Legislator
Legislator > Brian Rumpf
State Assemblymember
Brian Rumpf
(R) - New Jersey
New Jersey Assembly District 09
In Office - Started: 06/23/2003
contact info
Manahawkin Office
400 N. Main St., Building 1
Suites 1 and 2
Forked River, NJ 08050
Suites 1 and 2
Forked River, NJ 08050
Phone: 609-693-6700
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3309 | Establishes "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act"; revises motor vehicle franchise agreements. | Establishes "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act"; revises motor vehicle franchise agreements. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A3558 | Establishes State definition of antisemitism. | Establishes State definition of antisemitism. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| A5938 | Prohibits electric public utilities from billing customers for certain services during service interruptions and requires repair of certain street lights. | This bill prohibits an electric public utility from charging a customer for the usage or provision of electricity during a service interruption. In addition, the bill requires an electric public utility, for each billing cycle in which a service interruption occurs, to reduce the amount of any fixed charges, which charges are not tied to a customer's electricity usage, on a customer's monthly bill by an amount proportionate to the length of time that a customer was without electric service due to a service interruption. Under the bill, "service interruption" means the cessation of electricity service to a customer of an electric public utility. In addition, the bill requires an electric public utility to repair any damaged or otherwise defective street lights that are under the utility's jurisdiction or otherwise maintained by the utility within 10 business days of the utility receiving notice that a street light has been damaged or is otherwise defective. Under the bill, an electric public utility is prohibited from charging a customer for electric service to the street light until the repair has been completed. | In Committee |
| S1067 | Directs DHS to conduct landscape analysis of available mental health services. | Directs DHS to conduct landscape analysis of available mental health services. | Vetoed |
| A4380 | Establishes "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act"; revises motor vehicle franchise agreements. | Establishes "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act"; revises motor vehicle franchise agreements. | In Committee |
| A5049 | Removes certain limitations on receipt of retirement or death benefits under PFRS under certain circumstances. | Removes certain limitations on receipt of retirement or death benefits under PFRS under certain circumstances. | Passed |
| A3055 | Creates database of veteran separation documents. | The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will establish and maintain a database of veteran separation documents. The purpose of the database will be to create a central location for storing digital copies of veteran separation documents such as a DD-214 or NGB-22 form. The database will only be accessible by a public agency and will only be accessible for the purpose of determining the eligibility of a veteran or a veteran's family member, as appropriate, to receive veteran benefits. The separation documents will be submitted voluntarily by the veteran or a family member, and may be submitted posthumously by an immediate family member of a deceased veteran. Under the bill, "veteran" means a person who served on active duty in the United States Armed Forces, a Reserve component thereof, or the National Guard of this State or another state. The department will determine the criteria for granting access to the database, which will include a procedure to confirm that the planned use of the separation document is consistent with law. The department will advertise and promote the use of the database on the department's website. The database will not be subject to the provisions of the law commonly referred to as the open public records act or to the common law concerning access to public records, and any person who missuses the information contained in a separation document will be guilty of a disorderly person's offense and subject to a fine, imprisonment, or both. Veteran benefits require proof of service and proof of discharge. Discharge papers, also known as separation documents, provide this necessary information. A veteran must provide the separation document with each new application for a veteran benefit and the document can often become lost or worn. A central location for the digital storing of separation documents would streamline application processes, and prevent the documents from becoming lost or worn over time. | In Committee |
| A5839 | Dedicates certain energy sales and use tax receipts to support utility assistance programs. | This bill dedicates a portion of the revenues generated from the taxation of energy or utility service under the sales and use tax to the "Universal Service Fund" to support utility assistance programs. Under this bill, if the total revenues collected in any State fiscal year from the taxation of energy or utility services under the sales and use tax exceed those amounts collected in State Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, then the State would be required to appropriate an amount equivalent to the excess revenues collected during that fiscal year to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) for deposit into the "Universal Service Fund" to support utility assistance programs, including but not limited to the Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric Program. The "Universal Service Fund" is a nonlapsing fund administered by the BPU through which various energy and utility assistance programs are funded, such as the Lifeline Credit Program and the federal "Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program." Under current law, the revenues collected from the taxation of energy or utility services under the sales and use tax are required to be deposited into two funds: (1) a special dedicated fund for municipal State aid, known as the "Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund;" and (2) the General Fund. The portion of these revenues deposited into the "Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund" is statutorily determined, and the amounts collected in excess of this dedication are deposited into the General Fund. According to the FY 2026 Governor's Budget, the Governor anticipates that the taxation of energy and utility services under the Sales and Use Tax will generate roughly $980 million in total State revenue in FY 2025. The BPU has also announced increases in the electricity rates for residential ratepayers ranging from 17.2 to 20.2 percent, depending on the supplier, to begin this year. In light of these rate increases, sales and use tax collections from energy and utility sales may exceed FY 2025 levels by as much as $85.2 million in FY 2026. Under the bill, these excess collections would be dedicated to the Universal Service Fund. | In Committee |
| A5770 | Prohibits application of State aid growth limit on certain school districts in 2025-2026 school year. | This bill prohibits the application of any State aid growth limit to the amount of uncapped fiscal year (FY) 2026 State school aid calculated for a school district that experienced a net decrease in actual State school aid between the 2017-2018 and 2024-2025 school years. Under the FY 2026 State aid notices, the Department of Education calculated the amount of uncapped equalization aid, special education categorical aid, security aid, and transportation aid for which a school district would be eligible in the 2025-2026 school year. The department then determined that no school district would be eligible for an increase in the sum of these aid categories of greater than six percent when compared to the amount of State school aid the district received in these aid categories, plus any adjustment aid the district may have received, in the 2024-2025 school year. If the increase in the district's FY 2026 uncapped State school aid total in these categories is greater than six percent, the department reduced the sum of the district's State aid entitlement in these categories through the application of a State aid growth limit so that the increase is no greater than six percent. This bill prohibits the Commissioner of Education from applying any State aid growth limit to increases in a school district's uncapped State school aid for the 2025-2026 school year if the school district experienced a net decrease in the amount of State school aid received between the 2017-2018 school year and the 2024-2025 school year. | In Committee |
| A3157 | Requires DMVA create Bereavement Counseling Program for family members and volunteer caregivers of certain veterans. | This bill requires the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to establish a Bereavement Counseling Program for family members and volunteer caregivers of veterans who die by suicide. The department, through its regional network of Veteran Service Officers will provide the family members and volunteer caregivers with information and an application for the program, when it is aware that the cause of death of a veteran is by suicide, and provide assistance with completing and filing the forms. A funeral director will also provide the information, application, and assistance when it is known that the cause of death of a veteran in their custody is by suicide. The bill requires the department to match the family members and volunteer caregivers with clinicians. No fee will be charged to the family member or volunteer caregiver, and the clinicians will donate their time. The application for bereavement counseling will be available for up to five years after the death of the veteran, and counseling sessions will be available for a period of up to 24 months after an application for bereavement counseling has been approved and a clinician assigned. An individual will be eligible for a maximum of 30 counseling hours per year. The department will create a system for monitoring and verifying the donated hours. The department will provide notice about the program on its Internet site and any other locations and manner as the department deems appropriate. Under the bill, family member means a spouse, parent, sibling, child, or grandparent, whether of the whole or half blood or by adoption, legal guardian, romantic partner, or any person residing in the veteran's household. Volunteer caregiver means a person who is 18 years of age or older, is a member of a qualified veterans' organization, and has provided care in the form of counseling or social work to the veteran for a minimum of three months prior to the death by suicide of the veteran. This term will not include a person such as a licensed or professional caregiver, counselor, or social worker, and a person who received compensation for services. Veteran means a person who served on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, or a Reserve Component thereof, including the National Guard, who was honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from active service and died by suicide. | Crossed Over |
| A5722 | Authorizes certain county fire coordinators to display emergency warning lights on vehicles. | This bill authorizes county fire coordinators and deputy county fire coordinators, as defined in section 3 of P.L.2003, c.28 (C.52:14E-13), to operate and display emergency warning lights, including red emergency warning lights and sirens. Under current law, blue emergency warning lights may be operated by a member of a volunteer fire company or a volunteer first aid or rescue squad or by a member of a county or municipal volunteer office of emergency management whose official duties include responding to a fire or emergency call, provided the company or volunteer is recognized by and rendering service in a county or municipality. Red emergency warning lights may be operated by a chief or first assistant chief of a volunteer fire company. This bill authorizes county fire coordinators and deputy county fire coordinators to operate these emergency warning lights if certain conditions are met. In order for a county fire coordinator or deputy county fire coordinator to mount and operate an emergency warning light, regardless of its color, the bill requires the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to prepare suitable identification cards bearing the chief administrator's signature upon the request of a county executive or director of a board of county commissioners recognizing and being served by a county fire coordinator or deputy county fire coordinator. The identification cards would be countersigned and issued by the county executive or board director to the county fire coordinator or deputy county fire coordinator. No emergency warning lights could be mounted prior to the issuance of the identification cards, and a county fire coordinator or deputy county fire coordinator would need to carry the identification card while an emergency warning light operates on the vehicle. These identification requirements are identical to those imposed under existing law for other authorized drivers operating emergency warning lights. Nothing in current law or this bill grants a county fire coordinator or deputy county fire coordinator any privileges or exemptions denied to the drivers of other vehicles, and the driver operating emergency warning lights is to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons and obey all State traffic laws. | In Committee |
| A1841 | Expands requirements for health insurance carriers concerning prostate cancer screening and requires coverage be provided without cost sharing. | Expands requirements for health insurance carriers concerning prostate cancer screening and requires coverage be provided without cost sharing. | In Committee |
| A5665 | Creates penalty for failure to cooperate with child abuse investigations; upgrades penalties for failure to report child abuse. | This bill creates a penalty for failing to cooperate with a child abuse or neglect investigation and upgrades the penalties for failure to report child abuse and failure to report sexual abuse. Under current law, any person who violates the provisions of N.J.S.A.9:6-8.8 et seq., which includes the failure to report an act of child abuse and who has reasonable cause to believe that an act of child abuse has been committed, is guilty of a disorderly persons offense. This bill upgrades the penalty to a crime of the fourth degree. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by incarceration for up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. Under current law, any person who knowingly fails to report an act of sexual abuse against a child and who has reasonable cause to believe that an act of sexual abuse has been committed is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. This bill upgrades the penalty to a crime of the third degree. A crime of the third degree is punishable by incarceration for a term of between three and five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. Finally, this bill amends current law to provide that any person who knowingly fails to cooperate with an investigation of child abuse or neglect conducted by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, or any other entity in the Department of Children and Families as may be designated by the Commissioner of Children and Families, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. | In Committee |
| S2594 | Appropriates $28,670,924 in 2003 and 1992 bond act monies for loans for dam restoration and repair projects and inland waters projects. | An Act appropriating $22,431,294 from the "Dam, Lake, Stream, Flood Control, Water Resources, and Wastewater Treatment Project Bond Act of 2003," P.L.2003, c.162, and $6,239,630 from the "Green Acres, Clean Water, Farmland and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 1992," P.L.1992, c.88, to provide loans for dam restoration and repair projects and inland waters projects. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A5557 | Clarifies child support obligation notice and certification requirements for applicants for State licenses. | This bill clarifies the child support obligation notice and certification requirements for applicants of State licenses. Under current law, a person who applies for a State driver's license, occupational or professional license, or recreational or sporting license is required to certify that the applicant is not in arrears with a child support obligation. A license holder who is in arrears may, after notice and a hearing, have their license suspended or revoked. Under the bill, in order to provide greater notice to license applicants of the child support law, each licensing agency will require applicants to certify on a form promulgated by the Administrative Office of the Courts separate from the license application form. The separate form will also provide applicants with general notice of the legal basis for the enforcement of child support obligations through the licensing process, including the notice and hearing requirements prior to suspension or revocation. | In Committee |
| A5560 | Repeals law that requires diversity and inclusion instruction for public school students in grades kindergarten through 12. | This bill repeals current State that requires school districts to provide instruction on diversity and inclusion, P.L.2021, c.32 (C.18A:35-4.36a). The law provides that school districts incorporate the instruction in an appropriate place in the curriculum of students in grades kindergarten through 12 as part of the implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. | In Committee |
| A5505 | Directs ELEC to raise value threshold of pay-to-play prohibition for certain State, county, municipal, school board, and fire district contracts to align with threshold for awarding certain public contracts utilizing qualified purchasing agent. | Under current law, the State and its purchasing agents and agencies, and those of its independent authorities, and counties and municipalities, and their agencies and instrumentalities, and boards of education, and fire districts, are prohibited from engaging in a transaction or entering into a contract having an anticipated value in excess of $17,500 with a business entity, unless the contract is awarded pursuant to a fair and open process, if, during the preceding one-year period, that business entity has made a campaign contribution reportable to the Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) to any candidate committee of any person serving in an elective public office in the applicable jurisdiction where the contract is awarded. Likewise, a business entity that has engaged in a transaction or entered into a contract having an anticipated value in excess of $17,500 with the State or any of its purchasing agents or agencies or those of its independent authorities, or any county or municipality, or agency or instrumentality thereof, or board of education, or fire district is prohibited from making a reportable campaign contribution to any candidate committee of any person serving in an elective public office of that jurisdiction where the contract is awarded, during the term of that contract, unless the contract is awarded pursuant to a fair and open process. This bill directs ELEC to adjust the applicable monetary threshold by December 1 of each year to be equivalent to the applicable public bidding threshold established by the Governor and the State Treasurer for purposes of allowing certain contracts in counties, municipalities, and school districts to be awarded by a qualified purchasing agent. The current adjusted public bidding threshold is $44,000, and it is adjusted every five years. Under the bill, the adjusted transaction and contract value thresholds will be applicable to the State and any of its purchasing agents or agencies or those of its independent authorities, and to any county or municipality, or agency or instrumentality thereof, or board of education, or fire district, which has designated a purchasing agent for purposes of engaging in transactions or entering into contracts below the value threshold. Any county or municipality, or agency or instrumentality thereof, or board of education, or fire district without a qualified purchasing agent will continue to be subject to the applicable transaction or contract value provided by law, without adjustment, which is currently $17,500. | In Committee |
| A3951 | Appropriates $28,670,924 in 2003 and 1992 bond act monies for loans for dam restoration and repair projects and inland waters projects. | Appropriates $28,670,924 in 2003 and 1992 bond act monies for loans for dam restoration and repair projects and inland waters projects. | In Committee |
| A941 | Makes total property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans retroactive to effective date of determination of total disability; requires State to reimburse municipalities for reimbursement of property taxes paid to veteran. | This bill provides that the total property tax exemption extended to totally disabled veterans is to be retroactive to the effective date of the determination of the veteran's total disability by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs. The bill also requires that the governing body of each municipality return all taxes collected on the veteran's property after the effective date of the determination of total disability by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs, and requires the State to reimburse municipalities for the amount of such property taxes returned to a totally disabled veteran pursuant to the requirements of the bill. | In Committee |
| A3169 | Allows property tax rebate for disabled veterans. | Allows property tax rebate for disabled veterans. | In Committee |
| A5431 | Establishes Forest Fire Preparedness Commission in DEP. | This bill would establish a "Forest Fire Preparedness Commission" in the Department of Environmental Protection. The commission would be composed of 20 members, including the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, the State Firewarden, and the Superintendent of the State Police, or their designees, and representatives of local emergency response organizations. The commission would be charged with various duties related to ensuring that the State is prepared to respond in a timely and effective manner to wildfires, including: (1) performing a comprehensive audit of the State's current protocols related to wildfire response; (2) developing a comprehensive roadmap that may be utilized by State, regional, county, and local emergency responders, including firefighters, police, and medical responders, in order to coordinate their responses to wildfires; and (3) developing standardized lines of communication among the State Forest Fire Service and State, regional, county, and municipal emergency response organizations for the purposes of wildfire response. The bill would require the commission to produce a report that produces its findings, plans, recommendations, and activities no later than two years after the bill's enactment, after which the Forest Fire Preparedness Commission would dissolve. | In Committee |
| A5414 | Prohibits certain financial institutions from requiring certain disabled veterans to include anticipated property tax obligations as part of mortgage applications. | This bill prohibits certain financial institutions from requiring certain disabled veterans to include anticipated property tax obligations as part of a mortgage applications. Under current law, a veteran who has been declared by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs to have a 100 percent service-connected disability, and meets all of the requirements for a veterans' property tax exemption, may apply to the municipality in which their principal residence is located for a property tax exemption. The surviving spouse of such a veteran is also entitled to the property tax exemption for the duration of their widowhood or widowerhood, provided that certain eligibility criteria are met. Currently, when a person, including a disabled veteran or their surviving spouse, seeks a mortgage to purchase a home, banks, mortgage companies, and credit unions generally require that the person qualify for the mortgage based on the calculated monthly mortgage payment for the mortgage loan, plus the monthly share of the annual property tax bill. Although these persons may qualify for a total property tax exemption after purchasing the property, the inclusion of property tax obligations in the mortgage application can make it significantly more difficult for these persons to obtain a mortgage, as well as increase the interest rates that may be approved for these mortgage applicants. Under the bill, when a qualified veteran who has been declared by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs to have a 100 percent service-connected disability, or their surviving spouse, seeks a mortgage loan from a State-chartered bank, mortgage company, or credit union for a dwelling house that is to be the person's principal residence, the bank, mortgage company, or credit union may not require the person to indicate or disclose the annual property tax obligation on that dwelling house as part of the underwriting requirements for the mortgage loan, provided that the assessor of the municipality in which the property is located determines that the veteran or surviving spouse satisfies all of the eligibility requirements for the disabled veterans' property tax exemption, other than the ownership of the property, and certifies the same to the State-chartered bank, mortgage company, or credit union on a form promulgated for this purpose by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance. In the case of a mortgage refinance application, the qualified veteran or surviving spouse would be required to meet all of the eligibility requirements for the disabled veterans' property tax exemption, including ownership of the property. | In Committee |
| A5419 | Prohibits health care professionals from providing gender-affirming health care services to persons under 21 years of age. | This bill prohibits health care professionals from providing gender-affirming health care services to persons under 21 years of age. A health care professional who violates the provisions of the bill will be subject to discipline for professional misconduct. The bill defines "gender-affirming health care services" to mean all supplies, care, and services of a medical, surgical, therapeutic, diagnostic, preventative, rehabilitative, or supportive nature, including medication, relating to the treatment of gender dysphoria and gender incongruence. Gender-affirming health care services, as defined under the bill, does not include supplies, care, and services of a behavioral health, mental health, or psychiatric nature. | In Committee |
| A1673 | "Right to Mental Health for Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Act"; establishes certain requirements concerning provision of mental health services to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. | "Right to Mental Health for Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Act"; establishes certain requirements concerning provision of mental health services to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. | In Committee |
| A5048 | Enhances protections under Law Against Discrimination for persons serving in military and military veterans. | This bill enhances certain protections under the Law Against Discrimination ("LAD"). Military Service. Currently, the LAD bars discrimination based on "liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States." The bill broadens this provision to specifically bar discrimination against persons currently serving in the military and military veterans. The bill defines this additional protected class of persons as those in active service in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States or National Guard, and those who have been discharged or released from active service in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States or National Guard. Job Protection for Military Service. The bill makes it an unlawful employment practice under the LAD for employers to deny reemployment to employees who take leave for military service. This provision is in compliance with the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, 18 U.S.C. s.4301 et seq. Gender-neutral Language. Under the bill, gendered language in the LAD is changed to gender-neutral language. For example, in N.J.S.A.10:5-39, the provision in the LAD that sets out an affirmative action program for veterans, the bill replaces the phrase "soldier, sailor, marine, airman, nurse or army field clerk" with "enlisted person or officer." Unlawful Discrimination. The bill adds the term "unlawful" before "discrimination" throughout the LAD to clarify that the LAD prohibits only unlawful discrimination. The LAD does not apply to discrimination that may be lawful. For example, practices that result in a disproportionately negative impact on members of a protected class constitute unlawful discrimination only if the entity engaging in the practices cannot show that it is using the practices for a substantial, legitimate, nondiscriminatory interest or cannot show that there is a less discriminatory alternative that meets that interest. | In Committee |
| A4733 | "Welcome Home Veterans Act"; requires MVC to provide veteran benefit information packets. | This bill establishes the "Welcome Home Veterans Act" which requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission) to provide information concerning federal and State benefits that are available to veterans upon the issuance of an initial license, renewal license, probationary license, or an identification card to a veteran, provided the document issued includes a veteran designation. The information required to be provided to veterans under the bill is to be available in both a hardcopy version at each commission agency as well as in a digital format on the commission's Internet website. The information provided to veterans is to include, at a minimum: (1) a copy of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs Veterans' Benefits Guide; (2) a copy of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs' "Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents, Survivors, and Caregivers" booklet; (3) information on where veterans can find more information about available benefits; and (4) any other information the commission, in conjunction with the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, believes is necessary for veterans in this State. | 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 |
| A5300 | Requires regional diagnostic and treatment center for child abuse and neglect to establish mobile team to respond to certain hospital requests to perform forensic child abuse examinations. | This bill requires a regional diagnostic and treatment center for child abuse and neglect to establish a mobile team to respond to certain hospital requests to perform forensic child abuse examinations on pediatric patients. The bill also appropriates State funds to support the establishment of the mobile teams. Currently, pursuant to State law, there are four such State-designated multidisciplinary centers designed to support the evaluation and treatment of abused and neglected children within a specific county-based region of the State. Services provided by these centers are largely center-based. Under the bill, each center is required to establish a mobile team of multidisciplinary professionals. The team is to be available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, to respond to a hospital's request, made in accordance with the provisions of the bill, to perform a forensic child abuse examination on a pediatric patient at the requesting hospital. Each center is also to develop a method by which a hospital may contact the center's mobile team to make a request for services. The bill provides that the Commissioner of Children and Families, in consultation with the New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect, is to determine the number and types of staff required to compose a center's mobile team. The bill mandates that a hospital licensed in the State is to contact the center associated with the county in which the hospital is located and request a forensic child abuse evaluation of a pediatric patient, to be performed at the hospital by the center's mobile team, if: 1) the patient is under the age of 13; the patient has been referred to the hospital by a school nurse, pediatrician, health care provider, parent, or relative for an investigation of suspected child abuse or neglect; and the patient's alleged perpetrator of abuse or neglect is a caregiver; or 2) the patient is under the age of 13; the patient presents with any injury that is inconsistent with any account provided describing the circumstances that led to that injury or with the activity typical for the developmental level of that child; and the patient's alleged perpetrator of abuse or neglect is a caregiver. The bill also requires hospitals to ensure that all emergency department staff participate in an annual training program, selected by Department of Children and Families in consultation with the Attorney General, regarding the identification and reporting of diagnosed or suspected cases of child abuse or neglect. This provision codifies an existing requirement at N.J.A.C.8:43G-2.13, which directs hospitals to provide identical training to appropriate persons. | In Committee |
| A5276 | Requires certain law enforcement entities and courts to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. | This bill requires every law enforcement agency to notify the appropriate federal immigration authorities when a person who is arrested and charged with any crime and certain offenses is a non-citizen who is unlawfully present in this county. The purpose of notifying federal immigration authorities is to initiate deportation proceedings. Under the bill, "federal immigration authority" is defined as any officer, employee, or person otherwise paid by or acting as an agent of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement or United States Customs and Border Protection, or any division thereof, or any officer, employee, or person otherwise paid by or acting as an agent of the United States Department of Homeland Security who is charged with immigration enforcement. The bill also requires every sentencing court to immediately contact appropriate federal immigration authorities in order to initiate deportation proceedings upon convicting a non-citizen who is unlawfully present in this country of certain crimes or offenses. Finally, correctional facilities in which the convicted non-citizen is held would be required to contact appropriate federal immigration authorities for the purpose of initiating deportation proceedings. Parole or probation officers with a supervisory role over a convicted non-citizen also would be required to contact federal immigration authorities for the purpose of initiating deportation proceedings. The crimes and offenses included under the bill that would require notification are any crime of the first through fourth degree or any disorderly or petty disorderly persons offense involving the unlawful manufacture, distribution, possession and use of controlled dangerous substances, theft, robbery, or any other crime or offense resulting in detention. | In Committee |
