Legislator
Legislator > Don Guardian
State Assemblymember
Don Guardian
(R) - New Jersey
New Jersey Assembly District 02
In Office - Started: 01/11/2022
contact info
Egg Harbor Township Office
3100 Hingston Ave.
Suite 101
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
Suite 101
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
Phone: 609-677-8266
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| A4429 | Expands prohibitions on employers concerning requirements for employees to attend or listen to communications related to political matters. | An Act concerning prohibition of certain employer communications and supplementing and amending P.L.2006, c.53. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AR198 | Establishes the "Assembly Special Committee on Staten Island Annexation." | This Assembly Resolution establishes the bipartisan "Assembly Special Committee on Staten Island Annexation." The committee will consist of 12 members of the General Assembly. Six members will be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and six members will be appointed by the Minority Leader of the General Assembly. The committee will organize within 30 days after the effective date of this resolution. The committee will have two co-chairpersons and two co-vice chairpersons. The Speaker of the General Assembly will appoint a co-chairperson and a co-vice chairperson, and the Minority Leader of the General Assembly will appoint a co-chairperson and a co-vice chairperson, all from among the committee's membership. The committee will investigate and report on the historical, legal, and geographic claims of the State of New Jersey to Staten Island. The committee will examine information including, but not limited to, colonial-era land grants, the 1834 boundary compact between New York and New Jersey, and any relevant case law. The committee will explore all lawful avenues by which the State of New Jersey may assert or pursue annexation of Staten Island, subject to the consent of its residents, the State of New York, and the United States Congress. The committee will also solicit testimony from experts in their respective fields concerning the historical, legal, and geographic claims. At the conclusion of its work, the committee will develop and publish a report containing its findings and recommendations. The committee will expire upon the conclusion of the committee's work. | In Committee |
| A4215 | Directs BPU to adopt rules and regulations concerning small modular nuclear reactors; authorizes EDA to incentivize construction and operation of such reactors. | This bill would direct the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to adopt rules and regulations concerning the construction and operation of small modular nuclear reactors in the State. The bill would also authorize the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to incentivize the construction and operation of small modular nuclear reactors using moneys in the "Global Warming Solutions Fund" established pursuant to P.L.2007, c.340 (C.26:2C-45 et al.). As defined by the bill, "small modular nuclear reactor" means a nuclear fission reactor that: (1) has a rated electric generating capacity of not more than 300 megawatts; (2) is capable of being construction and operated either alone or in combination with one or more similar reactors if additional reactors are or become necessary at a single site; and (3) is required to be licensed by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The bill would require the BPU, whenever it considers a petition by an electric power supplier or basic generation service provider for the construction, purchase, or lease of a small modular nuclear reactor, to consider: (1) whether, and to what extent, the small modular nuclear reactor proposed by the electric power supplier or basic generation service provider will replace a loss of generating capacity in the State, resulting from the retirement or planned retirement of one or more existing electric generating facilities, which are located in New Jersey and which use coal or natural gas a fuel source; and (2) whether the small modular nuclear reactor that will replace an existing facility will be located on the same site as, or near, the existing facility and, if so, potential opportunities for the electric power supplier or basic generation service provider to make use of any land and existing infrastructure or facilities already owned or under the control of the electric power supplier or basic generation service provider, or create new employment opportunities for workers who have been, or would be, displaced as a result of the retirement of the existing facility. The bill would also establish other requirements for the operation of small modular nuclear reactors, as enumerated in subsections c. through e. of section 3 of the bill, including a requirement that a person that owns or operates a small modular nuclear reactor in the State may not store spent nuclear fuel or high level radioactive waste from the small modular nuclear reactor on the site of the small modular nuclear reactor without first meeting all applicable requirements of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. | Crossed Over |
| A5517 | Directs BPU to study feasibility of developing advanced reactors Statewide. | Directs BPU to study feasibility of developing advanced reactors Statewide. | Crossed Over |
| AR194 | Designates June 2025 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in New Jersey. | This Assembly resolution designates June 2025 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in New Jersey, in recognition of the achievements, contributions, struggles, and humanity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, non-binary, and pansexual (LGBTQ+) individuals. Public officials and citizens of New Jersey are respectfully urged to commemorate LGBTQ+ Pride Month 2025 with appropriate activities. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A3099 | Establishes option for students nearing completion of program in chiropractic medicine to participate in preceptorship provided by State-licensed chiropractor. | This bill requires the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners (the "board") to allow for preceptorships for students in the final year or final two semesters of a program in chiropractic medicine. "Preceptorship" is defined in the bill to mean a clinical program in which a student participates in the practice of chiropractic medicine under the direct supervision of a New Jersey-licensed chiropractor. The board is to approve the State-licensed chiropractors who can act as preceptors for students. Additionally, the school, institution, or college of chiropractic in which the student is enrolled is to be approved by the board pursuant to current law. Under the bill, a student seeking to participate in a preceptorship is to apply to the board for a limited license. The limited license is not to be renewed upon expiration. To the extent the board considers it appropriate, the provisions of current law governing chiropractors and additional staff are to apply to students in a preceptorship. The bill aims to retain graduates of programs of chiropractic medicine based in New Jersey to work as licensed chiropractors in the State. | Crossed Over |
| A5146 | Removes exception to civil service working test period for political subdivision employees. | Under current law, for most civil service employees, the Civil Service Commission provides for a working test period of four months, which may be extended to six months at the discretion of the commission, except that the working test period for political subdivision employees is three months. This bill removes the exception for political subdivision employees. Under the bill, the working test period for political subdivision employees will be four months and may be extended to six months at the discretion of the commission. | Crossed Over |
| A5855 | Increases penalty for crime of manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing certain Schedule I or II controlled dangerous substances. | This bill upgrades the degree of crime associated with the manufacturing, distributing or dispensing of Schedule I or II drugs. It is the sponsor's intent to establish penalties for fentanyl-related drug crimes that are more equivalent to the current penalties for heroin. Currently, fentanyl, despite being more potent and dangerous than heroin, is subject to lighter penalties. It is the sponsor's intent to address the disparities in penalties between the two drugs in order to reduce the incentive to exploit fentanyl's potency and profitability and reduce the risk posed by fentanyl to the citizens of this State. Under current law, it is a second degree crime to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a substance classified as a narcotic drug in Schedule I or II, in any quantity of one ounce or more. It is a crime of the third degree to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a Schedule I or II drug in a quantity of less than one ounce. Under the bill, it is a crime of the first degree to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a Schedule I or II drug in a quantity of one ounce or more; a second degree crime if the quantity is one-half ounce or more, but less than one ounce; and a third degree crime for less than one-half ounce. A first degree crime is ordinarily punishable by 10 to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $200,000, or both. A second degree crime is ordinarily punishable by five to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. A third degree crime is ordinarily punishable by three to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. Under the bill, a person who commits the first degree crime of manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing a Schedule I or II drug may instead face a fine of up to $500,000. Further, a person who commits the third degree crime may instead face a fine of up $75,000. | In Committee |
| A1478 | Requires study of ocean energy potential; directs BPU to establish wave and tidal energy generation goals and take other action to establish NJ as nationwide leader in ocean energy. | Requires study of ocean energy potential; directs BPU to establish wave and tidal energy generation goals and take other action to establish NJ as nationwide leader in ocean energy. | In Committee |
| A5545 | Authorizes soil conservation districts to have more than five supervisors. | This bill would authorize a soil conservation district to have more than five supervisors. Under the bill, the State Soil Conservation Committee would be authorized to determine the maximum number of supervisors for each district. Current law authorizes five supervisors for each district, appointed by the State Soil Conservation Committee. | Crossed Over |
| A1825 | Establishes certain guidelines for SHBP, SEHBP, and Medicaid concerning step therapy protocols. | An Act concerning step therapy protocols and supplementing Titles 30 and 52 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A5555 | Provides for allocation of $100 million from available balances collected from societal benefits charge revenues for construction of new nuclear power plant. | This bill provides that in the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2025, the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) would, from available balances accumulated in accounts of the BPU from funds collected through the societal benefits charge imposed under current law, allocate $100 million to fund the construction of a new nuclear power plant in the State. | In Committee |
| A3700 | Establishes pilot program to provide Medicaid coverage of remote maternal health services for eligible beneficiaries. | This bill establishes a voluntary, three-year pilot program to provide certain pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries with remote maternal health services, upon referral by the beneficiaries' health care provider. It is the intent of the bill's sponsor to expand access to obstetric care for pregnant patients who live in the State's rural communities or in medically underserved communities. The bill provides that the Commissioner of Human Services, based upon clinical evidence and the recommendations of experts in the fields of obstetrics and maternal-fetal medicine, will determine the remote services to be provided through the pilot program. At minimum, the program will provide remote patient monitoring, remote non-stress tests, and tele-ultrasound services for pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries. The bill defines "remote maternal health services" as the use of digital technology to collect medical and health data from a pregnant patient and securely transmit this information to a health care provider at a distant site for interpretation and use as part of a diagnosis or a treatment plan. "Remote patient monitoring" is defined as the use of digital technology to collect and transmit patient health data to a healthcare provider at a distant site for review and treatment management. The bill stipulates that the devices and digital technologies used to provide remote maternal health services must comply with the requirements of the federal "Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996," and be used in an FDA-approved capacity. The bill provides that State licensed physicians, certified nurse midwives, professional midwives, or midwives may refer a pregnant Medicaid beneficiary to the pilot program if the health care provider determines that remote maternal health services are in the beneficiary's best interests; or that the beneficiary has an increased likelihood of a high-risk pregnancy due to: pre-existing medical conditions; age; lifestyle factors; or a diagnosed pregnancy-related condition, such as preeclampsia. The bill also provides that remote maternal health services will be available to a pregnant Medicaid beneficiary whose pregnancy is not high-risk, but who resides in a community that lacks a sufficient number of health care providers who offer obstetric care and participate in the Medicaid program. Eligibility for the pilot program will also be extended to a pregnant Medicaid beneficiary who is unable to access consistent obstetric care due to socioeconomic factors, such as the beneficiary's work schedule, a lack of reliable transportation, or a lack of reliable child care. Pursuant to the bill, the establishment of the remote maternal health services pilot program is contingent upon federal approval of the State's Medicaid waiver application or State plan amendment, in order to ensure federal financial participation for State Medicaid expenditures under the federal Medicaid program. | In Committee |
| A919 | Establishes procedures and standards regarding public service privatization contracts. | This bill prohibits the privatization of public services unless there are cost savings which are not based on increased charges or reduced services to the public, or lowered workforce standards. Each prospective private contractor would be required to demonstrate cost reductions based on improvements such as management efficiencies or technical innovation, not based on added burdens imposed on the members of the public using the services or the employees producing them. The bill requires that a contract for the privatization of public services not be entered into without cost analyses demonstrating that there will be actual cost savings for the public agency and the taxpayers without increased fees, fares, or other charges to the public, reduced quantity or quality of services, or lowered workforce standards, including reduced staff qualifications and remuneration. The bill further requires sustained oversight and public disclosure regarding those contracts to provide accountability to taxpayers, public users of the services, and employees producing the services, that the cost savings actually occur without increased charges, or reduced services or workforce standards, and provides penalties and sanctions for any noncompliance involving agency or contractor misrepresentation, fraud or other malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance. The bill's prohibition on the privatization of public services does not apply to contracts for: (1) legal, management consulting, planning, engineering or design services, (2) prevailing wage construction work, (3) certain services provided by disabled individuals employed by rehabilitation facilities, (4) a vendor providing software or other information technology or equipment for the purpose of enhancing or increasing the productivity, efficiency, or effectiveness of regular employees of the agency in providing services; or (5) services which a vendor provides during an emergency or other unpredictable situation which creates a need for more services than the current regular employees are able to provide during the emergency or situation, provided that there is no loss of employment for regular employees who normally provide the services. The bill prohibits any political subdivision from entering into a contract of $500,000 or more, and any public body, including the State, from entering into a contract of $1 million or more, to purchase from private entities services previously performed by agency employees, unless: 1. The agency solicits competitive sealed bids for the contracts based on a comprehensive statement of requirements by the agency; 2. The contract requires that the public not be charged fares, fees or other charges greater than those currently charged, that the quantity and quality of the services provided equal or exceed the quantity and quality of services currently provided, that the contractor is qualified, and that contractor employees have qualifications and wage and benefit rates at least equal to the agency employees currently performing the services. Contractors are required to submit payroll records to the agency and, upon any failure to pay the agreed upon wage and benefit rates, are subject to the remedies and penalties provided by the "New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act," P.L.1963, c.150 (C.34:11-56.25 et seq.) for failure to pay the prevailing wage; 3. The agency permits the union of the affected agency employees to review the agency's estimate of current costs and submit an alternative cost estimate and propose cost saving measures compliant with requirements of the bill and the agency reviews the union estimate and proposal and makes a determination whether to reduce the agency's estimate of current costs; 4. The contract requires compliance with antidiscrimination standards, requires available positions to be offered to qualified displaced agency employees, and requires the agency to prepare a plan of training and assistance for displaced employees; 5. The contractor and specified associates have no adjudicated record of substantial or repeated noncompliance with any federal or State law pertaining to the operation of a business, including laws regarding contracting and conflict of interest; 6. After receiving bids, the agency publicly designates the bidder to which it proposes to award the contract and issues a comprehensive written analysis of the total contract cost of the designated bid; and 7. The agency provides written certification that the agency and the proposed contract are in compliance with all provisions of the bill and the total estimated contract cost is less than the cost of agency employees performing the services, with a statement of the amount of the savings. The bill requires the agency to make public its determination of whether to award a contract within 60 days of the completion of the bidding. The Office of the State Comptroller would be required to review the certification and prohibit the agency from entering into the privatization contract if the office provides a written determination that the bid does not provide cost savings or that the agency has otherwise failed to comply with any requirement of the bill. The State Auditor would be required to conduct post-audits of contracts subject to the bill, evaluating whether the projected cost savings were obtained without raising charges, cutting services, or lowering workforce standards. If the noncompliance was related to agency or contractor misrepresentation, fraud or other malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance, the agency or contractor would be subject to penalties and sanctions including, where appropriate, debarment or rescission of contracts, or reimbursement of excess charges to the public and underpayments of employees. The requirements of the bill apply to any privatization contract entered into after the effective date of the bill and any renewal, extension or transfer of that contract, but do not apply to contracts entered into before the effective date or renewals, extensions or transfers of those contracts. | In Committee |
| A2172 | Includes electronic sports event as sports wagering; authorizes electronic sports wagering at certain locations. | Under current law, the Division of Gaming Enforcement is responsible for matters relating to, and arising from, sports wagering agreements, and is the entity responsible for approving the terms of an agreement with an Internet sports pool operator, which is licensed by the division, to operate an online sports pool on behalf of either a casino or a racetrack. This bill ensures that, while allowing sports wagering on electronic sports events, the division maintains its ability to oversee and approve sports wagering agreements involving either a casino or a racetrack, and that, where the agreement involves a racetrack, the New Jersey Racing Commission will be informed of the approval of such agreements. | In Committee |
| A5298 | Requires DEP and New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to provide priority for principal forgiveness on environmental infrastructure project loans to municipalities in coastal areas. | This bill would requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (I-Bank) to provide priority for principal forgiveness on environmental infrastructure project loans to municipalities in coastal areas. The DEP and the I-Bank finance the State's Water Bank program, which provides financing, in the form of low-interest loans, often with a certain amount of principal forgiveness, in support of wastewater and drinking water projects throughout the State. | In Committee |
| A5289 | Establishes registration and training program for commercial applicators of substances for snow and ice removal. | This bill directs the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop and implement a voluntary commercial applicator deicer training and registration program and establish criteria for training commercial applicators in methods for snow and ice removal and deicer applications that are effective and protect water quality. The bill requires DEP to certify third party training providers and programs at community colleges, vocational schools, universities, or other educational institutions in the State qualified to provide the training specified by the department. The bill requires each commercial applicator to successfully complete training and pass an examination prior to registering with the DEP, and thereafter to update training and registration as required by the DEP. Furthermore, the bill: 1) requires registered commercial applicators to maintain certain records and annually file certain reports; 2) establishes certain limits on liability for commercial applicators; and 3) provides for suspension or revocation of a commercial applicator registration for a violation of any provision of the bill, or for making a false statement, representation, or certification in any documents or information required to be submitted to the department, or in any records required to be maintained under the bill. Finally, the bill authorizes the Commissioner of Environmental Protection to adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement the bill's requirements. | In Committee |
| A5301 | Expands available protections against fraudulent recording of quitclaim deed. | This bill enhances protections against fraudulent recordings of quitclaim deeds by expressly authorizing a property owner to request notification and a delay in the recording, any time a quitclaim deed is submitted for recording on the owner's property. If a property owner submits this request, the bill requires the county recording officer (officer) to notify the property owner any time a person submits a request to record a quitclaim deed on the owner's property, and to wait to record the quitclaim deed until no less than 10 business days, and not more than 12 business days, have passed following the day when the officer sends the notification. To facilitate the notification requirement, the bill directs the officer to accept and retain a submission from a property owner of the owner's preferred mailing address or e-mail address, or both. A "county recording officer" is also known as the "register of deeds and mortgages" in some counties, and the "county clerk" in the others. A "quitclaim deed" is a form of a deed through which a grantor makes no promises concerning the extent of the present ownership of the property at issue, and no future promises concerning the property at issue, but conveys whatever estate or interest the grantor purports to have in the real property at issue. The bill allows the officer to collect a fee from property owners submitting notification requests to offset the cost of the notification requirement. The bill takes effect on the first day of the third month next following enactment in order to allow recording offices to adjust fees. | In Committee |
| A5299 | 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 |
| ACR153 | Determines that DEP rules and regulations to implement "Advanced Clean Trucks" program are inconsistent with legislative intent. | This concurrent resolution embodies the finding of the Legislature that the rule and regulations adopted by the Department of Environmental Protection in the December 20, 2021 New Jersey Register, 53 N.J.R. 2148(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 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 |
| A5231 | Allows veteran service organizations to obtain license to serve members alcoholic beverages. | This bill establishes a veteran's service organization license that would allow certain veteran organizations to sell alcoholic beverages on the licensed premises and only to bona fide members of a veteran's service organization, guests of a bona fide member, affiliated bona fide members of other veteran service organizations, and members of auxiliary organizations that are allied with other veteran's service organizations. The bill defines veteran's service organization as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, or other veterans' organizations chartered under federal law, or any service foundation of such an organization recognized in its bylaws. Under current law, these veteran organizations may obtain a club license to serve alcoholic beverages to members and guests but are prohibited from serving alcoholic beverages to auxiliary and affiliated members. Under the bill, a bona fide member of a veteran's service organization would be permitted to have not more than nine individuals as guests on any one occasion and host private events. The bill prohibits affiliated and auxiliary members from having guests and hosting private events on the premises of a veteran's service organization at which they are not a member. A bona fide member who hosts a private event would be required to provide all of the alcoholic beverages which are to be purchased off the licensed premises. The license holder would be prohibited from selling alcoholic beverages or charging a fee for the consumption of alcoholic beverages at a private event but would be allowed sell food and non-alcoholic beverages for consumption on the licensed premises. | In Committee |
| ACR150 | 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 |
| A5175 | 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 |
| A4128 | Prohibits operation of drone over school under certain circumstances. | This bill prohibits the operation of an unmanned aircraft system, commonly referred to as a drone, over a school under certain circumstances. Specifically, under the provisions of this bill, a person commits a disorderly persons offense if the person knowingly operates a drone below 250 feet over the building or grounds of any school for the purpose of conducting surveillance or gathering information without the prior written authorization of the superintendent or chief school administrator. In addition, under the bill, a person commits a disorderly persons offense if the person knowingly operates a drone below 250 feet over the building or grounds of any school and the unmanned aircraft system remains above or hovers above the building or grounds of the school without the prior written authorization of the superintendent or chief school administrator. Further, a person commits a disorderly persons offense if the person uses the building or grounds of a school as a takeoff or landing area for a drone. A disorderly person offense is punishable by up to six months imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. The bill defines, "school" as a public or nonpublic elementary or secondary school within this State offering education in grades kindergarten through 12, or any combination of grades, at which a child may legally fulfill compulsory school attendance requirements. Finally, the bill provides that the bill's provisions do not prohibit the authorized use, in compliance with applicable federal rules and regulations, of a drone by a public employee, or a public entity, or by a first responder in the performance of official duties. | In Committee |
| A5145 | Appropriates $150,000 to Department of Community Affairs for Atlantic County Animal Shelter one-year cat spay-and-neuter clinic. | This bill appropriates an additional $150,000 to the Department of Community Affairs to be provided to the Atlantic County Animal Shelter for a one-year, free spay-and-neuter clinic to contain the county's cat population and protect public health. Feral cats proliferate in New Jersey due to a lack of effective spaying and neutering management. Cats are often abandoned, stray from their owners, or roam unsupervised, reproducing and contributing to undomesticated colonies. The Office of Veterinary Public Health in the Department of Health reported that cats accounted for more than half of the animals impounded and nearly 80 percent of the animals that were euthanized in the State's animal shelters in 2017. Spaying and neutering pets are proven ways to reduce pet overpopulation and euthanasia rates. For every dollar spent on spaying and neutering, $13 are saved in future control, shelter, vet, adoption, and euthanasia costs - a more than tenfold cost savings. Spaying and neutering is a preventative, cost-effective, and humane approach to animal care and control, reducing costs to county governments and nonprofit organizations for impounding and euthanizing animals. This supplemental appropriation for the Atlantic County Animal Shelter for a one-year clinic would facilitate the county's health and animal population control measures. | In Committee |
| A5103 | "Small Modular Nuclear Energy Incentive Act." | This bill, to be known as the "Small Modular Nuclear Energy Incentive Act," would direct the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to establish a program to solicit bids for the construction of new small modular nuclear reactors in the State. The bill would authorize the BPU to issue financial incentives to SMRs, to be known as SMR incentives, for each megawatt hour of electric energy produced by the reactor. The amount of the incentive would be determined through a competitive solicitation process. Private entities would submit bids to the BPU, which state the level of SMR incentive they estimate they would require to achieve profitability. The BPU would select the lowest bids, except that the bill authorizes the BPU to give preference to certain projects, for example projects sited at former nuclear energy facilities or fossil fuel power plants. The bill would authorize the BPU to use moneys in the "Global Warming Solutions Fund," which serves as the repository for funds collected by the State under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), in order to fund the SMR incentives. The bill would direct the BPU to develop the program within one year after the bill's enactment, and to begin the first competitive solicitation round within two years after the bill's enactment. The bill would restrict the owner or operator of an SMR that receives an incentive from otherwise profiting from the environmental attributes of the energy it produces. Finally, the bill would require each SMR that is selected to participate in the incentive program to pay an annual administrative fee to the BPU, to compensate the BPU for its costs in administering the program. | In Committee |
| A5006 | Excludes tips from gross income tax. | This bill excludes income earned in the form of tips from the gross income tax. Under current law, the State defines gross income as, among other categories of income, salaries, wages, tips, fees, commissions, bonuses, and other remuneration received for services rendered. Subject to minimum gross income thresholds identified under the law and specific deductions for which a tax filer is deemed eligible, all income from tips is treated as taxable income. However, under current law, the value of property an individual acquires by gift, bequest, devise or inheritance is specifically excluded from gross income, except for the income received from property acquired by gift, bequest, devise or inheritance that has an income-generating capacity. Specifically, the bill eliminates tips as a category of income that is included in the calculation of gross income for State income tax purposes. The bill also specifies that tips received for services rendered, whether in cash or in property, would be treated as property acquired by gift, and therefore specifically excluded from the calculation of gross income. | In Committee |
