Legislator
Legislator > David Bailey
State Assemblymember
David Bailey
(D) - New Jersey
New Jersey Assembly District 03
In Office - Started: 01/09/2024
contact info
Glassboro Office
711 N. Main St.
Glassboro, NJ 08028
Glassboro, NJ 08028
Phone: 856-226-3530
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | 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. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2335 | Requires school districts to provide instruction on history of Latinos and Hispanics as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards. | Requires school districts to provide instruction on history of Latinos and Hispanics as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| 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 |
| S4530 | Requires BPU to revise community solar program targets. | An Act concerning solar energy and amending P.L.2018, c.17. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | An Act concerning transmission-scale energy storage, supplementing Title 48 of the Revised Statutes, and amending P.L.1999, c.23. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| 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. | This joint resolution respectfully: (1) directs the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to investigate PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.'s (PJM) Reliability Pricing Model; and (2) directs the State of New Jersey to collaborate with neighboring states to promote affordable energy practices and to urge PJM to implement market reforms and expeditiously review new electricity generation applications. PJM is the regional transmission organization responsible for coordinating the movement of electricity and ensuring reliable and cost-effective energy distribution in New Jersey, several other states, and the District of Columbia. One of PJM's responsibilities is to administer a capacity market to ensure adequate resources exist on the grid to maintain reliability at the lowest possible cost through a competitive auction. The rising cost of capacity in PJM's capacity market auctions, which contributes to the overall increase in electricity bills for ratepayers, raises concerns about the alignment of capacity prices with the principles of affordability and transparency outlined in New Jersey's "Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act". In addition, delays in PJM's interconnection queue have prevented new electric generation resources from becoming operational in a timely manner. As a result, these new resources, which are needed to maintain reliability at low costs, will be unable to compete in PJM's capacity market auctions in the near future. The BPU has been working to incentivize the development of new generation resources to help meet growing energy demand and thereby prevent increases in energy and capacity prices. The BPU has also been actively working to protect ratepayers from price increases and coordinating with other PJM states to push for capacity market reforms. The BPU's initiatives, led by Governor Murphy, are accompanied by the actions of consumer advocates, who have furthered the region's efforts to reduce prices through additional complaints at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which the BPU has pledged to support. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A5463 | Requires electric public utilities to submit annual report on voting to BPU. | An Act concerning reporting requirements for electric public utilities and supplementing Title 48 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A5687 | Establishes Next New Jersey Manufacturing Program to incentivize in-State manufacturing investments and job creation. | An Act establishing the Next New Jersey Manufacturing Program and amending and supplementing P.L.2020, c.156. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A5959 | Requires report of societal benefits charge revenues and expenditures to be included in the Governor's annual budget message. | This bill requires the Governor's annual budget message to include a report of the revenues and expenditures related to the societal benefits charge. This bill is intended to provide greater transparency regarding the amount of revenues generated by the societal benefits charge and the purposes for which these revenues are expended and allocated. Imposed under P.L.1999, c.23, the societal benefits charge is embedded in customer bills for electricity and natural gas service. The charge is collected by each electric and gas public utility and remitted to the Board of Public Utilities. The proceeds of the societal benefits charge finance energy assistance programs administered through the Universal Services Fund; energy demand management programs, energy efficiency programs, and renewable energy programs administered through the Clean Energy Program; energy consumer education programs; nuclear plant decommissioning; and manufactured gas plant remediation. The bill requires the report to include, for the five most recently completed fiscal years and the current fiscal year, information revenues information concerning the total revenues generated by the societal benefits charge in each fiscal year, as well as an itemized statement of the amount of societal benefits charge revenues allocated, committed for expenditure, and expended for: (1) all energy demand management programs, energy efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy improvements; (2) energy assistance programs supported through the Universal Services Fund; and (3) the incentive programs supported through the Plug-in Electric Vehicle Incentive Fund. Current law does not establish a uniform societal benefits charge rate for all electric and gas public utilities. Each electric and gas public utility determines, with the approval of the Board of Public Utilities, a rate for each component (i.e., utility assistance programs or manufactured gas plant remediation) to be funded through the societal benefits charge. The bill requires the report to also include information regarding the total societal benefit charge rate, and each component of the societal benefits charge rate, for each electric and gas public utility and the amount or societal benefits charge revenue retained by each electric and gas public utility. | In Committee |
| A3558 | Establishes State definition of antisemitism. | Establishes State definition of antisemitism. | In Committee |
| A3518 | Requires MVC to create digital driver's licenses and digital non-driver identification cards. | An Act creating digital driver's licenses and digital non-driver identification cards, supplementing Title 39 of the Revised Statutes, and amending R.S.39:3-29. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| 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. | An Act concerning driver education requirements and safety information for certain road users and amending various parts of the statutory law. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A5736 | Updates certain notification requirements in "Energy Bill Watch" program. | An Act concerning electric and gas public utility billing practices and amending P.L.2025, c.47. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2886 | Requires pharmacies to provide certain information regarding insulin manufacturer assistance programs. | An Act concerning insulin manufacturer assistance programs and supplementing P.L.2003, c.280 (C.45:14-40 et seq.). | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A5466 | Requires BPU to study effects of data centers on electricity costs. | An Act requiring the Board of Public Utilities to study the effects of data centers on electricity costs in the State. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| 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. | An Act concerning the use of certain recently constructed permanent structures for special occasion events held on preserved farmland, and amending P.L.2023, c.9. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A3361 | Establishes limit on rent increase for certain dwelling sites for modular or industrialized buildings or manufactured homes. | An Act concerning rent increases for certain dwelling sites for modular or industrialized buildings or manufactured homes and supplementing chapter 27D of Title 52 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A5278 | Establishes "New Jersey Menopause Coverage Act"; requires health insurance coverage of medically necessary perimenopause and menopause treatments. | Establishes "New Jersey Menopause Coverage Act"; requires health insurance coverage of medically necessary perimenopause and menopause treatments. | Crossed Over |
| S1067 | Directs DHS to conduct landscape analysis of available mental health services. | Directs DHS to conduct landscape analysis of available mental health services. | Vetoed |
| A5462 | Requires electric public utilities to develop and apply special rules for certain data centers to protect non-data center customers from increased costs. | Requires electric public utilities to develop and apply special rules for certain data centers to protect non-data center customers from increased costs. | Crossed Over |
| A5420 | Permits 30-calendar day extension to cure period for certain businesses to address and resolve certain violations. | This bill permits 30-calendar day extensions to cure periods for certain businesses to address and resolve certain violations. Under current law, a State agency, department, or authority may suspend enforcement of any monetary fine or civil penalty, for a period of 60 calendar days, that would otherwise be imposed on a business for a first-time violation that does not or would not result in a significant adverse impact to the public safety or welfare, result in loss of income or benefits to an employee, or present the risk of environmental harm. This bill provides that the State agency, department, or authority may extend the 60-calendar day cure period an additional 30 calendar days for a business where such agency, department, or authority determines that not providing the extension would be contrary to equity and good conscience. | Crossed Over |
| A5601 | Requires State entities to offer optional service for businesses to receive certain notices electronically. | This bill requires State entities that issue legally required notices to businesses operating in this State to provide an optional service for businesses to receive such notices electronically. Such notices may include notices of violations, underpayment notifications, and employee unemployment claims. Within 60 days of the effective date of this bill, each State entity responsible for issuing legally required notices to businesses is required to notify any business within their purview of the optional electronic notification service. State entities are also required to provide the businesses with the necessary information to opt in to the electronic notification service. This bill defines "State entity" as a State department or agency in the Executive Branch of State Government, and any board, commission, corporation, authority, or instrumentality thereof. | Crossed Over |
| AJR216 | 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. | This joint resolution respectfully: (1) directs the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to investigate PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.'s (PJM) Reliability Pricing Model; and (2) directs the State of New Jersey to collaborate with neighboring states to promote affordable energy practices and to urge PJM to implement market reforms and expeditiously review new electricity generation applications. PJM is the regional transmission organization responsible for coordinating the movement of electricity and ensuring reliable and cost-effective energy distribution in New Jersey, several other states, and the District of Columbia. One of PJM's responsibilities is to administer a capacity market to ensure adequate resources exist on the grid to maintain reliability at the lowest possible cost through a competitive auction. The rising cost of capacity in PJM's capacity market auctions, which contributes to the overall increase in electricity bills for ratepayers, raises concerns about the alignment of capacity prices with the principles of affordability and transparency outlined in New Jersey's "Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act". In addition, delays in PJM's interconnection queue have prevented new electric generation resources from becoming operational in a timely manner. As a result, these new resources, which are needed to maintain reliability at low costs, will be unable to compete in PJM's capacity market auctions in the near future. The BPU has been working to incentivize the development of new generation resources to help meet growing energy demand and thereby prevent increases in energy and capacity prices. The BPU has also been actively working to protect ratepayers from price increases and coordinating with other PJM states to push for capacity market reforms. The BPU's initiatives, led by Governor Murphy, are accompanied by the actions of consumer advocates, who have furthered the region's efforts to reduce prices through additional complaints at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which the BPU has pledged to support. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| A4029 | Requires employer or contractor engaged in work for public body to submit payroll records to DOLWD. | Requires employer or contractor engaged in work for public body to submit payroll records to DOLWD. | In Committee |
| A3871 | Requires school districts to provide instruction on history and contributions of Latino and Hispanic Americans as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards. | Requires school districts to provide instruction on history of Latinos and Hispanics as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards. | In Committee |
| S1403 | Requires employer or contractor engaged in work for public body to submit payroll records to DOLWD. | Requires employer or contractor engaged in work for public body to submit payroll records to DOLWD. | Passed |
| A5902 | Requires BPU to work with neighboring states to research and recommend certain action concerning electric capacity and transmission. | This bill requires the Board of Public Utilities (board) to work collaboratively with neighboring states to research and recommend collective action to: (1) require any electric load serving entity in New Jersey to demonstrate to the board that it has contracted for at least 80 percent of the capacity needed to serve its load on a bilateral basis for at least five years into the future; (2) withdraw from PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.'s (PJM) capacity market and either develop a multi-state compact to engage in the fixed resource requirement alternative to secure electric capacity through contracts with private entities, competitive capacity auctions, or some combination thereof, or (3) withdraw from the regional, high-voltage electric transmission grid operated by or managed by PJM and either establish an independent electric transmission grid or join an existing electric transmission grid. PJM's capacity market operates through competitive auctions to procure capacity for future delivery years. However, issues with PJM's interconnection process have delayed new energy generation, which reduces competition. Backlogs to PJM's interconnection queue undermine one of the goals of the capacity auction, which is to incentivize developers to bring more generation to the electrical grid. Further, the Organization of PJM States, Inc., of which the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities is a member, and the Independent Market Monitor for PJM have found flaws in the PJM capacity market, which they claim have led to capacity auction clearing prices that fail to reflect supply and demand. In July 2024, PJM's capacity auction for the 2025/2026 Delivery Year had clearing prices almost 10 times the prices from the previous auction. The increase in capacity clearing prices will result in $14.7 billion in costs to consumers, up from $2.2 billion from the prior delivery year. This result represents the highest capacity prices in the history of PJM's capacity auction. PJM's actions are resulting in increased costs and decreased affordability for ratepayers. And, PJM has not adequately addressed concerns about the impact of rate increases on ratepayers or been responsive to State energy policies. The Legislature therefore determines that it is in the best interest of the residents of New Jersey to work in collaboration with other states to explore alternative options to PJM's capacity auction for securing the capacity necessary for grid reliability. | Crossed Over |
| S2961 | Establishes minimum qualifications for persons employed on public works contract. | Establishes minimum qualifications for persons employed on public works contract. | Passed |
| S4293 | Requires owner or operator of data center to submit water and energy usage report to BPU. | Requires owner or operator of data center to submit water and energy usage report to BPU. | Passed |
| 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 |
| A5548 | Requires owner or operator of data center to submit water and energy usage report to BPU. | Requires owner or operator of data center to submit water and energy usage report to BPU. | In Committee |
| A5260 | Prohibits sale, manufacture, and distribution of certain apparel containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. | This bill would prohibit, beginning two years after the bill's effective date, the sale, manufacture, and distribution of apparel containing intentionally added PFAS within the State. As defined in the bill, "apparel" means (1) clothing items intended for regular wear or formal occasions, including, but not limited to, undergarments, shirts, pants, skirts, dresses, overalls, bodysuits, costumes, vests, dancewear, suits, saris, scarves, tops, leggings, school uniforms, leisurewear, athletic wear, sports uniforms, everyday swimwear, formal wear, onesies, bibs, diapers, footwear, and everyday uniforms or work-wear; (2) outdoor apparel; and (3) outdoor apparel designed for severe wet conditions. A violation of the bill's provisions would be an unlawful practice pursuant to P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.), commonly known as the State's consumer fraud act. An unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act is punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense. In addition, a violation can result in cease and desist orders issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured. | Crossed Over |
| 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. | 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. | Crossed Over |
| A4651 | Establishes penalties for certain conduct related to public brawl and disorderly conduct. | Establishes penalties for certain conduct related to public brawl and disorderly conduct. | Crossed Over |
| A5768 | Requires BPU to revise community solar program targets. | Requires BPU to revise community solar program targets. | In Committee |
| A5517 | Directs BPU to study feasibility of developing advanced reactors Statewide. | Directs BPU to study feasibility of developing advanced reactors Statewide. | Crossed Over |
| A4124 | Establishes minimum qualifications for persons employed on public works contract. | Establishes minimum qualifications for persons employed on public works contract. | In Committee |
| A4971 | Requires EDA to provide grants to certain small businesses affected by State infrastructure and construction projects. | Requires EDA to provide grants to certain small businesses affected by State infrastructure and construction projects. | Passed |
| A5901 | Authorizes construction, installation, and operation of certain energy project components on preserved farmland. | This bill would amend current law to authorize, in limited circumstances, the construction, installation, and operation of energy project transmission and distribution components, facilities, structures, equipment, and improvements on preserved farmland. Under the bill, a person or entity would be authorized to construct, install, or operate energy project transmission and distribution components, facilities, structures, equipment, and improvements on preserved farmland, so long as: (1) the owner of the preserved farmland has granted rights or otherwise approved such components, facilities, equipment and improvements; (2) generating facilities are not located on the farm and the facilities are to be limited to those associated with the transmission and distribution of energy, along with access to such facilities; (3) the components, facilities, structures, and equipment for any single project are located within a right-of-way not to exceed fifty feet in width located as close as reasonably practical, based on applicable constraints, to the edge of the preserved portion of the farm and are installed in a manner subject to the limitations outlined in the bill; and (4) any improvements or use, including roadway improvements, that require access outside of the right-of-way are limited to an additional right-of-way not to exceed fifty feet in width and are allowed only when no other access route is reasonably practical. Any use of preserved farmland that is consistent with the bill's provisions would be automatically allowed without approval required from the State Agricultural Development Committee (committee). However, for any use of preserved farmland that is associated with energy project transmission or distribution, but that is not consistent with the bill's provisions, the person or entity would be required to submit an application to the committee to seek approval before constructing, installing, and operating any energy project components, facilities, structures, or equipment on the farm. The committee would be required to provide the holder of any development easement on the farm with a copy of the application, and the holder of the development easement would have 30 days to provide comments to the committee on the application. The committee would be required, within 90 days of receipt, to approve, disapprove, or approve with conditions the application. The committee may suspend or revoke an approval issued for a violation of any term or condition of the approval or any of the bill's provisions. The intent of this bill is to serve the best interests of the citizens of New Jersey by allowing the construction, installation, and operation of energy project transmission and distribution components, facilities, structures, equipment, and improvements, including improvements associated with access to such components, on preserved farmland without materially depleting the availability of agricultural land in the State and by balancing against the State's need for additional energy supply. | In Committee |