| A5287 | "Imprisoning Illegal Aliens Act;" allows State and local entities and private detention facilities to enter into agreements to detain noncitizens. | This bill, to be known as the "Imprisoning Illegal Aliens Act," would allow State and local entities and private detention facilities to enter into agreements to detain noncitizens. Current law prohibits the State, local government agencies, and private detention facilities operating in this State from entering into, renewing, or extending immigration detention agreements. Under current law, an immigration detention agreement is any contract, agreement, intergovernmental service agreement, or memorandum of understating that authorizes the State, a local government agency, or private detention facility to house or detain individuals for civil immigration violations. In the sponsor's view, this bill is essential for supporting the United States Congress' bipartisan efforts for the likely enactment of the Laken Riley Act which passed the United States Senate on January 20, 2025. The Laken Riley Act would require federal law enforcement to detain undocumented immigrants charged with nonviolent crimes. The sponsor also adds that the prohibition against immigration detention agreements in New Jersey has deprived the State, local government agencies, and private facilities from revenues generated from housing or detaining individuals for civil immigration violations. | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| A5248 | Requires automatic voter registration process at agency or office providing hunting, fishing, or trapping license. | This bill requires the establishment of an automatic voter registration process at an agency or office providing hunting, fishing, or trapping licenses. The bill requires such agencies or offices to establish an automatic voter registration process similar to that currently applicable at the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC). Under the bill, any agency or office providing hunting, fishing, or trapping licenses under the Division of Fish and Wildlife in the Department of Environmental Protection, that the Secretary of State verifies already collects documents that would provide proof of eligibility, including age, citizenship, and residence address, would be required to establish and implement, upon approval by the Secretary of State, a procedure for automatically and electronically transmitting voter registration information to the Secretary of State of persons who are eligible to vote for the purpose of registering such persons to vote or updating their voter registration. Each person from whom voter registration information is collected would be offered an opportunity to decline automatic voter registration. The bill requires compliance with the automatic voter registration requirements established under current law for the NJMVC, including the provision of required notices to their clients, to the extent applicable as determined by the Secretary of State. | In Committee |
| A5246 | Prohibits enforcement of certain trapping violations in areas subject to law enforcement investigation. | This bill would prohibit the Department of Environmental Protection or any other person authorized to enforce provisions of chapter 4 of Title 23 of the Revised Statutes, or the State Fish and Game Code, from issuing a violation to a trapping licensee for failure to check a trap within the required time period if the trap is located in an area subject to a law enforcement investigation and the licensee has been instructed by a federal, State, or local law enforcement agent to vacate the area. Current State Fish and Game Code regulations, at N.J.A.C. 7:25-5.12(i), require that all traps set or in use must be checked, tended, and maintained at least once per calendar day for the trapping of semi-aquatic species in tidal areas, and at least once in every 24 hours for all other trappings. | In Committee |
| A5216 | Prohibits health insurance carriers from placing time limit on coverage of anesthesia services before, during, or after medical or surgical procedures. | This bill prohibits health insurance carriers from placing a time limit on the coverage of anesthesia services before, during, or after a medical or surgical procedure. Under the bill, a carrier (including an insurance company, health service corporation, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation, or health maintenance organization authorized to issue health benefits plans in the State) will be prohibited from limiting coverage based on the amount of time in which anesthesia services are used before, during, or after a medical or surgical procedure. For the purpose of this bill, "anesthesia services" means the same as the prevailing medical coding standards found within the American Medical Association's Current Procedural Terminology code for anesthesia, including anesthesia modifier codes. | 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 |
| AJR209 | Designates June 1 of each year as "Robert 'Bob' Popovics Day" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates June 1 of each year as "Robert 'Bob' Popovics Day" in New Jersey. Born in Trenton and residing in Seaside Park for many years, Robert "Bob" Popovics has been a longtime resident of the State of New Jersey. On November 1, 2024, Bob passed away due to his injuries from an accident at the age of 75. Bob has made numerous contributions to his community, the State, and the United States. Bob proudly served his country with the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. Additionally, having taken over the establishment from his parents, Bob and his wife operated Shady Rest restaurant in Bayville, New Jersey. Bob was also well-renowned in the fishing community for being an avid fly fisherman, master fly tyer, and the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pop Fleyes, a custom fly tying and educational company. His fly designs have been considered groundbreaking and his community meetings led to the creation of the Atlantic Saltwater Flyrodders. To recognize Bob's numerous contributions to the New Jersey community in which he lived, the fishing community, and the United States, it is altogether fitting and proper to designate June 1 of each year as "Robert 'Bob' Popovics Day" in New Jersey. | In Committee |
| A5152 | Reschedules June 2025 primary election date; provides for adjustment of certain election related deadlines. | An Act concerning the date of the June 2025 primary election and adjustment of certain election related deadlines. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A5154 | Allocates 10 percent of Green Acres funding to local government units for development of completely inclusive playgrounds. | This bill provides that 10 percent of the Green Acres funding provided for grants and loans to fund local government open space acquisition and development projects would be allocated as grants for the development of completely inclusive playgrounds by local government units. The "Preserve New Jersey Act" implements the constitutional dedication of corporation business tax (CBT) revenues for open space, farmland, and historic preservation. For State fiscal years 2020 and after, the act provides that of the amount deposited each State fiscal year: 60 percent shall be used for State open space acquisition and development projects; 30 percent shall be used for grants and loans to fund local government open space acquisition and development projects; and 10 percent shall be used for grants to fund open space acquisition and development projects undertaken by qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organizations. Currently, the Green Acres program requires all development projects to comply with all applicable federal and State requirements of the "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990" and "barrier free" codes. This bill would provide that of the funding for local government open space acquisition and development projects, 10 percent would be allocated as grants for the development of completely inclusive playgrounds, including the retrofitting of existing playgrounds, by local government units. The bill further provides that a grant by the State for development of a completely inclusive playground by a local government unit that is not an urban aid municipality would be for 50 percent of the cost of development of the playground. This bill would provide that a portion of Green Acres funds be specifically allocated for the development of completely inclusive playgrounds by counties and municipalities. | In Committee |
| A5142 | Requires school bus personnel members working with students with disabilities to call 911 emergency line in potential life-threatening emergencies; requires school buses transporting students with disabilities to be equipped with certain safety features. | This bill requires school bus drivers, school bus aides, and any other individual who works, and is otherwise responsible for the safety of students, on a school bus transporting one or more students with disabilities to call the 911 emergency telephone service for assistance in the event of a potential life-threatening emergency on the school bus. A school bus personnel member is required to report that call to the Office of Special Education in the Department of Education. Under the bill, a board of education, or a school bus contractor providing pupil transportation services under contract with a board of education, that employs a school bus personnel member, as well as the office, is to maintain a record of the calls. A board of education, or a school bus contractor as applicable, is required to ensure that certain training related to school bus safety and interacting with students with disabilities are provided to each school bus personnel member who works on a school bus transporting students with disabilities. Pursuant to current law, these training programs are required to be administered to school bus drivers and school bus aides. The bill expands these programs to cover all other school bus personnel members who work, and are responsible for the safety of students, on a school bus transporting one or more students with disabilities. A board of education or school bus contractor that does not properly administer these training programs is to be subject to applicable penalties established under current law. Pursuant to the bill, the parent or guardian of a student with disabilities, who believes that a school bus personnel member did not properly call the 911 emergency telephone service in the event of a potential life-threatening emergency, may file a complaint with the Office of Special Education within the Department of Education. A school bus personnel member who is found by the office to have violated the provisions concerning 911 emergency notification and follow-up reporting requirements is to be liable for certain civil penalties. The bill also requires a school bus that transports one or more students with disabilities to be equipped with: 1) a video camera on the interior of the school bus to monitor student safety while the students are being transported; 2) a global positioning system that provides information about the location and speed of each school bus in real time; and 3) two-way communications equipment, which may include, but not be limited to, a cellular or other wireless telephone. Under the bill, any video footage collected from a video camera and any data collected from a global positioning system is to be retained for not less than 180 days from the date it was recorded. Finally, the bill requires that each in-terminal school bus inspection conducted by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission is to provide for the inspection of the equipment required to be installed on school buses pursuant to the bill. | In Committee |
| A5108 | Allows certain alcoholic beverage retail licenses to be transferred with annexed municipal land. | This bill establishes a procedure for the transfer of an alcoholic beverage plenary retail consumption license, generally issued to bars and restaurants, when municipal land is annexed by another municipality. Current law provides for the annexation of land in one municipality into another existing municipality through a petition process. Under this bill, a plenary retail consumption license used in connection with a premises located on land that is annexed would be transferred to the governing body of the municipality that annexes the land. The bill also allows a municipality from which land is annexed that transfers a plenary retail consumption license to issue a new plenary retail consumption license at public sale in order to replace any transferred license. Under current law, a municipality may issue plenary retail consumption licenses until the combined total number in the municipality is fewer than one license for each 3,000 municipal residents. This population limitation would not apply to a license transferred or issued under the bill's provisions. | In Committee |
| A5107 | Requires public utility to charge volunteer emergency service organization residential rate. | This bill requires a public utility to charge a volunteer emergency service organization a residential rate for service delivered to the property at which the volunteer emergency service organization primarily operates, if the residential rate is lower than the commercial rate for the service at that property. In consultation with the Board of Public Utilities, a public utility is to establish a reasonable procedure for an organization to certify itself as a volunteer emergency service organization with the public utility for this purpose. Under the bill, "volunteer emergency service organization" means an organization that relies on volunteer members to provide emergency services, including, but not limited to, fire department, first aid, emergency, ambulance, or rescue squad services. | In Committee |
| A5106 | Provides for representation of certain regions of State on New Jersey Turnpike Authority. | This bill provides that, of the appointed members of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, at least one is to be a resident of Atlantic County, Burlington County, Camden County, Cape May County, Gloucester County, Ocean County, or Salem County; at least one is to be a resident of Mercer County, Middlesex County, or Monmouth County; and at least one is to be a resident of Bergen County, Essex County, Hudson County, Union County, or Passaic County. The bill only applies to members of the authority appointed on or after the bill's enactment into law. | 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 |
| A4967 | Requires DEP to implement Advanced Clean Trucks regulations no earlier than January 1, 2027. | This bill would delay the implementation of the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP's) Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulations to January 1, 2027. Under current law, N.J.A.C. 7:27-31.3, the regulations would become operative on January 1, 2025. The DEP adopted the Advanced Clean Trucks regulations in 2021. Pursuant to P.L.2003, c.266 (C.26:2C-8.15 et al.), the DEP is authorized to implement California's Low Emission Vehicle Program in New Jersey. The ACT regulations would require, among other things, that manufacturers of medium-duty and heavy-duty motor vehicles sell an increasing percentage of zero-emissions vehicles, capping at 40 percent to 75 percent of annual sales in 2035, depending on the type of vehicle sold. | In Committee |
| A3161 | Broadens eligibility for certain civil service and pension benefits for veterans by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations. | This bill broadens the eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating the requirement that a veteran serve during specific wars or other periods of emergency, and, in certain instances, that a veteran serve in a war zone. Instead of service during specific dates or in specific locations, the bill requires federal active service in any branch of the United States Armed Forces or a Reserve component thereof. The benefits in the bill are (1) a civil service preference under Title 11A of the New Jersey Statutes; (2) a veteran's retirement allowance under the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) or the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS); and (3) the purchase of additional military service credit in the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS), TPAF, PERS, and the State Police Retirement System (SPRS). Eligibility for the civil service benefits for all veterans is contingent upon voter approval of an authorizing amendment to the State Constitution. | In Committee |
| A5016 | Modifies requirements for associations to protect structural integrity of certain buildings; expands timeframes for associations to establish adequate reserves. | This bill amends a recent enactment, P.L.2023, c.214, (C.52:27D-132.2 et al.), which imposed various requirements upon associations responsible for the management and maintenance of the common elements and facilities of residential buildings within planned real estate developments. The bill also limits applicability of the capital reserve study and funding requirements of P.L.2023, c.214, (C.52:27D-132.2 et al.) to residential condominium and cooperative buildings that are three stories or more in height. The bill further modifies current law to enable impacted associations to increase the amounts required to hold in necessary reserve funds over a longer period of time. The Legislature enacted P.L.2023, c.214 for the purpose of enhancing the structural integrity of the primary load bearing systems of residential buildings. However, language contained in the underlying enactment may be interpreted as having imposed requirements to protect against failures of common areas and capital improvements even though they do not impact a building's structural integrity. The recent enactment may also be interpreted as imposing requirements on non-residential buildings as well as residential ones. This bill modifies language from the recent enactment to address these issues and to limit applicability of P.L.2023, c.214 to residential buildings that are three stories or more in height. Additionally, the bill would double the timeframe imposed under current law within which an impacted association is required to establish and maintain a reserve fund in an adequate amount. | In Committee |
| A5013 | Establishes 90-day State tax amnesty period ending no later than January 15, 2026; dedicates revenues collected during tax amnesty period for Stabilization Aid to school districts; appropriates up to $15 million. | The bill requires the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury to establish a 90-day State tax amnesty period, to end no later January 15, 2026. The amnesty period would apply only to State tax liabilities for tax returns due on and after September 1, 2017 and before January 1, 2025. During the amnesty period, a taxpayer who has failed to pay a State tax can pay the amount of unpaid tax and one-half of the balance of interest that is due as of November 1, 2024, without the imposition of the remaining one-half of the balance of interest that is due as of November 1, 2024, recovery fees, civil penalties, and criminal penalties arising out of the late payment. The amnesty would not be available to a taxpayer who, at the time of payment, is under criminal investigation or charge for any State tax matter. If a taxpayer eligible for the amnesty fails during the amnesty period to pay taxes owed, the bill subjects that taxpayer to a five percent penalty, which the director may not waive or abate. The five percent penalty would be in addition to all other penalties, interest, or collection costs otherwise authorized by law. If a person is notified by the Office of Criminal Investigation in the Division of Taxation that the person is under criminal investigation for a State tax matter, they would not be eligible for amnesty under the program unless the Office of Criminal Investigation certifies to the director that the State tax matter involving that person was resolved. Further, a taxpayer would not be eligible for amnesty under the bill unless that taxpayer pays the full amount of the tax, reduced interest, and applicable penalty, if any, in accordance with the rules and procedures established by the director. The bill establishes a dedicated account in the Department of Education to be known as the Stabilization Aid Account and requires all of the moneys collected by the State through the tax amnesty program, excluding certain revenues dedicated for specific purposes by the State Constitution, to be deposited into the special account for the purpose of providing Stabilization Aid to school districts that experience a reduction in State aid compared to the prior school year. To receive Stabilization Aid, a school district would be required to submit an application to the Commissioner of Education. The bill requires that the application include, at a minimum, a written plan explaining how the school district intends to fund operations in future school years in which the school district does not receive Stabilization Aid or similar supplemental State school aid. The bill appropriates a sum not to exceed $15 million from the proceeds collected through the amnesty period for the costs incurred to carry out and administer the program. The bill requires a contract for advertising services for the State tax amnesty program to be procured in an expedited manner. | In Committee |
| A4941 | Provides seniority service credit to educational support professionals for military service. | Current law provides that a teaching staff member may receive up to four years of credit, in computing length of service for seniority purposes, for military service. This bill provides a similar benefit to educational support professionals. Under the bill, every educational support professional who has served in the active military of the United States and is declared by the United States Department of Defense to be eligible for federal veterans' benefits is to receive equivalent years of employment or seniority credit, up to four years, for that service as if the professional had been employed for the same period of time at the school district. Any military service is to be credited towards this employment or seniority credit, including service that occurred prior to the professional's employment as an educational support professional. | In Committee |
| A4927 | Requires health insurance coverage of postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy. | This bill requires health insurers (health, hospital, and medical service corporations, commercial individual and group health insurers, health maintenance organizations, health benefits plans issued pursuant to the New Jersey Individual Health Coverage and Small Employer Health Benefits Programs, the State Health Benefits Program, and the School Employees' Health Benefits Program) to provide coverage for pelvic floor physical therapy during the postpartum period. Under the bill, the "postpartum period" is defined to mean one year after childbirth. | In Committee |
| A4958 | Exempts volunteer fire companies, emergency service providers, and veteran organizations from charitable registration fees. | This bill would exempt volunteer fire companies, emergency service providers, and veteran organizations from paying registration filing fees 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 as charitable organizations with the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety. These organizations are charged a fee for this registration. Under the provisions of this bill, fire companies, nonprofit emergency service providers, and veteran organizations that perform their duties on a volunteer basis would be exempt from paying these filing fees. | In Committee |
| A4912 | Directs DEP to waive walk-in and bicycle entrance fees to State parks and forests during certain holidays. | This bill would direct the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to waive walk-in and bicycle admission fees for State parks and forests on Memorial Day weekend, the week of the Fourth of July, or Labor Day weekend. The bill would take effect one year after the date of enactment of the bill. | In Committee |
| A4907 | Establishes process for selection, instruction, and oversight of commissioners to Article V convention for proposing amendments to United States Constitution; establishes criminal penalties for certain violations. | This bill establishes a process for the selection, instruction, and oversight of commissioners to an Article V convention for proposing amendments to the United States Constitution, and establishes criminal penalties for certain violations. Under the bill, an odd number of commissioners would be named as this State's delegates to an Article V convention by a resolution passed by the State legislature, by a majority of those legislators present and voting in a joint session. To be eligible for selection and service as a commissioner, a person would be required to be: a United States citizen and have been such for at least 5 years; a resident of this State and have been such for at least 3 of the last 5 years; at least 25 years old; a registered voter in this State; not registered or required to be registered as a federal lobbyist at any time within the last 5 years; not a federal employee, other than a member of the United States armed forces, or contractor, currently or at any time within the last 10 years; not a federal elected or appointed officer at any time within the last 10 years; not a convicted felon for crimes involving moral turpitude in any jurisdiction, nor for any crime in any jurisdiction within the last 10 years; not a Statewide office while performing the duties of commissioner or interim commissioner; able to attend the convention unencumbered with other responsibilities that could detract from full-time commitment to the responsibilities of the convention, taking into consideration the anticipated duration of the convention; and have relevant subject matter expertise in areas that may include, but may not be limited to, constitutional law, civics, rules of order, American history, political science, political theory, and government. A position as a State legislator would not be deemed a "Statewide office." The bill provides for a commissioner to receive the same compensation as a member of the legislature of this State, prorated for length of time served, and the same allowance for expenses. The bill prohibits a commissioner or interim commissioner from accepting, during the time of service, any gifts or benefits with a combined value of more than $200, other than from an immediate family member and of the kind customarily granted by a member of one's family. The term "gift or benefit" would be construed liberally to include current and future loans, lodging, food, offer of prospective employment, and other actual and prospective benefits. An employer's decision to continue paying a commissioner's current salary would not be construed to be a gift. However, such salary would not be altered until the adjournment of the Article V convention and proposed amendments have been submitted to the states for ratification. The bill provides that the resolution naming the commissioners and their commission would prohibit a commissioner from voting for or otherwise promoting any change to the traditional convention rule of decision on the floor and in the committee of the whole, to-wit, that each state has one vote. A commissioner would also be prohibited from voting in favor of any proposed amendment that would alter the text of the specific guarantees of individual liberty established by the United States Constitution, including the original constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the following amendments: Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Nineteenth, Twenty-Third, Twenty-Fourth, and Twenty-Sixth. The commissioning resolution would be required to clearly state the scope of the commissioners' authority, which would be limited by: (1) if this State was not one of the two-thirds of the states applying for the convention, the subject matter enumerated in the 34 state applications that triggered the convention; or (2) if this State was one of the two-thirds of the states applying for the convention, the subject matter in this State's application; and (3) any additional instructions from the legislature, whether in the commissioning resolution or issued thereafter. The bill allows the legislature to provide additional instructions at any time via subsequent resolution. In addition to the commissioning resolution, the Senate and General Assembly would adopt a resolution to outline the commission's initial statement and charter. The advisory committee would put forth the resolution for the Legislature's approval. A commissioner who has been named on the commissioning resolution would be permitted to withdraw from consideration if the commissioner is unable to uphold the goals established in the resolution of initial statement and charter. The bill also establishes a three-member advisory committee composed of a member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate; a member of the General Assembly appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly; and a member of the legislature nominated by joint action of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the General Assembly and approved by the majority of those voting in each chamber. The advisory committee has the responsibility to determine whether a prospective or actual action by a commissioner would violate or violates the commissioning resolution or any subsequent instruction. Upon determining that a commissioner or interim commissioner has exceeded the scope of the commissioner's authority, the advisory committee would be required to recall or suspend said commissioner, and would communicate said action and the reasons therefor to the President of the Senate, Speaker of the General Assembly, the Attorney General, and the presiding officers of the convention. Under the bill, the legislature is empowered to remove said commissioner and appoint an interim commissioner to fill the vacancy. The bill establishes criminal penalties for certain violations. Under the bill, a commissioner or interim commissioner who exceeds the scope of the commissioner's authority would be guilty of a crime of the third degree. In addition, any individual who, while not being privileged by law, knowingly bribes, threatens, intimidates or obstructs a commissioner, interim commissioner, or a person representing another state in the capacity of a commissioner or interim commissioner at a convention held in this State, in the performance of the commissioner's duties, or attempts to do so, would be guilty of a crime of the third degree. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| ACR143 | Urges Congress to enact "Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act of 2024" to reimburse State and local units for public safety expenses incurred during major presidential and vice presidential candidates' visits. | This concurrent resolution urges the President and Congress of the United States to enact the "Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act of 2024." Under federal law, the United States Secret Service, under the direction of the Secretary of Homeland Security, is mandated to protect the President and the Vice President of the United States, as well as the president-elect, and the vice president-elect. The agency is also authorized to provide protective services to certain other individuals, including the immediate families of the president, vice president, president-elect, and vice president-elect; former presidents and vice presidents, their spouses, and certain children; major presidential and vice presidential candidates; visiting heads of foreign states or foreign governments; and certain other designated individuals. Although it is often unrecognized, the Secret Service's ability to maintain public safety and security for individuals, facilities, and events covered under its protection depends on the agency's effective cooperation and coordination with state and local governments. The July 13, 2024 assassination attempt on Former President, and current presidential candidate, Donald J. Trump, further highlights the ongoing need for effective cooperation and coordination to protect major presidential and vice-presidential candidates and maintain public safety throughout election campaigns. The State of New Jersey and its municipalities are not only honored to host any individuals under Secret Service protection, but also take seriously the responsibility to cooperate with the Secret Service to ensure the safety and security surrounding such occasions. However, the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities that are dedicated to ensuring effective cooperation with the Secret Service often place undue financial burdens on the State and its municipalities. The "Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act of 2024," recently introduced in Congress as H.R.9332, would authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to utilize the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of State and local governments, on a reimbursement basis, for public safety and law enforcement purposes surrounding events and appearances involving major presidential and vice presidential candidates. The enactment of this bill would provide the State and its municipalities the funding necessary to effectively cooperate and coordinate with the Secret Service in order to protect major presidential and vice presidential candidates and ensure public safety during campaign events and appearances within the State. | In Committee |
| A4835 | Reinstates annual sales tax holiday for retail sales of computers, school computer supplies, school art supplies, school instructional materials, and sport recreation equipment. | This bill reinstates the annual "back-to-school" sales tax holiday for school supplies and sport or recreational equipment, which had been repealed by the enactment of P.L.2024, c.19. The sales tax holiday would annually occur during the 10-period up to and including Labor Day. Under the bill, the following items would be exempt from the sales and use tax when sold to an individual purchaser for non-business use during a specified annual exclusion period: (1) computers with a sales price of less than $3,000 per item; (2) school computer supplies with a sales price of less than $1,000 per item; (3) school supplies; (4) school art supplies; (5) school instructional materials; (6) and sport or recreational equipment. The period of time in which the purchase of these items would be exempt from tax each year, referred to in the bill as the "annual exclusion period," is defined as the time between 12:01 a.m. on the ninth day preceding the first Monday in September and 11:59 p.m. on the first Monday in September of each year. The bill would take effect immediately upon enactment and apply to retail sales made during any annual exclusion period occurring at least 30 days after the date of enactment. | In Committee |
| AJR195 | Designates August 30 of each year as "Keith Pinto Day" in NJ. | This joint resolution designates August 30 of each year as "Keith Pinto Day" in NJ. Keith Pinto was a lifelong resident of Toms River, NJ who dedicated several summers to serving as a lifeguard in the South Seaside Park section of Berkeley Township, NJ. At the young age of 19, Keith's life was tragically cut short by a lightning storm during his lifeguarding shift on August 30, 2021. Keith is remembered as a hero who served, protected, and developed special connections with families visiting the Jersey Shore. In addition to his service, Keith was widely regarded for his infectious personality, and those close to Keith described him as a good soul who lit up every room and put smiles on the faces of everyone around him. It is fitting and proper to designate August 30 of each year as "Keith Pinto Day" in memory of Keith's life, his service to his community, and the joy he brought to others. The Governor is requested to issue a proclamation annually to recognize August 30 of each year as "Keith Pinto Day" and call upon relevant State agencies, organizations, and citizens of the State to observe the day with appropriate commemorative activities and programs. | In Committee |
| AJR191 | Designates February 12th of each year as "Carly Day" in NJ. | This resolution designates February 12th of each year as "Carly Day" in New Jersey. Bayville resident Carly Fetzer was born with a congenital heart defect known as hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Congenital heart defects are problems with the structure of the heart that are present at birth and change the normal flow of blood through the heart. In the US, 9 out of every 1,000 babies will be born with a heart defect. In Carly's first years of life, she had three surgeries to reroute her body's blood flow and despite the odds she lived 18 remarkable years before she passed away. Carly's friends and family established the Carly Fetzer Queen of Hearts Foundation to honor Carly. The foundation provides food vouchers to families at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and donates money to research studies that focus on children with congenital heart defects. Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week is observed annually from February 7th to February 14th. Designating February 12th as "Carly Day" would provide New Jerseyans with an annual reminder on the effects that congenital heart defects have on individuals diagnosed with a congenital heart defect in the State. | In Committee |