| A4914 | Requires Cannabis Regulatory Commission to establish procedure for persons to voluntarily prohibit self from entering dispensary. | This bill permits persons to voluntarily self-exclude themselves from being able to enter dispensaries or purchase any cannabis items from a cannabis dispensary. Under the bill, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission is required to promulgate rules or regulations related to: (1) establishing procedures for the placement on, and removal from, the list of self-excluded persons; (2) establishing procedures for the transmittal of the list of self-excluded persons to all cannabis retailers; and (3) providing guidance for cannabis retailers to establish procedures designed to: (a) remove self-excluded persons from targeted mailings or other forms of advertising or promotions; and (b) deny self-excluded persons entry and access to the retail location and the cannabis items provided by the cannabis retailer. The bill permits any person to be placed on the self-exclusion list and requires any cannabis retailer to deny entry or sale to a person included on the list. The bill establishes that the self-exclusion list is exempt from public inspection, copying, or disclosure. | In Committee |
| A1400 | Requires water supplier to notify affected municipalities, school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools of violations of drinking water quality standards. | This bill would require the owner or operator of a public water system to immediately notify, by telephone and electronic mail, the governing body of a municipality and the chief administrator of every school district, charter school, and nonpublic school located within the municipality whenever the public water system violates any drinking water quality standard for drinking water supplied by the public water system within the municipality. The notification would provide the name of any contaminant that exceeds a drinking water quality standard, the maximum contaminant level or the action level, as appropriate, for the contaminant, the level of the contaminant found on each date, the dates when the tests were performed, the location of each sample tested and the location of each sample tested that exceeds a maximum contaminant level or action level. The bill also requires the owner or operator of the public water system to provide information on suggested remedies that a customer may take to address the violation. | Crossed Over |
| A2717 | Authorizes proportional property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected permanent disability and proclaims that the State shall reimburse municipalities for costs of exemption. | 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 |
| A4829 | Expands eligibility for school transportation services for nonpublic school pupils; repeals law concerning transportation of certain nonpublic school students. | This bill expands eligibility for school transportation services to require transportation or aid-in-lieu-of payments for nonpublic school pupils who reside within the county of the school district of residence. Under current law, a school district that provides transportation for public school pupils who reside remote from school (two miles in the case of an elementary school student and two and a half miles in the case of a secondary school student) is also required to provide transportation or aid-in-lieu-of transportation to pupils residing in the school district who attend a remote nonpublic school located within the State provided that the nonpublic school is located not more than 20 miles from the residence of the pupil. Under this bill, a school district is to also provide transportation or aid-in-lieu of transportation to pupils attending a remote nonpublic school located within the same county as the residence of the pupil regardless of the school's distance from the pupil's residence. This bill also repeals a statutory provision that references the 20-mile limitation for nonpublic school transportation that is inconsistent with the county-based system provided for in the bill. | In Committee |
| A4830 | Authorizes Division of Gaming Enforcement to participate in national self-exclusion list for gaming activities, and to create necessary forms for participation. | Under current law, the Division of Gaming Enforcement is responsible for the establishment of a self-exclusion program in this State, which allows individuals to request that they not be permitted to enter casinos or otherwise participate in gambling in this State. Many states operate similar programs, which only apply within the boundaries of each state. As a result, a person who wishes to self-exclude from gambling in multiple states, which they may live near or visit frequently, must do so in each individual state. This bill would authorize the division to join multi-state or national self-exclusion programs that would allow individuals to request to join multiple self-exclusion lists, in multiple states, through one form at one time. The bill would also allow the division to enter into an agreement with other states for the mutual enforcement of their self-exclusion lists. The bill directs the division to establish the necessary rules, procedures, and forms for the implementation of such programs or agreements. The division would be required to allow an individual requesting self-exclusion to select the jurisdictions from which they wish to be excluded. The division would be prohibited from sharing the individual's information with any jurisdiction not explicitly authorized by the person. | In Committee |
| S2876 | Designates State Highway Route 42 and Interstate Highway Route 295 interchange as "Ensign John R. Elliott Memorial Interchange." | An Act designating the interchange between State Highway Route 42 and Interstate Highway Route 295 as the "Ensign John R. Elliott Memorial Interchange." | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AR138 | Designates June 2024 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in New Jersey. | This Assembly resolution designates June 2024 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in New Jersey, in recognition of the achievements, contributions, struggles, and humanity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, non-binary, and pansexual (LGBTQIA+) individuals. Public officials and citizens of New Jersey are respectfully urged to commemorate LGBTQIA+ Pride Month 2024 with appropriate activities. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4127 | Designates State Highway Route 42 and Interstate Highway Route 295 interchange as "Ensign John R. Elliott Memorial Interchange." | Designates State Highway Route 42 and Interstate Highway Route 295 interchange as "Ensign John R. Elliott Memorial Interchange." | In Committee |
| A3034 | Directs Department of Agriculture to advertise and promote State aquaculture products through Jersey Fresh Program; establishes annual $100,000 appropriation; appropriates $100,000. | This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to advertise and promote aquaculture products as part of the Jersey Fresh Program. The Jersey Fresh Program is the marketing and quality grading program that is currently used, by the department, to advertise and promote the availability of fruit and vegetable agricultural commodities that have been produced in the State and graded for quality. This bill would expand the Jersey Fresh Program to additionally include marketing for fish and shellfish that are produced in the State, or in State waters, through means of aquaculture, and the quality of which complies with standards adopted by the department and is verified thereby through the use of an appropriate quality grading system. The bill would require the department to develop and implement a quality grading system that is specific to the grading of aquaculture products, as distinguished from wild-caught seafood products, which system is to be consistent with, and similar to, the quality grading system that is used, by the department, to grade the quality of other agricultural commodities for the purposes of the Jersey Fresh Program. The bill provides an initial appropriation of $100,000 for the bill's purposes, and it additionally provides for an annual appropriation of $100,000 to be made in each fiscal year after the bill's effective date, in order to facilitate the ongoing marketing and promotion of aquaculture products under the Jersey Fresh Program. The monies made available under the bill would be in addition to any other monies that may be appropriated or allocated to the Jersey Fresh Program. | In Committee |
| A4410 | Requires green building standards and impact studies for carbon, traffic, storm water, and schools for certain affordable housing development. | This bill requires newly-built affordable housing inclusionary developments of 10 units or more to report the results of a traffic impact study, school impact study, and storm water impact study to the municipality in which the development is to be located. A newly-built inclusionary development requiring the clearing of more than one acre of land would also be required to report the results of a carbon impact study. The bill also requires newly-built inclusionary developments to be designed, constructed, and certified to at least LEED silver standards, or equivalent green building system standards, if the development consists of 10 or more units or four or more floors. The bill directs the Commissioner of Community Affairs to adopt rules and regulations by the first day of the eighth month following enactment. This bill takes effect on the first day of the thirteenth month next following enactment, and would not apply to developments for which an application for development is submitted prior to that date. | In Committee |
| A4412 | Establishes certification process for non-physicians to perform laser tattoo removal. | This bill directs the Board of Medical Examiners to establish requirements to allow a non-physician to obtain certification to perform laser tattoo removal. The requirements are to include qualifications of a non-physician to provide tattoo removal services, development or approval of testing, and continuing education for certification renewal. Under the bill, a non-physician is required to obtain certification before offering laser tattoo removal services. A certification in tattoo removal services is to be renewed on a biennial basis with the board. | In Committee |
| A4407 | Increases daily compensation for election workers and increases additional compensation rate for election workers managing signature copy registers. | This bill increases the daily compensation for election workers from $300 per day to $400 per day. It also increases the additional compensation rate for election workers who obtain and return signature copy registers. Under current law, if one election worker obtains or returns the signature copy registers, the additional compensation is $12.50. If two election workers share the responsibility, each receives an additional $6.25. This bill will increase the compensation rate to $20 and $10, respectively. Under current law, election workers are paid $300 per day each time the primary election, general election, or any special election is held. The State reimburses $225 of the payment to the election workers while the counties account for the rest. This bill increases the State's reimbursement to $325 while keeping the counties sum at $75. | In Committee |
| A4392 | "Atlantic City Urban Enterprise Zone and Property Tax Relief Act"; creates urban enterprise zone in Atlantic City for 10 years. | This bill, designated as the "Atlantic City Urban Enterprise Zone and Property Tax Relief Act," authorizes the creation of an urban enterprise zone (zone or UEZ) in the city of Atlantic City for a one-time term of 10 years. The bill requires designation of the Atlantic City UEZ within 90 days of the date Atlantic City submits a UEZ application and zone development plan. Qualifying retail businesses located within the new zone to be designated under the bill would be able to charge and collect a reduced sales and use tax , set at 50 percent of the sales and use tax (SUT) rate. A business operating as a casino does not qualify as an eligible business under the UEZ program, however, a business operating on casino property which is not owned by a casino business may be eligible if it otherwise meets the criteria for business eligibility. Under the bill, all of the SUT revenues collected within the Atlantic City UEZ are to be appropriated for use by Atlantic City for public safety purposes. The revenues derived from the receipts of all retail sales of non-exempt goods are to be deposited into the dedicated public safety services trust fund established pursuant to subsection c. of section 1 of P.L.2021, c.497 (C.5:12-152.1) and are to be used by the municipality solely and exclusively to fund appropriations for public safety services. This bill is meant to address the negative economic conditions experienced by Atlantic City over the past several years as the city transitions from a casino gaming destination to a general-interest tourist destination. | In Committee |
| A2776 | Exempts certain plastic materials processed at advanced plastic processing facilities from State laws regulating solid waste disposal and recycling. | Exempts certain plastic materials processed at advanced plastic processing facilities from State laws regulating solid waste disposal and recycling. | In Committee |
| S1313 | Establishes procedure for certification of LGBTQ+ business. | An Act concerning the certification of businesses owned by LGBTQ+ persons and supplementing Title 52 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4130 | Expands definition of child under PFRS and SPRS. | This bill expands the definition of a child under the PFRS and SPRS to include the child of a deceased member that is under the age of 24 and that is enrolled in a degree program in an institution of higher education for at least 12 credit hours in each semester. Under current law, a person is considered a child under the PFRS and SPRS if the person is: (1) under the age of 18; (2) 18 years of age or older and enrolled in a secondary school; (3) under the age of 24 and enrolled in a degree program in an institution of higher education for at least 12 credit hours in each semester, provided that the member died in active service as a result of an accident met in the actual performance of duty at some definite time and place, and the death was not the result of the member's willful misconduct; or (4) any age who, at the time of the member's or retirant's death, is disabled because of an intellectual disability or physical incapacity, is unable to do any substantial, gainful work because of the impairment and the impairment has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, as affirmed by the medical board. This bill would remove the requirement that if the child is under the age of 24 and enrolled in an institution of higher education, the child must be the survivor of a member who died in the line of duty to be considered a child under the PFRS or SPRS. This bill would permit any child of a deceased member that is under the age of 24 and that is enrolled in a degree program in an institution of higher education for at least 12 credit hours in each semester to be considered a child regardless if the member died in the line of duty or not. | In Committee |
| A3330 | Establishes procedure for certification of LGBTQ+ business. | Establishes procedure for certification of LGBTQ+ business. | In Committee |
| A4028 | Provides certain resources to county prosecutors for enforcement of law regarding failure to pay wages; makes appropriation. | This bill requires the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD), for purposes of supporting the enforcement of the provisions of State wage and hour laws, to provide funds and training to each county prosecutor's office for the investigation and prosecution of the abovementioned laws and worker exploitation. The bill requires the county prosecutor of each county to establish and assign an assistant prosecutor to the investigation and prosecution of violations of the State wage and hour laws. The bill makes an appropriation from the General Fund to the DOLWD, not to exceed $2,000,000, for purposes of effectuating the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| A3847 | Requires SJTA to suspend certain tolls on the Atlantic City Expressway in certain circumstances. | This bill requires the South Jersey Transportation Authority to suspend the collection of any toll east of the Garden State Parkway on the Atlantic City Expressway when U.S. Route 40 is closed east of the Garden State Parkway. U.S. Route 40 is a main thoroughfare for many residents of this State. U.S. Route 40 is also prone to flooding. If, for any reason, the route is closed, there is no efficient means of travel for many motorists to and from Atlantic City to Pleasantville without having to pay a toll. | In Committee |
| A3823 | Requires AG to defend challenges to certain municipal ordinances that establish residency requirements for convicted sex offenders. | Many municipalities throughout New Jersey have either passed or introduced ordinances that ban convicted sex offenders from living near schools, child care centers, and other areas where children congregate. These municipalities lack adequate funding to defend legal challenges against sex offender residency requirements. This bill would require the Attorney General to promulgate a model municipal ordinance that establishes residency restrictions for convicted sex offenders. Under the bill, the model ordinance shall not contain provisions that would violate an individual's constitutional right to travel or require individuals to move from their current residence. The Attorney General would be required to defend any civil action brought by a plaintiff that challenges a municipal ordinance that is identical to the model ordinance. The Attorney General would provide this legal representation at no cost to the municipality. | In Committee |
| A3824 | Permits board of chosen freeholders to establish "Sharing Resources" grant and loan program to encourage shared services and municipal consolidation. | This bill permits the board of county commissioners of any county to establish a "Sharing Resources" grant and loan program for local units within the county that plan to study the feasibility of a shared service agreement, a joint meeting contract, or municipal consolidation. Grant and loan monies may be used to fund studies, consultant costs and one-time start-up costs of a shared service agreement, joint meeting contract, or municipal consolidation. The board of county commissioners, in consultation with the Commissioner of Community Affairs, may promulgate rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the purposes of its program. The Commissioner of Community Affairs is required to provide common guidelines and procedures for the submission of grant applications to a county "Sharing Resources" grant program. Applications for one-time start-up costs are required to provide that local units may apply for financial assistance for the one-time start-up costs necessary to implement shared services. Costs that may be financed through the issuance of debt or capital lease agreements are excluded from this program. The board of county commissioners may set limits on aid awards and negotiate the various provisions, costs, payment provisions, and amounts of grants or loans to ensure that the proposed shared service is cost effective and in the public interest. The board of county commissioners may also provide technical support programs to assist local units in applying for grants or aid for studying shared services. The board of county commissioners may receive and expend moneys from the State, the federal government, or private individuals, corporations or associations thereof, to meet all or a portion of the expenses of the "Sharing Resources" grant and loan program, and may raise by taxation, pursuant to R.S.40:23-7, all or a portion of the money necessary to pay for the program. | In Committee |
| A3848 | Establishes maximum rate of interest for New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Student Loan Program; establishes protections for private student loan borrowers. | This bill establishes a maximum rate of interest for loans disbursed pursuant to the New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students (NJCLASS) Loan Program. The bill also establishes various protections with respect to private student loans. The NJCLASS loan program, offered and serviced by the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA), is the State's student loan program. Under current law, the rate of interest of NJCLASS loans is set by HESAA and is typically set by market conditions as the loans are funded through the sale of bonds. Currently, the rate of interest of NJCLASS loans ranges from 5.69 percent to 7.47 percent depending on the term length of the loan and if payments are made on the loan while a student is enrolled in an institution of higher education. Under the bill, the maximum rate of interest for all NJCLASS loans disbursed after the effective date of the bill is not to exceed three percent. This bill also establishes protections for private student loan borrowers. The bill prohibits a private student loan executed on or after the effective date of the bill from including a provision that permits a lender to attempt to collect against the borrower or cosigner's estate, other than for payment default. The bill requires a private student loan lender to release a cosigner from the obligations of the loan in the event of the death of the borrower. The bill also prohibits a lender from changing any terms or benefits established under a promissory note and the repayment schedule, repayment terms, or monthly payment amount associated with the private student loan upon notice of the death or bankruptcy of a cosigner. Additionally, the bill prohibits a private student loan lender from placing into default or accelerating a student loan or student loan account while a borrower is seeking a loan modification or enrollment in a flexible repayment plan for up to 90 days. Under the bill, a lender, upon determination of the total and permanent disability of a borrower, is required to release the borrower and cosigner from the obligations of the private student loan. The bill prohibits the lender from attempting to collect a payment from any borrower or cosigner following a notification of total and permanent disability of the borrower. After making the determination of the total and permanent disability of a borrower, a lender cannot monitor the disability status of the borrower after the date of discharge. Additionally, the bill requires lenders to provide the borrower the option to designate an individual to have the legal authority to act on behalf of the borrower with respect to the private education loan in the event of the total and permanent disability of the borrower. | In Committee |
| A1111 | Requires certain commercial motor vehicles to be equipped with certain global positioning systems. | This bill requires a commercial motor vehicle operating upon the public highways of this State to be equipped with a global positioning system navigation program that provides information about upcoming highway infrastructure with low vertical clearance and weight restrictions and dynamic route directions that account for commercial motor vehicle restrictions. | In Committee |
| A1559 | Establishes task force to study technology and other methods used to reduce or eliminate telemarketing harassment and intimidation. | This bill establishes in the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety a task force to study technology and other methods used to reduce or eliminate telemarketing harassment and intimidation. The purpose of this task for is to evaluate and make recommendations relating to the cost and feasibility of implementing appropriate technology and other methods to reduce incidents of telemarketing harassment and intimidation of consumers in this State. The task force is to consist of 11 members as follows: 1) the Attorney General, the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, and the Director of the Division of Rate Counsel, or their designees, who are to serve ex-officio; and 2) eight public members who shall be appointed by the Governor, including a telecommunications technology expert from AT&T Communications of New Jersey, a telecommunications technology expert from Verizon New Jersey, a telecommunications technology expert from Verizon New Jersey with particular expertise in fiber optic technology, a representative from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), a representative from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, and three senior citizens who have experienced telemarketing harassment and intimidation. The bill requires the task force is to issue a report to the Governor and to the Legislature, which is to include, but not be limited to, a cost-benefit analysis concerning the implementation of technology and other methods that may be used to reduce telemarketing harassment and intimidation in this State, the various options for financing the cost of implementation, any other information relevant to the subject of the report, and any draft legislation the task force deems appropriate to implement the purposes of this bill. | In Committee |
| A1558 | Authorizes Surrogate of every county to establish electronic systems to accept electronic signatures on qualifying documents in probate matters. | This bill provides that the Surrogate of every county is authorized to establish electronic systems to accept electronic signatures on qualifying documents including application for probate, authorization to accept service of process, executor qualification, surety bond, data entry review, renunciation of executor, application for administration, qualification of administrator, renunciation of administrator, affidavit of assets, notice of probate, and similar qualifying documents. This bill would not apply to any will. In addition, the bill provides the Supreme Court may adopt Rules of Court and the Administrative Director of the Courts may issue directives to effectuate the purposes of this act. | In Committee |
| A2612 | Exempts State residents 65 years of age and older from certain hunting, trapping, and fishing fees and license requirements. | This bill would exempt New Jersey residents 65 years of age and older from being required to pay any fee to obtain any hunting or trapping license, permit, certificate, or stamp, and to obtain a fishing license. Current law requires hunters, trappers, and fishermen to pay certain fees in order to obtain various hunting, trapping, or fishing licenses, permits, certificates, or stamps. State residents over the age of 65 who are applying for a firearm hunting license, an apprentice firearm hunting license, a bow and arrow license, an apprentice bow and arrow license, or a trapping license are entitled to a discounted fee. State residents 70 years of age and older are not required to obtain a fishing license under current law. This bill would allow State residents 65 years of age and older to obtain any hunting or trapping license, permit, certificate, or stamp without being required to pay any fee. The bill would also exempt fishermen 65 years of age and older from being required to obtain a fishing license. | In Committee |
| A153 | Exempts certain volunteer emergency service organizations from charitable contribution filing fees. | The bill would exempt certain volunteer emergency service organizations from paying registration filing fees under the under the State's "Charitable Registration and Investigation Act." Under current law, charitable organizations, other than religious organizations and schools, which raise over $10,000 in a fiscal year are required to register with the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety as charitable organizations. Pursuant to regulations promulgated under the act, these organizations are charged a fee for this registration. Charitable organizations which raise $25,000 or less in a fiscal year, whether they are required to register or voluntarily register under the act, are required to file a short form registration. The fee charged by the division for filing a short form registration is $30. Charitable organizations that raise more than $25,000 are required to file a long form registration. The fee charged by the division for filing a long form registration is $60 if the organization raised $100,000 or less. The long form registration fee for organizations which raise more than $100,000, but less than $500,000 is $150. If the organization raises over $500,000 the fee is $250. Under this bill, non-profit corporations, associations, or organizations located in this State which are regularly engaged in providing emergency medical care, rescue services, the transport of patients, or fire protection services, including part-paid fire departments and fire districts and emergency service providers, would be exempt from paying these filing fees. | In Committee |
| A210 | Provides that person who impersonates law enforcement officer and commits crime is guilty of third degree crime. | Under current law, a person commits a crime of the fourth degree if he impersonates a law enforcement officer or an employee of a law enforcement agency with the intent to induce another to submit to or rely upon that pretense. Under the provisions of this bill, a person who impersonates a law enforcement officer or employee of a law enforcement agency and who, during the course of that impersonation, commits a crime of the fourth degree or higher is guilty of a crime of the third degree. A crime of third degree is punishable by a fine of up to $15,000, three to five years imprisonment, or both. | In Committee |
| A779 | Requires use of annual baseline concussion testing for student-athletes and cheerleaders in grades six through 12. | This bill requires the use of annual baseline concussion testing for student-athletes and cheerleaders who are enrolled in grades six through 12 and participate in a school organized athletic program. In December 2010, the State enacted P.L.2010, c.94 (C.18A:40-41.1 et al.) to address the issue of sports-related concussions among student-athletes in grades kindergarten through 12. Under this law, each school district is required to develop a written policy concerning the prevention and treatment of sports-related concussions and other head injuries among student-athletes and cheerleaders. The law also requires the Department of Education (DOE) to develop: (1) an athletic head injury safety training program for school physicians, athletic coaches, and athletic trainers; and (2) a model policy, applicable to grades kindergarten through 12, on which a school district can base its written concussion policy. This bill amends P.L.2010, c.94 (C.18A:40-41.1 et al.) to require the use of annual baseline concussion testing for student-athletes and cheerleaders enrolled in grades six through 12. Specifically, the bill requires each school district to revise its written concussion policy, on or before July 1 of the first full school year following the date of enactment, to incorporate the use of annual baseline concussion testing for these student-athletes and cheerleaders. Under the bill, the DOE would also be required to update the athletic head injury safety training program and the model policy, respectively, to incorporate the use of annual baseline concussion testing. As defined in the bill, "baseline concussion testing" means the use of a neurocognitive exam, conducted by an athletic trainer or school physician before the beginning of an athletic season, to assess the pre-symptomatic brain functions of a student-athlete or cheerleader, the results of which are used to diagnose the concussion-related symptoms of the student-athlete or cheerleader. The bill also requires the results of a baseline concussion test to be considered before the student-athlete or cheerleader receives clearance to return to competition or practice. Currently, if a student-athlete or cheerleader is suspected of having sustained a concussion while engaged in a competition or practice, then the student may only resume athletic participation after being evaluated by a physician or other licensed healthcare provider who is trained in the evaluation and management of concussions and receiving written clearance from a physician with this training. Under the bill, the physician or healthcare provider would be required to consider the results of the student-athlete or cheerleader's most recent baseline concussion test when conducting this evaluation. Additionally, the bill requires the existing continuing education requirements for licensed athletic trainers to include instructions concerning the use of baseline concussion testing. Under current law, licensed athletic trainers are required to complete 24 hours of continuing athletic trainer education as a condition for biennial license renewal. | In Committee |
| A1560 | 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 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 effective date of the bill will be required to complete a minimum of four hours of suicide prevention training within one year following the effective date of the bill, and every six years thereafter, and provide proof of completion to the appropriate licensing or certification board 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 |
| A182 | Prohibits DEP from requiring person under 16 years of age to obtain horseback riding permit to ride in State wildlife management areas. | This bill would prohibit the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from requiring a person under 16 years of age to obtain a permit from the Division of Fish and Wildlife to engage in horseback riding in a State wildlife management area. The bill further prohibits the DEP from charging a person under 16 years of age a $2.00 nonrefundable permit application fee. | In Committee |