| A5880 | Allows certain redevelopers to be exempt from inactive alcoholic beverage licenses restriction. | Under current law, an inactive Class C alcoholic beverage license which generally is used to sell alcoholic beverages to the public, is required to expire after it remains inactive for two consecutive two-year license terms. The governing body of a municipality may extend this time period for an additional year. This bill establishes an exemption to the two-term expiration period for Class C licenses if they that are used in connection with a premises that is located in or that will be constructed in certain redevelopment, improvement, or revitalization areas. The exemption also would extend to a tenant of a developer, redeveloper, or its affiliate. The bill requires the redevelopment, improvement, or revitalization area to encompass at least 250,000 square feet and have secured site plan approvals from the municipality. It is the sponsor's intent to allow an exemption for these redevelopment, improvement, or revitalization area because the timeframe for these project areas can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including the project's size, complexity, location, permitting process, and design. | In Committee |
| A5862 | Appropriates $34 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for county planning incentive grants for farmland preservation purposes. | This bill appropriates $34 million to the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) for the purpose of providing planning incentive grants to counties for up to 80 percent of the cost of acquisition of development easements on farmland for farmland preservation purposes. The funding in this bill is provided from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues pursuant to Article VIII, Section II, paragraph 6 of the State Constitution, approved by the voters of the State in November 2014. The "Preserve New Jersey Act," P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-50), implements the constitutional dedication of CBT revenues for open space, farmland, and historic preservation. The "Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund" was established pursuant to section 8 of the "Preserve New Jersey Act. Under the bill, five counties will each receive a "base grant" of either $1 million or $500,000, as specified in the bill. Those five counties, plus 10 other counties identified in the bill, would also be eligible to compete to receive an additional grant from the "competitive grant fund" pursuant to subsection c. of section 1 of the bill, in an amount not to exceed $7.5 million. The maximum grant award a county could receive under the bill is $8.5 million (i.e., the $1 million base grant, if applicable, and a $7.5 million competitive grant). The bill also appropriates to the "Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund" moneys from the General Fund already constitutionally dedicated to the "Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund" for the purpose of making the appropriations from that fund required by this bill. The allocations and projects listed in this bill have been approved by the SADC and the Garden State Preservation Trust. | In Committee |
| A5863 | Appropriates $500,000 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for municipal planning incentive grants for farmland preservation purposes. | This bill would appropriate $500,000 to the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) for a municipal planning incentive grant, pursuant to a program established by P.L.1999, c.180 (C.4:1C-43.1), for farmland preservation purposes. The funding in this bill is provided from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues pursuant to Article VIII, Section II, paragraph 6 of the State Constitution, approved by the voters of the State in November 2014. The "Preserve New Jersey Act," P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-43 et seq.), implements the constitutional dedication of CBT revenues for open space, farmland, and historic preservation. The "Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund" was established pursuant to section 8 of the "Preserve New Jersey Act." Under the bill, Oldmans Township, in Salem County, will receive a "base grant" of $500,000, as specified in the bill. In addition, this municipality would also be eligible to compete for an additional grant from the SADC's competitive grant fund, to be financed with monies previously appropriated to the SADC pursuant to P.L.2019, c.450 and P.L.2020, c.139. The maximum amount of such competitive grant funding award would be $1 million, including up to $500,000 in funds appropriated under P.L.2019, c.450 and up to $500,000 in funds appropriated under P.L.2020, c.139. Therefore, the bill allows the municipality to receive up to $1.5 million in funding through both the base grant and eligible competitive grants. The allocations and projects listed in the bill have been approved by the SADC and the Garden State Preservation Trust. | In Committee |
| A3976 | Revises licensure requirements for residential substance use disorders treatment facilities or programs. | This bill revises licensure requirements for residential substance use disorders treatment facilities or programs. Under the bill, the Department of Health (department) is to require an applicant for licensure to operate as a residential substance use disorders treatment facility or program to submit to the department a financial audit that is conducted by an independent, certified public accountant, who is chosen by the department. The applicant is to bear the cost of the audit. The department is to deny an application for licensure if the financial audit reveals business practices or financial activities that are deemed improper or questionable by the department. The bill provides that the department is to require an applicant for licensure to operate as a residential substance use disorders treatment facility or program to complete a criminal history record background check and submit to being fingerprinted. The department is to deny an application for licensure if the results of the criminal background check reveal a conviction involving dishonesty or fraud. Finally, the bill requires the department to periodically conduct unannounced inspections of residential substance use disorders treatment facilities or programs. | In Committee |
| A5373 | Modifies procedures for determination and payment of fair market value in distressed municipalities; concerns real property that is abandoned, vacant, or subject to unpaid taxes. | Modifies procedures for determination and payment of fair market value in distressed municipalities; concerns real property that is abandoned, vacant, or subject to unpaid taxes. | In Committee |
| A5603 | Prohibits advertising artificial intelligence system as licensed mental health professional. | This bill prohibits a person who develops or deploys an artificial intelligence system in the State from advertising or representing to the public that the system is or is able to act as a licensed mental health professional. A violation of the bill's provisions would be an unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act, and would be punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense. Additionally, a violation of the consumer fraud act can result in cease and desist orders issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured. | In Committee |
| A682 | Establishes program in SADC for acquisition of development easements on privately-owned woodlands. | Establishes program in SADC for acquisition of development easements on privately-owned woodlands. | In Committee |
| A1478 | Requires study of ocean energy potential; directs BPU to establish wave and tidal energy generation goals and take other action to establish NJ as nationwide leader in ocean energy. | Requires study of ocean energy potential; directs BPU to establish wave and tidal energy generation goals and take other action to establish NJ as nationwide leader in ocean energy. | In Committee |
| A5270 | Dedicates certain wine tax receipts to "Jersey Fresh Program Fund." | This bill dedicates a portion of the revenue collected from the alcoholic beverage excise tax on certain wine sales to the "Jersey Fresh Program Fund." Specifically, the bill requires the State Treasurer to deposit into the Jersey Fresh Program Fund an amount equal to the revenues generated under the alcohol beverage excise tax at the rate of $0.21875 per gallon of wines, vermouth, and sparkling wines sold by plenary winery and farm winery licensees, as defined under State law. This dedication equates to 25 percent of the tax currently imposed on the sales of these alcoholic beverages. In 1984, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture created the first state-sponsored agricultural branding program in the nation, "Jersey Fresh," in order to distinguish the high quality of New Jersey-produced fruits and vegetables from others in the marketplace. The State-sponsored branding program was later expanded to include "Jersey Grown" for nursery crops, "Jersey Seafood" for aquacultured and wild-caught fish and shellfish, "Jersey Equine" for equine livestock, and "Made with Jersey Fresh" for processed food made with New Jersey sourced agricultural products. The Jersey Fresh Program Fund was established by law in 2017 to enable the collection of voluntary contributions for the Jersey Fresh Program through gross income tax returns. Under current law, the Legislature is required to annually appropriate all funds deposited into the Jersey Fresh Program Fund to the Department of Agriculture for the purposes of providing support to the Jersey Fresh Program, which includes, but not be limited to, funding advertising, promotional, and quality grading program activities to inform consumers about the availability of locally grown agricultural products. This bill expands the scope of revenues that are required to be annually deposited into the Jersey Fresh Program Fund to include a portion of revenues generated from the alcoholic beverage excise tax on the sale of wines, vermouth, and sparkling wines by plenary winery and farm winery licensees. Under the bill, the Legislature would also be required to annually appropriate these monies to the Department of Agriculture for the purposes of providing support to the Jersey Fresh Program. | In Committee |
| A4973 | "The Manufactured Home Park Protection Act"; expands opportunity to purchase for resident homeowners in certain manufactured home parks; modifies certain requirements for disposition of private residential leasehold communities. | "The Manufactured Home Park Protection Act"; expands opportunity to purchase for resident homeowners in certain manufactured home parks; modifies certain requirements for disposition of private residential leasehold communities. | Crossed Over |
| S1277 | Establishes centralized directory for affordable housing, and housing for senior citizens and veterans. | Establishes centralized directory for affordable housing, and housing for senior citizens and veterans. | Passed |
| A5572 | Establishes quorum standards for professional licensing entities under certain circumstances. | Establishes quorum standards for professional licensing entities under certain circumstances. | Crossed Over |
| A5442 | Requires BPU members to have certain experience and complete certain training. | Requires BPU members to have certain experience and complete certain training. | Crossed Over |
| AJR62 | Designates first week of May of each year as "Children's Mental Health Awareness Week." | This joint resolution designates the first week of May as "Children's Mental Health Awareness Week" in New Jersey to raise public awareness of mental health and mental illness in children. Mental illness can adversely affect children in many ways, including increasing the likelihood of a child of being suspended from school, abusing drugs or alcohol, or ending up in the juvenile justice system. Many children with mental health disorders do not receive treatment for their illnesses, due to poor understanding of mental illness and treatment options, stigma or lack of access to treatment. The resolution intends to promote awareness in hopes of improving the lives of children who have emotional disturbances and other mental health disorders. | Crossed Over |
| A4763 | Requires development of educational fact sheet on water safety for public and nonpublic schools; requires DOE to maintain list of locations providing swim lessons. | Requires development of educational fact sheet on water safety for public and nonpublic schools; requires DOE to maintain list of locations providing swim lessons. | Crossed Over |
| A4762 | Designates May of each year as "Water Safety Month" in NJ; encourages DOE to provide resources on water safety. | This bill designates May of each year as "Water Safety Month" to raise awareness for safe water practices and accident and drowning prevention. The bill encourages the Department of Education (DOE), in consultation with the Department of Health (DOH), to provide resources to school districts to hold presentations and educational activities during "Water Safety Month" for students in grades kindergarten through five to provide water safety education. The bill stipulates that the presentations and educational activities may be held in partnership with nonprofit organizations. The bill also encourages the DOE, in consultation with the DOH, to provide resources to public schools to educate students on water safety. | Crossed Over |
| A5435 | Requires Division of Housing and Community Resources in DCA and applicable State agencies and nonprofits to establish a consolidated application for residential utility assistance programs. | Requires Division of Housing and Community Resources in DCA and applicable State agencies and nonprofits to establish a consolidated application for residential utility assistance programs. | Crossed Over |
| A3363 | Establishes centralized directory for affordable housing, and housing for senior citizens and veterans. | Establishes centralized directory for affordable housing, and housing for senior citizens and veterans. | In Committee |
| A4015 | Requires pharmacies to provide certain information regarding insulin manufacturer assistance programs. | Requires pharmacies to provide certain information regarding insulin manufacturer assistance programs. | In Committee |
| A5714 | "New Jersey Loves New Jersey Farmers Act"; provides corporation business tax credits and gross income tax credits to commercial farm operators for price loss. | This bill, which is designated as the "New Jersey Loves New Jersey Farmers Act," provides corporation business tax credits and gross income tax credits to commercial farm operators in an amount equal to the price loss of New Jersey commercial farm products, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture (secretary). Under the bill, a commercial farm operator is allowed a tax credit based on the price loss of New Jersey commercial farm products sold during a tax period. As defined in the bill, "New Jersey commercial farm product" means a crop, including, but not limited to, a fruit or vegetable, harvested for human consumption from a commercial farm. A "commercial farm operator" means the taxpayer primarily responsible for the on-site day-to-day operation of a commercial farm, at which New Jersey commercial farm products are planted, managed, and harvested. The bill defines "price loss" to mean the difference between the baseline receipts and actual receipts for a New Jersey commercial farm product, provided that the amount of the actual receipts is lower than amount of the baseline receipts. Under the bill, "actual receipts" is defined to mean the sum of the actual amounts, in dollars, that a commercial farm operator received in compensation for each unit of a New Jersey commercial farm product sold during the tax period. In contract, "baseline receipts" means the sum of the total number of units of a New Jersey commercial farm product sold during the tax year, multiplied by the monthly reference price for the month in which each unit was sold. The bill defines "monthly reference price" as the average amount, in dollars, as determined by the secretary, that a commercial farm operator should fairly receive in compensation for each unit of a New Jersey commercial farm product sold during that specific month. The bill requires the secretary to accept and review applications for the certification of a commercial farm operator's price loss during a tax period. A commercial farm operator may submit an application for certification of the price loss for a single New Jersey commercial farm product or the total price loss for multiple New Jersey commercial farm products. In addition to such other information and documentation that the secretary may deem necessary, an application for the certification of price loss is required to include: (1) business records of a commercial farm operator demonstrating the actual receipts of each New Jersey commercial farm product for which the commercial farm operator seeks certification of price loss; and (2) an indication of the dates beginning and ending the tax period for which the application is made and calculation of the baseline receipts for that tax period. The secretary is also required under the bill to calculate and publish the monthly reference price for each month of a calendar year, as described in the bill, within 90 days following the final day of that month. Under the bill, any amount of any unused tax credit may be carried forward to the seven tax periods following the year for which the tax credit was issued, after which the tax credit expires. The bill requires the Director of the Division of Taxation to determine the form and manner by which a taxpayer can apply for the tax credit, coordinating with the secretary as necessary. In addition to authorizing tax credits for commercial farm operators, the bill also permits the operators to apply for a tax credit transfer certificate so that part or all of the credit awarded may be sold or assigned in the tax period during which the tax credit transfer certificate is received. The bill provides that a transferee may use the tax credit transfer certificate in the tax period for which it was issued, in the tax period in which it was issued, or in any of the next three successive tax periods. The transferee is permitted to use the credit against tax liabilities in the tax period in which it was issued or in a succeeding tax period, as authorized in the bill, without the need to amend the tax return for the tax period for which the credit was issued. The bill authorizes a transferee to carry forward an unused credit for use in any of the next five successive tax periods, and the unused credit expires thereafter. | In Committee |
| A5695 | Modifies interest rates and accrual of interest on certain unpaid water and sewer utility bills and delinquent municipal taxes, assessments, and other municipal liens and charges. | This bill modifies the interest rates and provides for the deferral of interest that is permitted to accrue on unpaid water and sewer service bills issued by certain public (i.e. governmental) providers of water and sewer services as well as unpaid municipal taxes, assessments, and other municipal liens and charges. The bill amends the "sewerage authorities law," P.L.1946, c.138 (C.40:14A-1 et seq.) and the "municipal and county utilities authorities law," P.L.1957, c.183 (C.40:14B-1 et seq.) to provide that the interest rate permitted to accrue on unpaid service charges due and required to be paid to a sewerage authority or a municipal authority will be equal to the prevailing municipal bond yield, and will be assessed for each month or fraction thereof, compounded annually at the end of each year, from the date the service charge was due until the date the charge is paid. The current interest rate on unpaid charges is fixed by statute at a rate of 1 1/2 percent per month, and has remained unchanged since January 1982. The bill amends the "Municipal and County Sewerage Act," P.L.1991, c.53 (C.40A:26A-1 et seq.) and the "County and Municipal Water Supply Act," P.L.1989, c.109 (C.40A:31-1 et seq.) to provide that the interest rate permitted to accrue on unpaid rates, rentals, connection fees, or other charges due and required to be paid to a local unit or units operating a county or municipal sewerage facility or a county or municipal water supply will be equal to the prevailing municipal bond yield, and will be assessed for each month or fraction thereof, compounded annually at the end of each year, from the date the payment was due until the date the payment is made. The current interest rate on unpaid rates, rentals, connection fees, or other charges is set by statute at a rate that is at least equal to the monthly index for the immediately preceding month for 20-year tax exempt bond yields as compiled by the "Bond Buyer" or any similar index, and has remained unchanged since the laws were enacted in 1992 and 1989, respectively. The bill amends a section of the laws concerning real property taxation, R.S.54:4-67, to provide that the interest rate permitted to accrue on unpaid municipal taxes, assessments, and other municipal liens or charges due to the governing body of a municipality will not exceed three percentage points above the prime rate, and will be assessed for each month or fraction thereof, based upon a 360 day calendar year, from the date the tax was payable until the date payment is made. The current interest rate on unpaid municipal taxes, assessments, and other municipal liens or charges is fixed by statute at a rate that cannot exceed 8 percent per annum on the first $1,500 of the delinquency and that cannot exceed 18 percent per annum on any amount in excess of $1,500, and has remained unchanged since 1979. The bill amends various sections of the laws concerning municipally owned sewer and water utilities, including section 1 of P.L.1952, c.324 (C.40:62-83.1), R.S.40:62-107, R.S.40:62-107.6, R.S.40:62-141, and R.S.40:62-142, to stipulate the rates of interest and penalties due on rents, rates, and other service charges required to be paid to municipalities or a water or sewerage commission of a municipality. Under the bill, interest and penalties will be charged and assessed as permitted for unpaid municipal taxes, assessments, and other municipal liens or charges in accordance with R.S.54:4-10 67. The bill supplements the "New Jersey Water Supply Authority Act," P.L.1981, c.293 (C.58:1B-1 et seq.) to establish that the interest rate permitted to accrue on unpaid rents, fees, and charges required to be paid to the authority for water sold from, or for the use of services of, a water system project will be equal to the prevailing municipal bond yield, and will be assessed for each month or fraction thereof, compounded annually at the end of each year, from the date the bill is originally payable until the actual date of payment. Currently, interest accrues on unpaid rents, fees, and charges at two separate rates set by regulations: the authority charges interest on unpaid payments related to the sale of water from the Raritan Basin System at a rate tied to the interest rate accruing on the authority's short-term deposits and charges interest on unpaid payments related to the sale of water from the Manasquan Reservoir Water Supply System at a rate that cannot exceed 18 percent per annum. The bill defines "prevailing municipal bond yield" as the average estimated yield that would be offered on 20-year general obligation bonds with a composite rating of approximately "A" as reflected by the "Bond Buyer 20-Bond Municipal Bond Index" during the first week of the last month of the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year in which the rates, rents, or sewer and water services charges were due or otherwise required to be paid. During the first week of December 2014, the average estimated yield offered on 20-year general obligation bonds with a composite rating of approximately "A" was 3.83 percent; during the first week of December 2015 that yield was 3.57 percent. The bill defines "prime rate" as that term is defined by the State Uniform Tax Procedure Law, R.S.54:48-1 et seq., and as is determined and redetermined by Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury for purposes of setting and assessing interest due and required to be paid in connection with a delinquent or deficient payment of a State tax pursuant to R.S.54:49-3 or R.S.54:49-6, respectively. During the first week of December 2014, the prime rate as determined by the Director of the Division of Taxation for purposes of setting and assessing interest was 3.25 percent; during the first week of December 2015 that rate was 3.25 percent. In addition, the bill amends the "sewerage authorities law," P.L.1946, c.138 (C.40:14A-1 et seq.) and the "municipal and county utilities authorities law," P.L.1957, c.183 (C.40:14B-1 et seq.), and supplements the "New Jersey Water Supply Authority Act," P.L.1981, c.293 (C.58:1B-1 et seq.), to specify the period of time required to elapse before interest accrues on unpaid utility bills issued by those providers of services. The bill requires at least 30 days to elapse following the date the payment or charge is originally due before interest on the unpaid balance is permitted to accrue. The bill takes effect immediately and applies to all charges, rates, rents, fees, and payments and all municipal taxes, assessments, and other municipal liens and charges that become due or otherwise are first required to be paid on or after the first day of the first fiscal year, of the sewerage authority, municipal authority, governing body or bodies of a local unit or unity, municipality, or authority to which the charge, rate, rent, fee, municipal tax, assessment, or other municipal lien or charge is due or otherwise required to be paid, beginning at least 120 days after the date of enactment. The purpose of this bill is to provide a more standard, consistent approach to setting and assessing interest rates on unpaid water and sewer service bills issued by certain providers of water and sewer services as well as unpaid municipal taxes, assessments, and other municipal liens and charges that allows interest rates to rise and fall based on prevailing rates in the current marketplace. | In Committee |
