwater wetland or freshwater wetland transition area; (b) a coastal or tidal wetland or coastal or tidal wetland buffer or transition area; or (c) a tidal water body. Exceptions to the bill's prohibition would be allowed only by express written authorization of the Governor, following consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. | In Committee |
| SCR24 | Proposes constitutional amendment to increase amount of annual veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $1,250. | If approved by the voters of the State, this proposed constitutional amendment would increase the amount of the veterans' property tax deduction from the current $250 to $1,250, beginning in 2024. The voters of the State last approved an increase in the amount of the deduction in 1999, from $50 to $250, to be increased by $50 each year over a period of four years. The amount of the deduction has been $250 since 2003. | In Committee |
| S441 | Includes value of certain properties exempt from taxation in valuation used to calculate State school aid. | Under current law, a school district's State aid is determined, in part, by the district's capacity to raise revenue locally, as measured by the community's equalized property valuation and aggregate income. In the case of property that is exempt from taxation under the "Long Term Tax Exemption Law," P.L.1991, c.431 (C.40A:20-1 et seq.), the value of the property is omitted from the calculation. This may lead a school district that is located in a municipality with exempt property to receive a greater amount of State aid at the expense of other districts. This bill requires that the value of property exempt from taxation under that law be included when determining a community's wealth for the purpose of determining State school aid. | In Committee |
| S911 | Requires revocation of parole for assaulting or threatening law enforcement officers. | This bill requires the Chairman of the Parole Board to detain a parolee and commence revocation proceedings when an offender is arrested or indicted for assaulting a law enforcement officer or when a parolee threatens to kill or cause physical harm to a law enforcement officer, or a member of the law enforcement officer's family. Under current law, the parole board is notified immediately upon the arrest or indictment of a parolee or upon the filing of charges that the parolee committed a criminal act. The board is prohibited from revoking parole on the basis of new charges which have not resulted in a disposition at the trial level. However, upon application by the prosecuting authority, the Juvenile Justice Commission or the Director of the State Parole Board's Division of Parole, the chairman of the parole board or the chairman's designee may at any time detain the parolee and commence revocation proceedings when the chairman determines that the new charges against the parolee are of a serious nature and it appears that the parolee otherwise poses a danger to the public safety. This bill requires a parolee to be detained and parole revocation proceedings to commence on the basis of an arrest or indictment of a parolee who assaulted a law enforcement officer or a report that the parolee threatened to kill or cause physical harm to a law enforcement officer, or a member of the law enforcement officer's family. In order to have parole revoked, the bill requires the threat to be made with the purpose to put the law enforcement officer in imminent fear of death or physical harm under circumstances that cause the law enforcement officer to believe the immediacy of the threat and the likelihood that it will be carried out. The bill also would apply to a parolee who assaults or threatens a retired law enforcement officer on the basis of the retired officer's former status as an active duty law enforcement officer. | In Committee |
| S436 | Establishes NJ Animal Abuser Registry. | This bill would provide for the establishment and implementation of an animal abuser registry system that would require the continuing registration of animal abuse offenders and allow for the public disclosure of certain information pertaining to those offenders. Such a registry system for animal abusers is necessary because the overwhelming evidence accumulated since 1970 shows that persons who cruelly abuse or torture animals are likely to engage in recidivist acts of violence against both animals and humans. In particular, studies have shown that early incidents of animal abuse are often part of the criminal histories of serial killers, child, spouse, and elder abusers, and sexually violent predators, and may be characteristic of the developmental histories of up to 66 percent of violent offenders, in general. In addition, it has been shown that those who abuse animals through participation in animal fighting rings also often engage in other crimes associated with violence, and will often continue to engage in animal abuse and other violence-related offenses even after serving jail time. The bill would require registration for any person convicted of an enumerated animal abuse offense who maintains, establishes, or re-establishes a primary residence or secondary residence in this State or who is otherwise physically present in the State for more than 14 consecutive days or a period exceeding 30 days in a calendar year. In particular, a person would be required to register if they have been convicted, adjudicated delinquent, found not guilty by reason of insanity, or found civilly liable for any of the following animal abuse offenses: (1) overdriving, overloading, driving when overloaded, overworking, depriving of necessary sustenance, abusing, or needlessly killing a living animal by direct or indirect means, including through the use of another living animal; (2) tormenting, torturing, maiming, hanging, poisoning, unnecessarily or cruelly beating, or needlessly mutilating a living animal by direct or indirect means, including through the use of another living animal, whether or not such actions cause the death of the animal; (3) cruelly killing, by direct or indirect means, a living animal, including through the use of another living animal; (4) causing, allowing, or permitting the fighting or baiting of a living animal for amusement or gain; (5) engaging in the management of, or receiving money or other consideration for the admission of a person to, a place that is kept or used for the purposes of fighting or baiting a living animal; (6) owning, possessing, keeping, training, promoting, purchasing, or knowingly selling a living animal for the purposes of fighting or baiting that animal; (7) allowing or suffering a place under a person's ownership or control to be used for the purposes of fighting or baiting a living animal; (8) acting as a spectator, gambling on the outcome of a fight, or otherwise encouraging or assisting in activities occurring at a place that is kept or used for the purposes of fighting or baiting a living animal; (9) carrying a living animal in or upon a vehicle or otherwise, in a cruel or inhumane manner; (10) impounding or confining a living animal and failing to supply it during such confinement with a sufficient quantity of good and wholesome food and water; (11) abandoning a maimed, sick, infirm, or disabled animal to die in a public place; (12) abandoning a domestic animal; (13) unlawfully debarking or silencing a dog; (14) using a live pigeon, fowl, or other bird as a target or to be shot at for amusement or as a test of skill in marksmanship, or shooting such a bird, except where such use or shooting conforms with the rules pertaining to the shooting of game animals; and (15) any comparable offense in another state, country, or jurisdiction. The bill would require that notice of the duty to register be provided by the Attorney General within 30 days after the bill's enactment, and by the Motor Vehicle Commission upon application for a driver's license or identification card. The court or local law enforcement agency with which an offender is required to initially register pursuant to this bill would be required to notify the offender of the specific requirements of the bill, and the penalties for noncompliance. The information to be included in an offender's registration would consist of the following: (1) A statement in writing, signed by the animal abuse offender, acknowledging that the offender has been advised of the duty to register, and including the offender's name, social security number, age, race, sex, date of birth, height, weight, hair and eye color; address of primary residence and secondary residence if any, or county and municipality of physical presence if a non-resident or homeless resident; address of anticipated or current places of employment; any anticipated or current school enrollment; the commission date and a brief description of the conviction offenses for which registration is required; and the indictment number associated with each such offense; (2) A photograph of the defendant; and (3) Any other information that the Attorney General deems necessary to properly inform the public about the identity of the offender and to assess the risk of re-offense. The bill would require each offender to verify the address on the registration statement on an annual basis, and would additionally require each offender to notify law enforcement officials of any change in address. Any person who fails to register as required by the bill's provisions would be guilty of a crime of the third degree and would be subject, in addition to any other penalties provided by law, to pay a fine of $2,500. Any registered animal abuse offender who fails to comply, or who falsifies information in complying with the change of address requirements or address verification requirements provided by the bill, would be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree, and would be subject, in addition to any other penalties provided by law, to pay a fine of $1,500. The Attorney General would be required to maintain a central registry of all registrations submitted in accordance with this bill's provisions, and would additionally be required to develop a system for making certain offender information from the central registry available to the public on the Internet. The Attorney General would be responsible both for ensuring that the Internet registry contains appropriate warnings and notifications, and for maintaining the accuracy of, and for timely updating the information contained therein. An Animal Abuse Offender Internet Registry Advisory Council would be established to consult with and make recommendations to the Attorney General concerning the publication of registration records on the Internet. All records maintained pursuant to the bill would be open to any law enforcement agency in the State, any other state, or the United States government, and would be able to be released to the Office of Animal Welfare in the Department of Health and Senior Services, or to the Division of Child Behavioral Health Services, the Division of Prevention and Community Partnerships, or the Division of Youth and Family Services in the Department of Children and Families for use in carrying out the office's and the divisions' respective responsibilities under law. Any official would be immune from civil liability for damages for any discretionary decision to release relevant records unless it is shown that the official acted with gross negligence or in bad faith. Upon receipt of an offender's registration or notification of an offender's change in address, and pursuant to the procedures outlined in the bill's provisions, the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality (or county) wherein the offender's primary residence and secondary residence, if any, is located, or wherein the offender is generally present if a non-resident or a homeless resident of the State, would be required to provide notification to the community of the offender's presence therein, in accordance with guidelines to be established by the Attorney General relating to the offender's risk of re-offense. The bill would establish a temporary advisory council to assist the Attorney General in establishing these guidelines and procedures for risk assessment and community notification. The bill would require the Attorney General to consider various factors relevant to an offender's risk of re-offense, and would require the regulations adopted by the Attorney General to provide for two tiers of community notification based on whether the offender is determined to have a low risk of re-offense, or whether the offender is determined to have a moderate or high risk of re-offense. The bill would require the regulations adopted by the Attorney General to prohibit a "low risk" categorization in a case where the registered animal abuse offender (1) has more than one prior conviction for an animal abuse offense, as defined by the bill, (2) has one prior conviction for an animal abuse offense in addition to one or more convictions for a violent offense against a person, or (3) has been diagnosed with Conduct Disorder - a disorder characterized by a general and ongoing disregard for societal laws and the feelings of others, and for which animal abuse is a symptom. In the case that an offender is determined to have a low risk of re-offense, notification of the offender's presence in the community would be provided only to law enforcement agencies likely to encounter the person, and the person's registration information would be prohibited from publication on the Internet unless such publication is ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction. In the case that an offender is determined to have a moderate or high risk of re-offense, notification of the offender's presence in the community would be provided to law enforcement agencies likely to encounter the offender, as well as to members of the public likely to encounter the offender, and to animal shelters, pet adoption societies, humane societies, veterinarian's offices, and other animal welfare or control groups in the offender's community. Furthermore, registration information for offenders having a moderate to high risk of re-offense would be made available for public viewing, without limitation, on the Internet registry. The bill would require the Attorney General's regulations to ensure that an offender will be provided with notice of the results of the risk assessment and will be afforded an opportunity to have that determination reviewed prior to Internet publication or any notification of community members. The bill would allow the disclosure of the offender's exact address only in very limited circumstances, since the courts have held that an offender may have some limited privacy interest in that information. Accordingly, the offender's exact address would be excluded from the Internet registry, and would be disclosed only to individuals within the offender's community who have a particular need for that information. Moreover, the offender's exact address would be disclosed to individuals in the community only in cases where the individuals have signed a receipt of notice form, which explicitly prohibits the disclosure of the offender's exact address to persons outside the individual's household, and which provides express notice that any harassment of the offender is punishable by law. Businesses within the offender's community would be entitled to know only the vicinity of the offender's address. Any information disclosed pursuant to the bill's provisions could be used by any person in any manner to protect an animal at risk, or for any other lawful purpose consistent with the enhancement of public safety. Except in the case of willful or wanton misconduct, any person who provides or fails to provide information to the community, or who discloses or fails to disclose information on the Internet registry in accordance with the bill's provisions, would be immune from civil or criminal action. The bill would provide, however, that any person using the information disclosed pursuant thereto to commit a crime would be guilty of a crime of the third degree, and that any person using the information disclosed to commit a disorderly persons or petty disorderly persons offense would be guilty of a disorderly persons offense and subject to pay a fine of $500 to $1,000, in addition to any other penalty imposed. Evidence that a person obtained information about an offender from law enforcement or from the Internet registry within one year prior to committing a criminal offense against that offender would give rise to an inference that the person used information in violation of the bill's provisions. The bill would also provide that any person who uses any information disclosed pursuant to the bill's provisions to encourage, solicit, or assist a registered animal abuse offender or other person to engage in criminal activity or an animal abuse offense would be guilty of a crime of the third degree and, in addition to any other penalties provided by law, subject to pay a fine of $2,500. The bill would additionally prevent the use of information disclosed pursuant thereto for purposes of health or other insurance; loans; credit; education, scholarships, or fellowships; benefits, privileges, or services provided by a business establishment, unless consistent with enhancement of the public safety; or housing and accommodations. However, the bill would specifically allow a humane society, animal welfare organization, or other similar group to use the information disclosed pursuant to its provisions in order to screen applicants for employment or for pet adoption services. The use of any information disclosed pursuant to the bill's provisions for any of the specifically prohibited purposes would make the user of the information liable for actual damages, attorney's fees, and any amount that may be determined by a jury or a court sitting without a jury, which is not less than $250, and not more than three times the amount of actual damage, or for a civil penalty of not more than $25,000. Furthermore, the bill would authorize civil action for injunctive or other preventative relief in the case that there is reasonable cause to believe that any person or group is engaged in a pattern of misuse of information disclosed pursuant to the bill's provisions. The bill would establish the "Animal Abuser Registry Fund," separate and distinct from the General Fund, in order to provide a dedicated source of moneys by which to finance the ongoing administrative and maintenance costs associated with the Animal Abuser Registry and the expenses associated with the community notifications required under the bill. The fund would be credited with: (1) fifty percent of all civil and criminal fines collected by a court in relation to the animal abuse offenses for which registration is required; (2) any excess fines collected by a court as a result of an offender's failure to register, failure to notify authorities of a change in address, failure to timely verify the offender's address, or falsification of any information in the course of complying with the bill's requirements in this regard; (3) any excess fines collected by a court from the unlawful use of information disclosed pursuant to the act's provisions to encourage, solicit, or assist a registered animal abuse offender or other person to engage in criminal activity or commit an animal abuse offense; (4) any interest or other investment income accrued on moneys deposited in the account; (5) any moneys gifted to the fund; and (6) any other moneys appropriated by the Legislature and allocated to the fund for its purposes. Finally, the bill would provide that a registered animal abuse offender may make application to the Superior Court to terminate the obligation to register under this bill upon proof that the person has not committed an animal abuse offense or an offense constituting violence against humans within 15 years following conviction or release from a correctional facility for any term of imprisonment imposed, whichever is later, and is not likely to pose a threat to the safety of others. A registered animal abuse offender would also be able to make application to the Attorney General to terminate the obligation to register under this bill upon the submission of evidence, sufficient in the determination of the Attorney General, to establish that the offender no longer maintains primary residence or secondary residence in this State, and will not be present in the State for more than 14 consecutive days, or for an aggregate period of 30 days or more. However, such an offender would be required to re-register with the State in the event that he re-establishes primary residence or secondary residence in the State or re-establishes physical presence therein for the requisite period of time. | In Committee |
| S952 | Requires health insurance coverage for annual mental health screening. | This bill requires health insurers (health, hospital, and medical service corporations, commercial individual and group health insurers, health maintenance organizations, health benefits plans issued pursuant to the New Jersey Individual Health Coverage and Small Employer Health Benefits Programs, and the State Health Benefits Program) to provide coverage for an annual mental health screening. The provisions of the bill will take effect 90 days after the date of enactment and will apply to all health benefits plans issued or renewed on or after that date. | In Committee |
| S508 | Requires each public school to post on website comprehensive list of all resources available in school library. | This bill requires each public school that has a school library to post for public inspection on the school's website in an easily accessible location a comprehensive list of every resource that is available in the school library, including but not limited to, books, periodicals, DVDs, and databases, offered in print or digitally. Any new resource ordered or purchased is required to be added to the list within 10 days of the order or purchase. Under the bill, the school library media specialist who oversees the school library is responsible for ensuring that the list is updated and posted on the school's website. In the event that a school does not employ a school library media specialist, the principal of the school is required to appoint existing staff members to oversee the cataloging of the library resources. | In Committee |