| A3088 | Requires prosecutors to determine risk of re-offense under Megan's Law prior to offender's release from incarceration. | This bill amends Megan's Law to require that the county prosecutors determine an offender's risk of re-offense, or tier, prior to the inmate's release from incarceration. At present, many sex offenders are not tiered until they have been released into the community because the offender's residence is a factor that may be considered in determining risk of re-offense. Under current law, the factors relevant to the risk of re-offense, which the prosecutor is required to consider in determining the tier designation, include conditions of release that minimize risk of re-offense such as, whether the offender is residing in a home situation that provides guidance and supervision. In order to enable prosecutors to tier offenders prior to their release from incarceration, the bill removes this factor. | In Committee |
| A3083 | Requires institutions of higher education to distribute information on availability of allowance for dependent care expenses in determination of cost of attendance. | The cost of attendance at an institution of higher education is calculated by each institution using elements set forth in federal law at 20 U.S.C. s.1087ll. In addition to expenses such as tuition, fees, and room and board, the cost of attendance may include an allowance, known as a "dependent care allowance," for students who have one or more dependents and who incur expenses for those dependents' care while attending the institution of higher education. Being eligible for a dependent care allowance increases the student's total cost of attendance, which could make the student eligible for additional financial aid dollars. This bill seeks to increase awareness of the dependent care allowance so that more student parents may take advantage of additional financial aid while attending an institution of higher education. The bill would require that information on the availability of, the procedures for requesting, and, if feasible, an estimate of the amount of the allowance be provided on the financial aid shopping sheet given to a prospective student who has one or more dependents. The bill would also require an institution of higher education or a proprietary institution licensed to offer academic degrees to post on its Internet website information concerning the availability of and the procedures for requesting the dependent care allowance. Lastly, the bill requires an institution to provide with all paper applications for admission a hard copy of information regarding the dependent care allowance. | In Committee |
| A3066 | Amends definition of "harassment, intimidation, or bullying" in "Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act." | This bill amends the definition of "harassment, intimidation, or bullying" in the "Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act," P.L.2002, c.83 (C.18A:37-13 et seq.). The current definition provides in part that "harassment, intimidation, or bullying" must be reasonably perceived as being motivated by an actual or perceived characteristic and the definition sets forth examples of such characteristics - race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or a mental, physical or sensory disability. This bill helps to clarify that a motivating characteristic under the "Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act," is not limited to only those characteristics specifically listed in the definition. | In Committee |
| A1118 | Revises gross income tax rates for joint filers and similar taxpayers and designated as Marriage Penalty Elimination Act. | The bill revises the gross income tax rates for joint filers and similar taxpayers and is designated as the Marriage Penalty Elimination Act. As is common with progressive income tax structures, a marriage penalty occurs when married taxpayers, who would have otherwise faced a lower income tax liability by remaining single and filing individual tax returns, face a higher tax liability due to their marital status and filing their taxes jointly. For the sake of tax equity, the bill would amend the tax brackets for those filing jointly to align the tax brackets with those imposed on taxpayers filing individual tax returns. These changes would lower the gross income tax liability of most joint filers. The bill accomplishes eliminating the so-called marriage penalty by making the following changes to the tax brackets of joint filers:· Taxable income up to $40,000 would be taxed at a rate of 1.40 percent. · Taxable income over $40,000 but not over $70,000 would be taxed at a rate of 1.75 percent. The bill would take effect immediately and apply to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2020. | In Committee |
| A116 | Requires State department, agency, authority, or instrumentality thereof to provide link on its website for members of public to submit complaints. | This bill requires each State government department, agency, authority, or instrumentality thereof to make available on a prominent location on its Internet site a link to allow any member of the public to submit a complaint to the State entity. Under the bill, the complaints could be concerning that entity's performance, customer service, or similar matter of interest to the entity. The head of the State entity would periodically review the complaints received through the website, and would be required to assess in what manner appropriate actions may be taken to remedy matters that caused the complaint. | In Committee |
| A3081 | Requires law enforcement officers to have updated photograph. | This bill requires all law enforcement officers to have a digital photograph taken and updated regularly. Under the bill, law enforcement officers would be required to have their photograph taken every eight years for their personnel file and any photographic identification card issued by the agency employing them. The Attorney General, in consultation with the Superintendent of State Police, is required to establish guidelines for the purposes of effectuating this bill. | In Committee |
| A3059 | Repeals $100,000 cap on sales and use tax exemption for certain capital improvements made by businesses participating in Urban Enterprise Zone program. | This bill retroactively repeals the $100,000 cap on the sales tax exemption for retail sales of materials, supplies, and services for the exclusive use of erecting structures or buildings on, or improving, altering or repairing the real property of a qualified business, or a contractor hired by the qualified business to make such improvements, alterations, or repairs. This sales tax exemption is currently available to qualified businesses participating in the State Urban Enterprise Zone program. The sales tax exemption was enacted in August of 2021 with a cap of $100,000, and applies to sales and uses on or after January 1, 2022. This bill keeps the exemption in place but eliminates the cap retroactively to January 1, 2022. | In Committee |
| A3080 | Permits use of instant run-off voting in balloting for certain local elective public offices. | This bill permits the governing body of a municipality governed by the provisions of the "Uniform Nonpartisan Elections Law," N.J.S.A.40:45-5 et seq., to allow the use of instant run-off voting in elections at which a candidate is to be elected to a local elective public office filled by one individual. Instant run-off voting is a system of voting which allows each voter to vote for the voter's preferred candidate as well as specific alternative choices from among the other candidates appearing on the ballot for that office in order of preference. In the event that no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast for candidates for that office, the candidate receiving the fewest votes will be eliminated and the second choice votes for that candidate counted, with the process continuing until one candidate is a majority winner. The Secretary of State would be responsible for promulgating rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the bill's purposes. Instant run-off voting would not be implemented until the Secretary of State determines that voting equipment and ballots have been updated to accommodate this process. | In Committee |
| A3071 | Authorizes creation of special license plates commemorating horse as State animal. | This bill authorizes the Chief Administrator (chief administrator) of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission) to issue special State Animal license plates. The license plates are to be designed by the chief administrator, in consultation with the Secretary (secretary) of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (department), and feature an emblem that indicates that the horse is the official State Animal of New Jersey. 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 State Animal license plates. After deducting the costs to implement the plates, the additional fees collected are to be deposited into the "State Animal License Plate Fund." The proceeds of the fund are to be appropriated annually to the department to support any departmental program to support the health and welfare of horses and to provide equine-assisted therapeutic programs to individuals with special needs in the State. 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 State Animal license plate program. The bill also requires that the secretary appoint a liaison to represent the department in all communications with the commission regarding the State Animal license plates. The bill provides that State or other public funds may not be used by the commission for the initial cost to implement the State Animal license plate program. The bill requires an individual or entity designated by the secretary 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 department to receive funds from private sources to be used to offset the initial costs. The commission is not required to design, produce, issue, or publicize the availability of the State Animal license plates, or make any necessary programming changes, until: (1) an individual or entity designated by the secretary has provided the commission with the money necessary to offset the initial costs incurred by the commission in establishing the State Animal license plate program; and (2) the liaison appointed by the secretary has provided the commission with a minimum of 500 completed applications for the State Animal 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 commission are provided to the commission. The bill expires after 12 months if sufficient applications and fees to offset the initial costs are not received. | Dead |
| A125 | Establishes annual 9-1-1 PSAP County Grants. | This bill establishes the 9-1-1 PSAP County Grants program. The grant program is established for the purposes of paying for certain costs incurred by counties for the provision and maintenance of county public safety answering points (PSAPs). The grant program allocates 10 percent of the .90 cent fee collected on telephone bills pursuant to section 2 of P.L.2004, c.48 (C.52:17C-18) from the "9-1-1 System and Emergency Response Trust Fund Account." The Office of Information Technology is required to establish the 9-1-1 PSAP County Grants program in consultation with the Office of Emergency Management in the Department of Law and Public Safety. The OIT is required to provide an annual report of the grant program to the Governor and Legislature. Currently, pursuant to section 3 of P.L.2004, c.48 (C.52:17C-19), funds in the trust fund account are allocated for the following purposes: (1) the costs incurred in the initial installation of the Statewide enhanced 9-1-1 network and for the costs incurred by a county for the employment of a county 9-1-1 coordinator in an amount not to exceed $25,000 per county 9-1-1 coordinator pursuant to section 13 of P.L.1989, c.3 (C.52:17C-13), as well as the installation, operation, and maintenance costs required to provide wireless enhanced 9-1-1 services pursuant to section 14 of P.L.1989, c.3 (C.52:17C-14); (2) the costs of funding the State's capital equipment (including debt service), facilities, and operating expenses that arise from emergency response; (3) the cost of emergency response training, including any related costs or expenses of the Office of Emergency Management in the Division of State Police in the Department of Law and Public Safety; (4) the cost of operating the Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services; (5) the cost of operating the Statewide Public Safety Communications Commission; (6) any costs associated with implementing any requirement of the Federal Communications Commission concerning 9-1-1 service that is not otherwise allocated to a carrier and not eligible for reimbursement under law or regulation; (7) any costs associated with planning, designing, or implementing an automatic location identification technology that is not otherwise allocated to a wireless carrier and not eligible for reimbursement under law or regulation; and (8) any costs associated with planning, designing or acquiring replacement equipment or systems (including debt service) related to the enhanced 9-1-1 network. This bill provides that funds in the "9-1-1 System and Emergency Response Trust Fund Account" may also be allocated toward an annual grant program for county public safety answering points (PSAPs). | In Committee |
| A342 | Permits appointment of Class Three special law enforcement officers by county sheriffs. | This bill permits the appointment of Class Three special law enforcement officers by county sheriffs. Under current law, a local unit, which is defined as any municipality or county having established a regular police force, may appoint special law enforcement officers to perform certain duties. Current law provides that Class Three special law enforcement officers are authorized to exercise full powers and duties similar to those of a permanent, regularly appointed full-time police officer while providing security at a public or nonpublic school or a county college on the school or college premises during hours when the public or nonpublic school or county college is normally in session or when occupied by students, teachers, or professors. Under the provisions of this bill, in addition to a local unit, a county sheriff would also be permitted to appoint Class Three special law enforcement officers to provide security at schools or county colleges. | In Committee |
| A3095 | Exempts sales of passenger automobiles to honorably discharged veterans with a service-connected disability from sales and use tax. | This bill would exempt from the sales and use tax receipts from the sales of passenger automobiles to veterans who have been honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from active service in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States with a service-connected disability. The bill defines a "passenger automobile" as any automobile used and designed for the transportation of passengers, other than omnibuses and school buses. The bill also defines a "service connected disability" as a disability sustained by injury or illness that was incurred or aggravated during military service as determined by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs. | In Committee |
| A108 | Establishes penalties for accepting wagers on prohibited sports events. | This bill provides that the Division of Gaming Enforcement or the New Jersey Racing Commission, as appropriate, will impose the following penalties on the holder of a sports wagering license or the operator of a sports pool or online sports pool that the division or commission determines has accepted wagers on a prohibited sports event: payment of an amount equal to all wagers improperly accepted on the prohibited sports event; and payment of not less than $20,000 and not more than $100,000; and suspension of the licensee or operator from the conduct of sports wagering for a period of not more than 10 days. All monetary penalties imposed under this bill by the Division of Gaming Enforcement will be paid by the licensee or operator to the division for deposit in the Casino Control Fund. Moneys in the Casino Control Fund are appropriated for operating expenses of the Casino Control Commission and the Division of Gaming Enforcement. All monetary penalties imposed under this bill by the New Jersey Racing Commission will be paid by the licensee or operator to the commission for deposit in the State general fund and appropriated each fiscal year to the Racing Commission to be used for the expenses of that commission Existing law defines a "prohibited sports event" as "any collegiate sport or athletic event that takes place in New Jersey or a sport or athletic event in which any New Jersey college team participates regardless of where the event takes place. A 'prohibited sports event' does not include the other games of a collegiate sport or athletic tournament in which a New Jersey college team participates, nor does it include any games of a collegiate tournament that occurs outside New Jersey even though some of the individual games or events are held in New Jersey. A prohibited sports event includes all high school sports events, electronic sports, and competitive video games but does not include international sports events in which persons under age 18 make up a minority of the participants." | In Committee |
| A1266 | 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 |
| ACR58 | 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 2024, $1,500 in tax year 2025, $2,000 in tax year 2026, and $2,500 in tax year 2027, 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 |
| A3094 | Requires hospital urine drug screenings to include test for fentanyl. | This bill requires that, whenever a general acute care hospital conducts a urine drug screening to assist in diagnosing a patient's condition, the urine drug screening is to include a test for the presence of fentanyl. Fentanyl is a highly potent synthetic opioid that, even in very small amounts, can result in overdose and death. Fentanyl use has significantly increased during the opioid epidemic, in part because, with growing frequency, fentanyl is used to cut other drugs, including heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. This practice has resulted in increasing overdose deaths, even among people who do not ordinarily use opioid drugs. Currently, urine drug screenings typically include tests for cocaine, certain opioids, and phencyclidine, but not fentanyl. It is the sponsor's belief that mandatory testing for the presence of fentanyl can help prevent overdose deaths by ensuring that patients who have ingested fentanyl, either intentionally or unintentionally, receive proper treatment for a fentanyl overdose. This bill will take effect immediately and expire on January 1, 2028. | In Committee |
| A133 | Establishes "ATV Law Enforcement Task Force" to enhance and coordinate efforts to enforce laws pertaining to ATVs; appropriates $1 million. | This bill establishes an "ATV Law Enforcement Task Force" in each county, respectively. Each county task force is required to: 1) study and make recommendations concerning efforts to enforce all-terrain vehicle (ATV) laws; and 2) develop and adopt a county ATV law enforcement mutual aid plan that will set forth an agreement among the counties regarding the adoption of policies and procedures to enhance and coordinate all-terrain vehicle law enforcement efforts, including the utilization of recent changes to the law regarding the seizure of certain all-terrain vehicles. In addition, this bill provides law enforcement with the authority to seize certain all-terrain vehicles pursuant to the provisions of the mutual aid agreement. The task force is to consist of the following members: (1) the county prosecutor who shall serve as the chair of that county's task force; (2) the county sheriff, or a designee; (3) the chief law enforcement officer of every county and municipal police department or force in that county, or a designee; and (4) the chief law enforcement officer of any county park police department or force in that county, or a designee. The chairs are to appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the county task force. The members of the task force are to serve without compensation but may be reimbursed, within the limits of funds made available to the task force, for necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The chair is to call an initial meeting of the task force within 30 days of the effective date this bill and hold hearings at the times and in the places it may deem appropriate and necessary to fulfill its charge. The task force is entitled to 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. Under the bill, the Attorney General is to provide support staff to help coordinate the efforts of each task force; provide assistance in conducting legal research and compiling the findings and recommendations of each task force; provide assistance in preparing the mutual aid agreement; and assist in transmitting each of the 21 county's findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the Attorney General. The bill requires the task force to seek advice from the county executive, mayors from each municipality in that county, and any experts deemed appropriate by membership of the task force. Under the bill, each county task force is required to prepare and adopt a county ATV law enforcement mutual aid plan. The plan is required to set forth policies and procedures regarding the enforcement of laws regulating all-terrain vehicles to enhance enforcement through a coordination of efforts and resources. Each county mutual aid plan is to be based upon the planning criteria, objectives, requirements, responsibilities and concepts of operation essential for the implementation of all necessary and appropriate protective or remedial measures taken in response to the illegal use of all-terrain vehicles. The county mutual aid plans are required to be adopted no later than six months after the effective date of this bill. In addition, the bill provides that the mutual aid plan is to set forth policies and procedures regarding the implementation of P.L.2021, c.353 (C.2C:64-1 et seq.) in each of the State's 21 counties, which would allow a municipality to adopt an ordinance declaring any all-terrain vehicle in that municipality that is operated illegally as contraband subject to forfeiture in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.2C:64-1. Each law enforcement agency is required to implement the county's mutual aid plan and will have the authority to seize any ATV operated illegally, pursuant to the provisions of the mutual aid plan. Pursuant to the bill's provisions, the task force is to transmit its findings and recommendations to the Attorney General within six months of the initial meeting. Upon receiving the findings and recommendations of each county task force, the bill provides that the Attorney General is to prepare a report to be submitted to the Governor and Legislature no later than three months after receiving the findings and recommendations of each county task force. The report is to include the findings and recommendations for legislation that may aid coordinated enforcement of ATV laws and public safety. The bill provides that the sum of $1,000,000 is to be appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Law and Public Safety to be distributed by the Attorney General to each of the 21 counties as necessary in order to effectuate the provisions of the bill, the remainder of which is to revert back to the General Fund upon expiration of this bill. The sponsor notes that ATV use frequently constitutes a significant threat to public safety. ATV accidents impact both drivers and bystanders. A frequent cause of ATV accidents is the operation of an ATV in violation of State law, such as by operating the ATV in an unauthorized area or in a reckless manner. ATV accidents frequently result in severe injury and may prove fatal. In addition, the improper use of an ATV may cause extensive property damage and erode the quality of life of New Jersey residents by disturbing the peace. While there are many responsible ATV users in this State, there are also ATV users who disobey State laws, damage private property, trespass on private land, and threaten public safety by operating ATVs in an unsafe manner. The sponsor believes that a coordinated response by law enforcement will have a greater likelihood of successfully addressing the problems of illegal and irresponsible ATV use. | In Committee |
| A977 | 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 |
| A295 | Allows certain persons with developmental disabilities 21 years of age and older to attend special education programs and to simultaneously participate in adult day and employment programs. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Education to allow a person with a developmental disability who is 21 years of age and older, for whom it was determined that, due to behavioral problems, the person could not be provided a suitable special education program pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.18A:46-14, to attend a special educational program approved under N.J.S. 18A:46-1 et seq. if: the behavioral problems that led to the determination that a suitable special education program could not be provided to the person have resolved; and the person will benefit from attending the special education program. Under the bill's provisions, a person with a developmental disability who is 21 years of age and older who transitions from receiving services and supports from the Division of Children's System of Care to receiving services and supports from the Division of Developmental Disabilities would be eligible to attend and participate in both an adult day program and an employment program if: (1) the person meets the eligibility requirements of, and applies to, both the adult day program and the employment program; and (2) the person's individualized service plan contains documentation that the person is authorized to both attend the day program and participate in the employment program. As used in bill, "day program" means a program that is certified to provide day habilitation services or sheltered workshops for persons with developmental disabilities; and "employment program" means a program designed for persons with developmental disabilities whose disabilities make sheltered employment, after completion of a certified program of vocational evaluation and training, the only suitable form of employment. Under current law, people with developmental disabilities age out of special education programs after age 21, and can participate in an adult day program or an employment program, but not both at the same time. Some people who, at a younger age, had issues that prevented them from being enrolled in a special education program might have made progress with those issues and would now benefit from attendance at a special education program. Similarly, some people may benefit from participation in both a day program and an employment program, as the two types of programs offer different types of services and training that, when combined, can more fully reach the needs of a given individual. It is the sponsor's intent that the State expand the programming options available to people with developmental disabilities to ensure they have access to the services and resources most appropriate to their current needs. | In Committee |
| A290 | Allows holder of disabled veteran or Purple Heart license plate or placard to park in parking spots for persons with disability. | This bill provides that a person who has been issued a disabled veteran or Purple Heart license plate or placard is to be considered a person with a disability by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. The bill further provides that any person who is a disabled veteran or recipient of the Purple Heart may park in parking spaces and zones that are restricted for persons with a disability provided that the person displays the person's unexpired disabled veteran or Purple Heart license plate or placard while parked in that parking space or zone. | In Committee |
| A1074 | Prohibits State from disclosing New Jersey driver's license holders' personal information to other states seeking to issue speed camera or red light camera citations. | This bill prohibits the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and other State entities from disclosing the personal information of New Jersey drivers to another state for the purpose of allowing the other state to impose or collect a fine resulting from an alleged violation committed in that state and captured by a speed control device or a traffic signal monitoring system, commonly referred to as a red light camera. The bill defines "personal information" to mean any information that identifies an individual, which information may include an individual's photograph, social security number, driver identification number, name, address, or telephone number. The bill also provides definitions for the following terms: interstate motor vehicle information network, speed control device, and traffic control signal monitoring system. | In Committee |
| A1581 | Provides gross income tax credit for certain expenses paid or incurred for care and support of qualifying senior family member; designated as Caregiver's Assistance Act. | This bill, designated as the Caregiver's Assistance Act, provides a gross income tax credit to qualified caregivers, including resident taxpayers and resident individuals, who pay or incur qualified care expenses for the care and support of a qualifying senior family member. The bill provides that to be allowed a credit qualified caregivers who pay or incur qualified care expenses must have gross income that does not exceed an annual income limitation. The bill specifies that qualified caregivers must have gross income that does not exceed $100,000, or does not exceed $50,000 if married or a civil union partner filing separately or if unmarried, not a partner in a civil union, and not filing or eligible to file as head of household or as a surviving spouse for federal income tax purposes, to be allowed the credit. The bill provides that the amount of the credit is equal to 22.5 percent of the qualified care expenses paid or incurred by the qualified caregiver during the taxable year for the care and support of a qualifying senior family member that are not in excess of $3,000. The bill provides that if multiple qualified caregivers are allowed a credit for qualified care expenses of the same qualifying senior family member, the credit allowed will be allocated in equal amounts unless a different allocation is established by agreement. The bill provides that the credit is in addition to the benefit of the dependent deduction that may be received by the qualified caregiver for claiming the qualifying senior family member as a dependent on the caregiver's gross income tax return. The bill provides that the credit is refundable: the amount of any credit that reduces the qualified caregiver's tax liability to an amount less than zero is required to be refunded to the caregiver as an overpayment of tax. The bill provides that a qualified caregiver is eligible to receive the benefits of the credit, even if the caregiver has gross income below the statutory minimum subject to tax. The bill defines a qualifying senior family member as an individual who: (1) is 60 years of age or older and a relative of the qualified caregiver, or is 50 years of age or older, is a relative of the qualified caregiver, and qualifies for Social Security Disability Insurance, and (2) has gross income for the taxable year not in excess of the New Jersey Elder Index, as reported by the Department of Human Services pursuant to P.L.2015, c.53 (C.44:15-1 et seq.) for the most recent calendar year. The bill generally defines qualified care expenses as the expenses paid or incurred during the taxable year for the purchase, lease, or rental of tangible personal property and services that are necessary to allow the qualifying senior family member to be maintained within or at the qualified caregiver's or the qualifying senior family member's permanent place of abode in this State. | In Committee |
| A722 | Provides tax credits equal to cost of Jersey Fresh products purchased by breweries and wineries to be used in production of beer or wine. | This bill provides tax credits to the owners and operators of breweries and wineries for purchases of Jersey Fresh products equal to the full price of commodities purchased from a Jersey Fresh Quality Grading Program licensee to be used in the production of beer or wine. The value of the credits allowed under the bill would not exceed $10,000. To qualify for the credits, the taxpayer would be required to attach receipts for sales of the commodities purchased by the taxpayer during the tax year or tax period, documentation from the Department of Agriculture verifying that the commodities were purchased from a Jersey Fresh Quality Grading Program licensee, and a signed affidavit stating that the commodities were purchased for business use. | In Committee |
| A874 | 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 |
| A2484 | Eliminates fee for filing certified copy of name change order. | Under current law, a $50 fee is charged for filing a certified copy of an order for change of name. Many New Jersey residents seek a change of name each year for reasons including marriage and divorce. This bill eliminates the fee for filing a certified copy of a name change order in this State. | In Committee |
