New Jersey Bills

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 9, 2024

A 859: Permits online purchase of eligible food using WIC fund for grocery delivery charges.

This bill allows New Jersey WIC participants to use their benefits for online purchases of WIC-eligible foods and to pay delivery fees charged by authorized WIC vendors. It permits participants to buy qualifying foods through the online platforms of any New Jersey WIC-approved retailer, including dedicated online vendors, and apply their WIC benefits toward home delivery costs. The bill requires the state health commissioner to seek necessary federal approvals from the USDA to implement these changes. This policy directly affects low-income pregnant/postpartum women, infants, and children under five enrolled in New Jersey's WIC program.

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 9, 2024

A 2270: Establishes Interagency Council on Homelessness.

This bill establishes the Interagency Council on Homelessness within New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs to replace the existing Homelessness Prevention Task Force. The council, composed of 24 members including state agency leaders and public representatives (with at least two members who have experienced homelessness and two with housing expertise), will advise the Office of Homelessness Prevention and develop recommendations for coordinating services, identifying funding, and creating permanent housing solutions. It must produce an annual report for the Governor and Legislature detailing its findings and proposals. The council directly affects state agencies, homeless service providers, advocacy groups, and people experiencing or at risk of homelessness through its collaborative policy development process.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 9, 2024

AJR 65: Designates annual Lunar New Year in NJ.

AJR 65 designates the date of the second new moon following the winter solstice (or the third if a leap month is needed) as "Lunar New Year" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing this date and encourages schools and cultural institutions to observe it with appropriate activities. It directly acknowledges the cultural significance of Lunar New Year for New Jersey's Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, which make up approximately 10% of the state's population. This symbolic gesture does not create a legal holiday but formally recognizes traditions celebrated by many residents.

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 9, 2024

S 999: "Manufacturing in Higher Education Act"; requires various State entities to promote manufacturing career pathways for students and provides assistance to manufacturing industry.

This bill requires New Jersey state agencies to promote manufacturing career pathways for students through higher education. It creates a $10 million annual grant program for colleges, universities, and vocational schools to establish or expand manufacturing programs (with 50% of funds going to county colleges, 25% to four-year schools/private colleges, and 25% to vocational districts). The bill also directs a state liaison to assist manufacturing businesses with marketing, referrals to support services, and workforce reskilling initiatives. These provisions directly affect students seeking manufacturing careers, educational institutions developing relevant programs, and manufacturing businesses statewide.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 9, 2024

S 151: Authorizes CRDA to finance transportation projects between Atlantic City Airport and Atlantic City Tourism District.

This bill authorizes the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) to finance transportation projects connecting Atlantic City Airport to the Atlantic City Tourism District. It directly affects the CRDA, which would manage these projects, and the Tourism District, defined as areas primarily serving tourism (including casinos, convention centers, and adjacent properties). The key provision allows the CRDA to fund transportation infrastructure improvements between these two locations. The bill does not create new taxes or alter existing district boundaries but enables CRDA to use its existing authority for this specific transportation purpose.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 9, 2024

A 2331: Establishes grant program for NJ YouthBuild programs through DOLWD; makes appropriation.

This bill establishes a state grant program through New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development to fund YouthBuild programs serving economically disadvantaged youth aged 16-24 who have not completed high school. The program requires participating organizations to provide integrated education and job training (50% classroom instruction, 50% construction/vocational training), leadership development, counseling, and job placement assistance. It mandates that programs provide stipends to participants to cover participation costs and culminate in industry-recognized credentials. Only nonprofit organizations affiliated with YouthBuild USA or with previous HUD YouthBuild funding are eligible to apply, and funded programs must report outcomes to the Department of Labor. The bill appropriates state funds to support this program, aiming to increase access to and sustainability of YouthBuild services throughout New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 9, 2024

S 248: Expands eligibility for "fishing buddy license" fee.

This bill (S 248) expands eligibility for a discounted "fishing buddy license" in New Jersey. It allows residents aged 16-65 (who haven’t bought a fishing license since 2010) or nonresidents to apply for a fishing license simultaneously with another qualifying person, reducing the fee to $10.75 (residents) or $16.50 (nonresidents) instead of standard rates. The key mechanism requires both applicants to meet age and license history criteria and apply together at the same time. This affects recreational anglers seeking cost savings when fishing with a companion who meets the eligibility requirements. The bill was introduced in January 2024 but later withdrawn.

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 9, 2024

A 2300: Makes supplemental appropriation of $650,000 to New Jersey Division of State Police for trooper recruitment and retention.

New Jersey Assembly Bill A2300 allocates $650,000 in supplemental funding to the Division of State Police specifically for trooper recruitment and retention. The funds will be used to boost salaries for troopers at Step 9 of the existing salary scale under the State Troopers Fraternal Association collective bargaining agreement. This supplemental appropriation supplements the state's 2024 budget (P.L.2023, c.74) and must be distributed per authority granted to the Civil Service Commission. The bill directly affects current troopers at Step 9 by providing targeted salary support to address staffing challenges.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 9, 2024

S 251: "Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Battery Management Act."

This New Jersey bill requires electric vehicle battery manufacturers and importers to label batteries with end-of-life information and prohibits disposing of used batteries as regular trash. It directly affects battery producers, vehicle manufacturers, and recyclers by mandating they create approved "battery management plans" to cover the collection, reuse, recycling, or safe disposal of used propulsion batteries. Producers must take responsibility for end-of-life management - either through direct take-back programs or by funding approved recyclers - within 180 days of the law's effective date. The law also bans solid waste facilities and collectors from accepting batteries for disposal as standard trash.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 9, 2024

A 2078: Eliminates vote on school budgets for Type II school districts in April elections, except for separate proposals to spend above cap.

This bill eliminates the requirement for Type II school districts in New Jersey to obtain voter approval of their base school budgets during April elections. However, districts must still seek voter approval for any proposals to spend funds above the established tax levy cap. Type II districts are those with a board of school estimate rather than a full board of education. The bill also allows districts with November elections to submit proposals for additional funds at the April election. These changes streamline the budget approval process while maintaining voter oversight of spending above established limits.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 9, 2024

A 1229: Expands eligibility for deer fencing grants to farmers leasing farmland.

This bill expands eligibility for deer fencing grants to farmers who lease farmland, requiring them to obtain written approval from the landowner before applying. Previously, only landowners could apply, but this change allows lessees to access grants for deer fencing costs, matching up to 50% of eligible expenses (capped at $50,000 per applicant). The bill also removes a requirement that the agreement to keep land in agricultural use for eight years be filed as a deed restriction. Additionally, it sets repayment rules: if the land is sold or taken out of farming within eight years, recipients must repay 50-100% of the grant based on when the violation occurs.

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 9, 2024

A 2382: Establishes Community Crisis Response Advisory Council and community crisis response teams pilot program; appropriates $10 million.

This bill establishes a Community Crisis Response Advisory Council within the Department of Health to develop recommendations for community crisis response programs. It creates a pilot program in Camden, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, and Passaic Counties to fund community-based crisis response teams that provide non-law enforcement intervention for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises, including mental health and substance use issues. The program appropriates $10 million, with grants up to $2 million per municipality for eligible community-based organizations that partner with harm reduction centers and meet specific community engagement criteria. The pilot requires annual reporting on program status and a final report after three years with recommendations for potential statewide expansion. The bill directly affects municipalities in the five counties, community-based organizations, and individuals experiencing behavioral health crises who would receive alternative crisis response services instead of law enforcement involvement.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Bill results