| S445 | Requires public utility to reimburse business customer during period when business ceases operations due to utility repairing or replacing its equipment on business customer's property. | This bill requires a public utility (utility) to reimburse a business customer for financial losses incurred by the business customer during the period when the business customer ceases operations due to a service interruption to the business customer requiring the utility to repair or replace its equipment on the business customer's property. The Board of Public Utilities (BPU) is to determine the amount of any reimbursement cost the utility is to pay its business customer for that loss upon examining appropriate documentation provided to the BPU by the business customer, as determined by the BPU. A utility is not to include in its rate base or otherwise recover from ratepayers the amount of the reimbursement cost that the BPU determines is due to the business customer. The bill is not to apply to a business customer incurring losses due to a utility service interruption occurring during an emergency event. "Emergency event" is defined as a natural or humanly caused occurrence arising from conditions beyond the control of the utility, including but not limited to, a thunderstorm, earthquake, tornado, hurricane, flood, heat wave, snowstorm, or ice storm, which results in: (1) a sustained service interruption to at least five percent of the customers within an operating area or at least five percent of the utility's customers within a municipality or county located in an operating area; or (2) the declaration of a state of emergency or disaster by the State or by the federal government. | In Committee |
| S927 | Allows certain volunteer firefighters, rescue and first aid squad members to claim $5,000 income tax deduction. | This bill permits volunteer firefighters and first aid or rescue squad members to claim an additional exemption of $5,000 to be taken as a deduction from their gross income if they meet certain qualifications. Under the bill, firefighters may claim the $5,000 deduction if they: 1) volunteered during the entire tax year; 2) performed 60% of fire duty; and 3) had, by January 1st of the tax year, attained the rank of Firefighter I Certified according to approved standards. To satisfy the "60% of fire duty" requirement, volunteer firefighters without duty hours must have responded to 60% of the regular alarms and drills in which the department or force participated and volunteer firefighters with duty hours must have at least 400 duty hours during a calendar year of which not more than 50% was for drills. First aid or rescue squad members may claim the deduction if they: 1) volunteered during the entire tax year; 2) performed 10% of rescue duty; and 3) had, by January 1st of the tax year, either passed an approved training program or qualified as an emergency medical technician. To satisfy the "10% of rescue duty" requirement, first aid or rescue squad members who volunteer with duty hours must complete at least 400 hours of duty during the year, of which not more than 50% is for drills. If they volunteer without duty hours, the squad members must attend and render first aid at not less than 10% of the regular alarms and participate in 60% of the drills. The bill defines duty hours as those during which volunteers committed themselves to respond to alarms. The bill requires eligible volunteers to submit proof with their tax claim that they are entitled to the deduction. The Director of the Division of Taxation is responsible for establishing the manner of this proof. An official of each fire department or force is responsible for providing a list of firefighters who are eligible for the deduction for the previous tax year to the Department of Community Affairs by March 31st. Similarly, an official of the rescue or first aid squad is responsible for providing a list of squad members who are eligible for the deduction for the previous tax year to the Department of Health and Senior Services by March 31st. The lists are to be made available to the Director of the Division of Taxation for verification purposes. An official who files a false list is subject to prosecution under section 29 of P.L.1987, c.76 (C.54:52-19), which makes it a crime of the fourth degree to knowingly certify a false statement with the intent to evade a tax. Fourth-degree crimes are punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. | In Committee |
| S511 | Appropriates $4 million to DEP for local cost share of certain beach replenishment project in Ocean County. | This bill would appropriate $4 million from the General Fund to the Department of Environmental Protection to provide funding to meet the local portion of the nonfederal share requirement of the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) beach replenishment project on the Barnegat Peninsula in Ocean County. The USACE provides monies, as authorized by the United States Congress, to carry out shore protection projects, including beach replenishment. These projects help the beach system absorb waves, protect upland areas from flooding, and mitigate erosion. The Barnegat Peninsula, also known as the Island Beach Peninsula or Barnegat Bay Island, is a 20-mile long, narrow barrier peninsula located in Ocean County, New Jersey. The municipalities on the Barnegat Peninsula have experienced severe beach erosion and are in need of the USACE beach replenishment project, which is scheduled to begin in late 2022 or early 2023. The federal government is covering a majority of the costs of the project, however the State and the affected municipalities are financially responsible for the nonfederal share of the project. The municipal cost share, after the State contributes its share of the costs, is approximately $7.5 million, which is unaffordable for many municipal budgets. This bill would provide $4 million in State aid in order to assist municipalities meet the local cost share requirement necessary to receive the federal monies for this critical project covering approximately 14 miles of coastline on the Barnegat Peninsula. | In Committee |
| S497 | Prohibits default approvals of certain municipal land use applications, and permits municipal agencies to not hold certain required meetings, under emergency circumstances. | This bill would prohibit default approvals, as provided for in several sections of the "Municipal Land Use Law," from applying to municipal agencies with respect to certain emergency circumstances. Under the bill, the default approvals would not apply to a municipal agency that is unable to grant or deny approval within the time period provided in the "Municipal Land Use Law" under the following circumstances: (1) whenever there exists a public health emergency or a state of emergency, or both, declared by the Governor; and (2) for the 60 days immediately following the end of a public health emergency or a state of emergency, or, if both are declared, whichever emergency ends later. The bill would also permit a municipal agency to not hold any required regular meetings or hearings during the period of time that the public health emergency and state of emergency, as declared by the Governor in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, are in effect. | In Committee |
| S412 | Requires public schools to post curriculum plans online; requires school districts to make textbooks or other materials used in implementing curriculum plans available for inspection by parents and legal guardians. | This bill requires school districts to post curriculum plans for each course offered to students in each grade level at least 30 days prior to the beginning of a school year. Specifically, a school district would be required to post information concerning each unit of study, student learning objectives, and information concerning textbooks and other materials to be used in implementing the district's curriculum plans. School districts would be required to update their Internet websites each time a curriculum plan is updated or revised. The bill also requires school districts to post information concerning when and where textbooks and other materials used as part of the district's implementation of the district's curriculum plans will be available for review by the parents or legal guardians of students in the district. Parents and legal guardians would be given the opportunity to review these materials prior to the time in which they will be incorporated into classroom instruction. By requiring that school districts post their curriculum plans online and providing parents and legal guardians with the opportunity to review textbooks and other materials used as part of the curriculum, the State can ensure greater transparency and collaboration between school officials and the families they serve. | In Committee |
| S1608 | Broadens eligibility for certain civil service and pension benefits for veterans by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations. | This bill broadens the eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating the requirement that a veteran serve during specific wars or other periods of emergency, and, in certain instances, that a veteran serve in a war zone. Instead of service during specific dates or in specific locations, the bill requires federal active service in any branch of the United States Armed Forces or a Reserve component thereof. The benefits in the bill are (1) a civil service preference under Title 11A of the New Jersey Statutes; (2) a veteran's retirement allowance under the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) or the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS); and (3) the purchase of additional military service credit in the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS), TPAF, PERS, and the State Police Retirement System (SPRS). Eligibility for the civil service benefits for all veterans is contingent upon voter approval of an authorizing amendment to the State Constitution. | In Committee |
| S491 | Exempts certain essential individuals and businesses from certain requirements in state of emergencies or public health emergencies. | This bill establishes that certain services, individuals, and retail businesses are deemed essential and are exempt from business closure or self-isolation requirements that may be included in a state of emergency or public health emergency declaration issued by the Governor. Services included in the bill are electrical contracting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) work, and plumbing services. Retail businesses included in the bill are those that sell or offer for sale building materials, and other hardware materials, products and implements used to construct or repair. Additionally, the bill allows the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs to designate services in other professions or occupations licensed by the division, aside from electrical contracting, HVACR and plumbing, as essential and exempt those individuals or businesses from any declaration included in a state of emergency or public health emergency that requires a business to temporarily close or individuals to temporarily isolate. | In Committee |
| S499 | Provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for employing immediate family members of members of the Armed Forces of the United States who were killed in action. | This bill provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for employing immediate family members of members of the Armed Forces of the United States who were killed in action. The two credits established by this bill provide an employer with a credit in the amount of ten percent of the wages paid to an immediate family member of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who was killed in action. The credits may not exceed $1,200 per family member per tax year. For the employer to be eligible to receive the credit, the family member must be a new employee and be employed in the State full-time for no less than nine full and consecutive calendar months. The credit is nonrefundable, but may be carried forward for up to 20 tax years. The bill prohibits taxpayers from simultaneously using family members to qualify for the bill's credit and any other generally available employment incentive that comes in the form of a State tax credit or grant. The bill also empowers the Director of the Division of Taxation to recapture credit due to noncompliance. The bill schedules the credits to become available for tax years beginning on or after the January 1 first following the date of enactment. | In Committee |
| S833 | Upgrades burglary of a residence as a crime of the second degree; upgrades it to a crime of the first degree if committed while armed. | This bill upgrades the crime of burglary of a residence. Specifically, the bill makes it second degree burglary to unlawfully enter or surreptitiously remain in a dwelling or other structure adapted for overnight accommodation of persons, whether or not a person is actually present. Burglary of a residence is upgraded to first degree burglary under the bill if the person is armed with or displays what appears to be an explosive or a deadly weapon while committing the burglary. Presently, burglary is punishable under N.J.S.2C:18-2 as a crime of the second degree if the defendant either was armed or inflicted, attempted to inflict or threatened, bodily injury during the course of the offense. In all other circumstances, burglary is a crime of the third degree. A crime of the second degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment between five to 10 years, a fine not to exceed $150,000 or both. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment between three to five years, a fine not to exceed $15,000 or both. This bill clarifies that a person who commits second degree burglary of a residence under the bill would not be subject to the provisions of the No Early Release Act (NERA), but a person who commits the upgraded first degree crime of burglarizing a residence while armed would be sentenced under NERA. Under NERA, persons convicted of certain enumerated violent crimes of the first or second degree are required to serve a minimum term of at least 85% of the sentence imposed. | In Committee |
| S652 | Broadens offenses of riot and disorderly conduct; enhances penalties for public monument destruction; addresses riot victim assaults; creates crime of promotion of violent, disorderly assembly. | In light of the exponentially greater risk of injury and damage caused by crowd-based destructive behavior, this omnibus bill addresses certain crimes committed during the course of riot or crowd-based behavior. Presently, under N.J.S.A.2C:33-1, a person is guilty of riot if he participates with four or more others in a course of disorderly conduct with an unlawful purpose, enumerated in the statute. This bill amends N.J.S.A.2C:33-1 to expand the categories of unlawful purposes to include when the actor, with six or more others, causes damage to property or injury to another. Riot under these circumstances is a crime of the fourth degree punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. The bill amends N.J.S.A.2C:33-2, Disorderly Conduct, which currently provides that a person commits a petty disorderly persons offense if he commits certain prohibited acts. This bill creates a new subsection c. to provide that a person commits a crime of the fourth degree if, during a riot, he engages in disorderly conduct in a place of public accommodation, resort or amusement. Under the bill, "Place of public accommodation, resort or amusement" includes any inn, tavern, road house or hotel, whether for entertainment of transient guests or accommodation of those seeking health, recreation or rest; any restaurant, eating house, or place where food is sold for consumption on the premises; any place maintained for sale of ice cream, ice and fruit preparations or their derivatives, soda water or confections, or where any beverages of any kind are retailed for consumption on the premises; any garage, any public conveyance operated on land or water, and stations and terminals thereof; any public bathhouse, public boardwalk, public seashore accommodation; any theater, or other place of public amusement, motion-picture house, airdrome, music hall, roof garden, skating rink, amusement and recreation park, fair, bowling alley, gymnasium, shooting gallery, billiard and pool parlor; any dispensary, clinic, hospital, public library, kindergarten, primary and secondary school, high school, academy, college and university, or any educational institution under the supervision of the regents of the State of New Jersey. Under these circumstances, the offense is a crime of the fourth degree. The bill amends N.J.S.A.2C:33-7, Obstructing highways and other public passages, to elevate the offense to a crime of the fourth degree if a person, who, having no legal privilege to do so, purposely or recklessly obstructs any highway or other public passage in the course of committing riot or disorderly conduct. The bill amends N.J.S.2C:33-9, Desecration of venerated objects, to elevate the offense to a crime of the fourth degree if the desecration occurs during a riot. The term desecrate is clarified to include conduct such as actual destruction or the toppling of a monument. The bill amends N.J.S.2C:12-1, Assault. Currently, the statute enumerates the circumstances when aggravated assault occurs; this bill adds the additional circumstance. Under the bill, a person is guilty of aggravated assault if he attempts to cause or purposely, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another in the course of a riot. Aggravated assault under this circumstance is a crime of the third degree, punishable by three to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. Additionally, paragraph (5) of subsection b. of N.J.S.A.2C:12-1 elevates simple assault to aggravated assault when committed against certain categories of persons, including when committed against a law enforcement officer acting in the performance of the officer's duties while in uniform or exhibiting evidence of authority or because of the officer's status as a law enforcement officer, and is graded as a crime of the third degree. Under the bill, if, in the course of a riot, an object is thrown at a law enforcement officer, or if the law enforcement officer is struck, whether or not with an object, the presumption of non-imprisonment for a first offense of a crime of the third degree shall not apply, and a mandatory period of six months imprisonment shall apply. The bill creates the new crime of promotion of violent, disorderly assembly. A person promotes violent, disorderly assembly if he conspires with others as an organizer, supervisor, financier or manager to commit any crime specified in chapters 11 through 18, 20, 33, 35, or 37 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes; N.J.S.2C:34-1; N.J.S.2C:39-3; N.J.S.2C:39-4; section 1 of P.L.1998, c.26 (C.2C:39-4.1); N.J.S.2C:39-5; or N.J.S.2C:39-9 in the course of a riot or at the site of a peaceable assembly. Promotion of violent, disorderly assembly is a crime of one degree higher than the most serious underlying crime referred to in subsection a. of this section, except that where the underlying offense is a crime of the first degree, promotion of violent, disorderly assembly is a first degree crime and the defendant, upon conviction, and notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of subsection a of N.J.S.2C:43-6, shall be sentenced to an ordinary term of imprisonment between 15 and 30 years. This bill is based upon a legislation concept entitled, "Combatting Violence, Disorder and Looting and Law Enforcement Protection Act," articulated in the media concerning an announcement made by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. | In Committee |
| S482 | Criminalizes fourth or subsequent drunk driving offenses. | This bill would establish criminal penalties for fourth and subsequent offenses of driving under the influence (DUI). Currently, DUI is a traffic offense under Title 39 of the Revised Statutes (the State motor vehicle code). Under the provisions of the bill, a person who is convicted of a fourth or subsequent DUI offense would be guilty of a crime of the third degree. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a fine of up to $15,000, imprisonment for three to five years, or both. The person's driver's license also would be suspended for 10 years. The bill also provides that if the fourth or subsequent violation occurs in a school zone or in or near a school crosswalk, the person's driver's license would be suspended for 20 years. | In Committee |
| S458 | Eliminates remarriage prohibition for PFRS death benefits; provides retirement allowance to certain survivors of PFRS members. | A law enacted in 2003 eliminated the termination of Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) accidental death benefits received by a surviving spouse or domestic partner upon remarriage or the establishment of a new domestic partnership. This bill would ensure that all surviving PFRS spouses or partners are treated the same by providing that the eligibility of any survivors pension will not terminate under these circumstances. The bill also restores the survivors pension to those who lost this benefit because of remarriage prior to the enactment of this bill. Under the PFRS, when a member of the system dies in active service, the widow or widower is eligible to receive a survivorship benefit consisting of a pension equal to 50 percent of the compensation upon which contributions by the member were based in the last year of creditable service, to continue during her or his widowhood. If there is no survivor or in the case of death or remarriage, there is also paid 20 percent of final compensation to one surviving child or 35 percent of final compensation to two surviving children or 50 percent such compensation in equal shares. In the event of death after retirement, the surviving spouse is eligible to receive a survivorship pension consisting of a pension equal to 50 percent of final compensation, to continue during her or his widowhood, and there will also be paid 15 percent of such compensation to one surviving child or an additional 25 percent of such compensation to two or more children. If there is no surviving widow or widower or in case the widow or widower dies or remarries, the payments equal 20 percent of final compensation payable to one surviving child, 35 percent of such compensation to two surviving children in equal shares and if there are three or more children, 50 percent of such compensation in equal shares. Currently, the surviving spouse or partner ceases to be eligible for these survivors pensions upon remarriage or the establishment of another domestic partnership. This bill would ensure that these survivors benefits do not terminate. | In Committee |
| S506 | Establishes $40 daily pay rate for jurors. | This bill amends section 19 of P.L.1993, c.275 (C.22A:1-1.1) to establish a $40 daily pay rate for grand and petit jurors. Currently, jurors receive $5 for each day's attendance. In addition, each person serving as a juror, other than certain full-time government employees, is paid $35 for each consecutive day ofattendance in excess of three days. This bill requires an immediate $40 per day beginning on the first day of service. This bill also makes an appropriation of $6,000,000 from the General Fund to the Administrative Office of the Courts to pay for this increase in juror pay. | In Committee |