| A885 | Requires State Chief Diversity Officer to conduct study of utilization of disabled veteran-owned businesses in State procurement process. | This bill requires the Chief Diversity Officer to study disabled veteran-owned businesses to determine whether disparities exist between the availability and utilization of disabled veteran-owned businesses in the State procurement process. The Chief Diversity Officer will prepare and submit to the Governor and the Legislature a report containing the study's findings and recommendations for legislative or other actions that can be taken to promote opportunities for disabled veteran-owned businesses in the procurement of goods and services for the State. After the disparity study is submitted, the Chief Diversity Officer may, in the officer's discretion, prepare and submit additional reports identifying the extent to which previous recommendations have been successfully implemented and any impact the implementation of such recommendations have had on State procurement in the preceding years. Studies which demonstrate the disparity between the availability and utilization of disabled veteran-owned businesses in the State procurement process can help provide the basis for goal-based procurement programs. | In Committee |
| A285 | Creates permanent commission to study various statutory definitions of veteran, disabled veteran, and service-disabled veteran. | This bill establishes permanent study commission on the various statutory definitions of veteran, disabled veteran, and service-disabled veteran. Of the total membership, one member would be appointed by the Governor, one member would be appointed by the President of the Senate, one member would be appointed by the Senate Minority Leader, one member would be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, and one member would be appointed by the General Assembly Minority Leader. The appointee by the Governor will be an employee of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs. The purpose of the study commission would be to (1) determine the various definitions of "veteran," "disabled veteran," "service-disabled veteran," and any other definition of veteran in the statutes, and (2) recommend changes to such definitions in the statutes that may provide greater uniformity and be less restrictive. The study commission would: (1) compile and analyze the various definitions of "veteran," "disabled veteran," "service-disabled veteran," and any other definition of veteran in the statutes; (2) identify statutes with unique and restrictive requirements for the various definitions and determine if the requirements may be revised for the benefit of more uniform definitions; (3) identify potential revisions to be made to the statutes to provide for a clearer understanding of the requirements for qualification under the various definitions; (4) consult with the military community for their expertise and input on its work; and (5) utilize the findings of the study commission, and the expertise from the military community, to recommend changes to the various definitions. The bill requires the study commission to prepare and issue an annual report on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations and submit it to the Governor, the Legislature, the Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee, or its successor, and the General Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee, or its successor. The first annual report will be issued no later than 12 months after the commission organizes. | In Committee |
| A4649 | Provides access to periodic cancer screening examinations for volunteer firefighters through SHBP physicians and other providers. | This bill requires access to periodic cancer screening examinations for volunteer firefighters serving in fire district of this State, or a fire department, unit, or company of or in this State or a political subdivision of this State, without cost-sharing. Under the bill, physicians who participate in the State Health Benefits Program network will be required to offer these periodic examinations to volunteer firefighters and then a physician or other provider may request payment from the State for the provision of services not to exceed $1,250 in the aggregate per three-year period for each firefighter. According to the bill, fire district of this State, or a fire department, unit or company of or in this State or a political subdivision of this State, which relies on services from volunteer firefighters must maintain adequate records to facilitate the payment. Current law entitles paid firefighters enrolled in the State Health Benefits Program and paid firefighters eligible for enrollment in the State Health Benefits Program to periodic cancer screening examinations every three years without cost-sharing. By law, the State will reimburse public employers in an amount not to exceed $1,250 per three-year period for each firefighter. This bill extends the reimbursement provisions available to paid firefighters under current law to unpaid firefighters serving in any fire district with a volunteer fire department or wherein there exists one or more incorporated volunteer fire companies affording fire protection to the fire district, or any fire department, unit, or company of or in the State or a political subdivision of this State. | In Committee |
| A4622 | Increases resource threshold for certain Medicaid eligibility groups. | This bill increases the resource threshold for certain non-Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) Medicaid eligibility groups, or those applicants who are over 65 years of age or disabled, such as individuals eligible for nursing homes services; Medicare Shared Savings Programs; the Medically Needy pathway; and home and community-based services. This bill does alter any eligibility requirements regarding the NJ Workability Program, a non-MAGI eligibilty pathway which offers full Medicaid coverage to working disabled individuals whose income or assets would otherwise make them ineligible. Currently, NJ Workability does not limit eligibility based on resources. Generally, in increasing the resource standard under these programs, this bill more closely aligns resource requirements under Medicaid for these populations with individuals under 65 years of age without disabilities, also known as the MAGI eligibility group, who currently do not have a resource test to determine eligibility pursuant to the federal "Affordable Care Act." The current resource standards for the affected eligibility groups varies. For example, an individual applying for the Medicaid Managed Long-Term Services and Supports is required to have resources of less than $2,000, while an individual applying for a Medicare Savings Program can have resources up to $9,090. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| A4606 | Permits State, local government agencies, and private detention facilities to enter into agreement to detain noncitizens. | This bill permits the State, local government agencies, and private detention facilities to enter into an agreement to detain noncitizens for civil immigration violations. Under current law, the State, a local government agency, or a private detention facility operating in this State is not to enter into, renew, or extend any immigration detention agreement. Current law defines an immigration detention agreement as any contract, agreement, intergovernmental service agreement, or memorandum of understanding that authorizes the State, local government agency, or private detention facility to house or detain individuals for civil immigration violations. Under the provisions of this bill, the State, a local government agency, or a private detention facility operating in this State may enter into, renew, or extend an immigration detention agreement. | In Committee |
| A4593 | Creates offense of financial exploitation of the elderly. | This bill creates the offense of Financial Exploitation of the Elderly. Under the bill, a person obtains property by financial exploitation of the elderly when, being a person in a position of trust, he compels or induces an elderly person to deliver such property to him or to a third person by means of fraud, false promise, extortion or intimidation. "Elderly person" is defined as any person who is 60 years of age or older and is suffering from a disease or infirmity associated with advanced age or who suffers from a mental disease, defect or condition which renders the person incapable of deciding whether to give or withhold consent to taking, obtaining or withholding of his or her property. A "person in a position of trust" means a person who: (a) is the parent, spouse, adult child or other relative by blood or affinity of an elderly person; or (b) is a joint tenant or tenant in common with an elderly person; or (c) has a fiduciary obligation to an elderly person; or (d) receives monetary or other valuable consideration for providing care for the elderly person; or (e) lives with or provides some component of home care services on a continuing basis to the elderly person including, but not limited to, a neighbor or friend who does not provide such services but has access to the elderly person based on such relationship. The offense is graded as a crime of the third degree punishable by up to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both when the amount involved is at least $200.00 but does not exceed $500.00. Ordinarily thefts of this amount are graded as crimes of the fourth degree. The bill also upgrades theft when the amount is less than $200.00 to a crime of the fourth degree from a disorderly persons offense. Theft from an elderly person when the amount involved exceeds $500.00 but is less than $75,000.00 continues to be a crime of the third degree. | In Committee |
| A4012 | Establishes minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to beneficiary eligible for brain injury services. | This bill amends existing law, which established minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for brain injury services, to include structured day program services. Current law is limited to community residential services. Under existing law, "brain injury service" means community-based services, residential services, day care services, and home care services provided to a Medicaid beneficiary requiring treatment for traumatic or non-traumatic brain injuries, regardless of whether such services are provided through the Medicaid fee-for-service delivery system or the managed care delivery system. Specifically, the bill requires the Medicaid per diem or encounter reimbursement rates for Structured Day Program Services provided to a Medicaid beneficiary requiring treatment for a brain injury, approximately $3.65 for every 15 minutes of services, when such services are provided by an approved brain injury service provider, to be equal to the average of the reimbursement rates for Day Habilitation Services - Tiers D and Tier E provided to a Medicaid beneficiary eligible for services provided by the Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services, currently at $9.38 for every 15 minutes of service. | In Committee |
| A3532 | Provides gross income tax credit to active members of volunteer emergency service organizations for use of personal motor vehicle in performance of active duty. | This bill establishes a refundable gross income tax credit to provide reimbursement to active members of volunteer fire departments and first aid squads for the use of their personal vehicle in the performance of active duty. The amount of the credit is determined by multiplying the business standard mileage rate set by the Internal Revenue Service for transportation or travel expenses by the number of miles the taxpayer actually and necessarily traveled by the taxpayer in the tax year using their personal vehicle in the performance of active duty. The maximum amount of the credit would be $500. If married individuals filing a joint return both qualify, they would be allowed a joint credit of up to $1,000. To be eligible for the credit, a taxpayer would, in the taxable year for which the credit was claimed, have to: (1) have been an unpaid member in good standing of the organization; and (2) have completed "qualifying service" with the organization. The bill defines "qualifying service" as: (a) for a volunteer who does not have duty hours, (i) active participation in at least 60 percent of the regular alarms or other calls to active duty to which the organization responds during the taxable year, (ii) recorded attendance at not less than 60 percent of the organization's mandatory meetings during the year, (iii) participation in all of the organization's mandatory meetings during the year, and (iv) performance during the year of not less than 60 percent of any other miscellaneous duty required by the organization; or (b) for a volunteer who does have duty hours, performance of at least 400 duty hours during the year, of which no more than 50 percent could be for drills or other training classes or exercises. The bill requires each volunteer emergency services organization to certify to the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury, on or before January 15 of each year, a list of the active members of the organization during the prior tax year. The certification will assist the Division of Taxation in verifying a taxpayer's eligibility for a gross income tax credit under the bill. | In Committee |
| A4431 | Requires enhanced reporting by independent expenditure committees; extends statute of limitations for campaign finance violations; exempts reports filed with Election Law Enforcement Commission from certain document redaction requirements. | This bill requires enhanced reporting by independent expenditure committees, extends the statute of limitations for campaign finance violations, and exempts reports of contributions and expenditures required to be filed with the Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) from certain redaction and nondisclosure requirements. This bill would enact the three recommendations made by ELEC in its 2023 annual report. Enhanced Reporting by Independent Expenditure Committees This bill requires independent expenditure committees, the so-called "dark money" groups, to promptly report campaign contributions and expenditures in the days before an election. This bill also requires such committees to file post-election quarterly reports until the closure of their campaign depository accounts. Under current law, independent expenditure committees are required to file with the Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) a cumulative report on the 11th day preceding the primary election, and on the 20th day following the primary election, of all contributions received in excess of $7,500 in the form of moneys, loans, paid personal services, or other things of value made to it for the purpose of furthering the independent expenditure. They are also required to report all independent expenditures made, incurred, or authorized by it. In addition, each independent expenditure committee making an electioneering communication pertaining to a municipal, runoff, school board, special, or general election is required to file with ELEC a cumulative report on the 29th day preceding the election, a report on the 11th day preceding the election, and on the 20th day following the election, of all contributions received in excess of $7,500 in the form of moneys, loans, paid personal services, or other things of value made to it for the purpose of furthering the independent expenditure, and of all independent expenditures made, incurred, or authorized by it. The reporting period begins on the first day of the preceding calendar year and ends on the reporting date. However, under current law, independent expenditure committees are not required to report contributions received and expenditures made in the period between the filing of the 11th-day pre-election report and the day of the election, thereby creating a transparency loophole. Under this bill, when an independent expenditure committee receives a contribution from a single source of more than $7,500 after the final day of a cumulative reporting period and on or before a primary, municipal, runoff, school board, special, or general election which occurs after that final day but prior to the final day of the next reporting period it will be required, in writing or by electronic transmission, to report that contribution to ELEC within 72 hours of receiving it, if that contribution is received between the 15th day prior to that election and the day of the election. However, a contribution received between the seventh day prior to that election and the day of the election would be required to be reported within 24 hours of receiving it. The bill requires the committee to report the amount and date of the contribution; the name and mailing address of the contributor; and where the contributor is an individual, the individual's occupation and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer. In addition, when an independent expenditure committee makes or authorizes any independent expenditure of more than $200, or incurs any obligation therefor, between the 15th day prior to the day of a primary, municipal, runoff, school board, special, or general election and the day of that election, it will be required to report, in writing or by electronic transmission, that independent expenditure to the commission within 72 hours of making, authorizing, or incurring it. However, an independent expenditure made, authorized, or incurred between the seventh day prior to the election and the day of the election would be required to be reported within 24 hours of making, authorizing, or incurring it. Under current law, independent expenditure committees do not have to file post-election quarterly reports. This bill would require each independent expenditure committee required to file reports to also file with the Election Law Enforcement Commission, following each election but not later than April 15, July 15, October 15 and January 15 of each calendar year, a cumulative quarterly report of all moneys, loans, paid personal services or other things of value in excess of $7,500 contributed to it during the period ending on the 15th day preceding that date and commencing on January 1 of that calendar year or, in the case of the cumulative quarterly report to be filed not later than January 15, of the previous calendar year, and all expenditures made, incurred, or authorized by it during the period. The cumulative quarterly report would contain the name and mailing address of each person or group from whom moneys, loans, paid personal services or other things of value in excess of $7,500 have been contributed and the amount contributed by each person or group, and where an individual has made such contributions, the report would indicate the occupation of the individual and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer. In the case of any loan reported, the report would contain the name and address of each person who cosigns such loan, and where an individual has cosigned such loans, the report would indicate the occupation of the individual and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer. The report would also contain the name and address of each person, firm or organization to whom expenditures have been paid and the amount and purpose of each such expenditure. The treasurer of the independent expenditure committee reporting would certify to the correctness of each cumulative quarterly report. Each independent expenditure committee would continue to file the post-election quarterly reports until the closure of the committee's campaign depository account. Statute of Limitations for Violations This bill extends the statute of limitations for campaign finance violations. Under current law, any enforcement action brought by ELEC for any violations of campaign finance laws is subject to a statute of limitations of two years following the occurrence of the alleged violation. Under this bill, the statute of limitations would be four years following the date of the election for which the alleged violation occurred. The new four-year statute of limitations will apply to any violations that take place after the enactment of this bill. Exemption from Redaction and Nondisclosure This bill exempts reports filed with ELEC from certain document redaction and nondisclosure requirements. Under current law, certain public officials and employees, such as judges and law enforcement officers, are entitled to have their personal information redacted or subject to nondisclosure when such information is present on a public record. However, there are certain exceptions when an individual's personal information may still be disclosed, even if they are otherwise entitled to redaction or nondisclosure. This bill would add reports required to be filed with ELEC regarding election-related financing to the list of current exceptions. This exception would apply to all reports filed by any individual, candidate, campaign, committee, or other entity under "The New Jersey Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting Act." | 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 |
| ACR136 | Proposes constitutional amendment to provide property tax exemption for primary residence owned and occupied by surviving spouse of first responder who dies in line of duty. | If approved by the voters, this proposed constitutional amendment would provide a property tax exemption for the primary residence owned and occupied by the surviving spouse of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or first aid, ambulance, or rescue squad member who dies in the line of duty. The exemption would include the surviving spouses of both paid and volunteer firefighters and first aid, ambulance, or rescue squad members. The property receiving the exemption is also required to have been the primary residence of the first responder at the time the first responder's death. A surviving spouse would qualify for the exemption, and continue to receive it, for as long as the spouse owns and occupies the home as a primary residence and does not remarry. The constitutional amendment would also require the State to annually reimburse each taxing district for the amount of property taxes that would have otherwise been due for each property receiving the exemption established under the bill had the property been taxed the same as other land within the taxing district. | In Committee |
| A4004 | Provides for filing extension and alternate medical documentation in PFRS, SPRS, or PERS for accidental disability retirement in certain circumstances; extends accidental death benefit for survivors of certain SPRS retirees. | Provides for filing extension and alternate medical documentation in PFRS, SPRS, or PERS for accidental disability retirement in certain circumstances; extends accidental death benefit for survivors of certain SPRS retirees. | In Committee |
| A3173 | Makes various changes to address sexual assault and child abuse and neglect involving military personnel; addresses protection, penalties, enforcement, jurisdiction, and victim compensation matters. | Makes various changes to address sexual assault and child abuse and neglect involving military personnel; addresses protection, penalties, enforcement, jurisdiction, and victim compensation matters. | In Committee |
| A3143 | Removing requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations, thereby broadening eligibility for certain veterans' benefits. | This bill broadens the eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating the requirement that a veteran serve during specific wars or other periods of emergency, and, in certain instances, that a veteran serve in a war zone. Instead of service during specific dates or in specific locations, the bill requires a veteran to serve for at least 90 days, exclusive of certain types of initial training, in order to be eligible for any of the veterans' benefits identified in the bill. The bill also requires a veteran of a Reserve Component of the United States Armed Forces, including the National Guard, to serve the entire period to which called to federal active service, exclusive of training, in order to be eligible for the veterans' benefits. A veteran who is discharged as the result of a service-connected disability will be eligible even if the veteran has not completed the 90 day service period or the period to which called to federal active service. The benefits that an eligible veteran could apply for are (1) a civil service hiring preference under Title 11A of the New Jersey Statutes; (2) a veteran's retirement allowance under the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) or the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS); and (3) the purchase of additional military service credit in the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS), TPAF and PERS. In addition, the surviving spouse of a veteran or of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States or a Reserve Component thereof killed while in active service is eligible in certain instances for a civil service preference. The bill also provides that an active service member of the United States Armed Forces or a member of a Reserve Component thereof, including the National Guard, who has not been discharged from service is eligible for the civil service hiring preference provided that the member otherwise qualifies as a veteran. Eligibility for civil service hiring preference is contingent upon voter approval of an authorizing amendment to the State Constitution. | In Committee |
| A4294 | Permits school districts to receive loans from State to support operating budget under certain circumstances. | This bill permits school districts to receive loans from the State to support the district's operating budget if the district is anticipating a significant budgetary shortfall. The bill establishes the School District Budget Relief Loan Account for the purpose of providing loans to school districts that have significant budgetary shortfalls that would otherwise require the elimination of multiple nonmandatory programs including: advanced placement courses and other specialized instructional programs; kindergarten; sports teams; student clubs and other programs, such as honor societies; musical programs, including bands; and student body government programs. A school district that has submitted an application for a loan would be allowed to delay submission of a proposed budget, the holding of public hearings on the proposed budget, the date for the notification of nontenured staff, and any additional budgeting deadlines that the Commissioner of Education deems appropriate until a decision has been made to approve or deny the loan application and the school district has been notified of the decision. Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, a school district is to be able to apply for a loan after the district has received its State school aid notice following the State budget message by the Governor. Within 30 days of enactment, the commissioner is to develop a process by which districts are able to apply for the loans. The loan application is to include the following information: (1) the nature and amount of the budgetary shortfall, including an explanation as to why the district is unable to make sufficient changes to its budget through personnel and program reductions or general fund tax levy increases; (2) an analysis of the impact of the budgetary shortfall on the district's ability to provide a thorough and efficient education, which may include a description of the impact of the budgetary shortfall on student learning and participation in extracurricular activities, and which is required to include a demonstration that the district spent below adequacy in the year prior to the budget year for which the district is applying for the loan; (3) information about the district's general fund tax levy, including a demonstration that, in each of the five years preceding the budget year for which the district is applying for the loan, the district increased its general fund tax levy by at least two percent; and (4) information concerning the district's capital reserve fund balance and capital outlay budget. Prior to submitting the application for a loan to the department, a district is required to first submit its application and a preliminary budget to the executive county superintended and, if a State monitor has been appointed to the district, the district's State monitor. The executive county superintendent and, if applicable, the State monitor are to review the information provided and indicate to the commissioner whether they recommend that the commissioner approve the loan to the district. When making a decision regarding a district's loan application, the commissioner is to consider whether the loan is necessary to ensure the provision of a thorough and efficient education. For any district for which a State monitor has been appointed, the commissioner is required to approve the loan application if the State monitor has indicated that viable budget reductions and general fund tax levy increases are not sufficient to meet the budgetary shortfall. If the commissioner denies a district's loan application, the commissioner shall provide written documentation to the superintendent of the district which shall explain the reasons why the commissioner has determined that the quality of education in the district is better served by denial of the application than by approval. | In Committee |
| A4256 | Requires AG to repeal law enforcement directive restricting law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. | This bill requires the Attorney General to repeal Attorney General Law Enforcement Directive No. 2018-6, which restricts law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Under the directive, among other provisions, State, county, and local law enforcement are prohibited from providing certain assistance to federal immigration authorities when the sole purpose is to enforce federal civil immigration law. In addition to other restrictions, the directive prohibits law enforcement from providing notice of a detained individual's upcoming release from custody or continuing the detention of a person past the time the person would be released from custody based solely on a civil immigration detainer request, with certain exceptions. The restrictions set forth in this directive pose a danger to the citizens of this State and are a substantial threat to public safety. Therefore, it is imperative that this directive be repealed. | In Committee |
| A4166 | Establishes State aid reduction cap of one percent for calculation of State school aid. | This bill establishes a State aid reduction cap for the calculation of State school aid in any school year. The bill ensures that the amount of State school aid disbursed to a district in a school year is reduced by no more than one percent of the prior year's amount of aid. | In Committee |
| A4125 | Directs DEP to lift conservation restrictions imposed as condition of CAFRA permit under certain conditions. | This bill would direct the Department of Environmental Protection to lift certain conservation easements imposed on a parcel of real property as a condition of a permit award issued under the "Coastal Area Facility Review Act," P.L.1973, c.185 (C.13:19-1 et seq.) (CAFRA), under certain conditions. Specifically, the bill would require that: (1) the parcel of real property is needed, and would be used for, the physical expansion of an existing school for special needs children; and (2) a substantively similar conservation restriction would be imposed on a parcel of real property that is at least twice the size of, and located no more than 20 miles from, the original property. | In Committee |
| A3919 | Prohibits common interest communities from penalizing members who place unit into living, revocable trust fund or classifying placement as title transfer. | This bill would provide that the placement of the unit, or in the case of a cooperative, shares or proprietary lease, and assets, of an association member of a homeowners' association, condominium association, cooperative, or other planned real estate development (association), into a living, revocable trust fund would not constitute a title transfer for the associations' purposes. Under current State law, the governing documents of some associations could enable the association to derive a financial benefit when an association member sells or transfers a unit, assets, or shares or proprietary lease, including placing their unit into a living, revocable trust. This bill would protect association members and senior citizens living in an association by prohibiting the association from charging any fees due on transfer of ownership by placing the property in a living, revocable trust fund. The bill would permit an association to charge a fee that is reasonably related to the costs incurred by the association in connection with a transfer of ownership. | In Committee |
| A3921 | Authorizes veterinarians to transfer ownership of animals rather than euthanizing them, under certain circumstances. | This bill would supplement and amend the "New Jersey Unretrieved Animal Act," P.L.1979 c.354 (C.45:16-13 et seq.) to authorize veterinarians, when an animal is brought to a veterinarian in order to be euthanized, to instead transfer the animal to a suitable home or animal shelter, under certain circumstances. Specifically, the authorization would only apply if: (1) the animal is physically healthy and the request for euthanasia is being made for behavioral reasons; (2) the veterinarian determines that the behavior of the animal does not pose a permanent threat to the public safety and that the animal can be rehabilitated; and (3) the veterinarian informs the animal's owner prior to its placement in a suitable home or shelter that the animal is capable of being rehabilitated. The bill would specify that the owner's transfer of control of the animal for the purposes of euthanasia and the veterinarian's subsequent placement of the animal in a suitable home or animal shelter constitutes a permanent transfer of ownership of the animal. The bill would also relieve veterinarians of any further liability regarding an animal placed in a suitable home or animal shelter in conformance with the bill's provisions. | In Committee |
| A3176 | Establishes and allocates funds for program to provide mental health services to veterans; appropriates $2 million. | This bill directs the Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to establish a program to provide grants to certain veterans organizations to provide mental health services to veterans. The veterans organizations will contract with mental health care professionals to provide the services. The bill appropriates $2,000,000 from the General Fund for the program. The bill defines "veterans organization" to mean a veterans organization that qualifies as a section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) tax-exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Code, or a federally chartered Veterans' Service Organization. It shall also include the New Jersey SOS Veterans Stakeholders Group and the New Jersey Catholic Charities Diocese. | In Committee |