| AR45 | Urges Congress to establish national infrastructure bank. | This resolution respectfully urges Congress to pass H.R.3339, establishing a national infrastructure bank. American infrastructure is in dire need of investment, as outlined by the American Society of Civil Engineers and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Increasing frequency of extreme weather events further strains infrastructure approaching the end of its useful life. In New Jersey alone, less than 30 percent of the roads and bridges are in good condition. As host to a large portion of the northeast corridor, New Jersey moves national and international trade, and millions of people each day along deteriorating structures. Nationally, broadband access, modernization of the energy grid, and remediation of the water supply systems are of paramount importance. Economic vitality, national security, public safety and quality of life, are dependent on sound infrastructure. Current funding mechanisms do not address the scope of the need. Direct competitors of the United States rely on an infrastructure funding method invented and previously used by America. H.R.3339 addresses funding shortfalls for large, innovative infrastructure projects by establishing a national infrastructure bank, perpetually generating funds in a manner similar to a commercial bank. A dedicated, regenerative, nonpartisan funding mechanism is required to remedy inadequacies in our energy grid, transportation and other systems, in addition to preparing us for a future of increasing extreme weather conditions. | In Committee |
| A2253 | 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 |
| A2143 | Eliminates smoking ban exemption for casinos and simulcasting facilities. | This bill amends the "New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act," P.L.2005, c.383 (C.26:3D-55 et seq.), to prohibit smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities. Current law prohibits smoking in most indoor public places and workplaces, with certain exceptions, including indoor public places and workplaces which are within the perimeter of casinos and casino simulcasting facilities and accessible to the public for wagering. This bill would eliminate these exceptions from the smoking ban. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health found that casino workers are at greater risk for lung and heart disease because of secondhand smoke, and a study in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that the air in casinos can have up to 50 times more cancer-causing particles than the air on rush-hour highways. This bill would protect all workers in New Jersey from the hazards of second hand smoke by requiring that casinos and casino simulcasting facilities be smoke-free workplaces. | In Committee |
| A1652 | Appropriates $450,000 for Hooked on Fishing-Not on Drugs Program. | The bill appropriates $450,000 to the Department of Environmental Protection to fund the cost of implementing the Hooked on Fishing-Not on Drugs Program. The money would be appropriated from the "Drug Enforcement and Demand Reduction Fund," a statutory account established to receive fines and penalties from convicted drug offenders that are used to support State-authorized drug and alcohol abuse abatement programs. The bill encourages the Legislature to appropriate sufficient funding annually from the "Drug Enforcement and Demand Reduction Fund" or any other appropriate source to maintain the operation of the program in future years. | In Committee |
| A1061 | Permits conduct of Queen of Hearts raffle games. | This bill permits raffle licensees to conduct of Queen of Hearts raffle games. Under current law, municipalities where voters have approved a referendum to allow raffle games may license eligible organizations to conduct these games. The Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission in the Department of Law and Public Safety regulates the conduct of these games. Under Article IV, Section VII, paragraph 2, subparagraph B of the State Constitution, and under the Raffles Licensing Law, eligible organizations may apply for a license to conduct raffles. Bona fide organizations or associations of veterans; churches or religious congregations and religious organizations; charitable, educational, and fraternal organizations; civic and service clubs; senior citizen associations and clubs; officially recognized volunteer fire companies; and officially recognized volunteer first aid or rescue squads are eligible to apply for a license. This bill permits eligible organizations to conduct Queen of Hearts raffle games. A "Queen of Hearts raffle" means a raffle game utilizing a Queen of Hearts raffle board onto which 54 thoroughly shuffled playing cards are placed facedown, side-by-side. Raffle tickets are placed into a ticket drum or other receptacle and a winning ticket is drawn at random. The participant holding the winning raffle ticket is entitled to "Search for the Queen of Hearts" by selecting one of the facedown playing cards. When the playing card selected is not the Queen of Hearts, the card is placed out of play, and the person is awarded a cash prize valued according to a certain schedule. The raffle drawings are conducted weekly until a person selects the Queen of Hearts. When a person selects the Queen of Hearts, that person will be awarded 50 percent of the prize, and the remainder of the prize will be retained by the licensee as proceeds from conducting the raffle. The bill directs the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission to adopt the necessary rules and regulations for the conduct of Queen of Hearts raffle games. | In Committee |
| A3087 | Increases hourly limit of reimbursable personal care assistant services under NJ WorkAbility Program. | This bill increases the hourly limit of reimbursable personal care assistant services under the NJ WorkAbility Program from 40 hours per calendar workweek to 112 hours per calendar workweek. The NJ WorkAbility Program provides full State Medicaid health coverage to individuals with disabilities who are working and whose earnings would otherwise make them ineligible for Medicaid. The regulations (N.J.A.C.10:72-9 et seq.) governing the Program provide that all services available through the NJ WorkAbility Program must be provided through existing Medicaid contracts held by the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) in the Department of Human Services. Currently, the reimbursement of personal care assistant services under such contracts is limited to 40 hours per calendar work week. Individuals must meet the following guidelines in order to be eligible for the NJ WorkAbility Program: 1) be between the ages of 16 and 64; 2) work part time, full time, or be self-employed and have proof of employment; 3) have a permanent disability as determined by the United States Social Security Administration or the Disability Review Team in DMAHS; and 4) have an earned income below 250 percent, and an unearned income below 100 percent, of the federal poverty level. An individual participating in the program must pay a $25 monthly premium in order to receive full Medicaid coverage. | In Committee |
| A3084 | Authorizes certain large food waste generators to send food waste to sanitary landfill facilities for purpose of generating Class I renewable energy or renewable natural gas. | This bill would authorize certain large food waste generators to send their food waste to sanitary landfill facilities for the purpose of generating Class I renewable energy or renewable natural gas. Under current law, beginning in October 2021, large food waste generators were required to source separate their food waste and send the food waste to an authorized food waste recycling facility, with certain exceptions. This bill provides that a large food waste generator will be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions of this law if the large food waste generator sends its food waste for final disposal to a sanitary landfill facility that collects and delivers landfill gas to a gas-to-energy facility as fuel either for the generation of Class I renewable energy or for the generation of renewable natural gas that satisfies pipeline quality standards or transportation fuel grade requirements. The exemption would apply only so long as the large food waste generator continues to dispose of its food waste in this manner. "Class I renewable energy" is defined by existing law to include electric energy produced from methane gas from landfills. | In Committee |
| A3079 | Prohibits use of gap in automobile insurance coverage as rating factor in automobile insurance underwriting under certain circumstances. | This bill provides that no underwriting rule shall operate in such a manner as to assign a risk to a rating plan on the basis that a previously insured applicant has had a lapse as a named insured under an automobile insurance policy for any period of time. | In Committee |
| A3076 | Allows person calling certain State or local government entities to have option of speaking or leaving recorded message with human telephone operator during normal business hours. | This bill requires a State agency or local unit, as those terms are defined in the bill, that is required by law, rule or regulation to provide the public with a telephone number as a point of contact with that agency or local unit or an employee of that agency or local unit, and that employs an automated telephone answering service to meet this requirement, to allow a person who contacts the State agency or local unit, as appropriate, by telephone during normal business hours to have the option of pressing zero on the person's telephone in order to speak or leave a recorded message with a human telephone operator. | In Committee |
| AR89 | Urges Congress and Department of Veterans Affairs not to reduce funding for ambulance services for veterans. | This Assembly resolution urges the United States Congress and the federal Department of Veterans Affairs to refrain from implementing proposed reductions in reimbursements for ambulance services for veterans. Shifting this financial burden from the federal government to state and local entities would have detrimental effects on the ability for veterans to access free ambulance transportation. Given that there are 338,012 veterans living in the State of New Jersey, it is imperative to maintain these federal reimbursements. The average ambulance bill in New Jersey, ranging from $400 to $600, would place a significant financial burden on veterans if reimbursements are reduced. This burden is especially concerning in rural areas, which are already grappling with a surge in hospital closures and higher ambulance transportation costs. In light of these challenges, it is crucial for Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs to uphold their commitment to veterans by continuing to provide necessary reimbursements for ambulance transportation. | In Committee |
| A123 | Requires partial State reimbursement to municipalities for cost of disabled veterans' total property tax exemption. | This bill would require the State to annually reimburse municipalities for a portion of forgone property tax revenue attributable to real property owned by veterans who are permanently and totally disabled and receive a total property tax exemption under State law. Currently, the State is not required to reimburse municipalities for any part of the lost property tax revenue attributable to that property tax exemption. This bill would require the State to annually reimburse each municipality in which permanently and totally disabled veterans reside and own real property in an amount equal to 10 percent of the amount of any disabled veterans' total property tax exemptions granted in the taxing district, plus an additional two percent of that amount as a reimbursement for municipal administrative costs. | In Committee |
| AR88 | Urges Congress and President to increase funding for fusion energy research. | This resolution urges Congress and the President to increase funding for fusion energy research. Fusion promises to be an inexpensive, sustainable, and environmentally friendly source of energy, and facilitating its development could produce great economic and environmental benefits for the country. In addition, New Jersey is home to the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), one of the foremost centers for fusion energy research in the world. | In Committee |
| A1918 | Requires State government entities provide vital documents and translation services in 15 most common non-English languages. | This bill requires State government entities to provide vital documents and translation services in the 15 most common non-English languages spoken by individuals with limited-English proficiency in this State, based on United States Census Bureau data, and relevant to the services offered by the State government entity. Under the bill, any State department or agency in the Executive Branch and any commission, board, bureau, division, office, or instrumentality thereof providing direct services to the public would be required to provide these language access services and interpretation services between the State government entity and an individual in that person's primary language with respect to the provision of services or benefits. Each State government entity would be required to produce an informational poster describing the available interpretation and translation services in multiple languages for display in a visible location. The bill requires each State government entity to publish a language access plan within 90 days of its effective date, and to update the plan every two years thereafter. At a minimum, each plan would describe (1) when and how the State government entity will provide or is already providing language assistance services; (2) the limited-English proficient population in each geographic service area, including those who speak any language even if that language is not among the 15 most common non-English languages, and how the need for translations is determined; (3) how the entity will notify the eligible population; (4) how the entity documents the actual service provision; (5) the number of public contact positions, qualified bilingual or multi-lingual employees in those positions, and the languages they speak; (6) a training plan for government entity employees who will be involved in the implementation of the bill which includes, at minimum, annual training on the language access policies of the government entity, how to provide language assistance services, and follow any applicable State and federal confidentially protocols; (7) a plan for how the agency will ensure the provision of language assistance services of the highest quality and in a culturally competent manner; (8) the name and contact information of the entity's language access coordinator; (9) the titles of all available translated documents and the languages into which they have been translated; (10) a website and document content describing the required translation services, processes, and documents; and (11) a plan for annually monitoring internal compliance. The bill requires the employment or assignment of a language access coordinator by each State entity to monitor the government entity's compliance and develop annual reports. The bill directs the Secretary of State, or a State agency, or both to oversee, coordinate, provide guidance to State government entities in their implementation. Various provisions of current law may already require certain State government entities to provide certain documents and translation services to the public, most commonly in the Spanish language. However, under this bill, its provisions would not be interpreted to remove any requirements by any State entity to provide for direct in-person translation services to a member of the public, or for the translation of any materials in the Spanish language or any additional languages, as may be required by law. The bill would also not be interpreted to prevent a State government entity from providing interpretation and translation services to any limited-English proficient individuals who speak any language, even if that language is not among the 15 most common non-English languages. Under the bill, a State government entity may require that an applicant for its benefits or services or any person assisting such applicant in seeking benefits or services provide only the information strictly necessary to determine eligibility for or to administer such benefits or services. Under the bill, there is appropriated from the funds received by the State from the federal government under the "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021," Pub. L. 117-2, to each State government entity the sums necessary to implement its provisions, and such additional sums from the General Fund as the State Treasurer and the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting in the Department of the Treasury deem necessary. The bill takes effect immediately, but the required translations would be implemented on a rolling basis and would be completed no later than 365 days after its effective date for the 10 most common languages, and not later than 730 days after its effective date for the additional 5 most common languages, except that applications, notices of rights, or privacy protections would be translated immediately. If an application or form has not been translated, the State government entity or contractor would provide oral translation of the application or form and a certification by the limited-English proficient individual indicating that the application or form was translated and completed by an interpreter. | Dead |
| A3224 | Requires institutions of higher education to maintain supply of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for opioid overdose emergencies and permits emergency administration of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray by licensed campus medical professionals and resident assistants. | This bill requires institutions of higher education to maintain a supply of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for opioid overdose emergencies and permits emergency administration of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray by licensed campus medical professionals and resident assistants. Institutions of higher education would obtain a supply of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray pursuant to a standing order issued by a health care practitioner to be maintained in secure and easily accessible locations throughout the residence halls of the institution to respond to an opioid overdose emergency. Institutions would also be required to develop a policy concerning the emergency administration of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for opioid overdose emergencies occurring in residence halls. The policy would be required to: (1) designate a licensed campus medical professional to oversee the institution's program for the maintenance and emergency administration of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray in residence halls; (2) permit a licensed campus medical professional to designate residence assistants to administer naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray to any person whom the resident assistant in good faith believes is experiencing an opioid overdose in a residence hall; and (3) require the transportation of an overdose victim to a hospital emergency room by emergency services personnel after the administration of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray, even if the person's symptoms appear to have resolved. A resident assistant designated to administer naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray by a licensed campus medical professional would only be authorized to administer the spray after receiving required training. The bill also directs the Secretary of Higher Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health and appropriate medical experts, to establish guidelines for the development of a policy by an institution of higher education for the emergency administration of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray. Institutions of higher education would be required to implement the guidelines in developing a policy pursuant to the bill. Specifically, the guidelines would include a requirement that a licensed campus medical professional and resident assistants designated by the licensed campus medical professional receive training on standard protocols for the emergency administration of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray to a person experiencing an opioid overdose in a residence hall. The training would also include overdose prevention information described in the State's "Overdose Prevention Act." The guidelines would further specify an appropriate entity or entities to provide the training. The bill provides immunity from liability for licensed campus medical professionals, resident assistants, pharmacists, or authorized health care practitioners who issue a standing order for naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray to an institution of higher education for any good faith act or omission consistent with the provisions of the bill. For purposes of this bill, good faith would not include willful misconduct, gross negligence, or recklessness. | In Committee |
| A134 | Establishes Nuclear Energy Apprenticeship, Training, and Employment Resources Pilot Program in DOLWD; appropriates $1 million. | This bill would create a five-year Nuclear Energy Apprenticeship, Training, and Employment Resources ("Nuclear Energy") Pilot Program in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to provide grants to support funding for newly-established adult apprenticeship programs in the nuclear energy infrastructure, nuclear energy utilities, and other nuclear energy-related sectors, including radioactive waste workers and those sectors focusing on underserved and underrepresented communities. Any organizational sponsor of an apprenticeship program, including a business, labor organization, college or university, workforce training provider, non-profit organization, public utility, local government entity or authority, or trade organization, would be eligible to receive a grant, provided that they have secured an industry partner or a monetary or in-kind funding contribution. Under the bill, the program is required to coordinate with the Center for Workforce Innovation in Construction established by the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development as part of the New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative. The DOLWD will be required to begin accepting grant applications not more than six months after the effective date of this bill, and initial grant awards are to be issued no later than one year after the bill's effective date. The DOLWD would be required to rank eligible applicants for grants based upon each applicant's potential to: (1) reach a broad audience through its recruitment and outreach efforts; (2) significantly increase enrollment in, and the completion of, the apprenticeship program, including among members of underserved and underrepresented communities; and (3) fill existing needs for skilled workers in the market. One year after the bill's effective date, and each year thereafter for the duration of the pilot grant program, the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development would be required to submit to the Governor and the Legislature a report that evaluates the results of the Nuclear Energy Pilot Program and its effectiveness. The bill would create a special, non-lapsing fund in the Department of the Treasury, which would be known as the "Nuclear Energy Fund," and which would be used to collect and invest moneys for the purposes of the bill. The bill would also direct the Department of the Treasury to solicit grants and donations to the fund from interested public or private sources. The bill appropriates $1 million from the General Fund to the Nuclear Energy Fund to effectuate the purposes of this bill. | In Committee |
| A3069 | Prohibits circumventing security measures for certain online ticket sales. | This bill amends and supplements P.L.1983, c.135 (C.56:8-26 et seq.) to prohibit the use of any software, device or any other technological resource that is used to circumvent a security measure, access control system, or other control or measure on an online ticket issuer's Internet website that is used to ensure an equitable ticket buying process. The bill defines "online ticket issuer" to mean any person that makes tickets available directly or indirectly for sale to the general public via the Internet, and may include the owner or operator of a place of entertainment, a sports team or sports league of teams participating in an entertainment event, a theater company, musical group or similar participant in an entertainment event, or an agent of any such person. Pursuant to current law, any person who violates provisions of P.L.1983, c.135 (C.56:8-26 et seq.) is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. A crime of the fourth degree is ordinarily punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months or a fine of up to $10,000, or both. Under the provisions of the bill, this penalty will apply to violations of the bill's provisions. | In Committee |
| A3098 | Establishes Military Funeral Honors Grant Program to provide grants to certain veteran organizations that provide military funeral honors. | This bill establishes a Military Funeral Honors Grant Program to provide grants to certain nonprofit organizations that provide military funeral honors. The Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will establish a grant program to provide grants in an amount up to $75 to qualified veteran organizations to be used for the providing of military funeral honors in the State. Under the bill, "veteran organization" means a nonprofit veteran organization that provides military funeral honors in the State and qualifies as a section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) federal tax-exempt organization. Under the bill, the department will develop procedures for the submission of grant applications and eligibility criteria for the awarding of grant funds. The grants will not exceed $75 per funeral. The department may decrease the amount of the grant for services performed at a second or subsequent funeral when a qualified veteran organization performs services at more than one funeral on the same day. To implement the grant program, there will be established and maintained a special revolving fund to be known as the "Military Funeral Honors Grant Fund." The fund will be credited with: moneys that the Legislature may appropriate; moneys received by the department as gifts, grants, or donations, including grants accepted by the Adjutant General pursuant to law; any return on investment of moneys deposited in the grant fund; fees collected, if any, from applicants; and other moneys made available for the purposes of the grant program. The department may charge a nominal fee in connection with applications for participation in the grant program as it deems reasonable. The department may claim from the grant fund an amount not to exceed five percent of the moneys annually appropriated to cover administrative expenses. | In Committee |
| A137 | Establishes "County Tourism Incentive Grant Fund" within Department of Treasury to provide funding for grants to counties to support tourism advertising and promotion. | This bill establishes the "County Tourism Incentive Grant Fund" and provides for the appropriation and distribution of excess State hotel and motel occupancy fee revenues for deposit to the fund to provide funding for grants to counties to support tourism advertising and promotion. Under the bill, the "County Tourism Incentive Grant Fund" is established as a special, non-lapsing fund within the Department of the Treasury. The bill requires the fund to be administered by the State Treasurer, and provides for the fund to be used as a repository for all excess State hotel and motel occupancy fee revenues that are appropriated and distributed to the Department of the Treasury for deposit to the fund. The bill requires the State Treasurer to use the excess revenues deposited to the fund to issue annually, commencing with State fiscal year 2022, tourism incentive grants to counties for purposes of providing financial assistance to counties to support tourism advertising and promotion. To effectuate that purpose, the bill authorizes the State Treasurer to approve, on or before January 1, 2023, and on or before January 1 of each year thereafter, the issuance of an incentive grant to each county that has, on or before October 1, 2022, and on or before October 1 of each year thereafter: (1) made and filed an application with the State Treasurer; (2) submitted a statement to the State Treasurer detailing how financial assistance from the fund will be used to support tourism advertising and promotion; and (3) entered into an agreement with the State Treasurer requiring the county to use financial assistance from the fund to support tourism advertising and promotion, to not use financial assistance from the fund to reduce or eliminate the total amount of other funds currently used by the county to support tourism advertising and promotion, and to repay, with interest, the total amount of financial assistance issued to the county if the assistance is not used to support tourism advertising and promotion or the assistance is used to reduce or eliminate the total amount of other funds currently used by the county to support tourism advertising and promotion. The bill provides that the amount of each incentive grant issued to a county will equal the county's share of the excess State hotel and motel occupancy fee revenues deposited to the fund. The bill specifies that the county's share of the excess revenues will be determined by the State Treasurer by dividing the revenues derived from hotel and motel occupancies occurring within the county by the sum of the revenues derived from hotel and motel occupancies occurring within the several counties that have been approved for the issuance of a grant and multiplying that amount by the excess State hotel and motel occupancy fee revenues deposited to the fund during the State fiscal year in which the tourism incentive grant is issued. The bill provides for tourism incentive grants to be funded from excess State hotel and motel occupancy fee revenues. The bill requires that, commencing with State fiscal year 2022, 100 percent of the revenues collected in excess of the amounts anticipated to be collected for the prior fiscal year from the State hotel and motel occupancy fee will be appropriated and distributed through the annual appropriations act to the Department of the Treasury for deposit to the "County Tourism Incentive Grant Fund." The bill authorizes the State Treasurer, in consultation with the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism in the Department of State, to adopt rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the purposes of the bill, and permits the immediate filing of those rules and regulations with the Office of Administrative Law, effective for a period not to exceed 360 days following the bill's effective date. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment. | In Committee |
| AJR55 | Designates March 16 as "Paws Healing Heroes Day" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates March 16 as "Paws Healing Heroes Day" in New Jersey. Service dogs play an important role in assisting veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), military sexual trauma, and seizure disorder. It is estimated that 29 percent of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom may experience PTSD, and 28 percent of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom may experience TBI. New Jersey has a current veteran population of over 300,000. However, despite federal law to expand the availability of service dogs to veterans, the training and placement of service dogs falls primarily upon community non-profit organizations that depend on charitable donations, such as Paws Healing Heroes of Glassboro. The average cost to rescue, train, and present a service dog to a veteran can be $3,000 to $5,000, which is not covered by insurance or other veterans' benefits. Designating "Paws Healing Heroes Day" will promote greater awareness of the unique role of service dogs in assisting veterans. | In Committee |
| A124 | Allows gross income tax deduction for up to $1,200 of unreimbursed expenses incurred by eligible educators for purchase of classroom supplies. | This bill allows a gross income tax deduction for up to $1,200 of unreimbursed expenses incurred by eligible educators for the purchase of classroom supplies. Under the bill, an "eligible educator" is a teacher who is employed in a public or nonpublic school in the State. The bill defines "classroom supplies" as books, pencils and other drawing supplies, computers and related equipment, laboratory equipment, and any other equipment and supplementary materials needed for day-to-day classroom activities. | In Committee |
| A341 | 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, for a second or third violation by a person under age 18, notification to the minor's parent, guardian, or other person having legal custody of the minor. However, P.L.2021, c.25 does not provide that a parent, guardian, or other person having custody would be notified about the minor's first violation. This bill requires parental notification for first and subsequent violations and 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 |
| A122 | Requires establishment of central database of State programs on official website. | This bill requires a State entity, to be designated by the Governor within 30 days of its effective date, to establish and maintain in the Executive Branch of State government on its official website, a central database of all State government programs offered to the public by each State department or agency. The central database would organize all programs by eligibility categories, such as age and income, and would enable users to search the programs using keywords. Among other features, each program's page would include: (1) the title and description of the program; (2) the implementing State department or agency; (3) the purpose of the program; (4) the persons or groups of persons that the program aims to serve; (5) the eligibility criteria; (6) the date on which the program was initiated; (7) the application deadline, if any; (8) a description and list of information and documentation necessary to complete an application; and (9) a link to the application. Under the bill, each State department or agency would provide the information to be included in the database with respect to its programs, to be included in the database in a uniform manner across all State departments and agencies. The bill requires regular and timely updates, to be indicated on each program's page. | In Committee |