| S444 | Eliminates supplemental realty transfer fee. | This bill eliminates the supplemental realty transfer fee imposed by P.L.2003, c.113, which took effect on July 14, 2003. The supplemental fee has a graduated structure. It is $0.25 for each $500 of the selling price not in excess of $150,000, $0.85 for each $500 of the selling price in excess of $150,000 but not in excess of $200,000, and $1.40 for each $500 of the selling price in excess of $200,000. Counties retain $0.25 of for each $500 of the selling price and remit the remainder to the State. The supplemental fee also includes an additional fee of $1.00 for each $500 of the selling price not in excess of $150,000 that is exempt from $1.00 of the basic fee as "new construction". The State receives all of the proceeds. | In Committee |
| S134 | Revises acreage requirement for plenary winery licenses. | This bill revises the acreage requirement for a plenary winery. Under current law, a person is eligible to hold a plenary winery license if the person is engaged in growing and cultivating grapes or fruit used in the production of wine on at least three acres of land on, or adjacent to, the winery premises. Current law also provides that issuance of a plenary winery license allows a holder to sell products at retail to consumers at the winery and its retail outlets. This bill permits the operation of wineries that do not meet the land requirement, but prohibits those wineries from selling their products at retail. Wineries will retain the right to sell products at retail under the bill if they grow and cultivate grapes on three acres situated on or within five miles of the winery premises. | In Committee |
| S498 | Establishes Jersey Shore Safety and Economy Task Force. | This bill establishes the Jersey Shore Safety and Economy Task Force. The purpose of the task force is to develop safety standards and protocols to ensure safe working and operating conditions, in a manner that is consistent with the State's public health efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus disease 2019, in businesses that rely heavily on the summer tourism industry in the following counties: Atlantic County, Cape May County, Ocean County, and Monmouth County. The task force is to: (1) provide guidance, including any applicable social distancing guidelines, for the reopening of these businesses in a manner that promotes the safety and wellbeing of the employees and patrons of these businesses; (2) provide an assessment of the economic impact of the task force's recommendations on these businesses; and (3) provide an assessment of the impact of the task force's recommendations on the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 in the State. The task force is to comprise of 14 members as follows: (1) the Commissioner of Health, or the commissioner's designee, who will serve ex officio; (2) the Director of the Division of Travel and Tourism in the Department of State, or the director's designee, who shall serve ex officio; (3) two members of the Senate, to be appointed by the President of the Senate, who will each be of different political parties; (4) two members of the General Assembly, to be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, who will each be of different political parties; and (5) eight public members to be appointed by the Governor as follows: one member upon the recommendation of the Atlantic County Division of Public Health; one member upon the recommendation of the Cape May County Health Department; one member upon the recommendation of the Ocean County Health Department; one member upon the recommendation of the Monmouth County Health Department; and four members upon the recommendation of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, including one member who is an active participant in tourism-related business in Atlantic County, one member who is an active participant in tourism-related business in Cape May County, one member who is an active participant in tourism-related business in Ocean County, and one member who is an active participant in tourism-related business in Monmouth County. The bill provides that the Commissioner of Health or the commissioner's designee is to serve as chairperson of the task force. The members are to serve without compensation, but will be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties and within the limits of funds available to the task force. The task force may call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of the employees of any State, county or municipal department, board, bureau, commission, or agency as it may require and as may be available to it for its purposes. The task force may meet and hold hearings at the places it designates during the sessions or recesses of the Legislature. The bill directs the Department of Health to provide staff support to the task force. The task force is to report its recommendations to the Atlantic County Division of Public Health, the Cape May County Health Department, the Ocean County Health Department, the Monmouth County Health Department, the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, the Governor, and the Legislature no later than 30 days after the adoption of this bill. The task force will expire immediately upon the issuance of the task force report. | In Committee |
| S834 | Broadens riot and disorderly conduct; enhances penalties for public monument destruction; addresses riot victim assaults; creates crime of promotion of violent, disorderly assembly. | In light of the exponentially greater risk of injury and damage caused by crowd based destructive behavior, this omnibus bill addresses certain violent crime committed during the course of riot. Presently, a person is guilty of riot if he participates with four or more others in a course of disorderly conduct with an unlawful purpose, enumerated in the statute. This bill expands the categories of unlawful purposes to include when the actor causes damage to property or injury to another. Riot under these circumstances is a crime of the fourth degree punishably by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. Under the bill, a person commits a crime of the fourth degree if, during a riot, he violates N.J.S.A.2C:33-2, Disorderly conduct, in a place of public accommodation. "Place of public accommodation, resort or amusement" includes any inn, tavern, road house or hotel, whether for entertainment of transient guests or accommodation of those seeking health, recreation or rest; any restaurant, eating house, or place where food is sold for consumption on the premises; any place maintained for sale of ice cream, ice and fruit preparations or their derivatives, soda water or confections, or where any beverages of any kind are retailed for consumption on the premises; any garage, any public conveyance operated on land or water, and stations and terminals thereof; any public bathhouse, public boardwalk, public seashore accommodation; any theater, or other place of public amusement, motion-picture house, airdrome, music hall, roof garden, skating rink, amusement and recreation park, fair, bowling alley, gymnasium, shooting gallery, billiard and pool parlor; any dispensary, clinic, hospital, public library, kindergarten, primary and secondary school, high school, academy, college and university, or any educational institution under the supervision of the regents of the State of New Jersey. Under these circumstances, the offense is a crime of the fourth degree. The bill amends N.J.S.A2C:33-7, Obstructing highways and other public passages, to elevate the offense to a crime of the fourth degree if a person, who, having no legal privilege to do so, purposely or recklessly obstructs any highway or other public passage in the course of committing riot or disorderly conduct. The bill amends N.J.S.2C:33-9, Desecration of venerated objects, to elevate the offense to a crime of the fourth degree if the desecration occurs during a riot. The term desecrate is clarified to include conduct such as actual destruction or the toppling of a monument. The bill amends N.J.S.2C:12-1, Assault. Currently, the statute enumerates the circumstances when aggravated assault occurs; this bill adds the additional circumstance. Under the bill, a person is guilty of aggravated assault if he attempts to cause or purposely, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another in the course of a riot. Aggravated assault under this circumstance is a crime of the third degree, punishable by up to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. Additionally, paragraph (5) of subsection b. of N.J.S.A.2C:12-1 elevates simple assault to aggravated assault when committed against certain categories of persons, including when committed against a law enforcement officer acting in the performance of the officer's duties while in uniform or exhibiting evidence of authority or because of the officer's status as a law enforcement officer, and is graded as a crime of the third degree. Under the bill, if, in the course of a riot, an object is thrown at a law enforcement officer, or if the law enforcement officer is struck, whether or not with an object, the presumption of non-imprisonment for a first offense of a crime of the third degree shall not apply, and a mandatory period of six months imprisonment shall apply. The bill creates the new crime of promotion of violent, disorderly assembly. A person promotes violent, disorderly assembly if he conspires with others as an organizer, supervisor, financier or manager to commit any crime specified in chapters 11 through 18, 20, 33, 35, or 37 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes; N.J.S.2C:34-1; N.J.S.2C:39-3; N.J.S.2C:39-4; section 1 of P.L.1998, c.26 (C.2C:39-4.1); N.J.S.2C:39-5; or N.J.S.2C:39-9 in the course of a riot or at the site of a peaceable assembly. Promotion of violent, disorderly assembly is a crime of one degree higher than the most serious underlying crime referred to in subsection a. of this section, except that where the underlying offense is a crime of the first degree, promotion of violent, disorderly assembly is a first degree crime and the defendant, upon conviction, and notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of subsection a of N.J.S.2C:43-6, shall be sentenced to an ordinary term of imprisonment between 15 and 30 years. This bill is based upon a legislation concept entitled, "Combatting Violence, Disorder and Looting and Law Enforcement Protection Act," articulated in the media concerning an announcement made by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. | In Committee |
| S903 | Requires Secretary of State to establish voter list maintenance and crosscheck program and to include certain voter registration data in annual report to Governor and Legislature. | This bill directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with each commissioner of registration, to establish and update, as appropriate, a voter list maintenance and crosscheck program. The purpose of the program would be to maintain and keep up-to-date a secure and accurate Statewide voter registration system. Under the bill, the program, at a minimum, must provide for the crosschecking of information in the Statewide database with information obtained via voter registration information agreements entered into by the secretary under current law and must provide for the sharing of voter information among each county clerk and commissioner of registration. The secretary, in consultation with each commissioner of registration, is required to establish uniform standards and procedures for voter list maintenance and crosschecking. At a minimum, the program must permit a county commissioner of registration to verify a new voter registration applicant's information, update information in the Statewide voter registration system, and remove duplicate, non-resident, or ineligible voters from the Statewide voter registration system. The bill also requires the annual report on the voter registration system to the Governor and the Legislature to be submitted no later than 90 days following the date of the November general election. Under the bill and in addition to the requirements in current law, the report is required to: (1) evaluate the effectiveness of any voter registration information agreements entered into by the Secretary of State; (2) list the number of inactive and active voters in the State by county, the number of registrants transferred to the death file by county, and the number of registrants removed from the Statewide voter registration system by county; and (3) list the counties that are not compliant with the standards and procedures for voter list maintenance and crosschecking established by the Secretary of State. | In Committee |
| S469 | "Barnegat Bay Protection Act"; establishes Barnegat Bay Protection Fund, dedicates portion of sales tax on fertilizer, authorizes special license plates, and provides for donations. | This bill, to be known as the "Barnegat Bay Protection Act," would establish the "Barnegat Bay Protection Fund" to support and help protect, preserve, and remediate the Barnegat Bay estuary and its watershed. The fund would be supported through: (1) dedication of a portion of the sales tax on fertilizer; (2) authorization of special Protect Barnegat Bay license plates; and (3) donations, including those that may be made at the time of application or renewal of a license to operate a personal watercraft or power vessel, at the time of registration or renewal of a vessel, or at the time a beach badge or tag fee is collected anywhere in the State. Monies in the fund would be used exclusively for the purposes of preservation and remediation of the Barnegat Bay estuary watershed, which may include a public education campaign about the importance of protecting the Barnegat Bay and measures and actions that can be taken to preserve it. Section 3 of the bill establishes the Barnegat Bay Protection Fund, a special non-lapsing fund in the Department of the Treasury. Monies deposited into the fund would include the amounts collected from specialty license plate fees, donations at the time of boat registration or renewal, the dedication of 1% of the sales tax on fertilizer, and donations at the point of purchase of a beach registration fee (i.e., a beach badge or beach tag), or other donations made to the fund. Monies deposited are to be distributed, at the discretion of the State Treasurer in consultation with the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, and expended exclusively for the purposes of the preservation and remediation of the Barnegat Bay estuary watershed. The State Treasurer, in consultation with the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, would annually submit to the Legislature a report on the fund, concerning the monies received and spent. The bill authorizes the solicitation and acceptance of donations, by gift, bequest, or devise, from any person or entity, for deposit into the "Barnegat Bay Protection Fund." The bill also provides that 1% of the sales and use tax collected only on the retail sale of fertilizer would be deposited into the fund. The bill authorizes the issuance of Protect Barnegat Bay license plates, which would indicate support for, and an interest in, funding the protection, preservation and remediation of the Barnegat Bay estuary watershed. The design of the license plate would be chosen by the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) in consultation with the Commissioner of Environmental Protection. In order to obtain or renew a Protect Barnegat Bay license plate, a person would be required to pay a $50 initial fee, in addition to the ordinary registration fees required by law, and a $10 annual renewal fee, in addition to the ordinary renewal fees required by law, each of which fees would be deposited into the Barnegat Bay Protection Fund. At the time the fee is paid for a license to operate a personal watercraft or power vessel, or for the registration or renewal of a certificate of number (registration) for a vessel, the Chief Administrator of the MVC, or the chief administrator's representative, would be required to inform an applicant that the applicant may make a donation to the Barnegat Bay Protection Fund and how that donation may be made. A donation would be paid to the chief administrator and forwarded to the State Treasurer for deposit into the Barnegat Bay Protection Fund. An applicant could not be denied an operator's license or a certificate of registration based on whether the person did or did not donate to the fund. Finally, the bill provides that, for any municipality charging and collecting a beach badge or beach tag fee, the municipality may provide an opportunity for a person purchasing a badge or tag to donate to the Barnegat Bay Protection Fund at the time the fee is collected. Any monies collected from donations made at the point of purchase of a beach badge or tag would be forwarded to the State Treasurer to be deposited into the fund. A municipality would be prohibited from denying the purchase of a beach badge or tag based on whether a person did or did not donate to the fund. | In Committee |
| S901 | Requires Secretary of State create website for voters to report irregularities regarding mail-in ballots; establishes "Vote by Mail Study Commission." | This bill requires the Secretary of State to create a website for voters to report irregularities regarding mail-in ballots they receive. The bill also establishes the "Vote by Mail Study Commission." Under the bill, the secretary would establish on the Division of Elections website a link for voters to report irregularities concerning a mail-in ballot received by the voter. The link would enable the voter to complete a form containing the voter's name, address, and contact information, and sufficient space for the voter to describe the issues with the mail-in ballot. The form may also include choices for the voter to select from among possible irregularities concerning a mail-in ballot, such as when the intended recipient of the ballot does not reside at that address or is deceased. The website would automatically forward each form to the appropriate county clerk, county board of elections, and county superintendent of elections, as the case may be, for follow-up. The bill also requires the secretary to report to the Governor and the Legislature, no later than January 15 of each year, a summary of the forms received through the website for the previous calendar year. This bill also establishes the "Vote by Mail Study Commission," consisting of the following nine members: (1) the Secretary of State or a designee, who would serve as chairperson; (2) two county clerks, who would not be members of the same political party, appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the Constitutional Officers Association - Clerk Section; (3) one member representing the county boards of elections and one member representing the superintendents of elections, who would not be members of the same political party, appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the New Jersey Election Officials Association; (4) two members of the Senate to be appointed, one each, by the President of the Senate and the Senate Minority Leader; and (5) two members of the General Assembly to be appointed, one each, by the Speaker of the General Assembly and the Minority Leader of the General Assembly. The bill directs the commission to investigate, research, and evaluate irregularities pertaining to the implementation, accuracy, and integrity of the vote-by-mail process and systems established in this State. The commission would hold at least three public hearings, one each in the Northern, Central, and Southern parts of the State, to receive testimony from the public and elections experts on matters concerning voting by mail. The commission's inquiries would include, but may not be limited to: (1) procedures to prevent the mailing of more than one mail-in ballot to the same person; (2) measures that may be implemented to prevent the mailing of mail-in ballots to inactive, deceased, and non-resident voters; (3) maintenance activities that may be implemented to enhance the accuracy of the voter rolls and the mail-in voter designation in the Statewide Voter Registration System; and (4) any other matter concerning voting by mail the commission deems appropriate. The bill directs the commission to report its findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature no later than one year following its first meeting. The commission would expire upon the submission of its report. | In Committee |
| SCR15 | Applies to Congress for an Article V Convention of States to limit certain powers of the federal government and terms of office. | This Senate concurrent resolution applies to Congress for the calling of an Article V Convention of the States limited to proposing amendments to the United States Constitution that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government and limit the terms of office for its officials. | In Committee |
| S1387 | Increases distribution to municipalities from Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over two years; prohibits anticipation of certain revenue in municipal budget; requires additional aid be subtracted from municipal property tax levy. | This bill requires the distribution of additional State aid to municipalities under the "Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Act." Budget constraints required reductions in the amount of Consolidated Municipal Property Tax Relief Aid (CMPTRA) distributed to all municipalities in Fiscal Years 2009, 2010, and 2011. Some municipalities also experienced reductions in their Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Aid (ETR Aid) distribution during that period. This supplemental funding would restore, over a two-year period, approximately $331 million in reductions to CMPTRA and ETR Aid. In Fiscal Year 2023, municipalities would receive an aid increase equal to 50 percent of the difference between the distribution of CMPTRA and ETR Aid they received in Fiscal Year 2008 and Fiscal Year 2012. The fully restored amount would be distributed beginning in Fiscal Year 2024 and in each fiscal year thereafter. The total amount of aid to be restored to each municipality would be in addition to the total amount of CMPTRA and ETR Aid distributed to each municipality in Fiscal Year 2012. This legislation also extends the existing ETR Aid "poison pill" protection to ensure that each municipality received an aid amount not less than the combined payment of CMPTRA and ETR Aid to municipalities in Fiscal Year 2012 and the additional aid distributed under the bill. This bill also amends current law to require a municipality to subtract any additional amount of ETR aid it receives, pursuant to the bill, from its adjusted tax levy when computing that amount for its next fiscal year. By deducting the additional amount of ETR Aid from the previous year's levy, municipalities would be permitted to raise a lower amount of taxes through the levy for municipal purposes. The bill prohibits a municipality from anticipating, for purposes of preparing its annual budget, the receipt of any State aid payment from the ETR aid under the provisions in the bill. The bill also requires a municipality to amend its local budget to properly reflect the total amount distributed to the municipality from the ETR aid. | In Committee |