| A3177 | Establishes New Jersey Veteran Services Grant Program in DMVA; makes appropriation. | This bill establishes the New Jersey Veteran Services Grant Program to assist veterans in applying for and receiving State and federal benefits and to provide training for veterans service officers employed by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). The grants will be awarded to qualified veterans' organizations on a competitive basis based on criteria developed by DMVA. An application for a grant must have a detailed outline of the training that will be provided to State veterans service officers or the number of additional veterans service officers the organization will provide to assist veterans with applying for and receiving State and federal benefits, or both. Implementation of the grant program would be subject to a future appropriation by the Legislature. Under the bill, "qualified veterans' organization" is defined as a nonprofit veterans' organization that qualifies as a section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) tax exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Code, or a federally chartered Veterans' Service Organization. This bill also appropriates $2,000,000 from the General Fund to the department to defray the costs of the grant program. | In Committee |
| A518 | Provides for expansion of county transportation services to include disabled veterans; provides funding source for expansion. | Provides for expansion of county transportation services to include disabled veterans; provides funding source for expansion. | In Committee |
| A3731 | Establishes four-year pilot program in Ocean County for electronic monitoring of certain domestic violence offenders; designated as "Lisa's Law"; appropriates $2.5 million. | This bill establishes a four-year pilot program in Ocean County for electronic monitoring of certain domestic violence offenders and notification to victims. The pilot program would be designated as "Lisa's Law" in remembrance of Letizia Zindell of Toms River, a domestic violence victim murdered by her former fiancée. The pilot program would be ordered only with the victim's informed consent and would apply to defendants convicted of contempt of a domestic violence order entered pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1981, c.426 (C.2C:25-1 et al.) or P.L.1991, c.261 (C.2C:25-17 et al.). The bill provides that the court may, in making the determination whether to place the defendant on electronic monitoring, hold a hearing to consider the likelihood that the defendant's participation in electronic monitoring would deter the defendant from injuring the victim. The court would consider the following factors: the gravity and seriousness of harm that the defendant inflicted on the victim; the defendant's previous history of domestic violence and other criminal acts, if any; whether the defendant has access to a weapon; and whether the defendant has threatened suicide or homicide or has a history of mental illness or substance abuse. This bill requires that any electronic monitoring device and tracking system worn or utilized by a defendant be in compliance with "Offender Tracking Systems NIJ Standard 1004.00," issued by the National Institute of Justice in July 2016, and any successor standards adopted by the National Institute of Justice. The NIJ Standard encompasses protocols for performance, safety, software requirements, and testing of electronic monitoring devices. The National Institute of Justice is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the United States Department of Justice. Under the bill, a defendant ordered by the court to be placed on electronic monitoring may be ordered to pay the costs and expenses related to electronic monitoring and victim notification or a portion of the costs and expenses, based on the defendant's ability to pay. In addition, the defendant would be assessed a monitoring fee of $250. The court could waive the fee in cases of extreme financial hardship. The fee would be forwarded to the "Domestic Violence Victim Notification Fund" established under the bill. This fund, a dedicated, non-lapsing fund within the General Fund, would be administered by the Attorney General. The fund is to be the depository of the costs and expenses imposed on the defendant and any other monies that may be available to the fund through appropriation by the Legislature or any public or private source. All moneys deposited in the fund would be used to defray the costs of the pilot program. The bill provides that when a defendant is convicted of contempt of a domestic violence order the court may, in addition to or in lieu of any other disposition: (1) sentence the defendant to electronic monitoring with victim notification; or (2) sentence the defendant to probation or a suspension of sentence and, as a condition of such probation or suspension, order electronic monitoring with victim notification. The bill would also make it a crime of the third degree to tamper with, remove, or vandalize an electronic monitoring device. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years or a fine of up to $15,000 or both. The bill requires the victim to be given the following information before providing informed consent: (1) information concerning the victim's right to refuse to participate in electronic monitoring and the process for requesting the court to terminate the victim's participation after it has been ordered; (2) the manner in which the electronic monitoring technology functions and the risks and limitations of that technology, the operational procedures of the device and the applicable instructions regarding the device, and the extent to which the system will track and record the victim's location and movements; (3) the boundaries imposed on the defendant during the electronic monitoring; (4) the sanctions that the court may impose on the defendant for violating a court order; (5) the procedure that the victim is to follow if the defendant violates an order or if the electronic monitoring equipment fails; (6) identification of support services available to assist the victim in developing a safety plan; (7) identification of community services available to assist the victim in obtaining shelter, counseling, child care, legal representation and other assistance; and (8) the non-confidential nature of the victim's communications with the court concerning electronic monitoring and the restrictions to be imposed upon the defendant's movements. The bill also provides for the following civil penalties which would expire at the end of the fifth year following implementation of the pilot program: (1) any person found by the court in a final domestic violence hearing to have committed an act of domestic violence is to be required to pay a civil penalty of $200, similar to the monitoring fee this penalty may be waived in cases of extreme financial hardship; and (2) in addition to any other disposition, the court would impose a civil penalty of $250 on any person convicted of a crime or offense involving domestic violence, or convicted of contempt of a domestic violence order, unless the person was previously assessed the $250 monitoring fee. The bill further provides that no supplier of a product, system, or service used for electronic monitoring with victim notification in the pilot program would be liable, directly or indirectly, for damages arising from any injury or death associated with the use of the product, system or service unless, and only to the extent that, such action is based on a claim that the injury or death was proximately caused by a manufacturing defect in the product or system. The bill also amends the "Local Public Contracts Law," P.L.1971, c.198 (C.40A:11-1 et seq.), to provide that services and equipment necessary for the implementation of the pilot program could be negotiated and awarded by a governing body without public advertising for bids and bidding, and be awarded by resolution of the governing body. The bill appropriates $2.5 million from the General Fund to the "Domestic Violence Victim Notification Fund," and provides that following the expiration of the four-year pilot program, any unexpended funds are to be returned to the General Fund. The bill provides that not later than one year following the implementation of the pilot program and annually thereafter for four years, the Attorney General is to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature containing an evaluation of the pilot program with a recommendation as to whether it should be continued as a Statewide program. In addition, the bill requires the Attorney General, in consultation with the Administrative Office of the Courts, to develop procedures to determine, investigate, and report on a 24-hour-per-day basis a defendant's noncompliance with the terms and conditions of the electronic monitoring program. All reports of noncompliance would be investigated by a law enforcement officer within a reasonable period of time. | In Committee |
| A3843 | Converts loan awarded to Barnegat Bay Decoy and Baymen's Museum from loan to grant. | This bill amends an appropriations bill passed by the Legislature in 1999 that awarded $20 million in grants and loans from the "1996 Economic Development Site Fund" established pursuant to section 20 of the "Port of New Jersey Revitalization, Dredging, Environmental Cleanup, Lake Restoration, and Delaware Bay Area Economic Development Bond Act of 1996," P.L.1996, c.70. The funds were awarded to eight municipalities that had been recommended and approved to receive the money by the Economic Development Site Task Force. A grant in the amount of $250,000 and a loan in the amount of $1,250,000 were awarded to the Barnegat Bay Decoy and Baymen's Museum. This bill would convert the loan into grant. | In Committee |
| A3705 | Requires State reimbursement to municipalities of cost of disabled veterans' total property tax exemption. | This bill would require the State to annually reimburse each municipality in an amount equal to 102 percent of the amount of any disabled veterans' total property tax exemptions permitted by that taxing district in the current tax year pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1948, c.259 (C.54:4-3.30). It is the intent of the sponsor that the 102% reimbursement shall cover the cost of the actual taxes exempted plus any administrative costs that may be incurred by the municipalities due to the enactment of the bill. | In Committee |
| A3589 | Provides that salary and other costs associated with Commissioner of Education's appointment of State monitor and other staff under "School District Fiscal Accountability Act" will be paid by State. | This bill provides that the salary and other costs associated with a State monitor and any additional staff appointed by the Commissioner of Education under the provisions of the "School District Fiscal Accountability Act," P.L.2006, c.15 (C.18A:7A-54 et seq.), to provide direct oversight of a board of education's business operations and personnel matters will be paid by the State. Under current law, these costs are assumed by the school district. It is the sponsor's contention that the current State policy requiring school districts to assume the costs of a State appointed monitor can result in a perfect "Catch 22" for districts experiencing fiscal distress, forcing them to spend scarce resources to prove that they have scarce resources. A perfect example is that of the Jackson Township, New Jersey school district. Prior to the enactment of the State law that currently dictates school funding, commonly known as "S2," the district had no serious fiscal issues. Now, six years later, the district has lost approximately $20 million in State aid, resulting in the elimination of 215 positions, including both teachers and non-instructional staff. The district has had to request a $13.9 million loan from the State to balance its 2023-2024 budget. According to the sponsor, it is blatantly obvious to even a casual observer that the Jackson Township school district is experiencing dire fiscal stress, and the State's requirement that the district pay for a monitor hired by the State to prove this only compounds this problem. This bill squarely places the burden of payment for the monitor where it truly belongs, on the State. | In Committee |
| A3485 | Eliminates requirement under veterans' gross income tax exemption that taxpayer serve in active duty status or federal active duty status to qualify for exemption. | This bill eliminates the requirement that a veteran taxpayer serve in active duty status or federal active duty status in order to qualify for the $6,000 veterans' gross income tax exemption. Under current law, a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, or a reserve component thereof, who has been honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances, is required to have served in active duty status in order to qualify for the veterans' gross income tax exemption, pursuant to N.J.S.A.54A:3-1(b)(7). Likewise, a member of the National Guard of New Jersey, who has been honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances, is required to have served in federal active duty status in order to qualify for the same. This tax credit may be claimed by the veteran taxpayer for each tax year in which the veteran so qualifies. This bill changes the law to remove the respective active duty requirements. Accordingly, pursuant to the bill, a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States, a reserve component thereof, or a member of the National Guard of New Jersey, who has been honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances, may claim the veterans' gross income tax exemption, irrespective of whether he or she served in active duty or federal active duty status. | In Committee |
| ACR110 | Proposes constitutional amendment authorizing municipalities to provide partial property tax exemption of up to 15 percent of assessed value for primary residence of certain volunteer first responders. | If approved by the voters, this proposed constitutional amendment would require the Legislature to enact a law permitting municipalities to provide a partial property tax exemption of up to 15 percent of the assessed value of a home for certain volunteer first responders. A municipality would have to pass an ordinance in order to provide the exemption. The exemption would mean that the volunteer first responder would not pay property taxes on a portion of the home's assessed value. Each municipality would decide whether to allow the exemption and decide the percentage amount of the exemption, however the exemption could not be more than 15 percent of the assessed value of the property. The Legislature would be required to pass a law authorizing the exemption. To be eligible for the exemption, a first responder would have to be an active member of a volunteer fire department or a volunteer first aid or rescue squad that serves the municipality. The home would also have to be the volunteer's primary residence and be located in the municipality in which the volunteer serves. | In Committee |
| A1749 | Increases penalties for identity theft when victim is a senior citizen or veteran. | This bill would increase the penalties for identity theft in cases when the victim is a senior citizen or veteran. Under the bill, the penalties would be increased as follows:· If the offense only involves one victim, and a senior citizen or a veteran is deprived of an amount less than $500, a first offense would constitute a crime of the third degree, rather than fourth degree, and a second or subsequent offense would constitute a crime of the second degree, rather than third degree;· If there are two to five victims or the actor obtains a benefit of $500 to $75,000, and any of the victims is a senior citizen or a veteran, the offense would constitute a crime of the second degree, rather than the third degree; and· If there are more than five victims or the actor obtains a benefit of $75,000 or more, any of the victims is a senior citizen or a veteran, the offense would constitute a crime of the first degree, rather than the second degree. Similarly, for crimes of trafficking in personal identifying information pertaining to another person, this bill would increase penalties as follows:· If the offense only involves one piece of information and that information was obtained through records owned or maintained by a continuing care retirement community, nursing home, retirement community, or veterans' facility, the offense would constitute a crime of the third degree, rather than the fourth degree;· If the offense involves 20 or more pieces of information and that information was obtained through records owned or maintained by a continuing care retirement community, nursing home, retirement community, or veterans' facility, the offense would constitute a crime of the second degree, rather than third degree;· If the offense only involves 50 or more pieces of information and that information was obtained through records owned or maintained by a continuing care retirement community, nursing home, retirement community, or veterans' facility, the offense would constitute a crime of the first degree, rather than second degree. A crime in the fourth degree is punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of $10,000, or both. A crime in the third degree is punishable by three to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both, and a crime in the second degree is punishable by five to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. A crime in the first degree is punishable by 10 to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $200,000, or both. | In Committee |
| A3147 | Makes consent to register with Selective Service part of driver's license application process for males under age 26. | This bill requires every male United States citizen or immigrant under age 26 who applies for a special learner's permit, an examination permit, a probationary driver's license, a basic driver's license, or a nondriver identification card, or for renewal of a license or identification card, to consent to his registration for the draft in compliance with the requirements of the "Military Selective Service Act," 50 U.S.C. App. 453. The bill requires the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to forward the personal information required for draft registration to the Selective Service System. Submission of an application to the MVC would serve as an indication that the applicant has already registered with the Selective Service or that he is authorizing the chief administrator to forward to the Selective Service the necessary information for registration. The chief administrator is required to print a statement on the application for a permit, driver's license, or nondriver identification card stating that the applicant is consenting to Selective Service registration if required by Federal law or, if under age 18, registration upon attaining age 18. Failure to register or otherwise comply with the "Military Selective Service Act" is punishable by a fine of up to $250,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both. In addition, violators may be precluded from obtaining student financial aid, job training, government employment and U.S. naturalization. | In Committee |
| A1055 | Allows shore municipalities to provide spouse and dependent children of veterans free or reduced cost access to beaches. | This bill would permit shore municipalities, by ordinance, to provide free or reduced fee beach access to the spouse and dependent children, over the age of 12 years, of veterans who have served in any of the Armed Forces of the United States and who were discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable and who either served at least 90 days in active duty or were discharged or released from active duty by reason of a service-incurred injury or disability. Current law permits municipalities, by ordinance, to provide free or reduced fee beach access to the spouse or dependent children, over the age of 12 years, of persons who are in active military service in any of the Armed Forces of the United States or who are active members of the New Jersey National Guard and who have completed Initial Active Duty Training. This bill would authorize municipalities to provide the same benefit to the spouse and dependent children of qualifying veterans. | In Committee |
| A1731 | Makes public officers or employees convicted of certain crimes or found at fault in certain civil actions liable and subject to pension garnishment for public legal expenses and illegally obtained funds. | This bill provides that any person who serves or has served as a public officer or employee under the government of this State, or any political subdivision thereof, who is convicted of a crime that involves or touches that office or employment will be liable to the Attorney General, county prosecutor, or United States Attorney, as appropriate, for the cost of prosecution and, if that person receives legal representation at public expense, will be liable to the public entity that paid for the representation for the cost thereof, except representation by the Office of the Public Defender pursuant to N.J.S.A.2A:158A-1 et seq. unless the cost of services is recoverable under that act. It also provides that any such person who is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been at fault in any civil matter that involves or touches that office or employment and who has received legal representation in connection with that matter at public expense, will be liable for the cost of that representation. The bill provides that the retirement benefit or pension contributions, as appropriate, of any person liable to a public entity for legal expenses or for a money judgment obtained by the State or other public employer and rendered against that person if convicted of an offense under the provisions of chapter 27 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes, or any other offense involving a theft or misuse of public funds, or any attempt or conspiracy to commit any such offense, will be subject to garnishment, attachment or other process in order to satisfy the liability. In addition, the bill requires that on its effective date, the Division of Pensions and Benefits in the Department of the Treasury seek a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service confirming the status of the State-administered retirement systems and funds, under its provisions, as qualified plans under federal law. If the determination letter states that the bill changes the status of the State-administered retirement systems and funds so that they are no longer qualified plans under federal law, subsection b. of section 1 of the bill will be void and will expire immediately. | In Committee |
| A1748 | Establishes task force to study issues facing returning members of the United States Armed Forces and New Jersey National Guard and make recommendations on how State should address issues. | This bill establishes a task force in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to address issues facing members of the United States Armed Forces and New Jersey National Guard returning from overseas deployments involving the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and make recommendations on how the State should address those issues. The task force will consist of the following 11 members: the Commissioners of Education, Labor and Workforce Development, Health and Senior Services, and Human Services, or their designees; the Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, or a designee; and the Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The Adjutant General will appoint five public members, with at least three persons with knowledge or experience in one of the following areas: demobilization and post deployment; post traumatic stress disorder, family readiness groups or family assistance centers; employer support groups; veterans service officers; issues relevant to women in the military and veteran homeless shelters. It will be the duty of the task force to identify and review the issues and concerns facing servicemembers returning from overseas deployments, and recommend the measures the State should take to address and remedy the issues and concerns, including legislation if appropriate. The task force will issue a final report containing its findings and recommendations, including any recommendations for legislation that it deems appropriate, no later than six months after the task force organizes. | In Committee |
| A1745 | Extends payment of homestead property tax reimbursement to non-eligible surviving spouse for portion of tax year during which deceased spouse lived. | This bill would entitle the surviving spouse of someone who was eligible to receive the homestead property tax reimbursement to file a claim for a pro rata reimbursement for the number of days of the tax year that the deceased spouse lived, even though the surviving spouse is not him- or herself eligible for the reimbursement. Under current law, an applicant must satisfy all prerequisites for a homestead property tax reimbursement as of December 31 of the tax year for which the claim is being made. While current law allows a surviving spouse to file an application on behalf of a spouse who dies after December 31 of the tax year, no provision allows a spouse to claim a partial reimbursement based upon the number of days an eligible claimant lives during the tax year. This requirement works an unusual hardship upon the spouse of someone who was eligible for the reimbursement but is not him- or herself eligible. Not only is the surviving spouse deprived of eligibility for future years (until the surviving spouse can satisfy the eligibility requirements), but the spouse is also stripped of the right to claim reimbursement for the portion of the year that the eligible deceased spouse lived. The year following the death of a spouse can be one of the most trying times for an individual, both emotionally and financially. It therefore seems equitable to allow a surviving spouse the pro rata eligibility provided for in this bill to act as a transition to the loss of the reimbursement. | In Committee |
| A3185 | Permits dogs as service and emotional support animals at State veterans' residential facilities. | This bill permits veterans to have dogs as service and emotional support animals at a State veterans' residential facility. Under federal law, service animals are permitted on federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) property with some restrictions. The federal regulation defines service animals as any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. The work or tasks performed by a service animal are required to be directly related to the individual's disability. The federal regulation does not include emotional support animals in its definition of service animals; therefore, emotional support animals are not permitted on VA property. Under the bill, the State law is aligned with federal standards by permitting dogs as service animals at State veterans' residential facilities. The bill further expands beyond federal law to permit dogs as emotional support animals at State veterans' residential facilities. As veterans become increasingly diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), health care providers are recommending an emotional support animal to many veterans. Under the bill, those veterans with emotional support needs will not be excluded from having a dog on State veterans' residential facility property. The bill prohibits animals other than service animals or emotional support animals on a State veterans' residential facility property unless the animal is present for law enforcement purposes or under the control of the Office of Research and Development in the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill also requires a veteran accompanied by a service animal or emotional support animal to provide documentation with the following information: (1) the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal or emotional support animal, that lists the work or tasks the animal has been trained to perform; and (2) confirms the service animal or emotional support animal has had a current rabies vaccine as determined by State and local public health requirements, and current core canine vaccines and immunizations as dictated by local veterinary practice standards, which at minimum includes distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus-2. Under the bill, State veterans' residential facility" means any State veterans' memorial home or Veterans Haven facility. | In Committee |
| A1761 | "Invest in New Jersey First Act;" requires preference in awarding certain contracts for critical infrastructure projects. | This bill attempts to respond to the need for an economic stimulus in New Jersey and an increase in employment in the State by requiring State departments and agencies, or political subdivisions of the State, to give a limited preference to qualified businesses located within the State of New Jersey that employ New Jersey residents when awarding or making public contracts on critical infrastructure projects financed from State funds. A critical infrastructure project is a transportation or highway project; sewerage project; water supply project; or building project constructed by the State or political subdivision thereof, including but not limited to, a school district, which is sited, recommended, or promoted by the Executive Branch as a project of economic necessity. Under the bill, the Department of the Treasury is to be responsible for identifying qualified businesses and establishing preference limits on the amount of preference granted to New Jersey businesses. The Governor has stated in his address to a joint session of the Legislature that there exists an economic emergency in the State, and that these public projects are necessary to revive and advance New Jersey's economy. The hiring of New Jersey firms employing New Jersey residents is vital to achieving that goal. | In Committee |
| ACR98 | Proposes constitutional amendment authorizing Legislature to extend civil service hiring preference to veterans who did not serve in time of war. | This concurrent resolution proposes an amendment to the New Jersey Constitution to allow the Legislature to enact a law to extend the preference given to veterans for hiring for civil service positions. The law would determine the eligibility of veterans for the purpose of hiring preferences for civil service positions. Currently, only veterans who served in time of war receive a hiring preference when applying for civil service positions. This amendment would allow veterans who did not serve in time of war also to receive a hiring preference for civil service positions. | 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 |
| A2509 | Revises child pornography law. | This bill revises the State's laws governing child pornography. The bill modifies subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:24-4, concerning "real" child pornography to include: (1) upgrading to a first degree crime for all persons, not just parents and guardians, causing or permitting a child to engage in or simulation of a prohibited sexual act knowing that the act would be photographed or reproduced; (2) explicitly stating that an intent to distribute, advertise, offer or agree to offer is not an element of creating or reproducing child pornography and clarifying that the elements of this offense include producing, creating, copying or duplicating images of child pornography, or posting those images on the Internet; (3) clarifying that possessing child pornography for the purpose of distributing it is a second degree crime and streamlining the definition of "distribute"; (4) upgrading possession of child pornography to a crime of the third degree; and (5) establishing a rebuttable presumption that a person appearing to be a child in a photo, video, or computer file, is in fact an actual child; (6) requiring defendants who intend to defend a charge of child pornography by claiming that it was created without using an actual child, or the face or any of the intimate parts of an actual child, or depicts the image of a person who is not a child, to notify the prosecutor of that claim in accordance with the Rules of Court; and (7) allowing the admissibility of hearsay evidence to be used to establish the existence, identity and age of an actual child depicted in child pornography. The bill also adds a new subsection c. to N.J.S.2C:24-4 to establish the crime of "virtual" child pornography, the provisions of which parallel the provisions of subsection b. concerning "real" child pornography. This new subsection: (1) makes it a crime of the second degree to use any device, including a computer, to produce, create, or reproduce an image which appears to depict a child in a obscene prohibited sexual act or in a simulation of such an act; (2) makes it a crime of the second degree to knowingly distribute obscene virtual child pornography; (3) makes it a crime of the third degree to knowingly possess obscene virtual child pornography; (4) defines an "obscene" depiction to be one in which: a sexual act is patently offensive; lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value when taken as a whole; and is part of a work which, taken as a whole in light of contemporary community standards, appeals to the prurient interest; and (5) specifies that when virtual child pornography is obscene, the defendant is strictly liable; Other provisions of the bill: require defendants to be reviewed for referral to the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center if convicted of certain real and virtual child pornography crimes; prohibit expungement of criminal records; provide for notification to the prosecuting agency and victim when a defendant is placed in a community release program or released from incarceration; and require certain repeat offender's presentence and parole eligibility report to include a complete psychological evaluation for repeat offenders. The bill also eliminates the presumption of nonincarceration, normally applicable to third degree crimes, for the crime of possessing real or virtual child pornography. The bill includes a fixed mandatory minimum term of imprisonment for certain recidivists who violate N.J.S.2C:24-4. Defendants convicted of engaging in sexual conduct which would impair or debauch the morals of a child in violation of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:24-4 or of child pornography crimes under subsection b. or c. of N.J.S.2C:24-4 must be sentenced to prison and serve one-third to one-half of their sentences before being eligible for parole if they have previously been convicted of other sex crimes including luring or enticing a child, sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, or child endangerment. The bill also makes a prior conviction under N.J.S.2C:24-4 the basis for a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment pursuant to N.J.S.2C:14-6, and provides that the minimum term must be imposed regardless of whether the defendant is sentenced to an extended term of imprisonment. Finally, the bill amends various other statutes to ensure that virtual child pornographers are subject to the same penalties as real child pornographers. Thus, wherever a statute specifically refers to a provision of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:24-4, this bill adds subsection c. to the statute. | In Committee |
| A3145 | Grants certain leaves of absence for Vietnam Veterans of America conventions. | This bill adds the Vietnam Veterans of America to the list of organizations whose duly authorized representatives are entitled to receive a leave of absence with pay to attend State and national conventions under R.S.38:23-2, which applies to persons in the service of the State, a county, or a municipality. This bill also removes two defunct organizations from the list. | In Committee |
| A1720 | Requires DEP to assume responsibility for dredging of waterways providing boat access to lagoon communities; appropriates $6,000,000. | This bill provides for the dredging of the waterways providing boat access to lagoon communities in the State, whether officially designated as navigational channels or not, and maintain these waterways for the future economic and environmental health and vitality of the coastal areas of the State. | In Committee |
