Legislator
Legislator > Erik Peterson
State Assemblymember
Erik Peterson
(R) - New Jersey
New Jersey Assembly District 23
In Office - Started: 12/07/2009
contact info
Clinton Office
28 Center St.
Clinton, NJ 08809
Clinton, NJ 08809
Phone: 908-238-0251
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| AR198 | Establishes the "Assembly Special Committee on Staten Island Annexation." | This Assembly Resolution establishes the bipartisan "Assembly Special Committee on Staten Island Annexation." The committee will consist of 12 members of the General Assembly. Six members will be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and six members will be appointed by the Minority Leader of the General Assembly. The committee will organize within 30 days after the effective date of this resolution. The committee will have two co-chairpersons and two co-vice chairpersons. The Speaker of the General Assembly will appoint a co-chairperson and a co-vice chairperson, and the Minority Leader of the General Assembly will appoint a co-chairperson and a co-vice chairperson, all from among the committee's membership. The committee will investigate and report on the historical, legal, and geographic claims of the State of New Jersey to Staten Island. The committee will examine information including, but not limited to, colonial-era land grants, the 1834 boundary compact between New York and New Jersey, and any relevant case law. The committee will explore all lawful avenues by which the State of New Jersey may assert or pursue annexation of Staten Island, subject to the consent of its residents, the State of New York, and the United States Congress. The committee will also solicit testimony from experts in their respective fields concerning the historical, legal, and geographic claims. At the conclusion of its work, the committee will develop and publish a report containing its findings and recommendations. The committee will expire upon the conclusion of the committee's work. | In Committee |
| A5939 | Requires Department of Agriculture to conduct inspections of on-farm dairy processing activities. | This bill would transfer the authority of all on-farm dairy processing inspection activities from the Department of Health to the Department of Agriculture. The Department of Agriculture would be required to collaborate with the Department of Health and local boards of health to oversee all on-farm dairy processing activities. | In Committee |
| A5940 | Establishes "New Jersey Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act." | This bill establishes the "New Jersey Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.'' Under the bill, if an abortion or attempted abortion results in a child born alive, any health care professional present at the time the child is born alive is to exercise the same degree of professional skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child as a reasonably diligent and conscientious health care professional would render to any other child born alive at the same gestational age, and ensure that the child is immediately transported and admitted to a hospital for treatment. A person who violates the above provisions is to be guilty of a crime of the third degree. A crime of the third degree is punishable by three to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. Under the bill, "born alive," with respect to a member of the species homo sapiens, means the complete expulsion or extraction from his or her mother of that member, at any stage of development, who after such expulsion or extraction breathes or has a beating heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles, regardless of whether the umbilical cord has been cut, and regardless of whether the expulsion or extraction occurs as a result of natural or induced labor, cesarean section, or induced abortion. The bill provides that a person who intentionally performs or attempts to perform an overt act that kills a child born alive following an abortion or attempted abortion is to be guilty of violating N.J.S.2C:11-3. A violation of N.J.S.2C:11-3 is punishable by 30 years to life imprisonment. Under the bill, a health care professional and any employee who has knowledge of a failure to comply with the requirements of this bill's provisions is to immediately report the failure to an appropriate State or federal law enforcement agency or both or be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by imprisonment for up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. The bill provides that the mother of a child born alive following an abortion or attempted abortion is not to be guilty of conspiracy to commit a crime under the bill's provisions. Further, the mother of the child born alive may bring a civil action for damages against any violator of the provisions of this bill. | In Committee |
| A5049 | Removes certain limitations on receipt of retirement or death benefits under PFRS under certain circumstances. | Removes certain limitations on receipt of retirement or death benefits under PFRS under certain circumstances. | Passed |
| S1067 | Directs DHS to conduct landscape analysis of available mental health services. | Directs DHS to conduct landscape analysis of available mental health services. | Vetoed |
| A775 | "Fairness in Women's Sport Act." | This bill requires that participation in school-sanctioned sports be based on biological sex at birth. It provides that public and nonpublic schools, as well as institutions of higher education, designate athletic or sports teams on the basis of biological sex. The bill also prohibits any athletic teams or sports designated for females, women, or girls from being open to male students. In the event the sex of a student is disputed, the student will establish sex by presenting a signed physician's statement that indicates the student's sex based solely on (1) the student's internal and external reproductive anatomy; (2) the student's normal endogenously produced levels of testosterone; and (3) an analysis of the student's genetic makeup. A school or institution of higher education would not be subject to investigation or any adverse action for maintaining separate athletic teams or sports for students of the female sex. Students who are deprived of athletic opportunities or suffer any harm as a result of a violation of the provisions of this bill would have a private cause of action for injunctive relief, damages, or other legal remedy permitted by law against the school or institution of higher education. A student subject to retaliation or any adverse action by his or her school, institution of higher education, or athletic association or organization for reporting a violation of the bill would also have a private right of action against the school, institution of higher education, or athletic association or organization. Schools or institutions of higher education that suffer any harm as a result of a violation of this bill would likewise have a private cause of action for injunctive relief, damages, or other legal remedy permitted by law. Any student, school, or institution of higher education able to bring suit under this bill would be required to bring their claims within two years after the harm occurred. Students or organizations that prevail on any claim brought pursuant to this bill would be entitled to monetary damages, including damages for any psychological, emotional, and physical harm suffered, reasonable attorney's fees and costs, and any other appropriate relief. | In Committee |
| A5076 | Requires State Police to establish recovery leave policy for troopers presenting proof of pregnancy. | Requires State Police to establish recovery leave policy for troopers presenting proof of pregnancy. | Crossed Over |
| 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 |
| A4652 | Establishes offense of inciting public brawl; upgrades penalty for disorderly conduct in certain circumstances. | An Act concerning public brawls and disorderly conduct and amending N.J.S.2C:33-1 and N.J.S.2C:33-2. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A5550 | Requires Division of Local Government Services to perform audits of certain shared services agreements and authorities. | This bill requires the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs (division) to perform certain audits, in a form and manner to be determined by the division, and for this purpose is to employ a certified public accountant licensed pursuant to the laws of the State, of each shared services agreement entered into by a governing body pursuant to the "Uniform Shared Services and Consolidation Act," sections 1 through 35 of P.L.2007, c.63 (C.40A:65-1 through C.40A:65-35), and each authority established pursuant to the "Municipal Shared Services Energy Authority Act," P.L.2015, c.129 (C.40A:66-1 et seq.), and the "Regional Rehabilitation and Reentry Center Authority Act," P.L.2023, c.346 (C.40A:67-1 et seq.), which the division is to submit to the Local Finance Board for review. The division is to perform each audit according to the schedule provided in the bill. The division is to make the results of each audit available to the public on the division's Internet website. The director of the division is authorized to make rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of the bill. The bill also provides that the bill is to take effect on the first day of the third month following the date of enactment except that the division may take any anticipatory administrative action in advance as is be necessary for the implementation of the bill. | In Committee |
| A5552 | Prohibits MVC from accepting certain documents as proof of applicant's identity for certain documents issued by MVC. | This bill prohibits the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission from accepting the submission of any document issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security, or the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or their successors, concerning the removal or deportation of an individual from the United States, including, but not limited to, an order of release on recognizance or an order of supervision, as a means of providing proof of an applicant's identity for issuance of a standard basic driver's license, standard identification card, standard motorcycle license, standard special learner's permit, standard examination permit, standard probationary driver's license, or commercial driver license. | In Committee |
| A5560 | Repeals law that requires diversity and inclusion instruction for public school students in grades kindergarten through 12. | This bill repeals current State that requires school districts to provide instruction on diversity and inclusion, P.L.2021, c.32 (C.18A:35-4.36a). The law provides that school districts incorporate the instruction in an appropriate place in the curriculum of students in grades kindergarten through 12 as part of the implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. | In Committee |
| A5551 | Establishes "Veteran Obituary Fund." | This bill establishes a dedicated, non-lapsing fund in the Department of the Treasury to be known as the "Veteran Obituary Fund." Under the bill, the "Veteran Obituary Fund" will be credited with any money received by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to pay for the cost of veteran obituaries. The bill also authorizes the Adjutant General and the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to solicit and accept donations or grants of money or property from any source for the purposes of the fund and to distribute appropriations made by law for these purposes. Under the bill, taxpayers are permitted to deduct the amount of money or property donated to the fund from their gross income, not to exceed $50,000 for the taxable year in which the donation occurs. The bill requires taxpayers to obtain an independent appraisal of the fair market value of property offered in donation to the fund when that value exceeds $500 or a taxpayer intends to claim a deduction in an amount greater than $500. The taxpayer must furnish the appraisal to the department and file the appraisal with their return. The bill also requires the department to provide written acknowledgement of donations of property. The acknowledgement must include the name of the taxpayer, as well as attestations of the fair market value of the property in certain instances. On average, obituaries cost several hundred dollars. New Jersey veterans should not forgo being memorialized or honored upon their passing due to this expense. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| AR179 | Adopts articles of impeachment concerning Matthew Platkin, Attorney General. | This Assembly Resolution adopts articles of impeachment in the matter of Matthew Platkin, Attorney General, provides for the presentation of articles to the Senate, and impeaches Matthew Platkin. In light of his record of failing to address ongoing issues within the Division of Criminal Justice and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability; exceeding his statutory authority and unlawfully superseding the Paterson Police Department; failing to defend State law in court proceedings and making a unilateral decision on the constitutionality of State law; targeting certain organizations based upon the political beliefs of the organization, specifically pro-life pregnancy centers; violating the public trust; and his overall failure to perform the duties of his office, it is altogether fitting and proper and within the public interest for the General Assembly to adopt articles of impeachment against Matthew Platkin, and present the articles to the New Jersey Senate in accordance with the New Jersey Constitution, Article VII, Section III, paragraph 2. | In Committee |
| A5414 | Prohibits certain financial institutions from requiring certain disabled veterans to include anticipated property tax obligations as part of mortgage applications. | This bill prohibits certain financial institutions from requiring certain disabled veterans to include anticipated property tax obligations as part of a mortgage applications. Under current law, a veteran who has been declared by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs to have a 100 percent service-connected disability, and meets all of the requirements for a veterans' property tax exemption, may apply to the municipality in which their principal residence is located for a property tax exemption. The surviving spouse of such a veteran is also entitled to the property tax exemption for the duration of their widowhood or widowerhood, provided that certain eligibility criteria are met. Currently, when a person, including a disabled veteran or their surviving spouse, seeks a mortgage to purchase a home, banks, mortgage companies, and credit unions generally require that the person qualify for the mortgage based on the calculated monthly mortgage payment for the mortgage loan, plus the monthly share of the annual property tax bill. Although these persons may qualify for a total property tax exemption after purchasing the property, the inclusion of property tax obligations in the mortgage application can make it significantly more difficult for these persons to obtain a mortgage, as well as increase the interest rates that may be approved for these mortgage applicants. Under the bill, when a qualified veteran who has been declared by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs to have a 100 percent service-connected disability, or their surviving spouse, seeks a mortgage loan from a State-chartered bank, mortgage company, or credit union for a dwelling house that is to be the person's principal residence, the bank, mortgage company, or credit union may not require the person to indicate or disclose the annual property tax obligation on that dwelling house as part of the underwriting requirements for the mortgage loan, provided that the assessor of the municipality in which the property is located determines that the veteran or surviving spouse satisfies all of the eligibility requirements for the disabled veterans' property tax exemption, other than the ownership of the property, and certifies the same to the State-chartered bank, mortgage company, or credit union on a form promulgated for this purpose by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance. In the case of a mortgage refinance application, the qualified veteran or surviving spouse would be required to meet all of the eligibility requirements for the disabled veterans' property tax exemption, including ownership of the property. | In Committee |
| A5419 | Prohibits health care professionals from providing gender-affirming health care services to persons under 21 years of age. | This bill prohibits health care professionals from providing gender-affirming health care services to persons under 21 years of age. A health care professional who violates the provisions of the bill will be subject to discipline for professional misconduct. The bill defines "gender-affirming health care services" to mean all supplies, care, and services of a medical, surgical, therapeutic, diagnostic, preventative, rehabilitative, or supportive nature, including medication, relating to the treatment of gender dysphoria and gender incongruence. Gender-affirming health care services, as defined under the bill, does not include supplies, care, and services of a behavioral health, mental health, or psychiatric nature. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| A2145 | Provides employment protections for paid first responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder under certain conditions. | This bill establishes employment protections for paid first responders who are diagnosed with certain cases of work-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Under the bill, an employer would be prohibited from discharging, harassing, or otherwise discriminating against an employee, or threatening to do so, with respect to the compensation, terms, conditions, duties, or privileges of employment on the basis that the employee took or requested any leave related to a qualifying diagnosis of PTSD. The bill provides that if an employer violates its provisions, an employee or former employee would be authorized to institute a civil action in the Superior Court for relief. All remedies available in common law tort actions would be available to a prevailing plaintiff. Additionally, the bill provides that a court would be authorized to order any or all of the following relief: (1) an assessment of a civil fine of $5,000 and $10,000 for each subsequent violation; (2) an injunction to restrain the continued violation of any of the provisions of the bill; (3) reinstatement of the employee to the same position or to a position equivalent to that which the employee held prior to unlawful discharge or retaliatory action; (4) reinstatement of full fringe benefits and seniority rights; (5) compensation for any lost wages, benefits and other remuneration; (6) payment of reasonable costs and attorney's fees. | In Committee |
| A5256 | Allocates $7.5 million annually of constitutionally dedicated CBT revenue for preservation of land in Highlands Region. | This bill would amend and supplement the "Preserve New Jersey Act," P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-43 et seq.), to allocate $7.5 million annually of constitutionally dedicated Corporation Business Tax (CBT) revenue to the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council (council) for the preservation of land in the Highlands Region. The funding in this bill is provided from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues pursuant to Article VIII, Section II, paragraph 6 of the State Constitution, which dedicates six percent of the CBT for certain environmental purposes. Under the "Preserve New Jersey Act" (act), P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-43 et seq.), of the dedicated CBT revenues allocated for open space, farmland, and historic preservation, each year: 62 percent is allocated to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for recreation and conservation purposes; 31 percent is allocated to the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) for farmland preservation; and the remaining seven percent is allocated to the New Jersey Historic Trust for historic preservation. Under this bill, $5 million of the amount allocated each year to the DEP and $2.5 million of the amount allocated to the SADC would be deposited into the "Preserve New Jersey Highlands Preservation Fund," a new fund created by the bill. These moneys, totaling $7.5 million each year would be used by the council to preserve lands located in the Highlands Region. | In Committee |
| A5175 | Reinstates automatic COLAs for retirement benefits of certain PFRS members. | This bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for annual pension, ordinary disability pension, or accidental disability pension retirement benefits for certain members of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). Provisions contained in P.L.2011, c.78 (C.43:3C-16 et al.), signed into law on June 28, 2011, had suspended the automatic annual adjustment for current and future retirees and beneficiaries of PFRS and other State-administered retirement systems until those systems reach a target funded ratio. Decades of underfunding those systems by the State had placed the systems in precarious financial conditions. Although this bill does not reinstate COLAs for other retirees, it serves as the first step in reinstating COLAs for all retirees of the State-administered retirement systems. Through the prioritization of PFRS, the State will begin this process with retired first responders, police and firefighters, to provide them greater financial security and stability at a time when inflation has significantly eroded the value of their retirement benefit payments, which are already based on the lower salaries of years ago. To that end, the bill includes restrictions intended to limit costs and focus on segments among PFRS retirees expected to be most in need of an immediate benefit. Under the bill, members of PFRS will receive automatic COLAs for annual pension, ordinary disability pension, and accidental disability pension benefits if the member has been retired and receiving retirement benefits for a minimum of ten years. Longer-term retirees generally will have lower pension benefits and be less able to obtain employment to offset the erosion of their benefits. Members of PFRS who are hired more than 30 days following the effective date of this act will not be considered eligible to receive these automatic COLAs. Additionally, members who are enrolled in deferred retirement will not be considered eligible for these automatic COLAs, nor will members who retired with 20 or more years of service but less than 25 years of service. The COLAs will only apply to future pension benefit payments. The bill does not provide for retroactive COLAs. The adjustment in eligible members' pension benefits will be calculated based on an amount up to $75,000 of a retiree's benefit for the first year following the enactment of this bill. Eligible members receiving up to $75,000 of pension benefits will receive a COLA tied to the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. This will ensure that greater initial benefits will be provided to those likely to be most in need. The adjustment in eligible member's pension benefits will be limited to one percent if the member receives more than $75,000 in benefits for the first year following the enactment of the bill. After the first calendar year following the enactment of the bill, the $75,000 threshold will be adjusted annually according to the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, except that the adjustment will be calculated at a rate not to exceed three percent. The bill also grants the cost-of-living adjustment to the monthly pension or survivorship benefit of a surviving spouse, child, or beneficiary that is provided by PFRS. Under the bill, if the Board of Trustees of PFRS fails to comply with the provisions of this bill within six months following the effective date, then the State Treasurer will be responsible for implementing the cost-of-living adjustments. The bill requires the Legislature to appropriate monies from the General Fund as necessary to effectuate the cost-of-living adjustments established under the bill that are sufficient to cover both State and local expenses, and to reimburse each PFRS local employer for the full cost incurred. The bill further provides that this appropriation will take precedence over any additional funding added to the annual State budget by the Legislature through non-emergency supplemental appropriations, resolutions or other changes to the Governor's budget message. | In Committee |
| A5142 | Requires school bus personnel members working with students with disabilities to call 911 emergency line in potential life-threatening emergencies; requires school buses transporting students with disabilities to be equipped with certain safety features. | This bill requires school bus drivers, school bus aides, and any other individual who works, and is otherwise responsible for the safety of students, on a school bus transporting one or more students with disabilities to call the 911 emergency telephone service for assistance in the event of a potential life-threatening emergency on the school bus. A school bus personnel member is required to report that call to the Office of Special Education in the Department of Education. Under the bill, a board of education, or a school bus contractor providing pupil transportation services under contract with a board of education, that employs a school bus personnel member, as well as the office, is to maintain a record of the calls. A board of education, or a school bus contractor as applicable, is required to ensure that certain training related to school bus safety and interacting with students with disabilities are provided to each school bus personnel member who works on a school bus transporting students with disabilities. Pursuant to current law, these training programs are required to be administered to school bus drivers and school bus aides. The bill expands these programs to cover all other school bus personnel members who work, and are responsible for the safety of students, on a school bus transporting one or more students with disabilities. A board of education or school bus contractor that does not properly administer these training programs is to be subject to applicable penalties established under current law. Pursuant to the bill, the parent or guardian of a student with disabilities, who believes that a school bus personnel member did not properly call the 911 emergency telephone service in the event of a potential life-threatening emergency, may file a complaint with the Office of Special Education within the Department of Education. A school bus personnel member who is found by the office to have violated the provisions concerning 911 emergency notification and follow-up reporting requirements is to be liable for certain civil penalties. The bill also requires a school bus that transports one or more students with disabilities to be equipped with: 1) a video camera on the interior of the school bus to monitor student safety while the students are being transported; 2) a global positioning system that provides information about the location and speed of each school bus in real time; and 3) two-way communications equipment, which may include, but not be limited to, a cellular or other wireless telephone. Under the bill, any video footage collected from a video camera and any data collected from a global positioning system is to be retained for not less than 180 days from the date it was recorded. Finally, the bill requires that each in-terminal school bus inspection conducted by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission is to provide for the inspection of the equipment required to be installed on school buses pursuant to the bill. | In Committee |
| A3161 | Broadens eligibility for certain civil service and pension benefits for veterans by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations. | This bill broadens the eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating the requirement that a veteran serve during specific wars or other periods of emergency, and, in certain instances, that a veteran serve in a war zone. Instead of service during specific dates or in specific locations, the bill requires federal active service in any branch of the United States Armed Forces or a Reserve component thereof. The benefits in the bill are (1) a civil service preference under Title 11A of the New Jersey Statutes; (2) a veteran's retirement allowance under the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) or the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS); and (3) the purchase of additional military service credit in the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS), TPAF, PERS, and the State Police Retirement System (SPRS). Eligibility for the civil service benefits for all veterans is contingent upon voter approval of an authorizing amendment to the State Constitution. | In Committee |
| A5042 | Requires public entities purchase five percent of goods and services from Central Nonprofit Agency; requires Division of Purchase and Property establish training protocols for all purchasing agents; grants Central Nonprofit Agency right of first refusal. | Under current law, State and local government agencies and political subdivisions of the State that are authorized to purchase goods and services are required to make a good faith effort to purchase five percent of such goods and services through the Central Nonprofit Agency, an agency established by the "Rehabilitation Facilities Set-Aside Act." Under the bill, such State and local government agencies and political subdivisions of the State will be required to purchase five percent of goods and services through the Central Nonprofit Agency. The bill clarifies reporting and oversight requirements. Under the bill, the Division of Purchase and Property in the Department of the Treasury must submit a report of purchasing data to the Central Nonprofit Agency for the Rehabilitation Facilities Set-Aside program no more than six months after the effective date of this bill, and on a quarterly basis thereafter. In addition, the Department of the Treasury will be required to report annually to the Governor and the Legislature detailing the compliance of State and local government entities and political subdivisions with the purchasing thresholds. The bill also provides that the Division of Purchase and Property, in collaboration with the Central Nonprofit Agency, must establish training protocols for all purchasing agents employed by State or local government entities or political subdivisions required to meet the purchasing thresholds. The bill also provides that the Central Nonprofit Agency will have a right of first refusal for all goods and services that may otherwise be purchased through a cooperative purchasing agreement catalog so long as the Central Nonprofit Agency can deliver the goods or services that would otherwise be purchased through a cooperative purchasing agreement catalog at a price that is within 15 percent of fair market value. The "Rehabilitation Facilities Set-Aside Act" assists persons who are blind or have a severe disability with achieving maximum personal independence through productive employment by assuring a continuous market for their goods and services, which are produced at qualified rehabilitation facilities and distributed through the Central Nonprofit Agency. The Central Nonprofit Agency is designated by the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services to facilitate the distribution of orders received from various State agencies as provided in the "Rehabilitation Facilities Set-Aside Act." This bill furthers the goals of the "Rehabilitation Facilities Set-Aside Act" to assist in the productive employment of individuals with special needs. | In Committee |
| A4941 | Provides seniority service credit to educational support professionals for military service. | Current law provides that a teaching staff member may receive up to four years of credit, in computing length of service for seniority purposes, for military service. This bill provides a similar benefit to educational support professionals. Under the bill, every educational support professional who has served in the active military of the United States and is declared by the United States Department of Defense to be eligible for federal veterans' benefits is to receive equivalent years of employment or seniority credit, up to four years, for that service as if the professional had been employed for the same period of time at the school district. Any military service is to be credited towards this employment or seniority credit, including service that occurred prior to the professional's employment as an educational support professional. | In Committee |
| A4959 | Revises distribution of Alcohol Education, Rehabilitation and Enforcement Fund. | This bill revises the distribution of moneys in the Alcohol Education, Rehabilitation and Enforcement Fund, specifically the "Municipal Court Administration Reimbursement Fund." Currently the monies in the "Municipal Court Administration Reimbursement Fund" are distributed on a model which uses drunk driving arrest calculations certified in the early 1980s. This calculation does not take into consideration population shifts over the last 30 years and thus is not considered an adequate or equitable distribution method. This bill updates the calculation to establish a more equitable distribution of the funds and requires that once calendar year 2020 is established as the base year to calculate the number of drunk driving arrests, the base year would be updated decennially, commencing in 2030 and thereafter. | In Committee |
| AJR199 | Designates July 3 of each year as "Indian Christian Day (Yeshu Bakti Divas)" in NJ. | This joint resolution designates July 3 of each year as "Indian Christian Day (Yeshu Bakti Divas)" in New Jersey to provide an opportunity for Indian Christians to celebrate the message of Jesus Christ while promoting unity and understanding between different communities. Indian Christian Day is a grassroots people's movement to celebrate the message of Jesus Christ in India each year through love, worship, and service to the poorest and most disadvantaged. July 3 is the traditionally accepted martyrdom day of Saint Thomas the Apostle, who arrived in India in 52 AD and was martyred in 72 AD after two decades of ministry. The celebration of Indian Christian Day on July 3, 2021, launched the Decade of Celebration (2021-2030) in honor of the 2,000th anniversary of the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, whose teaching and life principles have helped to shape and transform India and the world. Indian Christian Day provides an opportunity for Indian Christians to celebrate their unique culture and traditions while promoting unity and understanding between different communities. Indian Christians wish to preserve their identity within the Indian cultural heritage by celebrating July 3 each year with all who wish to celebrate, irrespective of language, custom, creed, region, or religion. Given the cultural significance of July 3 for Indian Christians, it is appropriate for the State of New Jersey designate July 3 of each year as "Indian Christian Day (Yeshu Bakti Divas)" in New Jersey. | In Committee |
| A4907 | Establishes process for selection, instruction, and oversight of commissioners to Article V convention for proposing amendments to United States Constitution; establishes criminal penalties for certain violations. | This bill establishes a process for the selection, instruction, and oversight of commissioners to an Article V convention for proposing amendments to the United States Constitution, and establishes criminal penalties for certain violations. Under the bill, an odd number of commissioners would be named as this State's delegates to an Article V convention by a resolution passed by the State legislature, by a majority of those legislators present and voting in a joint session. To be eligible for selection and service as a commissioner, a person would be required to be: a United States citizen and have been such for at least 5 years; a resident of this State and have been such for at least 3 of the last 5 years; at least 25 years old; a registered voter in this State; not registered or required to be registered as a federal lobbyist at any time within the last 5 years; not a federal employee, other than a member of the United States armed forces, or contractor, currently or at any time within the last 10 years; not a federal elected or appointed officer at any time within the last 10 years; not a convicted felon for crimes involving moral turpitude in any jurisdiction, nor for any crime in any jurisdiction within the last 10 years; not a Statewide office while performing the duties of commissioner or interim commissioner; able to attend the convention unencumbered with other responsibilities that could detract from full-time commitment to the responsibilities of the convention, taking into consideration the anticipated duration of the convention; and have relevant subject matter expertise in areas that may include, but may not be limited to, constitutional law, civics, rules of order, American history, political science, political theory, and government. A position as a State legislator would not be deemed a "Statewide office." The bill provides for a commissioner to receive the same compensation as a member of the legislature of this State, prorated for length of time served, and the same allowance for expenses. The bill prohibits a commissioner or interim commissioner from accepting, during the time of service, any gifts or benefits with a combined value of more than $200, other than from an immediate family member and of the kind customarily granted by a member of one's family. The term "gift or benefit" would be construed liberally to include current and future loans, lodging, food, offer of prospective employment, and other actual and prospective benefits. An employer's decision to continue paying a commissioner's current salary would not be construed to be a gift. However, such salary would not be altered until the adjournment of the Article V convention and proposed amendments have been submitted to the states for ratification. The bill provides that the resolution naming the commissioners and their commission would prohibit a commissioner from voting for or otherwise promoting any change to the traditional convention rule of decision on the floor and in the committee of the whole, to-wit, that each state has one vote. A commissioner would also be prohibited from voting in favor of any proposed amendment that would alter the text of the specific guarantees of individual liberty established by the United States Constitution, including the original constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the following amendments: Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Nineteenth, Twenty-Third, Twenty-Fourth, and Twenty-Sixth. The commissioning resolution would be required to clearly state the scope of the commissioners' authority, which would be limited by: (1) if this State was not one of the two-thirds of the states applying for the convention, the subject matter enumerated in the 34 state applications that triggered the convention; or (2) if this State was one of the two-thirds of the states applying for the convention, the subject matter in this State's application; and (3) any additional instructions from the legislature, whether in the commissioning resolution or issued thereafter. The bill allows the legislature to provide additional instructions at any time via subsequent resolution. In addition to the commissioning resolution, the Senate and General Assembly would adopt a resolution to outline the commission's initial statement and charter. The advisory committee would put forth the resolution for the Legislature's approval. A commissioner who has been named on the commissioning resolution would be permitted to withdraw from consideration if the commissioner is unable to uphold the goals established in the resolution of initial statement and charter. The bill also establishes a three-member advisory committee composed of a member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate; a member of the General Assembly appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly; and a member of the legislature nominated by joint action of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the General Assembly and approved by the majority of those voting in each chamber. The advisory committee has the responsibility to determine whether a prospective or actual action by a commissioner would violate or violates the commissioning resolution or any subsequent instruction. Upon determining that a commissioner or interim commissioner has exceeded the scope of the commissioner's authority, the advisory committee would be required to recall or suspend said commissioner, and would communicate said action and the reasons therefor to the President of the Senate, Speaker of the General Assembly, the Attorney General, and the presiding officers of the convention. Under the bill, the legislature is empowered to remove said commissioner and appoint an interim commissioner to fill the vacancy. The bill establishes criminal penalties for certain violations. Under the bill, a commissioner or interim commissioner who exceeds the scope of the commissioner's authority would be guilty of a crime of the third degree. In addition, any individual who, while not being privileged by law, knowingly bribes, threatens, intimidates or obstructs a commissioner, interim commissioner, or a person representing another state in the capacity of a commissioner or interim commissioner at a convention held in this State, in the performance of the commissioner's duties, or attempts to do so, would be guilty of a crime of the third degree. | In Committee |
| A2717 | Authorizes proportional property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected permanent disability and proclaims that the State shall reimburse municipalities for costs of exemption. | The bill grants a property tax exemption to honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected disability in proportion to their disability percentage rating. The exemption is only granted to those with a disability percentage rating of at least 30 percent, and the exemption is capped at $10,000. Those with a 100 percent disability percentage rating would still be allowed a 100 percent property tax exemption without a cap, as is the case under current law. In addition, the bill grants those honorably discharged veterans having less than a 100 percent service-connected disability, but who are unemployable, a 100 percent property tax exemption, which matches the current 100 percent property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having a 100 percent disability percentage rating. As under current law, the bill allows the 100 percent property tax exemption to extend to the surviving spouse of a veteran. However, the newly allowed property tax exemption for a veteran with a less than 100 percent property tax exemption would not extend to the surviving spouse. The bill also eliminates all references to medical conditions so that any service-connected disability, as determined by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs, will make a veteran eligible for the property tax exemption. Finally, the bill proclaims that the State shall annually reimburse taxing districts, including for administrative costs, for the property tax exemptions granted to disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. The bill includes reporting provisions so proper reimbursement can be made. | In Committee |
| AR157 | Supports work of pregnancy resource centers and condemns harassment of pregnancy resource centers by AG. | This resolution expresses support for the work of pregnancy resource centers in this State, and condemns Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin for his politically motivated harassment of pregnancy resource centers. A pregnancy resource center is typically a faith-based non-profit organization, which offers pregnant women information and care to support their pregnancy, such as alternatives to abortion, parenting education, medical treatment from licensed health care professionals, counseling, and maternal and baby goods, often at little or no cost. Pregnancy resource centers offer their services and donated goods without regard to a person's religious affiliation or ability to pay. In 2022, pregnancy resource centers in this State provided over $3.6 million in goods and services to over 23,000 people, including women, men, and youth, which included more than 8,000 free pregnancy tests, more than 6,000 free ultrasound examinations, more than 2,000 free screenings for sexually transmitted diseases, more than 9,000 free packs of diapers, more than 75,000 free sets of baby clothes, 55 free car seats, 172 free strollers, 38 free cribs, and more than 1,000 free containers of formula. Despite their significant value to pregnant women and the community at large, pregnancy resource centers are under attack by the Attorney General as part of a coordinated nationwide campaign of intimidation and harassment under the guise of consumer protection. Although there have been no complaints filed by any client of a pregnancy resource center in this State, Attorney General Platkin has issued investigative subpoenas to certain pregnancy resource centers in an apparent misuse of the law enforcement powers of his office. The overbroad and unduly burdensome nature of these subpoenas appear to be a deliberate attempt to target and silence organizations that offer alternatives to abortion. | In Committee |
| A4773 | "Restoring the Representation of Legal Residents Act;" requires Secretary of State to adjust census apportionment and redistricting data to remove illegal alien population for apportionment and redistricting purposes in this State. | This bill, the "Restoring the Representation of Legal Residents Act," requires the Secretary of State to adjust the census apportionment and redistricting data to remove the illegal alien population for apportionment and redistricting purposes in this State. Article I, Section 2 of the United States Constitution requires that a census be conducted at least every 10 years. The census has a profound influence on the union's republican institutions, as the results are used to apportion seats in the United States House of Representatives to each State and redraw congressional, state legislative, and local districts. The census figures in 2020 were based on the number of all persons living in the United States, including U.S. citizens, non U.S. citizen legal residents, non U.S. citizen long-term visitors, and illegal aliens. Due to the inclusion of illegal aliens in the federal census counts, the legal residents in congressional, state legislative, and local districts with low numbers of illegal aliens are unjustly punished in their political representation when compared to districts with high numbers of illegal aliens. This bill therefore requires the Secretary of State to adjust the census apportionment and redistricting data to remove the population of illegal aliens for Congressional, Senate, Assembly, and local apportionment and redistricting purposes in this State. Under this bill, the Secretary of State will be required to adjust the census data that is used for apportionment and redistricting purposes, to exclude the population of illegal aliens in this State. The population of this State, so adjusted, would be the basis of the Congressional districts established by the Redistricting Commission, Senate and Assembly districts established by the Apportionment Commission, county districts established by each county district commission, municipal wards established by each municipal ward commission, and school districts established by each entity responsible for the apportionment of the members of each board of education of a regional school district. The bill further provides that, as part of the methodology for the data adjustment, the secretary would develop an accurate count of the legal population residing in this State, drawing from a variety of available datasets concerning a person's legal status, citizenship status, and residency. The datasets would include, but may not be limited to: (1) United States Bureau of the Census data regarding citizenship status and legal status; (2) New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission data regarding applications for motor vehicle driver's licenses, examination permits, probationary driver's licenses, and non-driver identification cards, and each related update, renewal, or change of address, and the issuance of such licenses, permits, and cards in cases where the applicant does not provide a social security number or individual taxpayer identification number; and (3) any other data available from reliable governmental sources deemed appropriate by the secretary for this purpose. Under the bill, the data adjustment would not be required if the United States Bureau of the Census makes available a count of the number of legal residents in the State of New Jersey, excluding only the illegal alien population, which would be used as the basis for Congressional district, Senate district, Assembly district, county district, municipal ward, and school district apportionment and redistricting purposes in this State.edistricting purposes in this State. | In Committee |