| S451 | Requires DOE to release to school district upon request data and software program algorithms used to calculate State school aid. | This bill requires the Department of Education to provide to any school district that requests the information, the data for all school districts used to calculate State school aid, including the data necessary to calculate and reconcile all school districts' adequacy budgets, equalization aid, and local shares, and the details of any adjustments made when the calculated local share exceeds the adequacy budget for every such district in the State, and the software program algorithms used by the department to calculate State school aid. The department would be required to provide the software program regardless of whether or not the department considers the software program to be proprietary. Under the bill's provisions, the department would also be required to provide a reconciliation, broken down by district, that demonstrates that total local share plus total equalization aid equals the total of all adequacy budgets Statewide in accordance with sections 10 and 11 of the "School Funding Reform Act of 2008" (SFRA), P.L.2007, c.260. As some school districts grapple with reductions in State school aid under the provisions of P.L.2018 c.67 (C.18A:7F-67 et al.), commonly referred to as S-2, it is only fair that increased transparency on the State school aid calculations be provided to school districts. These school districts need to have the information required for them to determine that the State school aid formula has been calculated correctly and in accordance with the law for all school districts in the State. | In Committee |
| S479 | Provides for court dismissal, with prejudice, of civil actions for which lis pendens notices are filed under certain circumstances. | This bill, concerning civil actions dealing with real estate for which notices of lis pendens are filed, would permit a defendant to move to have the action dismissed with prejudice based on the plaintiff's on-going failure to diligently prosecute the action, if the notice of lis pendens was previously discharged, at least six months prior, due to (1) the plaintiff's failure to prosecute, or (2) the plaintiff's failure to establish, at a previous hearing moved for by the defendant, that there was a probability that final judgment would be entered in favor of the plaintiff sufficient enough to justify the notice. The previous discharge of the notice of lis pendens, coupled with the on-going failure to prosecute after an additional six-month period, would serve as grounds for the dismissal, or the court could act to dismiss with prejudice for other good cause shown. The bill would take effect immediately, and would apply to all new civil actions filed on or after the effective date, as well as all existing actions which have not yet been finally adjudicated as of that date. The intent of the bill is to provide property owners with further protections from meritless claims against their property by establishing a faster means by which they can have such claims dismissed. | In Committee |
| S792 | Indexes for inflation taxable income brackets under New Jersey gross income tax. | This bill indexes for inflation the taxable income brackets under the New Jersey gross income tax. This adds to the State personal income tax a common-sense taxpayer protection called inflation indexing that has been provided under the federal income tax since the 1980s. Inflation indexing means that tax brackets are revised annually to reflect nominal price and wage increases that result from inflation. When tax brackets are not indexed for inflation it results in what is called "bracket creep," which is an increase in effective tax rates caused by inflation. Higher income can bump a taxpayer into the next tax bracket, even if that higher income is merely keeping pace with inflation. A lack of inflation adjustment can also push more of a taxpayer's income into the highest bracket for which they qualify. The final result is a tax increase that occurs without any legislation being passed. Indexing addresses this by altering each bracket level each year by the level of annual inflation. Under this bill the inflation adjustment for taxable income brackets is the national consumer price index for all urban consumers as prepared by the United States Department of Labor. This is the same measure of inflation that is used for indexing the taxable income brackets under the federal Internal Revenue Code. The bill compares an annual inflation measure from the year prior to the one for which taxes will be imposed to a base year measure from the year prior to the one in which the bill is enacted. This delay allows the Director of the Division of Taxation to determine the adjusted amounts when the tax year begins. | In Committee |
| S940 | Establishes "Parents Bill of Rights Act"; prohibits school district from interfering with fundamental right of parent or guardian to engage in and direct student's education; permits opt-out of school district curriculum. | This bill establishes the "Parents Bill of Rights Act." The bill provides that a parent or guardian of a student enrolled in a school in the State has a fundamental right to engage in and direct their child's education. Under the bill, the parent or guardian's fundamental right to engage in and direct their child's education includes, but is not limited to, the right to (1) a summary of the curriculum to be taught to their child in the current school year; (2) review the curriculum to be taught to their child in the current school year; (3) review a list of the media services, textbooks, and books that are used in the classroom and that are available to a student through the school district; and (4) opt their child out of any curriculum that the parent or guardian believes is in conflict with their conscience or sincerely held moral or religious beliefs. No penalties as to credit or graduation are permitted as a result of a parent or guardian's decision to opt their child out of the curriculum under the provisions of the bill. The bill prohibits a school or school district from interfering with a parent or guardian's fundamental right to engage in and direct their child's education or denying a request by a parent or guardian for information made pursuant to the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| S490 | Establishes training for law enforcement officers interacting with pregnant women. | This bill requires the Department of Law and Public Safety to develop or identify training course materials and an online tutorial for law enforcement officers concerning interaction with any pregnant woman who is in labor or preparing for delivery, and any person who might be accompanying her. The training would include: (1) reviewing at the time of a vehicle stop any required documentation, such as a driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance, in the most efficient manner; (2) assessing a vehicle stop to determine if emergency responders are to be requested, whether for assistance at the scene or for transport; and (3) preparing for delivery of a baby or another childbirth emergency. Under the bill, the department would develop or identify the training course materials and online tutorial, and make them available for use in providing officer training and information to every State, county, and municipal law enforcement department, as well as any campus police department at an institution of higher education. Recently, a Howell Police Department officer pulled over and issued a citation to a driver for speeding. The driver noted that his passenger was in labor and the two were driving to the hospital for delivery of their baby. While speeding is risky, even in cases of medical emergencies, such as labor and childbirth, it is essential to consider roadway safety and law enforcement officers have a duty to protect all members of the public. There are other recent instances of police officers unexpectedly assisting in the delivery of babies with minimal time to react. By providing law enforcement officers with training for handling these variable and unpredictable situations, officers will be better equipped to ensure the safety of all the citizens of this State. | In Committee |
| S860 | Exempts law enforcement and certain other emergency personnel from liability for breaking into motor vehicle to rescue animal under certain circumstances. | This bill exempts from any liability for any damages caused by any law enforcement officer, firefighter, rescue squad member, or other emergency personnel breaking into a motor vehicle in which an animal has been left in conditions that the person reasonably believes are an immediate threat to the health of the animal and breaking into the vehicle was the last resort to rescue the animal from serious injury or loss of life. | In Committee |
| S465 | Requires explosive gas detectors to be installed in certain residential properties. | This bill requires explosive gas sensor devices in certain dwelling units. When certain gases, such as methane and propane, reach high densities in a confined space, an explosion may occur. These events are dangerous and can threaten the lives of anyone in the vicinity. This bill requires the inspection of one and two family housing units for the presence of an explosive gas sensor device prior to initial occupancy, or a change of occupancy. The bill also requires the placement of explosive gas sensor devices in hotel and multiple dwelling units, and in rooming and boarding house units. These requirements would not apply if it is determined, in accordance with rules promulgated by the Commissioner of Community Affairs, that there is no potential explosive gas hazard in the dwelling unit. Similar requirements for one and two family housing, hotel and multiple dwellings, and rooming and boarding houses already exist with regard to carbon monoxide sensor devices. The sensor devices required under this bill shall comply with the applicable standards of the American National Standards Institute for residential devices for the detection of explosive quantities of methane and propane gases, unless superseded by rules adopted by the Commissioner of Community Affairs. | In Committee |
| S440 | Prevents State school aid reduction in school districts that experienced decrease in equalized valuation and are located in certain counties. | This bill provides that a school district located in a county of the fifth or sixth class will not experience a reduction in State school aid relative to the 2017-2018 school year if the district's equalized valuation for the budget year is less than the equalized valuation for the 2012-2013 budget year. The bill's provisions apply to school districts located in Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth, and Ocean Counties. The bill's intent is to prevent a reduction in State aid in school districts in areas most heavily impacted by Superstorm Sandy and whose property valuations have yet to recover from the damage caused by the storm. | In Committee |
| S489 | Establishes New Jersey Internet Criminal Information Registry. | This bill directs the Attorney General to establish and maintain the New Jersey Internet Criminal Information Registry. The names and information relating to persons who have been convicted of certain violent crimes would be placed on the registry and available to the public on the Internet. A conviction of any one of the following crimes would result in a person's placement on the registry: murder; aggravated manslaughter or manslaughter; vehicular homicide; disarming a law enforcement officer; kidnapping, except for convictions for which a person is required to register pursuant to Megan's law; robbery; carjacking; aggravated arson; burglary; extortion; booby traps in manufacturing or distribution facilities; strict liability for drug induced deaths; terrorism; producing or possessing chemical weapons, biological agents or nuclear or radiological devices; racketeering when it is a crime of the first degree; firearms trafficking; or any crime of the first or second degree involving serious bodily injury. The registry is to be subdivided into five categories: inmates; parolees; inmates participating in residential community release programs; persons convicted of one of the crimes enumerated in the bill who have been granted executive clemency; and persons convicted of a substantially similar violent crime in a different jurisdiction, but paroled in New Jersey under the Interstate Corrections Compact. Registry information is to include the person's name, sentence, address or place of incarceration, release or parole discharge date, and criminal history. The bill specifies that upon release or discharge from parole, the person's name and all related information is to be immediately removed from the registry and no longer be available to the public. The bill also specifies that no action is to be brought against a real estate broker, broker-salesperson, salesperson, seller, or lessor for failure to investigate or disclose any information from the registry that is compiled or made available pursuant to the bill. Finally, the bill directs the Attorney General to use forfeiture funds to cover the costs of establishing and maintaining the registry. | In Committee |
| S502 | Requires municipalities to reimburse qualified private communities for street paving costs. | This bill would require municipalities to either pave, repave, improve, or reimprove roads and streets that have been accepted for dedication to public use or meet the municipal standards and specifications for dedication within a qualified private community or to provide reimbursement in lieu of providing the service. | In Committee |
| S447 | Establishes mandatory penalties for committing burglary and theft during a state of emergency. | This bill amends the "Disaster Control Act" by establishing additional mandatory penalties for committing theft, robbery or burglary, acts commonly referred to as looting, during an emergency. Under the Disaster Control Act, the Governor is empowered to issue executive orders in response to emergencies. Emergencies under the act extend to war emergencies and disasters resulting from natural or unnatural causes which endanger the health, safety or resources of the residents of one or more municipalities of the State. The act, in part, establishes penalties for committing unlawful conduct during the threat of an emergency that jeopardizes the health, welfare and safety of the people, or contributes to the loss of, or destruction to, property. This bill amends the act to establish a mandatory six month term of imprisonment or a six month term of community service, whichever the court deems to be appropriate, if a person commits burglary, robbery or theft during an emergency. The mandatory penalties established under this bill are to be imposed in addition to any penalties imposed for committing the crimes of theft, robbery, or burglary under Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes. Finally, the bill clarifies that a person may be penalized under the Disaster Control Act while an emergency is ongoing. | In Committee |
| S487 | Requires police notification when driver's license is suspended. | This bill requires the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, upon the suspension or revocation of a person's driver's license, to notify through electronic means the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the place where the person resides. R.S.39:5-30 authorizes the chief administrator to suspend or revoke a person's driver's license for a violation of Title 39, the motor vehicle code, or on other reasonable grounds. | In Committee |
| S1891 | Permits certain portion of municipal development trust funds to be spent on housing affordability assistance to veterans. | This bill provides that a municipality that is authorized to collect affordable housing fees pursuant to the rules of the Council on Affordable Housing may set aside up to 30 percent of the development fee amounts permitted to be spent on affordability assistance programs to be directed to a municipal program for first-time homebuying veterans to provide grants for down payment assistance. Grants under the program are to be limited to $15,000 per recipient, and is not to be considered as income concerning eligibility requirements for other State programs, or for purposes of taxation. The bill is to help veterans by supplementing other State programs available for first-time homebuyers, such as the low-interest loans program offered by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency. | In Committee |
| S1690 | Revises hotel sanitization protocols to remove requirement that occupied guest rooms be cleaned and sanitized daily. | This bill revises the protocols the Commissioner of Health is required to promulgate with regard to hotel sanitization to remove a requirement that the protocols require hotels ensure that every occupied guest room is cleaned and sanitized every day, and that the room is provided with an adequate supply of clean towels, sheets, and pillowcases and that the towels, sheets, and pillowcases are changed no less frequently than once every day. It is the sponsor's belief that requiring hotels to provide these services on a daily basis, even when guests do not want them, is a costly and wasteful practice. | In Committee |
| S468 | Prohibits sale, distribution, and use of urea as an ice melt. | This bill prohibits the sale and use of urea as an ice melt in the State, but does not prohibit any of its other uses. An ice melt, as defined in the bill, is a substance applied to an outdoor surface for the purpose of melting or removing ice or snow, or as a preventative measure against the formation of ice. Urea, as also defined in the bill, is the nitrogen-producing substance and commercially produced products often used as fertilizer, but also used to melt, prevent the formation of, or remove ice. The bill specifies that the term urea may include ammonia sulfates used to melt, prevent the formation of, or remove ice, but does not include rock salt. The bill also establishes a civil penalty of up to $500 for the first offense and up to $1,000 for the second and each subsequent offense, for violations of the bill. | In Committee |
| S877 | Exempts municipal electric utilities from regulation by BPU. | This bill exempts municipal electric utilities from regulation by the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). Under current law, municipal utilities generally are not regulated by the BPU. However, if a municipality provides any product, including electricity, beyond its boundaries, the municipality is considered to be a public utility and is regulated by the BPU. In this event, the BPU is responsible for regulating the rates imposed by the municipality for the provision of these regulated services. Under the bill, if a municipality provides electricity to customers beyond its boundaries, the municipality would not be considered a public utility and would not be subject to regulation by the BPU. As a result, the bill provides that municipal electric utilities would no longer be subject to rate regulation by the BPU. However, the bill provides that the BPU would retain jurisdiction to determine disputes concerning the service territory of any municipal electric utility, consistent with current law governing rural electric cooperatives. | In Committee |
| S1666 | Removes criminal liability for law enforcement officers who have investigative encounter with underage person for possession of alcohol or cannabis unless civil rights are violated. | This bill provides that a law enforcement officer is not criminally liable for deprivation of civil rights for certain interactions with an underage person who possesses or consumes alcohol, marijuana, or certain cannabis items unless the officer acted with the purpose to intimidate or discriminate against a person or group of persons because of race, color, religion, gender, handicap, sexual orientation or ethnicity. Under current law, a law enforcement officer, when responding to a call for service or upon the initiation of any other law enforcement or investigative encounter related to a violation concerning the unlawful possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages, marijuana, hashish, or any cannabis item by a person under the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages or cannabis items, may be guilty of a crime of official deprivation of civil rights under certain circumstances. Current law imposes criminal liability regardless of whether the officer's act was done with the purpose to intimidate or discriminate against a person or group of persons because of race, color, religion, gender, handicap, sexual orientation or ethnicity, which motivation is required to be proven for other acts of criminal deprivation of civil rights under section 2 of P.L.2003, c.31 (C.2C:30-6). Under this bill, a law enforcement officer who purposely intimidates or discriminates against an underage person because of the person's race, color, religion, gender, handicap, sexual orientation or ethnicity by engaging in a law enforcement or investigative encounter related to a violation concerning the underage possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages, marijuana, hashish, or any cannabis would be guilty of deprivation of civil rights. | In Committee |
| S455 | Prohibits requiring students to wear face masks in schools and on school buses. | This bill provides that a student attending a public or nonpublic elementary or secondary school would not be required to wear a face mask while in any indoor or outdoor area of any building of, or while on the grounds of, the school which the student is attending. A student would also not be required to wear a face mask while present on a school bus. The bill would not prohibit a student from voluntarily wearing a face mask while in any indoor or outdoor area of any building of, or while on the grounds of, the school which the student is attending or while the student is present on a school bus. | In Committee |
