This joint resolution (AJR 49) is a symbolic gesture by the New Jersey legislature recognizing the 75th anniversary of Israel's establishment, observed on April 25, 2023. It commends Israel's achievements in building a democratic society and reaffirms New Jersey's longstanding partnership with Israel, including economic, educational, and cultural ties. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it simply expresses legislative support through words. It does not directly affect any individuals or create new obligations. The resolution took effect immediately upon introduction.
This bill changes lease terms for municipal properties in New Jersey. It allows local governments to lease non-waterfront public parks and recreation areas for up to 25 years instead of the current 10-year limit. Waterfront properties (those bordering oceans, rivers, or bays) remain subject to the 10-year lease cap. The policy directly affects municipalities owning inland recreational spaces, extending their lease flexibility for non-waterfront properties.
This bill would expand New Jersey's drug paraphernalia law exemptions to include specific harm reduction supplies. Currently, fentanyl test strips and hypodermic needles sold by pharmacies are exempt from drug paraphernalia charges. The bill would add exemptions for equipment used to test controlled substances, dilutants, mixing devices, and other materials provided by authorized harm reduction services. These exemptions would apply to items like naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and supplies designed to prevent disease transmission and overdose. The bill would directly affect harm reduction service providers, individuals using these services, and law enforcement who would no longer pursue drug paraphernalia charges for these specific items.
This bill requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies to provide victims of domestic violence, or their legal representatives, with copies of specific records (including photos, bodycam footage, 911 transcripts, and police reports) within 10 calendar days of a request, at no cost. If records cannot be provided within that timeframe due to ongoing investigations or safety concerns, agencies must redact the records or obtain a court-issued protective order, or provide copies within 24 hours once available. The Family Part of the Superior Court has authority to enforce these requests and issue protective orders to limit disclosure, with violations subject to criminal penalties. The law applies to records related to incidents covered under New Jersey’s Domestic Violence Act (P.L.1991, c.261).
This bill (A2958) would require New Jersey's Commissioner of Human Services to request federal authorization allowing SNAP (food stamp) benefits to cover delivery fees for online grocery orders. Currently, SNAP funds cannot pay for delivery charges, even though New Jersey participates in a USDA pilot program enabling online grocery purchases through retailers like Amazon and 17 participating stores. The bill directly affects SNAP recipients who use online grocery delivery services, as it seeks to expand their benefit usage to include delivery fees. The request would be made to the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service, which administers the federal SNAP program.
This bill authorizes the State Treasurer to sell 7.8 acres of surplus land and improvements (located at 15 Jean Street in Morris Township, Morris County) owned by the state to the Township of Morris. The property, formerly a Regional Day School operated by the Department of Children and Families, has been declared surplus and appraised at $580,000. The sale must follow terms approved by the State House Commission, with proceeds deposited into a state fund to reduce debt or fund capital projects. The sale will occur via direct sale or internet auction if needed, but the bill itself only authorizes the transfer.
This bill authorizes certain New Jersey school districts (specifically Type II districts without a board of school estimate, excluding state-designated districts) to issue bonds without voter approval to repair school facilities damaged by natural disasters. It requires the school board to adopt a resolution approving the bonds (with a two-thirds vote) and apply to the Commissioner of Education for approval, demonstrating the repairs are necessary for a thorough education system. The commissioner must review applications within 15 business days, and if approved, the bonds can exceed standard debt limits, with repayment funded through district taxes. The bill does not apply to school districts under full State intervention where governance hasn't been restored.
This bill sets specific spending rules for state funds allocated to New Jersey's emergency food organizations (food banks receiving annual state funding for Food and Hunger Programs). It requires 10% of each organization's funding to support New Jersey agricultural products (including farm investments), up to 30% for administrative costs and infrastructure (like technology or storage), and at least 60% to support local food distribution partners through food purchases, cash, or reimbursements. Organizations must develop data-informed plans for equitable support, submit monthly reports on fund usage to the Office of the Food Security Advocate, and meet these requirements to receive funding. The bill directly affects food banks and their local community distribution partners.
This bill (A676) designates a specific 0.45-mile segment of State Highway Route 71 in Spring Lake Heights (from milepost 3.25 to 3.70) as the "John Tarantino Highway" to honor Angelo John Tarantino, a WWII veteran who served in the European Theater and participated in key battles including D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge. The bill requires the Commissioner of Transportation to erect signs bearing this designation but explicitly prohibits using state or public funds for the signs. Instead, it authorizes the Department of Transportation to accept private funding - such as gifts, grants, or donations - from non-governmental organizations to cover the costs of producing, installing, and maintaining the signs. The designation takes immediate effect upon enactment.
This New Jersey bill prohibits the sale, manufacture, distribution, and use of firefighting foam containing PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) after two years, with limited exceptions for certain facilities. It allows oil refineries and petroleum terminals to continue using PFAS-containing foam for up to eight years, with potential extensions through a waiver process requiring proof of no available alternatives. The bill requires manufacturers to recall PFAS-containing foam within 27 months and directs the Department of Environmental Protection to establish a collection and disposal program for such foam, appropriating $250,000 for initial funding. Fire departments and facilities using PFAS-containing foam must report usage and implement containment measures to prevent environmental releases. The law aims to protect public health and the environment from PFAS contamination while providing a transition period for essential facilities.
This bill requires manufacturers to label non-flushable disposable wipes (such as those for diapering, personal hygiene, or bathroom cleaning) with a standardized "Do Not Flush" logo on product packaging. The logo must clearly show a toilet with a prohibition symbol and be sized appropriately for the package, visible when dispensing wipes. It applies to sellers and manufacturers of these wipes but excludes flushable products (like labeled toilet tissue) and media advertisements. Violations could result in civil penalties of up to $5,000 per offense, enforced by New Jersey's Environmental Protection and Consumer Affairs agencies.
This bill creates a "Resiliency and Environmental System Investment Charge Program" (RESIC) that allows New Jersey water and wastewater utilities to recover costs for certain environmental and resiliency investments through a surcharge on customer bills. Utilities must get approval from the Board of Public Utilities for specific projects that enhance system resiliency, environmental compliance, or public health, with costs limited to non-revenue producing infrastructure. The surcharge would appear as a separate line item on customer bills, with total recovery capped at 5% of the utility's annual revenue. Utilities must file detailed reports with the Board semi-annually to track project costs and recovery amounts, and the program applies to both investor-owned and certain municipal utilities.