| AR155 | Urges U.S. Congress to remove federal courts' jurisdiction in certain education matters, or alternatively, to overturn certain prior case law. | This Assembly resolution urges the United States Congress to remove from federal courts' jurisdiction certain education matters, or in the alternative, urges the United States Supreme Court to overturn its erroneous decision in Plyler v. Doe. Illegal aliens cost this State billions of dollars each year, including in the area of publicly funded education that the State is required to provide even though illegal aliens often do not pay their full tax responsibility. The United States Supreme Court determined over 50 years ago that education is not a fundamental right afforded explicit or implicit protection under the United States Constitution. Moreover, the 10th Amendment to the United States Constitution explicitly reserves those powers not delegated to the federal government to the states. Notwithstanding these facts, the Supreme Court wrongly removed from states their constitutionally reserved power to govern their citizenry in the area of education by denying states the ability to charge illegal alien students a tuition, similar to the tax dollars paid by parents of students who are United States citizens and legally admitted aliens. The United States Constitution provides Congress with certain powers to constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court and to limit and regulate the Supreme Court's appellate jurisdiction. This Assembly resolution urges Congress to enact legislation removing jurisdiction of the United States Supreme Court and inferior federal courts over any case or controversy involving state action requiring illegal aliens to pay a school tuition or tax. In the alternative, this resolution urges the Supreme Court to overturn its decision in Plyler v. Doe and reaffirm a state's constitutionally protected right to govern its citizenry in the area of education. | In Committee |
| A4770 | "Ruth Gilbert Alzheimer's Accessibility Act"; allows certain individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or dementia to receive, and caregivers transporting those individuals to utilize, parking privileges reserved for persons with disability. | This bill permits a person to park a motor vehicle in parking spaces reserved for a person with a disability if the person has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia and the person's ability to walk is limited, impaired, or creates a safety condition while walking as certified by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. Under the bill, a person diagnosed Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia and whose ability to walk is limited, impaired, or creates a safety condition while walking is eligible to receive from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission a person with a disability identification card, a vehicle identification placard, and license plates that display the national wheelchair symbol. Under current law, vehicle identification placards are required to be displayed on the motor vehicle used to transport an individual with a disability and when the vehicle is parked overtime or in parking spaces reserved for individuals with a disability. A caregiver may utilize the placard while transporting an individual with a disability. Additionally, under current law, wheel chair symbol license plates may be issued to motor vehicles owned, operated, or leased by an individual with a disability or by any person furnishing transportation on the individual's behalf. | In Committee |
| A4772 | Establishes "Defend our Educational Resources Act." | This bill establishes the "Defend Our Educational Resources Act." Pursuant to the bill, the Governor, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, is required to take measures necessary to protect the educational resources of the State, including: (1) challenging federal action aimed at limiting the State's authority to govern in the area of education; (2) challenging the United States Supreme Court's decision in Plyler v. Doe, which prohibited the denial of taxpayer funds for the education of illegal aliens, when the opportunity arises; and (3) supporting local efforts to preserve educational resources for citizens of the United States. | In Committee |
| A4771 | Requires certification that persons directly or indirectly receiving State monies or privileges are not unauthorized aliens. | This bill provides that no person will receive a contract, loan, tax deferral, tax reduction, tax abatement, grant, subsidy, loan guarantee, certification, or license from the State unless that person has certified that his or her presence in the United States is authorized under federal law; or if the person is an employer receiving monies, licensure or any other benefit from the State, that the employer made a good faith effort to verify an employee's eligibility for employment in compliance with federal law. A penalty would apply only for "knowingly and willfully" false statements. The bill requires the New Jersey Department of Labor to prepare and make available to all State agencies a form which requires signatories, as individuals and as employers, to indicate compliance with federal law with regard to unauthorized aliens. The form will contain the following statement: "I certify that all the above statements are true, that I am aware that State law provides a penalty for written statements that are knowingly and willfully false and that the State of New Jersey reserves the right to terminate, cancel, rescind or revoke any privilege or benefit granted by the State based upon the above statements should any of them prove knowingly and willfully false." The bill states that the intent is to have each State agency incorporate the language of the form into existing documents and procedures rather than establish a separate certification filing system. | In Committee |
| A4360 | "New Jersey Design Professional Self-Certification Act"; requires DCA to establish design professional self-certification program. | An Act establishing a design professional self-certification program and supplementing P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.). | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4557 | "Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act"; bans abortion 20 weeks or more after fertilization. | This bill, designated as the "Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act," provides that an abortion is not to be performed or attempted if the probable post-fertilization age of the unborn child is 20 weeks or greater, with certain exceptions noted below. It is to be unlawful for a person to perform an abortion or attempt to do so, unless the person is a physician who has first made a determination of the probable post-fertilization age of the unborn child or has reasonably relied upon this determination made by another physician. In making the determination, a physician is to make inquiries of the pregnant woman and perform any medical examinations or tests necessary to accurately determine post-fertilization age. The bill provides an exception to the above provisions if: (1) the abortion is necessary to save the life of a pregnant women whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, illness, or injury, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by, or arising from, the pregnancy itself; (2) the pregnancy is the result of rape, if reported to a law enforcement agency prior to the abortion; or (3) the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest against a minor, if reported to a law enforcement agency or to the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) in the Department of Children and Families prior to the abortion. In terminating or attempting to terminate a pregnancy under these circumstances, the physician may do so only in a manner which, in reasonable medical judgment, provides the best opportunity for the unborn child to survive, unless the termination of the pregnancy in that manner would pose a greater risk of death of the pregnant woman or substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. The bill also: outlines the procedures that a physician who performs or attempts an abortion must follow, consistent with the federal "Born Alive Infant Protection Act", if an exception provided in the bill exists and the pain-capable unborn child survives the abortion or attempted abortion; outlines the documentation from a law enforcement agency, Department of Defense victim assistance personnel, or DCCP, that a physician is required to file proving a pregnant woman or minor seeking an abortion has been raped or is a victim of incest; requires the woman seeking the abortion, the physician performing or attempting to perform the abortion, and a witness to sign an informed consent authorization form; and requires any physician who performs or attempts an abortion pursuant to the bill to annually submit a summary of all such abortions to the National Center for Health Statistics as provided by the conditions outlined in the bill. A person who performs or attempts to perform an abortion in violation of the bill's requirements is to be guilty of a crime of the third degree (punishable by three to five years imprisonment or a fine of up to $15,000, or both); however, a woman upon whom an abortion is to be performed is to be immune from civil or criminal liability. A woman or the parent of a minor upon whom an abortion is performed in violation of the provisions of the the bill may, in a civil action against any person who committed the violation, obtain appropriate relief the conditions delineated in the bill. The bill, which is modeled on H.R.36 of the 114th Congress, is intended to address the concern that an unborn child is capable of experiencing pain by 20 weeks after fertilization, if not earlier. Surgeons in the field of maternal and fetal medicine have found it necessary to sedate an unborn child to prevent the unborn child from engaging in vigorous movement in reaction to invasive surgery. It is the purpose of this Legislature to assert a compelling governmental interest in protecting the lives of unborn children from the stage at which substantial medical evidence indicates they are capable of feeling pain. | In Committee |
| A1808 | Requires reporting of certain attempted and completed suicides by minors. | This bill requires reporting of certain attempted and completed suicides by minors. Under the bill, for the purpose of assembling data regarding suicide in minors, each hospital is to annually report to the New Jersey Poison Control Center of Rutgers, The State University, or to its successor agency, the number of attempted and completed suicides involving minors in which a minor uses a drug to attempt or complete suicide. A hospital is to also report, if available, additional information as may be required by the Department of Health, including but not limited to, the age, ethnicity, gender, and race of the minor as well as the drug used to attempt or complete suicide. The New Jersey Poison Control Center is to submit to the Governor and to the Legislature an annual report containing statistics based on data submitted to the center pursuant to the bill's provisions. Under the bill, names and individual identification data collected pursuant to the bill's provisions are not to be disclosed unless required by law, and nothing in the bill is to be construed to require disclosure of any private or confidential health information in violation of State or federal privacy laws. | In Committee |
| A4431 | Requires enhanced reporting by independent expenditure committees; extends statute of limitations for campaign finance violations; exempts reports filed with Election Law Enforcement Commission from certain document redaction requirements. | This bill requires enhanced reporting by independent expenditure committees, extends the statute of limitations for campaign finance violations, and exempts reports of contributions and expenditures required to be filed with the Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) from certain redaction and nondisclosure requirements. This bill would enact the three recommendations made by ELEC in its 2023 annual report. Enhanced Reporting by Independent Expenditure Committees This bill requires independent expenditure committees, the so-called "dark money" groups, to promptly report campaign contributions and expenditures in the days before an election. This bill also requires such committees to file post-election quarterly reports until the closure of their campaign depository accounts. Under current law, independent expenditure committees are required to file with the Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) a cumulative report on the 11th day preceding the primary election, and on the 20th day following the primary election, of all contributions received in excess of $7,500 in the form of moneys, loans, paid personal services, or other things of value made to it for the purpose of furthering the independent expenditure. They are also required to report all independent expenditures made, incurred, or authorized by it. In addition, each independent expenditure committee making an electioneering communication pertaining to a municipal, runoff, school board, special, or general election is required to file with ELEC a cumulative report on the 29th day preceding the election, a report on the 11th day preceding the election, and on the 20th day following the election, of all contributions received in excess of $7,500 in the form of moneys, loans, paid personal services, or other things of value made to it for the purpose of furthering the independent expenditure, and of all independent expenditures made, incurred, or authorized by it. The reporting period begins on the first day of the preceding calendar year and ends on the reporting date. However, under current law, independent expenditure committees are not required to report contributions received and expenditures made in the period between the filing of the 11th-day pre-election report and the day of the election, thereby creating a transparency loophole. Under this bill, when an independent expenditure committee receives a contribution from a single source of more than $7,500 after the final day of a cumulative reporting period and on or before a primary, municipal, runoff, school board, special, or general election which occurs after that final day but prior to the final day of the next reporting period it will be required, in writing or by electronic transmission, to report that contribution to ELEC within 72 hours of receiving it, if that contribution is received between the 15th day prior to that election and the day of the election. However, a contribution received between the seventh day prior to that election and the day of the election would be required to be reported within 24 hours of receiving it. The bill requires the committee to report the amount and date of the contribution; the name and mailing address of the contributor; and where the contributor is an individual, the individual's occupation and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer. In addition, when an independent expenditure committee makes or authorizes any independent expenditure of more than $200, or incurs any obligation therefor, between the 15th day prior to the day of a primary, municipal, runoff, school board, special, or general election and the day of that election, it will be required to report, in writing or by electronic transmission, that independent expenditure to the commission within 72 hours of making, authorizing, or incurring it. However, an independent expenditure made, authorized, or incurred between the seventh day prior to the election and the day of the election would be required to be reported within 24 hours of making, authorizing, or incurring it. Under current law, independent expenditure committees do not have to file post-election quarterly reports. This bill would require each independent expenditure committee required to file reports to also file with the Election Law Enforcement Commission, following each election but not later than April 15, July 15, October 15 and January 15 of each calendar year, a cumulative quarterly report of all moneys, loans, paid personal services or other things of value in excess of $7,500 contributed to it during the period ending on the 15th day preceding that date and commencing on January 1 of that calendar year or, in the case of the cumulative quarterly report to be filed not later than January 15, of the previous calendar year, and all expenditures made, incurred, or authorized by it during the period. The cumulative quarterly report would contain the name and mailing address of each person or group from whom moneys, loans, paid personal services or other things of value in excess of $7,500 have been contributed and the amount contributed by each person or group, and where an individual has made such contributions, the report would indicate the occupation of the individual and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer. In the case of any loan reported, the report would contain the name and address of each person who cosigns such loan, and where an individual has cosigned such loans, the report would indicate the occupation of the individual and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer. The report would also contain the name and address of each person, firm or organization to whom expenditures have been paid and the amount and purpose of each such expenditure. The treasurer of the independent expenditure committee reporting would certify to the correctness of each cumulative quarterly report. Each independent expenditure committee would continue to file the post-election quarterly reports until the closure of the committee's campaign depository account. Statute of Limitations for Violations This bill extends the statute of limitations for campaign finance violations. Under current law, any enforcement action brought by ELEC for any violations of campaign finance laws is subject to a statute of limitations of two years following the occurrence of the alleged violation. Under this bill, the statute of limitations would be four years following the date of the election for which the alleged violation occurred. The new four-year statute of limitations will apply to any violations that take place after the enactment of this bill. Exemption from Redaction and Nondisclosure This bill exempts reports filed with ELEC from certain document redaction and nondisclosure requirements. Under current law, certain public officials and employees, such as judges and law enforcement officers, are entitled to have their personal information redacted or subject to nondisclosure when such information is present on a public record. However, there are certain exceptions when an individual's personal information may still be disclosed, even if they are otherwise entitled to redaction or nondisclosure. This bill would add reports required to be filed with ELEC regarding election-related financing to the list of current exceptions. This exception would apply to all reports filed by any individual, candidate, campaign, committee, or other entity under "The New Jersey Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting Act." | In Committee |
| A4389 | Requires local government notification of sex offender registration and prohibits sex offenders from living near schools, child care centers or playgrounds. | This bill expands Megan's Law to require that members of municipal governing bodies be notified when a sex offender moves into a municipality and restricts sex offenders from residing in areas frequented by children. Under the provisions of the bill, when a sex offender listed on the Internet registry maintained by the Superintendent of the State Police registers with the chief law enforcement officer of a municipality, the officer is to forward the name and address of the sex offender to the members of the governing body of the municipality. If the sex offender is required to register with the Superintendent of State Police because he is moving to a municipality that does not have a police force, then the Superintendent of State Police is to forward the sex offender's name and address to the members of the governing body of the municipality in which the sex offender intends to reside. Under the provisions of the bill, it is unlawful for a person who is subject to the Megan's Law registration requirements for a sex offense against an individual under the age of 18 to reside within 500 feet of an elementary or secondary school, playground or child care center. The residential ban would not cover a sex offender who: resides at a prison or mental health facility; resides at a residence established before the bill's enactment; has a school, playground or child care center established or built within 500 feet of his or her existing residence; was granted a needs based exception by the parole board; or was discharged from a psychiatric facility by a court and was granted an exemption by a court. | In Committee |
| AR137 | Urges Congress and President of United States to enact "Laken Riley Act." | This resolution urges the United States Congress and the President of the United States to enact the "Laken Riley Act," which requires that migrants who enter the country illegally and are accused of theft be taken into federal custody. The "Laken Riley Act" was introduced in response to the tragic murder of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley. Jose Antonio Ibarra, a Venezuelan migrant, was charged with the crime. The death of Laken Riley is a stark example of the devastating consequences that can result from lax immigration policies. Before being taken into custody for murder, Ibarra had been arrested for shoplifting. The "Laken Riley Act" would have prevented Riley's murder by requiring that migrants who enter the country illegally and are accused of theft be taken into federal custody. The passage of the "Laken Riley Act" by the United States Congress and its enactment into law by the President would represent a significant step towards enhancing public safety across the country and the State of New Jersey. | In Committee |
| A4260 | Prohibits DEP from requiring certain municipalities to adopt ordinance that controls tree removal and replacement. | This bill prohibits the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from requiring any municipality that is assigned to Tier A under N.J.A.C.7:14A-25.3 to: adopt and enforce an ordinance that controls tree removal and replacement as part of the Municipal Stormwater Regulation Program (program). Under the program, all municipalities are assigned either to Tier A or to Tier B as follows: (1) an entire municipality is assigned to Tier A if that municipality: (1) is located entirely or partially within an urbanized area as determined by the 2000 Decennial Census by the Bureau of the Census or a subsequent and superseding Decennial Census, and has a population of at least 1,000 within an urbanized area as determined by that Census; (2) has a population density of at least 1,000 per square mile, and a population of at least 10,000 as determined by that Census; (3) has a stormwater sewer system discharging directly into the salt waters of Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, or Cape May counties; (4) requests Tier A assignment from the DEP; or (5) operates a stormwater discharge identified under N.J.A.C. 7:14A-25.2(a)4, provided that the DEP determines that such identification warrants assignment of the municipality to Tier A; and (2) every municipality not assigned to Tier A is assigned to Tier B. In November 2023, the DEP modified the New Jersey Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NJPDES) Tier A Municipal Stormwater General Permit to require Tier A municipalities to adopt a model ordinance governing tree removal and replacement. This bill would abrogate that provision of the general permit. | In Committee |
| A4256 | Requires AG to repeal law enforcement directive restricting law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. | This bill requires the Attorney General to repeal Attorney General Law Enforcement Directive No. 2018-6, which restricts law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Under the directive, among other provisions, State, county, and local law enforcement are prohibited from providing certain assistance to federal immigration authorities when the sole purpose is to enforce federal civil immigration law. In addition to other restrictions, the directive prohibits law enforcement from providing notice of a detained individual's upcoming release from custody or continuing the detention of a person past the time the person would be released from custody based solely on a civil immigration detainer request, with certain exceptions. The restrictions set forth in this directive pose a danger to the citizens of this State and are a substantial threat to public safety. Therefore, it is imperative that this directive be repealed. | In Committee |
| A4233 | Requires adoption of school tick remediation policy in public and private schools. | This bill directs the Commissioner of Environmental Protection ("commissioner"), in consultation with the Commissioner of Education and the Commissioner of Health, to develop a school tick remediation policy, and incorporate the policy into the already existing integrated pest management policy of the public or private school, to reduce the presence of ticks on the school property of the school or the schools located within counties that, according to Lyme disease data collected by the Department of Health, have a high incidence of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. The bill requires the commissioner, in developing the school tick remediation policy, to identify environmental variables commonly found within counties identified by the Department of Health to have a high incidence of Lyme disease. The bill further requires the commissioner, in developing the school tick remediation policy, to include simple, cost-effective, and pesticide-free recommendations and solutions that take into consideration the most common environmental variables identified within each county identified by the New Jersey Department of Health Vector-borne Surveillance Reports to have a high incidence of Lyme disease. The bill requires the superintendent of a school district, the board of trustees of a charter school, and the principal or chief administrator of a private school to: (1) adopt and implement a school tick remediation policy for the school property consistent with the policy developed by the commissioner; (2) adopt and implement recommendations and solutions to reduce the presence of ticks on school property consistent with the simple, cost-effective, and pesticide-free recommendations and solutions identified for the county where the school property is located by the commissioner; (3) contract with, and provide oversight of, entities qualified to diagnose and treat tick infestations; (4) require contracted entities to evaluate the presence of ticks on school property, identify areas of high tick activity on school property, and provide a list of areas identified to have high tick activity on school property; and (5) provide oversight of the application of a low-impact pesticide only if the simple, cost-effective, and pesticide-free recommendations and solutions developed by the commissioner are not sufficient to reduce the presence of ticks on school property. Furthermore, the bill designates the integrated pest management coordinator to carry out the school tick remediation policy. The bill requires the integrated pest management coordinator to: (1) maintain certain information; (2) act as the main point of contact for inquiries about the school tick remediation policy; (3) maintain material safety data sheets and labels for all pesticides that are used for the purpose of reducing the presence of ticks on the school property; (4) communicate with staff, nurses, teachers, and coaches of the schools concerning the school tick remediation policy, and educate them about tick activity and disease prevention; and (5) communicate with parents of students of the schools through seasonal reminders about tick activity, and provide educational material to parents concerning tick activity and disease prevention. | In Committee |
| A4146 | Requires entities to verify age of persons accessing certain online material and prohibits minors from accessing certain online material. | This bill requires imposes several requirements on entities that operate certain Internet websites and webpages, including requiring the entity to verify the age of all State residents that attempts to access the website or webpage and prohibiting minors from accessing certain material that is not suitable to minors. Specifically, the bill provides that an entity may not allow a State resident under the age of 18 years to access an Internet website or an individual webpage that contains a "substantial portion" of material harmful to minors, as defined in the bill, unless: (1) the entity verifies the age of each resident that attempts to access the Internet website or webpage using reasonable age verification methods; and (2) if the resident is determined to be a minor, the material contained on the Internet website or webpage is suitable to the minor, as determined by the Division of Consumer Affairs (division) in the Department of law and Public Safety. For the purposes of this bill, "substantial purpose" means that following amounts with respect to each of the following interactive computer services: (1) for a social media platform, more than one-third of total user accounts contain any material harmful to minors, or more than one-third of the content on one or more user's account on that platform contains material harmful to minors; (2) for a search engine, more than one-third of the webpages displayed in response to any user query contain any material harmful to minors, or more than one-third of the thumbnail images displayed in response to any user query contain any material harmful to minors; or (3) for any website or webpage, including a search engine, more than one-third of the total content on the website or on any individual webpage contains any material harmful to minors. The bill also provides that an entity or third party that performs the required age verification may not retain any identifying information of the individual after access has been granted to the material. Under this bill, an entity is required to use reasonable age verification methods that comply with standards and guidelines established by the division. However, the bill provides that the permitted age verifications methods may generally include: (1) use of a digitized information card; (2) verification through an independent, third-party age verification service that compares the personal information entered by the individual who is seeking access to the material that is available from a commercially available database, or aggregate of databases, that is regularly used by government agencies and businesses for the purpose of age and identity verification; or (3) any available, reasonable method that relies on public or private transactional data to verify the age of the individual attempting to access the material. In developing the standards and guidelines concerning the permitted methods of age verification, the division may consider such factors as technological feasibility, operational effectiveness of the age verification system, and the scale and number of users and the primary consumer use of an interactive computer service. Under this bill, the division would also be required to establish standards and guidelines to determine the types of content that would be deemed "material harmful to minors," as defined in the bill. Additionally, the division would also be required to determine the types of content that would be deemed suitable to minors of each of the following ages, which standards would be based on the different degrees of material harmful that such content may have on minors of such ages: (1) minors under the age of 10 years; (2) minors over the age of 10 years but less than 15 years; and (3) minors from the age of 15 years but less than 18 years. This bill would not apply to any bona fide news or public interest broadcast, website video, report, or event. The bill also provides that interactive computer services, search engines, and certain cloud service providers would not be deemed to violate the provisions of this bill solely for providing access or connection to or from a website or other information or content on the Internet, or a facility, system, or network, unless the interactive computer service participates in a venture with, and knowingly benefits from, an entity in violation of this bill, regarding an entity's knowing and intentional publishing or distribution of material harmful to minors. Under the bill, the division is required to receive consumer complaints related to, investigate alleged violation of, and enforce the provisions of this bill. The division would be entitled to any penalties, fines, or fees collected for a violation, which monies would be deposited into a fund, established by this bill, to provide aid in the investigation of cyber-crimes involving the exploitation of children. State law agencies may apply for monies from this fund in a manner prescribed by the division. Before initiating an enforcement action, the bill requires the division to provide written notice identifying and explaining the basis for each alleged violation to be enforced. Thereafter, an entity receiving notice may prevent the need for an enforcement action by curing the violation. If the entity does not cure a violation, the division may initiate a civil action as provided in the bill. The division is authorized to impose a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for each violation or to initiate a civil suit in Superior Court. A court may grant an additional $10,000 per violation. If the division proves a violation, the division is entitled to reasonable attorney fees, court costs, and investigative fees. Additionally, the bill permits an individual to bring an action in the Superior Court against an entity for failure to comply with the provisions of this bill. If the suit is successful, an individual would be entitled to reasonable attorney fees and court costs. An individual would also be entitled to up to $2,500 per instance of violation, and if the violation resulted from a minor accessing material harmful to minors, may include compensatory damages and damages for emotional pain and suffering, provided the conduct of the defendant is found to be willful, wanton, or reckless. | In Committee |
| A3850 | Revises elements of offense of agricultural trespass, expands number and type of activities constituting agricultural trespass, and expands definition of "lands" susceptible to agricultural trespass. | This bill would revise the law pertaining to the offense of agricultural trespass. Current law provides that a person commits the crime of agricultural trespass if the person either: (1) knowingly or recklessly operates a motorized vehicle or rides horseback upon the lands of another without obtaining and possessing the written permission of the owner, occupant, lessee, or licensee of the lands; or (2) knowingly or recklessly damages or injures any tangible property, including any fence, building, feedstocks, crops, trees, or domestic animals, located on the lands of another. Current law also provides for the imposition of a civil penalty in cases where a person knowingly or recklessly engages in these activities. This bill would eliminate the law's provisions requiring knowledge or recklessness to be established as an element of the offense of agricultural trespass, and it would additionally expand the types of activities that will be deemed to constitute such offense. Specifically, under the bill's provisions, a person would be deemed to have committed the crime of agricultural trespass, and would additionally be subject to a civil penalty for agricultural trespass, if the person: (1) encroaches upon the lands of another by entering or remaining on such lands, whether on foot, while riding horseback, while using a motorized or non-motorized vehicle, while operating motorized or non-motorized equipment, or otherwise, without obtaining and being in possession of the written permission of the owner, occupant, lessee, or licensee of the lands; or (2) damages or injures any tangible property, including, any fence, building, equipment, feedstock, crop, tree, or domestic animal, which is located on the lands of another. The bill would further clarify that nothing in the law will relieve the owners of agricultural or horticultural lands from the obligation to post conspicuous notice prohibiting trespass on the waters, or on the banks along or around any waters, which are listed for stocking with fish in the current State Fish and Game Code, adopted pursuant to section 32 of P.L.1948, c.448 (C.13:1B-30), before a trespass violation may be found to have occurred on such banks or in or on such waters. Under the bill's provisions, and consistent with existing law, any person who trespasses upon the agricultural or horticultural lands of another would be subject to a civil penalty of at least $100, and any person who operates a motorized vehicle, operates motorized equipment, or rides horseback upon the lands of another without obtaining and being in possession of the written permission of the owner, occupant, lessee, or licensee thereof, or who damages or injures any tangible property located on the lands of another, including, but not limited to, any fence, building, equipment, feedstock, crop, tree, or domestic animal, would be subject to a civil penalty of up to $1,000 and the payment of attorneys' fees, which penalties would be in addition to any other fines, penalties, or restitution that may be imposed pursuant to the law. Finally, the bill would amend the existing statutory definitions of "lands" that are subject to agricultural trespass, in order to clarify those definitions, facilitate ease of reading, and expand the definitions to include the following types of land: (1) appurtenant woodland, which is contiguous to, a part of, or beneficial to, another tract of land to which the woodland is supportive and subordinate, which other tract of land has at least five acres devoted to agricultural or horticultural uses including the production, for sale, of Christmas trees, but excluding the production, for sale, of other trees or forest products; and (2) land that is appurtenant to the above-described appurtenant woodland or to any other types of lands already susceptible to agricultural trespass under the applicable statutory definitions, provided that such appurtenant land is used for the maintenance or storage of agricultural equipment. | In Committee |
| A2526 | Requires school district to allow graduating student to wear military sash while participating in high school graduation ceremony. | Under current law, school districts are required to allow a student to wear a military dress uniform issued by a branch of the United States Armed Forces while participating in the student's high school graduation ceremony if the student has:1. fulfilled all of the State and local requirements for receiving a high school diploma, and is otherwise eligible to participate in the high school graduation ceremony; and2. completed basic training for, and is an active member of, a branch of the United States Armed Forces. This bill amends the law to also require school districts to allow graduating students to wear a military sash or stole issued to the student by a branch of the United States Armed Forces while participating in their high school graduation ceremony if they have fulfilled all of the State and local requirements for receiving a high school diploma, and are otherwise eligible to participate in the high school graduation ceremony. A military sash or stole is worn atop a graduation robe and is issued by a recruiter of the graduate's service branch upon enlistment. | In Committee |
| A1311 | Extends certain federal income tax advantages of individual health savings accounts to individual taxpayers under the New Jersey gross income tax. | This bill allows gross income tax advantages in connection with Health Savings Accounts in conformity with the federal income tax advantages extended to these accounts under recent federal law. The bill provides a gross income tax deduction for deposits to, and an exemption for withdrawals from, health savings accounts. Individuals can use these accounts to cover out-of-pocket medical care costs under high-deductible medical care plans. The bill also excludes the earnings in an account from gross income taxation, as the account earnings are excluded from federal income taxation. The federal Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 permits eligible individuals to establish health savings accounts (HSAs) for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2004. Under the federal income tax, HSA contributions are deductible from adjusted gross income, contributions grow tax-free over the years, and amounts can be distributed tax-free to pay or reimburse qualified medical expenses. HSAs are similar to Archer medical savings accounts (MSAs) established as tax-advantaged accounts under the federal income tax and accorded similar tax-free treatment under the New Jersey gross income tax. However, HSAs are more flexible and available to many more individuals than MSAs. Taxpayers can be expected to embrace them enthusiastically because the federal tax benefits are generous; HSAs are akin to tax-favored accounts like IRAs or 401(k)s. Eligible individuals are individuals who are covered by a high-deductible health plan. A high-deductible health plan is a health plan that has a deductible that is at least $1,000 for self-only coverage or $2,000 for family coverage. The policy must also have an out-of-pocket maximum that can be no greater than $5,000 for self-only coverage and $10,000 for family coverage. Out-of-pocket expense includes deductibles, copayments, and other amounts (other than premiums) that the individual must pay for covered benefits under their medical care plan. This bill makes contributions made by or on behalf of an eligible individual that are deductible for federal income tax purposes deductible by the individual for gross income tax purposes. Also, the bill makes employer contributions to an HSA excludible from gross income to the extent the contribution would be deductible if made by the employee. The maximum aggregate annual contribution that can be made to an HSA, as set by federal law, is the lesser of 100 percent of the annual deductible under the high-deductible health plan, or the maximum deductible permitted under an MSA as adjusted for inflation. Contributions can be made to individual HSAs by individual and their employers. For 2018, the amount of the maximum high deductible is estimated to be $6,650 in the case of self-only coverage and $13,300 in the case of family coverage. Under the gross income tax as under the federal income tax, tax-free rollover contributions from Archer MSAs and other HSAs into an HSA will be permitted. Rollovers will not be subject to the annual contribution limits. Under the bill, distributions from an HSA for qualified medical expense (most medical expenses defined as deductible for federal income tax purposes) for the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, and dependents generally will be excludable from New Jersey gross income. Distributions from an HSA that are not for qualified medical expenses will be includable in New Jersey gross income. However, distributions that are not for qualified medical expenses will not be includable in gross income if they are made after death or disability, or after the individual attains the age of Medicare eligibility (age 65). HSAs give workers the opportunity to save tax-free for routine medical bills like doctor visits or medicines, the security of funds to cover the out-of-pocket expenses of a major illness, and the freedom of knowing that the account is worker-owned, not under the control of an insurance company, and is portable whenever a worker changes employers. During years when an individual's family health care spending is low, the money remaining in the HSA earns tax-free interest, dividends or gains and is available in the future when unexpected medical expenses arise. Health savings accounts are a new option which will give families access to affordable health care will reducing health insurance premiums. The tax advantages provided under federal law are not available under the current New Jersey gross income tax. This bill will extend that tax conformity. | In Committee |
| A2622 | "Prenatally and Postnatally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act in New Jersey." | This bill, which is designated the "Prenatally and Postnatally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act in New Jersey," concerns the provision of supportive services to new or expecting parents who have received positive results of prenatal or postnatal testing for Down syndrome and other prenatally and postnatally diagnosed conditions.The supportive services include, but are not be limited to:· the establishment of a telephone hotline to provide information about available resources and services to a new or expecting parent receiving a positive result of a test for Down syndrome or other prenatally or postnatally diagnosed conditions;· current information, posted on the official website of the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), about available resources and services to a new or expecting parent receiving positive results of a test for Down syndrome or other prenatally or postnatally diagnosed conditions;· the expansion and development, as appropriate, of local peer support programs that effectively serve a woman who receives a prenatal, positive diagnosis for Down syndrome or other prenatal conditions, or a parent of an infant with a postnatally diagnosed condition;· the expansion and development, as appropriate, of networks of providers who provide a new or expecting parent with up-to-date information on the range of outcomes for individuals living with the diagnosed condition, including physical, developmental, educational, and psychosocial outcomes; and· the establishment of an awareness and education program, which includes current evidence-based information relating to Down syndrome and other prenatally and postnatally diagnosed conditions, for health care professionals or their designees who provide the results of prenatal or postnatal testing for Down syndrome and other prenatally and postnatally diagnosed conditions to a new or expecting parent. Under the provisions of the bill, the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services shall authorize and oversee activities including, but not limited to:· the awarding of grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to collect and synthesize information relating to Down syndrome and other prenatally or postnatally diagnosed conditions and the testing for these conditions, and to disseminate this information to providers of supportive services and health care professionals treating a new or expecting parent receiving a positive result of a test for Down syndrome or other prenatally or postnatally diagnosed conditions; and· coordinating the provision of and access to the supportive services. In awarding any grants or contracts or entering into any agreements, the commissioner is required to give priority to partnerships between health care groups and organizations that advocate for persons with a disability. The bill also provides that upon receipt of a positive result of a test for Down syndrome or other prenatally or postnatally diagnosed conditions, the health care professional, or his designee, must provide a new or expecting parent with:· up-to-date, evidence-based, written information concerning the range of outcomes for individuals living with the diagnosed condition, including physical, developmental, educational, and psychosocial outcomes; · a referral to a provider of supportive services;· contact information about peer support programs;· information about registries of families willing to adopt newborns with Down syndrome or other prenatally or postnatally diagnosed conditions, and about links to adoption agencies willing to place babies with Down syndrome or other prenatally or postnatally diagnosed conditions with families willing to adopt, established pursuant to the federal "Prenatally and Postnatally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act," Pub.L.110-374; and· information about the telephone hotline and website established under the bill. Under the bill, the commissioner is required to: coordinate the implementation of the bill with the federal "Prenatally and Postnatally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act," Pub.L.110-374; and seek federal funds for the purposes of the bill, but there shall be no State funds appropriated to the department in Fiscal Year 2009 for the purposes of the bill. The bill provides for rule making by the commissioner and has a delayed effective date of 180 days following enactment. | In Committee |