| A3598 | Requires patient to receive notification of abnormality in chest x-ray; designated as Claudia's Law. | This bill, which is designated as Claudia's Law, provides that if a patient's chest x-ray demonstrates any abnormality, the report provided to the patient is to include the following information, at a minimum: "Your chest x-ray shows an abnormality that may be associated with a risk factor for various illnesses. This information about the result of your chest x-ray is given to you to raise your awareness. Use this information to talk to your health care provider about any risks for illness that pertain to your personal medical history. At that time, ask your health care provider if more screening tests might be useful, based on your risk. A report of your results was sent to your physician." | Crossed Over |
| A4813 | Imposes conditions on drivers approaching stationary vehicles and revises public awareness campaign. | Imposes conditions on drivers approaching stationary vehicles and revises public awareness campaign. | Crossed Over |
| A4374 | Establishes criminal penalties for certain violations of the "New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act." | Establishes criminal penalties for certain violations of the "New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act." | In Committee |
| A5599 | Provides that regional school districts are not subject to State school aid reductions under certain circumstances. | This bill provides that a regional school district that is spending at least 10 percent below adequacy and in which each constituent school district is located in a municipality in which the equalized total tax rate is at least 10 percent greater than the Statewide average equalized total tax rate would not be subject to a reduction in State aid. | In Committee |
| A5600 | Establishes requirements and prohibitions for sale and distribution of certain products containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. | This bill would establish requirements and prohibitions for the sale, offer for sale, and distribution for sale of certain products containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). As defined in the bill, "PFAS" means non-polymeric perfluoralkyl substances, saturated polyfluoroalkyl substances, and side-chain fluorinated polymers that contain at least two fully fluorinated sequential carbon atoms, excluding gases and substances that become gases in use that are regulated under various state, federal, and international programs, and "intentionally added PFAS" means PFAS added to a product or one of the product's components to provide a specific characteristic, appearance, or quality or to perform a specific function. "Intentionally added PFAS" also includes any degradation byproducts of PFAS. Specifically, the bill would prohibit, beginning three years after the bill's effective date, the sale, offer for sale, and distribution for sale of the following covered products, if they are sold to customers for residential use, in the State: (1) apparel; (2) carpet; (3) fabric treatment; (4) cosmetics; (5) food packaging; (6) juvenile products; (7) feminine hygiene products; (8) ski wax; and (9) textile articles. Beginning two years after the bill's effective date, the bill would prohibit the sale, offer for sale, or distribution for sale in the State of any new, not previously used, outdoor apparel designed for severe wet conditions containing intentionally added PFAS unless the outdoor apparel designed for severe wet conditions is labeled with a legible and easily discernable notification that reads "Made with PFAS" to inform consumers that the product contains PFAS. The bill would also prohibit, beginning five years after the bill's effective date, the sale, offer for sale, or distribution for sale in the State of outdoor apparel designed for severe wet conditions containing intentionally added PFAS. In addition, the bill would require, beginning one year after the bill's effective date, manufacturers of cookware sold in the State that contains intentionally added PFAS in the handle of the product or in any product surface that comes into contact with food, foodstuffs, or beverages to list the presence of PFAS on the product label. The product label of a cookware product containing intentionally added PFAS would be required to include a statement, in both English and Spanish, that reads: "This product contains PFAS," and an internet website and quick response (QR) code that links to a website providing information about the reasons PFAS is intentionally added to the product. The bill provides certain exemptions to the labeling requirements for certain cookware. Beginning one year after the bill's effective date, the bill would prohibit the sale, offer for sale, and distribution for sale of cookware containing intentionally added PFAS unless the cookware and the manufacturer of the cookware has complied with the bill's labeling requirements. The bill would also prohibit, beginning two years after the bill's effective date, a person, local government, or State agency from discharging for training purposes class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS. The bill would prohibit, beginning two years after the bill's effective date, a person, local government, or State agency from discharging for testing purposes class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS, unless otherwise required by law or the authority having jurisdiction and the testing facility has implemented appropriate containment, treatment, and disposal measures to prevent releases of the class B firefighting foam into the environment. The bill's provisions concerning class B firefighting foam would not restrict the manufacture, sale, or distribution of class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS or the discharge or use of class B firefighting foam in emergency firefighting or fire prevention operations. In addition, beginning two years after the bill's effective date, for the purposes of training for firefighting operations, fire departments would be required to utilize non-fluorinated training foams or other non-fluorinated surrogates. Training for firefighting operations would be required to be conducted under conditions conducive to the collection of spent firefighting foam regardless of the type of foam being utilized. The bill would establish a civil administrative penalty of not less than $1,000 nor more than $20,000 for each violation of the bill's provisions. The bill would also establish a civil penalty not to exceed $25,000 for a violation of the bill's provisions. The penalties would be assessed for each day during which the violations continued. | 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 |
| S3620 | Requires electric and gas public utilities to establish "Energy Bill Watch" program and include certain information in bills and notices to customers. | An Act concerning electric and gas public utilities and supplementing Title 48 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3587 | Upgrades, and in some circumstances provides for extended terms of imprisonment for, certain retail theft crimes, addresses gift card fraud, and authorizes new Attorney General initiatives to address organized retail theft. | An Act concerning retail theft, amending and supplementing various parts of the statutory law, and making an appropriation. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| 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 |
| A2156 | Authorizes creation of honorably discharged veteran license plates. | Authorizes creation of honorably discharged veteran license plates. | In Committee |
| S3825 | Provides project grant under "Securing Our Children's Future Fund" for career and technical education expansion; appropriates $7.65 million. | An Act concerning project grants under the "Securing Our Children's Future Fund" for career and technical education expansion and making an appropriation. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A3904 | Requires geotechnical testing and certain monitoring of transportation projects. | An Act concerning certain testing and monitoring of transportation capital projects and supplementing Title 27 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4817 | Requires electric and gas public utilities to establish "Energy Bill Watch" program and include certain information in bills and notices to customers. | Requires electric and gas public utilities to establish "Energy Bill Watch" program and include certain information in bills and notices to customers. | In Committee |
| A4755 | Upgrades, and in some circumstances provides for extended terms of imprisonment for, certain retail theft crimes, addresses gift card fraud, and authorizes new Attorney General initiatives to address organized retail theft. | Upgrades, and in some circumstances provides for extended terms of imprisonment for, certain retail theft crimes, addresses gift card fraud, and authorizes new Attorney General initiatives to address organized retail theft. | In Committee |
| A4556 | 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. | 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. | 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 |
| A5327 | Prohibits public procurement of electric vehicles that may have been made through forced labor. | This bill prohibits public contracts procuring electric vehicles that may have been made through forced labor. Under the bill, the State government, State colleges, local governments in this State, and public schools in this State will not be permitted to enter into a contract for the procurement of electric vehicles, or any component of an electric vehicle, unless the appropriate representative obtains a sworn certification from the manufacturer or seller that certifies that no entity involved in the production of the electric vehicle or component for sale used forced labor or child labor in its activities. The bill provides that a civil penalty will be imposed against any manufacturer or seller that provides false or misleading information. The penalty will be $10,000 per false or misleading statement, or 50 percent of the total price paid by the appropriate authority for the vehicles or components, whichever is greater. | In Committee |
| A5255 | Establishes limits for electric public utility rate increases for low- and middle-income households. | This bill establishes limits for electric public utility rate increases for eligible households. Specifically, under the bill, an electric public utility is prohibited from increasing its rates for low- and middle-income households that are also residential households by more than the all-items index for the previous calendar year. The bill provides that an electric public utility that fails to comply with this prohibition is to be fined an amount and subject to any other penalties to be determined by the board. Finally, the bill requires an electric public utility to report the following information to the board: (1) the number of eligible households that benefit from the program; (2) the financial impact of the program on the electric public utility; and (3) recommendations for adjustments to the program. The board is then required, on an annual basis, to issue a report to the Legislature that summarizes the information it receives from an electric public utility under the bill. Under the bill, "all-items index" means the rate of inflation for all items, as determined by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics in its Consumer Price Index reports; "low-income household" means a household with a total, annual household income that is equal to or less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level, as that level is updated annually by the United States Department of Health and Human Services; and "middle-income household" means a household with a total, annual household income that is equal to or less than 400 percent of the federal poverty level, as that level is updated annually by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. | In Committee |
| S3881 | Amends lists of environmental infrastructure projects approved for long-term funding by DEP under FY2025 environmental infrastructure funding program. | An Act concerning the financing of environmental infrastructure projects in Fiscal Year 2025 and amending P.L.2024, c.35. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4992 | Provides project grant under "Securing Our Children's Future Fund" for career and technical education expansion; appropriates $7.65 million. | This bill appropriates a total of $7.65 million from the "Securing Our Children's Future Fund." The total amount is directed to the Cumberland County Technical Education Center in Cumberland County for career and technical education expansion. | In Committee |
| A5225 | Authorizes creation of US Navy Veteran license plates. | This bill authorizes the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission) to issue special United States Navy Veteran license plates to honorably discharged United States Navy veterans. The bill provides that the design of the United States Navy Veteran license plate is to display the words, "U.S. Navy Retired" along with an image or other pictorial designation of Navy insignia. The chief administrator, in consultation with the Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (department), is to select the design and color scheme of the United States Navy Veteran 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 United States Navy Veteran 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 "United States Navy Veteran License Plate Fund." The proceeds of the fund are to be annually appropriated to the department and are to be used to support programs benefiting Navy veterans. The chief administrator is required to annually certify the average cost of producing, issuing, renewing, and publicizing the availability of the specialty license plates. If the average cost per plate exceeds $50 in two consecutive fiscal years, the chief administrator may discontinue the license plate program. The bill also requires that the adjutant general appoint a liaison to represent the department in all communications with the commission regarding the United States Navy Veteran 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 United States Navy Veteran license plate program. The bill requires an individual or entity designated by the department 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 department to receive funds from private sources to be used to offset the initial costs. The commission is not required to design, produce, issue, or publicize the availability of the license plates, until: (1) the individual or entity designated by the department 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 department 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 after the appropriate applications and fees required to offset the initial costs incurred by the commission are provided to the commission. The bill expires on the last day of the 12th month after enactment if sufficient applications and fees to offset the initial costs are not received by that date. | In Committee |
| A5224 | Allows school district to appoint certain specialists to provide school security services to schools. | This bill allows school districts to appoint a school security specialist to provide school security services. The bill defines a school security specialist as a person who is employed by a private company that engages in the business of providing, or undertaking to provide, school security services to schools. The school security specialist also may include a school district employee or any other private individual not employed by a private company that engages in the business of providing school security services to schools. Under the bill, a school security specialist is required: to be sound in body and of good health and moral character; to possess a minimum of 20 years of prior experience in law enforcement, having served in a supervisory capacity during that time and having been separated from that prior experience in good standing; to possess a valid New Jersey driver's license; and to be employed by a licensed security officer company and registered under the "Security Officer Registration Act." Prior to being appointed as a school security specialist, a person would be required to undergo a criminal history record check and successfully complete certain training programs. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, a local board of education may permit a school security specialist to carry a handgun in school buildings and on school grounds, provided the specialist complies with current law. A school security specialist may be deemed by the school principal as a staff member responsible for maintaining order, safety, or discipline in the school who is authorized to receive information as to the identity, charge, adjudication, and disposition of a juvenile charged with an offense. | In Committee |
| S715 | Requires AG to establish rape kit tracking system. | An Act concerning sexual assault forensic evidence kits and supplementing Title 52 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A3899 | Creates pilot program to provide corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for value of certain fruit and vegetable donations made by commercial farm operators. | Creates pilot program to provide corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for value of certain fruit and vegetable donations made by commercial farm operators. | In Committee |
| A4229 | Requires NJEDA to establish loan program to assist beginning farmers in financing capital purchases. | Requires NJEDA to establish loan program to assist beginning farmers in financing capital purchases. | Crossed Over |