| S1986 | Establishes School Funding Formula Evaluation Task Force. | This bill establishes the School Funding Formula Evaluation Task Force. The purpose of the task force is to study, evaluate, and assess the provision of State school aid pursuant to the "School Funding Reform Act of 2008" (SFRA). The task force will consist of seven members, including: the Commissioner of Education or a designee; and six public members, each of whom shall have educational experience and expertise in education and municipal finance and school budgeting. Two of the members will be appointed by the Senate President, two members will be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, and the Minority Leaders of the Senate and General Assembly will each appoint one member. Under the bill, the duty of the task force is to study the effectiveness of, and provide recommendations on potentially improving, various aspects of the SFRA including, but not limited to:? the manner in which school district adequacy budgets and local shares are calculated;? the current methodology of measuring and weighting at-risk students and students with limited English proficiency and the impact on the educational outcomes of those students; ? the weights applied to students in different grade levels, as well as those applied to students enrolled in county vocational school districts; ? the current methodology used to calculate the geographic cost adjustment;? the formula's use of the census-based funding methodology for determining the amount of State aid a school district receives to educate its special education population and the effects of potentially employing different methodologies; ? the provision of extraordinary special education aid and the cost thresholds used as the bases for reimbursement of extraordinary special education costs; ? the methodologies used to calculate security categorical aid and transportation aid; and ? the impact that the reallocation of State school aid pursuant to P.L.2018, c.67, commonly referred to as "S-2," had on school districts' finances. The bill requires that the task force will issue a final report detailing its findings and recommendations to the Governor, and to the Legislature, no later than one year after the organization of the task force. The report will be posted in a prominent location on the Internet website of the Department of Education. | In Committee |
| SCR23 | Urges US Congress to pass legislation to reinstate service members discharged for refusing COVID-19 vaccine. | This concurrent resolution urges the United States Congress to pass H.R.7570, which would establish certain protections for individuals involuntarily separated from the United States Armed Forces solely on the basis of refusing to receive vaccinations against COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccinations became mandatory for members of the Armed Forces in 2021. Those service members who did not wish to receive a vaccine were discharged, in some cases with a general discharge under honorable conditions. These discharges may create issues for future employment and minimize the contribution and commitment made by members of the United States Armed Forces. H.R.7570 would reinstate service members to their previous rank and grade, upon their request and change the discharge of an individual to honorable. New Jersey recognizes the contributions of members of the Armed Forces and the importance of their service to our nation. | In Committee |
| S1491 | Reinstates automatic COLA for retirement benefits of members of the State-administered retirement systems. | This bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits under the "Pension Adjustment Act," P.L.1958, c.143 (C.43:3B-1 et seq.), for members of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund, the Judicial Retirement System, the Public Employees' Retirement System, the Police and Firemen's Retirement System, and the State Police Retirement System. Provisions contained in P.L.2011, c.78 (C.43:3C-16 et al), signed into law on June 28, 2011, cancelled the automatic, annual adjustment for current and future retirees and beneficiaries of these State-administered retirement systems. COLAs protect retirement benefits against erosion by inflation, the ills of which were addressed by the Legislature, both for the individual and the State, with the enactment of the "Pension Adjustment Act" in 1958. Without the annual adjustment, retirees and beneficiaries will gradually see significant reductions in their purchasing power. The loss of COLAs will impact their everyday lives, and, over time, make it harder to afford more necessary elements of living, such as out-of-pocket medical costs, groceries, and utility bills. Retirees and beneficiaries will find it more prudent, or perhaps necessary, to leave this State for other states with a comparably lower cost of living. For the State, such outbound migration will result in the loss of the economic activity of those retirees and beneficiaries, and any tax revenues concomitant with such activity. In addition, New Jersey's fiscal outlook may be further strained by the retirees and beneficiaries who remain. These persons will continue to slip further downward on the socioeconomic scale. In some cases, they will require, or at the least become eligible and utilize, greater levels of public assistance under the many taxpayer funded social programs administered by the State, counties, and municipalities, requiring more revenues to meet this increased demand. In the interests of the retirees and beneficiaries of the State-administered retirement systems, and the State, this bill reinstates the automatic COLAs for retirement benefits under the "Pension Adjustment Act." | In Committee |
| S582 | Establishes crime of gang shoplifting. | This bill establishes the crime of gang shoplifting as a crime of the third degree. A person commits the crime of gang shoplifting if, in concert or participation with one or more other persons, the person enters the premises of a store or retail mercantile establishment and in an open and conspicuous manner: (1) purposely or knowingly takes possession of, carries away, transfers or causes to be carried away or transferred, any item displayed, held, stored, or offered for sale by any store or other retail mercantile establishment with the intention of depriving the merchant of the possession, use, or benefit of the item or converting the item to the use of the person without paying to the merchant the full retail value thereof; or (2) purposely, knowingly, or recklessly tampers with tangible property within or on the premises of the store or retail mercantile establishment so as to endanger any person, or the property or premises of the store or retail mercantile establishment, including the damaging or destroying of any item on the premises of the store or retail mercantile establishment. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. A person who commits gang shoplifting is required to minimum term of imprisonment of not less than one year, during which time the person is not eligible for parole. It is the intent of the sponsor to address the rise in flash mobs which organize the looting of stores in an open and conspicuous manner. | In Committee |
| S476 | "Homestead School Property Tax Reimbursement Act"; provides State reimbursement for 50% of school property taxes paid by seniors, 65 years and older. | This bill, entitled the "Homestead School Property Tax Reimbursement Act," would reduce the school property tax burden on senior residents of the State who are 65 years or older by 50%. The bill provides a reimbursement for property taxes paid to eligible claimants from the Casino Revenue Fund. The bill phases in eligibility over a three-year period through income limits. For the first year, only seniors with incomes of $35,000 or less would be eligible for the reimbursement. The income limit rises to $75,000 for the second year and there is no income limit for the third year and thereafter. A surviving spouse who is at least 55 years of age also would qualify for the reimbursement. The Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury would be responsible for promulgating application forms for the reimbursement and issuing rules and regulations. | In Committee |
| S898 | Requires commissioner of registration to move voters with undeliverable mail-in ballots to inactive file; removes such inactive voters from Statewide voter registration system following failure to vote in two consecutive federal general elections. | This bill requires the commissioner of registration to move voters with undeliverable mail-in ballots to the inactive file and remove such inactive voters from the Statewide voter registration system following failure to vote in two consecutive federal general elections. Under current law, any mail-in ballot returned for any reason is forwarded to the commissioner of registration, who notes the return in the voter record of that voter. This bill requires that a mail-in ballot returned as undeliverable to the county be forwarded to the commissioner of registration and noted in the Statewide voter registration system. The commissioner will compile a list of the voters and place those voters in the inactive file. If a voter in the inactive file fails to vote in two consecutive federal general elections, the commissioner will take the necessary steps to begin the process for the removal of the voter from the Statewide voter registration system and transfer to the deleted file. The commissioner would be required to send notice to a mail-in ballot voter following the voter's placement in the inactive file due to a mail-in ballot returned as undeliverable, the decision of the commissioner to begin the process for removal from the Statewide voter registration system, and the removal of the voter from the Statewide voter registration system and transfer to the deleted file. | In Committee |
| SR45 | Urges Governor and Attorney General to provide assistance to municipalities in response to unpermitted mass gatherings and "pop-up parties" in New Jersey. | This resolution urges the Governor and the Attorney General to take necessary measures to bolster municipalities' responses to unpermitted mass gatherings and "pop-up parties" across the State. Municipalities require special event permits for activities such as block parties, festivals, flea markets, carnivals, concerts, and non-spontaneous public demonstrations. The permitting process may require up to several months' notice to municipalities so they can effectively predict and adequately prepare the resources and personnel necessary to manage large crowds at particular events. Additionally, the permitting process allows municipalities to deny the permit application if such an event does not seem practical. Local communities in New Jersey, primarily near beaches and other hubs of community activity, have experienced a major increase in spontaneous, unpermitted mass gatherings that bring along disorderly and dangerous conduct. So called "pop-up parties" present a great risk of destructive, crowd-driven behavior and dangers that cannot be foreseen. Local law enforcement and municipal officials have worked together to prevent these unpermitted mass gatherings from taking place with varying degrees of success. The New Jersey State League of Municipalities passed a resolution at its 2022 Conference calling for State assistance and solutions to the myriad issues posed by unpermitted mass gatherings. State assistance may allow municipalities to better anticipate potential unpermitted mass gatherings, hold organizers and attendees who incite hazards accountable for their misdeeds, and dissuade future pop-up gatherings. | In Committee |
| S439 | Enhances penalties imposed on drivers who have never been issued a driver's license. | This bill enhances the penalties imposed on a person convicted of driving without a license who has never been issued a driver's license in this State or any other jurisdiction. Currently, the penalty for this offense is a minimum fine of between $200 and $500 or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 60 days. This bill increases the fines and establishes specific terms of imprisonment for a person who drives a motor vehicle when the person has never been licensed to drive in this State or in any other jurisdiction as follows: a $500 fine for the first offense, a $750 fine and at least one day, but not more than five days, imprisonment for the second offense, and a $1,000 fine and 10 days imprisonment for a third or subsequent offense. Additionally, this bill establishes a penalty of 45 to 180 days imprisonment if, while operating a motor vehicle, a person who has never been licensed to drive a motor vehicle in this State or any other jurisdiction is involved in a motor vehicle accident causing bodily injury to another person. The penalties in this bill are the same as the penalties imposed for driving a motor vehicle when a person's driver's license is suspended or revoked, or when a person has been prohibited from obtaining a driver's license. | In Committee |
| S471 | Waives certain adoption fees for veterans. | This bill would provide that a veteran may adopt a dog or cat without paying an adoption fee from a licensed kennel, shelter, or pound that is owned and operated by a local government unit. The bill authorizes the owner or operator of a kennel, shelter, or pound to review and adjust the adoption fee to offset any revenue losses associated with the waiver of the adoption fee for veterans. | In Committee |
| S460 | Requires State agencies to review operations and to implement use of Internet to conduct public business when cost savings may be realized, with certain exceptions. | This bill provides that within six months after the bill's effective date, the head of every State agency will complete a review of that agency's operations for the purpose of determining whether there are ways that the agency could reduce costs through increased use of the Internet, including electronic mail, to provide services and conduct public business. The review will include an examination of every agency function that involves: providing or receiving information, including the filing or release of reports and forms; communicating with the public or with any individual, business or federal, State or local government agency, as well as with any employee or unit within the State agency; and the acceptance or disbursement of any payment, as well as any other agency activity the head of the agency deems relevant. Nothing in the bill would be deemed to amend, delete or otherwise change any existing statute, rule or regulation that requires or permits notice to individuals by certified or registered mail and the publication of official notices by a State agency in newspapers circulating within this State or within units of local government of this State. Upon completion of the review, the head of the State agency will require the agency and its employees, when feasible, to implement use of the Internet in every instance when it has been determined that a cost savings may be realized. | In Committee |
| S493 | Permits minors to work until 11 p.m. between Memorial Day and October 1 of each year in certain circumstances. | This bill revises the hours a minor who is 14 or 15 years of age may work with permission from a parent or legal guardian. If enacted, the bill would allow minors who are 14 or 15 years of age to work until 11 p.m. from Memorial Day to October 1 of each year, with permission from their parent or legal guardian. Under current law, minors who are 14 or 15 years of age may work during the period beginning on the last day of the school year and ending on Labor Day of each year until 9 p.m. The bill does not modify the types of occupations in which minors can work, the total number of hours minors can work, or the required breaks from work an employer is required to provide an employee who is a minor. | In Committee |
| S452 | Requires school districts to provide instruction on the dangers of texting while driving as part of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. | This bill requires school districts to provide instruction on the dangers of cell phone usage and text messaging while driving as part of the implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. The instruction will provide students in grades 9 through 12 with: information concerning the correlation between distracted driving and erratic driving behavior, such as lane-weaving and sudden speed changes, and driving accidents; and statistics concerning the number of driving accidents, injuries and fatalities resulting form cell phone usage and text messaging while driving. Under the bill, the Commissioner of Education will provide school districts with sample learning activities and resources designed to promote awareness of the dangers associated with cell phone usage and text messaging while driving. | In Committee |
| S446 | Prohibits utility from billing customer for costs incurred for certain upgrades to utility infrastructure; allows costs for certain upgrades to utility infrastructure be recovered in utility's rate base. | The bill requires a public utility customer who has completed a qualified construction project to, within 90 days of completion of the construction, provide to the Board of Public Utilities (board) and to the customer's public utilities a certification from a licensed contractor that the construction on the customer's property was performed to mitigate damage to the customer's property from a previous or future natural disaster. "Qualified construction project" is defined as construction performed on the real property of a customer of a public utility to mitigate damage to the customer's real property from a previous or future natural disaster. A customer who fails to provide the certification to the board and the customer's public utilities within 90 days of the completion of the construction may be liable to the public utility for costs incurred by the public utility for necessary upgrades to its infrastructure as a result of the construction performed on the customer's property. The bill provides that any costs incurred by a public utility for necessary upgrades to its infrastructure as a result of a qualified construction project receiving certification may be recovered in a base rate case. Under the bill, a public utility is not to bill a customer to recover the costs incurred to the public utility for necessary upgrades to its infrastructure as a result of a qualified construction project, except that the public utility may bill the customer for the customer's pro rata share of any increase in the public utility's rate base or other recovery mechanism approved by the board. | In Committee |
| S514 | Creates toll relief program; appropriates $250 million to NJTA and $250 million to SJTA. | This bill requires the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the South Jersey Transportation Authority (authorities) to each create a toll relief program to provide a qualifying account that records 35 or more qualifying transactions per electronic toll collection system (E-ZPass) transponder for the calendar month with an account credit equal to 50 percent of the amount paid in that calendar month for the qualifying transactions per transponder. As defined in the bill, a qualifying account is a private prepaid E-ZPass account. The account credit is required to be posted to the qualifying account no later than one month after the credit is earned. The authorities are required to prepare and submit quarterly reports to the Governor and Legislature documenting reimbursements issued under the toll relief program. The bill appropriates $250 million to the NJTA and $250 million to the SJTA from the General Fund to support the provision of account credits issued under the toll relief programs. The authorities are prohibited from using appropriated funds for administration, contracted services, or expenses of the authority, or any contractor or vendor thereof. The bill expires one year following the date of enactment. | In Committee |
| S797 | Requires suicide prevention training for mental health practitioners. | This bill requires suicide prevention training both as a condition of initial mental health licensure and as an ongoing requirement for mental health practitioners in the State. The bill requires that new applicants for licensure as a mental health practitioner complete a minimum of four hours of suicide prevention training and submit proof of completion to the appropriate State Board of Examiners or Committee. Following their licensure, mental health practitioners are to complete a minimum of four hours of suicide prevention training every six years. Mental health practitioners who are already licensed to practice on the bill's effective date will be required to complete a minimum of four hours of suicide prevention training within one year following the bill's effective date, and every six years thereafter, and provide proof of completion to the appropriate State Board of Examiners or Committee. The bill defines "mental health practitioner" as a clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, alcohol and drug counselor, professional counselor, associate counselor, rehabilitation counselor, clinical mental health counselor, psychologist, or psychoanalyst who is licensed or otherwise authorized to practice pursuant to Title 45 of the Revised Statutes. The bill defines "suicide prevention training" as a training program, provided online, in person, or through telephonic means, concerning the prevention, assessment, screening, treatment, and management of suicide in the clinical context that has been approved by the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety. The bill requires the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs to establish a list of approved suicide prevention training programs and a protocol by which providers of suicide prevention training may seek approval of their training programs by the division. | In Committee |
| S1922 | "Breann's Law" requires health insurers, SHBP and NJ FamilyCare to provide "out of network" coverage for children with catastrophic illnesses. | This bill, "Breann's Law," is named for Breann LaManna, a young New Jersey girl who was denied "out-of-network" coverage for a life threatening illness. The bill requires health insurers, as well as the State Health Benefits Plan and NJ FamilyCare, to provide benefits for services provided by an "out-of-network" provider to the same extent as they would be provided if performed in-network, when the services are for a covered child who is suffering from a catastrophic illness, after a referral from an in-network provider. Catastrophic illness is defined in the bill as an acute or prolonged illness usually considered to be life-threatening or with the threat of serious residual disability. | In Committee |
| S483 | Authorizes court to impose rescue operation costs of public entity under certain circumstances. | This bill authorizes a court to impose the expense of a recovery or rescue operation by a public entity upon a person in violation of certain criminal mischief and motor vehicle operation laws. Specifically, the bill allows a court to assess the value of any services provided and any costs or expenses incurred by a public entity, including but not limited to law enforcement and emergency medical services, arising from or associated with the recovery or rescue of a person, and the person's pet or property if applicable, if the person is guilty of criminal mischief and: (1) reckless driving; (2) careless driving; or (3) driving or operating a vehicle in an unsafe manner. Public entities such as law enforcement and emergency management and medical services are often called upon to aid in the recovery or rescue of persons in dangerous situations. Some of these situations are the result of purposeful, knowing, or heedless disregard for the safety of others and result in damages to, or the endangerment of, a person, animal, or property. This bill would allow public entities to recover rescue operation costs in the event that a person was guilty of criminal mischief (e.g., damaging tangible property of another; tampering with tangible property to endanger a person or property) and the reckless, careless, or unsafe operation of a vehicle (e.g., driving on a frozen body of water). | In Committee |