| A2611 | Authorizes chiefs of part-time municipal police forces to issue firearms ID cards and handgun purchase permits. | This bill would authorize the chief of police of a part-time municipal police department or force to issue firearms purchaser identification cards and permits to purchase a handgun. Under current law, only the chiefs of full-time police departments or forces are authorized to issue these firearms cards and permits. Authorizing these chiefs to issue firearms cards and permits would relieve the State Police from processing these applications and facilitate their issuance in a more timely fashion. | In Committee |
| A2581 | Requires State Board of Education meetings to be accessible virtually and in person. | This bill requires all public meetings of the State Board of Education to be accessible to the public both in person and virtually. The bill also requires that a link providing virtual access to meetings be publicly available on the State Board of Education's website. Finally, for any meeting in which the State Board of Education accepts public comment, the bill stipulates that members of the public will be able to provide comments by means of remote communication. | In Committee |
| AR29 | Urges President to withdraw United States from World Health Organization. | This Assembly resolution respectfully urges the President of the United States to withdraw the United States from, and to cease making monetary contributions to, the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO is the United Nations agency tasked with developing, promoting, and implementing global health policy, and was responsible for directing the international response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It is the sentiment of the General Assembly that the WHO's failures in its pandemic response, including a slow and inadequate initial reaction to the emergence of the disease, the issuance of inconsistent and erroneous guidance that may have exacerbated the spread of COVID-19, and its unjustifiable deference to the Chinese government, particularly with regard to the WHO's investigation into the origins of the virus, as well as concerns as to the potential breadth of its authority to reach into every aspect of life across the globe, merit withdrawing the United States from the organization. | In Committee |
| A2565 | Establishes net operating loss carryback deduction under corporation business tax. | This bill establishes a two-year carryback deduction for net operating losses incurred by corporation business taxpayers. A net operating loss carryback deduction allows corporate taxpayers to file amended income tax returns for past tax years in which they were profitable, use current tax year business losses to offset those profits, and receive refunds of taxes paid in past tax years. Along with carryforward net operating loss deductions (which allow corporations to deduct from taxable income in future years net operating losses sustained in preceding tax years), carryback net operating loss deductions enable businesses to average their income over a time period that more closely corresponds to their investment horizon. The federal government and 17 states authorize businesses to carry back and forward net operating losses. The standard federal carryback period and that of most states is two years. New Jersey, on the other hand, only allows for a 20-year carryforward of net operating losses. The inclusion of a carryback provision in its corporation business tax code would make New Jersey not just more competitive relative to other states, but it would also counteract the growth-stunting perception within the business community that the State is more interested in penalizing and thwarting than in rewarding and encouraging the creation and growth of businesses. Even though the enactment of this legislation would not turn New Jersey into the state with the business-friendliest system of taxation, it would nonetheless make New Jersey more welcoming to businesses and thus encourage them to invest and create employment in the Garden State. | In Committee |
| A1507 | Restricts establishment of mandates to become vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); establishes reimbursement program to cover certain out-of-pocket costs incurred in obtaining COVID-19 vaccine. | This bill prohibits State, county, and local government entities, as well as public and private child care centers, preschool programs, elementary and secondary schools, and institutions of higher education, from mandating that any person be immunized against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The restriction will not apply to health care workers or individuals employed by or providing services at a licensed health care facility who are required to receive the immunization as a condition of working with a medically-vulnerable population. The bill additionally provides that any requirement that health care workers and other individuals working or providing services at a licensed health care facility be vaccinated against COVID-19 will be subject to State and federal laws and health care facility policies that apply to other vaccines that are required for health care workers and other vaccines that are required as a condition of working or providing services at a health care facility, including any exemptions that apply when a vaccine is medically-contraindicated for the individual or when the individual objects to the vaccine based on sincerely-held religious belief. The bill further requires the Department of Health (DOH) to establish a program to reimburse health care workers and other individuals who are required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine for out-of-pocket costs. To be eligible for reimbursement, the individual will be required to certify to the DOH: (1) the actual out-of-pocket costs incurred by the individual; (2) that all or part of the cost of the vaccine is not covered by health insurance; (3) that the individual's employer will not cover any portion of the cost of the vaccine that is not covered by health insurance; (4) that the out-of-pocket costs incurred are not a copay, coinsurance, or other cost sharing imposed by the individual's health insurer; and (5) that the out-of-pocket costs of the vaccine represent an undue financial burden to the individual. A person who submits a false certification will be required to repay to the DOH the full amount of any reimbursement received from the program, and will be liable to a civil penalty of up to $1,000, to be collected by and in the name of the DOH. Although several vaccines against COVID-19 have shown promise in preventing against the spread of the disease, the development of COVID-19 vaccines has proceeded at an unprecedented pace, and the vaccines first being made available to the general public have not completed the full process ordinarily mandated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ensure the safety of new drugs and devices for human use. It is the sponsor's belief that, until there is a fuller record concerning the safety, effectiveness, and long-term effects of the COVID-19 vaccines being made available to the general public, these vaccines should not be made mandatory outside of certain health care settings. | In Committee |
| A2569 | Provides reimbursement to volunteer emergency service organizations for expenses incurred in response to certain false alarms; makes appropriations. | This bill provides reimbursement to volunteer emergency service organizations for expenses incurred when responding to a false alarm at certain State facilities and makes appropriations. Under the bill, a volunteer emergency service organization refers to any non-profit corporation, association, or organization located in this State which is regularly engaged in providing emergency medical care, rescue services, the transport of patients, or fire protection services, including part-paid fire departments and fire districts. Certain State psychiatric hospitals, developmental centers, and correctional facilities have initiated multiple false alarms, causing certain volunteer emergency service organizations to incur substantial expenses in response to these false alarms. This bill provides for reimbursement to these volunteer organizations for expenses associated with the use of or damage to equipment and vehicles used in response to the false alarms. The bill clarifies that this reimbursement is in addition to any compensation, including any civil penalty that may be awarded pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1999, c.195 (C.2C:33-3.2), in accordance with the crime of initiating or circulating a false public alarm. Under the bill, a volunteer emergency service organization is to be reimbursed by the Department of Health for expenses associated with the use of or damage to emergency equipment and emergency vehicles in response to a false alarm at a State psychiatric hospital or a State developmental center. The bill further requires the Department of Corrections to reimburse these organizations for expenses incurred in response to a false alarm at a State correctional facility. The bill clarifies that reimbursement provided under the bill does not affect a volunteer emergency responder's status as a volunteer. In addition, the bill makes appropriations from the General Fund to the Department of Health and the Department of Corrections necessary to provide for these reimbursements. The bill defines "false alarm" as an alarm signal or other communication which elicits a response by a volunteer emergency service organization in which a situation requiring an emergency response does not in fact exist. The term does not refer to an alarm signal or communication caused by violent conditions of nature or other extraordinary circumstances not reasonably subject to control by the source of the signal or communication. | In Committee |
| AR77 | Declares support for Ukraine; expresses solidarity with its citizens. | The resolution declares support for Ukraine in the current conflict with Russia and expresses solidarity with the people of Ukraine. This resolution condemns the actions of Russia, including the attacks and bombings of various regions of Ukraine, such as Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson, Odessa and importantly, the city of Kyiv. This resolution calls on Russia to stop the violence and work to bridge peace with the Ukrainian people. Further, this resolution condemns the violations of international law committed by Russia in the annexation of Crimea, blocking of parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, and the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Finally, this resolution recognizes and supports Ukraine as a sovereign state, one that is free to choose its own leader and future. | In Committee |
| A2532 | Requires DOH to provide for voluntary registration of trauma scene waste management service providers and establish trauma scene waste management registry. | This bill would require the Department of Health, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, to establish a voluntary registration program for trauma scene waste management service providers. Any registration issued under the program will be valid for one year, and may be renewed on an annual basis. In order to be registered by the department, the owner or principal representative of the provider organization will be required to hold and maintain certification from the American Bio Recovery Association (ABRA), which is the international nonprofit association that establishes technical, ethical, and educational guidelines for the biohazard remediation industry. In addition, the provider organization will be required to: 1) pay an initial registration fee of $100 and an annual registration renewal fee of $100; 2) register with the Department of Environmental Protection as a medical waste generator; 3) provide a written statement certifying that the provider's staff is familiar with the ANSI/IICRC S540 Standard for Trauma and Crime Scene Cleanup; and 4) comply with any other requirements established by the department. Applications for registration are to be submitted in a form and manner prescribed by the commissioner. The bill would additionally require the Commissioner of Health to establish and maintain an electronic database, to be known as the Trauma Scene Waste Management Registry, which will identify and provide contact information for each of the commercial entities that are registered pursuant to the bill's provisions. Data on the registry is to be searchable by county and by provider name. The department will be required to make the registry available for public review on the department's Internet website, and update the registry on a regular basis in order to ensure that it provides accurate and up-to-date information. The bill would also require the website of the Department of Environmental Protection to include a hyperlink to the Trauma Scene Waste Management Registry. Upon the publication of the Trauma Scene Waste Management Registry, the Department of Health will be required to notify all law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and emergency medical services providers in the State about the availability of the registry. Following the receipt of this notice, each law enforcement agency, fire department, or emergency medical services provider, and any paid or unpaid employee thereof, will be prohibited from providing referrals to, or distributing information about, a trauma scene waste management services provider that is not identified on the registry. While the State has already implemented a comprehensive statutory and regulatory framework that governs the generation, handling, transport, and disposal of regulated medical waste, there is a gap in the State's regulatory system in this regard, in that there are no provisions that regulate the clean-up and remediation of medical waste or infectious materials from biohazardous trauma scenes. By effectively preventing unregistered trauma scene waste management service providers from receiving service referrals, this bill is designed to encourage such providers to voluntarily apply for registration and obtain the non-profit certification and familiarity with accepted clean-up standards that will better ensure the safety of trauma scene clean-up operations undertaken in the State. | In Committee |
| AR71 | Urges State Board of Education to require school districts to incorporate financial literary instruction into mathematics and social studies curriculum. | This Assembly resolution urges the New Jersey State Board of Education to require school districts to incorporate financial literary instruction into the mathematics and social studies curriculum. Financial literacy instruction serves an important role in the development of young people. In addition to providing them with information to help create savings plans and manage debt, financial literacy instruction can help individuals develop efficient household budgets and formulate strategic investment decisions. However, instead of mandating additional separate curriculum requirements on school districts, financial literacy instruction should be incorporated into the existing curriculum. The New Jersey Student Learning Standards in mathematics is clearly an appropriate place to incorporate financial literary instruction, and other subject areas, including social studies, could also be tailored to improve a student's understanding of financial literacy. | In Committee |
| A2536 | Limits to 30 days effective period of certain emergency orders, rules, or regulations. | This bill provides that any order, rule, or regulation issued by the Governor pursuant to the "Civil Defense and Disaster Control Act" will terminate on the 31st day after issuance, unless the Legislature approves a greater period of time by way of concurrent resolution. The concurrent will have to pass with an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the authorized membership of each House. The bill prohibits the Governor from issuing an order, rule, or regulation to the same or substantially same effect as one terminated pursuant to the bill for the same emergency. The bill does not apply to orders, rules, or regulations: (1) rescinding an order, rule, or regulation issued pursuant to the "Civil Defense and Disaster Control Act"; (2) issued pursuant to direction by or agreement with the federal government, in compliance with federal law, or to the extent that application of the bill would jeopardize the receipt of federal funds by the State; (3) applying exclusively to the executive branch; (4) issued under the Governor's authority as the Commander-in-Chief of the military and naval forces of the State; or (5) issued pursuant to a provision of law providing for a greater period, notwithstanding that the order, rule, or regulation may also cite to an authority provided under the "Civil Defense and Disaster Control Act." | In Committee |
| A393 | "Empower the Principal Act"; eliminates local school superintendents and prohibits schools from having more than one assitant or vice-principal. | This bill, the "Empower the Principal Act," would eliminate the positions of superintendent of schools and assistant superintendent of schools. Under the bill, a board of education may not reappoint, or enter into a new employment contract for, a superintendent or an assistant superintendent. The executive county superintendents will assume the superintendents' current duties to exercise general supervision over all aspects of the schools and to keep informed, and report on, the condition and progress of the schools. The executive county superintendents will also have a seat on the boards of education of the districts of the county. In addition, the bill provides that the principal of each school in a district will have direct oversight over the school to which the principal is assigned. The bill prohibits a district from employing more than one vice-principal or assistant principal in each school. Following the bill's effective date, after the expiration of each superintendent's or assistant superintendent's contract, any duties, powers, or responsibilities to be performed by a superintendent or an assistant superintendent pursuant to any provision of law will be performed by the executive county superintendent; however, the bill gives the executive county superintendent authority to delegate any such duties, powers, or responsibilities to the school principals. The bill repeals the sections of law that specifically address the positions of superintendent and assistant superintendent. The bill also amends the sections of law permitting boards of education to share a superintendent or school business administrator to provide only for the sharing of a school business administrator. | In Committee |
| A1116 | Authorizes State Auditor to conduct cost-benefit analyses of certain programs and initiatives. | This bill authorizes the State Auditor to conduct cost benefit analyses of certain programs and initiatives as a means to provide State policymakers with data and information to make better informed policy and budget decisions. Under the bill, the State Auditor is authorized to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of any existing or proposed program or initiative of an accounting agency or an independent authority that is funded or is to be funded by State appropriation or that is established or is to be established for the purpose of awarding tax credits to businesses to stimulate economic development in New Jersey. The bill provides for the State Auditor to conduct a cost-benefit analysis at the direction of the Legislative Services Commission or the presiding officer of either House of the Legislature or at the State Auditor's own initiative, but specifies that for each five-year period following enactment of the bill the State Auditor is to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of at least one existing or proposed program or initiative of each accounting agency and each independent authority that is funded or is to be funded by State appropriation of $1,000,000 or more on an average annual basis or that is established or is to be established for the purpose of awarding tax credits in the aggregate principal sum of $1,000,000 or more on an average annual basis. The bill gives the State Auditor the discretion to determine the scope, define the objectives, and develop the methodology employed in conducting cost-benefit analyses authorized by the bill, but requires each cost benefit analysis to include: -- an analysis of the direct and indirect costs and the tangible and intangible benefits of the existing or proposed program or initiative; -- information identifying any other programs or initiatives that are feasible of accomplishing the goals and objectives of the existing or proposed program or initiative or are capable of being used to create a baseline measurement against which the existing or proposed program or initiative can be compared; -- an analysis of the direct and indirect costs and the tangible and intangible benefits of the other programs or initiatives that are identified as feasible alternatives or capable of being used for baseline measurements; -- a description of the key assumptions used to determine the direct and indirect costs and the tangible and intangible benefits of the existing or proposed program or initiative and the other programs or initiatives that are identified as feasible alternatives or capable of being used for baseline measurements; -- a sensitivity analysis to test how the direct and indirect costs and the tangible and intangible benefits of the existing or proposed program or initiative would differ if the key assumptions were modified; and -- any other information the State Auditor determines to be necessary and appropriate. The bill requires the State Auditor to submit a written report regarding each cost-benefit analysis conducted pursuant to the bill to the Governor and to the Legislature, and to make an electronic copy of the report available to the public through a link prominently displayed on the State Auditor's Internet website. The bill is scheduled to take effect on the first day of the seventh month next following the date of enactment. | In Committee |
| A2553 | Authorizes special Support Our Veterans license plate with proceeds supporting New Jersey homeless veteran's centers. | This bill authorizes a special Support Our Veterans license plate with the proceeds supporting New Jersey homeless veterans' centers, Veterans Haven, North and South. The design of the license plate would be chosen by the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission in consultation with the Division of Veterans' Services in the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (NJDMAVA). There is a $50 initial fee, in addition to the registration fees required by law, with a $10 annual fee, in addition to the renewal fees required by law. The additional fees, after the deduction of the cost of producing and publicizing the plates, will be deposited into a special non-lapsing fund known as the "Support Our Veterans License Plate Fund." The proceeds of the fund are to be annually appropriated to the Veterans Haven Council within the (NJDMAVA). The chief administrator is required to annually certify the average cost per license plate in producing, issuing, and publicizing the Support Our Veterans license plates. If the average cost exceeds $50 for two consecutive fiscal years, the chief administrator may discontinue the license plate program. The bill provides that no State or other public funds may be used by the commission for the initial cost of producing, issuing, and publicizing the availability of Support Our Veterans license plates or any computer programming changes which may be necessary to implement the Support Our Veterans license plate program. The bill also requires that the Veterans Haven Council or other individual or entity designated by the Veterans Haven Council, contribute monies in an amount to be determined by the chief administrator, not to exceed a total of $25,000, to be used to offset the initial costs incurred by the commission for producing, issuing, and publicizing the availability of Support Our Veterans license plates, and any computer programming which may be necessary to implement the program. The bill prohibits the commission from designing, producing, issuing, or publicizing the availability of Support Our Veterans license plates, or making any necessary programming changes, until: (1) the Veterans Haven Council, or its designee, has provided the commission with the money necessary to offset the initial costs incurred by the commission in establishing the Support Our Veterans license plate program; and (2) the Veterans Haven Council, or its designee, has provided the commission with a minimum of 500 completed applications for Support Our Veterans license plates, upon the availability for purchase of those plates. The chief administrator is responsible for publicizing the availability of the license plates on the commission's website. The Veterans Haven Council or any individual or entity designated by the Veterans Haven Council, may also publicize the availability of Support Our Veterans license plates in any manner the Veterans Haven Council deems appropriate. The provisions of the bill remain inoperative until the appropriate applications and fees required to offset the initial costs incurred by the commission are provided by the board, and the bill expires after 12 months if sufficient applications and fees to offset the initial costs are not received. | In Committee |
| A427 | Requires DEP and owners of certain reservoirs to implement certain flood control measures; authorizes Office of Emergency Management to order lowering of reservoirs levels in response to severe weather events. | This bill would direct the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to identify those reservoirs in the State with a documented record of flooding, as determined by the DEP. For each identified reservoir, the DEP would be directed to study and assess (1) the downstream river or stream capacity and water storage capacity of the reservoir, and (2) the water usage needs of the residents and businesses served by the reservoir. The bill would also require the DEP to adopt rules and regulations necessary for implementation of the bill, including rules and regulations that establish a maximum level for each reservoir based on the results of the studies. Furthermore, the DEP would be required to set the maximum level for each reservoir at a level that best protects the areas surrounding the reservoir against flooding while ensuring an adequate water supply. The bill would also direct the DEP to notify each owner of a reservoir of the adoption of these rules and regulations and require compliance within 90 days after their adoption. The bill would require every owner of a reservoir in the State that has a documented record of downstream flooding, as determined by the DEP, to prepare, submit, and implement a flood action plan approved by the DEP, which would include, but need not be limited to, the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of flood gates sited at the reservoir. The bill would also authorize the Office of Emergency Management in the Division of State Police to order the water level of any reservoir in the State to be lowered in a manner prescribed by the office prior to, or during, a severe weather event if the office has made a determination, after consultation with the DEP, that lowering the reservoir level is in the general public interest and reasonably necessary to prevent or reduce the severity of flooding. The bill would indemnify any owner of a reservoir against any act or omission with respect to any claims or any cause of action arising out of the proper implementation of a flood action plan approved by the DEP under this bill, provided, however, the owner is in full compliance with any order of the Office of Emergency Management to lower reservoir levels, as may be issued pursuant to this bill. | In Committee |
| A2568 | Concerns debarment of contractors for conviction of certain computer-related crimes. | This bill provides for the debarment from performing public computer contracts of persons convicted of certain computer-related crimes. In addition, the bill requires public entities, as well as a vendor performing public computer-related contracts, to report certain computer criminal activity. The bill establishes monetary and other penalties for noncompliance. | In Committee |
| A2511 | Requires municipal governing bodies and boards of education to provide sufficient time for all requested public comment at open public meetings. | This bill amends section 7 of the "Senator Byron M. Baer Open Public Meetings Act," P.L.1975, c.231 (C.10:4-6 et seq.), to provide that a municipal governing body and a board of education shall be required to set aside a portion of every meeting sufficient to accommodate all requests for public comment, of not less than three minutes per speaker, on any governmental or school district issue that a member of the public feels may be of concern to the residents of the municipality or school district. Should the portion of the meeting dedicated to public comment exceed the scheduled length of the meeting itself, no vote shall be taken on the subject of the comment until the next meeting, at which time the public comment shall resume until all interested members of the public have had opportunity to comment on the subject. | In Committee |
| A2633 | Allows gross income tax deduction for charitable contributions to certain New Jersey-based charitable organizations. | This bill allows a New Jersey gross income tax deduction for charitable contributions that are made to certain New Jersey-based charitable organizations to encourage philanthropic giving to Garden State charities. Under the bill, New Jersey gross income taxpayers are allowed to deduct from gross income charitable contributions that are made during the taxable year to a qualified New Jersey-based charitable organization. The bill provides that the amount of the deduction is limited to the amount of charitable contributions that is allowable as a deduction from federal adjusted gross income to the taxpayer for the federal taxable year pursuant to section 170 of the federal Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. s.170). The deduction allowed by the bill mirrors the federal income tax deduction for charitable contributions and is allowed regardless of whether the federal itemized deduction is taken by the taxpayer. Thus, the deduction is equal to the amount "allowable" by Internal Revenue Code section 170, not just the deduction allowed and taken. The bill defines "qualified New Jersey-based charitable organization" as a charitable organization that is registered pursuant to the "Charitable Registration and Investigation Act," or an organization that is exempt from the registration requirements of that act, and that maintains an office, employs persons, and provides services in this State. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment and applies to charitable contributions that are made in taxable years beginning on or after the January 1 next following the date of enactment. | In Committee |
| A2583 | Restricts certain affordable housing eligibility to certain State residents and certain individuals with employment history in the State. | This bill would restrict certain affordable housing eligibility for certain State residents and certain individuals with an employment history in the State. The bill would require that, as a part of a contractual guarantee or deed restriction intended to ensure that a housing unit remains low- or moderate-income housing, occupancy of the housing unit would be restricted for a household for which at least one household member has either been a legal resident of the State for two consecutive years, or has worked in the State for at least 35 hours per week for at least two consecutive years. The bill would also restrict eligibility for assistance through the State rental assistance program to a household for which at least one household member has either been a legal resident of the State for two consecutive years, or has worked in the State for at least 35 hours per week for at least two consecutive years. The bill to would take effect on the first day of the second month next following enactment to allow time for administrators to adjust to the new requirements. | In Committee |
| A1113 | Establishes Red Tape Review Commission. | This bill creates the Red Tape Review Commission to assess the effect that rules and regulations and Executive Orders have on the State's economy and to provide recommendations to the Governor to amend any rules and regulations or Executive Orders that unduly burden the State's businesses, workers, and local governments. Under the bill, the commission would be comprised of eight members, consisting of representatives from the Executive and Legislative branches of State government, who are devoted to the common goal of promptly addressing the State's economic viability and prosperity. The bill requires each department, office, division, or agency of the State to cooperate with the commission and furnish it with any information, personnel, and assistance it needs to accomplish its duties. The commission's finding would be advisory and cannot be used as a basis for any legal challenges based upon the action or inaction of any department, office, division, or agency of the State. The bill requires the commission to: (1) Review all proposed and adopted rules and regulations and operative Executive Orders issued by the Governor to: assess their potential or actual effects on the State's economy; determine whether their costs and other burdens on businesses, workers, and local governments outweigh their intended benefits; and establish a basis for providing recommendations to the Governor to amend any rules and regulations or Executive Orders that unduly burden the State's businesses, workers, and local governments; (2) Call upon any department, office, division, or agency of this State to supply the commission with data and other information, personnel, or assistance it deems necessary to discharge its duties; (3) Solicit both written and oral comments from the public, including professional, labor, community, and environmental organizations, businesses, workers, and other affected persons or entities as the commission deems appropriate, and to consider the views expressed by those parties in any report; and (4) Provide annually a written report to the Governor and the Legislature in which the commission must provide recommendations to repeal, rescind, or amend any rules and regulations or Executive Orders that unduly burden the State's businesses, workers, and local governments. | In Committee |
| A2554 | Clarifies DCA's authority to ensure planned real estate development builders comply with disclosure requirements. | This bill implements one of the recommendations of the State Commission of Investigation in its report of March, 2005 entitled "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: New-Home Construction in New Jersey." Specifically, this bill clarifies that the Commissioner of Community Affairs has authority to enforce the provisions of "The Planned Real Estate Development Full Disclosure Act" against planned real estate development builders. | In Committee |
| A1529 | Establishes "Stand Your Ground" self-defense law. | This bill would enact a "Stand Your Ground" self-defense law. Under the bill, a person who is in possession or control of a dwelling or who is licensed or privileged to be in the dwelling has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his ground and use or threaten to use: (1) Force, other than deadly force, against another when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes that such conduct is necessary to defend himself or another against the other's imminent use of unlawful force; or (2) Deadly force against another if the person reasonably believes that using or threatening to use such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily harm to himself or another or to prevent the imminent commission of a crime involving violence. The bill provides that a person is presumed to hold a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or serious bodily harm to himself or another when using or threatening to use defensive force that is intended or likely to cause death or serious bodily harm to another if: (1) The person against whom the defensive force is used or threatened was in the process of unlawfully and forcefully entering, or had unlawfully and forcibly entered, a dwelling or occupied vehicle, or if that person had removed or was attempting to remove another against that person's will from the dwelling or occupied vehicle; and (2) The person who uses or threatens to use defensive force knew or had reason to believe that an unlawful and forcible entry or unlawful and forcible act was occurring or had occurred. The presumption of a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or great bodily harm would not apply under certain circumstances. These include, among others, if the person against whom the defensive force is used or threatened is licensed or privileged to be in the dwelling or motor vehicle and is not subject to a restraining order or protective order that protects the person who uses or threatens to use defensive force; or if the person against whom the defensive force is used or threatened is a law enforcement officer who enters or attempts to enter a dwelling or vehicle in the performance of the officer's official duties. Under the bill, a person who unlawfully and by force enters or attempts to enter a person's dwelling or occupied vehicle is presumed to be doing so with the intent to commit an unlawful act involving force or violence. The bill defines "crime involving violence" as any of the following crimes: aggravated assault; aggravated arson or arson; burglary; carjacking; kidnapping; murder; aggravated manslaughter or manslaughter; robbery; the third degree crime of stalking; aggravated sexual assault or sexual assault; or any other crime which involves the use or threat of physical force or violence against any individual. The bill repeals N.J.S.2C:3-6, the current law concerning the use of force in defense of premises. | In Committee |
| A2541 | Clarifies that electronic public records do not have to be converted to different electronic formats under the State's open public records law. | This bill would clarify that a public agency does not have to convert a public record to a particular electronic format under the State's open public records law, commonly referred to as the "Open Public Records Act," P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.). Current law does not expressly address requests for public records in particular electronic formats. This bill would provide that a public agency must provide the record in the electronic format requested only if the agency maintains the record in that format. Otherwise, the public agency, in its discretion, may either convert the record to the electronic format requested or provide a copy in the electronic format maintained by the public agency. If the public agency elects to convert a record to the electronic format requested, the agency may charge a special charge for the reasonable conversion costs in those circumstances in which a special charge may be charged for converting a record to the medium requested provided for under current law. This bill would simplify the process for responding to requests for electronic public records so that records custodians may focus their efforts on the timely provision of public records, and to help avoid potential litigation over such requests, which can lead to substantial costs for a public agency. | In Committee |
| ACR40 | Amends Constitution to require Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Act aid and Consolidated Municipal Property Tax Relief Aid programs be fully funded each year, with dedicated amounts distributed to municipalities. | This concurrent resolution proposes to amend the State Constitution to require that the Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Act aid and the Consolidated Municipal Property Tax Relief Aid programs be fully funded, and with constitutionally set amounts to be distributed to municipalities as State aid each year. The State collects revenue pursuant to the "Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Act," P.L.1997, c.167 (C.52:27D-438 et seq.), (the "energy tax") through an assessment on certain producers and consumers of gas, electric, telecommunications, sewerage and water, and other utility services. These fees were formerly collected by municipalities as a gross receipts and franchise tax. However, a 1997 law, P.L.1997, c.162, revised the taxation of energy-related public utilities and, henceforth, receipts collected by the State have been deposited into the "Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund," with a statutorily determined amount required to be distributed as aid to municipalities based on prior distribution amounts adjusted by an inflation index. Consolidated Municipal Property Tax Relief Aid ("CMPTRA") was established by the fiscal year 1996 appropriations act, P.L.1995, c.164, as the consolidation of 14 separate municipal aid programs. Similar to the energy tax, a statutorily determined amount, based on prior distributions adjusted by an inflation index, N.J.S.A.52:27D-442, is required to be distributed as aid to municipalities each year. In certain years, however, the State has not distributed to municipalities the amount of CMPTRA and energy tax aid that is required to be distributed pursuant to statute. Through the annual appropriations act, the statutory dedication for the energy tax, CMPTRA, or both, have been overridden and receipts therefrom have been used for general State funding purposes. This concurrent resolution amends the Constitution to require that the full amount of CMPTRA and energy tax aid be appropriated and distributed to, or on behalf of, municipalities each year. The "full amount" of energy tax and CMPTRA aid means the formulas currently provided for by statute and reproduced in this concurrent resolution, N.J.S.A.52:27D-439(e) and 52:27D-442, respectively. Specifically, this concurrent resolution uses as the CMPTRA base year the amounts of CMPTRA distributed in fiscal year 2009. The energy tax base year is the amount of energy tax set to be distributed in fiscal year 2018. These amounts are then adjusted by an "index rate," for both the first fiscal year in which this concurrent resolution is effective and then readjusted for each fiscal year thereafter. The "index rate" is the rate of annual percentage increase, rounded to the nearest half-percent, in the Implicit Price Deflator for State and Local Government Purchases of Goods and Services, computed and published quarterly by the United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis. The provisions of this concurrent resolution would begin on July 1, 2019, the first day of State fiscal year 2020. | In Committee |
| A2575 | Concerns standards for fair share affordable housing credit for housing reserved for veterans; requires veteran preference in certain affordable housing application administration. | This bill would revise the standards for the allocation of fair share affordable housing credit for housing reserved for veterans, and would require a veteran preference in the administration of certain applications for affordable housing. This bill provides that a municipality may reserve, or enter into an agreement with a developer or residential development owner to reserve the dwelling units of a development, or a portion of those dwelling units, as affordable for low- and moderate-income veterans. A municipality would receive no less than one credit towards its fair share affordable housing obligation for each dwelling unit reserved for a low- or moderate-income veteran. The bill defines a "dwelling unit" as a home in which a household lives in a distinct living space with a kitchen and bathroom, except that in an alternative living arrangement, each bed occupied, or intended for occupancy, by a low- or moderate-income veteran would represent a distinct dwelling unit. Alternative living arrangements would include, but would not be limited to: Veterans Haven facilities; transitional facilities for the homeless, boarding homes; residential health care facilities; group homes for the developmentally disabled and mentally; and congregate living arrangements. The bill would also require a municipality to direct the administrative agent responsible for administering applications for affordable housing in the municipality to prioritize those applications of any household that includes one or more veterans. The bill to would take effect on the first day of the second month next following enactment to allow time for administrators to adjust to the new requirements | In Committee |
| A2550 | Phases out the transfer inheritance tax over two years. | This bill reduces and finally eliminates the New Jersey transfer inheritance tax over two years. The New Jersey transfer inheritance tax is one of the State's oldest taxes, originating in 1892 and imposed in roughly its present form since 1909. The tax is imposed on the transfer of all personal and real property in the estates of New Jersey resident decedents and on all tangible and real property located in New Jersey in the estates of nonresident decedents. The tax was extensively revised in 1985 to exempt from taxation transfers to spouses, ancestors and descendants of the decedent, but "lateral" transfers, bequests to brothers and sisters of the decedent or their children, and to nonrelatives are taxed at rates up to 16%. This bill eliminates the transfer inheritance tax over two years. In the first calendar year following enactment of the bill, all of the transfers that are currently taxable remain taxable, but at 50% of the current tax rates. In the second year following enactment, taxes are no longer imposed. | In Committee |
| A2521 | Establishes presumption of joint legal and physical custody in child custody matters. | This bill provides for a presumption of joint legal and equal or approximately equal physical custody in a child custody determination. The current law provides that the court will order any custody arrangement which has been agreed to by both parents unless it is contrary to the best interests of the child. Courts may award joint custody, which is comprised of legal custody or physical custody with the child residing either solely with one parent or alternatively with each parent according to the needs of the parents and the child, and the parents sharing in the decision-making regarding their children's health, education and general welfare; sole custody to one parent with appropriate parenting time for the noncustodial parent; or any other custody arrangement as determined to be in the child's best interest. The bill makes it a presumption that the court will award parents joint legal and equal or approximately equal physical custody of their children. Under the bill, a child will reside for an equal or approximately equal amount of time with each parent in accordance with the needs of the child, and the parents will share decision-making authority and responsibility as to the important decisions affecting the child's welfare. This presumption may be rebutted if the parent can show by clear and convincing evidence that an order of joint legal and physical custody is harmful to the child. If the presumption is successfully rebutted, then custody will be awarded according to the child's best interests. | In Committee |
| A2635 | Requires telemarketers making sales calls to display their name and telephone number on any caller identification service. | This bill prohibits a telemarketer, when making or causing to be made any telemarketing sales call, from failing to transmit or cause to be transmitted the telephone number, and, when made available by the telemarketer's telephone company, the name of the telemarketer, to any caller identification service in use by a recipient of a telemarketing sales call. The bill permits the telemarketer to substitute, for the name and telephone number used in or billed for making the call, the name of the seller on behalf of which the call is placed and the seller's customer service telephone number that is answered during regular business hours. | In Committee |