| A5175 | Reinstates automatic COLAs for retirement benefits of certain PFRS members. | This bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for annual pension, ordinary disability pension, or accidental disability pension retirement benefits for certain members of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). Provisions contained in P.L.2011, c.78 (C.43:3C-16 et al.), signed into law on June 28, 2011, had suspended the automatic annual adjustment for current and future retirees and beneficiaries of PFRS and other State-administered retirement systems until those systems reach a target funded ratio. Decades of underfunding those systems by the State had placed the systems in precarious financial conditions. Although this bill does not reinstate COLAs for other retirees, it serves as the first step in reinstating COLAs for all retirees of the State-administered retirement systems. Through the prioritization of PFRS, the State will begin this process with retired first responders, police and firefighters, to provide them greater financial security and stability at a time when inflation has significantly eroded the value of their retirement benefit payments, which are already based on the lower salaries of years ago. To that end, the bill includes restrictions intended to limit costs and focus on segments among PFRS retirees expected to be most in need of an immediate benefit. Under the bill, members of PFRS will receive automatic COLAs for annual pension, ordinary disability pension, and accidental disability pension benefits if the member has been retired and receiving retirement benefits for a minimum of ten years. Longer-term retirees generally will have lower pension benefits and be less able to obtain employment to offset the erosion of their benefits. Members of PFRS who are hired more than 30 days following the effective date of this act will not be considered eligible to receive these automatic COLAs. Additionally, members who are enrolled in deferred retirement will not be considered eligible for these automatic COLAs, nor will members who retired with 20 or more years of service but less than 25 years of service. The COLAs will only apply to future pension benefit payments. The bill does not provide for retroactive COLAs. The adjustment in eligible members' pension benefits will be calculated based on an amount up to $75,000 of a retiree's benefit for the first year following the enactment of this bill. Eligible members receiving up to $75,000 of pension benefits will receive a COLA tied to the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. This will ensure that greater initial benefits will be provided to those likely to be most in need. The adjustment in eligible member's pension benefits will be limited to one percent if the member receives more than $75,000 in benefits for the first year following the enactment of the bill. After the first calendar year following the enactment of the bill, the $75,000 threshold will be adjusted annually according to the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, except that the adjustment will be calculated at a rate not to exceed three percent. The bill also grants the cost-of-living adjustment to the monthly pension or survivorship benefit of a surviving spouse, child, or beneficiary that is provided by PFRS. Under the bill, if the Board of Trustees of PFRS fails to comply with the provisions of this bill within six months following the effective date, then the State Treasurer will be responsible for implementing the cost-of-living adjustments. The bill requires the Legislature to appropriate monies from the General Fund as necessary to effectuate the cost-of-living adjustments established under the bill that are sufficient to cover both State and local expenses, and to reimburse each PFRS local employer for the full cost incurred. The bill further provides that this appropriation will take precedence over any additional funding added to the annual State budget by the Legislature through non-emergency supplemental appropriations, resolutions or other changes to the Governor's budget message. | In Committee |
| A1476 | Establishes "New Jersey Target Zero Commission." | An Act establishing the "New Jersey Target Zero Commission" and supplementing Title 27 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A5122 | Amends lists of environmental infrastructure projects approved for long-term funding by DEP under FY2025 environmental infrastructure funding program. | Amends lists of environmental infrastructure projects approved for long-term funding by DEP under FY2025 environmental infrastructure funding program. | In Committee |
| A908 | Requires AG to establish rape kit tracking system. | This bill requires the Attorney General to establish a sexual assault forensic evidence (SAFE) kit, commonly referred to as a rape kit, tracking system. Under the bill, the Attorney General is to issue guidelines or a directive establishing the system. The bill defines a "sexual assault forensic evidence kit tracking system" as an Internet-based system that allows a person, including a victim; a State, county, or municipal law enforcement officer; an employee of a healthcare facility or laboratory, as deemed appropriate by the Attorney General; and any other person, as deemed appropriate by the Attorney General, to track a sexual assault forensic evidence kit through the chain of custody from the time of collection at a healthcare facility to the transfer to a local law enforcement agency, submission to a laboratory, and final disposition. | In Committee |
| A4128 | Prohibits operation of drone over school under certain circumstances. | This bill prohibits the operation of an unmanned aircraft system, commonly referred to as a drone, over a school under certain circumstances. Specifically, under the provisions of this bill, a person commits a disorderly persons offense if the person knowingly operates a drone below 250 feet over the building or grounds of any school for the purpose of conducting surveillance or gathering information without the prior written authorization of the superintendent or chief school administrator. In addition, under the bill, a person commits a disorderly persons offense if the person knowingly operates a drone below 250 feet over the building or grounds of any school and the unmanned aircraft system remains above or hovers above the building or grounds of the school without the prior written authorization of the superintendent or chief school administrator. Further, a person commits a disorderly persons offense if the person uses the building or grounds of a school as a takeoff or landing area for a drone. A disorderly person offense is punishable by up to six months imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. The bill defines, "school" as a public or nonpublic elementary or secondary school within this State offering education in grades kindergarten through 12, or any combination of grades, at which a child may legally fulfill compulsory school attendance requirements. Finally, the bill provides that the bill's provisions do not prohibit the authorized use, in compliance with applicable federal rules and regulations, of a drone by a public employee, or a public entity, or by a first responder in the performance of official duties. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| A4672 | Changes certain Mobility and Transportation Innovation Pilot Program requirements; appropriates $20 million. | This bill amends current law that established the Mobility and Transportation Innovation Pilot Program (program) to expand the program's ability to award grants to local government units and transit agencies to fund public transportation projects throughout the State. Under current law, the program is only authorized to award grants to local government units and transit agencies to fund transportation projects within Mercer County. The bill also establishes additional criteria for the Commissioner of Transportation (commissioner) to consider when approving applications for the program. Specifically, the commissioner is required to consider the degree to which the proposed transportation projects: (1) improve transit system performance; (2) remove barriers to mobility, especially for travelers with disabilities and those without a personal vehicle; (3) improve mobility in disadvantaged communities, such as low-income areas and areas lacking existing public transportation; (4) accelerate deployment of advanced transit technologies, including shared-use mobility services; (5) deliver economic benefits through enhanced mobility; (6) improve safety by reducing roadway collisions; and (7) improve environmental sustainability, particularly by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The bill provides that in order to qualify for a program grant, the transportation project is required to: (1) enable persons without a smartphone or credit card to access transportation services made available through the project and (2) include wheelchair-accessible vehicles and an accessible mobile application as accessibility features that accommodate the mobility needs of persons with disabilities. Finally, the bill appropriates $20 million from the General Fund to the Department of Transportation to support the program, which is in addition to $2 million that was appropriated to the program when the program was first established. | In Committee |
| A4148 | Requires DOH to develop informational materials on type 1 diabetes and DOE to distribute to parents and guardians of enrolled students. | An Act concerning information provided on type 1 diabetes in public schools and supplementing chapter 40 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4626 | Requires construction project applicants to disclose project financing. | Requires construction project applicants to disclose project financing. | In Committee |
| A5047 | Requires certain large developments, to be used as retail facility or warehouse, to be designed and constructed to accommodate load associated with solar panels. | This bill requires newly constructed large retail and warehouse developments to be designed and constructed in a manner so that the load-bearing system for the large development's roof is able to accommodate the additional weight of an operational solar photovoltaic or solar thermal system. The bill applies to such large developments, for which an application for a construction permit has not been declared complete before the first day of the 12th month following the effective date of the bill, and requires the Department of Community Affairs to adopt rules and regulations establishing standards for the design and construction of large developments that are designed and constructed in a manner so that the load-bearing system for the large development's roof is able to accommodate solar photovoltaic or solar thermal systems on such large developments, as specified in the bill. The bill defines the term "large development" to mean any building, room, structure, or facility of at least 75,000 square feet, and which is designed predominantly for use as a warehouse, as otherwise defined in current law, or as a retail facility. The bill defines the term "retail facility" to mean a building, room, structure, or facility used predominantly by one or more retailers who engages in the sale, within the State, of products intended for retail sale to consumers for off-premises use or consumption. The bill would take effect on the first day of the fourth month following the date of enactment, except the Commissioner of Community Affairs would be permitted to take anticipatory action necessary to effectuate the provisions of the bill. Data shows that the retail supply chain contributes 25 percent of greenhouse gas emissions globally, which emissions continue to contribute to global climate change. By requiring newly constructed large retail and warehouse developments to be designed and constructed to accommodate operational solar photovoltaic or solar thermal systems, the sector would contribute less to global climate change while benefitting from economies of scale for the location of these systems in the most densely populated state in the country. | In Committee |
| A4706 | Revises statutes implementing certain property tax relief programs pursuant to recommendations promulgated by Stay NJ Task Force. | An Act concerning the Stay NJ property tax benefit program and amending and supplementing various parts of the statutory law. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3006 | Establishes crimes of home invasion burglary and residential burglary. | An Act concerning burglary of residential dwellings, supplementing Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes, and amending various parts of the statutory law. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A1813 | Prohibits delivery of electronic smoking devices and tobacco products to individuals under 21 years of age. | Prohibits delivery of electronic smoking devices and tobacco products to individuals under 21 years of age. | Crossed Over |
| A2607 | Authorizes taxicabs, limousines, and transportation network companies to provide paratransit services for two-year period. | An Act concerning paratransit services. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4299 | Establishes crimes of home invasion burglary and residential burglary. | Establishes crimes of home invasion burglary and residential burglary. | In Committee |
| A4595 | Requires Executive Branch departments, agencies, and instrumentalities to identify and assess COVID-19 measures and their viability for future potential emergency scenarios. | This bill requires each Executive Branch department, agency, and instrumentality to establish an inventory of regulations, policies, guidelines, waivers, plans, programs, directives, and any other actions developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent executive orders declaring a state of emergency and public health emergency and assess the effectiveness of such measures, their applicability to potential future emergency scenarios, and promulgate rules and regulations, or take any other actions as shall be necessary, to implement such measures in a manner which effectuates a rapid and effective response to potential future emergency scenarios. This bill requires that one year following the effective date of this act, and annually thereafter, each Executive Branch department, agency, and instrumentality provide a report to the Governor, and submit that report to the Legislature, which identifies such measures, provides an assessment of the effectiveness of such measures, details plans for the implementation of such measures in response to potential future emergency scenarios, and makes such recommendations for legislation or executive actions as may be deemed appropriate. Each report shall be made available to the public by posting the report on the web sites of the department, office, or agency. | In Committee |
| A4624 | Requires electric public utilities to submit new tariffs for commercial customers for BPU approval; regulates non-volumetric electricity fees charged to operators of fast charging electric vehicle chargers. | Requires electric public utilities to submit new tariffs for commercial customers for BPU approval; regulates non-volumetric electricity fees charged to operators of fast charging electric vehicle chargers. | In Committee |
| S2876 | Designates State Highway Route 42 and Interstate Highway Route 295 interchange as "Ensign John R. Elliott Memorial Interchange." | An Act designating the interchange between State Highway Route 42 and Interstate Highway Route 295 as the "Ensign John R. Elliott Memorial Interchange." | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2869 | Establishes penalties for employers who disclose or threaten to disclose employee's immigration status for purpose of concealing violation of State wage, benefit or tax laws. | This bill provides that if the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development finds that an employer has, for the purpose of concealing any violation of State wage, benefit and tax laws, disclosed or threatened to disclose to a public body an employee's immigration status, the commissioner is, in addition to imposing any other remedies or penalties authorized by law, authorized to assess and collect an administrative penalty against the employer. Specifically, the bill provides for administrative penalties as follows: (1) for the first violation, an administrative penalty not to exceed $1,000; (2) for the second violation, an administrative penalty not to exceed $5,000; and (3) for any subsequent violation, an administrative penalty not to exceed $10,000. When determining the amount of the administrative penalty imposed pursuant to the bill's provisions, the commissioner may consider factors which include the history of previous violations by the employer, the seriousness of the violation, the good faith of the employer and the size of the employer's business. The commissioner may not levy an administrative penalty pursuant to the bill's provisions unless the commissioner provides the alleged violator with notification of the violation and of the amount of administrative penalty, and unless the commissioner provides the alleged violator an opportunity to request a hearing before the commissioner or the commissioner's designee. Establishes penalties for employers who disclose or threaten to disclose employee's immigration status for purpose of concealing violation of State wage, benefit or tax laws. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4127 | Designates State Highway Route 42 and Interstate Highway Route 295 interchange as "Ensign John R. Elliott Memorial Interchange." | Designates State Highway Route 42 and Interstate Highway Route 295 interchange as "Ensign John R. Elliott Memorial Interchange." | In Committee |
| A4081 | Establishes penalties for employers who disclose or threaten to disclose employee's immigration status for purpose of concealing violation of State wage, benefit or tax laws. | Establishes penalties for employers who disclose or threaten to disclose employee's immigration status for purpose of concealing violation of State wage, benefit or tax laws. | In Committee |
| A4561 | Includes Sikhs as protected class in bias intimidation law; appropriates $100,000. | This bill amends N.J.S.A.2C:16-1, the crime of bias intimidation,to specifically include Sikhism in the protected classes set forth in the statute. Sikhism is the monotheistic religion founded in India in the 15th century by Guru Nanak. New Jersey is home to approximately 100,000 Sikhs, which is one of the largest Sikh populations in the United States. On October 16, 2023, the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI") released its annual report of hate crime statistics, which recorded 198 anti-Sikh hate crime incidents. According to the FBI report, Sikhs remain the second-most targeted group in the nation for religiously-motivated hate crime incidents. Current law enumerates the protected classes of race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, and ethnicity in the bias intimidation statute. Under the provisions of the bill, a person is guilty of the crime of bias intimidation if he commits, attempts, conspires, or threatens the immediate commission of certain specified offenses with a purpose to intimidate an individual or group because of their membership within a protected class, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ethnicity, or Sikhism, or knowing that the conduct would cause an individual or group to be intimidated on that basis or under circumstances in which the victim believes he was targeted on that basis. Pursuant to this bill, all local, county, and State law enforcement entities in New Jersey are to report all violations under the statute to the State and federal law enforcement agencies responsible for preparing bias crime reports. Further, this bill sets forth that the Office of Attorney General, in consultation with the Department of Education, is to: (1) develop training, for the dissemination to county and local law enforcement agencies, on Sihkism, which shall include, but not limited to, visible Sikh identity features, including turbans, bracelets, moustaches, beard, and physical attire, and the classification of bias intimidation cases as anti-sikh, to prevent the misclassification of hate and bias incidents. (2) coordinate with other State agencies and departments in the creation of a public awareness campaign and educational initiatives on Sikhism; and (3) annually report to the Governor and the Legislature on the public awareness campaign,educational initiatives on Sikhism executed through the public awareness campaign across different public platforms, and on the steps taken to include Sikhism education across curriculum standards in different grades across township boards of education within this State. Pursuant to this bill, the New Jersey Office of Attorney General, in consultation with the New Jersey field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, shall develop a transnational repression recognition and response training program that is to include how to identify different tactics of transnational repression and best practices for appropriate county, local and state law enforcement prevention, reporting, and response tactics. Current law establishes within the Division of Purchase and Property in the State Department of the Treasury, the position of Chief Diversity Officer. This bill expands the Chief Diversity Officer's responsibilities to include: ensuring that each public entity of this State incorporate the definition for anti-Sikh hate into the bias intimidation policy of the public entity; and ensuring that the definition of anti-Sikh hate is incorporated into the diversity, equity, and inclusivity promotion policies in any program offered by the State or any political subdivision of the State. This bill appropriates $100,000, for three consecutive years following enactment, from the General Fund to the Office of the Attorney General to fund Sikh awareness educational initiatives and outreach efforts to the Sikh community. | In Committee |
| A4482 | Regulates use of social care information. | This bill regulates the use of social care information. The bill defines "Closed-Loop Referral System" or "CLRS" to mean any system that stores the social care information of one or more individuals; enables the sharing of social care information with and between participating entities for the purpose of referring individuals for social care; and is capable of updating or showing updated referral activity, including data related to participating organizations completing referrals. "Participating organization" means any entity that has the ability to create, receive, or update referrals, or other social care information in a CLRS, including, but not limited to, healthcare providers, health plans, public agencies, charitable and nonprofit organizations, CLRS technology vendors, and entities that provide social care. "Social care" means care, services, goods, or supplies related to an individual's social needs. "Social care" includes, but is not limited to, support and assistance for an individual's food stability and nutritional needs, housing, transportation, economic stability, employment, education access and quality, child care and family relationship needs, and environmental and physical safety. "Social care information" means any information that relates to the need for, payment for, or provision of social care, and identifies the person receiving social care, or for which there is a reasonable basis to believe the information can be used to identify the individual receiving social care. The bill provides that a participating organization is not to sell or license social care information that is stored in or transmitted through a closed-loop referral system. Under the bill, social care information stored in or transmitted through a closed-loop referral system is not to be used for any purpose other than the purpose for which that information was collected or generated. The bill provides that a participating organization that sells, offers for sale, licenses, or otherwise furnishes, provides, or transmits to any other individual or entity social care information in violation of the bill's provisions is to be liable to a civil penalty of $1,000 for each violation. | In Committee |