| S899 | Requires AG to create voting fraud task force. | This bill requires the Attorney General to create a voting fraud task force in the Division of Criminal Justice, Specialized Crimes Bureau. The purpose of the task force is to investigate and prosecute crimes involving voting fraud. Under the bill, the task force is to be comprised of members of State, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies, as determined by the Attorney General, and is to utilize a coordinated law enforcement strategy to address voting fraud in this State. | In Committee |
| S453 | Requires registered voters to present photo ID when voting at polling place. | This bill requires a voter to present photo identification before voting at a polling place at any election. Acceptable photo identification includes, but is not limited to a valid: (a) New Jersey driver's license; (b) New Jersey REAL ID identification card or license; (c) New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles "identification only" card; or (d) United States passport. A voter who does not present photo identification, or whose identification contains a picture that does not appear to depict the voter would be subject to challenge. This bill does not deny or alter a voter's opportunity to establish his or her right to vote if challenged. | In Committee |
| S517 | Prohibits imposition of civil penalties on State agencies by State agencies. | This bill prohibits State agencies from assessing imposing, or enforcing civil penalties on State agencies, or a division, board, bureau or office of such an agency. Under current law, there is no prohibition which would prevent a State agency from seeking penalties against an agency or an entity in an agency. | In Committee |
| S432 | Requires Division of Developmental Disabilities to develop guidelines for tiered group home placements and transfers. | This bill requires the Assistant Commissioner for the Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services to establish guidelines for placing individuals with developmental disabilities in Level 1 and Level 2 group homes, as well as guidelines for transferring individuals with developmental disabilities between Level 1 and Level 2 group homes. Level 1 group homes are group homes for individuals with developmental disabilities who may have some minimal or challenging behavioral issues, but who are generally able to be safely placed with other individuals with developmental disabilities in a less-restrictive setting. Level 2 group homes are group homes designed for individuals with developmental disabilities who present with persistent challenging behaviors that risk serious harm to self or others. Under the bill, Level 2 group homes will be required to provide services designed to support the reintegration of residents into a less-restrictive treatment setting, such as a Level 1 group home. The bill outlines certain criteria to be included in the guidelines developed by the assistant commissioner, and additionally directs the assistant commissioner, to the extent appropriate, to seek to align the guidelines developed under the bill with existing guidelines for group home placements and transfers for individuals with developmental disabilities that have been developed by the Division of the Children's System of Care in the Department of Children and Families. This bill was inspired by Aidan Burke, a young man with developmental disabilities who resides in a group home in New Jersey. Aidan was assaulted by another resident with a history of challenging behaviors. It is the sponsor's intent to protect Aidan and all group home residents so they can be safe in their own homes. | In Committee |
| S902 | Establishes Office of Inspector General for Veterans' Facilities. | This bill would create the Office of Inspector General for Veterans' Facilities. The inspector general will be appointed to a five-year term by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The inspector general must have experience as either a prosecutor or investigator, or in the operation of veterans' facilities, nursing homes, or long-term care facilities. The inspector general will be independent of supervision or control by any other State officer or employee. The role of the Inspector General for Veterans' Facilities will be to receive and investigate complaints concerning policies and procedures at State veterans' facilities. In exercising investigatory powers, the inspector general would also be empowered to conduct evaluations, inspections, and other such reviews as deemed necessary to ensure the safety and quality of care provided at State veterans' facilities. The inspector general would also be empowered to initiate investigations independent of any complaints received. Upon the appointment of the inspector general, the inspector general will immediately begin an investigation into the policies and practices that may have caused or contributed to the high number of deaths in the veterans' facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The inspector general may refer possible criminal conduct or activity to the appropriate prosecutorial authority. In light of the uncontrolled outbreak of COVID-19 at veterans' facilities in Paramus and Menlo Park, there is need for additional State oversight of the policies and procedures at all State veterans' facilities. By establishing the position of Inspector General for Veterans' Facilities, the State can ensure that the health and well-being of New Jersey's veterans are protected and that tragedies like those that occurred in Paramus and Menlo Park never happen again. | In Committee |
| SCR13 | Proposes constitutional amendment to limit effective period of certain emergency orders, rules, or regulations issued by Governor to 14 days. | This constitutional amendment provides that certain emergency orders, rules, or regulations issued by the Governor during a period of a state of emergency will terminate on the 15th day following the date of issuance, unless the Legislature approves a greater period of time by way of a concurrent resolution. The constitutional amendment prohibits the Governor from issuing an order, rule, or regulation to the same or substantially the same effect as the one terminated pursuant to the amendment for the same emergency. The constitutional amendment does not apply to orders, rules, or regulations: (1) rescinding an order, rule, or regulation issued pursuant to the "Civil Defense and Disaster Control Act," or a successor State statute; (2) issued pursuant to direction by or agreement with the federal government, in compliance with federal law, or to the extent that application of the bill would jeopardize the receipt of federal funds by the State; (3) applying exclusively to the executive branch; (4) issued under the Governor's authority as the Commander-in-Chief of the military and naval forces of the State; or (5) issued pursuant to a provision of law providing for a greater period, notwithstanding that the order, rule, or regulation may also cite to an authority provided under the "Civil Defense and Disaster Control Act," or a successor State statute. | In Committee |
| S459 | Permits any member of PERS to receive accidental disability retirement allowance for disability resulting from participation in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup options. | A law recently enacted, P.L.2019, 157, provided that a member or retiree of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS), the State Police Retirement System (SPRS), and the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) is eligible to receive an accidental disability retirement allowance for a permanent and total disability resulting from participation in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations. The law provides that permanent and total disability resulting from a qualifying condition or impairment of health will be presumed to have occurred during and as a result of the performance of a member's regular or assigned duties if the member participated in World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations for a minimum of eight hours. The law permits a member who did not participate in those operations for a minimum of eight hours to be eligible for the presumption under certain circumstances. The law also provides for a reclassification of a retiree's retirement from a service retirement or an ordinary disability retirement to an accidental disability retirement under certain circumstances. The law applies regardless of whether the PERS member or retiree was enrolled in the PERS at the time of the participation in the rescue, recovery and cleanup operations. Currently, the PERS portion of the bill applies only to: any member or retiree who is or was enrolled in the PERS because the member or retiree did not meet the age or medical requirements for enrollment in the Police and Firemen's Retirement System on the basis of the position held; and to any emergency medical technician who is a member or retiree of the Public Employees' Retirement System. The bill amends the relevant provisions of the PERS to provide this benefit to any member of the PERS. | In Committee |
| S443 | Exempts certain transactions of residential property involving senior, blind, and disabled citizens from general purpose fee under realty transfer fee and one percent assessment on real property selling for more than $1,000,000. | This bill exempts the sale of owner-occupied residential property by senior, blind, and disabled citizens from the general purpose fee, one of the fees levied on the transfer of title to real property, which are collectively known as the realty transfer fee. Established pursuant to P.L.2004, c.66, the general purpose fee is imposed on the seller of non-exempt real property whose selling price equals or exceeds $350,000. It applies to the full amount of the property sale and has the following schedule: $0.90 on each $500 of consideration on the first $550,000 of the value recited in the deed of transfer; $1.40 on each $500 of consideration between $550,000 and $850,000; $1.90 on each $500 of consideration between $850,000 and $1,000,000; and $2.15 on each $500 of consideration over $1,000,000. The State General Fund is credited with all the proceeds from this fee. A senior, blind or disabled resident selling his or her abode for $650,000, for example, would thus pay $1,400 in realty transfer fees, a reduction of $1,270, or 47.6 percent, from the current $2,670 liability. The bill also exempts the purchase of residential property by senior, blind, and disabled citizens from the one percent assessment imposed pursuant to P.L.2004, c.66 upon the recording of title to residential and commercial property selling for more than $1,000,000. A senior, blind or disabled resident acquiring a residential property for $1,500,000 would thus not have to pay $15,000 in fees. | In Committee |
| S513 | Upgrades offense of criminal mischief if person interrupts or impairs power supply. | This bill upgrades the offense of criminal mischief if a person interrupts or impairs the supply of power. Under current law, criminal mischief is a crime of the third degree if a person purposely or knowingly causes a substantial interruption or impairment of public communication, transportation, the supply of water, oil, gas, or power or other public service. Criminal mischief is a second degree crime if the substantial interruption or impairment recklessly causes death. Under the provisions of this bill, all criminal mischief offenses are a second degree crime if a person purposely or knowingly causes a substantial interruption or impairment of supply of power A third degree crime is punishable by three to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. A second degree crime is punishable by five to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. | In Committee |
| S2045 | Requires certain animals used in testing to be offered for adoption; requires establishment of procedures for assessment and disposition of animals; establishes penalties for noncompliance. | This bill requires any cat, dog, or ferret used for product testing or research conducted or contracted by a company, corporation, manufacturer, or contract testing facility in the State to be offered to an animal rescue organization or private individual for adoption when the testing or research is concluded, if the animal is assessed to be suitable for adoption. Current law limits circumstances under which animal product testing or research may be conducted by manufacturers and contract testing facilities. Current law also requires, pursuant to the "Homes for Animal Heroes Act," P.L.2019, c.414 (C.18A:3B-85), that cats and dogs used for educational, research, or scientific purposes by an institution of higher education or a research institution that contracts with an institution of higher education for such use of cats and dogs, to be assessed for the suitability of adoption, and if suitable, to be offered for adoption. The bill expands the "Homes for Animal Heroes Act" to include testing or research using ferrets and to provide for adoption of ferrets used in that way. The bill directs the Office of Veterinary Public Health (OVPH) in the Department of Health (DOH) to establish procedures for documenting the assessment and disposition of any cat, dog, or ferret used by a company, corporation, manufacturer, contract facility, institution of higher education, or a research institution for such purposes. The bill authorizes the OVPH to monitor compliance with the procedures and enforce the provisions of section 1 of the bill and section 1 of P.L.2019, c.414 (C.18A:3B-85), concerning the assessment of the suitability of animals for adoption and the requirements to offer suitable animals for adoption. The bill further requires that each company, corporation, manufacturer, or contract testing facility that is subject to the bill, and each institution of higher education and research institution that is subject to the "Homes for Animal Heroes Act" to register with the OVPH when undertaking animal testing with cats, dogs, or ferrets, and to report to the OVPH: 1) the type and number of animals being used; 2) the date on which the testing or research is completed or upon which the animal is no longer being used in the testing or research; 3) an assessment of the condition of any animal no longer being used in the testing or research and its suitability for adoption; 4) the disposition of the animal, including the name and contact information of the animal rescue organization with which, or the animal rescue organization facility in which, the animal is placed; and 5) if an animal assessed as suitable for adoption is not adopted, documentation of the good faith effort to place the animal with an animal rescue organization or in an animal rescue organization facility, and any effort to offer the animal for private adoption. The bill provides that private individuals who have adopted animals would not have to be identified but requires documentation of which animals were adopted by private individuals. The bill establishes civil penalties for noncompliance with the bill's provisions and requirements, and the provisions of the "Homes for Animal Heroes Act." The bill provides for a civil penalty of $10,000 for a first offense, and $50,000 for a second offense, to be collected in a summary proceeding brought by the DOH pursuant to the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.). Upon finding of a third offense, the DOH is required to institute an action for an injunction to prohibit the company, corporation, manufacturer, contract testing facility, institution of higher education, or research institution from conducting animal testing. The bill provides that the Superior Court would have jurisdiction for enforcing the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999" and for imposing an injunction for a third violation. Finally, the bill requires the DOH to maintain a registry of animal rescue organizations and animal rescue organization facilities, directs the DOH to establish a database of those animal rescue organizations and facilities that accept animals that have been used in testing or research, and requires a company, corporation, manufacturer, contract facility, institution of higher education, or research institution, as applicable, to contact an animal rescue organization or animal rescue organization facility listed in the database whenever a cat, dog, or ferret used in testing or research is determined to be suitable for adoption. | In Committee |
| S379 | "Children's Vaccination Bill of Rights"; provides children in State with certain protections concerning vaccines. | This bill creates a "Children's Vaccination Bill of Rights," that provides a child who is required to be vaccinated in the State with certain protections concerning vaccine safety, liability for injury, and religious liberty. | In Committee |
| S516 | Extends pension eligibility for survivors of certain emergency services volunteers who contracted COVID-19 during 2020 public health emergency declared by Governor. | This bill extends pension eligibility to the widow, children, or parent of any volunteer firefighter, first aid worker or rescue squad worker, or emergency medical technician who contracted COVID-19 during the public health emergency in this State declared by the Governor on March 9, 2020. Under current law, if any volunteer firefighter, first aid worker, rescue squad worker, or emergency medical technician has died as the result of injuries sustained in the course of performance of duty as a member of the volunteer fire company or first aid or rescue squad on or after January 1, 2000, the widow or children or parent of the volunteer is eligible for a survivor's pension. The pension is $15,000 per year, and $10,000 or $5,000 depending on the survivor's relationship to the deceased. Once approved by the municipality, the pension will be payable by the State. Under this bill, for a survivor's pension, the death of a volunteer attributable to COVID-19, complications therefrom, or the aggravation or acceleration of a preexisting condition caused thereby will be deemed to have occurred as the result of injuries sustained in the course of performance of duty as a volunteer if: the volunteer contracted COVID-19 and the volunteer's death occurred after receiving a positive test result for SARS-CoV-2 during the public health emergency; the volunteer died as a result of COVID-19; and the volunteer's regular or assigned duties required the volunteer to interact, and the volunteer so interacted, with the public or to directly supervise other personnel so interacting with the public on any date during the public health emergency and within 14 calendar days prior to the appearance of symptoms consistent with COVID-19 that were confirmed in writing by a licensed health care provider on a form approved by the board of trustees and also confirmed by a positive test result for SARS-CoV-2. An eligible beneficiary of a volunteer who died during the public health emergency may apply for a survivor's pension pursuant to this bill. If approved by the governing body of the municipality, the survivor's pension will be retroactive to the first calendar year after the year of the volunteer's death. | In Committee |
| S492 | Prohibits the imposition of affordable housing need and related fees upon the local transfer or move of a business. | This bill prohibits the Council on Affordable Housing from adopting a regulation which would generate affordable housing need for a municipality upon the event of a commercial or industrial entity moving or relocating within the municipality, or within the same housing region of the municipality, or within a 50 mile radius extending in all directions from the initial location of the entity. Municipalities are prohibited from imposing a fee for affordable housing purposes upon a developer meeting the criteria set forth in the bill. | In Committee |