| AJR55 | Designates March 16 as "Paws Healing Heroes Day" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates March 16 as "Paws Healing Heroes Day" in New Jersey. Service dogs play an important role in assisting veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), military sexual trauma, and seizure disorder. It is estimated that 29 percent of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom may experience PTSD, and 28 percent of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom may experience TBI. New Jersey has a current veteran population of over 300,000. However, despite federal law to expand the availability of service dogs to veterans, the training and placement of service dogs falls primarily upon community non-profit organizations that depend on charitable donations, such as Paws Healing Heroes of Glassboro. The average cost to rescue, train, and present a service dog to a veteran can be $3,000 to $5,000, which is not covered by insurance or other veterans' benefits. Designating "Paws Healing Heroes Day" will promote greater awareness of the unique role of service dogs in assisting veterans. | In Committee |
| A2547 | Permits educational organizations to conduct bingo games with prizes for participating students under certain circumstances. | This bill would permit educational organizations that are registered to conduct bingo under the "Bingo Licensing Law" to conduct bingo games exclusively with students affiliated with the organization as participants, including persons under the age of 18 years old, only if prizes are awarded. The total value of prizes awarded for such an event would be limited to $100 in all games played in a single occasion. The bill would require parental consent in writing to any student's participation in the bingo games. This bill would provide a limited exception in the "Bingo Licensing Law" to the prohibition against persons under the 18 participating in bingo games. The bill would provide organizations such as parent teacher associations the ability to fundraise by charging parents a fee for their children's participation in a bingo event with prizes. | In Committee |
| A2552 | Allows New Jersey S corporations to elect to transfer corporation business tax credits to shareholders to apply against the shareholders' gross income tax liability. | This bill allows New Jersey S corporations to elect to transfer corporation business tax credits to shareholders to apply against gross income tax liability. Most large C corporations pay State corporation business tax on profits at the rate of 9%. Subchapter S corporations pay corporation business tax at a reduced rate, currently at a 1.33% rate that is scheduled to phase down to a zero rate for Tax Year 2007 and thereafter. A wide range of credits are available under the corporation business tax to provide incentives for employee benefits, encourage investment in communities in need of redevelopment, encourage job creation, and promote investment in infrastructure located in New Jersey. These corporation business tax credits are typically limited to reducing tax liability by half, so a typical credit can reduce the tax liability of a large C corporation from 9% to 4.5%, a substantial incentive. Because the liability of a subchapter S corporation can only be reduced from 1.33% to 0.66%, these credits provide much less incentive to subchapter S corporations to do the things the credits are designed to promote. This bill allows subchapter S corporations to elect to pass the corporate level credits through to their shareholders, for the purpose of allowing the shareholders to reduce their individual New Jersey gross income tax liabilities on the income they are deemed to have received from the subchapter S corporation. The bill allows this pass-through for the Alternate Commuting Credit, the Urban Enterprise Zone New Employment Credit, the Qualified Municipality Open For Business Credit, the Neighborhood Revitalization Credit, the New Jobs Investment Tax Credit, the Manufacturing Equipment and Employment Investment Credit, the Research and Development Credit, the Water Treatment Equipment Credit, and the Urban Development Project Employment Tax Credit. | In Committee |
| A2529 | Allows gross income tax deduction for 50% of contributions of $100 or more to domestic violence shelters. | This bill allows qualified New Jersey taxpayers to deduct from their gross income an amount equal to 50% of a contribution of $100 or more, made to a qualified domestic violence shelter. Under the provisions of the bill, the domestic violence shelters in the State would be required to provide the Director of the Division of Taxation with proof that they meet the standards to operate set forth by the Department of Human Services, pursuant to the "Shelters for Victims of Domestic Violence Act," P.L.1979, c.337 (C.30:14-1 et seq.). | In Committee |
| AR24 | Commemorates christening of USS John Basilone. | This resolution commemorates the christening of the USS John Basilone and honors the sacrifice the New Jersey native John Basilone made in World War II. This resolution details the many courageous acts that John Basilone made during World War II and tells the story of his life before the war. John Basilone was the only enlisted Marine in World War II to be awarded the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. He won the Medal of Honor through his actions at the Battle of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. After his time in the Pacific theater, the New Jersey native toured the country selling war bonds. Eventually, he was ready to return to the warfront and after being denied by his superiors a couple of times, his request was granted. He was sent back to the Pacific to the Battle of Iwo Jima, where he died on the first day of the conflict. The day that he died, he destroyed an enemy blockhouse and guided a Marine tank under fire safely through a minefield. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his actions. The naming of the USS John Basilone adds to the list of his namesake honors, including another destroyer, the USS Basilone, roads, military locations, and a bridge in New Jersey. Although born in New York, John Basilone spent his childhood with his family in Raritan Borough, New Jersey. He lived in Raritan Borough from the age of 2 to 18, when he joined the United States Army. To honor his memory, New Jersey named a bridge on the New Jersey Turnpike that spans the Raritan River, the Basilone Memorial Bridge. New Jersey is proud to be the home to American hero, John Basilone, and is proud to recognize him again, by commemorating the christening of the USS John Basilone. | In Committee |
| A2555 | Requires builders of new homes to provide owners with building plans. | This bill is based on recommendations contained in the report issued by the State Commission of Investigation in March, 2005 entitled "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: New Home Construction." The bill requires a builder of a new home to provide the owner or the owner's agent with one free copy of the building plans for the new home, which bears the seal of a licensed professional engineer or a licensed architect of the State, or an affidavit sworn to by the person who drew or prepared the plans, on the first or title sheet of the building plans and any additional supportive information submitted, no more than 15 days prior to the commencement of construction of the new home. Failure to provide the building plans by the prescribed deadline is a violation of "The New Home Warranty and Builders' Registration Act," P.L.1977, c.467 (C.46:3B-1 et seq.), for which the builder shall be held liable under section 6 of P.L.1977, c.467 (C.46:3B-6), which may result in the suspension or revocation of the builder's certificate of registration. If the owner is required to enforce this provision by filing a complaint with the commissioner, then the commissioner may order the builder to provide the plans and reimburse the owner reasonable costs. The building plans shall not be subject to change without a written agreement signed by both the owner and the builder. The builder may charge the owner no more than the actual copying cost for a copy of any plan amended at the request of the owner following delivery of the initial copy of the building plans. | In Committee |
| A2558 | Requires developer under "The Planned Real Estate Full Disclosure Act" to post bond with DCA and provides for more accountability to owners in common interest community. | This bill is part of a package of bills implementing the recommendations of the State Commission of Investigation in its report of March, 2005 entitled "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: New-Home Construction in New Jersey." The bill requires a developer to post a bond with the Department of Community Affairs to secure the completion of the common elements of a planned community and also requires the developer to maintain adequate reserve accounts for maintenance and replacement of the common elements. The bill establishes specific requirements to turn over documents and assets for a developer upon the transition of control of the association board to the owners in the community. The developer at this time must: cause to be prepared by an engineer chosen by the owners an engineering report on the common elements; provide documentation that all municipal and other required governmental approvals and certifications have been granted for all common elements; and make a full accounting of all association activities during the period of developer control. In addition, the bill provides that, during the period of developer control of an association, two or more owners shall be permitted to file warranty claims derivatively on behalf of the association concerning warranties applicable to the common elements of the planned community. | In Committee |
| A932 | Excludes certain contributions to deferred compensation plans and provides deduction for certain individual retirement savings under the gross income tax. | This bill provides taxpayers a gross income tax exclusion in the amount of contributions made to certain retirement plans, and allows a deduction for contributions to individual retirement accounts, or premiums paid to individual retirement annuities, that qualify for federal income tax deductions. The affected types of plans are: (1) a plan established under section 401(a) or section 401(k) of the federal Internal Revenue Code; (2) amounts paid for annuity contracts under section 403(b) of the federal Internal Revenue Code, allowed to employees of governments and nonprofits; (3) a deferred compensation plan of a state or local government that meets the requirements of section 457 of the federal Internal Revenue Code; (4) a federal Thrift Savings Plan; or (5) a standard Individual Retirement Account pursuant to section 408 of the federal Internal Revenue Code. The contributions to these plans are taxed upon distribution from the account. The bill applies to contributions made or premiums paid in taxable years beginning on or after January 1 next following enactment of the bill. | In Committee |
| AJR36 | Establishes "New Jersey Domestic Violence and Legal Access Task Force." | This joint resolution establishes the "New Jersey Domestic Violence and Legal Access Task Force" for the purpose of studying the nature, extent and consequences of unmet legal needs of State residents in domestic violence matters. The task force would have 16 members. The task force would submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature within 18 months of its organization. The membership of the commission would be as follows: (1) two public members appointed by the Governor, one of whom is a representative of a pro bono program organized by a law firm located in the State, and one of whom is a State resident who has been a pro se litigant who has appeared as a plaintiff in a domestic violence matter in the New Jersey State courts; (2) two public members appointed by the Governor upon recommendation of the President of the Senate, one of whom is the representative of a non-profit organization dedicated to the services and assistance of victims of domestic violence and one of whom is a State licensed and certified family law attorney; (3) two public members appointed by the Governor upon recommendation of the Speaker of the General Assembly, one of whom is a director of a legal clinic program of a law school located in the State and one of whom is a State resident who has been a pro se litigant who has appeared as a defendant in a domestic violence matter in the New Jersey State court; (4) one member appointed by the Chief Justice, who is a retired judge of the Superior Court who had been previously assigned to the Family Division; (5) the Administrative Director of the Courts, or his designee; (6) the Public Defender, or the Public Defender's designee; (7) the Attorney General, or the Attorney General's designee; (8) the dean of Seton Hall University School of Law, or the dean's designee; (9) the co-dean of Rutgers Law School Newark Campus, or the co-dean's designee; (10) the co-dean of Rutgers Law School Camden Campus, or the co-dean's designee; (11) the executive director of New Jersey Legal Services, or the executive director's designee; (12) A representative of the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence; and (13) A representative of Partners for Women and Justice. The task force would be co-chaired: one co-chair would be the Attorney General, or the Attorney General's designee, and the other co-chair would be appointed by the Governor from among the public members and would serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The task force may meet and hold hearings at the places it designates during the sessions or recesses of the Legislature. The task force would meet at the call of the co-chairs. The presence of nine members of the task force would constitute a quorum at any meeting thereof. | In Committee |
| A2561 | Authorizes the Legislative Counsel in the Office of Legislative Services to accept proper and sufficient service of process on behalf of the State Legislature when either or both Houses are named defendants in any legal proceeding. | This bill authorizes the Legislative Counsel in the Office of Legislative Services to accept proper and sufficient service of process on behalf of the State Legislature when either or both Houses are named defendants in any legal proceeding. | In Committee |
| ACR78 | Proposes constitutional amendment requiring State revenue estimates for purposes of a balanced State budget be determined by Governor in accordance with State Revenue Forecasting Integrity Commission. | This concurrent resolution proposes a constitutional amendment that requires that the determination of the total amount of State revenue on hand and anticipated to meet an annual balanced State budget and supplemental State appropriations during a fiscal year be made pursuant to the Governor's certification which shall be in accord with the published estimate of such amount by the State Revenue Forecasting Integrity Commission instead of the current method of annual certification of revenues solely in the Governor's discretion. The Governor's certification may include any reasonable change in the total amount of revenue on hand, and any reasonable change in anticipated revenue, provided that the change in anticipated revenue is based only upon a change in law that affects such anticipated revenue amount, which law is enacted after the publication of the estimate of the commission. Under a companion bill that implements this constitutional amendment, the commission will publish on June 1 annually an estimate of State revenues on hand and anticipated to support a balanced State budget and supplemental appropriations during the next commencing fiscal year. The six member commission will draw upon the expertise and experience of the current professional and political participants in the State revenue estimating process, including the State Treasurer, the Legislative Budget and Finance Officer and the chairpersons and ranking minority party members of the budget committees of the Senate and General Assembly. Pursuant to the companion bill, any changes from the commission's published estimate shall be explained by the Governor in a published written report provided on or before July 15 of that fiscal year containing the specific, detailed reasons for difference in the amount of revenues on hand and in each item of revenue that is certified by the Governor in an amount that is different from the commission's published estimate. Through this constitutional amendment and the companion bill, the process of revenue estimating will be a shared responsibility of both professional and political members of the two branches of government that have traditionally shared a cooperative responsibility for the spending side of the "balanced budget" process. | In Committee |
| A945 | Prohibits payment to public employees at retirement for certain unused sick leave, provides for forfeiture of payment for unused sick leave for certain criminal convictions, and requires documentation for use of sick leave. | This bill prohibits the payment by the State, local governments, and boards of education of supplemental compensation to any current or future public officer or employee for accumulated unused sick leave earned after the bill's effective date. Supplemental compensation for any time earned prior to that date will be payable as under current law. In addition, the bill provides that the payment of supplemental compensation for unused sick leave will be suspended if an officer or employee is indicted for any of the crimes which under current law are grounds for pension forfeiture and that supplemental compensation will be forfeited upon conviction. The bill also requires all public officers and employees to provide medical documentation for absences of six or more consecutive days and imposes penalties for the failure to do so. The bill requires the Attorney General to develop guidelines or establish procedures to ensure that public employers are notified when a public officer or employee is indicted for, or convicted of, any crime or offense that triggers the suspension or forfeiture of payment for supplemental compensation. It also provides that the suspension or forfeiture of payment for supplemental compensation will apply only in the case of crimes or offenses committed after the bill's effective date. The bill will take effect on the first day of the second month following enactment. | In Committee |
| A788 | Permits any member of PERS to receive accidental disability retirement allowance for disability resulting from participation in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup options. | A law recently enacted, P.L.2019, 157, provided that a member or retiree of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS), the State Police Retirement System (SPRS), and the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) is eligible to receive an accidental disability retirement allowance for a permanent and total disability resulting from participation in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations. The law provides that permanent and total disability resulting from a qualifying condition or impairment of health will be presumed to have occurred during and as a result of the performance of a member's regular or assigned duties if the member participated in World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations for a minimum of eight hours. The law permits a member who did not participate in those operations for a minimum of eight hours to be eligible for the presumption under certain circumstances. The law also provides for a reclassification of a retiree's retirement from a service retirement or an ordinary disability retirement to an accidental disability retirement under certain circumstances. The law applies regardless of whether the PERS member or retiree was enrolled in the PERS at the time of the participation in the rescue, recovery and cleanup operations. Currently, the PERS portion of the bill applies only to: any member or retiree who is or was enrolled in the PERS because the member or retiree did not meet the age or medical requirements for enrollment in the Police and Firemen's Retirement System on the basis of the position held; and to any emergency medical technician who is a member or retiree of the Public Employees' Retirement System. The bill amends the relevant provisions of the PERS to provide this benefit to any member of the PERS. | In Committee |
| ACR102 | Urges Department of Education to impose moratorium on new Student Learning Standards. | This resolution respectfully urges the Department of Education to impose a moratorium on the development and implementation of new Student Learning Standards for a period of two years. The most recent Student Learning Standards were adopted by the State Board of Education in June 2020, however there has been considerable discontent among parents and guardians with regards to the standards. As a result, there are numerous bills pending before the Legislature that may affect the Student Learning Standards. Additionally, the United States has been falling in the global education rankings, reaching its lowest level ever in overall competitiveness in the most recent administration of the Program for International Student Assessment. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant learning loss for students around the State, exacerbating the United States' decline compared to other countries. It would be appropriate to impose a moratorium while the Legislature considers bills that may impact the Student Learning Standards and that would focus on addressing learning loss. | In Committee |
| A2579 | Concerns event venues and availability of emergency medical services providers at certain events. | This bill concerns event venues and the availability of emergency medical services providers at certain events. Specifically, the bill requires event venues to notify persons who reserve the venue for events with an anticipated attendance of less than 1,000 persons that an emergency medical services provider may be available for hire to provide those services at the event, and provide the person with the list of those providers. The bill provides that an event venue may not allow a person to reserve the venue for an event with an anticipated attendance of more than 1,000 persons unless the person provides proof that emergency medical services shall provide those services at the event. The bill requires the director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health, to publish on the division's Internet website a Statewide list of emergency medical services providers that are available to provide those services at event venues. | In Committee |
| A184 | Authorizes Sunday firearm and bow hunting for deer on certain lands. | This bill would authorize Sunday hunting for deer with a firearm on State wildlife management areas and private property. The bill also would authorize Sunday hunting with a firearm or bow and arrow on federal military land, subject to approval by the appropriate federal military installation, and on the William J. Hughes Technical Center in Galloway Township, Atlantic County, subject to proper approval by the administrative authority of the technical center. Under current State law, hunting is prohibited on Sundays, with certain limited exceptions. Although federal agencies may permit hunting on their lands, these agencies are subject to both State and federal laws regarding hunting. Thus, an individual may not hunt on federal military installations in the State or on the William J. Hughes Technical Center on Sundays. This bill would amend current law to authorize Sunday hunting of deer with a firearm on State wildlife management areas and private property. Also, the bill would authorize firearm and bow and arrow hunting of deer on Sundays on federal military lands and on the William J. Hughes Technical Center, a Federal Aviation Administration facility, during any bow and arrow or firearm hunting season for deer prescribed by the State Fish and Game Code. Under the bill, the person hunting is required to possess a valid firearm license, valid bow and arrow license, or a valid "All Around Sportsman License," issued by the Division of Fish and Wildlife, and abide by all applicable provisions of the State Fish and Game Code. | In Committee |
| A2535 | Creates private right of action for violation of "Fair Foreclosure Act." | This bill revises the "Fair Foreclosure Act," P.L.1995, c.244 (C.2A:50-53 et seq.) to create a private right of action for any violation of the act's provisions. Specifically, the bill provides that a person may bring an action in Superior Court against a residential mortgage lender for any violation of the "Fair Foreclosure Act," for actual damages or $1,000, whichever is greater, attorney's fees, costs of suit and appropriate equitable relief. | In Committee |
| A1114 | Increases gross income tax deduction for contributions to the New Jersey Better Educational Savings Trust (NJBEST) Program. | This bill increases the gross income tax deduction, initially up to $15,000 per taxable year, for contributions made by the taxpayer to the New Jersey Better Educational Savings Trust (NJBEST) Program, (N.J.S.18A:71B-35 et seq.). Under current law, a taxpayer with gross income of less than $200,000 can deduct up to $10,000 for contributions to the NJBEST program. The bill increases the deduction amount to up to $15,000 for the first taxable year following enactment. The bill also provides for annual cost-of-living adjustments to the maximum deduction and to the income limits ("COLA adjustment") for future taxable years; the COLA adjustment amount is the national consumer price index for all urban consumers as prepared by the United States Department of Labor. This bill affords New Jersey taxpayers with tax relief while promoting personal investment in, and broader access to, higher education. | In Committee |
| A2646 | Redistributes fiscal year 2023 transportation and security aid from remote school districts to in-person school districts. | This bill requires that 50 percent of the amount of transportation aid and security aid allocated to "remote school districts" in the 2022-2023 school year will be redistributed to "in-person school districts" on an equal per pupil basis. The bill defines an in-person school district as a school district whose superintendent certifies under penalty of perjury that it offered all of the students of the district in-person instruction on 75 percent or more of school days during the 2021-2022 school year. A remote school district is defined as a school district whose superintendent certifies under penalty of perjury that it offered all of the students of the district in-person instruction on 50 percent or less of school days during the 2021-2022 school year. | In Committee |
| A2578 | Reduces expiration date for rules from seven years to five years and requires legislative approval for readoption of rules after five years. | This bill would amend the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), which establishes the procedures that executive branch agencies are required to follow when exercising their authority to adopt, amend, and repeal rules and regulations. Under current law, rule chapters expire seven years following the effective date of the rules, and may be readopted, amended, and repealed by the applicable agency in accordance with the process set forth in the law. Under this bill, the expiration date of rule chapters would be reduced from seven years to five years, and the applicable agency would require legislative approval in order to readopt the rules thereafter. This legislative approval would be in the form of the passage of a concurrent resolution. Under the bill, if the Legislature does not act to pass a concurrent resolution, the rules would expire and the agency would be prohibited from readopting the rules for a period of five years. Under the bill, the change in the chapter expiration date from seven years to five years and the requirement for legislative approval for readoption thereafter would apply to all rules adopted on or after the date of enactment of the bill into law. The bill provides that the Governor may, upon the request of an agency head, within five days after the passage of a concurrent resolution by both Houses of the Legislature, restore the effectiveness of an expired rule as of its expiration date, for a period to be specified by the Governor, in order to effect the readoption of the rule. | In Committee |
| A2530 | Authorizes attorney-at-law who validates affidavit, acknowledgment, proof, oath, or affirmation to affix seal indicating that he is attorney-at-law. | This bill would authorize an attorney-at-law who validates an affidavit, acknowledgment, proof, oath, or affirmation to affix a seal to the document indicating that he is an attorney-at-law. Under the bill, a person licensed to practice law in this State who validates an affidavit, acknowledgment, proof, oath, or affirmation taken before him in accordance with the provisions of chapter 14 of Title 46 of the Revised Statutes or R.S.41:2-1 may, but would not be required to, affix a seal to the document indicating that he is an attorney-at-law of the State of New Jersey and, as such, is authorized by statute to perform such validations. The bill specifies that the validation of an affidavit, acknowledgment, proof, oath, or affirmation by an attorney-at-law in accordance with the bill would have the same force and effect as validation by a notary public. | In Committee |
| A1097 | Establishes a formula for the distribution of State aid to school districts. | Whereas, paragraph 1 of Article III states, "The powers of the government shall be divided among three distinct branches, the legislative, executive, and judicial. No person or persons belonging to or constituting one branch shall exercise any of the powers properly belonging to either of the others, except as expressly provided in this Constitution." Whereas, paragraph 1 of Section IV of Article VIII states, "The Legislature shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of free public schools for the instruction of all the children in the State between the ages of five and eighteen years." Whereas, paragraph 2 of Section IV of Article VIII states, "The fund for the support of free public schools...shall be annually appropriated to the support of free public schools, and for the equal benefit of all the people of the State." Whereas, paragraph 7 of Section I of Article VIII states that the income tax is to be, "...annually appropriated...exclusively for the purpose of reducing or offsetting property taxes." This bill establishes a new formula for the allocation of State aid to school districts to satisfy the Legislature's constitutional responsibility to provide for a system of free public schools. The bill provides State aid by determining a per pupil amount of State aid and multiplying that amount by the school district's projected resident enrollment for the budget year. The per pupil State aid amount is determined after the State Treasurer projects the total revenue amount from the State income tax for the budget year. Following the determination of the projected total State income tax, the Department of Education is to divide that amount by the total projected resident enrollment of the school districts. The department determines each school district's State aid by multiplying this per pupil State aid amount by the district's projected resident enrollment. | In Committee |
| ACR79 | Proposes constitutional amendment providing laws imposing, extending, or delaying repeal of State tax expire after five years unless extended by Legislature. | This proposed constitutional amendment requires the Legislature's approval for the extension, beyond five years, of any law that imposes a State tax or delays the repeal or expiration of a State tax. If this amendment is adopted, any current or later enacted law imposing a State tax, or delaying the repeal or expiration of a State tax, will sunset five years after the date this amendment to the Constitution is approved or five years after the law was enacted. The Legislature could vote to extend the law for an additional five years no sooner than one year before the law is scheduled to sunset. | In Committee |
| ACR31 | Applies to Congress for an Article V Convention of States to limit certain powers of the federal government and terms of office. | This Assembly concurrent resolution applies to Congress for the calling of an Article V Convention of the States limited to proposing amendments to the United States Constitution that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government and limit the terms of office for its officials. | In Committee |
| A2688 | Requires students to pass test identical to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services civics test as part of high school graduation requirements. | This bill requires a board of education to administer a test identical to the civics portion of the naturalization test used by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. The test will be administered to ninth grade students. A student who does not obtain a passing score by answering at least 60 out of 100 questions correctly must retake the test in each subsequent school year until the student obtains a passing score. A student is required to obtain a passing score in order to graduate from high school. The board of education will document on the student's high school transcript that the student has successfully completed the test. | In Committee |
| A2528 | Requires public institutions of higher education to provide student-athletes who lose athletic scholarships because of injuries sustained while participating in athletic program with equivalent scholarships. | This bill requires public institutions of higher education to provide a student-athlete, whose athletic scholarship is not renewed because of injuries sustained while participating in the athletic program, with a scholarship that is equivalent to the athletic scholarship. Under the bill, the equivalent scholarship, combined with the total duration of any previous athletic scholarship or scholarships received by the student-athlete, will be provided for a total of five academic years or until the student-athlete completes his undergraduate degree, whichever period is shorter. However, an institution may, at its discretion, provide an equivalent scholarship for additional academic years. Intercollegiate athletics is a multi-billion dollar industry, and each year student-athletes help to generate millions of dollars in revenue for their schools. However, many colleges provide one-year, renewable athletic scholarships, and a student-athlete who sustains an incapacitating injury or illness faces the possibility of not having his scholarship renewed by the school. As a result, many student-athletes who lose their athletic scholarships find it difficult to afford the ever-increasing costs of attending college. This bill seeks to rectify that injustice by requiring public institutions of higher education to provide student-athletes who lose athletic scholarships because of injuries sustained while participating in the athletic program with scholarships that are equivalent to the athletic scholarships. | In Committee |
| A2531 | Requires NJT to operate off-peak direct rail service to Manhattan on Raritan Valley Line. | This bill requires the New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit) to operate direct rail service to Manhattan on the Raritan Valley Line (RVL) that is equal to or greater than the direct rail service to Manhattan that NJ Transit provided on the RVL during fiscal year 2018. | In Committee |
| A2543 | Requires certain conditions affecting application for development or zoning variance to be recorded with municipality and county. | This bill provides that an administrative officer shall memorialize any conditions established by a municipal agency on each application for development or zoning variance in a permanent record, and any recording fee as may be provided by ordinance or regulation shall be paid by an applicant. The record shall be kept in the office of the municipal clerk, and a copy shall be provided to an applicant. Any condition memorialized in a permanent record by the administrative officer shall be considered a document affecting the title to real property, and shall be delivered for recording by the administrative officer in a manner consonant with P.L.2011, c.217 (N.J.S.46:26A-1 et al.). | In Committee |
| A2534 | Requires school districts to provide transportation to public and nonpublic school pupils living along hazardous routes. | This bill requires public school districts to provide transportation services to public and nonpublic school students who live along a hazardous route. The bill stipulates that the district will be entitled to State aid in an amount equal to 100% of the cost of providing such transportation. Under the bill's provisions, the Commissioner of Transportation, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, will develop three definitions of "hazardous route" for the purposes of this transportation requirement. The definitions will differentiate between urban, suburban, and rural routes. In developing the definitions, the commissioners will consider the following criteria: population density; traffic volume; average vehicle velocity; existence or absence of sufficient sidewalk space; roads and highways that are winding or have blind curves; roads and highways with steep inclines and declines; drop-offs that are in close proximity to a sidewalk; bridges or overpasses that must be crossed to reach the school; train tracks or trestles that must be crossed to reach school; and busy roads or highways that must be crossed to reach school. The Commissioner of Transportation, in consultation with the local police department, will designate hazardous routes in the State using the established definitions. The Commissioner of Transportation will then notify the Commissioner of Education of the designated routes. The Commissioner of Transportation will also conduct an annual review to determine whether the designated routes continue to need the hazardous designation, and will notify the Commissioner of Education if a determination is made to discontinue a hazardous route designation. Finally, the bill provides that when the Commissioner of Transportation determines discretionary aid from the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund, he must give highest priority to projects intended to remedy conditions on the designated hazardous routes. The bill amends and repeals sections of a prior law which had authorized school districts to adopt a list of hazardous routes in the district requiring courtesy busing services. | In Committee |
| A3097 | Establishes presumption of pretrial detention for certain vehicular offenses. | This bill establishes a presumption of pretrial detention for a person who commits reckless vehicular homicide or strict liability vehicular homicide. A person is guilty of strict liability vehicular homicide, a crime of the third degree, if the person commits vehicular homicide by driving while intoxicated. A person commits second degree reckless vehicular homicide if the person was operating an auto recklessly while under the influence in violation of N.J.S.A.39:4-50. Reckless vehicular homicide is a first degree crime if the defendant was operating the auto in violation of N.J.S.A.39:4-50 while on school property, within 1,000 feet of school property, or driving through a school crossing under certain circumstances. Under current law, there is a rebuttable presumption that a defendant who is charged with murder or a crime that subjects the defendant to an ordinary or extended term of life imprisonment is to be detained pending trial. The rebuttable presumption applies when a prosecutor makes a motion for pretrial detention, and may be rebutted upon a showing of proof, by a preponderance of the evidence, in favor of the defendant. This bill provides that the rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention also applies to defendants charged with reckless vehicular homicide and strict liability vehicular homicide as established pursuant to N.J.S.A.2C:11-5 and N.J.S.A.2C:11-5.3. A defendant charged pursuant to N.J.S.A.2C:11-5 or N.J.S.A.2C:11-5.3 would be subject to forfeiture of the auto or vessel which was used in the commission of the offense, unless the defendant establishes at a hearing, which may occur at the time of sentencing, by a preponderance of the evidence that such forfeiture would constitute a serious hardship to the family of the defendant that outweighs the need to deter such conduct by the defendant and others. Finally, the bill also permits a court, if deciding against the pretrial detention of a defendant for a violation of the reckless driving or strict liability vehicular homicide provisions, to order the suspension or revocation of the defendant's license. | In Committee |
| ACR73 | Proposes constitutional amendment requiring voter approval of State bond refundings that increase principal amount of total State bonded indebtedness. | This Assembly Concurrent Resolution amends the State Constitution to require that a State refunding bond issue that proposes to increase the principal amount of outstanding debt beyond the costs of the refunding must be approved by the voters. Under the State Constitution, the issuance of State bonds must be approved by the voters. Under amendments made to the Constitution in 1983, no voter approval is required to issue new debt for refinancing of previously issued bonds if the new debt will provide a debt service savings to the State after the new debt is used to pay off the old debt. The act implementing the 1983 amendment permits debt service savings to be determined on the basis of the present value savings of the refunding (a present value savings means that in terms of today's dollars the value of the stream of principal and interest payments due and payable over the term of the refunding bonds must be less than today's value of the stream of principal and interest payments due and payable over the term of the outstanding bonds). Currently neither the Constitution nor the implementing act restrict the principal amount of the refunding bonds that may be issued except to require generally that the principal amount not exceed an amount necessary to refinance the outstanding bonds. The extent of the present value savings to be achieved through a refunding and how that savings may impact on the State budget are not currently stated in the Constitution or in the refunding act but are left to the discretion of the issuing officials with the approval of the Joint Budget Oversight Committee. Under this amendment those issues would still be discretionary, but a refunding that proposed to increase the principal amount of debt outstanding beyond the costs of the refunding would require the approval of a majority of the voters at a general election, the same requirement as for an original State bond act. | In Committee |
| A2516 | Provides mandatory minimum term of imprisonment for certain crimes of domestic violence. | This bill strengthens protections for victims of domestic violence by providing mandatory minimum terms of incarceration, with set periods of parole ineligibility, for offenders who commit physically violent acts. Under the provisions of the bill, a person convicted of any of the following crimes of domestic violence would be subject to the enhanced penalties provided in the bill: (1) Homicide, pursuant to N.J.S.2C:11-1 et seq.; (2) Aggravated assault and assault by auto or vessel pursuant to subsection b. and c. of N.J.S.2C:12-1; (3) Kidnapping, pursuant to N.J.S.2C:13-1; (4) Criminal restraint, pursuant to N.J.S.2C:13-2; (5) Sexual assault, pursuant to N.J.S.2C:14-2; and (6) Criminal sexual contact, pursuant to N.J.S.2C:14-3. The bill provides that a person will be sentenced as follows: 18 months for a crime of the fourth degree, five years for a crime of the third degree, 10 years for a crime of the second degree, and 20 years for a crime of the first degree, unless the provisions of any other law provide for a higher mandatory minimum term. The court additionally will impose a period of parole ineligibility as follows: 18 months for a crime of the fourth degree, 42 months for a crime of the third degree, five years for a crime of the second degree, and 10 years for a crime of the first degree. | In Committee |
| A2542 | Provides sales and use tax exemption for purchases of rapid or laboratory tests for purposes of detecting infections. | This bill exempts from New Jersey sales and use tax purchases of rapid or laboratory viral tests or antibody tests. The exemption will apply, but not be limited to, molecular and antigen tests utilized for detecting infections, such as SARS-CoV-2. | In Committee |
| A2576 | Establishes rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention for defendants subject to mandatory term or presumption of imprisonment. | This bill establishes a rebuttable presumption that a defendant subject to a mandatory prison term or a presumption of imprisonment is to be detained prior to trial. Under P.L.2014, c.31, also known as the "Bail Reform Law," criminal courts are authorized to order the pretrial release of a defendant pending further proceedings, or order pretrial detention of a defendant who is found to be a flight risk, a danger to another or the community, or likely to obstruct further criminal proceedings. Currently, there is a rebuttable presumption that a defendant who is charged with murder or a crime that subjects the defendant to an ordinary or extended term of life imprisonment is to be detained pending trial. This rebuttable presumption applies when a prosecutor makes a motion for the pretrial detention, and may be rebutted upon a showing of proof, by a preponderance of the evidence, in favor of the defendant. If the presumption is not rebutted, the court may order pretrial detention of the defendant. If the presumption is rebutted, the prosecutor still has the opportunity to establish grounds for pretrial detention. This bill provides that the rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention also applies to defendants charged with a firearms offense under the "Graves Act" or an offense subject to an 85 percent mandatory minimum sentence under the No Early Release Act (NERA), as well as an offense for which there is a presumption of imprisonment. | In Committee |
| A2559 | Prohibits selective suspension of candidates for elective office by social media websites. | This bill, notwithstanding the provisions of State law, and consistent with federal law, prohibits a social media website, as defined in the bill, from willfully selectively suspending, commonly referred to as "deplatforming," a candidate for office who is known by the social media website to be a candidate, beginning on the date of the qualification and ending on the date of the election or the date the candidate ceases to be a candidate. A social media website is to provide each user of the social media website a method by which the user may be identified as a qualified candidate and which provides sufficient information to allow the social media website to confirm the user's qualification by reviewing the Internet website of the Division of Elections in the Department of State or the Internet website of the local board of elections. The bill provides that a social media website that willfully provides free advertising for a candidate is to inform the candidate of that in-kind contribution. Posts, content, material, and comments by candidates that are shown on the social media website in the same or similar way as other users' posts, content, material, and comments are not to be considered free advertising. The bill provides that, upon finding a violation of the provisions of the bill by the Election Law Enforcement Commission, in addition to any remedies available pursuant to State law, the commission may assess a social media website a penalty of $250,000 per day for a violation affecting a candidate for Statewide office and $25,000 per day for a violation affecting a candidate for other offices. | In Committee |