| A1725 | Increases prison time for certain persons convicted of a motor vehicle offense when license suspended for DUI. | This bill increases the prison time for persons who are convicted of a motor vehicle offense during a period when their driver's license is suspended for a third or subsequent DUI offense or for a third or subsequent refusal to take a chemical or breathalyzer test when stopped for a suspected DUI offense. Under current law, an individual found guilty for a third or subsequent time of operating a motor vehicle while their license is suspended is subject to imprisonment in the county jail for a period of 10 days. This bill would increase that term of imprisonment to a period of not less than 30 days or more than 180 days in those cases where the violator's driver's license is suspended for a third or subsequent driving under the influence (DUI) offense or for refusing to take a breathalyzer or chemical test when stopped for a suspected DUI offense. The other penalties remain substantially the same as those for anyone convicted of driving during a period when their driver's license is suspended for a third or subsequent time: a fine of $1,000 and the revocation of the violator's motor vehicle registration privilege when the violations leading to the suspension are for the same offense. | In Committee |
| A1756 | Continues tax exempt status of certain real property owned by disabled veterans during reconstruction of homes destroyed by flood, storm, or other act of God. | This bill would continue the tax exempt status of property owned by a 100 percent disabled veteran whose home has been destroyed by flood, storm event, natural cause, or other act of God. Currently, 100 percent disabled veterans of this State may claim a full local property tax exemption on their dwelling homes and the ground upon which the respective dwellings are located. In the event a natural disaster, such as a storm or flood, destroys the dwelling, the property becomes taxable because it is no longer usable as the owner's residence. This bill would continue the tax exempt status that the prior dwelling house and land enjoyed before its destruction, so long as substantial, ongoing construction is undertaken within four years of the destruction. As a result of the effects of Superstorm Sandy, some tax exemptions on real property have lapsed as residents of this State attempt to recover from the devastation caused by the storm. In particular, the tax exempt status of some 100 percent disabled veterans in this State has lapsed and their properties have become taxable while they rebuild their storm damaged homes. This bill would ensure that disabled veterans are able to retain the tax exempt status of their property following the destruction of their homes by natural disasters, so long as they commence reconstruction or repairs within four years to make the property habitable again. | In Committee |
| A1759 | Authorizes municipalities to adopt ordinances requiring maintenance and repair of certain wharves, piers, docks and bulkheads. | This bill would authorize municipalities to adopt ordinances requiring the maintenance and repair of wharves, piers, docks, and bulkheads along navigable waterways within a municipality, pursuant to standards established by the Department of Environmental Protection. These standards would be developed to minimize potential harm to the public and to the environment, considering the location, surroundings, and the use of the wharf, pier, dock, or bulkhead. The governing body of each municipality adopting such an ordinance may prescribe penalties for the violation of the ordinance, either a fine not to exceed $500, or imprisonment in the county jail for a term not to exceed 90 days, or both. For a second or subsequent offense, a municipality may prescribe penalties of either a fine not to exceed $2,000, or imprisonment in the county jail for a term not to exceed 90 days, or both. Within 18 months after the effective date of the bill, the department would be required to adopt regulations establishing minimum standards for maintenance and repair of wharves, piers, docks, and bulkheads along navigable waterways within a municipality. Further, the department would be required to develop technical guidance materfials to assist municipalities in: (1) inspecting and evaluating existing wharves, piers, docks, and bulkheads along navigable waterways within a municipality; (2) notifying owners in non-compliance with minimum maintenance and repair standards established by local ordinance, to perform required improvements; and (3) verifying and inspecting maintenance repairs necessary to ensure compliance with minimum standards adopted by the municipality. The standards developed by the department and the requirements imposed by municipalities pursuant to this bill would be in addition to those established or prescribed pursuant to any other law, rule, or regulation pertaining to wharves, piers, docks, and bulkheads. | In Committee |
| A1753 | Provides for discounted resident trapping license fees for senior citizens. | This bill provides a resident trapping license fee discount to senior citizens. The current law provides discounted licensing rates to senior citizens only with regard to resident fishing, firearm hunting, and bow hunting. Accordingly, this bill would fill a gap in the statute by providing senior citizens with a resident trapping license fee discount that is consistent with the discounts already authorized for other closely related outdoor activities. | In Committee |
| A1726 | Extends penalties for driving under the influence to include any substance that impairs driving ability; deems driver's consent to non-invasive drug tests. | This bill amends New Jersey's drunk driving statute, R.S.39:4-50, to prohibit driving under the influence of any substance or combinations of substances which may impair a person's ability to operate a motor vehicle. R.S.39:4-50 currently prohibits driving under the influence of narcotics, hallucinogens, and habit-producing drugs. The bill also amends the law providing that a person who operates a motor vehicle in this State is deemed to have given consent to the taking of breath samples for the purpose of making chemical tests to determine blood-alcohol content. Under the bill's provisions, a person who operates a motor vehicle also will be deemed to have given consent to submitting to evaluations by a certified drug recognition expert when requested by a law enforcement officer, to determine whether the person is under the influence of any drug or other substance or combination of substances which can impair the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle. A certified drug recognition expert is an individual specially trained to make this determination. The Drug Recognition Expert program and procedures were initially developed in the 1970's by the Los Angeles Police Department. This procedure trains officers to use a standardized twelve-step evaluation process that allows the officer to determine whether the suspect is under the influence of drugs, and to determine the category of drug that is causing the observable impairment. The twelve-step procedure also allows the officer to rule in or out many medical conditions, such as illness or injury, which may be contributing to the subject's impairment. There are approximately 400 of these trained officers in New Jersey, and 50 certified instructors. The bill further provides that a person who refuses to submit to an evaluation after being arrested for a violation of R.S.39:4-50 would be subject to the same penalties currently faced by a person who refuses to submit to a test to determine the content of alcohol in the person's blood. Those penalties include revoking the right to operate a motor vehicle for seven months, in the case of a first offender. For a second refusal, the person's license would be revoked for two years and for a third or subsequent offense, 10 years. | In Committee |
| A1732 | Prevents intoxicated employees from receiving workers' compensation. | This bill amends the workers' compensation law to provide that if an employee was intoxicated when the injury or death occurred, it is presumed that the injury or death was caused by the intoxication and the employee will be barred from receiving workers' compensation. This bill is, in part, a response to the recent New Jersey Supreme Court case of Tlumac v. High Bridge Stone, 187 N.J. 567 (2006), in which the Court reaffirmed a long standing rule that held intoxication must be the "sole cause" of an accident in order to deprive an employee of workers' compensation benefits. In its decision, the Court stated that its role is to "effectuate the will of the Legislature" and concluded that any changes to the workers' compensation system must be done through legislation. Moreover, the Court noted that the workers' compensation law was created in 1911 and "may no longer comport with current policies." | In Committee |
| A1719 | Excludes certain illegal aliens from workers' compensation and temporary disability benefits. | This bill excludes illegal aliens from workers' compensation coverage unless they were lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time the employment was performed, were lawfully present for the purpose of performing the employment, or otherwise were permanently residing in the United States under color of law at the time the employment was performed (including aliens who were lawfully present in the United States as a result of the application of the provisions of section 203(a)(7) or section 212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. s.1153(a)(7) or 8 U.S.C. s.1128(d)(5), respectively). The bill also provides that illegal aliens shall not be eligible to receive benefits pursuant to the "Temporary Disability Benefits Law," P.L.1948, c.110 (C.43:21-25) if they are not eligible for benefits pursuant to the "unemployment compensation law," R.S.43:21-1 et seq. This bill is in response to the decision of Mateo Coria v. Board of Review and National Fence Systems, No. A-5076-89-T5 (App. Div. 1991). In that case, the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court held that the "Temporary Disability Benefits Law" does not disqualify individuals for benefits based upon their status as illegal aliens. | In Committee |
| A1766 | Criminalizes fifth or subsequent drunk driving offenses. | This bill would establish criminal penalties for fifth and subsequent offenses of driving under the influence (DUI). Currently, DUI is a traffic offense under Title 39 of the Revised Statutes (the State motor vehicle code). Under the provisions of the bill, a person who is convicted of a fifth or subsequent DUI offense would be guilty of a crime of the third degree. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a fine of up to $15,000, imprisonment for three to five years, or both. The person's driver's license would also be suspended for 10 years, which is the period of suspension required under current law. The bill also provides that if the fifth or subsequent violation occurs in a school zone or in or near a school crosswalk the person's driver's license would be suspended for 20 years. | In Committee |
| A973 | Permits veterans, for civil service purposes, to be defined as a veteran or disabled veteran under federal or State definition of veteran. | Under current law, a veteran is eligible for a civil service hiring preference, if the person served during specified dates or in specified locations, and in some instances, for a specific length of time. This bill permits persons who served in the active military of the Armed Forces of the United States and apply for civil service preference on or after the date of enactment of the bill to be defined as a "veteran" or "disabled veteran" for civil service preference, under the federal or the State definitions of "veteran" or "disabled veteran." This bill will not impact the eligibility status of any veteran currently eligible for a civil service preference. The bill will expand the number of veterans eligible for a civil service preference. | In Committee |
| A1758 | Designates State Highway Route 72 as "Burlington-Ocean Purple Heart Memorial Highway." | This bill designates the entire length of State Highway Route 72, as the "Burlington-Ocean Purple Heart Memorial Highway" to honor the men and women who have received the Purple Heart in recognition of their extraordinary courage and sacrifice in military service to the Nation. Consistent with Department of Transportation policy and other road designations, the bill provides that State or other public funds are not to be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation for the "Burlington-Ocean Purple Heart Memorial Highway." The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to receive financial assistance from private sources for the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining signs bearing the designation. | In Committee |
| A1443 | Establishes procedures for disqualification from public office or employment upon conviction of certain crimes; creates registry. | This bill would amend N.J.S.2C:51-2 concerning forfeiture of public office, position or employment upon conviction of certain criminal offenses. Currently under subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:51-2 a court shall enter an order of forfeiture when the defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty in State court, or upon application of a county prosecutor or Attorney General when the criminal offense is based on another state's law or federal law. Currently under subsection d. of N.J.S.2C:51-2 any person convicted of an offense "involving or touching" his public office, position, or employment is forever disqualified from holding any office or position of honor, trust or profit in the State or any of its administrative or political subdivision. This bill would establish a procedure for disqualification in subsection d. similar to the procedure set out in N.J.S.2C:51-2 under subsection b. concerning forfeiture. The bill would require that the court order concerning the disqualification of employment set forth in subsection d. of N.J.S.2C:51-2 be entered at the same time the court enters the order of forfeiture set forth in subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:51-2. However, if the conviction is for an offense under the laws of another state or of the United States, the county prosecutor or the Attorney General would be required to make an application to a Superior Court judge designated by the Chief Justice for a disqualification order. This disqualification order would be deemed to have taken effect on the date the person was found guilty by the trier of fact or pled guilty to the offense. The Administrative Office of the Courts would be required to establish and maintain a central registry of all persons who have had disqualification orders entered pursuant to subsection d of the statute. | In Committee |
| A1722 | Appropriates $26,140,000 for dredging projects and dredged material disposal projects related to navigational waterways. | This bill appropriates $26,140,000 for the purposes of dredging, and properly disposing of the dredged materials from, certain navigational waterways, projects related to the disposal of dredged materials from such dredging projects, and the dredging of other waterways of navigational importance that are not designated as navigational waterways. The dredging projects of navigational waterways outside of the New York/New Jersey port region have gone unfunded for many years and the situation has reached a critical stage. A number of the projects on the list of navigational waterways in the bill are State priority projects that the State has been unable to fund from the "Port of New Jersey Revitalization, Dredging, Environmental Cleanup, Lake Restoration, and Delaware Bay Area Economic Development Bond Act of 1996," P.L.1996, c.70, because the remaining monies for this type of dredging has been committed to the Delaware River deepening project, another important and crucial navigational waterway dredging project. The projects funded by the $4,000,000 appropriation are of importance to residential and recreational boating. | In Committee |
| A2703 | Excludes military compensation of military personnel serving outside of this State from gross income tax. | This bill allows an exemption for certain military compensation from the gross income tax for those servicemen and women domiciled in New Jersey but serving their duty outside of the State of New Jersey. | In Committee |
| ACR64 | Proposes constitutional amendment granting property assessment reductions for certain improvements to dwelling houses to provide living quarters for senior citizen relatives. | This proposed constitutional amendment requires tax assessors to provide for a reduction in the assessed value of a homestead property to the extent of any increase in the assessed value of that property that results from the construction or reconstruction of the property for the purpose of providing senior living quarters for one or more natural or adoptive parents, grandparents, aunts, or uncles of the owner of the property or of the owner's spouse, provided at least one of the parents, grandparents, aunts, or uncles for whom the senior living quarters are provided is 62 years of age or older. Such a reduction may not exceed the lesser of either the increase in assessed value resulting from construction or reconstruction of the property or twenty percent of the total assessed value of the property as improved. This reduction shall be applicable to construction or reconstruction completed in or after the first full tax year occurring after approval of this paragraph by the voters of this State and shall continue through the tax year of the death or relocation of each of the parents, grandparents, aunts, or uncles for whom the senior living quarters are provided. | 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 |
| A1727 | Authorizes free hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and free admission to State parks and forests for individuals with certain types of military service. | This bill would expand upon current law to provide that 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 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 qualify for free hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses, permits, stamps, tags, and certificates but not free admission to State parks and forests. | In Committee |
| A1760 | Requires BPU to provide funding for purchase and installation of photovoltaic technologies for age-restricted community clubhouse facilities from societal benefits charge. | This bill would expand the demand side management programs administered by the Board of Public Utilities (board) and funded from the societal benefits charge to include grants and low-interest loans to age-restricted communities to cover costs of the purchase and installation of photovoltaic technologies for use in age-restricted community clubhouse facilities. The bill defines "age-restricted community" as a community that complies with the definition of "housing for older persons," as provided in 42 U.S.C. s.3607, for that community, as set forth in section 100.301 of Title 24, Code of Federal Regulations. | In Committee |
| ACR36 | Proposes constitutional amendment to increase to $500 veterans' property tax deduction. | If approved by the voters of the State, this proposed constitutional amendment would increase the veterans' property tax deduction from the current $250 to: $300 in calendar year 2023, $350 in calendar year 2024, $400 in calendar year 2025, $450 in calendar year 2026 and $500 in calendar year 2027 and for each year thereafter. The veterans' property tax deduction provided for in the State Constitution was last increased in 1999, when the amount of the annual deduction was raised from $50 to $250 over four years. | In Committee |
| A1754 | Allows certain volunteer firefighters, rescue and first aid squad members to claim $2,000 gross income tax exemption. | This bill permits eligible volunteer firefighters and first aid or rescue squad members to take an additional $2,000 exemption as a deduction from gross income under the New Jersey gross income tax. The bill specifically sets forth eligibility requirements for persons who want to claim the additional personal exemption. Fire company members would be eligible if they serve as a volunteer for the entire tax year, respond to at least 60 percent of regular alarms and 60 percent of drills, and have attained the rank of Firefighter I Certified. First aid and rescue squad members would be eligible if they serve as a volunteer for the entire tax year, respond to at least 10 percent of regular alarms and 60 percent of drills, and have passed an approved training program or qualified as an emergency medical technician. Volunteers that have duty hours would be eligible if they serve at least 400 duty hours during any calendar year, with no more than 50 percent as drills. The bill requires the Director of Taxation, in consultation with the Commissioner of Community Affairs and the Commissioner of Health, to promulgate rules or regulations to effect certain provisions of the bill. The official in charge of each fire department or force or first aid or rescue squad is required to submit annually to the appropriate State agency a list of members who have met the committee substitute requirements. | In Committee |
| A3171 | Requires converting portion of Paramus and Menlo Park veterans' memorial homes into single occupancy rooms; requires upgrades to ventilation systems; provides Adjutant General discretion for additional room considerations. | Under this bill and subject to the availability of federal funds provided by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and federal funds provided or made accessible to the State from the federal "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021," the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will convert at least one ward in the New Jersey Veterans' Memorial Home-Menlo Park and at least one ward in the New Jersey Veterans' Memorial Home-Paramus to single occupancy rooms. The rooms will be equipped with negative pressure ventilation to support infectious disease control measures, and the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems will be upgraded throughout the two homes to infection control system standards. If the federal funds are not sufficient to accomplish the conversions and upgrades, there will be appropriated such sums from the General Fund as necessary, in amounts subject to approval by the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting, for use by the department to accomplish the changes outlined in the bill. | In Committee |
| A1750 | Creates new offense of theft by financial exploitation of a vulnerable person. | This bill creates the new offense of theft by financial exploitation of vulnerable person. Under the bill, an actor commits this offense when, being in a position of trust in relation to a senior citizen or a person with a disability, he commits a theft offense against that person. The bill amends N.J.S.A.2C:20-1 to define a senior citizen as a person 62 years of age or older. A "person with a disability" means a person who by reason of a pre-existing medically determinable physical or mental impairment is substantially incapable of exercising normal physical or mental power of resistance, and includes, but is not limited to, a person determined to be disabled pursuant to Title II or XVI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.ss.401-433 or 42 U.S.C.ss.1381-1383), or any other governmental retirement or benefits program that uses substantially the same criteria for determining eligibility. Further, a "person in a position of trust" means a person who: (a) is the parent, spouse, adult child, or other relative by blood or affinity of a senior citizen or person with a disability; or (b) is a joint tenant or tenant in common with a senior citizen orperson with a disability; or (c) has a fiduciary obligation to a senior citizen or person with adisability; or (d) receives monetary or other valuable consideration for providing care for a senior citizen or person with a disability; or (e) lives with or provides some component of home care services on a continuing basis to a senior citizen or person with a disability including, but not limited to, a neighbor or friend who does not provide such services on a compensated basis but has access to a senior citizen or person with a disability based on such relationship. The bill provides that theft by financial exploitation of a vulnerable person shall be graded as a crime of the fourth degree if the underlying offense is a disorderly persons offense or petty disorderly persons offense. Otherwise, it is a crime one degree higher than the most serious underlying theft offense. | In Committee |
| A1769 | Permits certain municipalities to impose stranded nuclear waste fee. | This bill would permit the governing body of a municipality in which there is located a decommissioned nuclear power plant in which spent nuclear fuel is stored, by ordinance, to impose a stranded nuclear waste fee on the owner of the decommissioned nuclear power plant for every calendar year in which spent nuclear fuel is stored in the decommissioned nuclear power plant. The amount of the annual fee would be equal to the number of kilograms of spent nuclear fuel stored at the decommissioned nuclear power plant multiplied by the fee per kilogram established in the ordinance. The fee per kilogram could not exceed $15. The use of the annual fee would be limited to reducing the municipal property tax levy. | In Committee |
| A1764 | Establishes "Internet Predator Investigation and Prosecution Fund" with $200 assessment on persons convicted of certain offenses. | This bill imposes a $200 assessment on persons convicted of computer criminal activity or a sex offense. The money collected is to be forwarded to the State Treasurer to be placed in a fund called the "Internet Predator Investigation and Prosecution Fund" which the bill establishes. The Attorney General shall grant money from the fund to county prosecutor offices for training and equipment necessary to investigate and prosecute persons who use the Internet to arrange meetings with children for the purpose of committing a crime. | 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 |
| A1755 | Eliminates the New Jersey Transfer Inheritance Tax and repeals parts of chapters 33 through 37 of Title 54 of the Revised Statutes. | This bill repeals the Transfer Inheritance Tax for transfers of estate for decedents dying on or after July 1, 2015. Currently, New Jersey imposes a Transfer Inheritance Tax on beneficiaries for the receipt of assets from a New Jersey resident decedent and certain New Jersey assets of nonresident decedents, as determined by the value of the assets transferred and the beneficiary's relationship to the decedent. The Transfer Inheritance Tax is one of the State's oldest taxes, originating in 1892. The tax is imposed on the transfer of all personal and real property in the estates of New Jersey resident decedents and of all tangible and real property located in New Jersey in the estates of nonresident decedents. The tax was extensively revised in 1985 to exempt from taxation transfers to spouses, ancestors and descendants of the decedent. But "lateral" transfers, bequests to brothers and sisters of the decedent or their children, and to nonrelatives are taxed at rates of up to 16 percent. This bill would eliminate all remaining taxable "classes" of beneficiaries and eliminate New Jersey's distinction as being one of only six states to impose an inheritance tax, and of being one of only two states, including Maryland, to impose both an inheritance tax and an estate tax. | In Committee |
| A3150 | Modifies laws regarding compensation and leaves of absence for certain public employees who served in the military; requires public employers follow certain policies and procedures for leaves of absence. | This bill makes various changes to the laws concerning termination, compensation, and leaves of absence of certain active and retired members of the United States military, the reserves, and the National Guard who are public employees. N.J.S.A.38:23-1 requires a public employer to provide a paid leave of absence for federal active duty to public employees who are members of the reserves of the United States military, including the National Guard of other states. The employer must provide paid leave for 30 work days per year. Leave after 30 days is provided without pay. Also, N.J.S.A.38A:4-4 requires a public employer to provide a paid leave of absence for State or federal active duty to public employees who are members of the New Jersey National Guard. The employer must provide paid leave for 90 work days per year. Leave after 90 days is provided without pay. This bill provides that the public employee would be entitled to pay for the days over 30 or the days over 90, as appropriate, if pay is provided in an applicable collective negotiations agreement in effect at the time of the leave of absence. If an applicable collective negotiations agreement is not in effect or does not address this matter or a person is not covered by a collective negotiations agreement, the officer or employee will be entitled to pay only if the public employer decides to provide it. Also for the purposes of N.J.S.A.38A:4-4, the bill permits a public employee to use, at the employee's sole discretion, accrued paid leave for State and federal active duty as a member of the New Jersey National Guard and the employer cannot require an employee to use that time for leave. For the purposes of N.J.S.A.38:23-1, this bill entitles a public employee, during the leave of absence, to payment by the public employer, on behalf of the employee, of any contribution required of the officer or employee to a retirement system or program and to a health care benefits plan or program, in addition to any contribution or payment required of the public employer. For the purposes of N.J.S.A.38:23-1, this bill entitles a public employee to: (1) leave for one travel day to the active duty location if the officer or employee resides 50 or more miles from the location of duty and checks in to lodgings at or near the duty location for the purpose of resting prior to undertaking the military service obligation; and (2) leave, prior to undertaking the military service obligation, of five days if the length of service will be 30 to 180 days, and of ten days if the length of service will be 181 days or more. Also for the purposes of N.J.S.A.38:23-1, the bill defines "Federal active duty" to mean: the performance of duty on a voluntary or involuntary basis in a uniformed service under competent authority, including active duty, active duty for training, initial active duty for training, and inactive duty training; service on a full time basis in the National Guard; time for medical appointments and consultations, surgery, counseling for post traumatic stress disorder, recuperation, rehabilitation, and recovery from an injury sustained or aggravated as a result of military service; and time for an examination to determine fitness for performing funeral honors duty as authorized by federal law. N.J.S.A.38:23-4.1 defines "emergency" for the purposes of N.J.S.A.38:23-4, which provides that a public employee who enters the active military service of the United States or of this State in time of war or emergency must be granted a leave of absence for that service and for three months after receiving a discharge from service. If the public employee is incapacitated by injury or sickness at the time of discharge, the leave must be extended until three months after the employee's discharge, or until the expiration of two years from the date of discharge. N.J.S.A.38:23-4 also provides that during the leave, the employee cannot be terminated or laid off if entry into the military occurred in time of war or emergency. During the period of leave, the employee is entitled to all the rights, privileges and benefits of the public employment. The leave may be granted with or without pay. The employee is entitled to resume the employment if he applies before the expiration of the leave. The bill defines "emergency" for the purposes of this statute to include any period of time from September 11, 2001 until the termination of the Global War on Terrorism as declared by the President of the United States. Finally, the bill requires public employers to prepare and maintain written policies and procedures to be followed with regard to leaves of absence by officers and employees who are members of the Armed Forces of the United States and the reserve components thereof, including the National Guard. The policies must specify documentation requirements for leave, and the receipt of required documentation must be acknowledged in writing by the public employer. The policies and procedures must be applied in a uniform and fair manner. Notice of any changes to the policies and procedures must be given promptly to all affected officers and employees and training must be provided to ensure proper implementation and administration. Upon receipt of a request for a leave or absence by an officer or employee, the public employer must inform an officer or employee in writing, within 90 days after the receipt, of any issues or matters regarding the leave request. If the employer does not notify the officer or employee within such time period, the employer will be permanently barred from raising any such issue or matter, or charging the officer or employee with an administrative violation. A public employer must provide a full accounting to an officer or employee of all matters regarding pay within a reasonable period of time and in a reasonable manner. All records for each officer or employee must be maintained by the public employer for a period of not less than 10 years. If in any action brought in a court of law by an officer or employee, a public employer is found to be in violation of any statutes concerning the employment, compensation, or leave of absence of a public officer or employee who served as a member of the United States Armed Forces or the National Guard, the court must award to the officer or employee reasonable attorney's fees and other fees and costs. | In Committee |
| A1757 | Extends veteran's gross income tax exemption to spouses of deceased veterans. | This bill extends the veteran's gross income tax exemption to spouses of deceased veterans. Currently, veterans are allowed a $6,000 exemption, which can be taken as a deduction from their income, for purposes of calculating their State gross income tax liability. If a veteran dies during a taxable year, the spouse of the veteran is allowed the exemption for that taxable year if filing a joint return. However, the spouse is not allowed the exemption in subsequent years. Under this bill, the spouse of the deceased veteran would be allowed to continue to claim the exemption until the spouse remarries. | In Committee |
| AR57 | Urges immediate moratorium on sonar testing and wind turbine mapping due to recent unexplained deaths of marine life off the coast of New Jersey. | This resolution urges the State and federal governments to impose an immediate moratorium on sonar testing and wind turbine mapping due to recent unexplained deaths of whales and dolphins off the coast of New Jersey. Since December 2022, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has recorded at least twelve whale deaths off the coast of New Jersey, eight of which have been humpback whales. In addition, there were also five deaths of dolphins recorded in February 2023 alone. Most of these deaths remain unexplained, but have occurred in or near areas of offshore wind energy development. Given the unprecedented number of these recent deaths, their occurrence in or near areas of offshore wind energy development may be more than coincidental and warrants State and federal investigation. A possible cause of these deaths is the increased use of sonar and other underwater mapping technologies for the development of offshore wind energy projects, which may interfere with marine mammals' ability to hear, communicate, and navigate underwater. Therefore, an immediate moratorium on sonar testing and wind turbine mapping for these offshore wind energy projects is urged, so that further scientific study of these projects' impact on marine life can be conducted. | In Committee |