| A4476 | Clarifies procedures for revocation of pretrial release for certain defendants. | This bill concerns the temporary detention of a defendant who violates a condition of pretrial release, and clarifies the procedures for revocation of pretrial release for certain defendants. Under current law criminal courts are authorized to order the pretrial release of a defendant pending further proceedings, or order pretrial detention of a defendant who is found to be a flight risk, a danger to another or the community, or likely to obstruct further criminal proceedings. A court may revoke a defendant's pretrial release and order the defendant to be detained pending trial if the defendant violates a condition of release or commits a new crime while on release if it finds by clear and convincing evidence that no monetary bail or conditions of release would reasonably assure the defendant's appearance in court and the public's safety, or reasonably prevent the defendant from the obstruction or attempted obstruction of the criminal justice process. Under the bill, a court may, upon motion of a prosecutor, temporarily detain a defendant who has been arrested or otherwise taken into custody if the defendant violates a condition of pretrial release or commits a crime while on pretrial release. The bill further provides that the procedures under current law for determining whether an eligible defendant is to be detained pending trial would apply to defendants who are temporarily detained for violating a condition of pretrial release. This bill encompasses Recommendation #22 of the Report of Reconvened Joint Committee on Criminal Justice Reform, issued on June 7, 2023. | In Committee |
| A3992 | Increases penalties for certain prohibited sales of tobacco and vapor products. | Increases penalties for certain prohibited sales of tobacco and vapor products. | In Committee |
| A4201 | Permits historic motor vehicles to be used for pleasure driving one day per week. | This bill permits the use of historic motor vehicles for occasional travel, which is defined as not more than one day per week. Under current law, owners of properly registered historic motor vehicles are permitted to operate them solely for exhibition and educational purposes. | In Committee |
| A4257 | Concerns applicability of sales tax to certain horse-boarding charges in New Jersey. | This bill clarifies the sales tax collection responsibilities of horse-boarding businesses in New Jersey by providing an exemption from tax for the lease or rental of certain stable stalls and charges for horse boarding and certain other relate services. Under the bill, the taxable service of "furnishing space for storage" is redefined to exclude from tax charges for the lease or rental of certain stable stalls. The bill provides that the service of "furnishing space for storage" does not include, and the taxable service therefore does not apply to, charges for the lease or rental of a stall in a barn, stable, or other similar structure or facility for the boarding or stabling or for the keeping or holding of a horse, pony, mule, donkey, or hinny. The bill exempts from tax certain charges for boarding a horse. The bill provides that charges for storing a horse, pony, mule, donkey, or hinny in a barn, stable, or other similar structure or facility by a person engaged in the business of boarding or stabling or otherwise keeping or holding horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, or hinnies are exempt from the sales tax. The bill also exempts from tax certain services provided for the care of horses boarded by persons engaged in the business of boarding horses. The bill provides that charges for maintaining or servicing a horse, pony, mule, donkey, or hinny that is boarded or stabled or that is kept or held in a barn, stable, or other similar structure or facility by a person engaged in the business of boarding or stabling or otherwise keeping or holding horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, or hinnies are exempt from the sales tax. This bill provides that the tax exemptions established by the bill would apply to taxable years beginning on or after January 1 next following the bill's date of enactment. | In Committee |
| A4204 | Permits marriage or civil union license to be obtained in any municipality in State. | At present, N.J.S.A.37:1-3 provides that a marriage or civil union license can be issued by the licensing officer in the municipality in which either party resides or, if neither party is a resident of the State, in the municipality in which the proposed marriage is to be performed. This bill would permit a marriage or civil union license to be obtained in any municipality of this State, as long as the proposed marriage or civil union is to be performed in the State. The bill directs the Commissioner of the Department of Health to adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary. | In Committee |
| A4224 | "Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act"; requires institutions of higher education to implement mental health programs and services. | This bill the "Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act," requires institutions of higher education to implement certain mental health programs and services. Under the bill, an institution of higher education is required to implement a mental health awareness program which must include, at a minimum: (1) the development and implementation of an annual student orientation session designed to raise awareness about mental health conditions; (2) the assessment of courses and seminars available to students through their regular academic experience and the implementation of mental health curricula if opportunities for integration exist; (3) the creation and prominent display on the institution's website or mobile application of information dedicated specifically to the mental health resources available to students on campus and in the surrounding community; (4) the distribution of messages related to mental health resources that encourage help-seeking behavior through the on-line learning platform of the institution at least once per term and during periods of high stress in the academic year; and (5) the implementation of an on-line screening tool to raise awareness and establish a mechanism to link or refer students to services. The bill requires an institution of higher education to establish and implement a student peer support program. The program will utilize student peers to support students living with mental health conditions on campus. Peer support programs may be housed within resident assistance programs, counseling centers, or wellness centers on campus. A peer support program will utilize best practices for peer support including, but not limited to: (1) utilizing the tenets of the recovery model for mental health developed by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; (2) adequate planning and preparation, including standardizing guidance and practices, identifying needs of the target population, and aligning program goals to meet those needs; (3) clearly articulating policies, specifically concerning role boundaries and confidentiality; (4) systematic screening with defined selection criteria for peer supporters including, but not limited to, communication skills, leadership ability, character, previous experience or training, and ability to serve as a positive role model; (5) identifying benefits from peer status including, but not limited to, experiential learning, social support, leadership, and improved self-confidence; (6) continuing education for peer supporters to support each other and improve peer support skills; and (7) flexibility in availability by offering services through drop-in immediate support and the ability to book appointments. The bill also requires each institution to form strategic partnerships with local mental health service providers to improve overall campus mental health wellness and augment on-campus capacity. The partnerships will include linkage agreements with off-campus mental health service providers that establish a foundation for referrals for students when a student's mental health needs cannot be met on campus due to capacity concerns or preference of the student. The partnerships will include: (1) avenues for on-campus and off-campus mental health service providers to increase visibility to students via marketing and outreach; (2) opportunities to engage the student body through student outreach initiatives including, but not limited to, mindfulness workshops or campus-wide wellness fairs; and (3) opportunities to support mental health awareness and training. Under the bill, the Secretary of Higher Education will develop a Technical Assistance Center. The center's responsibilities will include: (1) developing standardized policies for medical leave related to mental health conditions for students, which may be adopted by an institution of higher education; (2) providing tailored support to the institutions in reviewing policies related to students living with mental health conditions and their academic standing; (3) establishing initial standards for policies and procedures of the expert panel; (4) disseminating best practices concerning peer support programs, including widely-accepted selection criteria for individuals serving in a peer support role; and (5) developing Statewide standards and best practices for partnerships between local mental health agencies and institutions of higher education. | In Committee |
| A4265 | Authorizes provision of monetary awards to whistleblowers who report State tax law violations committed by employers in construction industry. | This bill requires the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury to provide monetary awards to whistleblowers who report tax law violations committed by employers in the construction industry. The bill defines "employer in the construction industry" as an employer engaging in any activity related to the erection, construction, alteration, demolition, repair or maintenance of buildings, structures, bridges, highways, roadways, dams, tunnels, sewers, underground buildings or structures, pipelines or ducts and all other construction projects or facilities. Under the bill, if the director proceeds with an administrative or judicial action against an employer in the construction industry and determines that the action is based on specific and credible information brought to the director by an individual, the director is required to provide that individual an award of at least 15 percent, but not more than 30 percent, of the proceeds collected as a result of the action or from any settlement in response to that action; provided, however, if the director determines an action is based principally on an individual's disclosure of an allegation resulting from a judicial or administrative hearing, from a governmental report, hearing, audit, or investigation, or from the news media, any award provided by the director to that individual may not exceed 10 percent of the proceeds. The bill requires the director to determine the amount of an award based upon the extent to which any information submitted by an individual contributed to the outcome of an action or related settlement. If the director determines that the claim for an award pursuant to the bill is brought by an individual who planned and initiated the actions that led to the violation resulting in the administrative or judicial action in which that individual is a party, the bill permits the director to reduce the amount of the award. In addition, if such an individual is convicted of criminal conduct arising from the individual's role in the violation, then the director is not permitted to provide an award to that individual. The following individuals are also ineligible to receive an award under the bill: (1) an individual who obtained information through the individual's official duties as an employee of the Department of the Treasury; and (2) an individual who filed a claim for an award based on information obtained from an ineligible individual for the purpose of avoiding the rejection of the claim that would have resulted if the claim was filed by the ineligible individual. The bill provides that any complaint with respect to an award provided, reduced, or revoked pursuant to the bill is to be filed within 30 days after the date of the provision, reduction, or revocation of that award. Finally, the bill protects any employee, as defined by the bill, from retaliatory action under the provisions of the "Conscientious Employee Protection Act," P.L.1986, c.105 (C.34:19-1 et seq.). | In Committee |
| A4172 | Concerns discrimination based on membership in a labor organization. | This bill extends protection under the Law Against Discrimination (LAD) to members of a labor organization. The LAD, P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-1 et. seq.), provides protections for those who are members of a protected class, including protection against discrimination in employment, public accommodations, housing, land use, lending, and association membership. Under current law, a member of a protected class includes an employee who has one or more characteristics, including race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, affectional or sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, sex, gender identity or expression, disability or atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait of any individual, or liability for service in the armed forces. This bill provides that members of a labor organization also are members of a protected class who are entitled protection under the LAD. In addition, the bill revises the definition of "labor organization" to include any organization of any kind, including a labor union or any agency or employee representation committee or plan, in which public or private employees participate and which exists and is constituted for the purpose, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining, or of dealing with public or private employers concerning grievances, terms or conditions of employment, or of other mutual aid or protection in connection with employment. | In Committee |
| AR117 | Urges United States Congress to permanently fund Affordable Connectivity Program. | This resolution urges the Congress of the United States to permanently fund the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Millions of Americans are without access to broadband Internet services. As a result, these individuals struggle to improve social outcomes through education, achieve upward economic mobility, gain digital literacy skills, and receive quality healthcare. In 2021, to close the digital divide, the FCC launched the ACP, which provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. In addition, the program offers a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers, under specific circumstances, for eligible households. Currently, over 20 million households receive broadband benefits through the ACP. In New Jersey, as of January 2024, 335,079 households are enrolled in the program. Specifically, New Jersey has received nearly $152 million in ACP funding, resulting in $8.3 million per month in collective cost savings on broadband Internet services for all New Jersey households enrolled in the program. However, the ACP is slated to expire in April 2024 when the program is scheduled to exhaust its $14.2 billion budget. To improve broadband access for millions of Americans, and thereby advance social, economic, and health outcomes for the underserved, Congress is respectfully urged to permanently fund the ACP. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A3991 | Directs State Board of Education to authorize general science endorsement to instructional certificate. | This bill directs the State Board of Education to authorize the issuance of a general science endorsement to an instructional certificate. The endorsement authorizes the holder to teach any science course in grades nine through 12. The bill defines "instructional certificate" as a certificate of eligibility, certificate of eligibility with advanced standing, provisional certificate, or standard instructional certificate. The bill requires a candidate seeking an instructional certificate with a general science endorsement to: (1) possess a bachelor's degree or a master's degree in biology, chemistry, physics, or a related field; (2) achieve a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0, or its equivalent; (3) pass a Commissioner of Education-approved basic skills test; (4) pass a commissioner-approved subject matter test, if applicable, and (5) meet any other requirements as established by the commissioner. Under the bill, a teacher who currently holds a biological science, chemistry, earth science, physical science, or physics endorsement to an instructional certificate may apply for an instructional certificate with a general science endorsement provided the teacher meets the requirements set forth in the bill. | In Committee |
| A4028 | Provides certain resources to county prosecutors for enforcement of law regarding failure to pay wages; makes appropriation. | This bill requires the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD), for purposes of supporting the enforcement of the provisions of State wage and hour laws, to provide funds and training to each county prosecutor's office for the investigation and prosecution of the abovementioned laws and worker exploitation. The bill requires the county prosecutor of each county to establish and assign an assistant prosecutor to the investigation and prosecution of violations of the State wage and hour laws. The bill makes an appropriation from the General Fund to the DOLWD, not to exceed $2,000,000, for purposes of effectuating the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| A3885 | Imposes additional annual registration fee for electric vehicles; reduces rate of highway fuel taxes; authorizes DOT to conduct alternative revenue feasibility study. | This bill would ensure greater tax fairness between the owners of gas powered vehicles and electric vehicles. Namely, the bill would establish an additional annual registration fee for electric vehicles, provide for a reduction in the State tax on highway fuels under both the Petroleum Products Gross Receipts (PPGR) Tax and the Motor Fuels Tax, and require the Department of Transportation to study and make recommendations concerning the dedication of alternative sources of revenue to the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF). Additional Annual Registration Fee for Electric Vehicles The bill first requires the Chief Administrator (chief administrator) of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to impose and collect an additional annual registration fee for each passenger and commercial electric vehicle in the State. Under the bill, the amount of the additional annual registration fee would be $300 for each passenger electric vehicle and $450 for each commercial electric vehicle during the fiscal years beginning on and after July 1, 2025. Notably, the bill requires all revenues derived from these additional registration fees to be collected by the chief administrator and remitted to the State Treasurer for deposit into the TTF. Reduction of Highway Fuel Taxes Next, the bill would enact a 33 percent reduction in the taxes imposed on highway fuels under both the Motor Fuel Tax and the Petroleum Products Gross Receipts Tax (PPGRT), collectively referred to as the "gas tax," beginning with State Fiscal Year 2025. The bill would also permanently extend the procedure by which the rate of tax imposed on highway fuels under the PPGRT is calculated. Currently, the Motor Fuel Tax is fixed at 10.5 cents for gasoline and 13.5 cents for diesel fuel, and the PPGR tax is set at 31.8 cents for gasoline and 35.8 cents for diesel fuel. The Motor Fuel Tax on gasoline would be lowered from 10.5 cents to 7 cents per gallon, and the motor fuel tax on diesel would be lowered from 13.5 cents to 9 cents per gallon. The motor fuel tax on liquefied petroleum gas would likewise be lowered from 5.25 cents per gallon to 3.5 cents given that the tax rate for these products are set at one-half of the tax imposed on gasoline. Under current law, the tax rate imposed on highway fuels under the PPGRT is annually adjusted by the State Treasurer to ensure that the State realizes a statutorily prescribed revenue target. All revenues collected are deposited into the TTF to support transportation infrastructure projects and debt service on transportation bonds. This annual adjustment mechanism is currently set to expire at the conclusion of State Fiscal Year 2026. This bill would permanently extend this annual adjustment mechanism. The bill also reduces the rate of tax imposed on highway fuels under the PPGRT by lowering the statutorily prescribed revenue target, also referred to as the "highway fuel cap amount," by 33 percent. The highway fuel cap amount is based on State Fiscal Year 2016 sum of: (1) the taxes collected on the 12.48 percent and four cent tax rates for highway fuels taxes, (2) the amount derived from taxing the gallonage of highway fuel subject to the four cent motor fuel tax, and (3) the amount that would have been derived from taxing the gallonage of highway fuel subject to the motor fuel tax at a rate of 23 cents per gallon. To ensure adequate funding for the TTF, the bill would require the State to annually appropriate from the General Fund such amounts as are necessary from the revenues collected under the "Sales and Use Tax Act," P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-1 et seq.) into the TTF to support all debt service obligations of the Transportation Trust Fund Authority's (TTFA) for the current year. Alternative Revenue Feasibility Study Finally, the bill requires the Department of Transportation (department), in consultation with the TTFA and the Office of Revenue and Economic Analysis in the Department of the Treasury, to study and make recommendations and a repot concerning the dedication of alternative sources of revenue to the TTF. These revenues may be necessary to offset future revenue reductions from the Motor Fuels Tax (MFT) and the Petroleum Products Gross Receipts Tax (PPGRT) due to the decreased consumption of gasoline, diesel, and other highway fuels. The purpose of this study will be to identify one or more sources of revenue, other than the Motor Fuels Tax and the Petroleum Products Gross Receipts Tax, that may be relied upon to fund the TTF in future years. At a minimum, the report would be required to: (1) analyze the feasibility of dedicating alternative sources of revenue to the TTF; and (2) make recommendations for the dedication of alternative sources of revenue, other than the MFT and the PPGRT, to the TTF. No later than August 31, 2026, the department is required to submit the report to the Governor and the Legislature as well as publish an electronic copy of the report on the department's official Internet website. | In Committee |
