New Jersey Bills

signed · New Jersey · Senate Jul 10, 2024

S 3371: Revises limits for net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values for certain annuity policies and contracts from $100,000 to $250,000.

This bill increases the maximum amount the New Jersey Life and Health Guaranty Association can pay to policyholders for net cash surrender or withdrawal values on certain annuity policies from $100,000 to $250,000 when an insurance company becomes insolvent. It directly affects annuity policyholders who would otherwise face limits on accessing the cash value of their policies if their insurer becomes insolvent. The key provision revises the financial coverage limits in New Jersey's guaranty association law for these specific types of annuity contracts. This change applies to annuity policies issued or renewed on or after the effective date, which is 90 days following enactment.

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jul 10, 2024

A 4458: Establishes exemptions and revises implementation timeline for requirement that newly constructed townhouses be installed with automatic fire sprinkler system.

This bill modifies New Jersey's requirement for automatic fire sprinkler systems in new townhouses. It extends the deadline for installation from 7 months to 13 months after the original law's enactment (P.L.2023, c.265) and exempts townhouse projects that submitted construction permit applications before this bill passed. The bill also delays the deadline for the Commissioner of Community Affairs to adopt related building code rules from 5 months to 12 months after enactment. These changes primarily affect developers and builders constructing new townhouses under specific building codes.

Topics ✓ Housing

signed · New Jersey · Senate Jul 10, 2024

S 3385: Concerns deadline for municipality to report certain non-residential development fee information.

This bill extends the deadline for municipalities to report non-residential development fee collections from 90 to 180 days after the enactment of a related law (P.L.2024, c.2). It directly affects municipalities authorized to collect and retain these fees (typically for commercial construction projects), requiring them to submit detailed accounting of all collected fees since authorization. The bill also applies retroactively to validate reports submitted within 180 days of the March 2024 law's enactment, harmonizing inconsistent reporting requirements. The change does not alter the fee calculation (2.5% of assessed value) or exemption rules.

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 28, 2024

A 4702: Phases out sales and use tax exemption on zero emission vehicles; repeals annual sales tax holiday for certain school supplies and sport or recreational equipment.

This bill phases out New Jersey's sales tax exemption for zero-emission vehicles (EVs) in two steps: a temporary 3.3125% tax applies to EV sales from October 2024 through June 2025, then the standard 6.625% sales tax applies starting July 2025. It also repeals the annual sales tax holiday for school supplies, computers, instructional materials, and sport/recreational equipment that previously exempted these items during a ten-day period each September. The bill directly affects EV buyers (who will pay tax instead of exemption) and retailers selling those specific school/sports items (who lose the tax holiday period). These changes implement policy adjustments proposed in the Governor’s 2025 budget.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Education ✗ Energy

signed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 28, 2024

S 1446: Modifies down payment assistance program for benefit of first-generation and first-time homebuyers; makes an appropriation.

This bill modifies New Jersey's down payment assistance program to provide additional support for first-generation homebuyers. It increases the maximum down payment assistance to $20,000 for first-time homebuyers, with an extra $7,000-$10,000 specifically for first-generation homebuyers (defined as individuals whose parents never owned residential property and who may have been in foster care). The program requires recipients to use the home as their primary residence for five years, complete homebuyer counseling, and repay the loan if they move before the five-year term. The assistance is structured as a zero-interest, forgivable loan if all conditions are met.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

signed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 28, 2024

S 2491: Increases maximum number of respite care service hours funded through DCF for certain families.

This bill increases the maximum respite care service hours available to eligible families in New Jersey. It allows families caring for children with functional impairments to access up to 90 hours of respite care (temporary relief for caregivers) over a 90-day period, funded through the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Respite care can be provided by either an agency-hired worker (paid through DCF contracts) or a self-hired worker (paid directly by the family). The Commissioner of Children and Families must use existing state and federal funds to implement this change, without altering eligibility criteria.

