This bill allows New Jersey municipalities and counties to lower speed limits by five miles per hour on specific roads without first conducting a mandatory engineering and traffic investigation. The authority to make these changes is limited to roads with existing limits of 35 mph or less located in school zones or designated high-pedestrian areas, which must include commercial downtowns, transit corridors, and zones near major transit facilities. To prevent overlapping studies and excessive reductions, the law prohibits lowering a limit more than once on the same road segment, setting a floor of 15 mph, and banning changes if a traffic study is currently underway or was completed within the last year. Local governments must establish clear criteria for identifying high-pedestrian areas and install appropriate signage to notify drivers of any new speed limits.
This bill, known as the Smart Planning Wireless and Water Public Utility Facilities Act, allows investor-owned water companies in New Jersey to rent out space on their water towers to wireless service providers. The law requires these utilities to offer non-discriminatory access to their towers unless there are safety concerns or insufficient space. To encourage this arrangement, the bill directs the state's Board of Public Utilities to treat half of the rental income from these leases as "above-the-line" revenue, which can help lower costs for water customers, while the remaining half is treated as standard operating income.
This bill requires the State of New Jersey to provide annual financial aid to specific small municipalities where a significant portion of the land is owned by the State or counties. To qualify, a town must have a population of 30,000 or fewer and contain at least 10 percent of its total acreage as State-owned or county-owned property, such as schools, hospitals, and government offices. Under the new rules, eligible towns would receive a payment of $500 for every acre of this exempt property located within their borders. The process involves local assessors reporting the acreage annually, after which the State calculates the payment and distributes the funds by August 1 from the Property Tax Relief Fund.
This bill requires the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the South Jersey Transportation Authority to offer a 50 percent toll discount to eligible veterans. To qualify, a veteran must own or lease a New Jersey-registered vehicle linked to an active electronic toll collection account and provide proof of honorable discharge from the military or National Guard. The authorities must approve applications based on standard military separation documents or valid state and federal veteran identification cards. This change would directly affect New Jersey veterans who use electronic tolling systems on turnpikes and bridges in the state.
The Ticket Fairness and Transparency Act aims to protect consumers in New Jersey by regulating how tickets are sold and resold. It requires ticket brokers to maintain a physical office, register with the state, and clearly disclose seat locations, cancellation policies, and service charges to buyers. The bill also limits resale markups to a maximum of 20% above the original ticket price and mandates that brokers verify ticket ownership before offering them for sale. Additionally, it establishes specific refund rules for failed orders and requires sellers to list all fees before a purchase is made.
This bill expands the New Jersey Child Tax Credit to include resident taxpayers with children between the ages of six and 11, whereas the current law only covers children under six. The credit provides a tax reduction of up to $1,000 per child for households earning $30,000 or less, with the amount decreasing as income rises, and it phases out completely for families earning over $80,000. Effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, the legislation also clarifies that the credit is refundable and will not count as income for determining eligibility for other state assistance programs.
This bill designates August 18 of each year as "Thyson T. Halley Day" throughout New Jersey to honor the life and work of a prominent advocate for the Deaf community. The resolution recognizes Halley's achievements as a certified deaf interpreter, educator, and minister who dedicated his career to promoting accessibility and inclusion. It authorizes the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and residents to observe the day with appropriate activities. The measure does not alter existing laws or create new programs but serves as a commemorative designation to celebrate Halley's legacy of service.
This New Jersey Senate concurrent resolution urges the United States Congress to pass the "Universal School Meals Program Act of 2023." The bill aims to provide free breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack to all school children in the country, regardless of their family's income. Additionally, the legislation would eliminate existing school food debt and reimburse schools for any unpaid meal debts. By sending this resolution to federal lawmakers, the state is advocating for a permanent expansion of the current school meal system to address child hunger nationwide.
This bill directs the New Jersey Department of Children and Families to create a statewide program offering therapeutic treatment and counseling for children and their families exposed to domestic violence. To support this initiative, the department will provide grants to service providers, assign staff to assist with implementation, and require participating organizations to keep detailed records of their services. The legislation also mandates that the department collect data on program participation and effectiveness, reporting these findings annually to the Governor and the Legislature. Funding for the program will be drawn from the state's General Fund, and the act takes effect immediately upon passage.
This bill creates a special parking program for immediate family members of individuals diagnosed with dementia in New Jersey. It allows caregivers to apply for a placard that permits them to park in spaces reserved for municipal residents, university lots, and designated areas at medical facilities and retail stores. The program includes provisions for overnight parking and metered spots for up to 24 hours without penalty, provided the vehicle is being used to render health or personal care services. Placards are valid for two years, require a modest application fee, and must be registered with the Motor Vehicle Commission to prevent misuse.
This New Jersey bill authorizes school districts to issue alternate high school diplomas to students with the most significant cognitive disabilities starting in the 2027-2028 school year. These diplomas are standards-based and require students to complete specific curriculum units in subjects like language arts, mathematics, and science using alternate academic achievement standards. The legislation ensures that receiving an alternate diploma does not end a student's right to special education services until they turn 21 and allows these diplomas to be counted in state graduation rate reports. Additionally, the bill permits students participating in the alternate assessment program to still attempt to meet the requirements for a standard State-endorsed diploma.
This bill allows families receiving state or federal housing subsidies to more easily adjust their subsidy amounts when new members join their household, such as through the birth of a child or adoption. It also enables an expedited process to change the head-of-household designation within a family if emergency situations or financial issues like poor credit history prevent them from securing safe housing. Additionally, the legislation requires landlords to refrain from conducting credit checks on household members during these adjustments to help families maintain their rental assistance without interruption.