| AJR150 | Designates July of each year as "Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month" in NJ. | This resolution designates July of each year as "Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month" in New Jersey. Cleft lip and palate, together commonly called orofacial clefts, are birth defects that occur when a baby's lip or mouth do not form properly during pregnancy. A cleft lip occurs when the tissue that makes up the lip does not join completely before birth and results in an opening in the upper lip. The opening in the lip can be a small slit or it can be a large opening that goes through the lip into the nose. A cleft palate occurs when the tissue that makes up the roof of the mouth does not join together completely during pregnancy. Some babies are born with both the front and back parts of the palate open while others only part of the palate is open. Children with a cleft lip with or without a cleft palate or a cleft palate alone often have problems with feeding and speaking clearly and are prone to have ear infections, hearing problems, and problems with their teeth. About one in every 1,700 babies is born with cleft palate in the United States. The causes of orofacial clefts among most infants are unknown and ongoing research is being conducted at the national level to better understand the root causes. Cleft lip and palate affects people worldwide, impacting speech, eating, and overall quality of life. Raising awareness about cleft palate is essential to foster understanding, compassion, and support for New Jersey residents and families affected by this condition, as well as to encourage medical research aimed at identifying the root cause of the orofacial disorder. | In Committee |
| A3847 | Requires SJTA to suspend certain tolls on the Atlantic City Expressway in certain circumstances. | This bill requires the South Jersey Transportation Authority to suspend the collection of any toll east of the Garden State Parkway on the Atlantic City Expressway when U.S. Route 40 is closed east of the Garden State Parkway. U.S. Route 40 is a main thoroughfare for many residents of this State. U.S. Route 40 is also prone to flooding. If, for any reason, the route is closed, there is no efficient means of travel for many motorists to and from Atlantic City to Pleasantville without having to pay a toll. | In Committee |
| A3420 | Provides credit under corporation business tax and gross income tax for construction of buildings in accordance with certain energy and environmental performance standards. | This bill establishes a corporation business tax credit and a gross income tax credit for costs incurred in the construction of an eligible building qualifying as a silver level building, a gold level building, or a platinum level building under the LEED Green Building Rating System or the LEED Residential Green Building Rating System, as appropriate. "LEED" refers to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design "green building" rating system developed and published by the United States Green Building Council. The bill defines "eligible building" as a building located in the State, which is: (1) a residential multi-family building, with at least four habitable stories, that contains at least 10,000 square feet of interior space; (2) one or more residential multi-family buildings with at least four habitable stories that are part of a single or phased construction project that contains, in the aggregate, at least 20,000 square feet of interior space, provided that, in any single phase of the project, at least 10,000 square feet of interior space is under construction or rehabilitation; (3) a building used for commercial or industrial purposes; or (4) any combination of buildings described in (1) through (3) above. The bill directs, within one year after the date of enactment of this bill into law, the Commissioner of Environmental Protection in consultation with the President of the Board of Public Utilities, to adopt rules and regulations to establish the amount of the tax credit available to a taxpayer pursuant to this bill. The amount of the credit would be based on the number of square feet of floor space in the eligible building, the overall size of the building, and the level of certification as a silver, gold or platinum level building under the LEED Green Building Rating System or the LEED Residential Green Building Rating System, as appropriate. These rules and regulations shall be developed based on the LEED Rating System and any rules and regulations adopted by other states for similar tax credit programs. In addition, these rules and regulations would take into account how construction of the eligible building impacts the local natural environment, uses recycled or recyclable materials, incorporates renewable and energy efficient power generation systems, uses water resources more efficiently, and produces less waste than traditional building practices. These rules and regulations would also set forth requirements for determining the continued performance of the eligible building as a silver, gold or platinum level building. The total amount of the tax credits available under the bill would be $10 million. Lastly, the bill would require the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, in consultation with the Director of the Division of Taxation, to prepare a report regarding the number of certificates and taxpayers applying the tax credits, the amount of the credits granted, the geographical distribution of the credits granted, and any other information that the commissioner or the director may deem useful or appropriate, including an evaluation of the effectiveness of the tax credit as an incentive for the construction of buildings in New Jersey meeting the highest level of performance under the LEED Rating System and any recommendations for the continuation of the tax credit. Because traditional building is one of the most resource-demanding industries in the United States, the use of "green" building practices has the potential to significantly reduce waste and dependence on finite resources. Green buildings use resources-energy, water, materials, and land more efficiently and effectively, and provide healthier environments for working, learning and living. Green buildings are more environmentally-friendly because the buildings minimize the negative environmental consequences by lessening changes to the local natural environment, using recycled or recyclable materials, incorporating renewable and energy efficient power generation systems, using water resources more efficiently, and producing less waste. Green buildings provide employees with a healthier indoor work environment by effectively controlling outdoor air ventilation systems and using alternative paints, finishes, adhesives, furniture and fabrics that do not negatively affect air quality. | In Committee |
| A2953 | Prohibits DEP from demolishing or requiring removal of certain cabins or similar structures located in certain tidal wetlands. | This bill would prohibit the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from removing, or requiring the removal of, any cabin or similar structure located in tidal wetlands in Lower Alloways Creek Township, Salem County when the cabin serves as a general use structure available to use to anyone who needs a way station. The bill provides that the State would not be liable for any damage to personal or real property or injury incurred to a person using such a cabin or similar structure. This immunity of the State from liability would be in addition to other immunity provided to the State by any other statutory or common law. The prohibition and the liability immunity in the bill would not apply to any cabin or similar structure: (1) for which there is documentation demonstrating that the State acquired the land on which the cabin or similar structure is located prior to the construction of the cabin or similar structure; (2) for which there is documentation demonstrating that the cabin or similar structure was built in violation of State law; or (3) constructed by the State. This bill is in response to an action previously taken by the DEP ordering that eight cabins located in tidal wetlands in Lower Alloways Creek Township, Salem County be removed. These cabins, in existence for decades, serve as unique shelter and are of local historic importance. | In Committee |
| A1646 | Establishes prescription drug pricing disclosure requirements and measures to reduce prescription drug costs. | This bill provides for prescription drug disclosure requirements and measures to reduce costs for prescription drugs and biological products costs. Under the bill, pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) are required to disclose certain information about prescription drug and biological product pricing and generic substitutions to benefit plan purchasers. The bill requires PBMs to establish a toll-free telephone number through which consumers and pharmacists can quickly obtain information regarding coverage, pricing and prescription drug and biological product safety. With respect to purchasers of pharmacy benefits management services, this bill requires PBMs to disclose, in the contract entered into between the purchaser and the PBM, the methodology and sources utilized to determine multiple source generic drug and biological product pricing. That pricing information shall be updated whenever a change occurs and must be provided to the purchaser. If a PBM uses a multiple source generic list for drugs and biological product dispensed at retail, but not for drugs and biological products dispensed by mail, this must be disclosed in the contract as well, or within 21 business days from the implementation of the practice. In addition, the bill requires PBMs to disclose to purchasers whether the multiple source generic pricing list used to bill the purchaser is the same as the list used to reimburse pharmacies. If the lists are not the same, the difference between the amount paid to the pharmacy and the amount charged to the purchaser shall be disclosed. This bill also requires PBMs to provide a toll-free telephone number for consumers and contracted pharmacies to speak with a New Jersey-licensed pharmacist concerning benefits coverage, drug and biological product pricing and prescription drug safety. Callers may not be placed on hold for longer than five minutes, and concerns must be resolved within 24 hours. This bill establishes the Prescription Drug and Biological Product Review Commission in the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety, which will be tasked with developing a list of critical prescription drugs and biological products for which drug and biological product manufacturers will be required to report certain information concerning development, production, and marketing costs. If the commission determines that a drug or biological product is priced excessively high in New Jersey, it will have the authority to establish a maximum price for the drug or biological product in the State. The commission will consist of nine members. In developing the list of critical prescription drugs and biological products, the commission will consider: the cost of the drug or biological product in the State, including the cost to public health care programs; the extent of utilization of the drug or biological product within the State; the availability and cost of comparable or therapeutically equivalent courses of treatment; the rate of successful treatment outcomes for the drug or biological product; other objectively quantifiable factors as the commission determines to be relevant. The commission may additionally consider recommendations for drugs and biological products to be included in the list made by government agencies, members of the public, and professional organizations. The commission will be required to review and update the list at least once every three years. For each prescription drug and biological product that the commission places on the critical prescription drug list, the manufacturer of the drug or biological product will be required to report information concerning: the total cost of production and approximate cost of production per dose; research and development costs; marketing and advertising costs; the prices for the drug or biological product that are charged to purchasers outside the United States for a representative set of countries determined by the commission; prices charged to typical New Jersey purchasers; true net typical prices charged to pharmacy benefit managers; and any rebates that are available to consumers which information is to be made publically available. Using information submitted under the bill, the commission will identify prescription drugs and biological products that have a cost in New Jersey that is excessively high when compared with the cost of the drug or biological product in other states and countries and when compared with the overall cost of researching, developing, and producing the drug or biological product in light of the number of years the drug or biological product has been made available for distribution. For prescription drugs and biological products with an excessively high cost, the commission will be permitted to set the maximum allowable price that the manufacturer can charge for that prescription drug or biological product in New Jersey, which is to be commensurate with the price of the drug in other states and countries, with full consideration of the overall cost of researching, developing, and producing the drug or biological product in light of the number of years the drug or biological product has been made available for distribution. This bill also prohibits manufacturers and wholesale distributors of prescription drugs and biological products from excessively increasing the price of certain prescription drugs and biological products without justification. Specifically, manufacturers and wholesale distributors may not engage in price gouging in the sale of an essential off-patent or generic drug or biological product. Price gouging is defined to mean an increase in the price of a drug or biological product that: (1) is excessive and not justified by the cost of producing the drug or biological product or expanding access to the drug or biological product to promote the public health; and (2) results in consumers having no alternative but to purchase the drug or biological product at an excessive price because of the importance of the drug or biological product to their health and insufficient marketplace competition. Under the bill, wholesale distributors will not be found to have violated this prohibition if the distributor increases the price of a drug or biological product in direct response to additional costs for the drug or biological product imposed on the distributor by the manufacturer. The bill defines "essential off-patent or generic drug or biological product" to mean any prescription drug or biological product, including any drug-device or biological product-device combination product for the delivery of the prescription drug or biological product: (1) that is made available for sale in the State; (2) for which all exclusive marketing rights granted under federal law have expired; (3) that is actively manufactured and marketed by three or fewer manufacturers; and (4) that appears on the current Model List of Essential Medicines adopted by the World Health Organization or has been otherwise designated as an essential medicine by the Commissioner of Health. The Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety may notify the Attorney General of any increase in the price of an essential off-patent or generic drug or biological product whenever: (1) the price increase, individually or in combination with other price increases, would result in an increase of 50 percent or more in the wholesale acquisition cost for the drug or biological product or in the price paid for the drug or biological product by the State Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare programs within a one-year period; and (2) the wholesale acquisition cost of the drug or biological product is more than $80 for a 30-day supply or a full course of treatment. At the request of the Attorney General, the manufacturer of an essential off-patent or generic drug or biological product identified in a notice provided under the bill will be required to submit, within 45 days of receiving the request, a statement to the Attorney General: (1) detailing the cost of producing the drug or biological product; (2) identifying the circumstances and timing of any cost increases in the preceding year; (3) identifying the circumstances and timing of any expenditures made by the manufacturer to expand access to the drug or biological product, and explaining any resulting improvements in public health; and (4) any other information the manufacturer determines to be relevant to a determination as to whether a violation of the provisions of the bill has occurred. The Attorney General may require a manufacturer or a wholesale distributor to produce any records or documents that may be relevant to a determination as to whether a violation of the bill has occurred. The Attorney General may additionally petition for a court order: compelling submission of any required statement or records; restraining or enjoining a violation of the bill; restoring to any consumer, including any third party payor, any money acquired by the manufacturer or wholesale distributor as a result of a price increase that violates the bill; requiring a manufacturer that has engaged in price gouging to make the drug or biological product available in the State, for a period of up to one year, at a price that does not exceed the price immediately prior to the violation; and assessing a civil penalty of up to $10,000 against a manufacturer or wholesale distributor who has violated the provisions of the bill. For the purposes of assessing the civil penalty, each sale of a drug or biological product at a price that constitutes price gouging will be deemed a separate violation. Any information provided by a manufacturer or wholesale distributor under the bill will be confidential and may not be disclosed to the public or otherwise subjected to public access, inspection, or copying, unless the manufacturer or wholesale distributor waives confidentiality. | In Committee |
| A1586 | Concerns unlawful employment practices based on provision of health benefits plans. | This bill makes it an unlawful employment practice under the State's "Law Against Discrimination," P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-1 et seq.), for an employer to provide a health benefits plan to its employees in this State that excludes coverage for expenses incurred in the purchase of prescription female contraceptives. The bill will not apply to any religious employer if the coverage prescription female contraceptives conflicts with the religious employer's bona fide religious beliefs and practices. Also, the bill will not apply to any health benefits plan that maintains grandfathered status pursuant to the federal "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," Pub.L.111-148, for as long as the health benefits plan meets all grandfathering requirements as provided under that law. The bill defines "health benefits plan" as any benefits plan that pays or provides hospital and medical expense benefits for covered services, and is delivered or issued for delivery in this State by or through a carrier that is authorized to issue health benefits plans in this State or a self-funded plan. The bill defines "religious employer" as an employer that is a church, convention or association of churches or an elementary or secondary school that is controlled, operated or principally supported by a church or by a convention or association of churches as defined in 26 U.S.C. s.3121(w)(3)(A), and that qualifies as a tax-exempt organization under 26 U.S.C. s.501(c)(3). | In Committee |
| A1664 | Eliminates prohibition on provision of single-use paper bags by grocery stores for delivery orders; requires certain retailers to repurpose cardboard boxes if feasible. | This bill eliminates the prohibition on the provision of single-use paper carryout bags by grocery stores for groceries bagged for delivery. Under the bill, single-use paper carryout bags would be permitted to be provided or sold for a fee by grocery stores solely for delivery orders. In addition, this bill requires certain retailers to repurpose cardboard boxes obtained through the delivery of goods to deliver groceries, other food items, or for any other appropriate purpose, to the maximum extent feasible. | In Committee |
| A1597 | Establishes gross income tax credit and corporation business tax credit for student loan payments. | This bill establishes an incentive for New Jersey residents who have graduated from a community college, college or university, or graduate school to stay, or return to, New Jersey after their graduation and for employers to hire college graduates to work in this State and subsidizes their loan payments. The bill provides qualified taxpayers and businesses with a credit against the gross income tax (GIT) or the corporation business tax (CBT) for certain educational loan payments. The tax credit is allowed for any payments made by a taxpayer or on behalf of a taxpayer during the taxable or privilege period on a loan which is: (1) secured through a State student loan program, a federal student loan program, or a commercial lender and which is (2) obtained and expended exclusively for purpose of paying the tuition and fees and other expenses such as room and board and book and books and supplies, related directly to the enrollment of the qualified taxpayer at an institution of higher education. Under the bill, the GIT credit is equal to payments made by a qualified taxpayer, during that part of the taxable year they were employed in the State. The GIT credit for an individual taxpayer is equal to the lesser of: (1) the taxpayer's monthly loan payments multiplied by the number of months the taxpayer made loan payments; or (2) the benchmark loan payment multiplied by the number of months during the taxable year in which a taxpayer made loan payments. The GIT credit is refundable if an individual taxpayer earned an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. The refundable GIT credit is available only to individual taxpayers and is not available to a business that makes loan payments on behalf of an employee. A gross income taxpayer who is an employer or a business subject to the CBT may receive a tax credit equal to any payments made on behalf of a qualified employee who graduated from an accredited institution of higher education and was employed in New Jersey during the tax year. The GIT credit for a taxpayer who is an employer and the CBT credit are equal to the monthly loan payment made by the employer multiplied by the number of loan payments made by a taxpayer on behalf of a qualified employee during a taxable year or privilege period. The credit is reduced to 50 percent if a qualified employee is employed on a part-time basis. The bill defines a qualified employee as a resident taxpayer who (1) obtained an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education or a graduate degree from an accredited institution of higher education who was employed in this State during the privilege period; and (2) was employed in New Jersey on a full-time or part-time basis by an employer, was a self-employed individual, or was an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces, New Jersey National Guard, or the Reserve Component of the United States Armed Forces. | In Committee |
