AJR 159 designates November 14 of each year as "Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging schools and communities to observe the day with educational activities. It commemorates Ruby Bridges' 1960 integration of William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, highlighting her courage during school desegregation. The bill has no binding requirements beyond the annual proclamation request.
This bill (S 3848) amends New Jersey law to change how alcoholic beverage licenses work for sporting facilities. It removes two current restrictions: the rule limiting all-inclusive areas to one per game/event and the 500-person capacity cap for those areas. The bill clarifies that "sporting facility" includes all areas up to the security perimeter, and allows venues to establish unlimited all-inclusive zones of any size or number. This directly affects stadiums, arenas, and similar venues holding sporting facility licenses.
New Jersey's S 1445 requires public colleges and universities to readmit undergraduate students who withdrew due to military service (including active duty, National Guard, or Reserve service). Schools must reinstate students with their exact academic standing from before their service interruption. Students must submit a written request for the next available semester, and institutions cannot charge application or processing fees for these requests. The law applies starting the first full academic year after its effective date.
This bill amends New Jersey's homestead property tax reimbursement program to include disabled residents who receive disability payments under the federal Railroad Retirement Act (45 U.S.C. § 231 et seq.). Currently, only disabled individuals receiving payments under the federal Social Security Act (Title II) qualify for this reimbursement. The bill expands eligibility by adding Railroad Retirement disability payments as a qualifying source, without altering existing income thresholds or residency requirements. This change would allow more disabled New Jersey residents to claim property tax reimbursement on their primary residence if they meet all other program criteria.
This bill removes a legal barrier preventing victims of sexual offenses from recovering pain and suffering damages against public entities (like government agencies or employees) in New Jersey. Currently, public entities are generally barred from paying such damages for any injury, except in cases of permanent disfigurement with high medical costs ($3,600+). The bill specifically adds sexual assault, prohibited sexual acts (N.J.S.A. 2A:30B-2), sexual abuse (N.J.S.A. 2A:61B-1), or other sexual crimes to the list of exceptions. Victims of these offenses can now seek compensation for pain and suffering through lawsuits against public entities. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.
This bill appropriates $7.65 million from New Jersey's "Securing Our Children's Future Fund" to expand career and technical education programs at the Cumberland County Technical Education Center. The funding is specifically directed to this single institution in Cumberland County for vocational program enhancements. The bill does not create new programs but allocates existing state funds for immediate use under the Securing Our Children's Future Bond Act.
This bill requires state-funded transportation projects (like roads or bridges) to use geotechnical engineers to determine necessary soil, groundwater, and structural monitoring. It mandates groundwater testing before construction begins and ongoing monitoring if site conditions require it (capped at three years), plus deformation monitoring during and after construction if needed. The Department of Transportation must follow all internal standards for subsurface data and cannot waive these requirements without approval. This directly affects state agencies and contractors managing transportation projects funded by New Jersey resources, including the Transportation Trust Fund.
This bill allows licensed New Jersey audiologists to select, prescribe, and order hearing aids - expanding their current authority to only fit and sell them - if they complete approved training. It directly affects audiologists who must now meet specific educational requirements and New Jersey residents needing hearing aids, particularly for prescription-grade devices under new FDA classifications. The key change aligns state law with updated federal rules that distinguish between over-the-counter and prescription hearing aids. This amendment modifies existing licensing standards under P.L.1983, c.420, requiring audiologists to complete coursework in the full scope of hearing aid services.
New Jersey's A 5116 revises primary election ballot design to address legal concerns about the previous "bracketing" system. The bill requires all primary ballots to arrange candidates by office in standardized "office blocks" (e.g., all Assembly candidates grouped together), with consistent formatting, left-aligned text, and clear candidate labeling - replacing the prior structure that caused voter confusion and legal challenges. It directly affects voters, election officials, and candidates in New Jersey primary elections by standardizing ballot appearance to improve clarity and reduce misinterpretation. The law also removes State committee members from the primary ballot design process, as mandated by the bill’s legislative findings. This change, enacted as P.L.2025, c.32, aims to align with First Amendment principles while ensuring ballots are user-friendly.
This bill allows tax-exempt nonprofits (501(c)(3) organizations under federal tax law) to obtain amusement game licenses for events they host, such as festivals, carnivals, or fairs held for their benefit or sponsored by them. Currently, licenses are available for certain venues and events like agricultural fairs, but nonprofits were excluded. The bill adds these organizations to the list of eligible applicants under New Jersey’s existing Amusement Games Licensing Law, requiring all other standard licensing conditions to be met. It does not change current licensing rules for other entities or permit permanent amusement operations.
This bill authorizes the State Treasurer to sell the former Riverfront State Prison property (16.5 acres) in Camden as surplus state property. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will purchase the "NJEDA Site" for up to $5 million or the appraised value, while the City of Camden receives the "City Site" for $1 - on the condition that Camden later sells its "Southwest Site" parcel to the NJEDA. The sale bypasses prior approval requirements from the State House Commission or Legislature, repealing a 2013 law that previously attempted to facilitate this sale but failed to transfer title. The property is split into defined parcels for redevelopment, with the City Site requiring preservation for public parks or recreation.
This bill amends a $2 million FY2024 appropriation originally designated for a Convery Boulevard Pedestrian Bridge in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. It allows the city to redirect unused funds toward other pedestrian safety infrastructure projects after the bridge became unfeasible. The change modifies the specific purpose of the state aid allocation under P.L.2023, c.74, without creating new funding. The city can now use the full $2 million for broader pedestrian safety needs, such as crosswalks or sidewalk improvements, rather than the original bridge project.