| A2615 | Increases distribution to municipalities from Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over five years to restore municipal aid reductions; requires additional aid to be subtracted from municipal property tax levy. | This bill requires the distribution of additional State aid to municipalities under the "Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Act." Budget constraints required reductions in the amount of Consolidated Municipal Property Tax Relief Aid (CMPTRA) distributed to all municipalities in Fiscal Years 2009, 2010, and 2011. Some municipalities also experienced reductions in their Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Aid (ETR Aid) distribution during that period. This supplemental funding would restore, over a five-year period, approximately $331 million in reductions to CMPTRA and ETR Aid. In Fiscal Year 2017, municipalities would receive an aid increase equal to 20% of the difference between their total payment of CMPTRA and ETR Aid in Fiscal Year 2008 and Fiscal Year 2012. Municipalities would receive equal increases in each of the following four fiscal years. The fully restored amount would be distributed beginning in State Fiscal Year 2021 and in each fiscal year thereafter. The total amount of aid to be restored to each municipality would be in addition to the total amount of CMPTRA and ETR Aid distributed to each municipality in Fiscal Year 2012. This legislation also extends the existing ETR Aid "poison pill" protection to ensure that each municipality received an aid amount not less than the combined payment of CMPTRA and ETR Aid to municipalities in Fiscal Year 2012 and the additional aid distributed under the bill. This bill also amends current law to require a municipality to subtract any additional amount of ETR aid it receives, pursuant to the bill, from its adjusted tax levy when computing that amount for its next fiscal year. By deducting the additional amount of ETR Aid from the previous year's levy, municipalities would be permitted to raise a lower amount of taxes through the levy for municipal purposes, thereby benefitting property taxpayers. | In Committee |
| A1762 | Directs DOT and NJT to study and report on transportation infrastructure needs in coastal counties. | This bill requires the Department of Transportation ("the department") and the New Jersey Transit Corporation ("the corporation") to conduct a study and prepare and submit a written report which shall make findings and recommendations concerning the transportation infrastructure needs in Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem counties. The report is to be submitted within six months of the effective date of this bill, to the Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and the Chair of the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee. The report is to examine the specific transportation infrastructure needs of each county, including, but not limited to: necessary repair, maintenance, and improvement of existing roads, highways, bridges, and rail lines; necessary construction of new roads, highways, bridges, and rail lines; the environmental impact of such new construction; the infrastructure needs of each county and the region as a whole in preparing for the safe and expedient evacuation of the coast in the event of an emergency, including appropriate evacuation routes and alternative means of evacuation; the alleviation of traffic congestion; the estimated costs of meeting the transportation infrastructure needs of each county and the region as a whole; the availability of federal funds; and any other information relevant to the subject of the report. The department and the corporation may consult with, as necessary, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the South Jersey Transportation Authority concerning the transportation infrastructure needs of the toll road authorities in coastal counties. The department and the corporation may also consult with, as necessary, the Superintendent of State Police and the Director of the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness concerning the transportation infrastructure needs of coastal counties in preparing for the safe and expedient evacuation of the coast in the event of an emergency. It is the sponsor's intent that this bill address the problems demonstrated during the evacuations necessitated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. | In Committee |
| A1768 | Deems spent nuclear fuel from decommissioned nuclear power plant to be real property. | This bill would deem spent nuclear fuel that is located in a decommissioned nuclear power plant to be real property for the purposes of chapter 4 of Title 54 of the Revised Statutes, and therefore subject to property taxation. | In Committee |
| AR77 | Declares support for Ukraine; expresses solidarity with its citizens. | The resolution declares support for Ukraine in the current conflict with Russia and expresses solidarity with the people of Ukraine. This resolution condemns the actions of Russia, including the attacks and bombings of various regions of Ukraine, such as Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson, Odessa and importantly, the city of Kyiv. This resolution calls on Russia to stop the violence and work to bridge peace with the Ukrainian people. Further, this resolution condemns the violations of international law committed by Russia in the annexation of Crimea, blocking of parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, and the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Finally, this resolution recognizes and supports Ukraine as a sovereign state, one that is free to choose its own leader and future. | In Committee |
| AJR90 | Urges United States Department of Defense and New Jersey Civil Service Commission to permit civil service examinations during deployment. | This joint resolution urges the United States Department of Defense and the New Jersey Civil Service Commission to work together to permit deployed military service members to take civil service examinations while deployed. The ability to participate in civil service examinations during deployment would result in service members being in the civil service system when an employment eligibility list is requested by a public employer seeking to hire, increasing their chances of finding employment after their service. Service members would still need to provide proof of veteran status no later than eight days prior to the issuance of an employment list to receive a hiring preference. | In Committee |
| ACR63 | Proposes temporary constitutional amendment to provide for State constitutional convention to reduce government spending and to reform system of property taxation. | This concurrent resolution proposes a temporary amendment to the New Jersey Constitution which would provide for the convening of a State constitutional convention for the purpose of reducing government spending and reforming the system of property taxation in this State. Upon approval by the electorate of the holding of the convention, two delegates to the convention would be elected from each legislative district, for a total of 80 delegates, at a special election held in March thereafter. The names of candidates for delegate on the ballot would rotate in successive election districts in order to mitigate any potential impact of ballot position on voter choice. Candidates for the position of delegate to the convention would be subject to special campaign contribution limits. The convention would convene in April thereafter and complete its work in August. It would be the duty of the convention to prepare a proposal consisting of amendments to the New Jersey Constitution and revisions to the statutes, which reduce government spending by revising the spending priorities of the State and local governments, and providing other opportunities to reduce spending by government and which, while revenue neutral in their overall impact, eliminate inequities in the current system of property taxation, ensure greater uniformity in the application of property taxes, reduce property taxes as a share of overall public revenue, provide alternatives which lessen the dependence of local government on property taxes, and provide alternative means of reducing local government spending. Any revisions of the statutes recommended by the convention and approved by the voters at the following general election would thereafter be subject to amendment or repeal by the Legislature and the Governor in the same manner as other laws. The convention's proposal would be submitted to the voters for their approval at the next general election. The voters would approve or disapprove of all the amendments and statutory revisions proposed by the convention and would not be permitted to approve some, but not all, of the convention's proposals. The convention would be limited to considering the issues of reducing government spending and tax reform. It would not be permitted to consider any other issues. The concurrent resolution provides that the Chief Justice would appoint a committee of three retired members of the Judiciary to review the convention's proposal prior to its placement on the ballot for the purpose of verifying that the convention has complied with its instructions and not exceeded those instructions in any way. It also directs the Legislative Services Commission to undertake relevant research tasks for the benefit of the convention prior to the convening of the convention and to recruit qualified employees who may be employed by the convention. The temporary constitutional amendment proposed by this concurrent resolution would expire 30 days following the general election at which the convention's proposal appears on the ballot. | In Committee |
| A1730 | Provides for mandatory terms of imprisonment for certain sexual assaults upon a minor; amends murder statute. | This bill imposes severe penalties on sex offenders who prey on children. The bill imposes a penalty of 30 years to life imprisonment for the following crimes of aggravated sexual assault: ? an act of sexual penetration under N.J.S.2C:14-2a.(1) if the victim is less than 13 years old; ? an act of sexual penetration under N.J.S.2C:14-2a.(2) if the victim is at least 13 but less than 16, and defendant is either related to the victim by blood or affinity to the third degree, has supervisory or disciplinary power over the victim, or is a foster parent or guardian or stands in loco parentis in the household; ? an act of sexual penetration under N.J.S.2C:14-2a.(7), committed when the victim is one whom the defendant knew or should have known was physically helpless or mentally incapacitated, if the victim is less than 16. The bill imposes a penalty of 25 years to life imprisonment for the following crimes of aggravated sexual assault: ? an act of sexual penetration under N.J.S.2C:14-2a.(3), committed during the commission of certain other crimes, if the victim is less than 16; ? an act of sexual penetration under N.J.S.2C:14-2a.(4), committed when defendant is armed with weapon and threatens to use it, if the victim is less than 16; ? an act of sexual penetration under N.J.S.2C:14-2a.(5), committed when defendant is aided or abetted by another person and uses physical force or coercion, if the victim is less than 16; ? an act of sexual penetration under N.J.S.2C:14-2a.(6), committed when the defendant uses physical force or coercion and the victim sustains severe personal injury, if the victim is less than 16. In addition, the bill imposes a penalty of 25 years to life imprisonment for an act of sexual penetration under N.J.S.2C:14-2b.(1) committed with physical force or coercion, but where the victim does not sustain severe personal injury, if the victim is less than 16 years old. The bill imposes a penalty of 30 years to life imprisonment for an act of sexual penetration under N.J.S.2C:14-2b.(2) if the victim is on probation or parole or detained in a hospital, prison or other institution, and the defendant has supervisory or disciplinary power over the victim, if the victim is less than 16 years old. The bill also revises the murder statute to require life imprisonment of persons who murder children under the age of 16 in the course of commission of a sex offense, if those defendants are not otherwise sentenced to death, and to make the murder of a child under the age of 16 an aggravating factor in sentencing. Current law specifies age 14 for both of these provisions. Finally, the bill increases from 30 years to 35 years the minimum term which a person convicted of murder who is not sentenced to death is required to serve in prison before eligibility for parole. | In Committee |
| A2553 | Authorizes special Support Our Veterans license plate with proceeds supporting New Jersey homeless veteran's centers. | This bill authorizes a special Support Our Veterans license plate with the proceeds supporting New Jersey homeless veterans' centers, Veterans Haven, North and South. The design of the license plate would be chosen by the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission in consultation with the Division of Veterans' Services in the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (NJDMAVA). There is a $50 initial fee, in addition to the registration fees required by law, with a $10 annual fee, in addition to the renewal fees required by law. The additional fees, after the deduction of the cost of producing and publicizing the plates, will be deposited into a special non-lapsing fund known as the "Support Our Veterans License Plate Fund." The proceeds of the fund are to be annually appropriated to the Veterans Haven Council within the (NJDMAVA). The chief administrator is required to annually certify the average cost per license plate in producing, issuing, and publicizing the Support Our Veterans license plates. If the average cost exceeds $50 for two consecutive fiscal years, the chief administrator may discontinue the license plate program. The bill provides that no State or other public funds may be used by the commission for the initial cost of producing, issuing, and publicizing the availability of Support Our Veterans license plates or any computer programming changes which may be necessary to implement the Support Our Veterans license plate program. The bill also requires that the Veterans Haven Council or other individual or entity designated by the Veterans Haven Council, contribute monies in an amount to be determined by the chief administrator, not to exceed a total of $25,000, to be used to offset the initial costs incurred by the commission for producing, issuing, and publicizing the availability of Support Our Veterans license plates, and any computer programming which may be necessary to implement the program. The bill prohibits the commission from designing, producing, issuing, or publicizing the availability of Support Our Veterans license plates, or making any necessary programming changes, until: (1) the Veterans Haven Council, or its designee, has provided the commission with the money necessary to offset the initial costs incurred by the commission in establishing the Support Our Veterans license plate program; and (2) the Veterans Haven Council, or its designee, has provided the commission with a minimum of 500 completed applications for Support Our Veterans license plates, upon the availability for purchase of those plates. The chief administrator is responsible for publicizing the availability of the license plates on the commission's website. The Veterans Haven Council or any individual or entity designated by the Veterans Haven Council, may also publicize the availability of Support Our Veterans license plates in any manner the Veterans Haven Council deems appropriate. The provisions of the bill remain inoperative until the appropriate applications and fees required to offset the initial costs incurred by the commission are provided by the board, and the bill expires after 12 months if sufficient applications and fees to offset the initial costs are not received. | In Committee |
| A1729 | Clarifies that harassment made anonymously or otherwise through electronic communication devices constitutes a petty disorderly offense. | This bill amends the existing harassment statute; N.J.S.2C:33-4, to criminalize cyber-harassment which occurs when offenders use the Internet or other forms of electronic communication to commit these offenses. Currently, N.J.S.2C:33-4 provides that a person who makes, or causes to be made, a communication "anonymously or at extremely inconvenient hours, or in offensively coarse language, or any other manner likely to cause annoyance or alarm" is guilty of harassment, a petty disorderly persons offense. This bill provides that a communication which is made anonymously or otherwise by means of an electronic communication device for the purpose of harassing another person shall constitute a petty disorderly offense. Under the bill, the term "electronic communication device" is defined as including, but not limited to, a telephone, cellular telephone, computer, computer network, computer system, video recorder, facsimile machine or pager. | In Committee |
| A2398 | Establishes disabled veteran tenant gross income tax credit. | This bill establishes a disabled veteran tenant gross income tax credit. This bill allows a disabled veteran to claim a nonrefundable credit, up to a maximum allowable amount of $1,000, for that portion of the veteran's rent constituting property taxes. Currently, 18 percent of rent paid is considered to constitute property taxes. If a qualifying disabled veteran is married but is filing with a status of "married, filing separately," each spouse will be entitled to claim one half of the credit for which the disabled veteran qualifies. However, if a qualifying disabled veteran rents a homestead with another taxpayer, other than the qualifying disabled veteran's spouse, the qualifying disabled veteran may only claim a credit for the rent constituting property taxes that the qualifying disabled veteran actually paid. The credit established by this bill can be claimed in addition to the $50 credit that can be claimed by a taxpayer or a resident, who is 65 years of age or older, blind, or disabled not subject to tax, who paid rent constituting property taxes on a homestead. A disabled veteran is a veteran who, as a result of war service, is eligible to be compensated for a service connected disability by the United States Veteran Administration. War service is service at some time during the following conflicts: World War I, World War II, the Korean conflict, the Lebanon crisis, the Vietnam conflict, the Lebanon peacekeeping mission, the Grenada peacekeeping mission, the Panama peacekeeping mission, Operation "Desert Shield/Desert Storm," Operation Northern Watch and Operation Southern Watch, Operation "Restore Hope," Operations "Joint Endeavor" and "Joint Guard," Operation "Uphold Democracy," Operation "Enduring Freedom," and Operation "Iraqi Freedom." | In Committee |
| A1747 | Makes annual compensation paid to surviving spouses of certain blind or disabled veterans payable from date of veteran's death. | This bill requires the payment of the $750 annual compensation payable to a surviving spouse of a blind or severely disabled wartime veteran to begin from the date of the veteran's death, regardless of when the surviving spouse files the application for this benefit. If the veteran died before April 9, 1985, the surviving spouse will be entitled to the annual compensation from that date forward, again regardless of the date of the application. Surviving spouses were first made eligible for this benefit on April 9, 1985 by P.L.1985, c.116. Under current regulations of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, a surviving spouse is eligible for this benefit from the date of application which for a variety of reasons may be years after the veteran's death. A surviving spouse should not be unfairly denied this benefit due simply to lack of knowledge about the benefit or forgetting to file due to the grief and disruption that occurs following a spouse's death. This lifetime benefit is statutorily available to a veteran who was blinded in service during any war including specifically World War II and the Korean Conflict, or who was severely disabled as a result of service during any war including specifically World War II, the Korean conflict, or Vietnam, although the department has made this benefit available to veterans who served in other wars or military emergencies. A veteran who applied for this benefit within one year of military discharge received payments beginning with that year. A veteran who applied after that received payments from the date of application presumably because the veteran became blind or severely disabled years after discharge as a result of the injury or disease suffered during the wartime service. This same requirement that payments begin from the date of application should not apply to surviving spouses because at the time of the veteran's death it is known that he or she was blind or severely disabled as a result of wartime service. | In Committee |
| AR60 | Memorializes the President and Congress to pass and enforce immigration reform to protect the nation. | This Assembly Resolution calls for Congress to pass and the President to enforce comprehensive immigration reform legislation. These new federal laws are needed to protect the nation from terrorists and criminals who are entering our country illegally. This Assembly Resolution was prompted in response to two horrific crimes that were perpetrated in Ocean County. In one of the crimes, two children were beaten and murdered in Stafford Borough and their mother was kidnapped. The other crime involved the sexual assault of a minor on Long Beach Island. In both cases, undocumented, illegal immigrants from Mexico were charged. This Assembly Resolution asks Congress to enact legislation that will expedite the removal of illegal aliens from our country, increase criminal sentences and fines for alien smuggling, enhance penalties for persons committing offenses while armed, permit the use of the Army and Air Force to secure the border, and impose penalties on countries that do not accept return of nationals. Duly authenticated copies of this Assembly resolution would be transmitted to the President and Vice President of the United States, the Majority and Minority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, every member of Congress elected from this State and to the Ambassador of Mexico to the United States. | In Committee |
| A1751 | Creates New Jersey Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act. | This bill creates the New Jersey Servicemember's Civil Relief Act and repeals the "New Jersey Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1979," (C.38:23C-1 et seq.). The purpose of the bill is to update and modernize the benefits and protections afforded to military servicemembers and their dependents and to bring such benefits and protections in line with those provided for by federal law. No benefits or protections are reduced in this bill. This bill expands the definition of those who are protected under New Jersey law, reconciles any differences between State and federal law, and affords greater protections to servicemembers in the State. These protections include:· Mandatory stays of civil proceedings and executions of judgments in circumstances when the servicemember's ability to represent himself is materially affected by his military service;· Allowance of application for anticipatory relief by the servicemember;· Protections against default judgments which cannot be properly defended by reason of military service;· Relief from contracts that cannot be performed due to military service;· Tolling of the statute of limitations during the period of military service;· A maximum six-percent rate of interest on debts incurred before military service;· Relief related to evictions, foreclosures, and certain taxes;· Termination of leases executed before an individual was called into military service;· Protections against liens for storage, repair, and cleaning of property and effects;· Automatic extension of the power of attorney for servicemembers who have entered missing status;· Protections regarding life insurance, professional liability insurance, and health insurance;· Employment protections for those returning from military service;· Reservation of land rights provided under federal law;· Procedures to effect waiver of any rights provided under the act; and· Creation of a civil action which may be brought by the Attorney General or a person aggrieved by a violation of the act. | In Committee |
| A2743 | Establishes Veterans Suicide Prevention Commission. | This bill creates the Veterans Suicide Prevention Commission act. The purpose of the commission will be to assess, support, and create programs for the successful transition, adjustment, and reintegration of service members back into civilian life through the coordination of the collective efforts of State agencies with the goal of preventing veteran suicides. The commission will coordinate with State agencies to effectively and responsibly meet the needs of the military community. In performing these responsibilities, the commission will conduct planning, research, education, training, and evaluation activities to improve the operations and coordination of the systems of care and support provided by the agencies. The commission will coordinate its activities with the activities of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for its veterans, service members, and their families. The commission will consist of 13 members. Members of the commission will be appointed for a term of four years and until a successor is appointed and qualified. Upon expiration of the initial term, each member may be reappointed for an additional term of four years. The commission, in its discretion, may divide its membership into subcommittees in the course of carrying out its duties. The commission will hold at least six meetings each year, but otherwise will meet at the call of the chair. The primary focus of the commission will be on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of those State programs and services related to the military community with the goal of the prevention of veteran suicides. The commission will review the activities related to the military community of each State agency to ensure there is efficient and effective coordination and alignment with the needs of the military community. The commission will ensure accountability by tracking the progress of initiatives, programs, and services; develop strategic collaborations among State agencies; and increase public awareness of the services and support available to the military community to prevent veteran suicides. The commission will promote coordination and efficiency among State, county, and local units of government through knowledge sharing, mobilization of resources, and an aligned approach to serving the military community to prevent veteran suicides. The commission will issue periodic reports, which will include, but not be limited to, its strategic goals, its public research agenda, and its performance and progress in meeting its goals. | In Committee |
| A1773 | Establishes "Volunteer Fire Company Assistance Program" in DCA to support operations and sustainability of volunteer fire companies; appropriates $10 million. | This bill establishes the "Volunteer Fire Company Assistance Program" in the Division of Fire Safety in the Department of Community Affairs to support the ongoing operations and sustainability of volunteer fire companies. The bill establishes a special non-lapsing fund to be known as the "Volunteer Fire Company Assistance Program Fund" (fund), which is required to be annually credited with money appropriated by the Legislature. Under the bill, the Director of the Division of Fire Safety (division) is required to develop and administer a grant program to annually distribute moneys in the fund to volunteer fire companies in the form of grants to support the ongoing operations and sustainability of volunteer fire companies, including the purchasing of emergency equipment. To participate in the grant program, a volunteer fire company would be required to submit an application to the division in a manner and on such forms as determined by the director. An application is required to include information detailing the volunteer fire company's proposed plans for the grant funding, including, but not limited to:· the amount of the grant award being sought; · a specific description of any emergency equipment to be purchased; and · a description of how the grant award will be used to maximize the ongoing operations and sustainability of the volunteer fire department, including ensuring compliance with any applicable State and federal laws and regulations. The director is required to establish an annual maximum grant award amount to ensure that the maximum number of program applicants receive a grant award, given available funding. Under the bill, within one year of receiving a grant, each participating volunteer fire company is required to submit a report to the division in a manner and on such forms as determined by the director of the division, detailing:· expenditure of grant funds under the grant program; · specific emergency equipment and other items purchased with the grant award intended for providing fire and life safety services; and· the impact, if determinable, that the grant award has had on maximizing the ongoing operations and sustainability of volunteer fire department. The director is required to compile the reports for inclusion in a comparative profile of the participating volunteer fire companies and post the profile for public inspection on the division's Internet website in an easily accessible location. The bill also provides that, within one year of posting the comparative profile, the director will submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature that contains information on the implementation of the grant program, including: the total number of volunteer fire companies which applied for grant funding; the average amount of grant awards which were disbursed to volunteer fire companies; a summary of the types of emergency equipment which were most frequently sought with grant awards; and any recommendations that the director deems appropriate and necessary concerning the disbursement of funding for volunteer fire companies. The bill appropriates $10 million, as specified in the bill, from the General Fund for the purpose of supporting the ongoing operations and sustainability of volunteer fire departments. | In Committee |
| A2706 | Limits to 14 days effective period of certain emergency orders, rules, or regulations. | This bill provides that any order, rule, or regulation issued by the Governor pursuant to the "Civil Defense and Disaster Control Act" will terminate on the 15th day after issuance, unless the Legislature approves a greater period of time by way of concurrent resolution. The bill prohibits the Governor from issuing an order, rule, or regulation to the same or substantially same effect as one terminated pursuant to the bill for the same emergency. The bill does not apply to orders, rules, or regulations: (1) rescinding an order, rule, or regulation issued pursuant to the "Civil Defense and Disaster Control Act"; (2) issued pursuant to direction by or agreement with the federal government, in compliance with federal law, or to the extent that application of the bill would jeopardize the receipt of federal funds by the State; (3) applying exclusively to the executive branch; (4) issued under the Governor's authority as the Commander-in-Chief of the military and naval forces of the State; or (5) issued pursuant to a provision of law providing for a greater period, notwithstanding that the order, rule, or regulation may also cite to an authority provided under the "Civil Defense and Disaster Control Act." | In Committee |
| A1718 | Requires prosecutor 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 a sex offender's risk of re-offense, or tier, prior to the offender's release from incarceration. Currently, 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 |
| A1124 | Requires MVC to issue blue envelopes that hold documents required to operate motor vehicle to persons diagnosed with autism. | This bill requires the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, in consultation with the Commissioner of Human Services, the Superintendent of State Police, and at least one organization that advocates on behalf of persons who have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, to design and make available blue envelopes that may be utilized by a person who has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder to hold documents required for the operation of a motor vehicle. Under the bill, the blue envelopes are required to: (1) be of a color shade easily recognizable to law enforcement officers; (2) be capable of holding a person's driver's license, motor vehicle registration certificate, and insurance identification card; (3) provide written information on the outside of the envelope identifying the envelope holder as a person who has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder; and (4) provide written guidance to assist law enforcement officers in effectively communicating with a person who has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. The bill also requires that the chief administrator, in consultation with the commissioner, establish the documentation required to be produced by a person who has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, or by the parent, guardian, or caregiver of the person, in order to obtain a blue envelope. The bill is based on a 2020 Connecticut statute. | In Committee |
| A1098 | Exempts disabled veterans from certain fees at State parks and forests. | This bill would provide free admission to State parks and forests to disabled veterans residing in New Jersey who have been honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from active service in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States and who have been declared by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, or its successor, to have a service-connected disability of any degree. This bill would also exempt such disabled veterans from any fees for accessing State park beaches by motor vehicle in order to fish there, including fees for mobile sportfishing vehicle permits. State law currently only provides free admission to State parks and forests to New Jersey residents who are 62 or more years of age, totally disabled, or active members of the New Jersey National Guard who have completed Initial Active Duty Training, and current law does not specifically exempt disabled veterans from fees for motor vehicle access to State park beaches to fish. This bill would extend free State park and forest admission, as well as free motor vehicle access to State park beaches to fish, to all veterans who have incurred a service-connected disability, regardless of the degree of disability. | In Committee |
| A261 | Establishing veterans' affordable housing preference; authorizing bonus fair share credit for veterans' affordable housing. | This bill would establish a veterans' affordable housing preference, and would offer municipalities bonus fair share credits for veterans' affordable housing. Specifically, the bill would require the developer, residential development owner, or administrative agent for affordable housing in a municipality to provide a preference to low to moderate income veterans, regardless of war service, of the United States Armed Forces, or a Reserve Component thereof, or the New Jersey National Guard, with regard to no less than 50 percent of the affordable units in a project. This requirement would apply to both rental and ownership affordable housing. Under existing law, municipalities are permitted to enter into agreements with owners and developers to establish similar veterans preferences for up to 50 percent of the housing in a development. This bill would require a veterans preference for no less than 50 percent of the housing in a development. In addition to the affirmative marketing otherwise required for affordable units, the bill directs the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to provide appropriate outreach to veterans to enhance awareness of the veterans preference and the steps necessary to take advantage of the preference. In order to facilitate appropriate outreach to veterans, the bill requires the department to maintain a registry of veterans who have expressed interest in, or may be eligible for, affordable housing, and the regions or municipalities in which the veterans live, or would be willing to live, should affordable housing become available. In order to ensure that affordable units are offered to eligible veterans before non-veterans, in accordance with the requirements of this bill, the bill requires the department to coordinate with the council or its successor, the department, the agency, and developers and residential development owners. Additionally, the bill provides that a municipality would receive one unit of credit and one-half bonus credit for each unit of housing occupied or reserved for occupancy by a low or moderate income veteran. The bill requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs to adopt rules and regulations, in consultation with the Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, to effectuate the purposes of the bill on or before the effective date of the bill. The bill would take effect on the first day of the fourth month next following enactment. | In Committee |