| AR86 | Supports Israel as it defends itself against the terrorist attacks by Hamas. | This House strongly condemns Hamas for its terroristic attacks against Israel and the atrocities perpetrated against innocent people. On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists launched a massive, unprovoked war on Israel by air, land, and sea. Hamas terrorists crossed the land border and began killing Israelis, abducting people as hostages, slaughtering ordinary civilians and entire families, including babies and elderly people, setting houses on fire, and raping women. Since October 7, 2023, Hamas has launched over 4,500 rockets into southern and central Israel, at least 1,400 people have been confirmed dead in Israel, of whom 30 were American citizens, and another 3,400 have been injured. Hamas is a Foreign Terrorist Organization, designated as such by the United States and the European Union, for its history of suicide bombings and rocket attacks against Jewish people and the State of Israel. Israel is a non-NATO ally and strategic partner of the United States, and the United States has declared its commitment to Israel, reaffirming our 75-year partnership with Israel and the Jewish people in the advancement of our shared democratic values and cultural ties. The Israeli people and its government have shown unwavering bravery in response to the unprovoked act of terrorism by Hamas. The State of New Jersey is proud of its strong relationship with Israel and its citizens, and reaffirms its commitment to Israel in the face of these terrorist attacks. New Jersey condemns the terrorist acts of Hamas against Israel and supports Israel as it defends itself. | In Committee |
| A2509 | Revises child pornography law. | This bill revises the State's laws governing child pornography. The bill modifies subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:24-4, concerning "real" child pornography to include: (1) upgrading to a first degree crime for all persons, not just parents and guardians, causing or permitting a child to engage in or simulation of a prohibited sexual act knowing that the act would be photographed or reproduced; (2) explicitly stating that an intent to distribute, advertise, offer or agree to offer is not an element of creating or reproducing child pornography and clarifying that the elements of this offense include producing, creating, copying or duplicating images of child pornography, or posting those images on the Internet; (3) clarifying that possessing child pornography for the purpose of distributing it is a second degree crime and streamlining the definition of "distribute"; (4) upgrading possession of child pornography to a crime of the third degree; and (5) establishing a rebuttable presumption that a person appearing to be a child in a photo, video, or computer file, is in fact an actual child; (6) requiring defendants who intend to defend a charge of child pornography by claiming that it was created without using an actual child, or the face or any of the intimate parts of an actual child, or depicts the image of a person who is not a child, to notify the prosecutor of that claim in accordance with the Rules of Court; and (7) allowing the admissibility of hearsay evidence to be used to establish the existence, identity and age of an actual child depicted in child pornography. The bill also adds a new subsection c. to N.J.S.2C:24-4 to establish the crime of "virtual" child pornography, the provisions of which parallel the provisions of subsection b. concerning "real" child pornography. This new subsection: (1) makes it a crime of the second degree to use any device, including a computer, to produce, create, or reproduce an image which appears to depict a child in a obscene prohibited sexual act or in a simulation of such an act; (2) makes it a crime of the second degree to knowingly distribute obscene virtual child pornography; (3) makes it a crime of the third degree to knowingly possess obscene virtual child pornography; (4) defines an "obscene" depiction to be one in which: a sexual act is patently offensive; lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value when taken as a whole; and is part of a work which, taken as a whole in light of contemporary community standards, appeals to the prurient interest; and (5) specifies that when virtual child pornography is obscene, the defendant is strictly liable; Other provisions of the bill: require defendants to be reviewed for referral to the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center if convicted of certain real and virtual child pornography crimes; prohibit expungement of criminal records; provide for notification to the prosecuting agency and victim when a defendant is placed in a community release program or released from incarceration; and require certain repeat offender's presentence and parole eligibility report to include a complete psychological evaluation for repeat offenders. The bill also eliminates the presumption of nonincarceration, normally applicable to third degree crimes, for the crime of possessing real or virtual child pornography. The bill includes a fixed mandatory minimum term of imprisonment for certain recidivists who violate N.J.S.2C:24-4. Defendants convicted of engaging in sexual conduct which would impair or debauch the morals of a child in violation of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:24-4 or of child pornography crimes under subsection b. or c. of N.J.S.2C:24-4 must be sentenced to prison and serve one-third to one-half of their sentences before being eligible for parole if they have previously been convicted of other sex crimes including luring or enticing a child, sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, or child endangerment. The bill also makes a prior conviction under N.J.S.2C:24-4 the basis for a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment pursuant to N.J.S.2C:14-6, and provides that the minimum term must be imposed regardless of whether the defendant is sentenced to an extended term of imprisonment. Finally, the bill amends various other statutes to ensure that virtual child pornographers are subject to the same penalties as real child pornographers. Thus, wherever a statute specifically refers to a provision of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:24-4, this bill adds subsection c. to the statute. | In Committee |
| A2699 | Requires distribution of State aid to certain municipalities located in whole or in part in the Highlands preservation area. | This bill would require the distribution of State aid to municipalities located in whole, or in part, in the Highlands preservation area of the Highlands Region. The Highlands Region was designated in the "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act," P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-1 et al.), which controls and limits, as appropriate, development in the New Jersey Highlands, an essential source of drinking water for one-half of the State's population, covering portions of 88 municipalities in seven counties, through a regional approach to land use planning and more stringent environmental standards. The Highlands Region consists of a planning area and a preservation area. The law designated a preservation area of the New Jersey Highlands to be subject to stringent standards governing major development. As part of the "Highlands Water and Planning Protection Act," the Legislature included a 10-year State aid program to municipalities located in whole or in part in the Highlands preservation area, to provide these municipalities with funds for the vacant land that was subject to development restrictions. Due to State budgetary restrictions, the FY 2010 Appropriations Act was the last State budget that provided this aid. However, the land in the preservation area is still subject to the permanent development restrictions enacted in the "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act," and therefore, municipalities located in the preservation area have little ability to approve development projects that will provide property tax relief to property taxpayers. This bill is intended to provide a new, permanent State program to provide property tax relief to the taxpayers in those municipalities located in whole, or in part, in the preservation of the Highlands. This bill would establish the "Highlands Preservation Area Municipal Property Tax Relief Fund" in the General Fund as a special nonlapsing fund for the purpose of providing State aid to qualified municipalities pursuant to the bill. In each State fiscal year, the bill requires that there be credited from the "Highlands Protection Fund" to the "Highlands Preservation Area Municipal Property Tax Relief Fund" such sums as shall be necessary to provide State aid to qualified municipalities. A "qualified municipality" under the bill would be a municipality located entirely in the Highlands preservation area; or a municipality wherein, of the total municipal land area that is located in the Highlands Region, at least 60 percent of that land is located in the Highlands preservation area; and which has conformed its municipal master plan and development regulations to the Highlands regional master plan pursuant to the "Highlands Water and Planning Protection Act." Under the bill, every qualified municipality would be eligible for a distribution from the fund. The bill would set property tax year 2023 (calendar year 2023) as the base year for the calculation of the State aid to be provided under the bill. The bill would require the assessor of every qualified municipality to certify to the county tax board on or before December 1 annually, a report of the assessed value of each parcel of vacant land in the base year and the change in the assessed value of each such parcel in the current tax year attributable to successful appeals of assessed values of vacant land to the county tax board, or attributable to a revaluation approved by the director and implemented or a reassessment approved by the county board of taxation. Upon receipt of these reports, the county tax board would compute and certify to the director on or before December 20 of each year, in such manner as to identify for each qualified municipality the aggregate decline, if any, in the true value of vacant land, comparing the current tax year to the base year. The aggregate changes identified for each qualified municipality would constitute its valuation base. The State Treasurer would certify to each qualified municipality, on or before February 15, its property tax stabilization amount, and the State Treasurer would pay to each qualified municipality its State aid in two equal installments, pursuant to a schedule prescribed by the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs. The bill would require that, in the event the amount available in the "Highlands Preservation Area Municipal Property Tax Relief Fund" in any year is insufficient to pay the full amount to which each qualified municipality is entitled, the payments would be made from the Property Tax Relief Fund. | In Committee |
| A2416 | Concerns credit card interchange fees and consumer protection. | This bill regulates credit card interchange fees. An interchange fee, commonly referred to as a "swipe fee," is a fee paid by a merchant's acquiring bank to a customer-cardholder's issuing bank as part of an electronic payment card transaction. The merchant's bank then passes this fee onto the merchant. There is little competition regarding credit card interchange fee pricing as Visa and MasterCard, the two largest companies in the industry, set the pricing with their member banks and smaller merchants have no negotiating power to change pricing. As consumers increasingly use debit and credit cards to purchase goods and services, merchants must agree to accept these cards as a form of payment in order to stay in business, but often pass along the costs of the interchange fees onto consumers which inflates the prices of goods and services. Current federal law regulates debit card interchange fees but does not address the fees associated with credit card transactions. This bill regulates credit card interchange fees by prohibiting an electronic payment system from:· imposing any requirement, condition, penalty, or fine in a contract with a merchant relating to the display of pricing for goods or services for sale by the merchant;· inhibiting the ability of any merchant to offer its customers discounts or in-kind incentives for using cash or a debit card or credit card of another electronic payment system;· inhibiting the ability of any merchant to decide not to accept the products of an electronic payment system at one of its locations while still accepting the products of that electronic payment system at other locations;· preventing any merchant from setting a minimum dollar value, provided the minimum is not set below $10, or a maximum dollar value for its acceptance of a credit card;· limiting the number of electronic payment systems through which a credit card transaction may be processed to only one or only affiliated electronic payment systems; or· inhibiting any merchant from choosing the electronic payment system through which a credit card transaction is processed. Under the bill, an electronic payment system is defined as, "an entity which is not a national bank that directly, or through licensed members, processors or agents, provides the proprietary services, infrastructure, and software that route information and data to facilitate transaction authorization, clearance, and settlement, and that merchants access in order to accept a brand of general-purpose credit cards, charge cards, debit cards or stored-value cards as payments for goods or services." A violation of the bill's provisions is an unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act, P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.) An unlawful practice 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. The bill further specifies that an electronic payment system found to be in violation must reimburse all affected merchants for all chargebacks, fees, and fines collected from the affected merchants during the period of time in which the electronic payment system was in violation. | In Committee |
| A731 | Criminalizes unlawful occupancy of dwellings. | This bill would criminalize unlawful occupancy of a dwelling, also known as "squatting." Currently, squatting is not a criminal act. In order to lawfully evict a squatter, the owner of the property must apply to the court for a writ of possession. This bill would create three criminal offenses: housebreaking, unlawful occupancy, and unlawful reentry. They would be crimes of the fourth degree. Housebreaking. Under the bill, a person who forcibly enters an uninhabited or vacant dwelling knowing or having reason to believe that such entry is without permission of the owner of the dwelling or an authorized representative of the owner, with the intent to take up residence or provide a residency to another therein, would be guilty of housebreaking. The bill provides that a person is presumed to know that an entry is without the permission of the owner of the dwelling or an authorized representative of the owner unless the person provides a written rental agreement that is notarized or signed by an authorized agent of the owner and includes the current address and telephone number of the owner or the owner's authorized representative. Unlawful Occupancy. The bill provides that a person who takes up residence in an uninhabited or vacant dwelling and knows or has reason to believe that such residency is without permission of the owner of the dwelling or an authorized representative of the owner is guilty of unlawful occupancy. A person is presumed to know that the residency is without the permission of the owner or an authorized representative unless the person provides a written rental agreement that is notarized or signed by an authorized agent of the owner, and includes the current address and telephone number of the owner or the owner's authorized representative. Unlawful Reentry. The bill provides that a person commits unlawful reentry if an owner of real property has recovered possession of the property from the person pursuant to a court order and, without the authority of the court or permission of the owner, the person reenters the property. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. | In Committee |
| A2572 | Prohibits sex offenders from distributing candy or other items to children on Halloween. | This bill prohibits excluded sex offenders from distributingcandy or other items to children under 18 years of age on Halloween or at any event celebrating. The phrase "excluded sex offender" is defined in section 1 of P.L.2009, c.139 (C.2C:7-22) as a person who has been convicted, adjudicated delinquent or found not guilty by reason of insanity for the commission of a sex offense, which involves a victim under 18 years of age. Under the bill, an excluded sex offender who distributes candy or other items to children on Halloween or at an event celebrating Halloween is guilty of a fourth degree crime, which is punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. | In Committee |
| A2560 | Requires DEP to develop, and solid waste management districts to use, standardized labels for recycling bins. | This bill would require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), within one year, to develop a system of standardized labels, which identify recycling bins and containers according to the recyclable materials that the containers are intended to hold. The bill also requires each solid waste management district, within two years after the bill is enacted into law, to update its recycling plan to require that new recycling bins and containers distributed in the district be labeled in accordance with the system developed by the DEP. | In Committee |
| A2544 | Exempts volunteer fire companies from charitable registration fees. | With the exception of religious organizations and schools, tax exempt organizations that raise funds are subject to the payment of fees under the State's Charitable Registration and Investigation Act of 1994. Fees are based on the level of funds raised by the organization. For example, a volunteer fire company that raises between $100,000 and $500,000 in contributions would pay $150 in fees. Organizations which raise $25,000 or less are exempt from fees. This bill would exempt volunteer fire companies from payment of these fees. Roughly 750 fire organizations, which pay fees totaling approximately $52,000, would benefit. | In Committee |
| AR57 | Urges immediate moratorium on sonar testing and wind turbine mapping due to recent unexplained deaths of marine life off the coast of New Jersey. | This resolution urges the State and federal governments to impose an immediate moratorium on sonar testing and wind turbine mapping due to recent unexplained deaths of whales and dolphins off the coast of New Jersey. Since December 2022, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has recorded at least twelve whale deaths off the coast of New Jersey, eight of which have been humpback whales. In addition, there were also five deaths of dolphins recorded in February 2023 alone. Most of these deaths remain unexplained, but have occurred in or near areas of offshore wind energy development. Given the unprecedented number of these recent deaths, their occurrence in or near areas of offshore wind energy development may be more than coincidental and warrants State and federal investigation. A possible cause of these deaths is the increased use of sonar and other underwater mapping technologies for the development of offshore wind energy projects, which may interfere with marine mammals' ability to hear, communicate, and navigate underwater. Therefore, an immediate moratorium on sonar testing and wind turbine mapping for these offshore wind energy projects is urged, so that further scientific study of these projects' impact on marine life can be conducted. | In Committee |
| A2519 | Provides for an additional aggravating factor in sentencing person who has committed act of domestic violence against certain minors. | This bill would amend N.J.S.2C:44-1 to add an aggravating factor for courts to consider when sentencing an individual who has committed a domestic violence offense against a minor. Under the bill, it would be an aggravating factor if the offense involved an act of domestic violence committed against a minor who was a domestic violence victim pursuant to N.J.S.2C:25-19. Those victims would include minors in a dating relationship or emancipated minors. An emancipated minor includes a person who is under 18 years of age but who has been married, has entered military service, has a child or is pregnant or has been previously declared by a court or an administrative agency to be emancipated. | In Committee |
| A426 | Repeals law that prohibits certain establishments from providing or selling various single-use products to customers. | This bill repeals sections 1 through 9 of P.L.2020, c.117 (C.13:1E-99.126 through C.13:1E-99.134), which currently does the following: (1) prohibits certain establishments from providing or selling various single-use products, such as plastic carryout bags, paper carryout bags, polystyrene foam service products, and plastic straws, to customers; (2) establishes penalties for noncompliance; (3) establishes a Plastics Advisory Council within the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP); (4) requires the Department of State, in consultation with the DEP, to develop a program to assist businesses in complying with the law; (5) and requires the DEP to develop rules and regulations as necessary to implement the law. By repealing this law, certain establishments throughout the State would be permitted to provide and sell various single-use products to customers. Specifically, stores and food service business would be permitted to provide or sell single-use plastic carryout bags to customers; food banks and food pantries would be permitted to provide single-use plastic carryout bags to customers; grocery stores would be permitted to provide or sell single-use paper carryout bags to customers; food service businesses would be permitted to provide or sell food in a polystyrene foam food service product; the sale of polystyrene food service products would be permitted; and food service businesses would be permitted to provide single-use plastic straws to customers without requiring the customer to request a single-use plastic straw. This bill also amends section 5 of P.L.2002, c.128 (C.13:1E-217) to reflect the repeal of P.L.2020, c.117 by deleting language added to that section in P.L.2020, c.117. | In Committee |
| ACR74 | Amends State Constitution to prohibit State from using bonds to balance State budget. | This concurrent resolution proposes a constitutional amendment that prohibits the State from using borrowed funds to balance the State budget. It prohibits proceeds from the sale of bonds from being used as revenue to pay for State budget appropriations, except for new capital projects not previously enacted. It also prohibits bonds from being sold to fund any project previously paid for in an annual State budget or through any previous appropriation supplementing the State budget. The balanced budget provision of the State Constitution has been severely weakened if not effectively repealed by the use of long-term bonded indebtedness to produce enormous short-term revenue sources to balance current, single-year State spending. In Fiscal Years 2003 and 2004 the State caused various State authorities to issue bonds totaling more than $3.5 billion and to turn over virtually all of the funds to the State as revenue to support the ordinary operating expenses of the State government. The Governor's budget recommendations for Fiscal Year 2005 again propose that $1.5 billion of bonds be sold by an authority and that virtually all of the funds be turned over to the State as revenue to pay for ordinary operating expenses. The result of this proposed action would be to effectively borrow to pay operating costs and enact a budget that is not balanced in any meaningful sense. This proposed constitutional amendment will end the practice of the State's borrowing to meet ordinary operating expenses and reestablish a balanced budget requirement. | In Committee |
| A1506 | Prohibits government entity or school from requiring influenza vaccinations for persons who are 18 years of age or younger. | This bill prohibits a government entity or school from requiring influenza vaccinations for persons who are 18 years of age or younger. Under the bill, no State, county, or local government employee, entity, or elected official, and no private or public school is to directly or indirectly require an individual who is 18 years of age or younger to undergo the administration of an influenza vaccine or any other injection, medication, or procedure that is designed to provide immunity from influenza. | In Committee |
| A1086 | Permits sale of raw milk under certain conditions and establishes raw milk permit program. | This bill would permit the sale of raw milk by a person holding a valid raw milk permit. The bill would also require the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Health, to establish a raw milk permit program. The bill authorizes permit holders to sell, offer for sale or otherwise make available raw milk at the farm or property where the raw milk is produced. The bill also establishes standards for the quality of the raw milk that is produced by a permit holder. To protect the public health, the bill establishes certain prerequisites that must be met before a raw milk permit may be granted, including: (1) a signed affidavit by the permit applicant certifying that no growth hormones will be used in the process of producing raw milk; (2) conspicuous warning requirements stating that raw milk does not provide the protection of pasteurization, including specific labeling on dispensing containers and sold containers and specific signage; (3) submission to certain inspections by the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Health; and (4) compliance with all applicable provisions of New Jersey's dairy laws, rules and regulations. The permit program would be funded by a permit fee estimated by the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Health, to cover the costs of administering the program. The Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Health, would be required to conduct initial testing of the cows intended to be used for the production of raw milk, with ongoing testing as necessary. The permit holder is also required to conduct tests, at the permit holder's expense, to measure the levels of certain bacteria and pathogens in the raw milk produced. Failing test results are required to be reported to the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health. If the permit holder fails to meet certain standards, by failing two consecutive tests in a one year period, then the raw milk permit would be revoked. | In Committee |
| A2574 | Requires certain law enforcement officers to present identification while on-duty. | This bill requires certain law enforcement officers to provide sufficient identification while performing their official duties. Under current law, there is no requirement that law enforcement officers show identification or otherwise exhibit signs of their status. As such, members of the community may not have the ability to verify the official status of a law enforcement officer. It is the sponsor's belief that the provisions of the bill are necessary to maintain the safety and integrity of routine law enforcement interactions. Under the bill, each law enforcement officer acting in the performance of the officer's official duties, including the duties performed during a motor vehicle stop, is required to show sufficient identification. The bill provides that an officer will be deemed to have provided sufficient identification if the officer complies with two or more of the following conditions: the officer is dressed in a department-issued uniform bearing the agency insignia; the officer presents a department-issued identification card bearing the officer's photograph and identifying information; the officer presents a badge, tag, or label which identifies the officer by number or other department-issued identification; or the officer operates a vehicle to which the official agency insignia is permanently affixed and is clearly visible from a distance of 50 feet. Pursuant to the bill, these provisions would not apply when the release of sufficient identification could jeopardize the safety of the law enforcement officer or the integrity of an authorized investigation, and are not to be construed to prevent a law enforcement officer in plain clothes or operating an unmarked vehicle from intervening in urgent matters of public safety. | In Committee |
| A2527 | Prohibits voter registration of standard driver's license or identification card applicants. | This bill limits the automatic voter registration process available at Motor Vehicle Commission locations to REAL ID applicants for licenses, cards, or permits. Under this bill, applicants for standard driver's licenses or identification cards, who cannot provide proof of legal presence in the United States, would be prevented from registering to vote. | In Committee |
| A1117 | Revises test for employment or independent contractor status under certain State labor laws. | This bill revises the test used to determine whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor under certain State labor laws. The "ABC" test is widely used under current State labor law for determining whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. It is used to determine employee and employer obligations and entitlements under the following laws: the "unemployment compensation law," the "Temporary Disability Benefits Law," the New Jersey wage payment law, and the "New Jersey State Wage and Hour Law." It is also used under the "New Jersey Gross Income Tax Act," for purposes of determining whether an employer is required to deduct and withhold State income taxes. The "ABC" test provides that an individual who performs services for remuneration is presumed to be an employee unless the employer can show to the satisfaction of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development that: (A) Such individual has been and will continue to be free from control or direction over the performance of such service, both under his contract of service and in fact; and (B) Such service is either outside the usual course of the business for which such service is performed, or that such service is performed outside of all the places of business of the enterprise for which such service is performed; and (C) Such individual is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, profession or business. If an employer fails to prove any one of the three criteria for showing a worker is an independent contractor, the worker will be classified as an employee, and will be eligible for benefits pursuant to the labor laws listed above. Additionally, the employer and employee will be required to comply with the contribution and participation obligations of the respective labor laws. This bill eliminates the B and C factors of the employment status test, thereby limiting the test to factor A, whether the individual has been and will continue to be free from control of the employer. By limiting the factors used in the employment status test to the control test, it will be easier for employers to comply with regulations and categorize workers for purposes of State labor laws. | In Committee |
| A2533 | Prohibits contributions by administrator of Type II school district to candidates for member of district's school board; restricts employment by Type II school district of contributors to election campaign of member of district's school board. | This bill prohibits any person holding an administrative position in a Type II school district from making campaign contributions, directly or through a family member, to a candidate for election to the office of member of the board of education of that district which exceed in the aggregate $100 per election. The bill also provides that if a person, or the family member of a person, makes campaign contributions to a candidate for election to the office of member of the board of education of a Type II school district which exceed in the aggregate $100, the person shall be ineligible to be appointed to an administrative position in that school district for a period of two years following the date on which the last such contribution with respect to that election is paid or made. | In Committee |
| A2538 | Permits counties to establish county-municipal courts with limited, countywide jurisdiction. | This bill would provide for a new type of municipal court, to be known as a "county-municipal court." It would have some similarities in its operation to joint municipal courts that may be established by two or more municipalities pursuant to subsection b. of N.J.S.2B:12-1, but would be established by a county governing body, and the municipalities in that county would agree, by ordinance, to have violations occurring within their municipal boundaries heard in the new court. Any county could establish and administer a county-municipal court. The new court would be an inferior court of limited jurisdiction, adjudicating all matters for which a municipal court currently has jurisdiction pursuant to N.J.S.2B:12-17 et seq., such as violations of county and municipal ordinances, and motor vehicle and traffic laws, as well as handle any criminal pretrial release and pretrial detention hearings for eligible defendants conducted pursuant to the criminal justice reform that took effect January 1, 2017 (see P.L.2014, c.31 (C.2A:162-15 et al.)) as referred by the Assignment Judge for the vicinage pursuant to the Rules of Court. As to the court's creation, a county would establish its new court by ordinance, and that ordinance would provide an initial date on which the court would begin hearing matters. The county would be responsible for providing one or more suitable courtrooms, chambers, offices, equipment and supplies for the county-municipal court in the same county courthouse utilized by the Superior Court in that county. The county could either provide for an administrator and other necessary employees for the county-municipal court and for their compensation, or permit, by agreement with the Administrative Office of the Courts, for the court's operation by employees and staff of the Superior Court located in the same courthouse. All fees, fines, charges, and costs collected by the county-municipal court would be the same as currently provided by law for municipal courts. Each municipality within a county that establishes a county-municipal court would have to agree, by ordinance enacted and implemented no later than two years next following the date on which the new court would initially begin hearing matters, to have violations occurring within its municipal boundaries heard in the new court. The municipality would not be responsible for any administrative costs associated with the operation and maintenance of the new court. However, if a municipality failed to agree within the two-year period to have violations heard by the new court, the Assignment Judge of the vicinage for the county would order that any violations occurring in the non-compliant municipality be heard in the new court, and the municipality would be responsible for all administrative costs specified in the judge's order until such time as it agreed to have violations heard by that court. If a municipality had previously established a municipal court, the municipality would, in the ordinance joining with the county-municipal court, specify a date on which the previously established municipal court will be abolished and thereafter all violations heard in the new court. The date set forth in the ordinance could be no more than one year next following the date on which the ordinance is enacted. It would not be necessary for all of the county's municipalities to coordinate their court's abolishment and joining with the new county-municipal court to be the same date, as the new court could begin hearing matters even though less than all of the municipalities of the county had abolished their municipal courts and begun having cases heard in the new court. On the date established by a municipality in its ordinance for abolishing its previously established court and initially having violations heard in the new court: (1) all causes and proceeding of whatever character pending in the municipal court would be transferred, along with the files for those causes and proceedings, to the county-municipal court; and (2) all the functions, powers, and duties conferred on the municipal court abolished by the ordinance, to the extent not inconsistent with the functions, powers, and duties of the county-municipal court, would be transferred to and could be exercised by the county-municipal court. All files for causes and proceedings not transferred to the new court, and all books, papers, records, and documents, along with all office equipment, furnishing, and other property of the municipal court abolished by the ordinance would be disposed of by the municipality in a manner set forth in that abolishing ordinance, or one or more subsequent ordinances. The nomination and appointment of judges of a county-municipal court, being a court with jurisdiction extending to more than one municipality, would be done by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate as required by the State Constitution under Article VI, Section VI, paragraph 1. Depending upon the type of county government involved in the establishment of the new court, either the county executive or the county governing body would be authorized to submit names of judicial candidates to the Governor for consideration as a potential nominee. Each judge of a county-municipal court would serve for a fixed term of five years. A judge could serve no more than three consecutive five-year terms. If a judge was appointed to complete the remainder of an unexpired term, that judge could serve no more than three additional, consecutive five-year terms. The county prosecutor, not municipal prosecutors, would represent the State, county, or municipality in the prosecution of all offenses and proceedings within the jurisdiction of a county-municipal court. Since the new county-municipal court would hear violations of motor vehicle and traffic laws, the bill would permit an establishing county to use the State's Automated Traffic System that is now used by existing municipal courts to exchange information and assist with court financial accounting, case processing, statistical reporting services, and other components of automated municipal court operations. Additionally, as to all costs, fines, fees and forfeitures of bail imposed by a county-municipal court, these would generally be paid to the county treasury of the county where the court is located, to assist in defraying the county's cost of operating the court. Concerning the bill's overall intent to provide counties the option of establishing county-municipal courts, and the resulting shift of municipal court operations to those counties that establish such courts, it is the opinion of the sponsor that the counties will be able to readily leverage the revenue streams from fines, fees, and other sources generated by the municipal courts being abolished within the counties. Those existing revenue streams, aggregated at the county level, will provide a cost-neutral funding shift to the county for county-municipal court operations. The sponsor further believes that permitting each county-municipal court to assist in handling criminal pretrial release and pretrial detention hearings for eligible defendants when assigned by the Assignment Judge for the vicinage within which a county-municipal court is located will assist the Superior Court, on an as needed basis, with the implementation of the major criminal justice reforms that took effect January 1, 2017. | In Committee |
| A2582 | Allows county to establish auxiliary fire department. | This bill allows a board of county commissioners, by ordinance or resolution, as applicable, to establish a county fire department and force. The purpose of the county fire department and force is to supplement staffing of all municipal fire departments and fire districts within the county with paid county firefighters to assist municipalities in the provision of fire protection services. Prior to adoption of a resolution or ordinance, the board, in consultation with: the county fire coordinator, the county's fire chiefs association, and the county-based department, division, or office of public safety, is required to submit a plan for the establishment of a county fire department and force to the State fire coordinator in the Division of Fire Safety in the Department of Community Affairs for review and approval. Under the bill, the plan would:· designate no more than three territorial areas within the county as county-based fire departments;· detail the creation and establishment of a paid county fire department and force, the members of which will be employees of the county;· provide auxiliary fire service resources to all fire departments within the county to support the needs of the municipality or fire district, including staffing and equipment, necessary to adequately respond to an emergency incident or a local fire emergency disaster; · provide that, when responding to emergencies, the county firefighters shall be under the direction of the municipal fire officers in charge; and· address the provisions relevant to the establishment of a municipal fire department, including but not limited to, the qualifications of members, residency requirements, absences from duty, and requirements of employment, as applicable to a county fire department and force. Under the bill, the members of the county fire department and force are to be employees of the county. The board of county commissioners is required to provide for: the maintenance, regulation, and control of the county fire department and force; the discipline of its members; and except as otherwise provided by law, the appointment of members, officers, and personnel as the board of county commissioners deems necessary and appropriate to supplement staffing of fire departments and fire districts within the county. The board of county commissioners is required to determine the terms of office of members, officers, and personnel of the county fire department and force, and fix their compensation. Finally, the bill excludes expenses for the establishment of a county fire department and force from county budget caps. N.J.S.A.40A:4-45.45b requires that a county budget authority limit any increase in that portion of its budget request to two percent of the previous year's budget request. The bill exempts expenses for the establishment of a county fire department and force from this requirement. | In Committee |
| A2617 | "Transparency in Government Act"; provides for establishment of State public finance website. | This bill, the "Transparency in Government Act," establishes a State public finance website to provide State residents with a convenient, user-friendly source of information to track State revenues and expenditures and to gauge the State's overall level of bonded indebtedness. Under the bill, the State Treasurer, in consultation with the Chief Technology Officer of the Office of Information Technology, is required to design, develop, and maintain a single, searchable website that is accessible to the general public without charge, and that includes information on: -- annual State expenditures; -- annual State revenues; -- annual State bonded indebtedness, and -- any other data and information specified by the State Treasurer after consulting with and seeking the advice of the Chief Technology Officer and the Public Finance Transparency Committee established by the bill. The bill provides that the website must include data and information concerning State expenditures, revenues, and bonded indebtedness for fiscal year 2000 and each year thereafter. The bill permits data and information posted on the website to be periodically updated, but prohibits the removal of data and information posted to the site. The bill requires data and information available in the central accounting and State payroll systems to be made available on the website as soon as practicable, but not later than 45 days after the last day of the preceding fiscal year. The bill stipulates that it does not require the disclosure of information deemed, private, personal, or confidential by State or federal law. The bill establishes the Public Finance Transparency Committee within the Department of the Treasury. The bill provides for the committee to be comprised of 13 members, including: (1) the State Treasurer, (1) the Chief Technology Officer, (1) the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting, (2) two members who are commissioners, directors, or officers of a State agency, (4) four members of the general public, and (4) four members of the Legislature. The bill directs the committee to: -- serve in an advisory capacity to the State Treasurer on matters related to the development and expansion of the website and opportunities to make the website more accessible to the public; -- advise the State Treasurer and Chief Technology Officer on the incorporation of additional data and information into the website, after the site is implemented; -- seek the advice and receive feedback from the public, professional associations, State agencies, academic groups and institutions, and other individuals with knowledge of and interest in areas of public information access, gateways services, add-on services, and electronic information for the general improvement of the website; and -- issue an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature regarding the website. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment, but provides for section 3 of the bill (concerning the design and development of the website) to not apply until the first business day of the seventh month beginning after the date of enactment. | In Committee |
| A776 | Prohibits requiring students to wear face masks in schools and on school buses. | This bill provides that a student attending a public or nonpublic elementary or secondary school would not be required to wear a face mask while in any indoor or outdoor area of any building of, or while on the grounds of, the school which the student is attending. A student would also not be required to wear a face mask while present on a school bus. The bill would not prohibit a student from voluntarily wearing a face mask while in any indoor or outdoor area of any building of, or while on the grounds of, the school which the student is attending or while the student is present on a school bus. | In Committee |
| A2513 | Provides employers with various tax incentives for hiring persons with disabilities under insurance premiums tax, corporation business tax and gross income tax. | This bill provides employers with various tax incentives for hiring and accommodating persons with disabilities under the insurance premiums tax, the corporation business tax and the gross income tax. The bill makes the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services in the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development the lead agency in handling the determination of the potential members of the population who will qualify as the workers whose employment is the target of the bill. The bill directs the division to identify and certify persons seeking employment who have a "disability" as defined by the federal "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990." That is, a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, and which disability constitutes an impediment to obtaining or maintaining employment or to transitioning from school to work. This certification can, if the job-seeker chooses, be taken on interviews for employment and shown to employers, and the certification later assists in employers applying for the credits allowed by the bill. The bill allows employers three credits. First, an employment credit. An employer is allowed a credit equal to 30 percent of up to the first $6,000 of the wages paid by the employer to the qualified employee with a disability during the first year of employment. That is, the employer of a qualified employee with a disability is allowed up to $1,800 in the first year of employment. The employer is also allowed a credit of 20 percent of up to the first $6,000 of the wages paid by the employer to the qualified employee with a disability during the second year of employment. That is, the employer is allowed up to $1,200 in the second year of employment. Second, the bill allows a transportation credit. The employer is allowed a credit equal to up to $600 of the transportation expenses that are incurred by the employer in the taxable period to enable each qualified employee with a disability to travel to and from work. Third, the bill allows an accommodation credit. This is a "piggy-back" of a federal credit for expenditures incurred to make a business accessible to individuals with disabilities. The bill allows an "eligible small business," that is a business with less than $1,000,000 in gross receipts, or if it has higher gross receipts with no more than 30 employees, to take a credit equal to 10 percent of expenditures for the taxable period in excess of $250 but not to exceed $10,250 to increase accessibility for individuals with disabilities, both employees and members of the public. This can include removal of architectural or communications barriers, methods for making aurally delivered materials available to the hearing impaired, methods for making visually delivered materials available to the visually impaired, special equipment or equipment modifications for individuals with disabilities, or similar investments. The bill allows employers, potentially, to take all three of the employment, transportation and accommodation credits. The employment credit allowed by this bill is not a credit for creating "new jobs," but applies to a hire in an existing position or in a newly created position, so, unlike the various "new jobs" credits offered by law (which forbid an employer from taking more than one credit for a single newly-created position) an employer may qualify for the employment credit under this bill and any other employment credit available. | In Committee |