| A128 | Allows gross income tax deduction of up to $1,200 for purchases of school supplies by parents and guardians. | This bill allows a taxpayer who is a parent or guardian of a student enrolled in a public or nonpublic elementary or secondary school in the State, or at any institution of higher education, a deduction against gross income of up to $1,200 in purchases made by the taxpayer for school supplies during the taxable year. As used in the bill, "school supplies" means items commonly used by a student in a course of study, and shall include: binders; book bags; calculators; cellophane tape; blackboard chalk; compasses; composition books; crayons; erasers; folders, including expandable folders, pocket folders, plastic folders, and manila folders; glue, paste, and paste sticks; highlighters; index cards; index card boxes; legal pads; lunch boxes; markers; notebooks; paper, including loose leaf ruled notebook paper, copy paper, graph paper, tracing paper, manila paper, colored paper, poster board, and construction paper; pencil boxes and other school supply boxes; pencil sharpeners; pencils; pens; protractors; rulers; scissors; and writing tablets. | In Committee |
| ACR12 | Proposes constitutional amendment to increase annual income limitation for senior and disabled citizens' $250 property tax deduction and bases future annual limitations on annual CPI changes. | This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the annual income limit for seniors and disabled persons to be eligible for an annual $250 property tax deduction. The current annual income limit of $10,000 would be increased to $20,000. That increase would take effect in 2015, and the annual income limit would then be adjusted in each year after 2015 according to any increase in the Consumer Price Index. The last time that this annual income limit was increased was in 1983, from $9,000 per year to the current $10,000 per year. The proposed constitutional amendment will rely upon enactment of implementing legislation establishing a definition of Consumer Price Index to determine increases in years after 2015 in order to ensure that the income limits remain realistic. | In Committee |
| A3091 | Provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits to long-term care facilities that increase number of residential units reserved for single occupancy by at least five percent. | This bill allows taxpayers that own and operate long-term care facilities licensed by the State to claim a credit against the corporate business tax or the gross income tax if they increase the number of residential units reserved for single occupancy at the long-term care facility by at least five percent. The amount of the credit is $100 for every five-percent increase in the number of units reserved for single occupancy, up to $2,000 for the taxable year or privilege period. | In Committee |
| A3070 | Requires State entities to recycle certain materials and provide recycling bins in State buildings. | This bill would require State governmental entities to source separate and recycle any aluminum, corrugated cardboard, glass, paper, or plastic waste generated at buildings and facilities owned, leased, or operated by the State entity. Under the bill, every State entity would be required to establish procedures for the collection and storage of any materials to be recycled under the bill, and make necessary contractual arrangements for the collection, transportation, and recycling of those materials. State entities also would be required as to provide adequate receptacles, signage, information, education, and staffing at buildings and facilities owned, leased, or operated by the State entities to ensure compliance with the bill. The provisions of the bill would not apply to any building or facility located in a State park or forest where the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is implementing a "carry-in, carry-out" trash program in which visitors to the State park or forest are required to take their trash with them upon departing the State park or forest. The bill would require the Department of the Treasury, in consultation with the DEP, to (1) prepare and distribute guidance to assist State entities with compliance, and (2) work with the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Legislature to ensure compliance with the requirements of the bill by the Judicial and Legislative Branches of State Government, respectively. | In Committee |
| ACR11 | Proposes constitutional amendment to give $250 property tax deduction to law enforcement officers who have sustained permanent disability. | If approved by the voters of the State, this proposed constitutional amendment would provide an annual $250 property tax deduction to law enforcement officers who have been permanently disabled as the result of their law enforcement service, and to their surviving spouses. The proposed amendment directs the Legislature to define the "law enforcement officers" eligible to receive the $250 property tax deduction. | In Committee |
| A105 | Authorizes Class Three special law enforcement officers to provide security at public and private colleges. | This bill authorizes Class Three special law enforcement officers to provide security at four-year public and private colleges in this State. P.L.2016, c.68 established an additional category of "Class Three" special law enforcement officers under the Special Law Enforcement Officers' Act. The law currently authorizes these part-time officers to provide security in this State's public and nonpublic schools and county colleges. A person is eligible to be appointed as a Class Three special law enforcement officer if he or she is a retired police officer, less than 65 years old, and has served as duly qualified, fully-trained, full-time municipal or county police officer or was regularly employed as a full-time member of the State Police. The person also has to be physically capable of performing the job and have the appropriate law enforcement and safe schools resource officer training. The bill expands the scope of those locations where Class Three special law enforcement officers are authorized to provide security to also include four-year public and independent institutions of higher education. | In Committee |
| A3092 | 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 |
| A3077 | Provides for reciprocity of certain out-of-State EMT certification; establishes criminal history record background check process. | This bill allows a person who possesses an EMT certification in good standing from another state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to obtain a New Jersey EMT certification from the Commissioner of Health provided that the standards of the other jurisdiction exceed or are equal to New Jersey's certification standard and is not disqualified under this bill. The Commissioner of Health is required to make a determination upon candidates' applications for EMT certification within 30 days of the receipt of the complete application and criminal history records background check. The bill also provides that an EMT certified by the department prior to the bill's enactment is required to undergo a criminal history record background check following the bill's enactment upon renewal of the certification. A follow-up criminal history record background check of federal records is to be conducted at least once every three years as a condition of recertification for every EMT. The bill establishes certain crimes for which a person would be disqualified from receiving an EMT certification. Those crimes or offenses include: homicide; assault; kidnapping; sexual assault; robbery; arson; causing or risking widespread injury or damage; crimes or offenses involving forgery; crimes or offenses against the family, children or incompetents, meaning those crimes and disorderly persons offenses set forth in N.J.S.2C:24-1 et seq.; certain crimes involving theft; certain crimes involving controlled dangerous substances; and sex offenses for which a person would be required to register under Megan's Law. A person with a disqualifying criminal record would be entitled to affirmatively demonstrate to the commissioner clear and convincing evidence of the rehabilitation under certain circumstances. A person convicted of Megan's Law sex offenses would not be entitled to demonstrate evidence of rehabilitation. The commissioner shall not issue an EMT certification or shall revoke a certification of a person who refuses to consent to or cooperate in securing a criminal history background check. The bill also provides for a written notice of criminal history disqualification and a request for a hearing on the accuracy of a person's criminal history record information or on the demonstration of the rehabilitation of the person from a listed crime or offense. The Department of Health may require an EMT certification candidate to bear the costs of a criminal history record background check. | Dead |
| A3086 | Permits inclusion of volunteer firefighters and other emergency responders within municipal eligible employee group for purposes of the small employer health benefits plan statutes. | This bill resolves an apparent conflict between provisions in chapter 10 of Title 40A of the New Jersey Statutes, which permit municipalities to offer group health insurance benefits to volunteer fire fighters and emergency responders, and provisions in chapter 27A of Title 17B of the New Jersey Statutes regarding small employer health benefits plans. For example, although N.J.S.40A:10-30 authorizes a municipality to provide group health plans to volunteer firefighters, those volunteers are not considered eligible employees under the small employer health benefits plan statutes. This bill clarifies that these volunteers, as well as emergency responders, may be included in the group of eligible employees in municipalities regarded as small employers, and thereby receive coverage under the same group plan. | In Committee |
| A109 | Establishes "Business Tax and Incentive Task Force." | This bill establishes the "Business Tax and Incentive Task Force" as a nine-member task force responsible for studying and making certain recommendations regarding State business tax competitiveness among the states and economic development tax incentives offered by state governments throughout the nation. The bill requires the task force to study the features of states' tax systems impacting business expansion, investment and development, chiefly in comparison to this State as a competitive advantage or disadvantage for in-state business growth and of changes that will improve New Jersey's business climate and review the type, scale, and effectiveness of state tax incentives, and their related tax rate structures, in comparison to this State and develop recommendations relating to, the effectiveness of economic development tax incentives and tax rate structures in creating new employment opportunities, fostering capital investment, and growing the economy in this State. As part of its study, the resolution requires the task force to: - evaluate the impact on business investment and the general business climate in this State and other states of reducing these state tax incentives in comparison to reducing tax rates imposed on classes of taxpayers that are eligible to participate in state tax incentive programs; and - study and assess whether State tax incentives have achieved their purposes and comparing the achievement results with other economic development strategies, including but not limited to State tax rate reductions in growing the economy in each state. The task force shall comprise nine members: five of whom shall be appointments respectively made by the Governor, President of the Senate, Speaker of the General Assembly, the Minority Leader of the Senate and the Minority Leader of the General Assembly; and four of whom shall be appointments made by the Governor, one of each of whom shall represent the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, the State Treasurer, the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, and the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce. The bill directs the task force to organize as soon as possible after the appointment of a majority of its members, and to elect a chairperson and appoint a secretary. The bill requires the task force to meet and to hold hearings at the times and in the places the chairman determines to be necessary to conduct its study. The bill requires the task force to issue a final report not later than 180 days following the date of its organizational meeting. The bill requires the report to provide findings of the task force and any legislation recommended making changes to State tax laws. | In Committee |
| A101 | Provides excused absence for public school student who participates in musical performance at military funeral, including playing "Taps." | This bill provides that any pupil of a public school who is absent from school on any day to participate in a musical performance at a military funeral honoring a veteran or a member of the United States Armed Forces or the New Jersey National Guard, including but not limited to, the playing of "Taps" in conjunction with a national veterans' organization, will have the absence recorded as an excused absence. Under the bill, the absence will be recorded as an excused absence on the pupil's attendance record or on that of any group or class of which he is a member. Any transcript, application, employment form, or any similar form on which information concerning a pupil's attendance record is requested will show only absences other than excused absences authorized under the bill. | In Committee |
| A110 | Revises criteria to establish base year for homestead property tax reimbursement after relocation. | This bill would revise criteria to establish the base year for the homestead property tax reimbursement. Under current law, when an eligible claimant moves from one home to another, the base year changes to the first full tax year during which the person resides in the new homestead, and then a claimant must wait an additional tax year in order to be deemed "eligible" for the homestead property tax reimbursement. This bill would allow the claimant to retain eligibility following a move to another New Jersey homestead. Thus, such a claimant would be able to qualify as an eligible claimant immediately following such a move and would not be required to wait an additional tax year in order to claim a reimbursement. In this case, the homestead reimbursement payment would be based on the property taxes assessed on the current homestead for the tax year prior to which the claimant resides in the current homestead. However, if the new homestead is "new construction," which is defined as any homestead that first became taxable during the year in which the eligible claimant initially takes residence in the homestead or the year prior thereto, the base year would be the first full tax year following the construction's completion. | In Committee |
| A3067 | Extends "Epinephrine Access and Emergency Treatment Act" to include administration of epinephrine auto-injector devices by individuals in possession of devices pursuant to personal prescriptions. | This bill revises the provisions of the "Epinephrine Access and Emergency Treatment Act" to allow any person who is in possession of an epinephrine auto-injector device pursuant to a valid prescription that was issued to the person, or to a minor child of the person, to administer the auto-injector device to any individual who appears to be suffering from anaphylaxis or any other serious condition that is treatable with epinephrine. The person would not be subject to civil liability for administering the device in good faith and without fee. Currently, the "Epinephrine Access and Emergency Treatment Act" permits any person to obtain, administer, maintain, and dispose of epinephrine auto-injector devices upon completing an educational program approved by the Commissioner of Health. However, current law does not explicitly allow individuals in possession of a device pursuant to a prescription issued to that person or a minor child of the person to administer the device to another individual in an emergency. It is the sponsor's belief that extending the scope of the "Epinephrine Access and Emergency Treatment Act" in this way will help promote access to this life-saving medication and encourage individuals in possession of the devices to administer them in emergency situations. | In Committee |
| ACR31 | Applies to Congress for an Article V Convention of States to limit certain powers of the federal government and terms of office. | This Assembly 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 |
| A3074 | Criminalizes participation in criminal street gang. | This bill would make it a crime of the fourth degree to knowingly and actively participate in a criminal street gang and to purposely promote, further or assist others participating in the criminal street gang in the commission of certain offenses. Those offenses are: robbery; carjacking; aggravated assault; assault; aggravated sexual assault; sexual assault; arson; burglary; kidnapping; extortion; tampering with witnesses and informants; or a violation of chapter 11 (homicide), sections 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 of chapter 35 (controlled dangerous substances), or chapter 39 (firearms and weapons) of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes. Fourth degree crimes are punishable by imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. As used in the bill, "criminal street gang" has the same definition as provided in section 1 of P.L.2007, c.341 (C.2C:33-29). Under that definition, criminal street gang means three or more persons associated in fact. Individuals are associated in fact if: (1) two of the following seven criteria that indicate criminal street gang membership apply: (a) self-proclamation; (b) witness testimony or official statement; (c) written or electronic correspondence; (d) paraphernalia or photographs; (e) tattoos; (f) clothing or colors; (g) any other indicia of street gang activity; and (2) individually or in combination with other members of a criminal street gang, while engaging in gang related activity, have committed or conspired or attempted to commit, within the preceding five years from the date of the present offense, excluding any period of imprisonment, one or more offenses on separate occasions of robbery, carjacking, aggravated assault, assault, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, arson, burglary, kidnapping, extortion, tampering with witnesses and informants or a violation of chapter 11, section 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 of chapter 35 or chapter 39 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes. | In Committee |
| A121 | Authorizes CRDA to finance transportation projects between Atlantic City Airport and Atlantic City Tourism District. | This bill authorizes the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority ("authority") to enter into a contract or agreement with the State or the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority to provide for, or assist in, the financing of a transportation project. The bill defines a "transportation project" as the planning, acquisition, engineering, construction, reconstruction, or improvement of any highway transportation project or public transportation project which provides direct access between the Atlantic City Airport and the Atlantic City Tourism District. Current law requires all available assets and revenues of the authority be devoted to the purposes of the Atlantic City Tourism District and community development in Atlantic City, or the enhancement of air service at the Atlantic City Airport, or the provision of transportation service between the Atlantic City Airport and the Atlantic City Tourism District. | Dead |
| A115 | "New Jersey Disability Savings Act." | This bill expands the "New Jersey Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Program," P.L.2015, c.185 (C.52:18A-250 et al.) to incentivize qualified individuals with disabilities and their families to save for disability-related expenses in tax-advantaged savings accounts, known as ABLE accounts. Pursuant to current federal statute, qualified individuals who have significant disabilities with onset prior to age 26 years, and who receive Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, may contribute as much as the federal gift tax limit, or $16,000 in 2022, to a qualifying ABLE account. Individuals with disabilities, or their parent or guardian, may open an ABLE account in the individual's state of residence, or in another state. As of January 2022, there are 49 ABLE plans operating nationwide. Funds deposited into an ABLE account may only be used for qualifying disability-related expenses such as transportation, housing, education, assistive technology, legal fees, and personal support services. Distributions from a New Jersey ABLE account are not subject to federal tax, provided the distributions do not exceed the individual's disability-related expenses for the year. New Jersey statute currently limits total lifetime contributions to an ABLE account to $305,000. Once the value of an ABLE account exceeds $100,000, SSI cash benefits for the ABLE account owner are suspended until the account's value falls below this threshold. However, a qualifying individual will not lose Medicaid benefits, no matter the balance in an ABLE account. Pursuant to the bill, all contributions to a qualifying New Jersey ABLE account are fully-deductible on a New Jersey State tax return, similar to qualifying contributions to the State's Section 529 educational savings program, known as the NJBEST. As amended, the bill additionally incentivizes taxpayer savings in New Jersey ABLE accounts by providing up to $750 in dollar-for-dollar matching funds for taxpayers whose gross annual income equals $150,000 or less, and who deposit funds into a newly opened ABLE account. It is important to note, however, that the savings incentives instituted under this bill are subject to the annual appropriations process. Therefore, the bill authorizes the Department of Human Services to select a methodology for allocating these incentive funds in years in which State appropriations for these incentive payments are insufficient to fulfill the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| A104 | Permits sale of certain alcoholic beverages and related products at seasonal farm markets. | This bill authorizes the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control to issue a daily or annual permit to the holder of a limited brewery license, restricted brewery license, craft distillery license, plenary winery license, farm winery license, or cidery and meadery license to sell the licensee's products at a seasonal farm market for consumption off the premises. The bill allows for the director to charge a fee not to exceed $25 for a daily permit, and a fee not to exceed $75 for an annual permit. In addition, the permit may be renewed provided the permit holder continues to hold the applicable limited brewery license, restricted brewery license, craft distillery license, plenary winery license, farm winery license, or cidery and meadery license. The bill also: 1) requires the issuance of a separate permit for each seasonal farm market at which the licensee's products are intended to be sold; and 2) prohibits the issuance of a permit for use in connection with a roadside farm stand. Under the bill, "roadside farm stand" is defined as a location owned by a single farmer or producer at which the farmer or producer sells agricultural products only from the farmer's or producer's farm directly to consumers. | In Committee |
| A3097 | Establishes presumption of pretrial detention for certain vehicular offenses. | This bill establishes a presumption of pretrial detention for a person who commits reckless vehicular homicide or strict liability vehicular homicide. A person is guilty of strict liability vehicular homicide, a crime of the third degree, if the person commits vehicular homicide by driving while intoxicated. A person commits second degree reckless vehicular homicide if the person was operating an auto recklessly while under the influence in violation of N.J.S.A.39:4-50. Reckless vehicular homicide is a first degree crime if the defendant was operating the auto in violation of N.J.S.A.39:4-50 while on school property, within 1,000 feet of school property, or driving through a school crossing under certain circumstances. Under current law, 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. The rebuttable presumption applies when a prosecutor makes a motion for pretrial detention, and may be rebutted upon a showing of proof, by a preponderance of the evidence, in favor of the defendant. This bill provides that the rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention also applies to defendants charged with reckless vehicular homicide and strict liability vehicular homicide as established pursuant to N.J.S.A.2C:11-5 and N.J.S.A.2C:11-5.3. A defendant charged pursuant to N.J.S.A.2C:11-5 or N.J.S.A.2C:11-5.3 would be subject to forfeiture of the auto or vessel which was used in the commission of the offense, unless the defendant establishes at a hearing, which may occur at the time of sentencing, by a preponderance of the evidence that such forfeiture would constitute a serious hardship to the family of the defendant that outweighs the need to deter such conduct by the defendant and others. Finally, the bill also permits a court, if deciding against the pretrial detention of a defendant for a violation of the reckless driving or strict liability vehicular homicide provisions, to order the suspension or revocation of the defendant's license. | In Committee |
| A3082 | Permits a marriage or civil union license to be issued and solemnized via audio-visual technology. | This bill would authorize a marriage or civil union license to be issued and solemnized by audio-visual technology. This bill permits a couple, as well as a witness, who wish to marry or enter into a civil union to appear via audio-visual technology before a licensing official in order to obtain a marriage or civil union license. Additionally, this bill will permit solemnization of the marriage or civil union by an individual, religious society, institution, or organization via audio-visual means. Current law requires that individuals who wish to marry or enter into a civil union appear personally before a licensing official and that the marriage or civil union be solemnized in the physical presence of an officiant and two witnesses. Under the bill, receiving a license and having it solemnized via audio-visual technology requires: the video conference be live and allow for interaction between the couple, the licensing official or officiant, and witnesses; members of the couple and witnesses provide valid photo identification and any other documents necessary to allow the licensing official or officiant to fulfill their statutory duty; and each member of the couple and the witnesses sign the pertinent documents and transmit the documents, once signed by all signatories, to the licensing official or officiant. | In Committee |
| A3075 | Provides preference for in-State businesses in State contracting. | This bill provides that whenever bids are considered on any State contract for the purchase of goods or services that is publicly advertised for bids the bidders shall be listed in order based upon which bid, conforming to the invitation for bids, would be most advantageous to the State, price and other factors considered. If the first bidder on the list has its principal place of business in this State it shall be awarded the contract. If no bidder having its principal place of business in this State has submitted a bid that is within five percent of the bid submitted by the bidder at the top of the list that has its principal place of business outside of this State, the contract will be awarded to the bidder at the top of the list. If the first bidder on the list has its principal place of business outside of this State and a bidder that has its principal place of business in this State is on the list and has submitted a bid that is within five percent of the bid submitted by the bidder at the top of the list that has its principal place of business outside of this State, the contract will be awarded to that in-State bidder. The bill permits large State contracts to be unbundled to allow New Jersey businesses who may not have the capacity to compete for the entire award an opportunity to compete for part of the award. Plans and specifications for the provision of goods or services under this bill will be drafted in a manner to encourage free, open and competitive bidding. | In Committee |
| A117 | Authorizes performance of supplemental environmental project to replace portion of monetary penalties for environmental violations in certain circumstances. | This bill would authorize the Department of Environmental Protection (department) to enter into a settlement agreement with a person who violates an environmental law which would allow the performance of a supplemental environmental project (SEP) to replace a part the monetary civil penalty or civil administrative penalty that would otherwise be assessed for the violation. The performance of a SEP in place of a portion of a monetary penalty would be voluntary on the part of the person violating the environmental law. Under the bill, after a final total penalty amount for a violation of an environmental law has been agreed to by the department and the person in violation of the law, the total penalty amount would be reduced by the dollar amount of the cost of the performance of a SEP up to 75 percent of the total penalty amount agreed to in the settlement, or in the case of a violation of the "Water Pollution Control Act," no more than 50 percent of the amount of the penalty. A SEP would be proposed by the violator for approval by the department and would be incorporated in the settlement agreement. The bill would require the department to consider the capacity of the violator to complete the proposed SEP, the resources and capacity of the department to verify proper performance of the SEP, the compliance history of the violator, the likelihood of the purported environmental benefits to be achieved by the SEP, the relationship of the SEP with the community or ecosystem affected by the violation, whether the SEP advances environmental priorities identified by the department, whether the SEP improves the environment in an overburdened community, and the involvement of the residents of community organizations in the development of the SEP. | In Committee |
| A106 | Provides corporation business tax credits and gross income tax credits to farm employers for providing lodging or transportation benefits. | This bill provides corporation business tax (CBT) credits and gross income tax (GIT) credits to farm employers for providing lodging or transportation benefits. The bill provides farm employers with tax credits in an amount equal to $250 for each employee that the farm employer provides lodging to, and up to $500 for each employee that the farm employer provides transportation benefits to during the taxable year. The lodging provided to an employee is required to be: (a) furnished on the premises of the farm employer's business; (b) furnished for the convenience of the farm employer; (c) required as a condition of employment; and (d) for a continuous period of at least six weeks during the taxable year. The transportation benefit provided by the farm employer is to assist with an employee's cost to commute or travel to or from work by reimbursing the employee for related and substantiated expenses. Any amount of the tax credit that cannot be applied against a farm employer's CBT liability for a privilege period can be carried forward to the four privilege periods following the privilege period for which a portion of the tax credit was allowed. If the GIT credit exceeds farm employer's liability, the farm employer can receive a refund for the amount in excess. The bill requires the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury to determine the form and manner by which a taxpayer can apply for the tax credit. | In Committee |
| A132 | Establishes certain animal abuse offenses committed in manner manifesting extreme indifference to value of animal's life as crime of second degree; designated as "River's Law." | This bill establishes as a crime of the second degree a violation of paragraph (1) of subsection c. of R.S.4:22-17 committed against a domestic companion animal in a manner manifesting extreme indifference to the value of the animal's life. Paragraph (1) of subsection c. of R.S.4:22-17 makes it unlawful to purposely, knowingly, or recklessly torment, torture, maim, hang, poison, unnecessarily or cruelly beat, cruelly abuse, or needlessly mutilate a living animal or creature. A crime of the second degree is punishable by five to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. These offenses would constitute aggravated animal abuse. The bill is designated as River's Law in recognition of River, an animal that suffered this type of aggravated abuse committed in a manner manifesting extreme indifference to the value of the animal's life. | In Committee |