| A944 | Eliminates certain practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses. | This bill eliminates practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses (APNs), including restrictions that limit the ability of APNs to prescribe medications and administer anesthesia, and establishes new requirements for APNs to prescribe medications. The bill expressly provides that, notwithstanding the provisions of any other law or regulation to the contrary, an APN with greater than 24 months or 2,400 hours of licensed, active, advanced nursing practice will be authorized to practice without a joint protocol with a collaborating provider. With regard to prescribing medications, the bill requires the use of New Jersey Prescription Blanks and satisfying continuing professional education requirements related to pharmacology and prescribing controlled substances. An APN with fewer than 24 months or 2,400 hours of licensed, active, advanced nursing practice in an initial role will be permitted to prescribe medication only if a formal joint protocol with a physician or experienced advanced practice nurse is in place. The bill revises the requirements for APNs to authorize patients for medical cannabis and to issue written instructions for medical cannabis, to provide that the APN will only be required to meet the requirements set forth under the "Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act," P.L.2009, c.307 (C.24:6I-1 et al.). Those requirements include: possessing active State and federal registrations to prescribe controlled dangerous substances; being the health care practitioner responsible for the ongoing treatment of a patient's qualifying medical condition; and complying with various other requirements for issuing written instructions for medical cannabis. The bill further provides that every APN who is an APN-Anesthesia and who has completed 24 months or 2,400 hours of licensed, active, advanced nursing practice in an initial role will be authorized to practice as an APN-Anesthesia to the full scope of practice for APNs-Anesthesia, without any requirement for supervision by a licensed physician and without any requirement that the APN-Anesthesia enter into joint protocols with a licensed physician. The bill provides that any State law or regulation that requires the signature or similar endorsement of a physician will be deemed to require the same of an APN, to the extent consistent with an APN's scope of practice. The bill revises and repeals certain sections of law that are obviated by the changes made under the bill. | In Committee |
| A1653 | Prohibits institutions of higher education from requiring students who have children to purchase meal plans, live in on-campus housing, or pay gym fees. | This bill places restrictions on certain requirements that institutions of higher education can impose on students enrolled in the institution who are parents. Under the bill, an institution of higher education in New Jersey may not require any enrolled student who has full or partial custody of a child to: purchase a meal plan; reside in on-campus housing, except when required as a condition of entry into a residential cohort or access program or as a condition of receipt of a scholarship; or pay any fees associated with the use of a campus gym, fitness center, or other recreational facility, as long as the fee is not associated with other campus services fees including, but not limited to, transportation. The institution would not be required to allow a student to use the campus gym, fitness center, or other recreational facility if the associated fees are not paid. | In Committee |
| A1631 | Provides expedited determination by State Board of Examiners on application for teaching staff member certification if certain criteria are met. | This bill provides that upon a request by an individual for an expedited review of an application for teaching staff member certification, the State Board of Examiners will either issue the certificate or deny the application and provide the reasons for the denial, within one week from the date that the board receives the request, provided certain criteria are met. Under the bill, in order to receive the expedited review, the completed application must be on file with the board for at least four weeks prior to the date when the board receives the applicant's request, and the request for the expedited review is made within the two week period prior to Labor Day in that school year. | In Committee |
| A3021 | "New Jersey Ticket Consumer Choice Act." | This bill, the "New Jersey Ticket Consumer Choice Act," would guarantee the right of New Jersey ticket purchasers to opt-out of ticket restrictions that limit their ability to use, sell, or give away the tickets they have purchased. Specifically, this bill allows ticket issuers to sell tickets through a ticketing system that restricts the rights of consumers to resell their tickets only if, at the time of the initial sale, the consumer is offered the option to purchase the same ticket in a form not subject to restrictions by the issuer. Issuers would be permitted, however, to sell or give away tickets in a non-transferable form in the context of targeted promotions or private events. The bill prohibits any penalty or discrimination against a ticket holder solely because the ticket was resold or because of the specific ticket platform on which the ticket was resold. The bill provides for the recognition of the rights of issuers and venue owners and operators to institute policies governing overall operation of entertainment events and ticket sales. In addition, the bill removes the existing statutory caps on the resale prices of tickets. The consumer choice provisions of this bill protecting the right of ticket purchasers to resell their tickets have been in effect in New York State for six years. This bill provides an exemption to issuers of tickets for an entertainment event held in a venue owned or operated by an entity which is subject to a hotel and motel occupancy fee and located in a city the governing body of which has levied a retails sales tax. | In Committee |
| A3256 | Provides for regional economic and land use impact report and establishes review processes related to development of certain large warehouses; and requires related real property reassessments. | This bill provides for regional economic and land use impact reports, establishes review processes related to development of certain large warehouses, and requires related real property reassessments. The bill applies to any "large warehouse," as defined in the bill. The bill provides that whenever an applicant files an application for development of a large warehouse, the administrative officer of a host municipality is to deliver to the clerk of each adjoining municipality a notice of regional impact that is to include a copy of the complete application for development. Delivery of the notice of regional impact is to be made as soon as practicable after the application for development is deemed complete, and would suspend any otherwise applicable time requirement, including the convening of a hearing date related to the application. Once an application for development has been received by the clerk of each adjoining municipality, any time provision applicable to the application for development is to be suspended until after receiving a final decision, not subject to appeal, regarding the regional impact of the application for development from the county planning board (board) or a decision of the State Planning Commission (commission). Under the bill, the governing body of an adjoining municipality, within 20 days after receipt of notice may adopt a resolution of regional concerns and deliver a copy of the resolution to the administrative officer and to the applicant. If the host municipality receives an application for development of a large warehouse and does not share a border with a county border, the administrative officer is to notify the board and each adjoining municipality of the need for a regional impact hearing before the board. If the host municipality receives an application for development of a large warehouse and does share a border with a county border, the administrative officer is to notify the commission and each adjoining municipality of the need for a regional impact hearing before the commission. A board conducting a regional impact hearing is to render a decision to allow or disallow a host municipality to consider an application for development of a large warehouse. The county planning board is only to render a decision to allow the application for development of a large warehouse to be considered by the host municipality upon the board's determination that the applicant has made an affirmative showing that approval of the application for development may be granted under certain circumstances enumerated in the bill. The bill provides that an adjoining municipality that is aggrieved by a decision of a county planning board may submit an appeal in writing within 45 days of the board's final decision to the commission. Under the bill, prior to consideration of an application for development for a large warehouse by a board or the commission, the host municipality is to prepare and make available a regional economic and land use impact report. The preparation of a regional economic and land use impact report is not to be waived, and is to be completed and distributed no later than the date on which a hearing of a board or the commission is scheduled to consider an application for a large warehouse development. The bill provides that a host municipality may contract with a private entity, other than the applicant, or another public agency for the preparation of a regional economic and land use impact report. The host municipality and the private entity or other public agency is to ensure that persons qualified by education, training, and experience to conduct economic and fiscal analyses prepare the regional economic and land use impact report. Additionally, the applicant is to pay the costs of preparing a regional economic and land use impact report. Under the bill, a regional economic and land use impact report is to include, but not be limited to, certain provisions provided in the bill. The bill provides that a regional economic and land use impact report prepared is to be delivered to the board or the commission, as applicable, and is to be made available to any adjoining municipality, upon request. Under the bill, the commission is to have certain duties enumerated in the bill. The bill provides that the commission, within 45 days of a hearing, is to render a decision to allow or disallow the application for development of a large warehouse to be considered by the host municipality. The commission is to render a decision to allow an application if the commission determines that the applicant has made an affirmative showing that approval of the application for development may be granted without certain detriments enumerated in the bill. Under the bill, a host municipality, upon receiving an application for a large warehouse development, and prior to approving an application, is to notify the planning board of the need to update the master plan, unless the master plan was updated within the prior 12 months. If a host municipality's master plan was not updated within the prior 12 months, the planning board of the host municipality is to update the land use and development proposal aspects of the host municipality's master plan in order to consider the number and nature of variances that were granted in the prior 12 months. The bill provides that if a municipality that has approved a large warehouse development project has not performed a municipal-wide revaluation or municipal-wide reassessment of all real property in the municipality within the 60 months immediately preceding the approval of the large warehouse development project, the municipality is to perform the municipal-wide revaluation or municipal-wide reassessment of real property within the municipality not later the 24th month next following that approval. | In Committee |
| A2512 | Clarifies that first aid, ambulance or rescue squads, as entities, have immunity from civil damages in certain circumstances. | This bill provides immunity from civil liability to all first aid, rescue, and emergency squads, as entities, in certain circumstances. Current law provides civil immunity to: (1) individual members of first aid, rescue, or emergency squads, regardless of whether they receive reimbursement; (2) volunteer first aid, rescue, and emergency squads, as entities; and (3) first aid, rescue, or emergency squads, as entities, regardless of whether they receive reimbursement, for acts or omissions committed while in training for or in the rendering of advanced life support services. The immunity conferred by current law does not extend to nonvolunteer squads, as entities, for acts or omissions committed while in training for or providing services other than advanced life support services. | In Committee |
| A1589 | Permits testing and use of autonomous vehicles on State roadways under certain circumstances. | This bill permits the testing and use of autonomous vehicles on the public highways, roads, and streets of this State. An autonomous vehicle may be operated on any highway, road, or street within this State for testing purposes by a driver who possesses the proper class of license, as determined by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission), for the type of vehicle being operated if: the autonomous vehicle is being operated on a public highway, road, or street in this State solely by employees, contractors, or other persons designated by the manufacturer of the autonomous technology; the operator is seated in the driver's seat, monitoring the safe operation of the autonomous vehicle, and capable of taking over immediate manual control of the autonomous vehicle in the event of an autonomous technology failure or other emergency; and, prior to the start of testing in this State, the manufacturer performing the testing obtains an instrument of insurance, surety bond, or proof of self-insurance in the amount of $5,000,000, and provides evidence of the insurance, surety bond, or self-insurance to the commission, in a form and manner determined by the commission. The bill requires the manufacturer of the autonomous technology to apply for and receive approval from the commission prior to operating an autonomous vehicle on a highway, road, or street in this State for testing purposes. The application is required to contain: a certification that the autonomous technology meets certain requirements; a certification that the manufacturer has tested the autonomous technology on private roads, lots, or tracks, or out-of-State public highways, roads, and streets, and has complied with any other testing standards established by the commission; and a certification that the manufacturer will maintain a surety bond, or proof of self-insurance as specified in regulations adopted by the commission, in an amount of $5,000,000. The bill requires the manufacturer of the autonomous technology to provide a written disclosure to the purchaser of an autonomous vehicle that describes what information is collected by the autonomous technology. | In Committee |
| A1607 | Directs certain recoveries of federal funds for services to persons with developmental disabilities be used for grants to support community infrastructure purposes. | This bill creates a fund in the Department of Human Services for any excess unanticipated federal funds received through a Community Care Waiver for the provision of services to persons with developmental disabilities, and establishes priorities for spending those funds. The purpose of this bill is to ensure that federal funds which the State receives for the benefit of persons with developmental disabilities in the community are used to directly benefit those individuals. Specifically, the bill provides that if the Department of Human Services receives federal reimbursement, including but not limited to retroactive reimbursement, through a community care waiver for services for persons with developmental disabilities and the funds exceed the amount anticipated in the annual appropriations act, the excess funds shall be used first to offset any deficits that may exist respecting contracts between the Division of Developmental Disabilities and community provider agencies. Any remaining funds will be deposited in the Developmental Disabilities Community Infrastructure Fund and used solely to fulfill the following priorities: updating and repairing facilities and infrastructure that directly affect residential and transportation needs, purchasing accessibility equipment, and purchasing assistive technology. The bill also requires that the Director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities report annually to the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens and Assembly Human Services committees, detailing the expenditures made under this bill. | In Committee |
| A1604 | Requires certain disclosures of intentionally deceptive audio or visual media. | This bill requires a person who produces an "advanced technological false personation record" (record), as that term is defined in the bill, with the intent to distribute the record over the Internet or with knowledge that the record is to be so distributed, and which a person in this State has the ability to access via the Internet, is to ensure the record contains certain disclosures. A record which contains a moving visual element is to contain an embedded digital watermark clearly identifying the record as containing altered audio or visual elements. A record containing both an audio and a visual element is to include: 1) at least one clearly articulated verbal statement that identifies the record as containing altered audio and visual elements, and a concise description of the extent of the alteration; and 2) an unobscured written statement in clearly readable text, appearing at the bottom of the image throughout the duration of the visual element, that identifies the record as containing altered audio and visual elements, and a concise description of the extent of the alteration. A record exclusively containing a visual element is to include an unobscured written statement in clearly readable text appearing at the bottom of the image throughout the duration of the visual element that identifies the record as containing altered visual elements, and a concise description of the extent of the alteration. A record exclusively containing an audio element is to include, at the beginning of the record, a clearly articulated verbal statement that identifies the record as containing altered audio elements and a concise description of the extent of the alteration, and in the event the record exceeds two minutes in length, not less than one additional clearly articulated verbal statement and additional concise description at some interval during each two-minute period thereafter. The provisions of the bill are not to apply with respect to any record meeting certain requirements in the bill. The bill provides that the watermark requirement is not to apply with respect to any class of record which the Attorney General determines by regulation should be excluded. The bill requires the Attorney General, in coordination with any other State agency the Attorney General deems necessary, to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature no later than five years after the date of enactment of the bill, and five years thereafter, describing trends related to prosecutions and civil penalties pursued pursuant to the bill and recommending any updates to the bill necessitated by the emergence of new technologies. It is to be an unlawful practice and a violation of the New Jersey consumer fraud act to violate the provisions of the bill, which includes, but is not limited to penalties of not more than $10,000 for the first offense and not more than $20,000 for the second and each subsequent offense. Further, the bill provides that a person is to be guilty of a crime of the third degree if they knowingly omit or obscure the disclosure requirements of the bill under certain circumstances. | In Committee |
| A1066 | Revises conditions for use of virtual or remote instruction to meet minimum 180-day school year requirement. | This bill permits a public school or an approved private school for students with disabilities (APSSD) to meet the 180-day school year requirement through the use of virtual or remote instruction when the school is required to close for one or more school days due to inclement weather or hazardous transportation conditions, or due to other certain emergencies specified by law. Pursuant to current law, a public school or APSSD may meet the 180-day requirement through the use of virtual or remote instruction only if the school or APSSD is required to close for more than three consecutive school days due to a declared state of emergency, a declared public health emergency, or a directive by the appropriate health agency or officer to institute a public health-related closure. Current law does not permit a public school or APSSD to utilize virtual or remote instruction in the event that the school or APSSD is closed due to inclement weather or hazardous transportation conditions. Additionally, current law does not permit a public school or APSSD to utilize virtual or remote instruction in the event that the closure is for a single school day or for two consecutive school days. Under the provisions of this bill, a public school or APSSD is permitted to meet the 180-day school year requirement through the use of virtual or remote instruction when the school is required to close for one or more school days due to inclement weather or hazardous transportation conditions, a declared state of emergency, a declared public health emergency, or a directive by the appropriate health agency or officer to institute a public health-related closure. | In Committee |