| A977 | Indexes for inflation taxable income brackets under New Jersey gross income tax. | This bill indexes for inflation the taxable income brackets under the New Jersey gross income tax. This adds to the State personal income tax a common-sense taxpayer protection called inflation indexing that has been provided under the federal income tax since the 1980s. Inflation indexing means that tax brackets are revised annually to reflect nominal price and wage increases that result from inflation. When tax brackets are not indexed for inflation it results in what is called "bracket creep," which is an increase in effective tax rates caused by inflation. Higher income can bump a taxpayer into the next tax bracket, even if that higher income is merely keeping pace with inflation. A lack of inflation adjustment can also push more of a taxpayer's income into the highest bracket for which they qualify. The final result is a tax increase that occurs without any legislation being passed. Indexing addresses this by altering each bracket level each year by the level of annual inflation. Under this bill the inflation adjustment for taxable income brackets is the national consumer price index for all urban consumers as prepared by the United States Department of Labor. This is the same measure of inflation that is used for indexing the taxable income brackets under the federal Internal Revenue Code. The bill compares an annual inflation measure from the year prior to the one for which taxes will be imposed to a base year measure from the year prior to the one in which the bill is enacted. This delay allows the Director of the Division of Taxation to determine the adjusted amounts when the tax year begins. | In Committee |
| A2540 | Permits layoff plans as substitute for employment reconciliation plans for joint meetings or shared service agreements under certain circumstances. | This bill amends sections 11 and 19 of the "Uniform Shared Services and Consolidation Act," N.J.S.A.40A:65-11 and N.J.S.A.40A:65-19, concerning the establishment of an employment reconciliation plan when a local unit agrees to participate in a joint meeting or shared service agreement that will provide a service that the local unit is currently providing itself through public employees. The bill would permit a local unit that has adopted Title 11A, Civil Service, to substitute a layoff plan for the employee reconciliation plan under certain circumstances. This bill is part of the Governor's toolkit for local units, and is intended to reduce the hurdles standing in the path of shared service agreements and joint meetings. | In Committee |
| A2524 | Applies statutory ethics and conflicts-of-interest standards for casino industry regulators and participants to regulators of and participants in legalized marijuana marketplace. | This bill would apply the same statutory ethics and conflicts-of- interest standards for casino industry regulators and participants to any regulators of and participants in a legalized marijuana marketplace, if marijuana is legalized in this State. An appointed officer or employee of any department, division, office, bureau, board, commission, public authority, public agency, or other public body, including any public body that is in but not of a particular part of the executive branch, which is granted authority under any State law to regulate a legalized marijuana marketplace would be subject to such ethical and conflicts-of-interest restrictions, addressing activities engaged in prior to, during, and following their public service. For instance, a person generally could not be an appointed officer or employee if, during the period commencing three years prior to appointment or employment, the person held any direct or indirect interest in, or any employment by, any holder of, or applicant for, a marijuana license, permit, certification, or other form of document which authorizes the recipient thereof to engage in activities associated with a legalized marijuana marketplace, unless the person's prior interest would not, in the opinion of the particular public body, interfere with the person's obligations of appointment or employment; and generally, for a period of four years commencing from the date that an appointed officer's or employee's service terminates, that former officer or employee would not be permitted to hold any direct or indirect interest in, or any employment by, a holder of or applicant for any form of authorizing marijuana documentation (this four-year post-service restriction would not apply to secretarial or clerical employees). At the time of commencing service, each appointed officer and employee, with the exception of secretarial and clerical employees, would be required to file a financial disclosure statement with the State Ethics Commission, listing all assets and liabilities, property and business interests, and sources of income of the person, and the person's spouse, domestic partner, or partner in a civil union couple. Additionally, appointed officers would have to supply the same information for their parents, brothers, sisters, and children. The appointed officers and employees would generally be subject to the "New Jersey Conflicts of Interest Law," P.L.1971, c.182 (C.52:13D-12 et seq.), as well as a Code of Ethics promulgated by the particular public body that is modeled upon the Code of Judicial Conduct of the American Bar Association, as amended and adopted by the New Jersey Supreme Court. All officers and employees would be prohibited from using any official authority to interfere with or affect the result of an election or nomination for office, coerce or advise any person to contribute anything of value to another person or organization for political purposes, or take active part in any political campaign. For appointed officers and any employee holding a supervisory or policy-making management position, the bill also provides a prohibition on making any political contributions as that term is defined in "The New Jersey Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting Act," P.L.1973, c.83 (C.19:44A-1 et seq.). The "New Jersey Conflicts of Interest Law" is also amended to establish restrictions on various State officers or employees, the Governor and full-time professionals employed in the Governor's Office, members of the Legislature or Judiciary, and municipal officers of a municipality wherein a business or organization authorized under any State law to engage in activities associated with a legalized marijuana marketplace is located, with respect to their own activities, and the activities of their associated partnerships, firms, or corporations, or their family members in connection with either employment or another interest in, or representation of, any holder of, or applicant for, a marijuana license, permit, certification, or other form of authorizing document. The restrictions, being the same as the current restrictions on these people and businesses concerning casino licensees and applicants, and casino-related activities, include a general prohibition on employment, representation, appearance for, or negotiation on behalf of, any holder of, or applicant for, an authorizing document in connection with any cause, application, or matter, and these restrictions can carry over into the post-employment or post-service period following the departure of a person from State or local employment or office. The ethical and conflicts-of-interest restrictions would be enforced by the State Ethics Commission, and any person found to have committed a violation would be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $500 or more than $10,000. Additionally, any willful violation of the restrictions that are applicable to the above State or municipal elected, appointed, or employed persons, their associated partnerships, firms, or corporations, or their family members would be considered a disorderly persons offense, punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. If a marijuana regulating department, division, office, bureau, board, commission, public authority, public agency, or other public body found that a holder of, or applicant for, an authorizing document to engage in activities associated with a legalized marijuana marketplace had committed a violation involving an appointed officer or employee with respect to pre-service activities, activities during service, or post-service activities, that document holder or applicant would be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $500 or more than $10,000, and possible document revocation or suspension, or denial of an application, as applicable. | In Committee |
| A2549 | Gives Director subpoena powers in administration of Division of Pensions and Benefits. | This bill gives the Director of the Division of Pensions and Benefits, on behalf of the boards of trustees of any State-administered pension fund or retirement system, the power to administer oaths, take affidavits and the depositions of witnesses and issue subpoenas for and compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of papers, books, accounts, payrolls, documents, records, testimony and other evidence of whatever description. In the case of noncompliance, the director may apply to compel obedience by proceedings for contempt in the Superior Court. | In Committee |
| ACR81 | Proposes amendment to constitution regarding parental notification for medical or surgical procedures or treatments relating to pregnancy to be performed on minor children. | This proposed constitutional amendment states that the Legislature may provide that a parent or legal guardian shall receive notice before his or her unemancipated minor or incompetent child undergoes any medical or surgical procedure or treatment relating to pregnancy, irrespective of any right or interest otherwise provided in the State Constitution. The Legislature enacted the "Parental Notification for Abortion Act," P.L.1999, c.145 (C.9:17A-1.1 et seq.) and the constitutionality of the act was challenged in court. The case came before the New Jersey Supreme Court and in Planned Parenthood of Central New Jersey v. Farmer, 165 N.J. 609 (2000), the court found the act unconstitutional. In its analysis, the New Jersey Supreme Court relied on the "more expansive" language found in the New Jersey Constitution than that of the United States Constitution, and stated that Article I, paragraph 1 of the New Jersey Constitution "incorporates within its terms the right of privacy and its concomitant rights, including a woman's right to make certain fundamental choices." In declaring the law unconstitutional on equal protection grounds under the State Constitution, the court found that the law unconstitutionally distinguished "between minors seeking an abortion and minors seeking medical and surgical care relating to their pregnancies." This constitutional amendment is intended to overturn the court's decision and permit the Legislature to provide that a parent shall receive notice before his or her unemancipated minor or incompetent child undergoes any medical or surgical procedure or treatment relating to pregnancy, irrespective of any right or interest otherwise provided in the State Constitution. | In Committee |
| A833 | Reinstates penalty for underage possession and consumption of alcohol and cannabis as disorderly person offense. | This bill reinstates the criminal penalty for underage possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages, cannabis, marijuana, and hashish as a disorderly person offense. A disorderly person offense is punishable by a term of imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. This bill also re-establishes a minimum fine of $500 and re-establishes the penalty of a six month suspension of driving privileges. The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement, Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act" ("CREAMMA"), P.L.2021, c.16, established a penalty for underage possession and consumption of cannabis and marijuana equivalent to the penalty for underage alcohol. Shortly after CREAMMA was enacted, the criminal penalties for underage alcohol and cannabis were replaced with a system of non-punitive written warnings, under P.L.2021, c.25, and P.L.2021, c.38. It is the sponsor's view that the written warning scheme has proven ineffectual in curbing underage use and abuse of alcohol and cannabis, as demonstrated by a sharp rise in 2022 and 2023 in the number of police complaints regarding underage parties where alcohol and cannabis were found, particularly in the beach communities along the Jersey Shore. It is the sponsor's intent to control underage alcohol and cannabis use and abuse by reinstating the threat of criminal prosecution, as well as driver's license suspension. | In Committee |
| AR51 | Adopts articles of impeachment concerning Robert Asaro-Angelo, Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development. | This Assembly Resolution adopts articles of impeachment in the matter of Robert Asaro-Angelo, Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and provides for the presentation of articles to the Senate, and impeaches Robert Asaro-Angelo. In light of his record of failing to address the ongoing unemployment crisis in New Jersey, failure to take reasonable measures to expeditiously process and pay unemployment claims and address unemployment, including the failure to open the One-Stop Career Centers to the public for in-person services, violation of the public trust, and his overall failure to perform the duties of his office, it is altogether fitting and proper and within the public interest for the General Assembly to adopt articles of impeachment against Robert Asaro-Angelo, and present the articles to the New Jersey Senate in accordance with New Jersey Constitution, Article VII, Section III, paragraph 2. | In Committee |
| A2551 | Excludes paraffin used in manufacture of candles from petroleum products gross receipts tax. | This bill exempts the paraffin used to manufacture candles from New Jersey's petroleum products gross receipts tax, to eliminate a competitive disadvantage to New Jersey candle manufacturers. At the same time that the home décor market for candles has been expanding, United States manufacturers have been under assault from foreign production: a federal antidumping duty has been in effect since 1986 on candles manufactured in China, to combat aggressive "dumping" in the U.S. market by Chinese manufacturers. The petroleum products gross receipts tax puts New Jersey candle manufacturers at a particular disadvantage in this market. Candles are typically composed of paraffin wax, a petroleum product subject to the New Jersey tax, so candles made in New Jersey are made of paraffin that has been taxed, whether the candles are sold in New Jersey or elsewhere. Candles themselves are classified by regulation as a finished manufactured product, and so a candle manufactured outside of the New Jersey is not subject to the tax, even if sold in New Jersey. New Jersey manufacturers must compete while carrying a tax burden that their competition does not bear. There are still several hundred candle manufacturing jobs in New Jersey; this bill will end the tax disadvantage to New Jersey manufacturing before those last few are driven out of the State. | In Committee |
| ACR50 | Proposes an amendment to Constitution specifying a method of providing for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of free public schools and allocating all income tax receipts to school districts. | Whereas, paragraph 1 of Article III states, "The powers of the government shall be divided among three distinct branches, the legislative, executive, and judicial. No person or persons belonging to or constituting one branch shall exercise any of the powers properly belonging to either of the others, except as expressly provided in this Constitution." Whereas, paragraph 1 of Section IV of Article VIII states, "The Legislature shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of free public schools for the instruction of all the children in the State between the ages of five and eighteen years." Whereas, paragraph 2 of Section IV of Article VIII states, "The fund for the support of free public schools...shall be annually appropriated to the support of free public schools, and for the equal benefit of all the people of the State." Whereas, paragraph 7 of Section I of Article VIII states that the income tax is to be, "...annually appropriated...exclusively for the purpose of reducing or offsetting property taxes." This proposed constitutional amendment provides that the Legislature will provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of free public schools by appropriating the net receipts from the gross income tax to school districts on a per pupil basis. The amendment also clarifies that nothing in the constitutional provision would restrict, limit, or otherwise affect the right of the Legislature to regulate additional funding to districts. Last, it amends the constitutional provision that authorizes the gross income tax to specify that all of the revenue will be appropriated to school districts, as opposed to school districts, counties and municipalities. | In Committee |
| A2580 | "Children Innocence Protection Act." | This bill prohibits a school district from teaching students about sex education under certain circumstances and prohibits a school district from administering to a student any academic or nonacademic survey, assessment, analysis, or evaluation which reveals information concerning the student or the student's family, unless the school district meets certain requirements. The bill provides that classroom instruction by school district personnel or third parties on sex, sex acts, abortion, birth control, sexual orientation, or gender identity will not occur in any manner in kindergarten through grade five in any school of a school district. The bill also provides that classroom instruction by school district personnel or third parties on sex, sex acts, abortion, birth control, sexual orientation, or gender identity will not occur in any manner in grade six through 12 in any school of a school district, unless prior to the classroom instruction occurring, the school district: (1) provides all parents and guardians with written detailed information on the curriculum and subjects to be taught; (2) provides all parents and guardians with an easily accessible electronic method to review lesson plans and ask questions; (3) receives the express written consent of each parent or guardian of a student that will receive the classroom instruction. The provisions of the bill will not apply to any curriculum or classroom instruction concerning the subjects of anatomy or biology, provided that the curriculum or classroom instruction is intended for a course or portion of a course in science. Under current law, a school district may administer a survey to a student that reveals certain information about the student, or the student's family, only if the district obtains the prior written informed consent of the student's parent or guardian. If the district obtains prior written informed consent of the student's parent or guardian, the law permits the district to administer a survey that reveals information concerning political affiliations; mental and psychological problems potentially embarrassing to the student or the student's family; sexual behavior and attitudes; illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating and demeaning behavior; critical appraisals of other individuals with whom a respondent has a close family relationship; legally recognized privileged or analogous relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians, and ministers; income; or social security number. Additionally, current law permits a school district to administer anonymous, voluntary surveys concerning student health upon prior written notification to parents and guardians. Specifically, the law permits school districts to administer a survey concerning the use of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and vaping; sexual behavior and attitudes; behaviors that may contribute to intentional or unintentional injuries or violence; or physical activity and nutrition-related behaviors. These surveys concerning student health may be administered two weeks after written notification is provided to parents and guardians. This bill repeals the aforementioned sections of current law that permit school districts to administer certain surveys, and expressly prohibits school districts from administering any survey that reveals information about a student or a student's family, unless the school district: (1) notifies the student's parent or guardian of its intent to administer a survey, and provides a copy of the survey, two weeks prior to its administration; (2) includes as the first item of the notification, in bold face type, a statement explaining that a student's parent or guardian may decline the administration of the survey, and that declining the survey will not in any way impact the student's academics or be used against the student at the school; and (3) receives prior written informed consent from the student's parent or guardian. The bill also prohibits a school district from engaging, contracting, or partnering with any private for profit or nonprofit entity for the purposes of administering to a student any academic or nonacademic survey, assessment, analysis, or evaluation that reveals information about the student or the student's family. Under the bill, a parent or guardian alleging that the school district or any personnel of the school district knowingly, willfully, or negligently violated the provisions of the bill may: (1) request the Commissioner of Education to appoint a special administrative law judge to hear the parent or guardian's concerns; the special administrative law judge will determine facts relating to the allegation, consider information provided by the school district and the parent or guardian, and render a recommended decision for resolution by the State Board of Education within 30 days after receipt of the request by the parent or guardian; the State Board of Education will approve or reject the recommended decision at its next regularly scheduled meeting that is no less than seven calendar days and no more than 30 calendar days after the date the recommended decision is transmitted to the State Board of Education; or (2) bring an action against the school district to obtain a declaratory judgment that the school district procedure or practice violates the provisions of the bill and seek injunctive relief. A court may award damages and will award reasonable attorney fees and court costs to a parent or guardian who receives declaratory or injunctive relief. | In Committee |
| ACR27 | Provides for special session of Legislature to consider property tax relief and reform. | This concurrent resolution provides for the convening of a special session of the Legislature for the purpose of considering property tax relief and reform. | In Committee |
| A2539 | Provides for county-municipal courts with limited, countywide jurisdiction. | This bill would provide for a new type of municipal court, to be known as a "county-municipal court." It would have some similarities in its operation to joint municipal courts that may be established by two or more municipalities pursuant to subsection b. of N.J.S.2B:12-1, but would be established by a county governing body, and the municipalities in that county would agree, by ordinance, to have violations occurring within their municipal boundaries heard in the new court. Any county could establish a county-municipal court. The new court would be an inferior court of limited jurisdiction, adjudicating all matters for which a municipal court currently has jurisdiction pursuant to N.J.S.2B:12-17 et seq., such as violations of county and municipal ordinances, and motor vehicle and traffic laws, plus all civil actions currently adjudicated in the Special Civil Part of the Superior Court, Law Division (generally civil actions with damages not exceeding $15,000 and summary landlord-tenant actions). In addition to existing municipal court costs collected in connection with the prosecution of violations, whenever the court heard a civil action, all filing and other fees, charges, and costs for the county-municipal court would, pursuant to N.J.S.22A:2-43, be the same as provided by law for similar services for the Special Civil Part. As to the court's creation, a county would establish its new court by ordinance, and that ordinance would provide an initial date on which the court would begin hearing matters. The county would be responsible for providing one or more suitable courtrooms, chambers, offices, equipment and supplies for the county-municipal court in the same county courthouse utilized by the Superior Court in that county. The county could either provide for an administrator and other necessary employees for the county-municipal court and for their compensation, or permit, by agreement with the Administrative Office of the Courts, for the court's operation by employees and staff of the Superior Court located in the same courthouse. Each municipality within a county that establishes a county-municipal court would have to agree, by ordinance enacted and implemented no later than two years next following the date on which the new court would initially begin hearing matters, to have violations occurring within its municipal boundaries heard in the new court. The municipality would not be responsible for any administrative costs associated with the operation and maintenance of the new court. However, if a municipality failed to agree within the two-year period to have violations heard by the new court, the Assignment Judge of the vicinage for the county would order that any violations occurring in the non-compliant municipality be heard in the new court, and the municipality would be responsible for all administrative costs specified in the judge's order until such time as it agreed to have violations heard by that court. If a municipality had previously established a municipal court, the municipality would, in the ordinance joining with the county-municipal court, specify a date on which the previously established municipal court will be abolished and thereafter all violations heard in the new court. The date set forth in the ordinance could be no more than one year next following the date on which the ordinance is enacted. It would not be necessary for all of the county's municipalities to coordinate their court's abolishment and joining with the new county-municipal court to be the same date, as the new court could begin hearing matters even though less than all of the municipalities of the county had abolished their municipal courts and begun having cases heard in the new court. On the date established by a municipality in its ordinance for abolishing its previously established court and initially having violations heard in the new court: (1) all causes and proceeding of whatever character pending in the municipal court would be transferred, along with the files for those causes and proceedings, to the county-municipal court; and (2) all the functions, powers, and duties conferred on the municipal court abolished by the ordinance, to the extent not inconsistent with the functions, powers, and duties of the county-municipal court, would be transferred to and could be exercised by the county-municipal court. All files for causes and proceedings not transferred to the new court, and all books, papers, records, and documents, along with all office equipment, furnishing, and other property of the municipal court abolished by the ordinance would be disposed of by the municipality in a manner set forth in that abolishing ordinance, or one or more subsequent ordinances. The nomination and appointment of judges of a county-municipal court, being a court with jurisdiction extending to more than one municipality, would be done by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, as required by the State Constitution under Article VI, Section VI, paragraph 1. Depending upon the type of county government involved in the establishment of the new court, either the county executive or the county governing body would be authorized to submit names of judicial candidates to the Governor for consideration as a potential nominee. The county prosecutor would act as the municipal prosecutor to prosecute all offenses over which a county-municipal court has jurisdiction. Since the new county-municipal court would hear violations of motor vehicle and traffic laws, the bill would permit an establishing county to use the State's Automated Traffic System that is now used by existing municipal courts to exchange information and assist with court financial accounting, case processing, statistical reporting services, and other components of automated municipal court operations. Lastly, as to all costs, fines, fees and forfeitures of bail imposed by a county-municipal court, these would generally be paid to the county treasury of the county where the court is located, to defray the county's cost of operating the court. | In Committee |
| A1125 | "Fully Funding Schools and Cutting Property Taxes Act"; repeals certain sections of law; requires additional aid to lower property taxes commensurate with residents' ability to support schools; appropriates $2.9 billion. | The bill is to be known as the "Fully Funding Schools and Cutting Property Taxes Act." The bill requires that, beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, State school aid will be provided to school districts at levels consistent with the School Funding Reform Act of 2008 (SFRA) up to their adequacy budget, and prevents future cuts to State aid. It also requires a school district to reduce its tax levy in an amount equal to any increase in State school aid above the prior budget year under certain circumstances, allowing the district to subsequently increase its levy from a lower level than the prior budget year. It is the sponsors' intent to bring equity to New Jersey's school system by increasing State aid contributions to SFRA adequacy budget levels in a manner consistent with the "thorough and efficient" education clause in the State Constitution (N.J. Const. art. VIII, sec. 4, par.1). Providing school aid in this manner will reduce property taxes based on the ability of each school district's residents to support schools. The bill repeals certain sections of law enacted as part of P.L.2018, c.67 (commonly referred to "S2") that resulted in loss of aid and higher property taxes in certain school districts. The bill requires the State to provide aid to school districts equal to the greatest amount of:· aid according to the SFRA; · aid according to the SFRA and, if applicable, additional aid to provided to school districts that lost funding as a result of the implementation of S2; or· State school aid received in any of the school years between and including the 2017-2018 school year and the 2022-2023 school year. Under the bill, a district may petition the Commissioner of Education and State Treasurer for additional aid if it demonstrates a willingness to reduce its adjusted tax levy by an amount equal to any additional aid received. The bill requires a school district to reduce its school tax levy by the same amount of their State school aid increase above the prior year if the total tax levy of the municipality or municipalities comprising the district is more than five percent of school district income. After lowering its levy commensurate with a State aid increase, a school district may increase its levy by an amount necessary to cover an increase in per pupil administrative costs and deferred revenue. The bill requires a district to submit a proposal to voters of the district if it wishes to exceed this limitation. If the voters do not approve the proposal, a school district may add to its adjusted tax levy the difference between the maximum amount to be raised by taxation for the current budget year and the actual amount to be raised by taxation for the current school year if the amount of State school aid and the adjusted tax levy is below the adequacy budget in the next three succeeding budget years. Lastly, the bill appropriates $2,946,618,000 for the purposes of providing additional aid under the bill. The bill stipulates that any unexpended balances are appropriated to the Schools Development Authority for the purposes of supporting school facilities projects and supporting emergent needs and capital maintenance in school districts. | In Committee |
| ACR76 | Proposes constitutional amendment to dedicate tax revenue from legal sale of recreational marijuana for mental health, addiction recovery and drug rehabilitation services. | This constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters of this State, would require the State to dedicate sales tax revenue from the legal sale of recreational marijuana every year. This money could only be used for mental health, addiction recovery and drug rehabilitation services and could not be spent for any other purpose through the State budget. | In Committee |
| A1101 | Provides discounted hunting and trapping license, permit, and stamp fees for senior citizens. | Under current law, persons age 65 and older receive discounts on firearm licenses and bow and arrow licenses, but not on trapping licenses, the "All-Around Sportsman License," or individual hunting permits and stamps. This bill would provide discounts to persons 65 years of age and older on trapping licenses, the "All-Around Sportsman License," the deer, turkey, and rifle permits, and the pheasant and quail stamps, at rates which are consistent with the discounts already authorized for other closely related outdoor activities. | In Committee |
| A1314 | Revises and updates public utility franchise process; allows State's political subdivisions to revoke franchises; increases certain penalties. | This bill updates the laws concerning the awarding of a public utility (utility) privilege or franchise (franchise) by political subdivisions of the State and the process of approving the franchise by the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). Under the bill, all new franchises are to be for a term no longer than seven years. The bill provides in statute and enhances existing BPU rules and regulations on the process, terms, and conditions by which the BPU is to review and approve a franchise. The bill requires the BPU to deny approving a franchise granted by a political subdivision if the board finds that the utility is not able to continuously afford safe, adequate, and proper service within the political subdivision at just and reasonable rates. The bill allows a political subdivision of this State to revoke a franchise granted to a utility if the governing body of the political subdivision finds, after public hearing, that the utility has violated the terms and conditions of the franchise and passes a resolution, in a manner provided by law, revoking the franchise. If the political subdivision revokes a franchise, the political subdivision is to make provisions for the continuous and uninterrupted utility service within the political subdivision as determined by the BPU. Another utility operating in the State seeking to provide utility service to that political subdivision is to submit to the BPU a certified copy of the privilege or franchise granted by the political subdivision. If a political subdivision revokes a privilege or franchise and chooses to provide electric, water, or sewer utility service within the political subdivision in a manner provided by law, the political subdivision is to submit to the BPU a certified copy of a statement attesting to that fact. Further, the bill amends existing law to increase the civil penalties paid by a utility, person, or entity subject to the jurisdiction of the BPU for violating any law, rule, regulation, or order of the BPU. Civil penalties are to be increased from $100 a day to $25,000 for each violation, but penalties are not to exceed $2,000,000 for any series of related events. The bill establishes the "Utilities Civil Penalty Fund" in the BPU, into which the civil penalties collected are to be deposited. The monies in the fund are to be credited to utility customers in a manner to be determined by BPU regulation. Each customer is to be awarded a pro-rata share of the funds through a credit on the utility bill of a customer within 60 days after the date the BPU receives penalty monies recovered from a utility. Any monies received by the BPU that are not credited to utility customers shall be used by a public utility to improve utility service quality and reliability in the best interests of utility customers in a manner specified by the BPU. The bill prohibits civil penalties assessed against a utility from being recoverable from its ratepayers. | In Committee |
| A2563 | Exempts from sales and use tax sales of carbon monoxide detectors and any device or equipment sold for residential use to detect, warn of, abate, or extinguish fires. | This bill exempts from the New Jersey sales and use tax sales of smoke alarms, smoke detectors, fire alarms, heat-activated sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, or any other devices or equipment sold for residential use to detect, warn of, abate, or extinguish fires, or to detect or warn of the presence of carbon monoxide. | In Committee |
| A2523 | Requires certain officers of education organizations to sign acknowledgement and undergo training concerning duties to report child abuse. | This bill requires that, prior to taking office as a president or vice-president of the New Jersey Education Association or the American Federation of Teachers-New Jersey, including a president or vice-president of a local bargaining unit of the organization which represents teachers of grades kindergarten through 12, the individual must sign an acknowledgement of the requirements to report potential incidents of child abuse pursuant to current law and State Board of Education regulations. In addition, the bill requires the individual to undergo training on the requirements for school district employees to notify the appropriate authorities of potential incidents of abused, missing, or neglected children. | In Committee |
| A2546 | Authorizes design professionals to self-certify construction plans. | This bill, titled the "New Jersey Design Professional Self-Certification Act," would establish a program through which architects and engineers, who become certified as "qualified design professionals," could: (1) take responsibility for the construction code compliance of certain construction projects, and (2) "self-certify" that the construction permit application and accompanying documents comply with the State Uniform Construction Code and the requirements of other applicable laws. Property owners would have the option of hiring a qualified design professional in order to take advantage of this self-certification program, or submitting their applications for building permits through the current approval process. Current law requires a local enforcing agency to grant, in whole or in part, or deny an application for a construction permit within 20 business days. Under the bill, the Department of Community Affairs would accept a permit application and accompanying documents that are self-certified by a qualified design professional and, after a supervisory check, issue a permit within one to five calendar days, depending on the scope of the project. The bill directs the Commissioner of Community Affairs to establish requirements for design professionals to qualify to participate in the self-certification program, which would include successful completion of a course of instruction. The bill authorizes the commissioner to exclude certain classes or types of occupancy posing special or unusual hazards to public safety from the self-certification program. The bill provides that for each project, the qualified design professional of record must furnish to the department a certificate of professional liability insurance with limits of no less than $500,000 per claim and $1,000,000 in the aggregate, and a "Professional of Record Self-Certification Statement." For each project, the qualified design professional of record must submit to the department an "Owner Certification Statement" and an "Owner Hold Harmless Letter," both of which must be signed and dated by the owner. The "Owner Certification Statement" certifies that the owner · authorized the work identified in the permit application and accompanying plans, · will take all measures necessary to correct any false facts stated in the permit application,· understands that the project is being approved for a building permit subject to audit or field inspection by the department, and· if necessary, will bring the plans and all construction completed under the permit into conformity with requirements of the construction code and other applicable laws. In the "Owner Hold Harmless Letter," the owner agrees to:· protect, defend, indemnify and hold harmless the municipality and the State of New Jersey against claims connected with the self-certified project, and · remove or modify, at the owner's own expense, any component of construction found to not conform to the construction code or any other applicable law or to any permit issued under the self-certification program. Self-certified projects would be subject to random audit by the department to determine whether the plans and projects comply with the requirements of the State Uniform Construction Code and other applicable laws. The bill directs the department to design and implement audits to measure the efficiency of the self-certification program. The bill empowers the commissioner to exclude, suspend or otherwise sanction a qualified design professional for cause. | In Committee |
| A2522 | Requires calculation of need for low and moderate income housing units to be based current percentage of units occupied by low and moderate income individuals or families; revises "Local Redevelopment and Housing Law" to allow for senior citizen housing and community development. | This bill establishes a simple, understandable requirement and formula to be used to calculate a municipality's need for low and moderate income housing. Under the bill, a municipality's fair share housing obligation shall be deemed satisfied if at least 20 percent of the housing in the municipality is occupied by low and moderate income individuals or families and units of disabled housing. The calculation of the percentage of housing stock occupied by low-and moderate-income individuals or families would be determined through the following equation: the total number of households in a municipality earning most recent affordable housing regional income limits established by the New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing, or its successor, plus the number of disabled bedroom units in the municipality, divided by the total number of households in the municipality, multiplied by 100. Under the bill, housing units occupied by low and moderate income senior citizen households may constitute up to 60 percent of low-and moderate-income housing stock in a municipality for the purposes of complying with affordable housing requirements. The bill also amends the local redevelopment housing law to encourage the development of communities that meet the needs of persons of low and moderate income who are senior citizens. The current state of affordable housing in New Jersey creates a multitude of unknowns for municipalities throughout the State. The administrative process to address these matters has faltered after years of political strife. This bill would take a realistic, rational, and holistic approach to determining the need for affordable units in each municipality. The result of this bill would be the increased availability of low and moderate income housing in regions where the need is greatest, and would provide clear guidance for municipalities and the courts. | In Committee |
| ACR33 | Proposes constitutional amendment authorizing municipalities, by ordinance, to provide partial property tax exemption on primary residence of certain volunteer first responders. | If approved by the voters of the State, this proposed constitutional amendment would authorize a municipality, by ordinance, to provide a partial property tax exemption on the primary residence of volunteer first responders serving in the municipality. The exemption would mean the volunteer first responder would not pay property taxes on part of the home's assessed value. An eligible first responder would be an active member of a volunteer fire department or a volunteer first aid or ambulance squad who owns a home in the municipality in which the volunteer serves, and the home must be the volunteer's primary residence. The municipality would decide the percentage amount of the exemption, which cannot exceed 10 percent of the assessed value. The State would not be required to reimburse municipalities for the cost of the exemption. | In Committee |
| A2518 | Establishes reasonableness standard for persons lawfully transporting firearm who deviate from course of travel. | This bill clarifies the type of situations in which persons may deviate from their statutorily required course of travel when lawfully transporting a firearm. Under current law, certain persons in specific situations may lawfully transport a weapon without a permit to carry. A person who is lawfully transporting a firearm in a motor vehicle may deviate from the course of travel between statutorily permitted locations only to the extent "reasonably necessary" under the circumstances. The "reasonably necessary" standard applies to the following persons: (1) licensed firearms dealers and their registered employees during the normal course of business while traveling to and from their place of business and other places for the purpose of demonstration, exhibition, or delivery related to a sale; (2) firearms owners carrying their firearms on or between their place of business and residence or dwelling, or between where the firearm was purchased and the home or business, or between their business or residence and a repair shop; (3) members of authorized rifle and pistol clubs carrying a firearm to or from target practice; (4) licensed hunters or fishermen traveling directly to or from their hunting or fishing destination; and (5) persons traveling to a target range or other authorized place for practice, match, target, trap, or skeet shooting exhibitions. The Acting Attorney General recently issued guidelines to be followed by prosecutors and law enforcement officers when determining whether a deviation in the course of travel with a lawfully-possessed firearm is "reasonably necessary." The guidelines provided examples of "reasonably necessary" deviations which may include: collecting and discharging passengers; purchasing fuel, food and beverages, medication, or other needed supplies; using a restroom; contending with an emergency situation; or driving around a traffic jam. This bill amends current law to replace the "reasonably necessary" standard with a less stringent reasonableness standard which allows persons lawfully transporting a firearm to deviate from their course of travel for a common, brief, and lawful purpose associated with reaching a statutorily permitted destination. The bill provides that reasonable deviations may include, but are not limited to, collecting and discharging passengers; obtaining supplies, medication, food or other provisions; and using restrooms prior to reaching an authorized destination. In addition, the bill clarifies that a person may travel with a firearm to contend with a bona fide emergency, or when a State or local emergency has been declared and an evacuation plan is in effect. | In Committee |