| A3051 | Allocates all revenue from hotel and motel occupancy fee for arts, historical heritage, and tourism purposes. | This bill increases the allocation of revenues from the hotel and motel occupancy fee towards arts, historical heritage, and tourism purposes from 40 percent to 100 percent. Under current law, the allocation of 40 percent of hotel and motel occupancy fee revenue is as follows: 1) 22.68 percent to the New Jersey State Council on the Arts for cultural projects as long as the actual dollar amount allocated is at least $31.9 million; 2) 3.84 percent to the New Jersey Historical commission for historical heritage purposes, as long as at least $5.5 million is allocated; 3) 12.76 percent to the Division of Travel and Tourism in the Department of State for tourism as long as at least $17.6 million is allocated; and 4) 0.72 percent to the New Jersey Cultural Trust as long as the amount is not less than $720,000. Under this bill, 100 percent of the hotel and motel occupancy fee revenues would allocated as follows: 1) 56.7 percent would go to the New Jersey State Council on the Arts for cultural projects as long as the actual dollar amount allocated is at least $31.9 million; 2) 9.6 percent would go to the New Jersey Historical commission for historical heritage purposes, as long as at least $5.5 million is allocated; 3) 31.9 percent would go to the Division of Travel and Tourism in the Department of State for tourism as long as at least $17.6 million is allocated; and 4) 1.8 percent would go to the New Jersey Cultural Trust as long as the amount is not less than $720,000. | In Committee |
| A326 | Requires NJTA and SJTA to automatically offer toll discounts to senior citizens. | This bill requires the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) and South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to establish and maintain a toll discount program for all persons age 65 and older who have an account with the New Jersey electronic toll collection system (NJ E-ZPass) for passenger vehicles. The discount is to be available at all hours and is to be at least 10 percent less than the NJ E-ZPass rate for passenger vehicles. NJTA and SJTA are required to automatically apply the discount when a NJ E-ZPass account holder turns 65 and when a person who is 65 or older applies for a NJ E-ZPass account for a passenger vehicle. | In Committee |
| A262 | Allows gross income tax credit for volunteer firefighters. | This bill allows a gross income tax credit for volunteer firefighters who have actively been volunteering for three years. The amount of the credit is $500. To be eligible for the credit, a taxpayer must be an active member of a volunteer fire company or an active volunteer member of a part-paid fire department for three years. | In Committee |
| A293 | Suspends fines for certain first-time paperwork violations committed by small businesses. | This bill would suspend the assessment of fines against small businesses for certain minor first-time paperwork violations. Under the bill, a small business means a business entity that employs 50 full-time employees or fewer and qualifies as a small business concern as defined in the federal "Small Business Act." Under the bill, a fine would not be suspended if:· the violation has the potential to cause serious harm to the public interest;· failure to impose a fine or penalty would impede or interfere with the detection of criminal activity;· the violation concerns the assessment or collection of any tax, debt, revenue, or receipt;· the violation was not corrected within six months of the date the small business received notification of the violation; or· except as provided below, the violation presents a danger to public safety. If a State agency or regulatory authority determines that the violation presents a danger to the public safety, the agency or regulatory authority may nevertheless suspend the assessment of a fine under certain circumstances if the violation is corrected within 24 hours after notification to the business of the violation. This bill is based upon a federal bill that was sponsored in the 114th United States Congress, introduced on January 7, 2015. The federal bill provided for the suspension of fines under certain circumstances for first-time paperwork violations by small businesses. | In Committee |
| A3096 | Establishes penalties for use of unmanned aircraft in furtherance of commission of criminal offense; requires forfeiture of device upon conviction. | This bill establishes penalties for operating an unmanned aircraft system in the furtherance of a commission of an offense or a crime. Under the bill, a person commits a crime of the fourth degree if the person operates an unmanned aircraft system to further the commission of a petty disorderly persons offense or a disorderly persons offense. For any other offense, the crime is graded one degree higher than the underlying offense for which the unmanned aircraft system was used to attempt or commit. The bill also requires the forfeiture of an unmanned aircraft system used to further a crime upon conviction. | In Committee |
| A135 | Establishes "Summer Earn and Learn Pilot Program." | This bill establishes the "Summer Earn and Learn Pilot Program" in the Department of Education. The purpose of the pilot program is to ensure that school districts, charter schools, and renaissance schools have the ability to provide students access to supplemental learning assistance and paid career-building employment opportunities. Under the bill, the Department of Education (DOE), in consultation with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) will develop, and distribute to each school district, charter school, and renaissance school in the State, program guidelines that include, but are not limited to: (1) a student application procedure; (2) the subject matter to be included as part of the supplemental learning assistance; (3) the type of work that may be performed as part of a career-building employment opportunity; (4) the agencies and entities with which a student may engage in career-building employment opportunities; (5) career-building employment opportunity related performance standards; and (6) total stipend amounts. The bill requires the DOE, in consultation with the DOLWD, to establish partnerships with private and governmental agencies and entities in order to assist students in obtaining career-building employment opportunities. The DOE will establish and maintain a list of these partnerships, which list will be posted on the DOE's and DOLWD's Internet websites. A student can obtain a career-building employment opportunity with an agency or entity not contained on the list, but is required to obtain the approval of the principal or other chief administrative officer of the school in which the student is enrolled prior to beginning any work with such an agency or entity. Under the bill, a school district, charter school, or renaissance school that wishes to participate in the pilot program must submit documentation to the DOE alerting the department of the school district's, charter school's, or renaissance school's intent to participate in the pilot program. To be eligible to participate in the pilot program, a student must: (1) be a resident of New Jersey, (2) have reached the minimum age for employment under the laws of the State, and (3) be enrolled in a school district, charter school, or renaissance school in the State. The bill requires, to the extent permitted by federal law, that the stipends provided pursuant to the provisions of the bill be paid from monies received by the State or a school district, under the federal "Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act," the federal "Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act, 2021," the federal "American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act," or any other federal funding provided to address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic as it becomes available. Under the bill, two years following the implementation of the pilot program, the Commissioner of Education must submit a report to the Governor and to the Legislature on the implementation of the pilot program and include information on the commissioner's recommendation as to the advisability of continuing or expanding the program. The bill provides that a school district, charter school, or renaissance school that offers supplemental learning assistance to students during summer vacation pursuant to the provisions of the bill is not considered in-session for purposes of certain areas of current law governing child labor. The bill also provides that, for a student required to obtain an employment certificate, age certificate, or special permit in order to obtain employment in the State, the issuing officer of a school district may, for purposes of participation in the pilot program established under the bill, issue the employment certificate, age certificate, or special permit to a student or parent, as applicable, when the documentation needed for such a certificate or permit is submitted through the mail or electronically. | In Committee |
| A343 | Requires grading of offenses involving manufacturing, distributing, and dispensing heroin based on dosage units in addition to weight. | This bill requires offenses involving manufacturing, distributing, and dispensing heroin to be graded based on the number of dosage units of heroin, in addition to the weight. Under current law, the distribution of heroin and cocaine are punishable as if they were the same substance. However, heroin provides more pharmacological effect from a given weight than does cocaine. A dosage unit of heroin typically weighs approximately 0.02 grams. It is not uncommon for a dosage unit of cocaine to weigh approximately 14 grams, or 0.49 ounces. Under current law, manufacturing, distributing, or possessing with intent to distribute a dosage unit of cocaine in the amount of up to 0.5 ounces would be punishable as crimes of the third degree. Accordingly, a single dosage unit of cocaine that weighs 0.49 ounces would be would be punishable as a crime of the third degree. A person who manufactures, distributes, or possesses approximately 700 dosage units of heroin would also only be guilty of a crime of the third degree. Thus, in effect, the current statutes allow those who distribute heroin to be treated far more leniently than those who distribute cocaine. The new classification scheme established under the bill for the crime of distribution of heroin would be as follows: · A person would be guilty of a crime of the first degree for manufacturing, distributing, or possessing with intent to distribute heroin, or its analog, in a quantity of 50 grams or more, or 2,500 dosage units or greater;· A person would be guilty of a crime of the second degree for manufacturing, distributing, or possessing with intent to distribute heroin or its analog, in a quantity greater than two grams but less than 50 grams, or greater than 100 dosage units but fewer than 2,500 dosage units. · A person would be guilty of a crime of the third degree for manufacturing, distributing, or possessing with intent to distribute heroin or its analog, in a quantity of two grams or less or 100 or fewer dosage units. Under the bill, "dosage unit" is defined as either the smallest discrete pill, tablet, capsule, vial, packet, fold or other unit of distribution or packaging of the controlled dangerous substance, or the amount which is commonly distributed for consumption at one time by an individual to achieve the desired effect, whichever method of measurement results in the greater number of dosage units. | In Committee |
| A102 | Provides corporation business tax credits and gross income tax credits to small business employers and farm employers for increases in certain mandatory employer contributions. | This bill provides corporation business tax (CBT) credits and gross income tax (GIT) credits to small business employers and farm employers for increases in certain mandatory employer contributions. The bill provides small business employers and farm employers with tax credits in an amount equal to the difference of: 1) the amounts expended by the small business employer or farm employer as mandatory employer contributions for workers' compensation insurance and New Jersey Temporary Disability Insurance and Unemployment Insurance during the privilege period or taxable year; minus 2) the amounts that would have been expended by the small business employer or farm employer as mandatory employer contributions for workers' compensation insurance and New Jersey Temporary Disability Insurance and Unemployment Insurance during the preceding for the same amount of employees and wages during the preceding privilege period or taxable year. The term "small business employer" means a taxpayer that: 1) employs fewer than 25 employees in this State, which employees shall have been employed by the employer for not less than 48 weeks of the calendar year and which are employed by the taxpayer as of the last day of the calendar year; and 2) generates less than $1 million in annual net receipts, based on the average of the three preceding privilege periods or taxable years. The term "farm employer" means a taxpayer in this State who engages individuals in this State on a piece-rate or regular hourly rate basis to labor on a farm. The bill caps the credit amount at $12,000 annually for each taxpayer per privilege period and taxable year, and the credit is only available for the privilege periods and taxable years commencing on or after January 1, 2020, but before January 1, 2030. Any amount of the tax credit that cannot be taken against a small business employer's or farm employer's CBT liability can be carried forward for four privilege periods following the privilege period for which a portion of the tax credit was allowed. If the credit exceeds a small business employer's or farm employer's GIT liability, the small business employer or farm employer can receive a refund for the amount in excess. The bill requires the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury to determine the form and manner by which a taxpayer can apply for the tax credit. | In Committee |
| A103 | Provides gross income tax credit for certain taxpayers who pay tuition costs for nurse aide in long-term care facilities training program. | This bill seeks to encourage New Jersey residents to pursue a career as a Certified Nursing Aide (CNA) by providing financial assistance in the form of a tax credit for costs associated with training. Currently in the State, nursing homes are recruiting and hiring CNAs to fill approximately 1,800 open full- and part-time positions. CNAs are critical to the provision of quality care in the long-term care setting as they provide basic and essential care on a daily basis. In order to meet the current and future demands for these workers, it is imperative that new CNAs be trained to alleviate the increasingly acute workforce shortage. This bill creates a one-time gross income tax credit, up to a maximum of $1,000, for taxpayers who have paid tuition costs for a nurse aide in long-term care facilities training program. As defined in the bill, a "nurse aide in long-term care facilities training program" means a training program based on the New Jersey Curriculum for Nurse Aide Personnel in Long-Term Care Facilities; offered by an educational institution, a facility, or a proprietary program; and approved by the Department of Health pursuant to regulation. Under the bill, a credit can be claimed by a taxpayer in the taxable year following the completion by the taxpayer, or a dependent of a taxpayer, of a nurse aide in long-term care facilities training program and 12 consecutive months of employment as a Certified Nursing Aide at a long-term care facility licensed by the Department of Health. This tax credit is refundable. | In Committee |
| A434 | Establishes "New Jersey Pandemic Bill of Rights for the Welfare of Individuals." | This bill establishes the "New Jersey Pandemic Bill of Rights for the Welfare of Individuals." The bill accords the citizens of the State of New Jersey with the following rights during a pandemic, a widespread outbreak of an infectious disease, or a declared public health emergency: (1) to have effective safeguards in place to protect a resident of a nursing home or long-term care facility or a person with a preexisting condition against an infectious disease that is the basis of the pandemic or declared public health emergency; (2) to be fully evaluated and treated in a health care facility, and not to be released from that facility without knowing whether one has tested positive for an infectious disease that is the basis of the pandemic or declared public health emergency, thereby depriving one of care and further spread of disease; (3) to receive adequate nourishment, medical care, and other necessities from a properly staffed health care facility, as a patient of that facility; (4) to be provided appropriate physical and occupational therapies and to be periodically moved to prevent debilitating wounds if a patient is confined to a bed; (5) to be permitted visitation as a patient or resident of a health care facility in accordance with the need for proper support by family or loved ones; (6) to have safeguards implemented by a health care facility to protect against the infectious disease that is the basis of the pandemic or declared public health emergency; (7) to have the needs and wishes stated in a legal or medical directive met without government interference or mandates that prohibit health care professionals from carrying out such directive, including, but not limited to, do not resuscitate orders; (8) to have attorneys designated as essential workers and to have attorney offices remain open during a pandemic, a widespread outbreak of an infectious disease, or a declared public health emergency; and (9) to have full access to legal services and have the ability to visit an attorney's office during a pandemic, a widespread outbreak of an infectious disease, or a declared public health emergency. The bill requires the Commissioner of Health to publish a notice of the rights enumerated in the bill, and to make the notice available to the public on the Department of Health's Internet website. All health care facilities, including nursing homes and long-term care facilities, are to post a copy of the notice in a conspicuous location that is available to the public. | In Committee |
| A3085 | Requires MVC to issue one license plate instead of two. | This bill amends current law to require the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to issue one license plate for each automobile and motorcycle registered in the State. The bill requires that the single license plate be displayed on the rear of the vehicle. The bill specifies that any person who was issued two license plates prior to the effective date of the bill may return one of those plates to the commission. | In Committee |
| A130 | Establishes "Rural Business Development Program" in EDA; appropriates $35 million to EDA from federal funds. | This bill requires the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to establish and maintain the "Rural Business Development Program" (program). The program is designed to provide grant funding to a rural business to be used for the retention or creation of employment positions at rural businesses. Under the bill, the EDA is to enter into an agreement with a rural business concerning the EDA's provision of grant funding to the rural business for this purpose. The EDA is to establish and maintain the "Rural Business Development Fund" (development fund) to provide grant funding to rural businesses that participate in the program and to administer the program. The development fund is to be credited with $35,000,000 from an appropriation made to the authority. The development fund may be credited with moneys made available by the EDA for the purpose of the development fund and moneys received by the authority from any other public or private donations. In administering the program, the EDA is to establish: 1) procedures and timelines for applications for the program; 2) criteria for determining grant funding amounts to be disbursed from the development fund to rural businesses; 3) reporting requirements for rural businesses accepted into the program and their receiving grant funding from the development fund; and 4) any other policies deemed necessary by the EDA for the administration of the program and the development fund. A rural business receiving grant funding under the program is to report to the EDA every six months while the rural business participates in the program detailing how the rural business used grant funding to retain or create employment positions at the rural business, and any other information the EDA requires. | In Committee |
| A1125 | "Fully Funding Schools and Cutting Property Taxes Act"; repeals certain sections of law; requires additional aid to lower property taxes commensurate with residents' ability to support schools; appropriates $2.9 billion. | The bill is to be known as the "Fully Funding Schools and Cutting Property Taxes Act." The bill requires that, beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, State school aid will be provided to school districts at levels consistent with the School Funding Reform Act of 2008 (SFRA) up to their adequacy budget, and prevents future cuts to State aid. It also requires a school district to reduce its tax levy in an amount equal to any increase in State school aid above the prior budget year under certain circumstances, allowing the district to subsequently increase its levy from a lower level than the prior budget year. It is the sponsors' intent to bring equity to New Jersey's school system by increasing State aid contributions to SFRA adequacy budget levels in a manner consistent with the "thorough and efficient" education clause in the State Constitution (N.J. Const. art. VIII, sec. 4, par.1). Providing school aid in this manner will reduce property taxes based on the ability of each school district's residents to support schools. The bill repeals certain sections of law enacted as part of P.L.2018, c.67 (commonly referred to "S2") that resulted in loss of aid and higher property taxes in certain school districts. The bill requires the State to provide aid to school districts equal to the greatest amount of:· aid according to the SFRA; · aid according to the SFRA and, if applicable, additional aid to provided to school districts that lost funding as a result of the implementation of S2; or· State school aid received in any of the school years between and including the 2017-2018 school year and the 2022-2023 school year. Under the bill, a district may petition the Commissioner of Education and State Treasurer for additional aid if it demonstrates a willingness to reduce its adjusted tax levy by an amount equal to any additional aid received. The bill requires a school district to reduce its school tax levy by the same amount of their State school aid increase above the prior year if the total tax levy of the municipality or municipalities comprising the district is more than five percent of school district income. After lowering its levy commensurate with a State aid increase, a school district may increase its levy by an amount necessary to cover an increase in per pupil administrative costs and deferred revenue. The bill requires a district to submit a proposal to voters of the district if it wishes to exceed this limitation. If the voters do not approve the proposal, a school district may add to its adjusted tax levy the difference between the maximum amount to be raised by taxation for the current budget year and the actual amount to be raised by taxation for the current school year if the amount of State school aid and the adjusted tax levy is below the adequacy budget in the next three succeeding budget years. Lastly, the bill appropriates $2,946,618,000 for the purposes of providing additional aid under the bill. The bill stipulates that any unexpended balances are appropriated to the Schools Development Authority for the purposes of supporting school facilities projects and supporting emergent needs and capital maintenance in school districts. | In Committee |
| A3090 | Renames pinelands area as "John McPhee pinelands area." | This bill renames the pinelands area as the John McPhee pinelands area. John McPhee, a native of Princeton, New Jersey and a Pulitzer Prize author, is considered one of the pioneers of creative nonfiction literature. McPhee's writing career spans over five decades, during which he has published over thirty books and contributed over 100 articles to "The New Yorker" as a staff writer since 1963. He currently serves as the Ferris Professor of Journalism teaching nonfiction writing at Princeton University. McPhee's renowned contributions to the nonfiction literature genre has earned him multiple literary awards and honors. In McPhee's 1968 book, "The Pine Barrens", he illustrates a rich portrait of the culture, history, and ecology of the New Jersey Pine Barrens, also known as the Pinelands. McPhee believed the Pinelands was the last vestige of wilderness on the east coast and advocated for it to become a national reserve. A decade after its publication, this book was pivotal in the political battle to preserve the Pinelands from being destroyed by overdevelopment. During the late 1970's, the United States Congress passed the "National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978" establishing the Pinelands National Reserve and authorizing the creation of a planning entity for the area. Governor Brendan Byrne, with support from environmentalists, pushed for State legislation to preserve the Pinelands, widely crediting John McPhee's book, "The Pine Barrens", for the inspiration to pursue this legislation. As a result, the Legislature adopted the "Pinelands Protection Act" in 1979, which protects sensitive areas and high quality surface and ground water, agricultural and cultural areas, and provides for regional planning to protect the sensitive ecosystem from the pressures of development. The pinelands is the largest remaining example of the Atlantic coastal pine barrens ecosystem, stretching across more than a fifth of the State's land area. The area's forests and wetlands are home to 1,000 species of native flowering plants, 280 mosses, 34 mammal species, 24 amphibian species, 30 reptile species, and 144 bird species. Unique to the Pinelands is a 17-trillion-gallon Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer, containing some of the purest water in the United States. Congress has officially designated 1.1 million acres of the area as the Pinelands National Reserve to preserve its ecology, making it the first National Reserve in the country. Appropriately, renaming the pinelands area as the John McPhee pinelands area is a fitting tribute to the inspiration he provided for legislation protecting the New Jersey Pine Barrens. | In Committee |
| A2371 | Prioritizes distribution of 9-1-1 System and Emergency Response Trust Fund monies; permits use of funds for certain expenses incurred by counties and municipalities for the provision and maintenance of 9-1-1 emergency services. | This bill permits funds from the "9-1-1 System and Emergency Response Trust Fund Account" to be appropriated to pay certain 9-1-1 emergency services costs incurred by counties and municipalities and prioritizes the use of the funds. Current law provides that funds in the trust fund account may be used for the following purposes: (1) the costs incurred in the initial installation of the Statewide enhanced 9-1-1 network and for the costs incurred by a county for the employment of a county 9-1-1 coordinator in an amount not to exceed $25,000 per county 9-1-1 coordinator as well as the installation, operation, and maintenance costs required to provide wireless enhanced 9-1-1 services; (2) the costs of funding the State's capital equipment (including debt service), facilities, and operating expenses that arise from emergency response; (3) the cost of emergency response training, including any related costs or expenses of the Office of Emergency Management in the Division of State Police in the Department of Law and Public Safety; (4) the cost of operating the Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services; (5) the cost of operating the Statewide Public Safety Communications Commission; (6) any costs associated with implementing any requirement of the Federal Communications Commission concerning 9-1-1 service that is not otherwise allocated to a carrier and not eligible for reimbursement under law or regulation; (7) any costs associated with planning, designing, or implementing an automatic location identification technology that is not otherwise allocated to a wireless carrier and not eligible for reimbursement under law or regulation; and (8) any costs associated with planning, designing or acquiring replacement equipment or systems (including debt service) related to the enhanced 9-1-1 network. The bill provides that funds in the trust fund account also may be allocated for costs incurred by counties and municipalities for the provision and maintenance of 9-1-1 emergency services including, but not limited to, costs associated with emergency response training, operating expenses, and capital expenses. Finally, the bill requires funds to be distributed on a prioritized basis first to county, regionalized, or large centralized public safety answering points, followed by other local public safety answering points. | In Committee |
| A3072 | Requires electric public utilities to establish interest-free revolving loan program to help residential customers purchase standby emergency power generators. | This bill directs an electric public utility (utility), in consultation with the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and the Division of Rate Counsel, to establish an energy resilience loan program (loan program) for the purpose of providing interest-free financing, to be deployed through a financing program, to make standby emergency power generators (generator) affordable for residential customers of the utility. The loan program will be entirely administered by the utility and residential customers are to purchase the generators from the private sector. The loan program is to include direct loans to residential customers, on terms approved by the BPU, which are to include, but not be limited to: 1) the establishment by the utility of a nonlapsing revolving loan fund to service the loan program; 2) interest-free loans for an amount not to exceed $8,000 per generator per residential utility customer; and 3) an interest-free repayment period as determined by the board. The bill provides that utility is to impose an energy resilience fee (fee) on any residential customer participating in the loan program, which revenues from the fee are to be pledged to secure and be applied to the repayment of the financing costs as described in the bill. The fee may be a usage-based surcharge, a flat user fee, or a charge, based upon a residential customer's electric usage, as determined by the BPU, for each residential customer. The fee is to be itemized and separately identified on the periodic bill of any residential customer subject to the fee. Nothing in the bill is to effect the right to impose, collect, and adjust from time to time the fee imposed on a residential customer. The obligation of any utility residential customer subject to the fee to pay the fee and the obligation of the utility to collect the fee is not to be subject to any setoff, counterclaim, surcharge, or defense by the utility or by any utility residential customer, or in connection with a bankruptcy of any utility or any residential customer The bill provides that the BPU is to ensure that all reasonable costs incurred by a utility to start and implement the loan program may be recovered as part of the utility's revenue requirement, including necessary billing system adjustments, costs arising out of the billing and collection of, and any costs for fees that are not recovered via a participating residential customer's fee payments, or otherwise. The fee is not to be considered revenue of a utility and accordingly, is not to be subject to any tax, fee, charge, or assessment authorized pursuant to State law. The bill provides that the loan program or the act of serving as an agent to bill and to collect the fee is not to cause any utility to be subject to the laws that regulate financial institutions, escrow depositories, or collection agencies. A utility is not to be responsible for lending, underwriting, and credit determinations. | In Committee |
| A112 | 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 to New Jersey residents. | In Committee |
| A119 | Allocates $50 million to Department of Labor and Workforce Development from federal government assistance to improve unemployment insurance benefit claims processing capacity. | This bill allocates $50 million in available federal assistance to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The money shall be spent in efforts to improve the benefit claims processing capacity of the unemployment insurance (UI) program following the unprecedented spike in UI benefit claims filings caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Under the bill, the department is required to submit to the Legislature an implementation plan to effectuate the provisions of this bill. | In Committee |
| ACR96 | Proposes amendment to State Constitution to provide for elected Taxpayer Advocate. | This concurrent resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to elect a non-partisan Taxpayer Advocate. The Taxpayer Advocate would be elected by popular vote at gubernatorial elections for four year terms. The mission of the Taxpayer Advocate would be to empower taxpaying residents of the State by providing advocacy and information with the goal of minimizing the tax burden on State residents. The Taxpayer Advocate would take steps deemed necessary or advisable to protect and advance the interests of taxpaying residents of the State and inform taxpayers of matters that may be of interest to them. The Taxpayer Advocate would be required to analyze proposed laws and regulations that may increase the tax burden of residents of the State. The Taxpayer Advocate would then make a recommendation and advocate to the relevant authority on behalf of taxpaying residents of the State. Through this position, New Jersey taxpayers would have an advocate to represent their interests before the Legislature and Executive agencies. | In Committee |