| A1616 | Requires HMFA to establish "Sustainable Tiny Home Pilot Program" in three regions of State; appropriates $5 million. | This bill creates the "Sustainable Tiny Home Pilot Program" as a three-year pilot program to combat climate change and reduce the State's carbon footprint through the construction of small, environmentally friendly homes. This bill requires the Executive Director of the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency in the Department of Community Affairs to select municipalities in three regions of the State to participate in the pilot program. The executive director must also manage the pilot program to award grants to builders for the construction of housing developments consisting of homes having no greater than 300 square feet of interior floor space. The executive director, in consultation with the Commissioner of Community Affairs and the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, must adopt green building standards for tiny home dwelling units for the purposes of determining eligibility for a grant under the pilot program. Under the bill, any tiny home dwelling unit constructed in accordance with this pilot program would be considered a permitted use in all residential districts of a pilot municipality. This bill appropriates $5 million from the general fund, of which the executive director would distribute $1.65 million during each of the three years the pilot program is in operation to qualified builders for the construction of housing developments consisting of tiny homes. The executive director would be required to submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature detailing the pilot program's progress in decreasing the State's carbon footprint and combating global warming. The climate change caused by rising global temperatures will likely continue to decrease the size of polar ice sheets and land-based glaciers, causing sea levels to rise and contributing to enhanced coastal erosion, coastal flooding, and the loss of coastal habitats and species. It is estimated that anywhere from 25 to 40 percent of the national solid waste stream is construction-related waste and only 20 percent of construction waste or demolition debris is actually recycled. The pollution associated with an average house is significant, totaling on average 28,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually. By contrast, a tiny home only generates approximately 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually. This pilot program would help address climate change by providing environmentally friendly housing options for the State's residents. | In Committee |
| A112 | Exempts certain motor vehicles that are owned by certain nutrition programs and certain nonprofit organizations that offer social services from motor vehicle registration fees. | This bill provides an exemption from motor vehicle registration fees for motor vehicles not used for pleasure or for hire that are owned by a local nutrition program for seniors that is a Meals on Wheels America member and those that are owned by certain nonprofit organizations that offer social services to New Jersey residents. | In Committee |
| A2952 | Establishes "New Jersey Transit ADA Task Force." | This bill establishes a nine member "New Jersey Transit ADA Task Force" (task force) to study all terminals, stations, stops, and equipment owned or operated by the New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit) and all terminals, stations, stops, and equipment owned or operated by an entity under contract with NJ Transit for compliance with the federal requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Under this bill, the task force is required to utilize the assistance of professional staff as needed to study and compile a list of all upgrades that need to be completed in order to ensure that the terminals, stations, stops, and equipment owned or operated by NJ Transit or an entity under contract with NJ Transit are in full compliance with the ADA. The task force is also required to study and determine the cost to complete each upgrade and study and determine whether ramps may be installed at certain terminals, stations, and stops. The task force is to prepare and submit a report of its findings and recommendations no later than two years after the bill's effective date. The task force expires upon submission of the report. | In Committee |
| A2951 | Requires MVC to provide reasonable accommodation to persons with disabilities during certain knowledge examinations. | This bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to provide reasonable accommodation to a person with a disability when the person takes the written knowledge examination for a driver's license or permit and the knowledge test for a commercial driver license, including any commercial driver license endorsement. | In Committee |
| A1648 | Requires DOE to post link to NJSchoolJobs.com on homepage of its website and to promote link through social media. | This bill requires the Department of Education to post, in a prominent location on the homepage of its Internet website, a hyperlink that provides direct access to NJSchoolJobs.com. This website provides current job postings for those seeking employment in New Jersey schools. The bill also requires the department to promote the link through social media platforms as a job searching resource for educators. | In Committee |
| A1635 | Establishes school breakfast kiosk pilot program. | This bill requires the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Education, to develop and administer a two-year school breakfast kiosk pilot program in three school districts selected by the Commissioner of Education, in the northern, central, and southern regions of the State. The bill provides that a local or regional school district of the State may establish a school breakfast kiosk pilot program at the school. The Department of Agriculture is required to award a pilot program to one school district in each of the three regions of the State. The purpose of the school breakfast kiosk program is to increase the participation of students in school breakfast through increased accessibility to breakfast items in the school. The program will help more children start the school day with a nutritious breakfast in order to learn, grow, and develop to their full potential. Research shows that school breakfast increases attendance and decreases tardiness, improves academic performance both in class and on standardized tests, improves attentiveness, and reduces emotional and behavioral problems among students from all backgrounds. | 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 | Yea |
| 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 | Abstain |
| A2929 | Requires disclosure of lead drinking water hazards to tenants of residential units; prohibits landlords from obstructing replacement of lead service lines; concerns testing of certain property for lead drinking water hazards. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A2090 | Requires solid waste management district to develop strategy to reduce food waste; requires DEP to adopt certain rules and regulations regarding composting facilities. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3099 | Establishes option for students nearing completion of program in chiropractic medicine to participate in preceptorship provided by State-licensed chiropractor. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3361 | Establishes limit on rent increase for certain dwelling sites for modular or industrialized buildings or manufactured homes. | Assembly Floor: Suspend Rule 22:5b | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| 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 | Yea |
| A3007 | Increases maximum age for pediatric long-term care facility residents to 26. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3128 | Authorizes HMFA to use certain tax credits; directs HMFA to conduct tax credit auctions to provide financial assistance for certain housing purposes. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3035 | Prohibits certain vehicles from parking in electric vehicle charging spaces under certain circumstances. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A1682 | Requires State Board of Education to adopt New Jersey Student Learning Standards pertaining to labor movement; requires school districts to provide instruction on labor movement. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A1675 | Extends membership in TPAF to 10 years after discontinuance of service and to 15 years for those who were laid off or had 10 or more years of continuous service upon voluntary termination. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A2998 | Permits court to order counseling for children in households with domestic violence in appropriate cases; establishes presumption of award of custody to domestic violence victim in appropriate cases. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A2390 | Requires municipalities in compliance with affordable housing obligations be provided priority consideration for certain State grants and assistance. | Assembly Floor: Table Motion | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A2390 | Requires municipalities in compliance with affordable housing obligations be provided priority consideration for certain State grants and assistance. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A551 | Permits certain consumers up to five business days to cancel home improvement contracts and up to three days to cancel certain consumer goods contracts. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2335 | Requires school districts to provide instruction on history of Latinos and Hispanics as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3518 | Requires MVC to create digital driver's licenses and digital non-driver identification cards. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| AJR128 | Designates August of each year as "American Artist Appreciation Month" in New Jersey. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3742 | Requires Secretary of Agriculture to establish Farm to School Local Food Procurement Reimbursement Grant Program to reimburse school districts for costs expended in sourcing and procuring local foods for students; appropriates $4,500,000. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2783 | "Travel Insurance Act." | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2788 | Appropriates $128.241 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for farmland preservation purposes. | Assembly Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3802 | Differentiates certain legal services from traditional insurance products. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3974 | Prohibits use of deceptive marketing practices by substance use disorder treatment providers. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3979 | Requires certain providers of substance or alcohol use disorder treatment, services, or supports to be assessed for conflicts of interest prior to receiving State funds, licensure, or certification. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3973 | Revises law concerning patient referrals to substance use disorder treatment facilities, recovery residences, and clinical laboratories. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2961 | Establishes minimum qualifications for persons employed on public works contract. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | 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 | Yea |
| A4182 | Concerns conditions of employment of certain cannabis workers. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3132 | Imposes certain requirements on secondhand dealers of cellular telephones and wireless communication devices. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4215 | Directs BPU to adopt rules and regulations concerning small modular nuclear reactors; authorizes EDA to incentivize construction and operation of such reactors. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4248 | Requires certain documentation as proof of voter identity to vote; updates procedures for challenging voters regarding proof of identity. | Assembly Floor: Table Motion | 06/30/2025 | Abstain |
| A4295 | Establishes New Jersey-India Commission. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4302 | Amends current child labor laws to protect minor working as vlogger in certain circumstances. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3189 | Makes various changes to "New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act" and Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program; repeals "New Jersey Ignite Act." | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4429 | Expands prohibitions on employers concerning requirements for employees to attend or listen to communications related to political matters. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3309 | Establishes "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act"; revises motor vehicle franchise agreements. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4455 | Allows exemption from New Jersey gross income of certain capital gains from sale or exchange of qualified small business stock. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4479 | Requires social media platforms to cooperate with nonprofit organization initiatives to remove nonconsensual intimate images or videos. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4521 | Concerns provision of services to defendants on pretrial release. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4544 | Expands eligibility requirements of State's child care assistance program to include full-time graduate and post-graduate students. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3418 | Authorizes certain types of permanent structures, recently constructed or erected on preserved farmland, to be used, in certain cases, for purposes of holding special occasion events thereon. | Assembly Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4577 | Requires State departments and Office of Technology to provide reports on proposed technology upgrades. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4636 | Requires that notice concerning gift card fraud be posted by retail mercantile establishments that sell gift cards to consumers. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4643 | Creates penalty for child endangerment via use of social media. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4651 | Establishes penalties for certain conduct related to public brawl and disorderly conduct. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4712 | Establishes Office of Veteran Advocate and ombudsman for DMVA; appropriates funds. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4714 | Broadens riot; enhances penalties for certain crimes committed during riot; creates new crimes of mob intimidation and cyber-intimidation by publication; establishes duty in municipality to permit law enforcement to respond appropriately. | Assembly Floor: Table Motion | 06/30/2025 | Abstain |
| A4765 | Requires driver education and testing on responsibilities when approaching and passing pedestrians and persons operating bicycles and personal conveyances; requires driver's manual to include information on sharing roadway with motorists for certain road users. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4818 | Reduces and clarifies requirements for municipal tourist development commission disbursements for advertising. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3618 | Directs DEP and DOT to establish "Wildlife Corridor Action Plan." | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3663 | Establishes reproductive health travel advisory. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3711 | Makes annual allocation of $500,000 from Clean Communities Program Fund for public outreach concerning single-use plastics reduction program permanent. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3776 | Establishes Chronic Absenteeism Task Force. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3773 | Concerns requirements to report separations from employment under employee leasing agreements. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4937 | Concerns satellite cannabis dispensaries, Cannabis Regulatory Commission membership, and post-employment restrictions on State employees. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4937 | Concerns satellite cannabis dispensaries, Cannabis Regulatory Commission membership, and post-employment restrictions on State employees. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4971 | Requires EDA to provide grants to certain small businesses affected by State infrastructure and construction projects. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5000 | Requires Medicaid coverage for fertility preservation services in cases of iatrogenic infertility caused by medically necessary treatments. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5004 | Creates separate crime for items depicting sexual exploitation or abuse of children; concerns computer generated or manipulated sexually explicit images. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5049 | Removes certain limitations on receipt of retirement or death benefits under PFRS under certain circumstances. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5077 | Extends statutory pause on collection of student growth objective data. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3910 | Makes various changes to provision of preschool aid and facilities requirements; establishes Universal Preschool Implementation Steering Committee; requires full-day kindergarten in all school districts. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3933 | Establishes School Supervisor Mentorship Pilot Program; appropriates $500,000. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3944 | Provides that certain non-profit corporation alcoholic beverage theater licensees include disregarded entities of such corporations; allows certain community theaters to sell alcoholic beverages. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5146 | Removes exception to civil service working test period for political subdivision employees. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3982 | Requires certain information be provided to parent at least two business days prior to annual Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meeting; establishes IEP Improvement Working Group in DOE. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3992 | Modifies capital reserve funding requirements for certain planned real estate developments. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5213 | Establishes "New Economy Opportunity Skills System Pilot Program" to strengthen alignment and collaboration between local workforce development boards, community colleges, and county vocational school districts; makes appropriation. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5199 | Requires resident and fellow physicians employed by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, who are eligible for coverage in SHBP, to be eligible to enroll and receive health insurance on first day of employment. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5195 | Requires producer of certain firefighting equipment containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances to provide written notice to purchaser; prohibits sale, manufacture, and distribution of certain firefighting equipment containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5260 | Prohibits sale, manufacture, and distribution of certain apparel containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4122 | Revises apportionment of State lottery contributions. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5277 | Establishes public awareness campaign and call center for certain property tax relief programs; requires submission of annual report by Stay NJ Task Force. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5278 | Establishes "New Jersey Menopause Coverage Act"; requires health insurance coverage of medically necessary perimenopause and menopause treatments. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5309 | Permits up to three credits of continuing medical education on menopause to be used by advanced practice nurses and physicians for license renewal. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| SJR154 | Directs BPU to investigate PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.'s Reliability Pricing Model; directs State to promote affordable energy practices and to urge PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. to implement certain reforms. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5362 | Prohibits casino licensees from using non-wagering casino games to solicit future gaming. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5378 | Modifies provisions of Cultural Arts Incentives Program, New Jersey Aspire Program, and Grow New Jersey Program; eliminates Community-Anchored Development Program. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5383 | Requires unrestricted Medicaid coverage for ovulation enhancing drugs and medical services related to administering such drugs for certain beneficiaries experiencing infertility. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5381 | Provides medical documentation requirement for certain members of PERS, PFRS, and SPRS to receive accidental disability retirement allowance for participation in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations; removes filing deadline. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5420 | Permits 30-calendar day extension to cure period for certain businesses to address and resolve certain violations. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5421 | Requires development of online tax training for small and micro-businesses. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5422 | Allows businesses to receive information via email concerning new regulations and economic incentives that affect business. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4263 | Revises certain provisions concerning, and establishes certain education and data reporting requirements related to, involuntary commitment. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| AR180 | Urges DEP, Pinelands Commission, and Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council to engage in alternative forest management practices during periods of drought when prescribed burning is unsafe. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5447 | Prohibits sweepstakes model of wagering; establishes new penalties for unlawful gambling operations and practices; directs Division of Consumer Affairs and Division of Gaming Enforcement to enforce penalties. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5462 | Requires electric public utilities to develop and apply special rules for certain data centers to protect non-data center customers from increased costs. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5463 | Requires electric public utilities to submit annual report on voting to BPU. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4293 | Requires owner or operator of data center to submit water and energy usage report to BPU. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5517 | Directs BPU to study feasibility of developing advanced reactors Statewide. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5533 | Establishes requirements for receipt and purchase of scrap metals containing lithium-ion or propulsion batteries. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5563 | Establishes "Summer Termination Program" for certain utility customers. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| State | District | Chamber | Party | Status | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NJ | New Jersey Assembly District 03 | Assembly | Democrat | In Office | 01/09/2024 |