| A2197 | Prohibits Fish and Game Council and Division of Fish and Wildlife from requiring, for deer management plans, written consent of private landowners located in, or within 2,000 feet of, deer management area. | Existing law requires a deer management plan, adopted by a county board of agriculture, a county governing body, a municipal governing body, or the owner or operator of an airport, to document the written consent of all private landowners affected by the deer management plan, in order to authorize access to their private lands for the purposes of local deer management activities. This bill would amend the law to eliminate this consent requirement. The bill would further specify that, notwithstanding any other law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, neither the Fish and Game Council nor the Division of Fish and Wildlife in the Department of Environmental Protection may require a county board of agriculture, a county governing body, a municipal governing body, or the owner or operator of an airport, as part of a community based deer management plan, to obtain the written consent of the owners of private lands situated in, or within 2,000 feet of, the designated special deer management area, in order to for a law enforcement officer, an animal control officer, an agents thereof, or another authorized person to access or enter upon such private lands for the purposes of retrieving a deer darted for sterilization, or for other purposes associated with the authorized implementation of the deer management plan. | In Committee |
| A410 | Provides that public school parent who objects to learning material or activity that parent considers harmful may receive voucher from school district to enroll student in nonpublic school. | This bill provides that in the event that the parent or guardian of a student enrolled in a school district objects to a learning material or activity that is part of the curriculum, on the basis that the material or activity is harmful, withdraws his child from the school district and enrolls the child in a nonpublic school, the resident school district is required to provide the parent or guardian with a voucher to support the tuition and fees of the nonpublic school. The voucher will equal 75 percent of the resident school district's annual spending per pupil prorated based upon the number of days remaining in the school year. An objection to a learning material or activity on the basis that it is harmful includes, but is not limited to, an objection that the material or activity questions, violates, or conflicts with the parent or guardian's belief or practice regarding sex, sexuality, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, conscience, ethics, morality, or religion. | In Committee |
| A1831 | Requires Medicaid Fraud Division to enter into data sharing agreement upon request of county to provide access to third party insurance liability data regarding certain COVID-19 related health claims. | This bill requires the Medicaid Fraud Division in the Office of the State Comptroller to enter into a data sharing agreement with a county, upon the county's request, for the purposes of providing the county access to third party insurance liability data utilized by the division's Third Party Liability Unit, and any private entity contracted by the division, to determine whether individuals receiving services provided in connection with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have other insurance. Under the data sharing agreement, the division is required to provide all available data, in a manner that complies with federal and State laws and regulations, which will assist the county in: 1) examining the claims or documentation submitted by individuals to the county upon the provision of publicly-funded health-related services provided in connection with COVID-19, including, but not limited to, testing, diagnosis, and treatment, administered at any point since the Governor's declared public health emergency regarding COVID-19, to determine whether the individuals are insured; and 2) if any individual is determined to be insured, identifying the carrier under which the individual is a covered person so that the county may properly bill the carrier for any health-related services provided to that individual in connection with COVID-19 that are covered by the carrier. Under the bill, "carrier" means an insurance company, health service corporation, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation, or health maintenance organization authorized to issue health benefits plans in this State, and shall include the State Health Benefits Program and the School Employees' Health Benefits Program. States are required under federal Medicaid statute to compel health insurers in the state to provide at least four data elements to support identification of third party liability: the insured's name, address, group or member ID number, and periods of coverage. It is the sponsor's intent to permit counties to access this information to determine third party liability for COVID-19 health services in order to protect the limited amount of public funds that have been made available to counties to offer those services. | In Committee |
| A398 | Creates offense of making false child abuse report; permits assessment of penalty. | This bill makes it a crime of the third degree to knowingly or willfully make a false report of child abuse. A crime of the third degree is ordinarily punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. Also, the bill permits the assessment of an additional civil penalty of up to $10,000, payable to the State Treasurer for use by the Department of Children and Families. | In Committee |
| AR75 | Urges US Congress and President to increase domestic energy production and lessen regulatory barriers thereto. | This resolution urges the Congress and the President of the United States to increase domestic energy production, and lessen regulatory barriers thereto, within the country. The United States relies, and will continue to rely for many years, on gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel despite the recent focus on renewable energy and alternative sources of energy. In order to fuel the country's economy, the United States will need more oil and natural gas while also developing additional alternative energy sources. Gas prices have been high across the country for months. These gas prices have been further exacerbated by Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Europe's current dependence on Russia for energy has limited the international response to Russia's invasion, with sanctions being specifically designed not to target Russia's fuel exports amid fears that such a move could result in significantly increased energy prices throughout Europe and worldwide. It is more important than ever for the United States to achieve greater energy independence and further enhance national security by reducing reliance on energy from the Middle East, Russia, and Venezuela. Oil from the Middle East, Russia, and Venezuela comes with increased price volatility and requires partnerships with unstable regimes and leaders with competing political interests. On March 4, 2022, 25 governors signed a letter calling upon President Biden to restore this country's energy independence by increasing domestic energy production and lessening regulatory barriers to domestic energy production. The letter specifically requested President Biden remove bans on new oil and gas development on federal lands, reinstate regulatory reforms to streamline energy permitting, incentivize energy production on idle lands, and approve the construction of oil and natural gas pipelines within the county, including reapproving construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. Increasing domestic energy production within the United States would result in enhanced national security, lower oil and gas prices, and higher energy independence and for these reasons, it is crucial for Congress and the President of the United States to increase, and lessen regulatory barriers to, domestic energy production within the country. | In Committee |
| A1106 | Allows gross income tax deduction for functional improvements and home repairs made to taxpayer's primary residence. | This bill provides State taxpayers with a gross income tax deduction for functional improvements and repair and maintenance performed on a taxpayer's primary residence. Specifically, a taxpayer may claim a deduction for all: "functional improvement expenses" paid by the taxpayer for expenses incurred for the purpose of considerably prolonging the useful life of the taxpayer's primary residence and materially improving the operating condition of the taxpayer's primary residence; and for all "repair and maintenance expenses" paid by the taxpayer for work performed on that taxpayer's primary residence in order to maintain the property in an ordinarily efficient operating condition. The term "primary residence" means a residence located in this State that is actually and continually occupied as a taxpayer's permanent residence, including mobile homes and co-op units. Improvements that adapt all or part of a residence for new uses (e.g., renovating a basement), remodel an aspect of a residence for aesthetic purposes, or that do not concern an essential aspect of the habitability of the residence do not qualify for this deduction. The gross income tax deduction made available by this bill covers expenses incurred by a property owner or a property renter. This bill does not impose a limit on the amount of expenses that may be claimed by a taxpayer for a taxable year. However, if a married couple files separate tax returns, they each may claim half of the same functional improvement or repair and maintenance expense. This mechanism allows both spouses to benefit from the deduction made available by this bill while avoiding potential "double-dipping." This bill eases the burdens placed on New Jersey taxpayers associated with maintaining a home. By offering this gross income tax deduction, this bill encourages investing in our homes, promotes the safety and welfare of our communities, and encourages more individuals to reside in this State. | In Committee |
| A2520 | Specifies just compensation when property is condemned for use by profit-making entity. | This bill reforms current eminent domain law as it pertains to the condemnation of property for use by a profit-making entity. The bill provides that when a property interest is taken for use by a profit-making entity, the fair market value of the property interest shall recognize the intended use of the property being taken and include the revenue generation potential of the property being taken. The bill also requires the payment of compensation to property owners for damages to property adjacent and nearby the condemned property, and the payment of additional compensation for consequential damages. Additionally, the bill provides that if the compensation awarded to a property owner in an eminent domain proceeding exceeds by 10 percent or more the highest offer the condemnor made to purchase the property interest, the condemnor must reimburse the property owner for litigation costs. Finally, the bill provides that if the profit-making entity fails to comply with all of the conditions of, or reasonably related to, an authorization to exercise the power of eminent domain, all property interests taken will automatically revert to the private property owners. | In Committee |
| A1118 | Revises gross income tax rates for joint filers and similar taxpayers and designated as Marriage Penalty Elimination Act. | The bill revises the gross income tax rates for joint filers and similar taxpayers and is designated as the Marriage Penalty Elimination Act. As is common with progressive income tax structures, a marriage penalty occurs when married taxpayers, who would have otherwise faced a lower income tax liability by remaining single and filing individual tax returns, face a higher tax liability due to their marital status and filing their taxes jointly. For the sake of tax equity, the bill would amend the tax brackets for those filing jointly to align the tax brackets with those imposed on taxpayers filing individual tax returns. These changes would lower the gross income tax liability of most joint filers. The bill accomplishes eliminating the so-called marriage penalty by making the following changes to the tax brackets of joint filers:· Taxable income up to $40,000 would be taxed at a rate of 1.40 percent. · Taxable income over $40,000 but not over $70,000 would be taxed at a rate of 1.75 percent. The bill would take effect immediately and apply to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2020. | In Committee |
| A2577 | Requires Commissioner of Education to develop best practices guidelines concerning student preparation for State assessments. | This bill would require the Commissioner of Education to develop guidelines, by September 1, 2023, which provide best practices for school districts in preparing students for taking the State assessment tests. The best practices will include guidelines on limiting the amount of instructional time to be spent on test preparation for the State assessments. | In Committee |
| A2706 | Limits to 14 days effective period of certain emergency orders, rules, or regulations. | This bill provides that any order, rule, or regulation issued by the Governor pursuant to the "Civil Defense and Disaster Control Act" will terminate on the 15th day after issuance, unless the Legislature approves a greater period of time by way of concurrent resolution. The bill prohibits the Governor from issuing an order, rule, or regulation to the same or substantially same effect as one terminated pursuant to the bill for the same emergency. The bill does not apply to orders, rules, or regulations: (1) rescinding an order, rule, or regulation issued pursuant to the "Civil Defense and Disaster Control Act"; (2) issued pursuant to direction by or agreement with the federal government, in compliance with federal law, or to the extent that application of the bill would jeopardize the receipt of federal funds by the State; (3) applying exclusively to the executive branch; (4) issued under the Governor's authority as the Commander-in-Chief of the military and naval forces of the State; or (5) issued pursuant to a provision of law providing for a greater period, notwithstanding that the order, rule, or regulation may also cite to an authority provided under the "Civil Defense and Disaster Control Act." | In Committee |
| A3240 | Codifies certain cannabis packaging requirements; establishes offense for minor gaining access to improperly stored cannabis products. | This bill creates a new offense for when a minor gains access to an improperly stored cannabis product and establishes packaging requirements for cannabis items. The bill establishes a disorderly persons offense when a minor gains access to a cannabis item at a premises under the person's control if the person knows or reasonable should know that a minor is likely to gain access. A minor is defined as a person under the age of 16. The penalties established under this bill parallel those established for providing alcohol to minors. The bill also codifies certain parts of the New Jersey Administrative Code promulgated by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission ("commission"), specifically concerning packaging and warning labels. The bill prohibits cannabis items from having packaging that may be attractive to children. The bill also requires the cannabis products and items to contain consumer warnings, including the the nationwide toll-free telephone number for poison control. Finally, the bill requires the commission to collect data and information on adverse events when a minor consumes cannabis and to report it to the Governor and Legislature. | In Committee |
| A1093 | Requires third-party disbursement service organization that contracts with local government unit or board of education to post bond against failure to meet obligations. | This bill would require all third-party disbursement service organizations that contract with local government units and boards of education to make payments and execute financial transactions for those purposes to post a bond, in an amount and with sureties approved by the Local Finance Board, with the local government unit or board of education. The bond would be forfeited in the event that the third-party disbursement service organization fails to make payments or execute financial transactions, including federal or State tax deposits, on behalf of the local government unit or board of education. This bill responds to concerns raised in the case of Ameripay, a third-party disbursement service organization used by municipalities as well as other public entities in New Jersey. Ameripay is currently under investigation for fraud by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is alleged that the principals of Ameripay failed to meet payroll obligations of Ameripay clients and also failed to make in excess of $8 million in federal and State tax deposits on behalf of clients. | In Committee |
| A2571 | Permits use of LED lights in emergency warning lights. | This bill requires the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to establish rules and regulations specifying the type of light that may be used in emergency warning lights and provides that a light-emitting diode (LED) light may be used in emergency warning lights. Under current law, a vehicle may not have more than two emergency warning lights. Current law provides that emergency warning lights are to consist of a low profile light bar of the strobe, halogen or incandescent type, or a combination of these lights. This bill provides that a LED light also may be used in emergency warning lights. The chief administrator is required to promulgate rules and regulations specifying the type of light that may be used in emergency warning lights and requires the inclusion of a low profile light bar of the LED, strobe, halogen, or incandescent type, or a combination of these lights. | In Committee |
| A1098 | Exempts disabled veterans from certain fees at State parks and forests. | This bill would provide free admission to State parks and forests to disabled veterans residing in New Jersey who have been honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from active service in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States and who have been declared by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, or its successor, to have a service-connected disability of any degree. This bill would also exempt such disabled veterans from any fees for accessing State park beaches by motor vehicle in order to fish there, including fees for mobile sportfishing vehicle permits. State law currently only provides free admission to State parks and forests to New Jersey residents who are 62 or more years of age, totally disabled, or active members of the New Jersey National Guard who have completed Initial Active Duty Training, and current law does not specifically exempt disabled veterans from fees for motor vehicle access to State park beaches to fish. This bill would extend free State park and forest admission, as well as free motor vehicle access to State park beaches to fish, to all veterans who have incurred a service-connected disability, regardless of the degree of disability. | In Committee |
| A2557 | Requires hiring preference for veterans in non-civil service jurisdictions. | This bill would require counties and municipalities that have not adopted the provisions of Title 11A, Civil Service, of the New Jersey Statutes to provide a hiring preference to veterans. In order to be eligible for preferential treatment when applying for employment with a county or municipality, the veteran must be at least equally qualified with any non-veteran candidate for the position to be filled. The bill does not modify any provision of chapter 14 of Title 40A of the New Jersey Statutes concerning preference given to veterans with regard to employment in police and fire departments. | In Committee |
| AR43 | Constitutes special committee of General Assembly entitled "Assembly Select Committee on New Jersey Transit and the Bound Brook Flood." | This resolution establishes a special committee of the General Assembly entitled the "Assembly Select Committee on New Jersey Transit and the Bound Brook Flood" (committee). The committee is authorized, for the purpose of preventing future failures of the Borough of Bound Brook (Bound Brook) flood control system, to examine all aspects of the finances, operations, and management of the New Jersey Transit Corporation (corporation) connected to the corporation's involvement in the flooding in Bound Brook and any surrounding areas arising out of the failure of the flood gates located in Bound Brook on or about September 1, 2021. The committee is also authorized to take necessary legislative action to ensure future involvement of the corporation in the Bound Brook flood control system will not prevent the system from serving its intended flood control purposes. | In Committee |
| A2545 | Clarifies and strengthens disclosure requirements for certain complimentary tickets received by candidates, officeholders, political party officials, political committees and continuing political committees. | The purpose of this bill is to clarify and strengthen the disclosure requirements for certain types of complimentary tickets received by candidates, officeholders, political party officials and members of political committees and continuing political committees. Specifically, the bill is concerned with complimentary tickets to political fundraisers or events which are purchased by a person, organization or association and then given free of charge to a candidate, officeholder, political party official or member of a political committee or continuing political committee. In such a situation, the recipients are required to report to ELEC the receipt of complimentary tickets and they are to be considered in-kind contributions to the candidate, officeholder, official or member of a political committee or continuing political committee who uses the tickets to attend a fundraiser or event if either the face value or purchase price of each ticket is greater than $200. Any such tickets given to a candidate, officeholder, political party official or member of a political committee or continuing political committee and not used thereby need not be reported to ELEC. But if such tickets are given by a candidate, officeholder, official or member to another candidate, officeholder, official or member, the ultimate users of the tickets shall be considered to have received a reportable in-kind contribution from the candidate, officeholder, official or member providing the tickets were used. | In Committee |
| ACR75 | Proposes constitutional amendment to dedicate tax revenue from sale of recreational marijuana for property tax relief. | If approved by the voters of the State, this proposed amendment to the New Jersey Constitution would require that sales tax revenue collected on the sale of recreational marijuana must be annually credited from the General Fund and placed in a special, newly created account, designated the Recreational Marijuana Sales Tax Account, in the Property Tax Relief Fund, and appropriated annually by the Legislature exclusively for the purpose of providing property tax relief, in the form of property tax credits, to New Jersey residents who own and occupy a home in this State as their principal residence, and who pay property taxes annually. The amount of the credit would be the same for all homeowners who meet these requirements. | In Committee |
| A2567 | Requires foreign corporations providing electronic communication services or remote computing services to comply with New Jersey subpoenas, court orders and search warrants. | This bill requires out-of-State corporations that provide electronic communication or remote computing services to produce certain customer information when required to do so by a New Jersey search warrant, court order or subpoena. The bill also requires in-State corporations that provide these services to produce customer information when required by an out-of-State search warrant, court order or subpoena. Specifically, foreign corporations that provide electronic communication or remote computing services to the general public are required to fully comply with New Jersey search warrants, court orders and subpoenas seeking such customer records as their identity, the data they store, and the nature and destination of their communications. The foreign corporation has five business days to produce the records, unless the court requires an earlier return date in order to avoid any potential adverse result. The court may grant the corporation more time to produce the information if good cause is shown and there would be no adverse result. The foreign corporation must provide an affidavit attesting to the authenticity of the records. The records would be admissible evidence. The corporation would have to apply to the court that issued the warrant or order to avoid compliance. This bill also requires domestic corporations that provide electronic communication services or remote computing services to the general public to fully comply with out-of-state search warrants, court orders and subpoenas seeking records that would reveal the identity of customers using those services and other pertinent information about those customers and their usage of those services. In addition to the requested records, a domestic corporation must provide an affidavit attesting to the authenticity and accuracy of the records produced in accordance with the rules of evidence of the requesting jurisdiction. A foreign or domestic corporation which provides records, information, facilities or assistance pursuant to this bill will be immune from any related civil liability. Violations of the bill's provisions would constitute contempt of court. In addition to the penalties imposed for contempt, the violator is subject to a civil penalty of between $10,000 and $50,000 and the court also may suspend or revoke a corporation's license to do business in the State. | In Committee |
| AR28 | Urges federal government to approve construction of oil and natural gas pipelines within United States including those that have been shut down or have had approval denied. | This resolution urges the federal government to take action to approve the construction of oil and natural gas pipelines within the United States, including approving pipelines that have been shut down or disapproved. The United States relies, and will continue to rely for many years, on gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel despite the recent focus on renewable energy and alternative sources of energy. In order to fuel the country's economy, the United States will need more oil and natural gas while also developing additional alternative energy sources. Constructing more pipelines within the United States would help the country achieve energy independence and enhance national security by reducing reliance on energy from the Middle East, Russia, and Venezuela. Constructing more pipelines within the United States would also result in lower oil prices and provide a significant economic advantage to the United States. Although the United States has achieved significant levels of energy independence in recent years, there is always room to improve the country's energy independence. Steps have been taken to create greater North American energy independence, including the Keystone XL Pipeline, which would have connected the United States oil supply to oil fields in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin in Alberta, providing oil at a rate of up to 830,000 barrels per day. The Keystone XL Pipeline would have increased the United States' energy independence, lowered the cost of gasoline, produced up to 11,000 high-paying jobs for United States citizens, and resulted in more stable trade relationships. President Trump issued a Presidential Permit to begin construction on the cross-border segment of the Keystone XL Pipeline, however, the permit for this construction was revoked by President Biden. The reapproval and continued construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline is very important for the energy independence of the United States. In addition, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia has resulted in global tension and fear. The United States and other European nations have responded by enforcing strict economic sanctions on Russia. One of the sanctions is the decertification of the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline, which stretches for 1,200 kilometres from Vyborg, Russia through the Baltic Sea to Lubmin, Germany and was designed to carry natural gas from Russia to Western Europe. The decertification of the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline will likely also have global economic consequences. It is more important than ever for the United States to become more energy independent. Based on the geopolitical, energy security, environmental, and economic benefits of oil and natural gas pipeline construction within the United States, it is in the country's, and by extension New Jersey's, best interests to support the construction of oil and natural gas pipelines, including the approval of pipelines that have been shut down or disapproved, within the United States. | In Committee |
| AR72 | Encourages municipalities to accept electronically submitted documents from licensed architects and landscape architects. | This Assembly resolution encourages municipalities to promote and adopt the practice of accepting electronically submitted documents from licensed architects and landscape architects as permitted by new and amended rules adopted by the New Jersey State Board of Architects. The new and amended rules, effective May 1, 2017, provide for the electronic submission of digitally signed and sealed documents by licensed architects and landscape architects to their clients. The new and amended rules permit licensees to compete for construction jobs or contracts where the electronic submission of digitally signed and sealed documents is the preferred or required method of submission. Government entities, including municipalities, are increasingly stating a preference for, or requiring, electronically submitted documents. These new and amended rules allow licensed architects and landscape architects to quickly and easily transmit construction documents and other papers to municipalities, as well as other clients. Municipalities across the State will benefit from the electronic submission of digitally signed and sealed documents because they will receive the documents immediately, they will reduce the use of paper and other resources, and they will reduce their need for physical storage space. Municipalities have a strong interest in the new and amended rules adopted by the board, and they are encouraged to promote the practice of accepting electronically submitted documents from licensed architects and landscape architects whenever possible. | In Committee |
| A2514 | Clarifies that chief of police or Superintendent of State Police has burden of proving applicant's disqualification for permit to purchase handgun or firearms purchaser identification card. | This bill clarifies that the chief of police or the Superintendent of State Police has the burden of proving an applicant's disqualification for a permit to purchase a handgun or a firearms purchaser identification card. Under current law, the issuance of a permit to purchase a handgun or a firearms purchaser identification card may be denied if the applicant is subject to certain disabilities that prohibit him or her from obtaining a permit or identification card. The provisions of this bill provide that if an application for a permit to purchase a handgun or a firearms purchaser identification card is denied, the chief of police in the municipality where the applicant resides or the superintendent, as appropriate, has the burden of proving that the applicant is subject to a disability which would disqualify the applicant from being issued a permit or identification card under current law. In addition, under the provisions of this bill, within ten days of the denial of an application, the chief of police or the superintendent, as appropriate, is required to provide the applicant with a written statement specifying the reason and any proof relied upon for the denial of the application. | In Committee |
| A197 | Provides gross income tax deduction for amounts paid to taxpayers for sale of certain real property interests for conservation purposes. | This bill provides for a gross income tax deduction for amounts paid to taxpayers in exchange for their sale of certain real property interests for conservation purposes. The New Jersey gross income tax provides a deduction for a charitable, qualified conservation contribution of real property interests for land preservation purposes modeled on the similar federal income tax deduction which covers full land interest sales and restricted land use easements. But land interest sales in New Jersey to various conservation programs for which a purchase price is paid to the New Jersey taxpayer can result in taxable gains for those New Jersey sellers who need to garner some investment income from these sales. To allow a deduction for these transfers with preservation or conservation restrictions on the real estate can prevent developers from buying up environmentally valuable land in this State and benefit both the taxpayer and the residents of the State at large. The bill will allow the deductions for both parts of some mixed transfers referred to as bargain sales in which there is both a charitable donation aspect and a cash purchase payment for less than the land's fair market value (FMV). The donation value is the difference between the FMV and the cash payment. In a bargain sale, a real estate owner is both a seller (for the cash portion) and a donor (for the donated portion) of the real estate interest. The bill will also allow a deduction for full market value sales to conservation organization which include certain governmental programs and non-profit run preservation programs. These programs will include but not be limited to those run by a governmental unit, charitable trust, foundation or charitable non-profit organization that participates in a Green Acres program, Blue Acres program, farmland preservation program, historic preservation program, the Highlands Transfer Development Rights Program, a park or forestry or an open space and recreation space preservation or conservation program or a wildlife, hunting or fishing conservation and restoration program. | In Committee |
| A2517 | Prohibits employment of illegal aliens and requires use of E-Verify program in public contracts. | This bill provides that no State agency or political subdivision may enter into or renew a public contract for services with a contractor who knowingly employs or contracts with an illegal alien to perform work under the contract or who knowingly contracts with an illegal alien to perform work under the contract. The bill requires each public contract for services to include a provision that the contractor shall not: (1) knowingly employ or contract with an illegal alien to perform work under the public contract for services; or (2) enter into a contract with a subcontractor that fails to certify to the contractor that the subcontractor shall not knowingly employ or contract with an illegal alien to perform work under the public contract for services. The bill requires each public contract for services to include provisions stating that: (1) the contractor will verify through the E-Verify program that the contractor will not employ any illegal aliens; (2) if the contractor obtains actual knowledge that a subcontractor performing work under the public contract for services knowingly employs or contracts with an illegal alien, the contractor shall be required to: (a) notify the subcontractor and the contracting State agency or political subdivision within three days that the contractor has actual knowledge that the subcontractor is employing or contracting with an illegal alien; and (b) terminate the subcontract with the subcontractor if within three days of receiving the notice the subcontractor does not stop employing or contracting with the illegal alien; except that the contractor shall not terminate the contract with the subcontractor if during the three days the subcontractor provides information to establish that the subcontractor has not knowingly employed or contracted with an illegal alien; and (3) the contractor is required to comply with any reasonable request by the department made in the course of an investigation that the department is undertaking pursuant to the authority established pursuant to the bill. The bill provides that a State agency or political subdivision must notify the Department of Labor and Workforce Development if a contractor violates a provision of a public contract for services required pursuant to the bill and the State agency or political subdivision terminates the contract for the breach. Based on the notification, the department shall maintain a list that includes the name of the contractor, the State agency or political subdivision that terminated the public contract for services, and the date of the termination. A contractor shall be removed from the list if two years have passed since the date the contract was terminated, or if a court of competent jurisdiction determines that there has not been a violation of the provision of the public contract for services. A State agency or political subdivision shall notify the department if a court has made that determination. The list shall be available for public inspection at the department and shall be published on an internet website maintained by the department. The bill provides that the department may investigate whether a contractor is complying with the provisions of a public contract for services required pursuant to the bill. The department may conduct on-site inspections where a public contract for services is being performed, request and review documentation that proves the legal status of any person performing work on a public contract for services, or take other reasonable steps that are necessary to determine whether a contractor is complying with the provisions of a public contract for services required pursuant to the bill. The bill requires the department to receive complaints of suspected violations of a provision of a public contract for services and gives the department discretion as to determine which complaints are to be investigated. The results of any investigation do not constitute final agency action. The bill requires the department to notify a State agency or political subdivision if it suspects that there has been a breach of a provision in a public contract for services pursuant to the bill. | In Committee |
| A3204 | Requires public schools to post curriculum plans online; requires school districts to make textbooks or other materials used in implementing curriculum plans available for inspection by parents and legal guardians. | This bill requires school districts to post curriculum plans for each course offered to students in each grade level at least 30 days prior to the beginning of a school year. Specifically, a school district would be required to post information concerning each unit of study, student learning objectives, and information concerning textbooks and other materials to be used in implementing the district's curriculum plans. School districts would be required to update their Internet websites each time a curriculum plan is updated or revised. The bill also requires school districts to post information concerning when and where textbooks and other materials used as part of the district's implementation of the district's curriculum plans will be available for review by the parents or legal guardians of students in the district. Parents and legal guardians would be given the opportunity to review these materials prior to the time in which they will be incorporated into classroom instruction. By requiring that school districts post their curriculum plans online and providing parents and legal guardians with the opportunity to review textbooks and other materials used as part of the curriculum, the State can ensure greater transparency and collaboration between school officials and the families they serve. | In Committee |
| A1443 | Establishes procedures for disqualification from public office or employment upon conviction of certain crimes; creates registry. | This bill would amend N.J.S.2C:51-2 concerning forfeiture of public office, position or employment upon conviction of certain criminal offenses. Currently under subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:51-2 a court shall enter an order of forfeiture when the defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty in State court, or upon application of a county prosecutor or Attorney General when the criminal offense is based on another state's law or federal law. Currently under subsection d. of N.J.S.2C:51-2 any person convicted of an offense "involving or touching" his public office, position, or employment is forever disqualified from holding any office or position of honor, trust or profit in the State or any of its administrative or political subdivision. This bill would establish a procedure for disqualification in subsection d. similar to the procedure set out in N.J.S.2C:51-2 under subsection b. concerning forfeiture. The bill would require that the court order concerning the disqualification of employment set forth in subsection d. of N.J.S.2C:51-2 be entered at the same time the court enters the order of forfeiture set forth in subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:51-2. However, if the conviction is for an offense under the laws of another state or of the United States, the county prosecutor or the Attorney General would be required to make an application to a Superior Court judge designated by the Chief Justice for a disqualification order. This disqualification order would be deemed to have taken effect on the date the person was found guilty by the trier of fact or pled guilty to the offense. The Administrative Office of the Courts would be required to establish and maintain a central registry of all persons who have had disqualification orders entered pursuant to subsection d of the statute. | In Committee |
| A2566 | Permits tax credit against gross income tax for certain adoption expenses. | This bill provides qualified taxpayers an adoption expense credit against their New Jersey gross income tax liability in the case of an adoption of a foster child. The tax credit will be available annually until the child is 18 years of age, or 21 years of age if the child is receiving special educational services, or if the child has a severe disability, for the life of the child. Eligible adoption expenses include costs such as medical care, prescription medication, psychological or psychiatric counseling, occupational therapy or any other medical, surgical or therapeutic costs incurred for a child. A "child with a severe disability" is defined as a child, as certified by the Director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities or the Director of the Division of Mental Health Services in the Department of Human Services, who is eligible for placement in a group home or institutional care or who, after the age of 18, is determined to not be able to live independently and would need to remain under the care of the adoptive parent in the parent's home. | In Committee |
| A2573 | Allows victims and relatives to witness parole hearings. | This bill would allow certain victims and family members to witness parole hearings. Under current law, victims injured as a result of a crime of the first or second degree and the nearest relatives of murder victims are granted the opportunity to present a written or videotaped statement to be considered at parole hearings or to testify to the parole board at the time of the hearing. This bill would extend the law to include a provision allowing these same victims and relatives to witness the entire proceedings of the parole hearing, regardless of whether they present a statement or testimony. | In Committee |
| ACR77 | Proposes constitutional amendment to provide for election of Attorney General. | This proposed Constitutional amendment would provide for the election by the voters of the State Attorney General. Currently, the Attorney General is appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, to serve during the Governor's term of office. The Attorney General would be the chief law officer of the State and must be an attorney in good standing and licensed to practice law in the State of New Jersey. The Attorney General would be elected by the legally qualified voters of this State at the general election held during the first year of the full term of the Governor. The term of office of the Attorney General would be four years, beginning at noon of the third Tuesday in January next following the election, and ending at noon on the third Tuesday in January four years thereafter. The Attorney General would have to be at least 30 years old. The Attorney General would have to be a citizen of the United States for at least 20 years and a resident of this State for seven years. In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Attorney General resulting from any cause, or in the event of the incapacity or impeachment of the Attorney General, the functions, powers, duties and emoluments of the office would devolve upon such officers and in the order of succession as would be provided by law. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Attorney General, an Attorney General would be elected to fill the unexpired term at the next general election, unless the vacancy shall occur within seventy days immediately preceding a general election, in which case the Attorney General would be elected at the second succeeding general election. The Attorney General would exercise such powers and perform such duties as may now or hereafter be conferred upon or required of the Attorney General, either by the Constitution or by the common and statutory law of the State. No diminution in the functions, powers, and duties of the Attorney General, whether by law or by executive order or proclamation, enacted, adopted or issued after the election of any person to that office, could take effect until another person has been elected to succeed that person and has qualified into office. The Attorney General will receive for services a salary which will not be less than four-fifths of the salary received by the Governor. | In Committee |
| AR74 | Recognize contributions of Special Olympics. | This resolution recognizes the significant contributions of the Special Olympics and reaffirms its continued support of the Special Olympics. The Special Olympics is an unprecedented global event that, through quality sports training and competition, enhances the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities, and in turn the lives of everyone they meet and know. The Special Olympics provides year-round training and competitions to more than five million athletes in 190 nations. In addition, the Special Olympics Unified Sports initiative joins over one million individuals with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team to train together and play together to improve understanding and forge friendships. The Special Olympics allows individuals with intellectual disabilities to realize their full potential and develop skills to become fulfilled members of their families and the communities in which they live. Special Olympics activities are run by and involve local volunteers to create greater opportunities for public understanding and participation with individuals with intellectual disabilities. Aside from the physical benefits of the Special Olympics, the athletes gain many emotional and psychological benefits, including self-confidence, social confidence, higher self-esteem, and a decrease in anxiety. "Healthy Athletes," a Special Olympics initiative which offers health screenings to athletes in need, is the largest global public health organization dedicated to serving individuals with intellectual disabilities. The State of New Jersey has a long history of providing sports, health, wellness, and athletic leadership programs and opportunities for over 25,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics New Jersey is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing year-round sports training and athletic competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities. | In Committee |
| AR73 | Urges Attorney General to require training for law enforcement regarding the developmentally disabled and persons with behavioral health crises. | This Assembly Resolution urges the Attorney General to establish in-service training requirements for all New Jersey law enforcement officers regarding dealing with individuals who are developmentally disabled or experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The purpose of this training is to expand law enforcement's awareness of the needs of persons who are developmentally disabled or who have behavioral health issues. The resolution encourages the Attorney General, in cooperation with local, county, and State law enforcement agencies, to establish the training and promulgate guidelines. Specifically, the resolution notes that a minimum of two hours of training every three years has been beneficial in those departments that currently incorporate this in-service training requirement. The resolution suggests NJLearn as a possible source of this training. Currently, NJLearn offers programs which are free to first responders and emergency personnel that may be incorporated into in-service training for law enforcement officers. | In Committee |