| S1671 | Permits Legislature to terminate certain declarations by Governor for state of emergency or public health emergency and limits duration of such declarations unless Legislature approves extension. | This bill provides for the termination of a state of emergency declaration issued by the Governor pursuant to P.L.1942, c.251 (C.App.A:9-33 et seq.) or a public health emergency declaration issued pursuant to P.L.2005, c.222 (C.26:13-1 et seq.) by the Legislature by concurrent resolution if the resolution receives a two-thirds affirmative vote of the authorized membership of each House of the Legislature. Also, the bill limits the duration of a state of emergency to 60 days after the date of issuance unless an extension is authorized by the Legislature, and limits a public health emergency declaration to a total of 60 days (the initial 30 day duration and one 30-day renewal by the Governor as provided by current law). The bill permits the Legislature to authorize, after a notice required in this bill is received, an extension of the state of emergency declaration or public health emergency declaration, with as many extensions of not less than 30 days, but not more than 90 days, by concurrent resolution that receives a majority vote of the authorized membership of each House of the Legislature. The bill prohibits the Governor from issuing for the same emergency a declaration to the same or substantially same effect as one terminated pursuant to this bill, except in accordance with a law that permits the issuance of another declaration specifically for that emergency. The bill permits the Legislature to conduct the vote on any concurrent resolution specified in the bill by any means it deems necessary and appropriate, including, but not limited to, in-person, teleconference, and remotely by electronic means. For the purpose of this bill, "same emergency" means the initial event or events that gave rise to the emergency declaration that has been terminated, and any event that occurs subsequent to the initial event or events as a direct result, continuation, or consequence of the initial event or events or the origin of which can be traced directly to the initial event or events. The bill requires the Governor to notify the Legislature in writing of the need for an extension of any state of emergency declaration or public health emergency declaration at least seven business days before an extension is authorized by the Legislature pursuant to this bill. The notice will provide information on the need for the extension of such declaration and the threat to the public health or safety that requires the extension. When notice cannot be given at least seven business days before an extension is authorized by the Legislature, the notice has to be given by the Governor as soon as possible, but not later than at least 24 hours before the extension is authorized, and the notice has to include an explanation of why the notice could not have been given at least seven days before the extension. Under the bill, the Governor will receive and publish in the New Jersey Register any comments from the chairs and ranking minority members of the relevant standing reference committees of the Legislature on any notice given in accordance with this bill. The publication is to include a response from the Executive Branch. If the Governor fails to provide the notice required by this bill for an extension, the state of emergency declaration or public health emergency declaration will be terminated unless an extension of the declaration is approved, after the notice required in the bill is received, by the Legislature by concurrent resolution that receives a majority vote of the authorized membership of each House of the Legislature. The provisions of the bill do not apply to any state of emergency declaration or public health emergency declaration: (1) rescinding an order, rule, or regulation issued pursuant to P.L.1942, c.251 (C.App.A:9-33 et seq.) or to P.L.2005, c.222 (C.26:13-1 et seq.); (2) applying exclusively to any or all of the executive and administrative offices, departments, and instrumentalities of the Executive Branch of State government; or (3) issued under the authority of the Governor as the Commander-in-Chief of all the military and naval forces of the State. The bill provides that any state of emergency declaration issued by the Governor and any public health emergency declaration issued by the Governor to address the COVID-19 pandemic or any other emergency that is in effect on the effective date of the bill, and (1) that has been in effect for more than 60 days as of that effective date, or (2) that has been in effect for 60 days or less but was issued for the same emergency as the term is defined in the bill and has the same or substantially the same effect as a declaration that was issued more than 60 days prior to the effective date, will terminate automatically on the effective date of this bill unless, on the day that this bill has passed both Houses of the Legislature, or has passed both Houses of the Legislature after amendments recommended by the Governor have been made to the act or after objections to the bill have been received from the Governor, whichever occurs later, a concurrent resolution to extend the state of emergency declaration or public health emergency declaration, or both, for not less than 30 days, but not more than 90 days, receives a majority vote of the authorized membership of each House of the Legislature. The termination and extension provisions of the bill will apply to any state of emergency declaration or public health emergency declaration issued pursuant to P.L.1942, c.251 (C.App.A:9-33 et seq.) or P.L.2005, c.222 (C.26:13-1 et seq.) after the effective date or within 60 days prior to the effective date of this bill. Any other emergency declaration issued pursuant to P.L.1942, c.251 (C.App.A:9-33 et seq.) or P.L.2005, c.222 (C.26:13-1 et seq.) that is in effect on the date of enactment will automatically terminate upon enactment unless the Legislature authorizes an extension by concurrent resolution. The bill provides that it is not to be construed as limiting the authority of the Governor to designate a state of emergency as may be authorized under the annual appropriations act, for the sole and limited purpose of establishing the eligibility of the State to receive federal funds. However, no such emergency declaration may under any circumstances serve as the basis for invoking any authority or powers set forth in P.L.1942, c.251 (C.App.A:9-33 et seq.) or P.L.2005, c.222 (C.26:13-1 et seq.). | In Committee |
| S478 | Requires electric distribution lines to be located underground in areas affected by severe weather or natural disasters. | This bill requires the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to adopt standards providing that, in operating areas that have been affected by a major catastrophic event, every electric distribution line of an electric public utility installed after the effective date of the bill, or installed, reinstalled, or repaired in response to damage resulting from a major catastrophic event, is to be located underground, wherever feasible, as determined by the BPU. In adopting the standards, and in the issuance of orders pursuant to the adoption of the standards, the BPU is to consider applicable industry codes, national electric industry practices, sound engineering judgment, and the ability of an electric public utility to obtain necessary municipal consent, easements, environmental permits, and rights of way. A "major catastrophic event" is defined to mean a natural occurrence arising from conditions beyond the control of the electric public utility, including but not limited to, a thunderstorm, tornado, hurricane, flood, heat wave, snowstorm, ice storm, or earthquake which results in: 1) a sustained interruption of electric, water, or gas utility service to at least 10 percent of the customers in an operating area or 10 percent of the customers of a municipality or county located in an operating area; or 2) the declaration of a state of emergency or disaster by the State or by the federal government. | In Committee |
| S442 | Increases penalties for unlawfully manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing fentanyl. | This bill would increase the penalties for unlawfully manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing fentanyl. Fentanyl is an anesthetic and analgesic, first synthesized in the 1950's, that in recent years has become a drug of abuse. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, fentanyl is 30 to 50 times more potent than heroin and is potentially lethal even at very low doses. Under current law, set out in paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:35-5 and section 6 of P.L.1970, c.226 (C.24:21-6), unlawfully manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing fentanyl in a quantity of one ounce or more is a crime of the second degree. A crime of the second degree is generally punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to ten years or a fine up to $150,000, or both. Unlawfully manufacturing, distributing or dispensing fentanyl in a quantity of less than one ounce is a crime of the third degree. A crime of the third degree is generally punishable by a term of three to five years or a fine up to $15,000, or both. However, the fine imposed for the third degree offense involving fentanyl is increased to up to $75,000. Under the bill, the penalties for unlawfully manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing fentanyl would match the penalties for manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing heroin or cocaine under current law. The bill provides that unlawfully manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing fentanyl in a quantity of five ounces or more would be a crime of the first degree. A crime of the first degree is generally punishable by a term of imprisonment of 10 to 20 years or a fine of up to $200,000, or both. Under the bill the defendant would be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of one-third to one-half of the sentence imposed, during which the defendant would be ineligible for parole. The defendant would also be sentenced to pay an increased fine of up to $500,000. The bill provides that if the quantity of fentanyl unlawfully manufactured, distributed, or dispensed is one-half ounce or more but less than five ounces, the defendant would be guilty of a crime of the second degree. If the quantity is less than one-half ounce, the defendant would be guilty of a crime of the third degree with an increased fine of up to $75,000. | In Committee |
| S496 | Upgrades unlawful taking thefts in certain instances. | Currently, theft by unlawful taking under N.J.S.A.2C:20-3 is a theft offense that is graded by the value of the property taken. Package theft from residences is a crime punishable under N.J.S.A.2C:20-3 as an unlawful taking offense. This bill increases the penalties for unlawful taking when that taking targets a package delivered to a residential property by any cargo carrier. "Cargo carrier" is defined broadly in subsection w. of N.J.S.2C:20-1. Under the bill, a person who commits theft by taking a package delivered to a residential property by any cargo carrier shall be guilty of a fourth degree crime if the amount taken does not exceed $200. If the amount taken exceeds $200, the person shall be guilty of a crime one degree higher than the underlying offense. Additionally the bill provides in new subsection d. that restitution shall be ordered in these cases. Presently it is a permissible option for the sentencing judge in any criminal offense. It is the sponsor's view that while theft of packages may be more commonplace during the holiday shopping season, it is a serious crime that can result not only in the loss of gifts that are ordered but also in the potential loss of medication, legal documents and other important items delivered to homes, and thus warrants more stringent penalties than other types of theft by unlawful taking offenses. | In Committee |
| S480 | Clarifies crime of unlawful access concerning certain password protected communications in electronic storage. | This bill amends the provisions of New Jersey's wiretapping statute dealing with unlawful access to stored communications, section 21 of P.L.1993, c.29 (C.2A:156A-27), to clarify criminal liability concerning password protected wire or electronic communications in electronic storage, such as e-mail accounts. A person would be guilty of a fourth degree crime if that person obtains, alters, or prevents authorized access to any such communication that is protected by a password or other personal code, without first knowing and inputting that password or other personal code, or otherwise having the express consent of at least one of the parties to whom that password or other personal code belongs. As such, there would be no implied consent and no defense from criminal liability for a person who accessed communications after a party to those communications had failed to properly log out or otherwise exit the electronic storage medium containing the communications, leaving such communications unprotected by password or other personal code. A person would be guilty of a third degree crime for unlawful access, if the person additionally acted for the purpose of commercial advantage, private commercial gain, or malicious destruction or damage. A fourth degree crime is ordinarily punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. A third degree crime is ordinarily punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. This clarification to criminal liability for unlawful access would also clarify liability in any civil action brought by an aggrieved person whose communications were accessed, due to the availability of such civil actions arising from criminal unlawful access, as set forth in section 26 of P.L.1993, c.29 (C.2A:156A-32). | In Committee |
| S474 | Permits short-term tax exemption for certain improvements to dwellings damaged by natural disasters. | This bill would permit a municipality to adopt an ordinance declaring an area to be in need of rehabilitation if dwellings within the area were damaged by a natural disaster for which a state of emergency has been declared by the President of the United States or the Governor. Under current law, municipalities may provide property taxpayers a short-term property tax exemption or abatement on dwellings in areas in need of rehabilitation for a period of five years. An ordinance adopted under the bill would have to require that, in determining the value of an exemption, the assessor consider the additional value to those dwellings that is directly attributable to the additional space under those dwellings created by the elevation of those dwellings as not increasing the taxable value of those properties for a period of five years, notwithstanding that the market value of the real property to which the improvements are made is increased thereby. The ordinance may provide for a reduction of the exemption for each year of the exemption period. The bill also clarifies that during the exemption period, increases in value to dwellings that are not directly attributable to the additional space under dwellings created by the elevation of those dwellings, and which increase the value of those dwellings, must be reflected in the assessed value of those dwellings. The bill also requires that certain property tax notices include the value of an exemption granted under an ordinance adopted pursuant to the bill. | In Committee |
| S515 | Increases automobile liability insurance coverage amounts for persons convicted of DWI. | This bill increases automobile liability insurance coverage amounts for persons convicted of driving under the influence. Under the bill, a person convicted of driving under the influence, as a first offense, will be required to maintain automobile liability insurance coverage, in which coverage must, for one year, be at least in: (a) an amount or limit of $250,000, exclusive of interest and costs, on account of injury to, or death of, one person, in any one accident; (b) an amount or limit of $500,000, exclusive of interest and costs, on account of injury to or death of, more than one person, in any one accident; and (c) an amount or limit of $100,000, exclusive of interest and costs, for damage to property in any one accident. Additionally, a person convicted of driving under the influence, as a second offense, will be required under the bill to maintain automobile liability insurance coverage for two years, while a person convicted of DUI as a third or subsequent offense will be required to maintain automobile liability insurance coverage for four years. The coverage will be at least in: (a) an amount or limit of $500,000, exclusive of interest and costs, on account of injury to, or death of, one person, in any one accident; (b) an amount or limit of $1,000,000, exclusive of interest and costs, on account of injury to or death of, more than one person, in any one accident; and (c) an amount or limit of $200,000, exclusive of interest and costs, for damage to property in any one accident. Lastly, the bill makes technical updates to certain provisions. | In Committee |
| S488 | Establishes new offenses concerning unlawful possession and use of credit card scanners. | This bill establishes new offenses relating to the unlawful possession and use of credit card scanners. Under the provisions of the bill, a person who possesses a credit card scanner without a lawful purpose is guilty of a disorderly persons offense. A disorderly persons offense is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment for a term of up to six months, or both. A person who uses a credit card scanner for an unlawful purpose is guilty of a crime of the second decree. A crime of the second degree is punishable by a fine of up to $150,000, imprisonment for a term of between five and 10 years, or both. | In Committee |
| S512 | Requires members of State Board of Education to attend meetings in person to be recorded as present. | This bill provides that a member of the State Board of Education may only be recorded as present if the member attends the meeting in person, except as may be otherwise determined during a state of emergency declared by the Governor. The bill also requires all public meetings of the State Board of Education to be accessible to the public both in person and virtually. A link providing virtual access to meetings is required to be publicly available on the State Board of Education's website. Finally, for any meeting in which the State Board of Education accepts public comment, the bill stipulates that members of the public will be able to provide comments by means of remote communication. | In Committee |
| S475 | Excludes passenger and freight rail projects from purposes for which revenue from increase in petroleum products gross receipts tax revenue may be used. | This bill amends existing law to exclude passenger and freight rail projects from being funded by the petroleum products gross receipts tax increase enacted on October 14, 2016. | In Committee |
| S456 | Permits religious services during state of emergency or public health emergency declarations by Governor. | This bill would permit religious organizations to continue operating and engaging in religious services during a declaration by the Governor of a state of emergency or public health emergency. The bill does not prohibit the Governor from requiring religious organizations to comply with health, safety, or occupancy requirements issued by the State or federal government that are applicable to all organizations and businesses that provide essential services. | In Committee |
| S466 | Concerns valuation of property condemned for dune construction or beach replenishment. | This bill would supplement the "Eminent Domain Act of 1971," P.L.1971, c.361 (C.20:3-1 et seq.), to provide that just compensation for an easement over a portion of beachfront property condemned for the purpose of dune construction or beach replenishment must include consideration of the increase in value to the entire property due to the added safety and property protection provided by the dune or replenished beach. The bill would also provide that any additional rights of the public to access property held in the public trust arising as a result of the easement, or the dune construction or beach replenishment, would not be considered to cause a diminution in the value of the entire property. | In Committee |
| SCR36 | Proposes constitutional amendment to provide registered voters with right to cast ballot in person at polling place on election day; requires mail-in ballot request before voter receives mail-in ballot. | This constitutional amendment would ensure that registered voters in this State, who are qualified to vote, have the right to cast a ballot in person on the day of any election in this State, and would permit mail-in ballots to be distributed only to voters who submit a written request for a mail-in ballot. This amendment would bar the Legislature from passing laws, and the Governor from issuing executive orders, that would: (1) limit or deny in-person voting for a registered voter who wishes to vote in person, or (2) automatically distribute mail-in ballots to all voters. | In Committee |
| S463 | Revises distribution of monies from Alcohol Education, Rehabilitation and Enforcement Fund to municipalities. | This bill revises the distribution of monies from the Alcohol Education, Rehabilitation and Enforcement Fund (AEREF) to municipalities for the purpose of maintaining their municipal courts. The bill provides specifically as follows: · Beginning January 15, 2023, and each year thereafter, each municipality in the State is to report to the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) the number of drunk driving arrests made in its municipality during the preceding calendar year.· The AOC is to certify the number of arrests reported for the preceding calendar year by each municipality.· Beginning for calendar year 2022, the amount of funding to be allocated to each reporting municipality from the AEREF is to be calculated as follows: --The total amount of funding received by the municipality from the AEREF in the preceding year is to be multiplied by 50 percent, and the resulting figure will then be divided by the total number of drunk driving arrests in the municipality for the same calendar year to determine the unit dollar value for each arrest. --The total amount of funding received by the municipality from the AEREF in the preceding year is to be multiplied by 50 percent, and the resulting figure will then be divided by the average number of yearly drunk driving arrests in the municipality for the preceding five calendar years to determine a five-year unit dollar value for each arrest. --The two figures calculated above are to be added together, and the resulting figure will determine the total unit dollar value for each arrest. --The amount to be allocated to each reporting municipality will be the proportion of its total unit dollar value to the total amount of funds available for allocation from the "Municipal Court Administration Reimbursement Fund." | In Committee |
| S2011 | Increases amount annually credited to Shore Protection Fund to $50 million. | This bill increases from $25 million to $50 million the amount that is annually credited to the Shore Protection Fund from the collection of realty transfer fees. The realty transfer fee is imposed on the recording of deeds transferring real property and is calculated on the basis of the amount paid in the deed. The basic rate is $1.75 for each $500 of consideration, of which $0.50 is retained by the county and $1.25 is the State share. Currently, the first $25 million of the State share collected annually is credited to the Shore Protection Fund. | In Committee |
| S58 | Authorizes proportional property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected disability and proclaims that the State shall reimburse municipalities for cost of exemptions. | The bill grants a property tax exemption to honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected disability in proportion to their disability percentage rating. The exemption is only granted to those with a disability percentage rating of at least 30 percent, and the exemption is capped at $10,000. Those with a 100 percent disability percentage rating would still be allowed a 100 percent property tax exemption without a cap, as is the case under current law. In addition, the bill grants those honorably discharged veterans having less than a 100 percent service-connected disability, but who are unemployable, a 100 percent property tax exemption, which matches the current 100 percent property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having a 100 percent disability percentage rating. As under current law, the bill allows the 100 percent property tax exemption to extend to the surviving spouse of a veteran. However, the newly allowed property tax exemption for a veteran with a less than 100 percent property tax exemption would not extend to the surviving spouse. The bill also eliminates all references to medical conditions so that any service-connected disability, as determined by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs, will make a veteran eligible for the property tax exemption. Finally, the bill proclaims that the State shall annually reimburse taxing districts, including for administrative costs, for the property tax exemptions granted to disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. The bill includes reporting provisions so proper reimbursement can be made. | In Committee |