| A3078 | Dedicates unencumbered revenue collected from vehicle size and weight enforcement to Transportation Trust Fund. | This bill dedicates revenue from the enforcement of vehicle size and weight laws to the Transportation Trust Fund (fund). The revenue dedicated to the fund includes the fines collected pursuant to section 5 of P.L.1950, c.142 (C.39:3-84.3) and the portion of fees and surcharges collected pursuant to R.S.39:3-20 and R.S.39:3-84 that are not already dedicated to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. | In Committee |
| A131 | Authorizes free hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and free admission to State parks and forests for disabled veterans and individuals with certain types of military service. | This bill would expand upon current law to provide that all disabled veterans would be entitled to free admission to State parks and forests. In addition, this bill provides that persons with any of the following types of military service would also be entitled to free admission to State parks and forests and to free hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses, permits, stamps, tags, and certificates: (1) a member of a unit of the organized reserve of the Armed Forces of the United States which is located in New Jersey; (2) an active duty member of any branch or department of the Armed Forces of the United States who is a resident of the State or who is based or stationed in the State regardless of residency; and (3) a retired member of the New Jersey National Guard. Finally, this bill provides that the benefits authorized in the bill and in current law would apply to both residents and nonresidents of the State who are disabled or meet the established criteria for active or former military status. Current law provides that active members of the New Jersey National Guard who have completed Initial Active Duty Training may obtain free admission to State parks and forests as well as free hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses, permits, stamps, tags, and certificates. Current law also provides that disabled veterans who are State residents qualify for free hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses, permits, stamps, tags, and certificates but not free admission to State parks and forests. | In Committee |
| A114 | Establishes Statewide database of beds in shelters for the homeless. | This bill would require the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) to allow operators of shelters for the homeless and others who place persons in homeless shelters to have access to real-time information about the occupancy status of shelter beds, as collected by the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), to determine the availability of shelter beds in the vicinity. Each homeless shelter operator would be required to update information about available shelter beds not later than one hour after a bed becomes available, or an available bed has been filled. These provisions will allow operators of homeless shelters that are currently full to ascertain whether there are available beds in nearby shelters so as to enable them to direct individuals in need of emergency shelter to locations that can accommodate them. This bill also requires a shelter for the homeless to cooperate in providing any necessary information to the database, as determined by the HMFA, the Department of Community Affairs, and the Department of Human Services, as a condition of being eligible to receive funding for the shelter from the Departments of Community Affairs and Human Services. The bill would not apply to shelters for victims of domestic violence. | In Committee |
| A3073 | Requires criminal history record background checks on certain volunteer sports personnel. | This bill would require criminal history record background checks on persons who are applicants or who currently serve as volunteer sports officials for sports teams with members under 16 years of age at no cost to the volunteer sports official. Under this bill, volunteer sports officials include coaches, managers or officials of sports teams. Volunteer sports officials hold positions which place them in contact with minors. It is the sponsor's view that background screening is one approach to preventing abuse of minors by identifying persons with a history of crimes or offenses involving minors or other vulnerable persons. The background checks would be conducted by the Division of State Police. The cost of the background check shall be waived. The Department of Community Affairs would act as a clearinghouse for the collection and dissemination of information obtained as a result of the background check. Persons with criminal records would have the opportunity to demonstrate their rehabilitation and avoid disqualification. | In Committee |
| A1746 | Permits certain portion of municipal development trust funds to be spent on housing affordability assistance to veterans. | Current law permits a municipality that is authorized to collect affordable housing fees under the rules of the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) to set aside amounts from the fees collected to provide affordability assistance programs, which may include down payment assistance, security deposit assistance, low interest loans, common maintenance expenses for units located in condominiums, rental assistance, and any other program authorized by the COAH. This bill would provide that up to 30 percent of the development fee amounts permitted to be spent on affordability assistance programs may be directed to a municipal program for first-time homebuying veterans, to provide grants for downpayment assistance. Grants under the program would be limited to $15,000 per recipient, and would not be considered as income concerning eligibility requirements for other State programs, or for purposes of taxation. The bill will 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 |
| A3068 | Requires cable television companies to provide cable television service and broadband Internet speed to all committed service areas before cable television companies allow paid prioritization of Internet network traffic. | This bill requires a cable television (CATV) company, in an application for municipal consent or a system-wide franchise, to commit to providing CATV service to the entire territory of a municipality or to all households within the CATV company's service territory, and to provide at least broadband Internet service speed, as defined in federal law, before the CATV company may allow paid prioritization of Internet network traffic to the franchise area. "Paid prioritization" is defined as the management of a CATV company's Internet service network speed to directly or indirectly favor certain Internet network traffic over other Internet network traffic, including, but not limited to, use of techniques such as Internet network traffic shaping, prioritization, resource reservation, or other forms of preferential Internet network traffic management, either in exchange for consideration from a third party or to benefit an affiliated entity. Nothing in this bill is to prohibit a CATV company from offering tiered Internet speed packages to customers prior to fulfilling the commitments under the bill. Current law allows the BPU to impose fines or revoke or suspend a CATV company's franchise for the failure of a CATV company to conform to the commitments made in a franchise application. Current law also allows the board to enforce the provisions of the application through any appropriate method. | In Committee |
| A1115 | Excludes under gross income tax certain contributions to qualified pension plans, deferred compensation plans and provides deduction for certain individual retirement savings. | This bill excludes from gross income taxation the employee and employer contributions that public and private sector employees make to federally qualified tax exempt pension plans under section 401(a) of the federal Internal Revenue Code. The bill also excludes from gross income taxation elective contributions that employees of the public and non-profit sectors may make toward their retirement savings, and allows a deduction for federally qualifying IRA contributions. The New Jersey gross income tax currently allows the employees of private, for profit, businesses to make tax-deferred contributions to the retirement savings plans authorized under section 401(k) of the federal Internal Revenue Code. Contributions mandated under most qualified retirement plans are not accorded tax deferral under the New Jersey gross income tax. Also employees of public and nonprofit sectors are not afforded the same access to 401(k) plans as private sector employees that includes the gross income tax contributions tax deferral. This bill incorporates New Jersey gross income tax deferrals for private and public sector employee contributions and for contribution designated as "employer contributions" for federal income tax purposes under qualified retirement plans established under section 401(a) of the federal Internal Revenue Code. This bill also incorporates tax deferrals for the elective deferred compensation systems allowed to employees of governments and nonprofits. Charitable, educational and religious organization employees and public school employees are authorized by federal law to contribute toward their retirement savings under plans established under subsection (b) of section 403 of the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986. State and local government and authority employers are authorized by federal law to make contributions under plans established under section 457 of the federal Internal Revenue Code, and federal employees are authorized by the federal Internal Revenue Code to make contributions to the federal Thrift Savings Plan. This bill gives the employees of federally tax-exempt charitable, educational or religious organizations; the employees of public school systems; the employees of state and local government and federal employees similar tax incentives for retirement savings that are provided under the New Jersey gross income tax to private sector employees. This bill also allows a gross income tax deduction for contributions to individual retirement accounts, or premiums paid to individual retirement annuities, that qualify for federal income tax deductions. IRA's are a significant retirement savings vehicle for employees whose employers do not offer a pension plan. | In Committee |
| A118 | Provides credits under corporation business tax and gross income tax for qualified wages of certain disabled veterans. | This bill establishes credits under the corporation business tax and gross income tax for employers who employ certain disabled veterans. The purpose of the bill is to encourage employers to hire certain disabled veterans who are seeking employment. This bill provides an employer with a gross income tax or corporation business tax credit equal to 15 percent of the wages paid to a qualified disabled veteran, up to a maximum of $1,800 per disabled veteran per taxable year or privilege period. A qualified disabled veteran is a resident of the State, initially hired by the employer on or after the date of enactment, who has been honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from active service, on or after January 1, 1990, from any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States and who has been determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to have a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or higher. The VA uses a scale ranging from 10 to 100 percent, in increments of 10 percent, depending on the severity of the condition or illness to rate the extent of a veteran's disability. The credits established by this bill are temporary in that qualified wages are those wages paid by the employer to a qualified disabled veteran on or after January 1, 2017, but before January 1, 2020. The qualified disabled veteran must be employed for a least 185 business days of the taxable year or privilege period for which a credit is claimed. The bill contains provisions that prevent the potential for misuse of the tax credit. A taxpayer may not claim a credit established by this bill if the wages paid by that taxpayer to a qualified disabled veteran are already included in the calculation of any State tax credit or grant for the same tax year. If it is determined that a taxpayer is displacing current employees and replacing them with qualified disabled veterans for the primary purposes of utilizing a credit in this bill, the credit will be denied, and if any credit was previously allowed, it would be recaptured by the State and a penalty assessed against the taxpayer. The bill contains certain restrictions that prevent the corporation business tax credit provided by this bill from being used in conjunction with any other corporation business tax credit available to the taxpayer so as to exceed 50 percent of the tax liability otherwise due, or to reduce the taxpayer's corporation business tax liability to an amount less than the minimum required by statute. Similarly, the gross income tax credit provided by this bill may not be used to reduce a taxpayer's liability to an amount less than zero. Any unused credit resulting from those restrictions may be carried forward over seven tax years by the taxpayer. The bill also provides that a taxpayer eligible for a credit under this bill may apply to the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury for a tax credit transfer certificate, in lieu of applying the credit against its tax liability. A tax credit transfer certificate may be sold or assigned to another taxpayer who has a corporation business tax or gross income tax liability in exchange for financial consideration of not less than 75 percent of the transferred credit amount. | In Committee |
| A129 | Establishes procedures for seizure, care, and forfeiture of animals involved in animal cruelty violations. | This bill would: (1) authorize certain law enforcement officials to take custody of animals in cases of suspected animal cruelty violations; and (2) establish various provisions related to the payment of the cost of care of animals taken into custody. Specifically, the bill would: (1) provide that a court of competent jurisdiction may issue a warrant concerning a violation of P.L.2017, c.189 after receiving proof of issuance of a written correction warning pursuant to subsection f. of section 5 of P.L.2017, c.189 (C.4:22-17.7), rather than proof of issuance of a summons; (2) provide that a court of competent jurisdiction may issue a warrant concerning a violation of P.L.2017, c.189 without receiving the proof of issuance described above, whenever immediate assistance is required to protect an animal; (3) specify that the notice required pursuant to subsection c. of section 5 of P.L.2017, c.189 (C.4:22-17.7): (a) must be sent no later than seven days after an animal has been taken into custody; (b) must be sent to the owner as well as the address from which the animal was taken; and (c) need not contain information concerning the alleged violation that led to the confiscation of the animal; and (4) provide that a licensed shelter, pound, or kennel operating as a shelter or pound, which has custody or control of a dog, domestic companion animal, or service animal, because of an alleged violation of P.L.2017, c.189, may provide care to improve the animal's physical or psychological well-being. In addition, the bill would authorize a court of competent jurisdiction to issue a warrant to any municipal humane law enforcement officer, humane law enforcement officer of a county society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or other State or local law enforcement officer to enter onto the private property where an animal is located and take custody of the animal, upon a showing that there was a reasonable basis to believe that there has been an animal cruelty violation. In cases where an officer has a reasonable basis to believe that, due to an animal cruelty violation, immediate assistance is required, the officer would be authorized to enter a private property and take custody of an animal without a warrant. The bill would require animals taken into custody in the manner described above to be placed in the care of a licensed shelter, pound, or kennel operating as a shelter or pound. The bill would authorize these facilities to provide care to improve the animal's physical or psychological well-being, or to transfer the animal in an animal rescue organization facility or a foster home, provided the licensed shelter, pound, or kennel operating as a shelter or pound determines that such placement or care: (1) is in the best interests of the animal; (2) would not incur additional and unreasonable costs of care; and (3) would not permit euthanasia except if a licensed veterinarian makes a written determination that the animal is in intractable and extreme pain and beyond any reasonable hope of recovery with reasonable veterinary medical treatment. The bill would authorize an animal care facility (as defined by the bill) that receives and cares for an animal taken into custody in the manner described above to file a complaint in the Superior Court seeking payment of the reasonable costs of care provided to the animal. The bill would establish various requirements for the form and content of the complaint. If an animal care facility demonstrates, by a preponderance of evidence, that an animal was taken into custody either for the animal's protection from harm or for needed medical attention, and that the complaint was served in the correct manner, the bill would direct the court to award damages for the reasonable costs of care for the animal for the period that the animal is in the custody of the animal care facility. If the court determines that the animal care facility has not established these facts by a preponderance of evidence, no damages would be awarded, but the animal would be retained by the animal care facility until the outcome of the animal cruelty proceeding that led to the animal's seizure. If the court determines that a complaint was not filed in the correct manner, the animal would be retained by the animal care facility, which could petition the court for a 30-day extension to refile the complaint. The bill establishes various requirements concerning the way in which damages for the reasonable costs of care for an animal are to be paid. If a person fails to make a payment, as required by the bill, ownership of the animal would transfer to the animal care facility. The bill would provide that, if a person liable for the reasonable costs of care under the bill is found to be not guilty of the alleged criminal animal cruelty offense or is found not liable for civil penalties for an animal cruelty violation that led to the seizure of the animal, and if the person has made timely payments for the reasonable costs of care, the person would be authorized to immediately repossess the person's animal and to be reimbursed by the animal care facility for all of the reasonable costs of care, except those related to necessary veterinary care, that were paid by the person to the animal care facility. However, the bill also provides that, if the person contests the necessity of veterinary care provided as necessary veterinary care, the person may request reimbursement of veterinary care costs that the person believes was not necessary veterinary care, and the animal care facility will be required to reimburse the contested costs if it cannot document the veterinary care was so necessary. The bill defines "necessary veterinary care" as veterinary care to prevent the imminent death of an animal, alleviate extreme pain for the animal, treat disease, provide basic, general care for the health and welfare of the animal, and administer euthanasia and properly dispose of animal remains, as determined necessary by a licensed veterinarian. It includes the administration of medicine and vaccinations, but excludes surgical intervention, except if such intervention is emergent to prevent imminent death, extreme pain, or loss of the animal's body functions. "Necessary veterinary care" would also not include surgical intervention for elective surgeries or surgeries for the general health care of the animal, or extreme health care measures or invasive procedures not required to prevent the imminent death of the animal. Finally, the bill would authorize animal care facilities and enforcement agencies (as defined by the bill) to petition a court presiding over an animal cruelty proceeding for an order requiring the forfeiture of the animal involved in animal cruelty offense to an animal care facility. The court would also be authorized to order that the person convicted of an animal cruelty violation and any person who was convicted for conspiring, aiding, or abetting in the violation that was the basis of the conviction, be prohibited from owning, harboring, or having custody or control of any other animals for a period of time that the court deems appropriate. The bill would also authorize the court to issue an order as described above upon its own initiative. | In Committee |
| A3089 | Authorizes pharmacists to dispense HIV prophylaxis without individual prescription under certain circumstances; mandates prescription benefits coverage. | This bill authorizes pharmacists to dispense HIV prophylaxis without an individual prescription under certain circumstances, and requires prescription benefits coverage for prophylaxis furnished under the bill. HIV prophylaxis is a course of treatment involving certain drug combinations that can prevent HIV infection notwithstanding exposure to the virus under circumstances in which it is normally transmitted, such as through unprotected sexual contact, sharing needles, or other contact with an infected person's blood or bodily fluids. HIV prophylaxis includes both HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which is taken by a person who anticipates engaging in conduct that risks HIV infection, and HIV postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), which is taken by a person who may have been exposed to HIV. Under the bill, pharmacists will be permitted to furnish PrEP and PEP to patients without an individual prescription pursuant to a standing order issued by the Commissioner of Health or, if the commissioner is not a duly licensed physician, the Deputy Commissioner for Public Health Services. A standing order will be issued to a pharmacist upon request, provided that the pharmacist completes a training program approved by the State Board of Pharmacy in consultation with the Department of Health, and certifies that the pharmacist will meet the requirements set forth in the bill to furnish PrEP and PEP without an individual prescription. The training program is to include information about financial assistance programs available to patients to assist with the costs of PrEP and PEP. The bill allows a patient to receive up to a 60-day supply of PrEP without an individual prescription in any given two-year period. Thereafter, to continue receiving PrEP, the patient will be required to obtain a prescription for the drugs. A pharmacist furnishing PrEP to a patient without an individual prescription will be required to document that the patient is HIV negative, as demonstrated by a test administered in the past seven days, and that the patient does not report any signs or symptoms of acute HIV infection. If the patient does not have a current HIV test, the pharmacist may order a test. If the patient tests positive for HIV, the pharmacist will be required to provide the patient with information and resources concerning HIV treatment and comply with State and federal requirements for a positive HIV test, which includes certain reporting requirements. Additionally, the pharmacist will be required to confirm that the patient is not taking any contraindicated medications, provide the patient with counseling on the ongoing use of PrEP, advise the patient that the patient will require a prescription to continue receiving PrEP, confirm the patient has not already been provided with a 60-day supply of PrEP without an individual prescription in the past two years, document the services provided, and notify the patient's primary care provider that the patient was furnished with PrEP, unless the patient does not consent to the pharmacist providing this notice. Pharmacists may furnish a complete course of PEP to a patient who may have been exposed to HIV if the pharmacist confirms with the patient that the exposure to HIV occurred within the previous 72 hours, the patient otherwise meets the clinical criteria for PEP consistent with guidelines published by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the pharmacist tests the patient for HIV, the pharmacist counsels the patient on the use of PEP consistent with CDC guidelines, the pharmacist informs the patient of the availability of PrEP, and the pharmacist notifies the patient's primary care provider the patient was furnished with PEP, unless the patient does not consent to the pharmacist providing this notice. If a patient being furnished with PrEP or PEP does not have a primary care provider, or refuses to consent to the pharmacist providing notice to the primary care provider, the pharmacist will be required to provide the patient with a list of health care providers to contact regarding ongoing treatment using PrEP or follow-up care for PEP, as applicable. The DOH will be required to publish and maintain a current list of providers for pharmacists to use for this purpose, which list may be made available on the department's Internet website. In no case will a patient be authorized to waive the consultation required under the bill to receive PrEP or PEP without an individual prescription. The bill requires health benefits plans that include prescription benefits, as well as the State Employee's Health Benefits Plan, the School Employees' Health Benefits Plan, and Medicaid, to provide coverage for PrEP and PEP furnished under the bill without any prior authorization or step therapy requirements. If therapeutic equivalents to prevent HIV and AIDS are approved, the health plans may apply prior authorization or step therapy requirements to other versions of the treatment, provided at least one version is covered without prior authorization or step therapy. Health plans will not be authorized to prohibit a pharmacist from dispensing PrEP and PEP. Health plans will not be required to provide coverage for PrEP furnished without an individual prescription in a quantity that exceeds a 60-day supply within a given two-year period. Health plans will not be required to cover PrEP or PEP furnished by a pharmacist at an out-of-network pharmacy unless the plain includes an out-of-network pharmacy benefit. | In Committee |
| A136 | Establishes Rural Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program in EDA; appropriates $2.5 million in federal funds. | This bill establishes the "Rural Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program" (grant program) within the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (authority) for the purpose of providing grants to qualified applicants for the expansion and improvement of broadband telecommunications infrastructure and the provision of broadband telecommunications service in rural areas of the State. The bill requires the authority, in conjunction with the Board of Public Utilities (board) to establish and administer the grant program. In order to qualify for the grant program, a qualified applicant is required to submit certain information to the authority and demonstrate to the authority that certain criteria is met. As defined by the bill, "qualified applicant" means a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, business entity, non-profit organization, political subdivision, or any other entity in the State that is authorized to construct or repair broadband telecommunications infrastructure or provide broadband telecommunications service within the State. Under the grant program, the authority may approve applications for the grant program on a rolling basis, subject to the availability of funds. However, the authority would be required to prioritize applications that address unserved areas. As defined by the bill, "unserved area" means an area in which customers are without broadband service at speeds of at least 25 megabits per second download and 3 megabits per second upload. Upon approval of an application, the authority would provide a grant, in the amount determined by the authority, to the qualified applicant to support the expansion and improvement of broadband telecommunications infrastructure and the provision of broadband telecommunications service in rural areas of the State. The grants provided under the grant program would be made to a qualified applicant in an amount not to exceed $75,000 per project, provided the qualified applicant would be required to contribute private capital, in an amount not less than 25 percent of the value of the grant, to finance the proposed project. To the extent permitted under federal law, a qualified applicant may use any monies received from the federal "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021," to support the required contribution of private capital. Specifically, the bill requires these grants to be utilized for the acquisition, construction, equipment, and site-preparation costs associated with the deployment of broadband telecommunications infrastructure, as well as any other purpose related to the provision of broadband telecommunications service in rural areas of the State. The bill requires the authority to prepare and submit a report on the "Rural Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program" to the Governor and the Legislature within 12 months of the approval of the program's first qualified applicant and to make the report available on the authority's Internet website. The report would be required to include the number of qualified applicants that applied for the grant program, the number and names of the qualified applicants approved for the grant program, the total number of grants distributed, the amount received per qualified applicant, and any other information the authority determines necessary to evaluate the progress of the grant program. The bill also requires the authority to establish and maintain a non-lapsing revolving fund, which would be known as the "Rural Broadband Infrastructure Grant Fund." The revolving fund would serve as the repository of all monies used to support the grant program. Finally, the bill appropriates $2.5 million in federal funds to the authority for deposit into the "Rural Broadband Infrastructure Grant Fund." Specifically, this appropriation would be supported by certain federal monies provided to the State pursuant to the federal "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act." | In Committee |
| A3093 | Creates temporary grant program for electric vehicle fire suppression technology. | This bill creates a Statewide pilot program to test new technology for fighting fires emanating from electric vehicles. The National Transportation Safety Board issued a report in 2020 of its investigations into the difficulties experienced by fire departments attempting to extinguish electric vehicle fires. Specifically, the board cited increased risk to first responders of stored energy reigniting after all signs of fire and smoke have been put out. The National Fire Protection Association emergency field guide recommends large, sustained volumes of water to extinguish high-voltage battery fires and highlights the difficulty of applying extinguishing agents directly onto the burning cells of an electric vehicle. Emergent technology exists and should be examined as a resource in the repository of methods available to New Jersey's firefighters. This bill attempts to address current challenges by equipping select fire departments throughout the State with the newest technology for one year and requiring them to report their findings and recommendations to the Division of Fire Safety. | In Committee |