| AJR76 | Designates September 22 as "John Basilone Day." | This joint resolution designates September 22 of each year as "John Basilone Day" to honor the extraordinary heroism displayed by New Jersey native John Basilone at the Battles of Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima during World War II. This resolution also respectfully requests that the Governor issue an annual proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs. On October 24, 1942, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone, along with two other machine gun units, were tasked with defending a key Allied landing strip from Japanese forces at the Battle of Guadalcanal. As these Marines engaged with enemy forces, one of their machine gun posts fell victim to enemy gunfire. Recognizing the danger this posed to the remaining men and with total disregard for his own life, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone raced nearly 200 yards carrying a 90-pound machine gun to reinforce the faltering line. Gunnery Sergeant Basilone also ran through enemy gunfire repairing nearby machine gun posts and resupplying his men with ammunition. After three days without any food or sleep, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone and two other Marines held off the Japanese attack until reinforcements arrived. It was the efforts of these men, in addition to the thousands of other American troops fighting in the region, which helped ensure a crucial victory for Allied forces in the Pacific Theater. For his actions, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and returned to the United States where he was given a hero's welcome. To assist in the financing of the war, he then embarked on a nationwide tour encouraging people across the country to purchase war bonds. Despite being offered the opportunity to spend the rest of the war as an officer stateside, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone refused and requested a return to combat. He was then sent to train with a Marine unit for an invasion of the island of Iwo Jima. On February 19, 1945, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone landed at Iwo Jima where he freed a group of Marines trapped on the beach, led their assault of an enemy guard post, and helped an Allied tank navigate an enemy minefield. As he prepared another attack, he was struck by mortar fire and succumbed to his injuries on the first day of battle. Gunnery Sergeant Basilone was again recognized for his heroic actions and posthumously awarded the Navy Cross and the Purple Heart. At the conclusion of World War II, his body was brought back to the United States and reburied with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. Today, he remains the only member of the armed forces to have earned both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. The State of New Jersey is proud to recognize Gunnery Sergeant Basilone's extraordinary service to our country and encourages the people of New Jersey to take time to learn about such a remarkable figure in our State's history. | In Committee |
| A1111 | Requires certain commercial motor vehicles to be equipped with certain global positioning systems. | This bill requires a commercial motor vehicle operating upon the public highways of this State to be equipped with a global positioning system navigation program that provides information about upcoming highway infrastructure with low vertical clearance and weight restrictions and dynamic route directions that account for commercial motor vehicle restrictions. | In Committee |
| A2638 | Requires chief law enforcement officer or Superintendent of State Police to notify federal immigration authorities when non-citizen applies for firearms purchaser identification card or handgun purchase permit. | This bill requires a chief law enforcement officer or Superintendent of State Police to notify federal immigration authorities when a non-citizen who is unlawfully present in the United States applies for a firearms purchaser identification card (FPIC) or permit to purchase a handgun (PPH). Under current law, a person who purchases a rifle or shotgun is required to obtain a FPIC; handgun purchasers are required to obtain a PPH. An applicant for a FPIC or PPH is required submit to the chief law enforcement officer or the superintendent, as appropriate, a written application, consent for a mental health records search, and two sets of fingerprints for a criminal history records background check. Federal law prohibits selling or transferring a firearm to a non-citizen who is unlawfully present in the United States pursuant to 18 U.S.C. s.922(d)(5). This bill incorporates the federal standard governing the sale or transfer of firearms to a non-citizen. In addition, the bill requires a chief law enforcement officer or the superintendent to notify and cooperate with federal immigration authorities when the officer or superintendent determines that an applicant for a FPIC or PPH is a non-citizen who is unlawfully present in the United States. | In Committee |
| A2562 | Directs State Treasurer to establish State Government Electronic Payment Security Standards. | This bill directs the State Treasurer to establish State Government Electronic Payment Security Standards. The purpose of this bill is to enhance the financial security of consumer transactions between the State and its residents. Identity theft and other forms of financial fraud are significant threats to consumers. New Jersey in particular, has a high incidence of those crimes relative to other states, ranked in the top ten for fraud and top fourth for identity theft. This bill recognizes that heightened threat and directs the State Treasurer to establish State Government Electronic Payment Security Standards for State-involved point-of-sale terminal transactions involving a credit, debit, or charge card, including, but not limited to, contracts the State enters into with providers of electronic access to public benefits and payment terminals accepting electronic payments on behalf of the State. The new standards are due for issuance sixth months after enactment with technological implementation scheduled for 18 months after enactment. Until the new standards are issued, the bill requires EMV smart chip technology as the minimum acceptable security standard for electronic payments. The bill directs Department heads to ensure compliance with the new standards, but does not preclude the adaptation of additional or more effective technological standards. The bill further directs the State Treasurer to review and re-issue electronic payment security standards to address technological advances and emerging consumer fraud threats on at least a biennial basis. The bill also grants the State Treasurer rulemaking authority for implementation. | In Committee |
| A2515 | Upgrades domestic violence-related assault under certain circumstances. | This bill provides for a enhanced gradation scheme fir certain assaults against a person, in the course of committing an act of domestic violence, or in the course of committing contempt of a domestic violence restraining order. This gradation scheme will take into account the infliction of serious bodily injury or bodily injury in the course of violating a domestic violence restraining order. The penalties range from a crime of the fourth degree to a crime of the first degree, depending on the circumstances: · It would be a crime of the first degree if a person commits an aggravated assault by attempting to cause serious bodily injury to another or causing such injury purposely or knowingly or under extreme indifference to the value of human life recklessly causing such injury. (Subparagraph (a) of paragraph (13) of subsection b.)· It would be a crime of the second degree if a person commits an aggravated assault by attempting to cause or purposely or knowingly causing bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon. (Subparagraph (b) of paragraph (13) of subsection b.)· It would be a crime of the third degree (but the presumption of non-imprisonment would not apply) if a person recklessly causes bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon or if the person knowingly, under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life, points a firearm at or in the direction of another, whether or not the actor believes it to be loaded. (Subparagraph (c) of paragraph (13) of subsection b.)· It would be a crime of the fourth degree (but the presumption of non-imprisonment would not apply) if the person commits a simple assault. A person is guilty of simple assault if he attempts to cause or purposely or knowingly causes bodily injury to another, or negligently causes bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon, or attempts by physical menace to put another in fear of imminent serious bodily injury. (Subparagraph (d) of paragraph (13) of subsection b.) A crime of the first degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of 10-20 years, a fine of up to $200,000, or both. A crime of the second degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years, a fine up to $150,000, or both. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| A2548 | Allows PFRS death benefits to be paid to supplemental needs trust for unmarried disabled child. | The Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) provides certain benefits upon the death of a member who is an active employee or is retired. These benefits are paid to a surviving spouse or partner. If there is no such survivor, or if the survivor dies, remarries or enters a partnership, the benefits are payable to a surviving child or children. The statutes define the term "child" to be an unmarried child (a) under the age of 18, or (b) 18 years of age or older and enrolled in a secondary school, or (c) , in the case of an accidental death benefits only, under the age of 24 and enrolled in a degree program in an institution of higher education, or (d) of any age who, at the time of the member's death, is disabled because of an intellectual disability or physical incapacity. This bill provides that the term "child" also means a supplemental needs trust, or special needs trust, the beneficiary of which is a deceased member's unmarried disabled child as described in (d) above. Federal law permits the establishment of such trusts to serve as a secondary source of support to supplement other government benefits. Under current law, PFRS death benefits are payable only to an unmarried disabled child of any age and not to a trust established for that child. | In Committee |
| ACR52 | Proposes constitutional amendment to eliminate judicial review of arbitration rulings in disputes between Judiciary and county concerning court facilities. | This constitutional amendment would eliminate the authority of the New Jersey Supreme Court to review and change arbitrators' decisions in cases involving courthouse facility disputes between the Judiciary and county governing bodies. Under current law, the counties are responsible for the costs of construction and renovation of courthouse facilities. In some instances, disputes arise between the counties and the Judiciary concerning factors such as the design or construction of specific facilities. The Rules of Court provide that a dispute between the county governing body and the Judiciary can be submitted to arbitration, at the request of either party. According to the Rules of Court, the decision of the arbitrator is subject to review by the Supreme Court and can be vacated, modified or corrected if the court determines that "the decision fails to balance the needs and interest of the county and the Judiciary in a fair manner." Effectively, this means that the Judiciary can overturn a decision in which the Judiciary is a party based upon the Constitutional authority of the Supreme Court over "practice and procedure" in the State courts. Adoption of this amendment would end the Supreme Court's ability to overturn the arbitrators' decision. | In Committee |
| A406 | Makes it a crime of the first degree to coerce a patient to request medication pursuant to the "Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act" or to forge a patient's request for such medication. | This bill would upgrade the crimes of coercing a patient to request medication under N.J.S.A.26:16-1 et al., the "Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act," or forging a patient's request for such medication with the intent or effect of causing the patient's death. Enacted as P.L.2019, c.59, the "Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act" permits terminally ill persons to self-administer medication to end their lives under certain circumstances. Under the enactment, it is a crime of the second degree to willfully alter or forge a request for medication pursuant to the act or to conceal or destroy a rescission of that request with the intent or effect of causing the patient's death. It is a crime of the third degree under the enactment to coerce or exert undue influence on a patient to request such medication. This bill would upgrade both offenses to crimes of the first degree. A crime of the first degree is generally punishable by a term of imprisonment of 10-20 years, a fine of up to $200,000, or both. Under the bill, both crimes of the first degree would be punishable by a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 25 years without eligibility for parole. | In Committee |
| A1498 | Revises Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Aid program; requires all energy taxes to be paid directly to municipalities. | This bill revises the Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief ("ETR") Aid Program by requiring all energy taxes to be paid directly to municipalities. Historically, energy providers and public utility companies were required to pay gross receipts and franchise taxes based on their use of public lands. For many decades, these taxes were paid directly to municipalities as a means of compensation for hosting such facilities. In the 1980s, the State began to collect these taxes on behalf of municipalities, distribute a portion of the proceeds to municipalities as State aid, and retain the remaining revenues for other State purposes. In the late 1990s, this practice was continued when the State established the ETR Aid program after reforming the taxation of energy providers and public utility companies. Under current law, the State is required to annually deposit a statutorily determined amount of monies into the "Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund" and distribute those monies to municipalities as ETR Aid. Every year, the total distribution of ETR Aid is required to increase based on inflation. During any year in which the State fails to provide this aid, the State is required to forego the collections of certain taxes on energy providers and public utilities (e.g., sales tax collections for energy services, corporation business tax collections from certain public utility companies, etc.), hereinafter referred to as "energy taxes." Under this bill, the ETR Aid program would be restructured to reflect the original design of the gross receipts and franchise taxes, wherein all energy taxes were paid directly to municipalities. Beginning in Fiscal Year 2022, and during each year thereafter, the bill requires the State Treasurer to: (1) determine the aggregate amount of ETR Aid provided Statewide; (2) determine the amounts provided to each municipality; (3) direct each energy taxpayer to make direct payment of energy taxes to one or more municipalities; and (4) advise each municipality of the name of each energy taxpayer that would make direct payment of energy taxes to the municipality, the amounts owed therefrom, and the dates on which each payment would be provided. The State Treasurer would also be required to establish additional requirements concerning the payment of ETR Aid, including but not limited to dates on which each payment would be provided. The bill provides that whenever an energy tax payment is made directly to a municipality, the amount of the payment may be taken as a credit against the tax liability of the energy taxpayer, as prescribed by the State Treasurer. Additionally, the bill provides that beginning in Fiscal Year 2022, the aggregate amount of ETR Aid provided during any fiscal year is required to equal the greater of: (1) the total amount that would have been otherwise provided under current law; or (2) the total amount of energy taxes due and payable during that fiscal year. Consequently, the bill would prevent the State from retaining any portion of these energy tax collections for other State purposes. Under the bill, if the total energy taxes due and payable during any fiscal year exceed the amount of ETR Aid that would have been otherwise provided under current law, then the difference would be distributed amongst all municipalities in proportion to the equalized assessed valuation of real and personal property owned by all energy taxpayers located within each municipality, as determined by the State Treasurer. Alternatively, the bill also provides that if the total energy taxes due and payable during any fiscal year is less than the amount of ETR Aid that would have been otherwise provided under current law, then the State Treasurer is required to make such additional payments as are necessary, from the Property Tax Relief Fund, to ensure that each municipality receives the amount owed. During any fiscal year in which the State fails to comply with the requirements of this bill, the State would be required to forego the collection of all energy taxes. | In Committee |
| A1109 | Modifies eligibility requirements for other retirement income exclusion concerning other sources of income. | This bill amends the eligibility requirements concerning other sources of income as it relates to the retirement income exclusion. Under current law, taxpayers are not allowed to claim the retirement income exclusion if they have income in excess of $3,000 from certain sources of income, such as salaries, wages, tips, fees, commissions, net profits from businesses, distributive share of partnership income, net pro rate share of S corporation income, and others. This bill increases the income limit for those sources of income to $25,000. However, if a taxpayer's total gross income exceeds $100,000, the taxpayer will still be ineligible for this exclusion. | In Committee |
| A2570 | Prohibits the use of drones by law enforcement entities. | This bill prohibits the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly referred to as drones, by law enforcement entities in this State. In February 2012, the President of the United States signed the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. This act mandates that the Federal Aviation Administration administer a program that integrates the use of drones into the national airspace system. Under the provisions of the bill, a law enforcement agency or officer is prohibited from utilizing a drone unless the United States Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security determines that credible intelligence indicates that the use of a drone is necessary to counter a high risk of a terrorist attack by a specific individual or organization. In addition, the bill prohibits any State officer or any officer or agency of local government responsible from utilizing a drone to enforce the land-use and building regulations established under the "State Uniform Construction Code Act" or the "Municipal Land Use Law." The bill waives the prohibition on using drones for the forest fire service established under the Department of Environmental Protection when the service or any members of the service utilize a drone to survey or monitor the extent of a forest fire. Under the bill, a law enforcement entity or forest fire service that utilizes a drone is prohibited from operating the drone at an altitude of greater than 350 feet. Any person whose image was taken, who was the subject of surveillance, or any other law enforcement activity in violation of the bill's provisions may bring a civil action against the law enforcement agency or officer in the Superior Court. The court may award actual damages, punitive damages, reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred, and any other preliminary and equitable relief as the court determines to be appropriate. The bill provides that any evidence illegally derived from the use of a drone is not to be used as evidence in a criminal prosecution. | In Committee |
| A2510 | Excuses students with conflicts of conscience from certain class requirements of public institutions of higher education. | A student enrolled in a public institution of higher education may be obligated to fulfill certain class requirements in health, family life education or sexual education which are in conflict with the student's conscience or sincerely held moral or religious beliefs. This bill excuses a student of a public institution of higher education which requires the fulfillment of those classes, and which does not authorize substitutions for those classes, by allowing the student to present a signed statement to the proper school officials. Moreover, no penalties as to credit or graduation will result for a student who is legitimately excused from instruction that is in conflict with the student's conscience. The provisions of this bill mirror law currently in place (18A:35-4.7) regarding students enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools. | In Committee |
| AJR35 | Designates March of each year as "Women Veterans Month" in New Jersey. | Women have served honorably and with courage in all of America's wars and conflicts since the American Revolution. This joint resolution designates March of each year as "Women Veterans Month" in New Jersey in honor and remembrance of all women veterans who have proudly and valiantly served this State and Nation. Today, women constitute approximately 15 percent of the military personnel on active duty and demonstrate great skill, sacrifice, and commitment to defending the principles upon which our Nation was founded and continues to uphold. To pay respect to the State and Nation's women veterans for their dutiful service to the Nation, the Governor is respectfully requested to issue an annual proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe March of each year as "Women Veterans Month" in New Jersey. | In Committee |
| A2556 | Allows wineries that produce more than 250,000 gallons per year to directly ship certain wines to consumers. | This bill allows a winery that produces more than 250,000 gallons to directly ship certain reserve wines to consumers. Under current law, small plenary wineries that produce 250,000 gallons or less per year and farm wineries are permitted to directly ship wine to New Jersey residents and consumers residing in other states. In addition, out-of-State wineries that produce that annually produce 250,000 gallons or less may obtain a license to directly ship wine to New Jersey residents. Wineries that produce more than the 250,000 gallon capacity cap are prohibited from directly shipping wine. This bill allows the holder of a plenary winery license or an out-of-State winery that exceed the 250,000 gallon capacity cap to directly ship up to 12 cases of reserve wine to any person over the age of 21. The bill defines reserve wine as wine that is not sold or distributed through wholesalers and retailers operating in this State. The bill establishes a $1,500 fee for this license. | In Committee |
| A2525 | Authorizes use of force against intruder in a dwelling under certain circumstances. | This bill authorizes a person to use force, including deadly force, against an intruder who is unlawfully in a dwelling, and provides that the person does not have a duty to retreat prior to using force under certain circumstances. Under current law, a person is permitted to use force against another if that person reasonably believes his or her life is in danger, or that an individual intends to inflict serious bodily harm. However, current law imposes a "duty to retreat," which requires a person to refrain from using force if the person to is able to retreat and escape harm. Under current law, the use of force against an intruder in defense of the person's premises or personal property is justifiable only if the person using force first requests the intruder to stop interfering with the property, unless the person reasonably believes that: (1) the request would be useless; (2) it would be dangerous to himself or herself or another person to make the request; or (3) substantial harm will be done to the physical condition of the property which is sought to be protected before the request can effectively be made. A person may not, however, use force to defend his or her premises or personal property if the person knows that the exclusion of the intruder will expose himself or herself to substantial danger of serious bodily harm. The burden is on the State to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the use of force by a person was not justified. Under the bill, the use of force or deadly force against an intruder who is unlawfully in a dwelling is justifiable when the person reasonably believes that the force is immediately necessary for the purpose of protecting himself or another person in the dwelling against the use of unlawful force by the intruder. A reasonable belief exists if the person using force is in his own dwelling at the time the force was used, or was privileged to be there, and reasonably believes that the intruder would inflict personal injury on the person using force or others in the dwelling. A person who uses protective force in accordance with the provisions of the bill does not have a duty to retreat prior to using force. | In Committee |
| A1100 | Defines a day in session for purposes of a school district's receipt of State school aid. | Under current law, in order to receive its State school aid, a school district must be in session for at least 180 days during the preceding school year. This bill defines a "day in session" as a day on which the school is open, students are under the guidance and direction of a teacher engaged in the teaching process, and is not less than six hours. The bill specifies that the six-hour requirement will not be applicable to a school that enrolls only kindergarten students. Under current State Board of Education regulations at N.J.A.C.6A:32-8.3(b), a school day consists of not less than four hours. | In Committee |
| A2564 | Removes investigation and security services from imposition of sales and use tax. | This bill removes investigation and security services from the imposition of the sales and use tax. Under current law, investigation and security services are subject to the sales and use tax and are broadly defined as: (1) investigation and detective services, including detective agencies and private investigators, and fingerprint, polygraph missing person tracing and skip tracing services; (2) security guard and patrol services, including bodyguard and personal protection, guard dog, guard, patrol, and security services; (3) armored car services; and (4) security systems services, including security, burglar, and fire alarm installation, repair or monitoring services. The tax imposed on these services has increased the overall cost paid by consumers and served as a disincentive for the State's investigation and security services providers. The additional expense associated with the tax has forced certain recipients to reduce the overall level of investigation and security services they receive, and has led certain others to avoid sales tax liabilities through the development of proprietary, in-house investigation and security personnel. The elimination of the sales and use tax imposed on investigation and security services will alleviate the overall tax paid by consumers and reduce the burden imposed on investigation and security service providers in this State. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment. | In Committee |
| A3093 | Creates temporary grant program for electric vehicle fire suppression technology. | This bill creates a Statewide pilot program to test new technology for fighting fires emanating from electric vehicles. The National Transportation Safety Board issued a report in 2020 of its investigations into the difficulties experienced by fire departments attempting to extinguish electric vehicle fires. Specifically, the board cited increased risk to first responders of stored energy reigniting after all signs of fire and smoke have been put out. The National Fire Protection Association emergency field guide recommends large, sustained volumes of water to extinguish high-voltage battery fires and highlights the difficulty of applying extinguishing agents directly onto the burning cells of an electric vehicle. Emergent technology exists and should be examined as a resource in the repository of methods available to New Jersey's firefighters. This bill attempts to address current challenges by equipping select fire departments throughout the State with the newest technology for one year and requiring them to report their findings and recommendations to the Division of Fire Safety. | In Committee |
| A2645 | Dedicates State reserve of certain federal funds to in-person and hybrid school districts. | This bill intends to reward and compensate those school districts that offered substantial in-person instruction in the 2020-2021 school year for their extraordinary efforts and the costs incurred in meeting the challenges of educating children during a global pandemic. The bill requires that the total amount of the State reserve of moneys received by New Jersey under the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief II (ESSER II) Fund be distributed to "in-person school districts" and "hybrid school districts." The distribution would be made on an equal per pupil basis, except that in-person school districts would receive a per pupil amount that is 1.5 times greater than the per pupil amount received by hybrid school districts. Under the bill, a hybrid school district is defined as a school district whose superintendent certifies under penalty of perjury that it offered all of the students of the district in-person instruction on more than 25 percent but less than 75 percent of school days during the 2020-2021 school year. An in-person school district is defined as a school district whose superintendent certifies under penalty of perjury that it offered all of the students of the district in-person instruction on 75 percent or more of school days during the 2020-2021 school year. The ESSER II Fund was authorized pursuant to the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act. Of the total $1.23 billion that New Jersey received from the ESSER II Fund, a minimum of 90 percent is required to be awarded to local education agencies (LEAs) in proportion to the amount of funds the LEAs received under part A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. No more than 10 percent of the funds received by New Jersey under the ESSER II Fund may be reserved by the State Department of Education for certain emergency needs to address issues responding to COVID-19. | In Committee |
| Bill | Bill Name | Motion | Vote Date | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2167 | Requires public and certain nonpublic schools to comply with breakfast and lunch standards adopted by USDA. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S317 | Revises "Athletic Training Licensure Act." | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S1403 | Requires employer or contractor engaged in work for public body to submit payroll records to DOLWD. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S1320 | Requires certain information be included in certain contracts with licensed public adjusters. | Assembly Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A775 | "Fairness in Women's Sport Act." | Assembly Floor: Table Motion | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A2929 | Requires disclosure of lead drinking water hazards to tenants of residential units; prohibits landlords from obstructing replacement of lead service lines; concerns testing of certain property for lead drinking water hazards. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A2090 | Requires solid waste management district to develop strategy to reduce food waste; requires DEP to adopt certain rules and regulations regarding composting facilities. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A3099 | Establishes option for students nearing completion of program in chiropractic medicine to participate in preceptorship provided by State-licensed chiropractor. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3361 | Establishes limit on rent increase for certain dwelling sites for modular or industrialized buildings or manufactured homes. | Assembly Floor: Suspend Rule 22:5b | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A3361 | Establishes limit on rent increase for certain dwelling sites for modular or industrialized buildings or manufactured homes. | Assembly Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A3007 | Increases maximum age for pediatric long-term care facility residents to 26. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3128 | Authorizes HMFA to use certain tax credits; directs HMFA to conduct tax credit auctions to provide financial assistance for certain housing purposes. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A3035 | Prohibits certain vehicles from parking in electric vehicle charging spaces under certain circumstances. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A1682 | Requires State Board of Education to adopt New Jersey Student Learning Standards pertaining to labor movement; requires school districts to provide instruction on labor movement. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A1675 | Extends membership in TPAF to 10 years after discontinuance of service and to 15 years for those who were laid off or had 10 or more years of continuous service upon voluntary termination. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A2998 | Permits court to order counseling for children in households with domestic violence in appropriate cases; establishes presumption of award of custody to domestic violence victim in appropriate cases. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A2390 | Requires municipalities in compliance with affordable housing obligations be provided priority consideration for certain State grants and assistance. | Assembly Floor: Table Motion | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A2390 | Requires municipalities in compliance with affordable housing obligations be provided priority consideration for certain State grants and assistance. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A551 | Permits certain consumers up to five business days to cancel home improvement contracts and up to three days to cancel certain consumer goods contracts. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2335 | Requires school districts to provide instruction on history of Latinos and Hispanics as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Abstain |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| A3974 | Prohibits use of deceptive marketing practices by substance use disorder treatment providers. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3979 | Requires certain providers of substance or alcohol use disorder treatment, services, or supports to be assessed for conflicts of interest prior to receiving State funds, licensure, or certification. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3973 | Revises law concerning patient referrals to substance use disorder treatment facilities, recovery residences, and clinical laboratories. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2961 | Establishes minimum qualifications for persons employed on public works contract. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A4085 | Allows for natural organic reduction and controlled supervised decomposition of human remains. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| A4182 | Concerns conditions of employment of certain cannabis workers. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S3132 | Imposes certain requirements on secondhand dealers of cellular telephones and wireless communication devices. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4215 | Directs BPU to adopt rules and regulations concerning small modular nuclear reactors; authorizes EDA to incentivize construction and operation of such reactors. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4248 | Requires certain documentation as proof of voter identity to vote; updates procedures for challenging voters regarding proof of identity. | Assembly Floor: Table Motion | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A4295 | Establishes New Jersey-India Commission. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Abstain |
| A4302 | Amends current child labor laws to protect minor working as vlogger in certain circumstances. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S3189 | Makes various changes to "New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act" and Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program; repeals "New Jersey Ignite Act." | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4429 | Expands prohibitions on employers concerning requirements for employees to attend or listen to communications related to political matters. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Abstain |
| S3309 | Establishes "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act"; revises motor vehicle franchise agreements. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4455 | Allows exemption from New Jersey gross income of certain capital gains from sale or exchange of qualified small business stock. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4479 | Requires social media platforms to cooperate with nonprofit organization initiatives to remove nonconsensual intimate images or videos. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4521 | Concerns provision of services to defendants on pretrial release. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A4544 | Expands eligibility requirements of State's child care assistance program to include full-time graduate and post-graduate students. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3418 | Authorizes certain types of permanent structures, recently constructed or erected on preserved farmland, to be used, in certain cases, for purposes of holding special occasion events thereon. | Assembly Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4577 | Requires State departments and Office of Technology to provide reports on proposed technology upgrades. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4636 | Requires that notice concerning gift card fraud be posted by retail mercantile establishments that sell gift cards to consumers. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A4643 | Creates penalty for child endangerment via use of social media. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4651 | Establishes penalties for certain conduct related to public brawl and disorderly conduct. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A4712 | Establishes Office of Veteran Advocate and ombudsman for DMVA; appropriates funds. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4714 | Broadens riot; enhances penalties for certain crimes committed during riot; creates new crimes of mob intimidation and cyber-intimidation by publication; establishes duty in municipality to permit law enforcement to respond appropriately. | Assembly Floor: Table Motion | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A4765 | Requires driver education and testing on responsibilities when approaching and passing pedestrians and persons operating bicycles and personal conveyances; requires driver's manual to include information on sharing roadway with motorists for certain road users. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4818 | Reduces and clarifies requirements for municipal tourist development commission disbursements for advertising. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3618 | Directs DEP and DOT to establish "Wildlife Corridor Action Plan." | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3663 | Establishes reproductive health travel advisory. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S3711 | Makes annual allocation of $500,000 from Clean Communities Program Fund for public outreach concerning single-use plastics reduction program permanent. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S3776 | Establishes Chronic Absenteeism Task Force. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3773 | Concerns requirements to report separations from employment under employee leasing agreements. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A4937 | Concerns satellite cannabis dispensaries, Cannabis Regulatory Commission membership, and post-employment restrictions on State employees. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A4937 | Concerns satellite cannabis dispensaries, Cannabis Regulatory Commission membership, and post-employment restrictions on State employees. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A4971 | Requires EDA to provide grants to certain small businesses affected by State infrastructure and construction projects. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Abstain |
| A5000 | Requires Medicaid coverage for fertility preservation services in cases of iatrogenic infertility caused by medically necessary treatments. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5004 | Creates separate crime for items depicting sexual exploitation or abuse of children; concerns computer generated or manipulated sexually explicit images. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5049 | Removes certain limitations on receipt of retirement or death benefits under PFRS under certain circumstances. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5077 | Extends statutory pause on collection of student growth objective data. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S3910 | Makes various changes to provision of preschool aid and facilities requirements; establishes Universal Preschool Implementation Steering Committee; requires full-day kindergarten in all school districts. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S3933 | Establishes School Supervisor Mentorship Pilot Program; appropriates $500,000. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3944 | Provides that certain non-profit corporation alcoholic beverage theater licensees include disregarded entities of such corporations; allows certain community theaters to sell alcoholic beverages. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5146 | Removes exception to civil service working test period for political subdivision employees. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3982 | Requires certain information be provided to parent at least two business days prior to annual Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meeting; establishes IEP Improvement Working Group in DOE. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3992 | Modifies capital reserve funding requirements for certain planned real estate developments. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5213 | Establishes "New Economy Opportunity Skills System Pilot Program" to strengthen alignment and collaboration between local workforce development boards, community colleges, and county vocational school districts; makes appropriation. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5199 | Requires resident and fellow physicians employed by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, who are eligible for coverage in SHBP, to be eligible to enroll and receive health insurance on first day of employment. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5195 | Requires producer of certain firefighting equipment containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances to provide written notice to purchaser; prohibits sale, manufacture, and distribution of certain firefighting equipment containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5260 | Prohibits sale, manufacture, and distribution of certain apparel containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S4122 | Revises apportionment of State lottery contributions. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5277 | Establishes public awareness campaign and call center for certain property tax relief programs; requires submission of annual report by Stay NJ Task Force. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5278 | Establishes "New Jersey Menopause Coverage Act"; requires health insurance coverage of medically necessary perimenopause and menopause treatments. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Abstain |
| A5309 | Permits up to three credits of continuing medical education on menopause to be used by advanced practice nurses and physicians for license renewal. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| SJR154 | Directs BPU to investigate PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.'s Reliability Pricing Model; directs State to promote affordable energy practices and to urge PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. to implement certain reforms. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5362 | Prohibits casino licensees from using non-wagering casino games to solicit future gaming. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5378 | Modifies provisions of Cultural Arts Incentives Program, New Jersey Aspire Program, and Grow New Jersey Program; eliminates Community-Anchored Development Program. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5383 | Requires unrestricted Medicaid coverage for ovulation enhancing drugs and medical services related to administering such drugs for certain beneficiaries experiencing infertility. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5381 | Provides medical documentation requirement for certain members of PERS, PFRS, and SPRS to receive accidental disability retirement allowance for participation in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations; removes filing deadline. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5420 | Permits 30-calendar day extension to cure period for certain businesses to address and resolve certain violations. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5421 | Requires development of online tax training for small and micro-businesses. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5422 | Allows businesses to receive information via email concerning new regulations and economic incentives that affect business. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4263 | Revises certain provisions concerning, and establishes certain education and data reporting requirements related to, involuntary commitment. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| AR180 | Urges DEP, Pinelands Commission, and Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council to engage in alternative forest management practices during periods of drought when prescribed burning is unsafe. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5447 | Prohibits sweepstakes model of wagering; establishes new penalties for unlawful gambling operations and practices; directs Division of Consumer Affairs and Division of Gaming Enforcement to enforce penalties. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5462 | Requires electric public utilities to develop and apply special rules for certain data centers to protect non-data center customers from increased costs. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5463 | Requires electric public utilities to submit annual report on voting to BPU. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S4293 | Requires owner or operator of data center to submit water and energy usage report to BPU. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5517 | Directs BPU to study feasibility of developing advanced reactors Statewide. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5533 | Establishes requirements for receipt and purchase of scrap metals containing lithium-ion or propulsion batteries. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5563 | Establishes "Summer Termination Program" for certain utility customers. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| State | District | Chamber | Party | Status | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NJ | District 23 | House | Republican | In Office | 12/07/2009 |