| SCR18 | Urges federal government to refrain from implementing any ban on gas powered appliances in residential or commercial buildings. | This concurrent resolution urges the federal government to refrain from enacting any ban on the use of natural gas appliances in residential or commercial buildings. Natural gas is a critically important part of the energy portfolio of the United States and of New Jersey. Natural gas appliances, including cooktops, ovens, grills, air conditioners, furnaces, heaters, laundry machines, hot water heaters, and fireplaces, are used in both commercial and residential settings. Approximately 47 percent of US households utilize natural gas as their main heating fuel and 38 percent of US households utilize natural gas for cooking. In New Jersey, approximately 69 percent of households utilize natural gas cooking and 73 percent of New Jersey households utilize natural gas as their main heating fuel. New Jersey has over 35,000 miles of natural gas distribution lines which service over 2.9 million customers. Natural gas is generally recognized as a cleaner, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly form of energy than other fossil fuels. Natural gas is abundant in the United States, including neighboring states such as Pennsylvania and New York, and helps the United States maintain energy independence from foreign powers. The natural gas industry employs thousands of people across the country, including in the State of New Jersey. | In Committee |
| S80 | Provides immunity from civil and criminal liability for rescue of animal from motor vehicle under inhumane conditions. | This bill provides civil and criminal immunity to persons who in good faith enter a motor vehicle to rescue an animal if the person reasonably believes that the animal is in immediate danger of bodily injury or death from the circumstances, and, prior to entering the motor vehicle, the rescuer adheres to certain conditions, notice requirements, and procedures. The bill also specifies that that the immunity from liability for property damage would attach only for any property damage caused in or by the rescue and for any injuries caused to the animal (including any allegations of animal cruelty) in or by the rescue, unless the rescuer engaged in reckless or willful misconduct. | In Committee |
| S473 | Allows shore municipalities to provide spouse and dependent children of veterans free or reduced cost access to beaches. | This bill would permit shore municipalities, by ordinance, to provide free or reduced fee beach access to the spouse and dependent children, over the age of 12 years, of veterans who have served in any of the Armed Forces of the United States and who were discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable and who either served at least 90 days in active duty or were discharged or released from active duty by reason of a service-incurred injury or disability. Current law permits municipalities, by ordinance, to provide free or reduced fee beach access to the spouse or dependent children, over the age of 12 years, of persons who are in active military service in any of the Armed Forces of the United States or who are active members of the New Jersey National Guard and who have completed Initial Active Duty Training. This bill would authorize municipalities to provide the same benefit to the spouse and dependent children of qualifying veterans. | In Committee |
| S635 | Requires State Board of Education meetings to be accessible virtually and in person. | This bill requires all public meetings of the State Board of Education to be accessible to the public both in person and virtually. The bill also requires that a link providing virtual access to meetings be publicly available on the State Board of Education's website. Finally, for any meeting in which the State Board of Education accepts public comment, the bill stipulates that members of the public will be able to provide comments by means of remote communication. | In Committee |
| S481 | Requires State to lower compensation rate of civilly committed sexually violent predators to same level as State inmates for institutional work. | This bill requires civilly committed sexually violent predators to be compensated at the same rate for institutional work as State inmates are compensated for comparable work, including, but not limited to, assignments as kitchen clerks, and bathroom and laundry workers. Currently, civilly committed sexually violent predators are paid at the minimum wage. The bill would require these individuals to be paid the same wage as State inmates for comparable work, which is less than the minimum wage. The bill implements a recommendation made by the State Auditor in a report that covers the period from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2014. The State Auditor estimated an approximate annual savings of $1.9 million by eliminating payment of the minimum wage to civilly committed sexually violent predators. | In Committee |
| Bill | Bill Name | Motion | Vote Date | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1636 | Changes MVC voter registration procedures. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S2167 | Requires public and certain nonpublic schools to comply with breakfast and lunch standards adopted by USDA. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S317 | Revises "Athletic Training Licensure Act." | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2019 | Authorizes pharmacists to dispense HIV prophylaxis without individual prescription under certain circumstances; mandates prescription benefits coverage. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S862 | Requires DOT to provide additional information in annual report on pavement condition; makes report available to public. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2051 | Requires law enforcement officer to conduct risk assessment of and provide assistance to domestic violence victims. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S1403 | Requires employer or contractor engaged in work for public body to submit payroll records to DOLWD. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S1320 | Requires certain information be included in certain contracts with licensed public adjusters. | Senate Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S1067 | Directs DHS to conduct landscape analysis of available mental health services. | Senate Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A2929 | Requires disclosure of lead drinking water hazards to tenants of residential units; prohibits landlords from obstructing replacement of lead service lines; concerns testing of certain property for lead drinking water hazards. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3323 | Requires pay for extracurricular activities to be included in compensation for TPAF purposes. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3361 | Establishes limit on rent increase for certain dwelling sites for modular or industrialized buildings or manufactured homes. | Senate Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A3128 | Authorizes HMFA to use certain tax credits; directs HMFA to conduct tax credit auctions to provide financial assistance for certain housing purposes. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A1948 | Requires VCCO to issue annual report to Governor and Legislature. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A1682 | Requires State Board of Education to adopt New Jersey Student Learning Standards pertaining to labor movement; requires school districts to provide instruction on labor movement. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2346 | Creates Code Red alert pilot program to shelter at-risk individuals during certain hot weather and air quality events; appropriates $5 million. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2373 | Provides employment protections for paid first responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder under certain conditions. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3424 | Establishes certain program requirements for school counselor certification; outlines role and duties of school counselor; requires professional development for school counselors; establishes position of School Counselor Liaison in DOE. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3518 | Requires MVC to create digital driver's licenses and digital non-driver identification cards. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S2783 | "Travel Insurance Act." | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3802 | Differentiates certain legal services from traditional insurance products. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| SJR96 | Permanently designates August 17th as "Nonprofit Day" in NJ. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2951 | Authorizes provision of monetary awards to whistleblowers who report State tax law violations committed by employers in construction industry. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2961 | Establishes minimum qualifications for persons employed on public works contract. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2961 | Establishes minimum qualifications for persons employed on public works contract. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| SJR100 | Designates July of each year as "Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month" in NJ. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4085 | Allows for natural organic reduction and controlled supervised decomposition of human remains. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3041 | Prohibits cooperative from receiving public works contract when cooperative-approved vendor fails to pay prevailing wage; concerns cooperative purchasing agreements with other states; and permits contracting units to award certain indefinite contracts. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4178 | Authorizes State Treasurer to grant temporary deed of easement in Borough of Sea Girt in Monmouth County. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3132 | Imposes certain requirements on secondhand dealers of cellular telephones and wireless communication devices. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3189 | Makes various changes to "New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act" and Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program; repeals "New Jersey Ignite Act." | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4331 | Establishes licensure for cosmetic retail services. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4429 | Expands prohibitions on employers concerning requirements for employees to attend or listen to communications related to political matters. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3287 | Provides gross income tax deduction for amounts paid to taxpayers for sale of certain real property interests for conservation purposes. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3309 | Establishes "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act"; revises motor vehicle franchise agreements. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3309 | Establishes "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act"; revises motor vehicle franchise agreements. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4455 | Allows exemption from New Jersey gross income of certain capital gains from sale or exchange of qualified small business stock. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3418 | Authorizes certain types of permanent structures, recently constructed or erected on preserved farmland, to be used, in certain cases, for purposes of holding special occasion events thereon. | Senate Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4603 | Allows commercial farmer to be awarded reasonable costs and attorney fees for defending against bad faith complaints under "Right to Farm Act". | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4712 | Establishes Office of Veteran Advocate and ombudsman for DMVA; appropriates funds. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4765 | Requires driver education and testing on responsibilities when approaching and passing pedestrians and persons operating bicycles and personal conveyances; requires driver's manual to include information on sharing roadway with motorists for certain road users. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3618 | Directs DEP and DOT to establish "Wildlife Corridor Action Plan." | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4897 | Revises law requiring certain student identification cards to contain telephone number for suicide prevention hotline. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3711 | Makes annual allocation of $500,000 from Clean Communities Program Fund for public outreach concerning single-use plastics reduction program permanent. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3776 | Establishes Chronic Absenteeism Task Force. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4937 | Concerns satellite cannabis dispensaries, Cannabis Regulatory Commission membership, and post-employment restrictions on State employees. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A4937 | Concerns satellite cannabis dispensaries, Cannabis Regulatory Commission membership, and post-employment restrictions on State employees. | Senate Floor: Amend | 06/30/2025 | Abstain |
| A4954 | Requires members of historic preservation commissions to complete historic preservation planning course. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4971 | Requires EDA to provide grants to certain small businesses affected by State infrastructure and construction projects. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4969 | Ensures boards of elections have discretion to make initial determination of validity of cast ballots; requires Secretary of State to establish uniform guidelines for assessing validity of ballots. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3858 | Requires school bus personnel members to call 911 emergency line in potential life-threatening emergencies; requires certain school buses transportating students with disabilities to be equipped with certain safety features; makes appropriation. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3887 | Requires DEP to provide public access for boats to certain State-and county-owned lakes and reservoirs. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5049 | Removes certain limitations on receipt of retirement or death benefits under PFRS under certain circumstances. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3910 | Makes various changes to provision of preschool aid and facilities requirements; establishes Universal Preschool Implementation Steering Committee; requires full-day kindergarten in all school districts. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S3917 | Makes various changes to school funding law and Educational Adequacy Report; establishes Special Education Funding Review Task Force. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3931 | Updates requirements for licensure in occupational therapy. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3933 | Establishes School Supervisor Mentorship Pilot Program; appropriates $500,000. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3944 | Provides that certain non-profit corporation alcoholic beverage theater licensees include disregarded entities of such corporations; allows certain community theaters to sell alcoholic beverages. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5100 | Re-appropriates unexpended balance of FY2024 appropriation for Town of West New York to support recreation center; appropriates $3 million for Town of West New York - Recreation Center to restore lapsed FY2024 funding. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5130 | Requires enforcing agency to conduct inspection of construction in specified time window. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3982 | Requires certain information be provided to parent at least two business days prior to annual Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meeting; establishes IEP Improvement Working Group in DOE. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5170 | Requires State to purchase certain unused tax credits issued under New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S4028 | Limits amount of payment that State agency as property owner may withhold from certain contractors on State construction contracts to two percent of amount due. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5199 | Requires resident and fellow physicians employed by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, who are eligible for coverage in SHBP, to be eligible to enroll and receive health insurance on first day of employment. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Senate Floor: Reconsidered Vote | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Senate Floor: Amend | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5264 | Requires establishment of automated platform to expedite construction code approval of applications to install residential solar energy systems. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4122 | Revises apportionment of State lottery contributions. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4135 | Provides allowance for certain redevelopment projects undertaken by institutions of higher education under New Jersey Aspire program. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5309 | Permits up to three credits of continuing medical education on menopause to be used by advanced practice nurses and physicians for license renewal. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5378 | Modifies provisions of Cultural Arts Incentives Program, New Jersey Aspire Program, and Grow New Jersey Program; eliminates Community-Anchored Development Program. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5381 | Provides medical documentation requirement for certain members of PERS, PFRS, and SPRS to receive accidental disability retirement allowance for participation in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations; removes filing deadline. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4263 | Revises certain provisions concerning, and establishes certain education and data reporting requirements related to, involuntary commitment. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5447 | Prohibits sweepstakes model of wagering; establishes new penalties for unlawful gambling operations and practices; directs Division of Consumer Affairs and Division of Gaming Enforcement to enforce penalties. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5463 | Requires electric public utilities to submit annual report on voting to BPU. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S4293 | Requires owner or operator of data center to submit water and energy usage report to BPU. | Senate Floor: Reconsidered Vote | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4293 | Requires owner or operator of data center to submit water and energy usage report to BPU. | Senate Floor: Concur in House Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4293 | Requires owner or operator of data center to submit water and energy usage report to BPU. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5563 | Establishes "Summer Termination Program" for certain utility customers. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5563 | Establishes "Summer Termination Program" for certain utility customers. | Senate Floor: Amend | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5546 | Concerns financial powers and responsibilities of Capital City Redevelopment Corporation. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S4376 | Establishes Department of Veterans Affairs. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5687 | Establishes Next New Jersey Manufacturing Program to incentivize in-State manufacturing investments and job creation. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5688 | Imposes surcharge on hotel occupancies in certain municipalities to fund fire services; provides for appropriation. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4426 | Appropriates funds to DEP for environmental infrastructure projects in FY2026. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4426 | Appropriates funds to DEP for environmental infrastructure projects in FY2026. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4467 | Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2026. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4467 | Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2026. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4451 | Clarifies requirements for land use plan element and housing plan element of municipal master plan. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| SCR131 | Approves FY2026 Financial Plan of NJ Infrastructure Bank. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4400 | Extends hours that minor employed by national sports association, league, or team may work under certain circumstances. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4387 | Requires establishment of tracking system in Division of Consumer Affairs to determine compliance with continuing education requirements. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4423 | Authorizes BPU to provide site approval for small modular reactors; authorizes operators of small modular reactors to store spent nuclear fuel on-site. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4476 | Permits awarding of contracts for certain preschool education services by resolution of board of education; extends maximum length of preschool education services contracts to three years. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S4472 | Eliminates five percent down payment requirement for local bond ordinances involving hazard mitigation and resilience projects. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4506 | Exempts minor league baseball players from certain State wage laws under certain circumstances. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4530 | Requires BPU to revise community solar program targets. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S4530 | Requires BPU to revise community solar program targets. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| State | District | Chamber | Party | Status | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NJ | District 10 | Senate | Republican | In Office | 01/10/2012 | |
| NJ | District 10 | House | Republican | Out of Office | 01/01/1994 | 01/23/2024 |