New Jersey Bills

signed · New Jersey · Senate Apr 11, 2024

S 2969: Provides counties discretion related to retirement of county debt service and amount that can be raised under property tax levy cap.

This bill allows New Jersey counties to use property tax revenue for debt payments without counting those payments toward the 2.5% annual limit on property tax increases. It amends existing law to explicitly include all debt service (such as bond payments) as an exception to the tax levy cap, removing this cost from the calculation that determines allowable tax hikes. The policy directly affects counties by giving them greater flexibility to fund outstanding bonds and loans without triggering the cap. This change simplifies budgeting for debt obligations while maintaining the overall tax increase limit for other spending.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 26, 2024

A 4011: Revises "New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority Act," revises calculation of gas tax rate, and establishes annual fee for zero emission vehicles.

This New Jersey bill extends the Transportation Trust Fund Authority's bond issuance capacity from $12 billion to $15.6 billion through 2029 and establishes an annual fee of $250 for zero emission vehicle owners starting July 1, 2024 (increasing by $10 annually to $290 by 2028). It also modifies the gas tax rate calculation to gradually increase annual revenue targets from $2.032 billion in 2025 to $2.366 billion in 2029. The fee revenues and adjusted gas tax collections will be credited to the Transportation Trust Fund to support transportation infrastructure projects, with the zero emission vehicle fees specifically going to the fund's capital reserves.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Transportation

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 20, 2024

A 2296: Permits municipality to authorize municipal clerk to submit certain written statements concerning affordable housing.*

This bill allows New Jersey municipalities to authorize their municipal clerks, rather than the full governing body, to provide written statements supporting affordable housing projects. This change would make it easier for housing projects to qualify for state funding from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund by accepting a clerk's statement instead of requiring a formal resolution from the entire municipal council. The bill also streamlines the application process for housing loans by allowing the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) to accept the clerk's statement as proof of municipal need. It applies to any affordable housing project that conforms to the municipality's fair share housing plan. The bill is designed to simplify the process for communities to support affordable housing development without requiring full council approval for every project.

Topics ✓ Housing

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 20, 2024

A 2267: Requires HMFA to establish affordable housing insurance pilot program; appropriates $5 million.*

This bill allows for-profit organizations that provide low- and moderate-income housing to join with non-profit housing groups and housing authorities in shared insurance funds. It defines eligible for-profit entities as those focused on housing developments under state fair share plans or federal Section 8 programs. The shared funds cannot include municipalities, school boards, or offer health/life insurance to employees, but may provide environmental liability coverage or join higher-level insurance pools for excess risks. This changes how these housing entities access insurance options under existing law, without creating new funding or a pilot program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 20, 2024

A 4: Reforms municipal responsibilities concerning provision of affordable housing; abolishes COAH; appropriates $16 million.

This bill abolishes New Jersey's Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) and replaces its system with a new municipal framework for meeting affordable housing obligations. Municipalities must now determine their own "fair share" of low- and moderate-income housing through binding resolutions, using state-published calculations, while allowing advocates to contest these determinations. The law appropriates $16 million for housing programs to support new construction and rehabilitation of substandard housing, particularly in urban areas. It directly affects all New Jersey municipalities and low-to-moderate-income residents seeking housing, ending regional contribution agreements and establishing clearer deadlines to prevent previous compliance gaps.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 20, 2024

A 3337: Allows projects supported by State or municipal affordable housing trust fund to be exempt from property tax and to instead contribute to municipal services by making payments in lieu of taxation.

This bill allows affordable housing projects funded by New Jersey's State or municipal affordable housing trust funds to be exempt from property taxes. Instead of paying property taxes, housing sponsors would make payments to municipalities equal to up to 20% of the project's annual gross revenue. These agreements between housing sponsors and municipalities must be reviewed by the Commissioner of Community Affairs and expire when the eligible loan for the project is paid in full. The policy directly affects housing developers, municipalities, and low-to-moderate income households who benefit from subsidized housing projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

signed · New Jersey · Senate Mar 20, 2024

S 1422: Allows taxpayers to utilize alternative method of depreciation of certain expenditures in connection with construction of new affordable housing developments.

This New Jersey bill (S 1422) modifies state tax rules to encourage new affordable housing development. It allows developers to deduct a larger portion of construction costs over a 10-year period based on the percentage of affordable units in a project - specifically, 2 times the ratio of affordable units to total units. To qualify, projects must include at least 20% affordable units (for households earning ≤80% of regional median income), avoid federal/subsidy funding for affordable units, and begin construction after the bill's effective date. The change applies to eligible construction costs for developments completed in the 2025 tax year and later.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 20, 2024

A 1495: Exempts receipts from sales of materials, supplies, and services for certain affordable housing projects from sales and use tax.

This bill exempts sales of materials, supplies, and services used in building or improving affordable housing projects from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It specifically applies to projects where all housing units are intended for moderate, low, or very low-income residents, as defined by state law. The exemption covers transactions with contractors or repairmen for these projects, reducing development costs for housing sponsors. This expands existing tax exemptions to include a new category of affordable housing developments.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 8, 2024

A 1704: Requires domestic violence orders to be issued in other languages in addition to English under certain circumstances.

This bill requires New Jersey domestic violence protection orders (TROs) and related victim notices to be available in multiple languages, not just English. Specifically, it mandates that court notices and temporary restraining order templates be prepared in English, Spanish, and up to 10 additional high-demand languages spoken in the state. The Administrative Office of the Courts must create these multilingual materials to ensure victims with limited English proficiency can understand their rights and legal options. This directly affects domestic violence victims who speak languages other than English, improving access to critical legal protections.

signed · New Jersey · Senate Jan 8, 2024

S 1438: Allows unions to file wage claim suits on behalf of workers regardless of their union affiliation.

Approved P.L.2023, c.210.

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 8, 2024

A 1475: Requires court to consider information concerning coercive control in domestic violence proceedings.*

This New Jersey bill (A-1475, now P.L.2023, c.230) requires courts to consider "coercive control" when deciding domestic violence restraining orders. Coercive control is defined as patterns of behavior that unreasonably interfere with a person’s freedom, including isolating victims from support, depriving them of basics, controlling finances, or using threats (like those based on immigration status). The bill adds this factor to the list courts must evaluate alongside other considerations like past abuse and immediate danger. It directly affects domestic violence victims and courts handling restraining order cases by ensuring non-physical control tactics are formally addressed.

signed · New Jersey · Senate Jan 8, 2024

S 2716: Requires NJ FamilyCare to reimburse claims for covered services submitted by clinical social workers, professional counselors, and marriage and family therapists under certain circumstances.*

Approved P.L.2023, c.213.

Bill results