| AR28 | Urges federal government to approve construction of oil and natural gas pipelines within United States including those that have been shut down or have had approval denied. | This resolution urges the federal government to take action to approve the construction of oil and natural gas pipelines within the United States, including approving pipelines that have been shut down or disapproved. The United States relies, and will continue to rely for many years, on gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel despite the recent focus on renewable energy and alternative sources of energy. In order to fuel the country's economy, the United States will need more oil and natural gas while also developing additional alternative energy sources. Constructing more pipelines within the United States would help the country achieve energy independence and enhance national security by reducing reliance on energy from the Middle East, Russia, and Venezuela. Constructing more pipelines within the United States would also result in lower oil prices and provide a significant economic advantage to the United States. Although the United States has achieved significant levels of energy independence in recent years, there is always room to improve the country's energy independence. Steps have been taken to create greater North American energy independence, including the Keystone XL Pipeline, which would have connected the United States oil supply to oil fields in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin in Alberta, providing oil at a rate of up to 830,000 barrels per day. The Keystone XL Pipeline would have increased the United States' energy independence, lowered the cost of gasoline, produced up to 11,000 high-paying jobs for United States citizens, and resulted in more stable trade relationships. President Trump issued a Presidential Permit to begin construction on the cross-border segment of the Keystone XL Pipeline, however, the permit for this construction was revoked by President Biden. The reapproval and continued construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline is very important for the energy independence of the United States. In addition, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia has resulted in global tension and fear. The United States and other European nations have responded by enforcing strict economic sanctions on Russia. One of the sanctions is the decertification of the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline, which stretches for 1,200 kilometres from Vyborg, Russia through the Baltic Sea to Lubmin, Germany and was designed to carry natural gas from Russia to Western Europe. The decertification of the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline will likely also have global economic consequences. It is more important than ever for the United States to become more energy independent. Based on the geopolitical, energy security, environmental, and economic benefits of oil and natural gas pipeline construction within the United States, it is in the country's, and by extension New Jersey's, best interests to support the construction of oil and natural gas pipelines, including the approval of pipelines that have been shut down or disapproved, within the United States. | 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 |
| A1734 | Provides for payment to small municipalities, in certain cases, of certain penalty moneys assessed for violations of fish and game laws. | This bill would provide for the reimbursement of small municipalities that are involved in the adjudication of State and federal fish and game laws. The Division of Fish and Wildlife is generally responsible for overseeing and enforcing fish and game laws in the State, and State law currently provides that all penalty amounts recovered for violations of the State's fish and game laws, rules, and regulations must be paid, in full, to the division. This provision of law, however, fails to recognize that local governments are often left with the burden of paying, at their own expense, the costs associated with the adjudication of fish and game violations. Small municipalities - defined under the bill as those that have "a permanent population of less than 2,000 persons" - are particularly ill equipped to finance these judicial efforts. This bill would, therefore, amend the law to provide that whenever a court action is undertaken in the municipal court of a small municipality, which court action results in the assessment of penalty moneys for a violation of the State's fish and game laws, 50 percent of the recovered moneys must be paid to the governing body of the municipality in which the court action took place, while the remaining 50 percent of recovered moneys must be paid to the Division of Fish and Wildlife. The bill would also entitle a small municipality to receive 50 percent of the moneys recovered for a violation of a federal fish and game law or regulation when the moneys are recovered as a result of a municipal court action undertaken in the small municipality, so long as such action is not prohibited by federal law. In all other cases of federal fish and game law enforcement, however, and unless prohibited by federal law, any recovered moneys would be paid, in full, to the Division of Fish and Wildlife. A person who fails to forward recovered moneys to the division or the adjudicating small municipality, as required by the bill, would be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. Although this offense currently exists in the law, it is referenced as a "misdemeanor" - an outdated term that is no longer used in the State. Because a crime that was previously characterized as a misdemeanor is now classified as a crime of the fourth degree, the bill updates the language in the existing law without changing the penalty for the offense. | In Committee |
| A1735 | Authorizes municipal dredging of lagoon community waterways and levying of special assessment or issuing of bonds to finance such dredging. | This bill authorizes a municipality in which a lagoon community is located to have waterways servicing the lagoon community dredged, and the dredged material properly disposed of, for the purpose of maintaining transportation by boat into, out of, and throughout the lagoon community. The bill further authorizes the municipality to finance the dredging and disposal through the levy of a special assessment on any property owners that the municipality determines to benefit from the dredging, or by issuing bonds for the dredging as a capital improvement. "Lagoon community" is defined in the bill as any residential development in a coastal municipality where the waterways function as streets and provide access to, from and throughout the development via boat. | In Committee |
| A308 | Expands definition of basic life support to include blood glucose monitoring. | This bill expands the definition of basic life support to include blood glucose monitoring. Under current law, "basic life support" means a basic level of pre-hospital care which includes patient stabilization, airway clearance, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, hemorrhage control, initial wound care and fracture stabilization, and other techniques and procedures authorized by the Commissioner of Health (commissioner). This bill amends the definition of "basic life support" to include blood glucose monitoring and directs the commissioner to adopt rules and regulations ensuring that each EMT-Basic training program includes adequate instruction and training on blood glucose monitoring. | 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 |
| 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 |
| A302 | Makes desecration of military monument crime of the third degree. | This bill makes purposely desecrating a military monument a crime of the third degree. As used in the bill, the term "military monument" means any monument that was erected with the intent to honor a current or former member or members of the armed forces or to mark or commemorate a past military action or battle. | In Committee |
| A1772 | Authorizes municipalities to establish dredging control reserve fund. | This bill authorizes a municipality to establish a dredging control reserve fund (reserve). Unexpended balances budgeted annually for dredging may be lapsed into the reserve. Upon passage of a resolution of the municipality's governing body, funds in the reserve may be used by the municipality after current budget appropriations for any purpose related to dredging, including, but not limited to: the removal of sand, silt, mud, clay, rock, or other material from the bottom of a waterway in order to maintain or deepen navigation channels and berths; related infrastructure development of the project; the management of the dredged material through decontamination; acceptable placement or beneficial use; and the potential funding of the projects, as necessary, to support New Jersey's or the municipality's maritime, recreation, or tourism industries. Any reimbursement of these expenditures shall be deposited back into the reserve. Unexpended balances budgeted annually for expenses relating to dredging control may be lapsed into the reserve. The bill authorizes the Local Finance Board to adopt rules and regulations in order to effectuate the purposes of the bill. | In Committee |
| A1741 | Allows persons diagnosed with autism to voluntarily enter medical information in MVC database and make notation on driver's licenses, permits, and non-driver identification cards. | This bill requires the Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to establish a program to assist law enforcement officers in recognizing and effectively communicating with a person who has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Under the program, a person diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder may voluntarily report the diagnosis to the commission through the commission's website, by mail, or when filing an application with the commission for a motor vehicle record. In addition, the person may identify any motor vehicle that the person intends to regularly operate and provide any other information that may assist a law enforcement officer when communicating with the person. The bill defines "motor vehicle record" as any record that pertains to a motor vehicle operator's permit, driver's license, motor vehicle registration, or identification card issued by the MVC. The information provided is to be included in the person's motor vehicle record and exclusively used to assist law enforcement officers during a motor vehicle stop or other law enforcement action. Information submitted to the commission is not to be subject to public disclosure under the "Open Public Records Act" or the common law concerning access to public records or be discoverable as a public record by any person, entity, or governmental agency. In addition, this bill requires the chief administrator to allow a validated permit, probationary or basic driver's license holder, or non-driver identification card holder to voluntarily indicate that the holder has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. The designation is to be made in accordance with procedures prescribed by the chief administrator and is to be used by law enforcement officials or emergency medical professionals to effectively communicate with a person diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. | 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 |
| A3148 | Adds Sons of The American Legion to list of organizations whose representatives receive paid leaves of absence to attend State and national conventions. | This bill adds the Sons of The American Legion to the list of organizations whose duly authorized representatives are entitled to receive a leave of absence with pay to attend State and national conventions under R.S.38:23-2, which applies to persons in the service of the State, a county, or a municipality. This bill also removes two defunct organizations from the list. | In Committee |
| A1733 | Requires any individual seeking elective public office to disclose when filing petition of nomination whether he or she has been convicted of a criminal offense. | The purpose of this bill is to require any individual seeking elective public office in this State to disclose at the time of filing a petition of nomination whether he or she has been convicted of a criminal offense. Specifically, the bill requires that each petition of nomination must include a statement signed by the candidate that he or she has either not been convicted of a criminal offense in this State or any other state or involving the government of the United States or any other country, or that the candidate has been so convicted. In that case, the candidate must disclose on the statement the details of the offense, including the type or degree of offense, the individual or entity it involved, the date it occurred, the date of conviction for the offense and the time served, the fine paid or both, if applicable. Such a candidate may, as an alternative, provide with the statement a copy of an official document that provides such information. If the candidate has been convicted of more than one criminal offense, such information about each such offense must be provided. | In Committee |
| A3203 | Creates sexual assault prevention and response program and coordinator for service members. | This bill establishes in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs a sexual assault prevention and response program. The Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will appoint an individual to serve as the sexual assault prevention coordinator. The coordinator will provide victim advocacy services, including ensuring that victims of sexual assault receive appropriate responsive care, understand available reporting options, and are notified of eligibility for compensation from the Victims of Crime Compensation Office. The coordinator may also file an application with the consent of the victim for a protective order on behalf of the victim. The protective order may be filed at the State level and with the military authorities. The program will permit a victim of sexual harassment to: (1) file a confidential complaint of sexual harassment with the coordinator alleging that a service member committed the offense; (2) participate in the United States Department of Defense Catch a Serial Offender Program; (3) receive notice if the accused service member is subsequently accused of an offense of sexual assault by a service member or another person; and (4) convert a confidential complaint to a formal complaint at any time. An annual report will be submitted to the Legislature and the Governor on the activities of the program and the activities of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs relating to the prevention of sexual assault. The report will include: (1) the policies and procedures implemented by the coordinator and the Adjutant General in response to incidents of sexual assault; (2) an assessment of the implementation and effectiveness of the program and the policies and procedures on the prevention and oversight of and response to sexual assaults; (3) an analysis of the number of sexual assaults involving members of the New Jersey National Guard; (4) deficiencies in the department's sexual assault prevention training; and (5) the department's plans for preventing and responding to sexual assault. The program will apply to alleged sexual assaults committed by a service member against another service member, regardless of whether or not either person was on or off duty at the time of the alleged assault. A complaint may be filed if the alleged offense took place while the accused was a service member and retires or is discharged from service prior to the filing of the complaint. Under the bill, "service member" means a member of the United States Armed Forces, or a Reserve component thereof, including the New Jersey National Guard. | In Committee |
| ACR102 | Urges Department of Education to impose moratorium on new Student Learning Standards. | This resolution respectfully urges the Department of Education to impose a moratorium on the development and implementation of new Student Learning Standards for a period of two years. The most recent Student Learning Standards were adopted by the State Board of Education in June 2020, however there has been considerable discontent among parents and guardians with regards to the standards. As a result, there are numerous bills pending before the Legislature that may affect the Student Learning Standards. Additionally, the United States has been falling in the global education rankings, reaching its lowest level ever in overall competitiveness in the most recent administration of the Program for International Student Assessment. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant learning loss for students around the State, exacerbating the United States' decline compared to other countries. It would be appropriate to impose a moratorium while the Legislature considers bills that may impact the Student Learning Standards and that would focus on addressing learning loss. | In Committee |
| A2406 | Encourages expansion of community mental health programs to include mental health services to veterans; prohibits veterans from being denied county mental health services. | This bill encourages the expansion of community mental health programs to include mental health services to veterans and prohibits veterans from being denied county mental health services. Specifically, the bill amends section 1 of P.L.1957, c.146 (C.30:9A-1) to stipulate that the public policy of the State is to encourage the improvement and expansion of community mental health programs in designated service areas in order to provide mental health services to veterans. Current State public policy does not specifically stipulate that community mental health programs in designated service areas are to provide mental health services to veterans. The bill also amends section 3 of P.L.1983, c. 435 (C.30:9A-9.2) to require that reimbursement or advancement grants distributed by the Department of Human Services in areas lacking community mental health centers are to be used to initiate or expand services to veterans in need of mental health services. Currently, reimbursement or advancement grants are used to initiate or expand services for certain target populations which do not include veterans in need of mental health services. The provisions of the bill mandate that a veteran in need of mental health services who meets the eligibility requirements of a county mental health services program is not be denied county mental health services:(1) based solely on the person's status as a veteran, including whether or not the person is eligible for services provided by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; or (2) while waiting for a determination of eligibility for, or the availability of, mental health services provided by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Under the bill's provisions, a county mental health services program: (1) is to advise a veteran who may be eligible for mental health services through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs of their presumed eligibility for services, and refer the veteran to the appropriate county veterans' affairs office for assistance with eligibility determination for these, as appropriate; and (2) may enter into a contract with a community-based veterans' mental health services organization, where possible, to provide veteran-specific mental health services. | 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 |
| A1770 | Authorizes creation of New Jersey Maritime Museum license plates. | This bill authorizes the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission) to issue special New Jersey Maritime Museum license plates. The bill provides that the design of the New Jersey Maritime Museum license plate is to display words or a slogan and an emblem indicating support for, or an interest in, the New Jersey Maritime Museum. The chief administrator, in consultation with the New Jersey Maritime Museum, is to select the design and color scheme of the New Jersey Maritime Museum license plates. In addition to all fees otherwise required by law for the registration of a motor vehicle, there is an application fee of $50 and an annual renewal fee of $10 for the New Jersey Maritime Museum license plates. After the deduction of the cost of designing, producing, issuing, renewing, and publicizing the plates and of any computer programming changes that are necessary to implement the license plate program, additional fees will be deposited into a special non-lapsing fund known as the "New Jersey Maritime Museum License Plate Fund." The proceeds of the fund are to be annually appropriated to the New Jersey Maritime Museum to be used to support and maintain the museum. 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 New Jersey Maritime Museum license plate program. The bill also requires that the New Jersey Maritime Museum appoint a liaison to represent the museum in all communications with the commission regarding the license plates. The bill provides that State or other public funds are not to be used by the commission for the initial cost to implement the New Jersey Maritime Museum license plate program. The bill requires the New Jersey Maritime Museum or an individual or entity designated by the museum 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 computer programming changes which may be necessary to implement the program. The bill authorizes the New Jersey Maritime Museum to receive funds from private sources to be used to offset the initial costs. The chief administrator is not required to design, produce, issue, or publicize the availability of the license plates, until: (1) the New Jersey Maritime Museum or the individual or entity designated by the New Jersey Maritime Museum has provided the commission with the money necessary to offset the initial costs incurred by the commission in establishing the license plate program; and (2) the New Jersey Maritime Museum liaison has provided the commission with a minimum of 500 completed applications for the license plates. The provisions of the bill will remain inoperative until the first day of the 13th month following enactment to allow the New Jersey Maritime Museum time to provide the commission with the completed applications and fees required pursuant to the bill. The bill expires on the last day of the 12th month following enactment if sufficient applications and fees to offset the initial costs are not received by that date. In fulfillment of a lifelong ambition of opening a museum free to the public promoting New Jersey's vast maritime history, Deborah Whitcraft founded the New Jersey Maritime Museum on July 3, 2007. When it initially opened, the museum exhibited a sizable collection of shipwreck files, documents, and artifacts. In the years since it has opened, the New Jersey Maritime Museum has grown thanks to donations and loans from the diving community and public. Located in Beach Haven, New Jersey, the New Jersey Maritime Museum operates as a registered non-profit entity and is open to the public, free of charge. | In Committee |
| A1763 | "Breann's Law" requires health insurers, the State Health Benefits Program and NJ FamilyCare to provide "out of network" coverage for children with catastrophic illnesses. | This bill, "Breann's Law," is named for Breann LaManna, a young New Jersey girl who was denied "out-of-network" coverage for a life threatening illness. The bill requires health insurers, as well as the State Health Benefits Plan and NJ Family Care, to provide benefits for services provided by an "out-of-network" provider to the same extent as they would be provided if performed in-network, when the services are for a covered child who is suffering from a catastrophic illness, after a referral from an in-network provider. Catastrophic illness, is defined in the bill as an acute or prolonged illness usually considered to be life-threatening or with the threat of serious residual disability. | In Committee |
| A1097 | Establishes a formula for the distribution of State aid to school districts. | Whereas, paragraph 1 of Article III states, "The powers of the government shall be divided among three distinct branches, the legislative, executive, and judicial. No person or persons belonging to or constituting one branch shall exercise any of the powers properly belonging to either of the others, except as expressly provided in this Constitution." Whereas, paragraph 1 of Section IV of Article VIII states, "The Legislature shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of free public schools for the instruction of all the children in the State between the ages of five and eighteen years." Whereas, paragraph 2 of Section IV of Article VIII states, "The fund for the support of free public schools...shall be annually appropriated to the support of free public schools, and for the equal benefit of all the people of the State." Whereas, paragraph 7 of Section I of Article VIII states that the income tax is to be, "...annually appropriated...exclusively for the purpose of reducing or offsetting property taxes." This bill establishes a new formula for the allocation of State aid to school districts to satisfy the Legislature's constitutional responsibility to provide for a system of free public schools. The bill provides State aid by determining a per pupil amount of State aid and multiplying that amount by the school district's projected resident enrollment for the budget year. The per pupil State aid amount is determined after the State Treasurer projects the total revenue amount from the State income tax for the budget year. Following the determination of the projected total State income tax, the Department of Education is to divide that amount by the total projected resident enrollment of the school districts. The department determines each school district's State aid by multiplying this per pupil State aid amount by the district's projected resident enrollment. | In Committee |
| A1744 | Provides certain veteran benefits to veterans of the global war on terror conflicts and those of certain military engagements served during certain periods. | This bill provides veterans status to a veteran of any operation, mission or conflict during the global war on terror, including those who served in Operation Noble Eagle, in the United States or abroad. Under current law, only members of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom are veterans of the global war on terror. Under current law, members of Noble Eagle or any other concurrent or subsequent operation, mission or conflict related to the global war on terror do not qualify. This bill will include those persons. This bill amends several statutes that define "veteran" for the purposes of civil service hiring preferences, the purchase of service credit and the calculation of retirant benefits in the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) and Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF), for the purchase of service credit in the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS), and for the receipt of a property tax deduction or exemption. Also, under this bill, the "in country" 14-day active service requirement that limits the definition of veteran for some military engagements is supplemented with a minimum 90-day active military service requirement regardless of location, exclusive of any period (1) of assignment for a course of education or training which course was a continuation of a civilian course and was pursued to completion, or (2) as a cadet or midshipman at one of the service academies, or (3) of service performed pursuant to an enlistment in the Army National Guard or Air National Guard or in the Army Reserve, Naval Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, or Coast Guard Reserve, unless mobilized for active duty at the call of the President of the United States, provided, that any person receiving an actual, service-incurred injury or disability will be classed as a veteran, whether or not he has completed the 90 days' service as herein provided. Consequently, active military service for at least 90 days performed anywhere, in whole or in part, during the dates for the specific engagements named will qualify a person as a "veteran" for the purposes of the statutes amended. Thus, the bill will permit a greater number of individuals to receive the benefits specified. | 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 |
| A1740 | Provides gross income tax deduction for New Jersey fuel taxes paid through purchases of motor fuel for personal use of motor vehicles. | This bill provides a New Jersey gross income tax deduction for all New Jersey State fuel taxes that are paid by taxpayers on purchases of motor fuel for the operation for personal use of the taxpayer's motor vehicles and not otherwise reimbursed. Under the bill, the gross income tax deduction is allowed for taxpayers at any income level and in any filing status, and is capped at $1,000 for the 2020 taxable year and at $2,000 for each taxable year beginning thereafter. | In Committee |
| A1728 | Reestablishes senior citizen supplemental stabilization aid. | This bill reestablishes the State education aid category known as senior citizen supplemental stabilization aid. This aid category was originally established under the "Comprehensive Educational Improvement and Financing Act of 1996" (CEIFA), P.L.1996, c.138, and provided additional aid to school districts located in municipalities in which at least 45% of the residents were 65 years old or older. The statute authorizing this State aid category was repealed with the passage of the "School Funding Reform Act of 2008," P.L.2007, c.260. Under this bill, $500 per pupil will be provided for students residing in municipalities in which at least 51% of the residents are 65 years old or older. According to the 2000 federal decennial census, two municipalities, Manchester Township and Berkeley Township, meet the 51% threshold. Since Berkeley Township is one of the constituent municipalities of the Central Regional School District, the additional aid for the Berkeley students attending this district will be used to reduce the township's share of the regional school tax apportionment. | In Committee |
| A1721 | Establishes special dredging account; directs $5,000,000 of sales tax collected annually be deposited therein; directs DEP to administer account and dredging program with certain requirements. | This bill dedicates $5,000,000 from sales tax revenues to a special dredging account, created in this bill and named the "The Community and Navigational Waterways Restorative and Maintenance Dredging Account," for the purposes of funding the dredging of waterways in the State outside of the port region. More specifically, the monies are to be used for the dredging of navigational waters in the State, or the restorative and maintenance dredging of waterways in the State that may not be officially designated as navigational waters by the Department of Environmental Protection but provide boat access from open water to residential dwelling units in coastal areas. The bill requires that no less than one quarter of the monies deposited in the account shall be allocated by the Department of Environmental Protection to the restorative and maintenance dredging of waterways in the State that provide boat access from open water to residential dwelling units in coastal areas. The bill further requires that the Department of Environmental Protection establish then annually update a list of eligible waterways in the State and a prioritized list of the dredging projects. The bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection to be as broad as possible in determining eligibility and to seek out and include recommendations from counties, municipalities, residential communities, or any task force concerning lagoon communities that may be established. Finally, the bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection to submit to the Governor and Legislature the eligible waterways and prioritized project lists, a list of the projects and their cost funded in the previous calendar year, and a list of the projects and their cost projected to be funded in the current calendar year. The "Port of New Jersey Revitalization, Dredging, Environmental Cleanup, Lake Restoration, and Delaware Bay Area Economic Development Bond Act of 1996," P.L.1996, c.70, provided $185,000,000 to the port region for dredging projects but the majority of $20,000,000 provided for non-port region dredging projects has been held for the Delaware River deepening project, leaving essentially no funding for any dredging projects outside of the port region. Each year, substantial sales tax revenues are collected on sales of boats, powered personal watercraft (jet skis), motor boat engines, boat trailers and other recreational boating and powered personal watercraft supplies and equipment, and the Legislature finds it appropriate to use these revenues for maintaining the waterways on which the vessels, supplies and equipment were sold to be used. | In Committee |
| A1736 | Caps State use portion of energy tax revenues and ensures balance of such revenues are paid annually as municipal aid. | This bill limits the amount of annual energy tax revenues that the State may retain as general State revenue to the amount the State budget "skimmed" in fiscal year 1998, or $403 million. The remaining balance must be paid out annually to municipalities so as to provide for enhanced property tax relief. In so doing, the bill ensures that, unlike in some years past, New Jersey's municipalities are not shortchanged when energy-sector tax collections grow. The State and its municipalities share energy tax revenues. Recent State budgets have routinely shifted the allocation formula in the State's favor by holding the municipal share flat and apportioning to the State all the revenue growth. The bill breaks this abusive pattern by mandating that the State cannot retain more than the $403 million per year that it "skimmed" in fiscal year 1998 and that any excess amounts are disbursed to municipalities in proportion to each municipality's prior year State aid distribution from this source. The table below illustrates the allocation of annual energy tax revenues between the State and its municipalities under current law. Energy Tax Revenue Allocation between State and Municipalities Fiscal YearState Use PortionMunicipal Aid1998$403,000,000 (Bill's Cap)$740,000,0002008$948,000,000$789,000,0002009$926,000,000$789,000,0002010$844,000,000$789,000,0002011$841,000,000$789,000,0002012$389,000,000$789,000,0002013$436,000,000$789,000,0002014$337,000,000$789,000,0002015 est.$321,000,000$789,000,0002016 est.$326,000,000$789,000,000 | In Committee |
| A1737 | Prohibits seller of real estate to transfer realty transfer fee liability to buyer. | This bill prohibits any seller of real estate from entering into a contract for the sale of real estate that obliges the purchaser to pay the realty transfer fee statutorily imposed on the seller. For any violation of this prohibition a buyer would have a right to bring a civil action to require the seller to pay to the buyer the amount of realty transfer fee paid by the buyer plus $1,000 and the amount of reasonable legal expenses incurred by the buyer. The statutes unambiguously assign the liability for payment of the realty transfer fee to the seller of real estate. Nonetheless, many contracts for the sale of real estate stipulate that the purchaser pay the fee. By explicitly prohibiting this transfer of liability to purchasers, the bill disavows the practice and reaffirms the intent of the existing law that the liability for payment rests exclusively with the seller. | In Committee |