| A127 | Requires State employer to ascertain child abuse or sexual misconduct in employment applications for certain positions involving children; requires background checks for current and prospective employees. | This bill requires State employers, or service providers holding a contract with a State employer to provide services involving children, to ascertain allegations of child abuse or sexual misconduct prior to awarding employment in certain positions that involve regular contact with children. The bill also requires a criminal history record background check and a child abuse record background check for each current or prospective employee of a State employer or service provider who is or would be employed in a position having regular contact with children. Under the bill, a State employer means any of the principal departments in the Executive Branch of this State, and any board, bureau, office, division, authority, or other instrumentality thereof. Application Information - Prospective Employees The bill requires each State employer or service provider to request from each applicant for employment in a position having regular contact with children detailed information concerning that person's employment history. Each such applicant would be required to provide (1) a list of the applicant's current employer, all former employers within the last 20 years, and an indication of which of those employment positions involved direct contact with children; (2) a written authorization that consents to and authorizes disclosure of the information requested and the release of related records by the applicant's employers, and that releases those employers from liability that may arise from the disclosure or release of records; and (3) a written statement as to whether the applicant has been the subject of any child abuse or sexual misconduct investigation by any employer, State licensing agency, law enforcement agency, or the Department of Children and Families, and whether the investigation resulted in a finding that the allegations were false or the alleged incident of child abuse or sexual misconduct was not substantiated; has ever been disciplined, discharged, non-renewed, asked to resign from employment, resigned from or otherwise separated from any employment while allegations of child abuse or sexual misconduct were pending or under investigation, or due to an adjudication or finding of child abuse or sexual misconduct; or has ever had a license, professional license, or certificate suspended, surrendered, or revoked while allegations of child abuse or sexual misconduct were pending or under investigation, or due to an adjudication or finding of child abuse or sexual misconduct. The bill establishes penalties for the provision of false information by an applicant for employment; requires that current and former employers of an applicant respond to a State employer's or service provider's request for information within 20 days of that request; and allows the State employer or service provider to disqualify an applicant if the information on that person's application cannot be verified due to a non-response from a current or prior employer. The bill allows such disqualification or termination upon an affirmative response or finding of child abuse or sexual misconduct in an applicant's application or employment history. Under special or emergent circumstances, the bill allows a State employer or service provider to employ or contract with an applicant on a provisional basis for a period not to exceed 90 days pending review of an applicant's information, provided the applicant submitted the information requested and the State employer or service provider has no adverse knowledge or information pertaining to the applicant. The bill provides that the application records would not be subject to public disclosure under the "open public records act," and prohibits the State employer or service provider from entering into any contracts or agreements that would expunge application records or make it difficult to report findings of child abuse or sexual misconduct. Criminal History Record Background Check - Current and Prospective Employees The bill requires an applicant for employment and each current employee of a State employer or service provider who is or will be employed in a position which involves regular contact with children, to undergo a criminal history record background check as a condition of prospective or continuing employment. The prospective or current employee would be permanently disqualified from employment in that position if the criminal history record background check of that employee or applicant reveals a record of conviction for any of the following crimes and offenses: (1) a crime against a child, including endangering the welfare of a child and child pornography; child molestation; (2) abuse, abandonment or neglect of a child; (3) endangering the welfare of a person with a developmental disability; (4) sexual assault, criminal sexual contact or lewdness; (5) murder or manslaughter; (6) stalking; (7) kidnaping and related offenses including criminal restraint, false imprisonment, interference with custody, criminal coercion, or enticing a child into a motor vehicle, structure or isolated area; (8) arson, or causing or risking widespread injury or damage, which would constitute a crime of the second degree; (9) aggravated assault, which would constitute a crime of the second or third degree; (10) robbery, which would constitute a crime of the first degree; (11) burglary, which would constitute a crime of the second degree; (12) domestic violence; (13) terroristic threats; and (14) an attempt or conspiracy to commit any of these crimes or offenses. Under the bill, for crimes and offenses other than those listed, an employee or applicant may be eligible for employment if the individual has affirmatively demonstrated clear and convincing evidence of rehabilitation. Child Abuse Record Information Check - Current and Prospective Employees The bill further requires each applicant for employment and each current employee of a State employer or service provider who will be or is employed in a position which involves regular contact with children to undergo a child abuse record information check. The State employer or service provider would be required to conduct that check to determine if an incident of child abuse or neglect has been substantiated against the prospective or current employee. Under the bill, if a current or prospective employee refuses to consent to, or cooperate in, the conduct of a child abuse record information check, the person would be ineligible for or immediately terminated from employment. The bill provides that a current employee of a State employer or service provider, or an applicant for employment, who is or will be employed in a position which involves regular contact with children, would be permanently disqualified from employment in that position if the child abuse record information check of that employee or applicant reveals a record of conviction for child abuse. | In Committee |
| A1491 | Directs BPU to conduct study to determine feasibility, marketability, and costs of implementing large-scale geothermal heat pump systems in State. | This bill, directs the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to conduct a study of the feasibility, marketability, costs, and benefits of implementing large-scale geothermal heat pump systems (GHPs), as these systems are defined in the bill. The bill requires the BPU, in conducting the study, to assess the challenges and obstacles for the installation of large-scale GHPs in the State, and to consult with the United States Department of Energy, other states, geothermal experts and public and private entities with experience installing GHPs, and public utilities concerning the feasibility, costs, and benefits of the use of geothermal energy and large-scale GHPs. This bill requires the BPU, as part of the study, to: determine whether establishing a financial incentive system, or using other available means and methods, is necessary to encourage and incentivize the development and successful deployment of geothermal energy and large-scale geothermal heat pump systems; evaluate the costs of using geothermal energy and large-scale geothermal heat pump systems; conduct an assessment to compare the energy efficiency and costs of common energy sources to that of geothermal energy in commercial and residential buildings; and evaluate the marketability of geothermal energy and large-scale geothermal heat pump systems and consider methods to promote their use. The bill also requires the BPU to evaluate the costs and savings to ratepayers, government entities, electric public utilities, and the State associated with the implementation of the study findings and recommendations, and provide a recommendation on the feasibility of, need for, and design of, a pilot program in the State for the installation of large-scale GHPs. Finally, this bill requires the BPU, within one year after the bill is enacted into law, to prepare and submit a written report to the Governor and the Legislature summarizing the findings from the study, and providing recommendations for the feasibility, need for, and design of a pilot program, and for legislative, executive, and other actions. | Dead |
| A120 | Directs State Auditor to audit Division of Unemployment and Temporary Disability Insurance in DOLWD. | This bill directs the State Auditor to conduct a performance review audit of the Division of Unemployment and Temporary Disability Insurance in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The bill requires the performance review audit of the Division of Unemployment and Temporary Disability Insurance to analyze whether the division is achieving economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in employing available resources and whether the office is in compliance with statutory law and regulations governing its operations. The audit must include an analysis of the office's use of federal and State allocated funding; a determination of whether the existing personnel of the office is adequate to meet the statutory mandate of the office; an evaluation of the efficiency of the office's internal operations, including during a state of emergency; and recommendations to address any organizational deficiencies that may be revealed by the audit. The State Auditor is required by the bill to complete the audit and submit to the Governor and the Legislature a report summarizing the results of the audit within one year of the effective date of the bill. | In Committee |
| A107 | Allows horse racetracks to be available for placing wagers at casinos in Atlantic City using Internet. | This bill would permit a running or harness horse racetrack in this State to enter into an agreement with a casino located in Atlantic City, or such a casino's Internet gaming affiliate, that allows the racetrack's premises to be available as a venue at which the holder of an Internet gaming account may place wagers at casinos using the Internet. The Division of Gaming Enforcement will have jurisdiction over Internet gaming at casinos that originates from racetracks and will establish minimum standards for the equipment used and locations at a racetrack from which wagers may be placed. Internet wagering from racetracks will not be subject to regulation by the New Jersey Racing Commission. A casino, or its Internet gaming affiliate, will compensate a racetrack licensee for its services as provided in the terms of the agreement. The provisions of the Internet gaming law, N.J.S.A.5:12-95.17 et al. will apply to the placing of wagers at casinos from racetracks, except where inconsistent with the bill's provisions. The bill creates an exception for racetracks from the prohibition in existing law on so-called "Internet cafes." | In Committee |
| A111 | Requires DHS to create English and Spanish-language Internet websites to promote enrollment in affordable health care plans. | This bill would expand the information and resources provided by the Commissioner of Human Services, through the enhanced NJ FamilyCare outreach and enrollment initiative to increase public awareness about the availability of, and benefits to enrolling in, Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare. Under the bill, the commissioner would be required to create a dedicated Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare Internet website that includes a directory of health care centers and other agencies that receive funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to act as "health navigators" and assist New Jersey residents in enrolling in affordable health care plans, as well as other community centers that inform State residents about insurance options and assist with enrollment in health plans through the competitive health insurance marketplace. The directory would identify the languages spoken in each listed center. The commissioner would additionally be required to create a parallel Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare Internet website with the same content provided entirely in the Spanish language, and with a Spanish-language domain name to ensure easy Internet access by Spanish-speaking State residents. The bill would also require the commissioner to create a multimedia public awareness campaign, presented in English and Spanish, publicizing the Internet websites created pursuant to this bill. This bill aims to increase awareness and access to the Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs for underserved populations in this State, especially those for whom Spanish is a primary language. The bill would take effect on the first day of the seventh month next following enactment, to provide ample time for the Department of Human Services to create the two Internet websites and the public awareness campaign. | In Committee |
| A138 | Creates behavioral health court pilot program. | This bill establishes a behavioral health court pilot program. The goal of the behavioral health court pilot program is to divert certain persons suffering from behavioral health issues from the State prison system and into treatment programs, thereby reducing the demand for State prison bed spaces and providing treatment to eligible offenders. Under the bill, a person will be eligible for court directed diversion when the individual has undergone a professional diagnostic assessment and: (1) has no history of possessing a firearm during the commission of an offense; (2) has no previous convictions or pending charges for a serious violent offense; (3) has no convictions on two or more separate occasions; (4) presents no danger to the community if placed on probation; (5) is in need of behavioral health care services; and (6) will benefit from the behavioral health treatment and monitoring. An individual who violates any term or condition of the behavioral health special probation related to behavioral health care treatment may have their probation revoked by the court. Upon a second violation, the court is required to revoke the behavioral health special probation unless the court finds that there is a substantial likelihood that the person will successfully complete the treatment program if permitted to continue. If a court permanently revokes a person's behavioral health special probation, the court is required to impose any sentence that might have been imposed, or that would have been required to be imposed, for the offense for which the person was convicted. The court has the option, in lieu of revocation of behavioral health special probation, to impose a term of incarceration for a period of not less than 30 days nor more than two months, after which the person's term of behavioral health special probation pursuant to this section may be reinstated. A person successfully discharged from a term of behavioral health special probation may seek expungement of all records and information relating to the arrest, detention, conviction, and proceeding for any offense that existed at the time of discharge. | In Committee |
| A113 | Requires retail establishments to allow individuals with certain medical conditions access to employee restrooms. | This bill requires a retail establishment that has a restroom solely for the use of its employees to allow a customer with an eligible medical condition immediate access to the restroom during normal business hours if the restroom is safe, and the following conditions are met: the customer requesting the use of the restroom suffers from an eligible medical condition; three or more employees of the retail establishment are working at the time the customer requests the use of the restroom; the retail establishment does not normally make a restroom available to the public; he restroom is not located in an area where providing public access would create an obvious health or safety risk to the customer or a security risk to the retail establishment; and a public restroom is not immediately accessible to the customer. This bill also stipulates that a retail establishment is not required to make any physical changes to its restroom. As used in the bill, "eligible medical condition" means Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, any other inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or any medical condition that requires the use of an ostomy device or immediate access to a restroom. "Retail establishment" is defined as a place where merchandise is displayed, held, stored, sold or offered to the public for sale, but does not include a filling station or service station, with a structure of 800 square feet or less, that has an employee restroom within that structure. The bill also clarifies that a retail establishment or any of its employees shall not be held civilly liable for any act or omission in allowing a customer with an eligible medical condition to use the restroom if the act or omission: is not willful or grossly negligent; occurs in an area of the retail establishment that is not accessible to the public; and results in an injury to or death of a customer or any individual other than an employee accompanying the customer. Finally, a proprietor or an employee of a retail establishment violating the provisions of the bill shall be guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense and fined not more than $500 for each violation. | In Committee |
| A126 | Provides family leave for employee to attend certain events of child of employee; establishes tax credits for employer that provide full paid family leave benefits. | This establishes a permissive program wherein an employer that provides full paid leave for employees, for up to two full work days, to take time needed by the employee in connection with a child of the employee to attend a school-related conference, meeting, function or other event, will be entitled to a tax credit for the amount of wages paid to an employee for the use of the leave. | In Committee |
| A3056 | Revises permitting thresholds for certain types of development requiring CAFRA permit from DEP. | This bill amends the "Coastal Area Facility Review Act" (CAFRA), P.L.1973, c.185 (C.13:19-1 et seq.), to change the types of development that require a CAFRA permit from the Department of Environmental Protection. Current law divides the CAFRA area into zones based on proximity to the water, and requires permits for different types of development in each zone based on whether the development is residential, commercial, industrial or public. The law currently provides a separate threshold for development in a municipality that meets the criteria of a "qualifying municipality," pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1978, c.14 (C.52:27D-178), or that is located within the boundaries of a city of the fourth class with a population of over 30,000 persons according to the latest federal decennial census. For these municipalities, a CAFRA permit is required for development beyond 500 feet of the mean high water line, or landward limit of a beach or dune, that would result in, either solely or in conjunction with a previous development: a residential development with 75 or more units; a commercial development with 150 or more parking spaces; or an industrial development or a public development. This bill amends this permitting threshold to also apply to development proposed in a city of the fourth class that is ranked in the top two percent of the Department of Community Affair's 2020 Municipal Revitalization Index. Thus, development proposed in a municipality meeting this criteria would be subject to the same CAFRA permitting requirements as development proposed in a qualifying municipality or in a city of the fourth class with a population of over 30,000 persons. | In Committee |
| Bill | Bill Name | Motion | Vote Date | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2167 | Requires public and certain nonpublic schools to comply with breakfast and lunch standards adopted by USDA. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S317 | Revises "Athletic Training Licensure Act." | Assembly 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. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S1320 | Requires certain information be included in certain contracts with licensed public adjusters. | Assembly Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A775 | "Fairness in Women's Sport Act." | Assembly Floor: Table Motion | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| 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. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A2090 | Requires solid waste management district to develop strategy to reduce food waste; requires DEP to adopt certain rules and regulations regarding composting facilities. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3099 | Establishes option for students nearing completion of program in chiropractic medicine to participate in preceptorship provided by State-licensed chiropractor. | Assembly 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. | Assembly Floor: Suspend Rule 22:5b | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A3361 | Establishes limit on rent increase for certain dwelling sites for modular or industrialized buildings or manufactured homes. | Assembly Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A3007 | Increases maximum age for pediatric long-term care facility residents to 26. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3128 | Authorizes HMFA to use certain tax credits; directs HMFA to conduct tax credit auctions to provide financial assistance for certain housing purposes. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3035 | Prohibits certain vehicles from parking in electric vehicle charging spaces under certain circumstances. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 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. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A1675 | Extends membership in TPAF to 10 years after discontinuance of service and to 15 years for those who were laid off or had 10 or more years of continuous service upon voluntary termination. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A2998 | Permits court to order counseling for children in households with domestic violence in appropriate cases; establishes presumption of award of custody to domestic violence victim in appropriate cases. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A2390 | Requires municipalities in compliance with affordable housing obligations be provided priority consideration for certain State grants and assistance. | Assembly Floor: Table Motion | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A2390 | Requires municipalities in compliance with affordable housing obligations be provided priority consideration for certain State grants and assistance. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A551 | Permits certain consumers up to five business days to cancel home improvement contracts and up to three days to cancel certain consumer goods contracts. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2335 | Requires school districts to provide instruction on history of Latinos and Hispanics as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3518 | Requires MVC to create digital driver's licenses and digital non-driver identification cards. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| AJR128 | Designates August of each year as "American Artist Appreciation Month" in New Jersey. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3742 | Requires Secretary of Agriculture to establish Farm to School Local Food Procurement Reimbursement Grant Program to reimburse school districts for costs expended in sourcing and procuring local foods for students; appropriates $4,500,000. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2783 | "Travel Insurance Act." | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2788 | Appropriates $128.241 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for farmland preservation purposes. | Assembly Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3802 | Differentiates certain legal services from traditional insurance products. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3974 | Prohibits use of deceptive marketing practices by substance use disorder treatment providers. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3979 | Requires certain providers of substance or alcohol use disorder treatment, services, or supports to be assessed for conflicts of interest prior to receiving State funds, licensure, or certification. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3973 | Revises law concerning patient referrals to substance use disorder treatment facilities, recovery residences, and clinical laboratories. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2961 | Establishes minimum qualifications for persons employed on public works contract. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A4085 | Allows for natural organic reduction and controlled supervised decomposition of human remains. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3052 | Concerns grade options at public institutions of higher education for service member and dependents unable to complete course due to military obligation. | Assembly 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. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4182 | Concerns conditions of employment of certain cannabis workers. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3132 | Imposes certain requirements on secondhand dealers of cellular telephones and wireless communication devices. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4215 | Directs BPU to adopt rules and regulations concerning small modular nuclear reactors; authorizes EDA to incentivize construction and operation of such reactors. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4248 | Requires certain documentation as proof of voter identity to vote; updates procedures for challenging voters regarding proof of identity. | Assembly Floor: Table Motion | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A4295 | Establishes New Jersey-India Commission. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4302 | Amends current child labor laws to protect minor working as vlogger in certain circumstances. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 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." | Assembly 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. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3309 | Establishes "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act"; revises motor vehicle franchise agreements. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 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. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4479 | Requires social media platforms to cooperate with nonprofit organization initiatives to remove nonconsensual intimate images or videos. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4521 | Concerns provision of services to defendants on pretrial release. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4544 | Expands eligibility requirements of State's child care assistance program to include full-time graduate and post-graduate students. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 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. | Assembly Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4577 | Requires State departments and Office of Technology to provide reports on proposed technology upgrades. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4636 | Requires that notice concerning gift card fraud be posted by retail mercantile establishments that sell gift cards to consumers. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A4643 | Creates penalty for child endangerment via use of social media. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4651 | Establishes penalties for certain conduct related to public brawl and disorderly conduct. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4712 | Establishes Office of Veteran Advocate and ombudsman for DMVA; appropriates funds. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4714 | 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. | Assembly Floor: Table Motion | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| 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. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4818 | Reduces and clarifies requirements for municipal tourist development commission disbursements for advertising. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3618 | Directs DEP and DOT to establish "Wildlife Corridor Action Plan." | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3663 | Establishes reproductive health travel advisory. | Assembly 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. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3776 | Establishes Chronic Absenteeism Task Force. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3773 | Concerns requirements to report separations from employment under employee leasing agreements. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4937 | Concerns satellite cannabis dispensaries, Cannabis Regulatory Commission membership, and post-employment restrictions on State employees. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4937 | Concerns satellite cannabis dispensaries, Cannabis Regulatory Commission membership, and post-employment restrictions on State employees. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4971 | Requires EDA to provide grants to certain small businesses affected by State infrastructure and construction projects. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5000 | Requires Medicaid coverage for fertility preservation services in cases of iatrogenic infertility caused by medically necessary treatments. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5004 | Creates separate crime for items depicting sexual exploitation or abuse of children; concerns computer generated or manipulated sexually explicit images. | Assembly 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. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5077 | Extends statutory pause on collection of student growth objective data. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 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. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3933 | Establishes School Supervisor Mentorship Pilot Program; appropriates $500,000. | Assembly 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. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5146 | Removes exception to civil service working test period for political subdivision employees. | Assembly 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. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3992 | Modifies capital reserve funding requirements for certain planned real estate developments. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5213 | Establishes "New Economy Opportunity Skills System Pilot Program" to strengthen alignment and collaboration between local workforce development boards, community colleges, and county vocational school districts; makes appropriation. | Assembly 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. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5195 | Requires producer of certain firefighting equipment containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances to provide written notice to purchaser; prohibits sale, manufacture, and distribution of certain firefighting equipment containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5260 | Prohibits sale, manufacture, and distribution of certain apparel containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4122 | Revises apportionment of State lottery contributions. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5277 | Establishes public awareness campaign and call center for certain property tax relief programs; requires submission of annual report by Stay NJ Task Force. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5278 | Establishes "New Jersey Menopause Coverage Act"; requires health insurance coverage of medically necessary perimenopause and menopause treatments. | Assembly 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. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| SJR154 | Directs BPU to investigate PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.'s Reliability Pricing Model; directs State to promote affordable energy practices and to urge PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. to implement certain reforms. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5362 | Prohibits casino licensees from using non-wagering casino games to solicit future gaming. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5378 | Modifies provisions of Cultural Arts Incentives Program, New Jersey Aspire Program, and Grow New Jersey Program; eliminates Community-Anchored Development Program. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5383 | Requires unrestricted Medicaid coverage for ovulation enhancing drugs and medical services related to administering such drugs for certain beneficiaries experiencing infertility. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| 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. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5420 | Permits 30-calendar day extension to cure period for certain businesses to address and resolve certain violations. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5421 | Requires development of online tax training for small and micro-businesses. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5422 | Allows businesses to receive information via email concerning new regulations and economic incentives that affect business. | Assembly 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. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| AR180 | Urges DEP, Pinelands Commission, and Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council to engage in alternative forest management practices during periods of drought when prescribed burning is unsafe. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 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. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5462 | Requires electric public utilities to develop and apply special rules for certain data centers to protect non-data center customers from increased costs. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5463 | Requires electric public utilities to submit annual report on voting to BPU. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4293 | Requires owner or operator of data center to submit water and energy usage report to BPU. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5517 | Directs BPU to study feasibility of developing advanced reactors Statewide. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5533 | Establishes requirements for receipt and purchase of scrap metals containing lithium-ion or propulsion batteries. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5563 | Establishes "Summer Termination Program" for certain utility customers. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| State | District | Chamber | Party | Status | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NJ | New Jersey Assembly District 02 | Assembly | Republican | In Office | 01/11/2022 |