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 28, 2024

A 2027: Establishes One-Year State Work First New Jersey Menstrual Hygiene Benefit Pilot Program and State Work First New Jersey Diaper Benefit Pilot Program; appropriates $2.5 million to DHS.*

This bill establishes two new benefit programs under New Jersey's Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) cash assistance program. It provides eligible participants with a $14 monthly benefit for menstrual hygiene products (tampons, pads, or cups) for individuals aged 18-50, and a $30 monthly benefit per child under 36 months for diaper products. Benefits are added to participants' existing WFNJ electronic cards on the same schedule as regular benefits, with unspent funds carrying over monthly. The $2.5 million appropriation funds these programs, which directly affect low-income WFNJ recipients and their dependent children.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 28, 2024

A 4704: Imposes 2.5 percent corporate transit fee on taxpayers with allocated taxable net income in excess of $10 million under CBT.

This bill imposes a 2.5% fee on corporations with New Jersey taxable income exceeding $10 million for tax years 2024-2028, excluding S corporations and public utilities. It requires affected businesses to pay this fee in addition to their existing corporate business tax. All revenue collected (minus funds constitutionally reserved for open space/farmland) will fund New Jersey Transit’s operating expenses and help cover the state’s share for federal transit capital projects starting in 2026. The fee is calculated on the same income base used for corporate business tax, with no credits allowed except for prior overpayments or estimated payments.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 28, 2024

A 1669: Removes obstacles to teacher certification for certain teachers; repeals law establishing alternative certificate of eligibility.*

This bill removes the requirement for teacher candidates in New Jersey to pass a basic skills test (such as the Praxis Core) to obtain certain teaching certificates. Specifically, it eliminates the need for candidates seeking a certificate of eligibility, certificate of eligibility with advanced standing, provisional certificate, or standard instructional certificate to complete a Commissioner-approved test of basic reading, writing, and math skills. The change directly affects individuals pursuing teaching certification in the state by streamlining the certification process. It repeals the existing law requiring these tests, making certification more accessible for educators meeting other standard qualifications. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 28, 2024

A 4708: Appropriates $5 million to the Department of State for Cultural Projects.

This bill eliminates a provision that would have required the state to stop collecting hotel and motel occupancy fees if annual funding for cultural projects fell below minimums. It ensures fees continue being collected regardless of whether the specified minimums for cultural funding are met in the state budget. The change directly affects hotels, motels, and short-term rental platforms that collect these fees, as they will no longer face suspension of collections due to budget shortfalls. This maintains consistent funding streams for cultural programs under the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and other designated entities.

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 28, 2024

A 4700: Appropriates $56,635,803,000 in State funds and $27,501,993,844 in federal funds for the State budget for fiscal year 2025.

This bill authorizes $56.6 billion in state funds and $27.5 billion in federal funds for New Jersey's fiscal year 2025 budget. It provides the necessary funding to support state government operations and public programs for the upcoming fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. The bill establishes the financial framework for state spending and disbursement of these funds to various departments and programs. This is a routine budget appropriation measure that allocates resources to support New Jersey's public services and government functions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 28, 2024

S 3511: Appropriates $393,480,000 from "New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund"; establishes process for authorizing future appropriations for debt defeasance and capital projects.

S 3511 allocates $393.48 million from New Jersey's Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund to fund specific state capital projects. It directs funds to the Department of Environmental Protection for Liberty State Park improvements (athletic fields, community center, and Greenway projects), the Department of Law and Public Safety for a juvenile facility, State Police Training Center, and forensic laboratory, the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs to convert veterans' homes to single-occupancy rooms, and the Office of Information Technology for data center upgrades. The bill also establishes a process for future fund appropriations, requiring State Treasurer reports to the Joint Budget Oversight Committee for debt retirement or capital projects. This legislation directly affects state departments managing these infrastructure projects and the public benefiting from improved facilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Veterans

Bill results