| A1774 | Exempts veterans from camping facilities fees at State parks and forests. | This bill exempts veterans from being required to pay any camping facilities fee for the use of campsites, cabins, lean-tos, and shelters at State parks and forests. | In Committee |
| A1723 | Revises law concerning sexually oriented businesses. | This bill would amend current law to prohibit the operation of a sexually oriented business within 2,500 feet, increased from the current 1,000 feet, of any existing sexually oriented business, any church, synagogue, temple or other place of public worship, any elementary or secondary school or any school bus stop, any municipal or county playground or place of public resort and recreation, or any hospital or any child care center, or within 2,500 feet of any area zoned for residential use. This bill would also authorize the governing body of a municipality, by ordinance, to regulate the time, place and manner of operation of a sexually oriented business, and to require the licensure of a sexually oriented business and its employees, including independent contractors. Under the bill, "time, place and manner of operation" shall mean the hours of operation of a sexually oriented business, the interior configuration of the business, including the distance between certain employees and patrons, and the degree of allowable nudity to be demonstrated by the performers employed by the business. The bill also requires that a sexually oriented business shall close no later that 11:00 P.M. and shall maintain a distance of not less than six feet between its performers and patrons at all times, unless the governing body of the municipality in which a sexually oriented business is located, by ordinance, sets a later closing time and a shorter distance between the performers and patrons. | In Committee |
| A730 | Requires local government units to provide opportunities for military- or veteran- owned businesses to supply materials and services for projects receiving funding from NJ Infrastructure Bank. | This bill would require the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (NJIB) to adopt rules and regulations requiring a local government unit which receives a loan or guarantee for a project to establish a program to provide opportunities for businesses owned by members of the military or veterans, or their spouses, to supply materials and services for a contract. Under current law, the NJIB is required to adopt rules and regulations requiring a local government unit that receives a loan or guarantee for a project to establish an affirmative action program for the hiring of minority workers in the performance of any construction contract for that project and to establish a program to provide opportunities for socially and economically disadvantaged contractors and vendors to supply materials and services for the contract, consistent with the provisions of the "Law Against Discrimination," P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-1 et seq.). This bill would expand the requirement to require a program to provide opportunities for businesses owned by members of the military or veterans, or their spouses, to supply materials and services for the contract. | In Committee |
| A1738 | Exempts small businesses from apprenticeship requirement under "The Public Works Contractor Registration Act." | This bill exempts small businesses that register under "The Public Works Contractor Registration Act," P.L.1999, c.238 (C.34:11-56.48 et seq.) to bid on public works projects from the requirement that they participate in a registered apprenticeship program. Under current law, all contractors are required to participate in a registered apprenticeship program under "The Public Works Contractor Registration Act" to be eligible for public works contracts. The bill defines "small business" as any employer who employed 10 or fewer workers for every working day during each of a majority of the calendar workweeks in the current calendar year and 10 or fewer workers for every working day during not less than 48 calendar workweeks in the preceding calendar year, except that, if the employer was newly established during the preceding calendar year, the employer will be regarded as a "small business" if the employer employed 10 or fewer workers for every working day during all of the weeks of that year, and during a majority of the calendar workweeks in the current calendar year, and, if the employer is newly established during the current calendar year, the employer will be regarded as a "small business" if the employer employed 10 or fewer workers for every working day during a majority of the calendar workweeks in the current calendar year. | In Committee |
| A1743 | Authorizes municipalities to establish dredging control reserve fund. | This bill authorizes a municipality to establish a dredging control reserve fund. Unexpended balances budgeted annually for dredging may be lapsed into the reserve. Upon passage of a resolution of the municipality's governing body, funds in the reserve may be used by the municipality after current budget appropriations for any purpose related to dredging, including, but not limited to, the removal of sand, silt, mud, clay, rock, or other material from the bottom of a waterway in order to maintain or deepen navigation channels and berths, related infrastructure development of such a project, the management of the dredged material through decontamination, acceptable placement or beneficial use, and the potential funding of such projects as necessary to support New Jersey's or the municipality's maritime, recreation, or tourism industries. Any reimbursement of these expenditures shall be deposited back into the reserve. Unexpended balances budgeted annually for expenses relating to dredging control may be lapsed into the reserve. | 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 |
| 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 |
| A1724 | Requires court to consider results of domestic violence assessment before dissolving certain domestic violence restraining orders. | This bill requires the court to consider the results of a domestic violence assessment before dissolving a final restraining order when the defendant has two or more restraining orders against him. The defendant would be responsible for the costs of the assessment and the assessment would be considered confidential. The bill defines a "domestic violence assessment" as an assessment performed by a psychiatrist, licensed psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, or licensed professional counselor with the goal of determining the likelihood that the offender will commit future acts of violence, abuse or other unacceptable behavior that could pose a threat to the victim, the victim's family, the victim's property, or other person identified as being at risk. The substitute requires the Administrative Office of the Courts to develop standards for persons who are eligible to conduct the assessments. The bill also codifies the factors currently considered by the court in determining whether a defendant who has applied to dissolve a final order has established requisite good cause. Those factors, as set forth in Carfagno v. Carfagno, 288 N.J.Super. 424 (Ch. Div. 1995), are: (1) whether the victim voluntarily consents to dissolve the final order; (2) whether the victim fears the defendant; (3) the nature of the current relationship between the victim and defendant; (4) the number of times the defendant has been convicted of contempt for violating the final order; (5) whether the defendant has a continuing involvement with drug or alcohol abuse; (6) whether the defendant has been involved in other violent acts with other persons; (7) whether the defendant has engaged in counseling; (8) the age and health of the defendant; (9) whether the victim is acting in good faith in opposing the defendant's request for dissolution; and (10) whether another jurisdiction has entered a restraining order protecting the victim from the defendant. Finally, the bill clarifies that when there is a complaint for a restraining order, the court may order a domestic violence assessment. Current law authorizes the court to order a psychiatric evaluation. | In Committee |
| A2526 | Requires school district to allow graduating student to wear military sash while participating in high school graduation ceremony. | Under current law, school districts are required to allow a student to wear a military dress uniform issued by a branch of the United States Armed Forces while participating in the student's high school graduation ceremony if the student has:1. fulfilled all of the State and local requirements for receiving a high school diploma, and is otherwise eligible to participate in the high school graduation ceremony; and2. completed basic training for, and is an active member of, a branch of the United States Armed Forces. This bill amends the law to also require school districts to allow graduating students to wear a military sash or stole issued to the student by a branch of the United States Armed Forces while participating in their high school graduation ceremony if they have fulfilled all of the State and local requirements for receiving a high school diploma, and are otherwise eligible to participate in the high school graduation ceremony. A military sash or stole is worn atop a graduation robe and is issued by a recruiter of the graduate's service branch upon enlistment. | In Committee |
| A1765 | Provides for immediate driver's license suspension under certain circumstances. | This bill requires the Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission to immediately suspend the driver's license of a person who has committed certain traffic violations which result in the death or serious bodily injury of another person. Under current law, the chief administrator is authorized to immediately issue a preliminary suspension of a driver's license for good cause and without hearing if the person allegedly committed any of the following violations: (1) speeding in excess of 20 miles per hour over the speed limit; (2) drunk driving; (3) reckless driving; and (4) leaving the scene of an accident. This bill would change this law to make it mandatory for the chief administrator to immediately suspend a person's license under these circumstances. The bill also expands the violations triggering an immediate driver's license suspension to include driving in violation of a condition of an examination permit, a special learner's permit, or a provisional driver's license, including driving with more than the allowed number of passengers or driving during prohibited hours. | In Committee |
| A2740 | Exempts certain veterans from gross income tax. | This bill exempts certain veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard of New Jersey from the gross income tax. To qualify for the exemption, a veteran must: (1) be honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, a reserve component thereof, or the National Guard of New Jersey in a federal active duty status; and (2) have gross income of $50,000 or less. | In Committee |
| A1767 | Subjects spent nuclear fuel located in a decommissioned nuclear power plant to taxation as business personal property. | This bill would amend R.S.54:4-1 to make spent nuclear fuel that is located in a decommissioned nuclear power plant business personal property that is subject to property taxation pursuant to chapter 4 of Title 54 of the Revised Statutes. | In Committee |
| A2392 | Eliminates veterans' gross income tax deduction requirement that New Jersey National Guard member serve in federal active duty status. | This bill eliminates the requirement that a New Jersey National Guard member serve in federal active duty status in order to qualify for the veterans' gross income tax deduction. A member of the New Jersey National Guard, who has been honorably discharged or otherwise been released under honorable circumstances, may claim a gross income tax deduction of $3,000 per taxable year. Under this bill, this veterans' gross income tax deduction is available regardless of whether the servicemember claiming the deduction was, at any point, called up for federal active duty status (meaning military service under the jurisdiction of the United States Secretary of Defense pursuant to 10 U.S.C. s.1209). This bill honors the service of the men and woman who enlist in the New Jersey National Guard. These servicemembers, as with all members of our armed forces, dedicate their time, make personal sacrifices, and incur costs for the benefit of the State and its residents. Accordingly, these servicemembers deserve the same honor, recognition, and tax relief already afforded under State law to veterans of other military branches. | In Committee |
| A1049 | Increases income eligibility limit for homestead property tax reimbursement program. | This bill would double the income eligibility limits for the homestead property tax reimbursement program, also commonly known as the senior and disabled citizens' property tax freeze program, beginning in tax year 2017. The homestead property tax reimbursement program provides certain senior and disabled homeowners a reimbursement of any annual increase in property taxes above the amount of the tax liability for the year in which the homeowner became eligible for the program. The program applies to anyone who? is 65 or more years of age, or who is a disabled person;? is an owner of a homestead or leases a site in a mobile home park on which site the person owns a manufactured or mobile home;? has an annual income below the amount specified in the law governing the program; and? has paid property taxes directly, or through rent, on any homestead or rental unit used as a principal residence in this State for at least 10 consecutive years, at least three of which were as owner of the homestead for which a reimbursement is first sought, or after moving to another homestead in New Jersey, in the full second tax year after moving. Under the bill, the income eligibility limits for the program will increase to $160,000 from $80,000 in tax year 2017 for single claimants and for married couples. This increase in the income limits will allow additional citizens to benefit from the program, which effectively holds qualified participants harmless from property tax increases on their homestead after establishing their "base year" liability for the tax. | In Committee |
| A320 | Expands NJT Access Link paratransit service area to include certain veterans health care facilities; appropriates $1 million. | This bill requires the New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit) to expand its Access Link paratransit service area to include every health care facility operated by the United States Veterans Health Administration in the State (i.e., veterans health care facility). Under the federal "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990," any public entity that operates a fixed route, public transportation system is required to provide complementary, origin-to-destination paratransit service for persons with a disability. In compliance with this requirement, NJ Transit currently makes available Access Link paratransit service. As required under federal law, Access Link service is generally made available for origins and destinations that are located within a three-quarter mile radius of NJ Transit's existing bus routes and light rail stations. Notably, this bill requires NJ Transit to make available Access Link paratransit service to and from every veterans health care facility, regardless of whether the facility is located within the minimum paratransit service area required under federal law. Specifically, the bill requires NJ Transit to expand the Access Link service area to include any origins and destinations within: (1) a radius of 1.5 miles around each veterans health care facility; and (2) a width of 1.5 miles on each side of the most direct route connecting each veterans health care facility to NJ Transit's closest existing fixed bus route or light rail station. However, this expanded service area would not include any origins or destinations in which NJ Transit does not have the legal authority to operate paratransit service. Under the bill, NJ Transit would also be prohibited from entering into any contract, or exercising any option to extend an existing contract, concerning the provision of Access Link service by a paratransit service provider unless the contract or option complies with the requirements of this bill. The bill also appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Fund to NJ Transit to defray any costs incurred in the implementation of this bill. | 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 |
| 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 |
| A2461 | Allows gross income tax deduction for surviving spouses of certain veterans. | This bill provides an annual exemption under the New Jersey gross income tax, in the amount of $3,000, to a taxpayer who is the surviving spouse of a qualifying veteran of active duty military service. Under current law, a taxpayer who is a veteran honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from active duty in the United States Armed Forces or a reserve component thereof, or the National Guard of New Jersey in a federal active duty status, may be eligible to receive a gross income tax exemption in the amount of $6,000 for each taxable year in which the veteran qualifies. This bill extends this veterans' exemption to the surviving spouse of a veteran who has: (1) died while on active duty; (2) was honorably discharged from active duty; or (3) was released from active duty under honorable circumstances. If a surviving spouse remarries, he or she becomes no longer eligible to receive the exemption. The following terms are defined elsewhere in the statutes and are incorporated by reference: "active duty" means duty in the active military service; and "armed forces" means the land, air, and sea forces established by State or federal laws, as applicable. This bill extends the veterans' gross income tax exemption to surviving spouses in order to acknowledge the burdens borne by the widows and widowers of our veterans. Tax relief of this nature is a means to further boost the economic security of those individuals who sacrificed to safeguard our security and freedom. | In Committee |
| A1771 | Requires schools to report certain assaults to law enforcement. | This bill requires schools to report certain assaults to law enforcement. Under the bill, a public school employee is required to alert the principal or the principal's designee after becoming aware that a student has allegedly committed an assault upon another student on school property, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored function. After receiving notification, the principal or principal's designee is required to immediately report the incident to the appropriate law enforcement agency. This bill defines "assault" as attempting to cause or purposely, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury to another. "Law enforcement agency" is defined as a department, division, bureau, commission, board or other authority of the State or of any political subdivision thereof which employs law enforcement officers. This bill is in response to the death of Central Regional High School student Adriana Kuch. Adriana Kuch committed suicide after a video of her being assaulted by four classmates on school property was posted on the Internet. The school did not report the assault to the police. It is the intent of this bill to require schools to immediately report similar incidents of assault to the police. | In Committee |
| A260 | Excludes bonuses for reenlistment or voluntary extension of enlistment in armed forces from gross income. | This bill excludes from taxable gross income under the New Jersey gross income tax certain bonuses received by members of the Armed Forces. Amounts received as bonuses for reenlisting or voluntarily extending enlistment may be excluded from gross income pursuant to this bill. The purpose of the bill is to provide tax relief to taxpayers that valiantly and unselfishly serve their country, often at considerable sacrifice to themselves and their families, by allowing them to exclude reenlistment and voluntary extension of enlistment bonuses from taxable gross income. | In Committee |
| ACR65 | Urges President of United States and United States Congress to annually financially compensate every local unit of government in United States where there is located decommissioned nuclear power plant in which spent nuclear fuel is stored. | This concurrent resolution urges the President and the United States Congress to enact legislation to annually financially compensate every local unit of government in the United States in which there is located a decommissioned or no longer functioning nuclear power plant in which spent nuclear fuel is currently stored, until a federal nuclear waste storage facility is operational in the United States and the spent nuclear fuel can be relocated to that facility. These decommissioned nuclear power plants cannot be repurposed, or redeveloped, as long as the spent nuclear fuel remains stored on the premises. Effectively, these properties are contaminated sites, and have no value for property taxation purposes, causing all other property taxpayers in these municipalities to pay higher property taxes. The "Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982," 42 U.S.C. s.10101 et seq., assigned to the United States Department of Energy the responsibility to site, build, and operate a deep geologic repository for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel. This federal repository was never constructed, so local units of government in which these nuclear power plants exist have effectively become permanent repositories for the spent nuclear fuel once these plants are decommissioned. Therefore, it is fitting for the United States Government, through the Nuclear Waste General Fund, to provide financial compensation to these local units of government for lost property tax revenue in every year in which the federal repository did not exist, and for the burden of becoming the de facto interim storage facilities for stranded nuclear waste. | In Committee |
| A1752 | Exempts veterans' organizations from motor vehicle registration fee. | This bill exempts veterans' organizations charted under federal law from being charged a fee for the registration of motor vehicles not used for pleasure or hire. Only certain State and local government entities and civic organizations are currently exempted from paying a motor vehicle registration fee. | 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 |
| A2401 | Concerns removal of abandoned vessels; appropriates $25 million. | This bill establishes the New Jersey Abandoned and Derelict Boat Removal working group, a fund to reimburse municipalities for the cost of removing abandoned vessels, and appropriates $25,000,000. The working group will be allocated within the Department of Law and Public Safety. The working group will be comprised of 21 members and include ex officio members from the federal, State, and local government as follows: the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard or a designee; the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or a designee; the Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police or a designee; the Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Department of Transportation Office of Maritime Resources or a designee; the Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Coastal and Land Use Enforcement or a designee; the President of the New Jersey Association of Counties or a designee; the President of the New Jersey League of Municipalities or a designee; a member of the Marine Trades Association of New Jersey; a member of the commercial fishing industry from the State; and a member of the recreational fishing industry from the State. The working group will also include 11 public members, to be appointed as follows: four public members are to be appointed by the President of the Senate; four public members are to be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly; and three public members are to be appointed by the Governor. The bill requires the Governor to designate a chairperson and any co-chairpersons deemed necessary by the Governor. The working group's responsibility under this bill is to assist local communities in identifying and safely removing abandoned and derelict boats within the State. Within one year of the working group's initial organizational meeting, the working group is required to issue an interim report of its work and provide a copy to the Governor, and the members of the Senate and General Assembly. Thereafter, annual reports shall be issued by February 1st of each succeeding year for the activities of the preceding calendar year. This bill requires that staff support for the working group be provided by the Department of Law and Public Safety. In addition, the bill establishes a fund to reimburse municipalities for the cost of removing abandoned vessels and appropriates $25,000,000 for this purpose. Under current law, municipalities are authorized to remove abandoned vessels under certain circumstances. This bill requires the State Treasurer to establish a program to provide reimbursement to municipalities for the cost of removing the abandoned vessels. Under the bill, a municipality may submit an application for reimbursement in a form and manner determined by the State Treasurer. This bill establishes in the Department of the Treasury a separate, nonlapsing fund to be known as the "Abandoned Vessels Fund." The fund is to be administered by the department and dedicated to providing reimbursement to municipalities for the cost of removing abandoned vessels pursuant to the program established by the bill. The bill provides that the funds contained in the "Abandoned Vessels Fund" are not to be diverted for another purpose, unless the Legislature approves the diversion by a two-thirds majority. The bill also appropriates from the General Fund to the Department of the Treasury $25,000,000 for the provision of that amount to the "Abandoned Vessels Fund" for the purposes set forth in the bill. Under current law, it is unlawful for an owner to abandon a vessel on public land or water or private property without the consent of the owner, except when an emergency exists. An owner who violates this provision is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000. Each day upon which the violation continues is to constitute a separate offense. In addition, under current law, a municipality may adopt an ordinance, or a harbor commission may adopt a resolution, requiring every owner or operator of a vessel that moors or docks in a municipal waterway or grounds on land under the control of the municipality or harbor commission to register with the appropriate official. An owner or operator who violates the provisions of the ordinance or resolution is subject to a civil penalty between $100 and $1,250. Each day upon which the violation continues constitutes a separate offense. Current law provides that these civil penalties are to paid into the treasury of the municipality in which the violation occurred for the general uses of the municipality. Under this bill, these civil penalties are to be paid to the State Treasurer and deposited into the "Abandoned Vessels Fund" established by the bill. Finally, the bill provides that in order to be eligible for reimbursement under the program established by the bill, a municipality is required to adopt an ordinance requiring an owner or operator of a vessel that moors or docks in a municipal waterway or grounds on land under the control of the municipality or harbor commission to register with the appropriate official. | In Committee |
| AJR58 | Designates September of each year as "Chiari Malformation-Syringomyelia Awareness Month." | This joint resolution designates September of each year as "Chiari Malformation-Syringomyelia Awareness Month" in New Jersey to increase awareness of this little-known condition. The joint resolution respectfully requests the Governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing September as "Chiari Malformation-Syringomyelia Awareness Month" in New Jersey and calls upon public officials and the citizens of New Jersey to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs. | In Committee |
| AJR83 | Designates first full week of May of each year as "Teacher Appreciation Week." | This joint resolution designates the first full week of May of each year as "Teacher Appreciation Week" in the State of New Jersey. Following the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the people of New Jersey are reminded of the tireless contributions of their teachers, who have risen to the occasion to support our children during a period of unprecedented crisis. During the public health emergency, which resulted in the closure of all public, private, and parochial schools in the State, teachers quickly responded by developing innovative lesson plans to allow over 1.4 million public school students to continue their education through remote instruction. Despite the many challenges posed by remote instruction, the State's educators successfully employed unique teaching strategies using online platforms to help students understand abstract concepts and develop critical-thinking skills, all of which are essential to academic development. During this time, teachers also spent countless hours collaborating with parents to ensure that every student remains engaged with their schoolwork, even while many of these teachers continue to care for their own children who are also at home. Although the societal effects of COVID-19 may recede with time, the contributions of educators during this public health emergency will always be remembered. In light of these contributions, it is altogether fitting and proper for the State of New Jersey to designate the first full week in May as "Teacher Appreciation Week," which week has been annually observed as "National Teacher Appreciation Week" since 1985. | In Committee |
| A1566 | Prohibits school districts and public institutions of higher education from adopting policies that bar military members or veterans from addressing students. | This bill prohibits schools districts and public institutions of higher education from adopting a policy, or otherwise engaging in a practice, that prohibits or in effect prevents any active member of the United States military or a veteran from speaking to or addressing students, sports teams, student clubs, or any other group or assemblage of students including, but not limited to, school-sponsored events, classes, school assemblies, and graduation ceremonies. A school district or public institution of higher education that is in violation of the provisions of the bill would be subject to reductions in State support. The bill also provides that a school district would forward to the appropriate executive county superintendent any correspondence between the district and an active member of the United States military or a veteran of the United States military who is seeking to speak or otherwise address students, sports teams, student clubs, or any other group or assemblage of students of the district. | In Committee |
| A1739 | Establishes process for recovery of Superstorm Sandy aid overpayments and makes General Fund appropriation. | This bill establishes specific procedures to be used by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to recover overpayments of Community Disaster Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds awarded through the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation Program (RREM) and the Low-to-Moderate Income Homeowner Rebuilding Program (LMI). The bill requires DCA to notify a Sandy-impacted homeowner when it determines that the homeowner has received an overpayment of RREM or LMI funds, which must be repaid to the State. The notice must provide information about the type of debt owed; an accounting of all funds disbursed to the homeowner; an explanation of the homeowner's rights; information on how the homeowner may appeal DCA's determination; information on options for the repayment of debt; and information on any interest and penalties that may accrue if the debt is not paid within the period permitted by the bill. Under the bill, DCA would provide a payment plan to all Sandy-impacted homeowners to repay any over-disbursement debt either in lump-sum or in 60 months, paying as much or as little as they choose per month, over the course of the repayment period until the debt is satisfied. At the end of 60 months, any remaining debt would be transferred to the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services in the Department of Treasury. In cases when over-disbursement was made to a Sandy-impacted, low income or moderate income homeowner, as the equivalent terms are defined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the homeowner does not have sufficient income, assets, or resources to make payments, the homeowner may request to have some or all of the over-disbursement debt compromised. In such a case, DCA would determine whether a low-to-moderate income Sandy-impacted homeowner does not have sufficient income, assets, or resources to make payments. If that determination is made, the over-disbursement debt, except for any portion of the debt the debtor can pay through disposable assets, would be compromised in whole or in part. The bill provides that in making the determination, DCA would evaluate the homeowner's assets, income, and reasonable living expenses to determine whether the homeowner can pay the debt. Additionally, when determining the ability of a low-to-moderate income Sandy-impacted homeowner to repay the debt, DCA may consider the homeowner's age, health, financial hardship, and other extraordinary circumstances as determined by the Commissioner of Community Affairs. The bill also specifies that any Sandy-impacted homeowner who received an over-disbursement of RREM or LMI funds, and for whom a Final Grant Reconciliation Document has been signed by DCA or who has repaid an over-disbursement debt either in whole or in part, may appeal the DCA's determination in writing. Finally, the bill requires that information about the appeals process be placed on DCA's Internet website. | 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 |
| A1742 | Establishes forest firefighter death benefit. | The bill establishes an annual $15,000 death benefit for forest firefighters who die in the line of duty. The Department of Environmental Protection employs part-time forest firefighters who are compensated on an hourly basis. This bill provides an annual $15,000 payment to the families of these forest firefighters who die in the line of duty. The death benefit is to be made payable provided the report of death is filed within 30 days following the accident, but the Commissioner of Environmental Protection may waive the time requirement. The payment is to be made by the State Treasurer from the General Fund. | 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| A3035 | Prohibits certain vehicles from parking in electric vehicle charging spaces under certain circumstances. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Yea |
| 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 | Abstain |
| A4182 | Concerns conditions of employment of certain cannabis workers. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| 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 | Abstain |
| 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 | Abstain |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| S4122 | Revises apportionment of State lottery contributions. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| A5381 | Provides medical documentation requirement for certain members of PERS, PFRS, and SPRS to receive accidental disability retirement allowance for participation in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations; removes filing deadline. | 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| A5563 | Establishes "Summer Termination Program" for certain utility customers. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| State | District | Chamber | Party | Status | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NJ | District 9 | House | Republican | In Office | 06/23/2003 |