This bill designates June of each year as "LGBTQIA+ Pride Month" in New Jersey to recognize all members of the LGBTQIA+ community, including those identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and nonbinary. It requires the Governor to annually issue a proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with activities and programs. The bill takes immediate effect and does not create new regulations or funding, serving as a symbolic recognition of the community's contributions and commitment to inclusion.
This bill requires employers in public places like restaurants, stores, and facilities to train staff about the legal rights of people with disabilities to bring service or guide dogs. Employers must provide training based on a state-created pamphlet explaining relevant state and federal laws (including the Americans with Disabilities Act), or use approved free training resources. Each employee must receive a printed copy of the pamphlet and sign an acknowledgment form confirming they reviewed it. The law takes effect immediately.
S 1759 increases the portion of rent that counts as property taxes for tax deduction purposes from 18% to 30% for renters whose rental unit is their primary residence. It also raises the maximum property tax credit amount from $50 to $250 for eligible taxpayers, including those aged 65 or older, or who are blind or disabled and not subject to New Jersey income tax. These changes apply to both homeowners and renters who qualify for these tax benefits under New Jersey law. The bill modifies specific definitions and credit thresholds in the state's tax code without altering eligibility criteria.
This bill authorizes New Jersey to issue specialty license plates featuring Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.'s emblem and slogan. Motorists who apply for these plates must pay a $50 one-time fee and a $10 annual fee, with all additional fees deposited into a dedicated "Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. License Plate Fund." The fund, managed by the state Treasury, will provide annual grants to support the sorority's existing programs, including youth education, economic development, and community health initiatives. The license plates are subject to standard vehicle registration rules but require consultation with the sorority's Eastern Regional Director for design approval.
This bill prevents water companies from charging fire departments, fire districts, or volunteer fire companies more than one fee per fire hydrant on their periodic bills. By amending state law, it restricts the Board of Public Utilities from approving tariffs that include multiple charges for hydrant use by these specific emergency services. The legislation aims to simplify billing and limit costs for entities that rely on fire hydrants for fire protection, while still allowing water companies to require separate service lines or metering if necessary.
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.
