This bill protects tenants in New Jersey from having their water or wastewater service shut off due to unpaid bills by the property owner. It requires utility companies to give tenants 30 days of written notice before any service interruption and prohibits shutting off service if the tenant is not the official bill payer or lives in a multi-unit building with a single water connection. Under this law, utility companies must pursue outstanding payments from the property owner rather than the tenant, and the owner cannot legally charge the tenant for these past debts. The bill applies to both municipal water utilities and public utilities serving residential rental properties across the state.
This New Jersey bill mandates that courts must appoint a receiver to manage buildings that meet specific safety or maintenance criteria, rather than leaving such decisions to the court's discretion. A receiver will be required if a building has serious health and safety violations lasting at least 90 days or has a documented pattern of recurrent code violations over the past two years. The law also clarifies that courts must select a qualified entity, such as a mortgageholder or lienholder, to act as the receiver and allows for dismissal of complaints if the owner proves repairs were made or violations are minor. Additionally, the bill introduces stricter requirements for dismissing complaints, including a rule that plaintiffs must file a notice of lis pendens within 10 days of filing.
This bill allows for-profit movie theaters in New Jersey to obtain a special license to sell alcoholic beverages on their premises. Under the new rules, theaters can serve alcohol during scheduled showings and for two hours before a first-run movie begins. The license is tied specifically to the theater and cannot be transferred, with an annual application fee of $210,000 that is reduced to $150,000 if the venue sources at least 10% of its drinks from local small-scale producers. Additionally, this new license does not count toward the state's existing limit on how many such licenses a municipality can issue based on its population.
This joint resolution commemorates the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and requests that the Governor issue a proclamation to honor the victims and first responders. The bill directly affects state officials by asking them to acknowledge the historical significance of the day and reflect on the resilience shown by the American people. It also mandates that copies of the resolution be sent to federal leaders and members of Congress representing New Jersey. The measure does not change laws or allocate funds but serves as a formal state recognition of the event and its lasting impact.
This bill prevents the state from applying a six percent growth limit to school funding for the 2026-2027 school year. It directly affects school districts by ensuring they receive their full calculated aid for equalization, transportation, special education, and security categories without reduction. To fund this change, the legislation appropriates $332.6 million from the Property Tax Relief Fund to the Department of Education. The act takes effect immediately and overrides any existing rules that would have restricted these aid increases.
This bill creates a new program within the Department of Environmental Protection to help build wildlife corridors by partnering with private businesses, non-profits, and academic institutions. It also establishes a special license plate for vehicles that supports these conservation projects. Owners who choose these plates will pay an extra $50 application fee and $10 annual fee, which go into a dedicated investment fund to finance the construction and maintenance of wildlife crossings. The bill requires government officials to appoint a liaison to manage these partnerships and track how the money is used. Additionally, the bill mandates that the department report on the program's progress and effectiveness every five years.
This bill directs the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to create a mentoring program that pairs experienced farmers with new entrants to help them succeed. To implement this initiative, the department must collaborate with various agricultural and educational groups, such as Rutgers and the New Jersey Farm Bureau, while also establishing clear rules for who can participate as mentors or mentees. The legislation allows the department to partner with public or private organizations to run the program and requires the adoption of necessary regulations to put the plan into effect.
This bill amends the law governing the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) to require that at least three of the six members appointed by the Governor be residents of Atlantic County. The CRDA is the agency responsible for overseeing investment and development projects in Atlantic City, and this change directly affects the composition of its board of directors. Under the new provision, the residency requirement applies only to appointments made after the bill becomes effective, meaning current board members are not required to relocate. The legislation aims to ensure local representation on the board without altering the existing appointment process or the total number of seats.
This Senate Resolution designates May 25, 2026, as "Missing Children's Day" in New Jersey to raise public awareness about missing children and honor the efforts of families, law enforcement, and support organizations. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a commemorative observance to highlight the risks children face when they go missing and the importance of quick reporting. It recognizes that missing children represent a significant portion of missing persons cases and aims to promote community vigilance and support for those affected by child disappearances.
This bill creates the Hazardous School Route Grant Program within the New Jersey Department of Education to improve pedestrian safety for students walking to school. It allocates $15 million in funding to help school districts address dangerous walking paths where courtesy bus services are not available. To qualify, districts must demonstrate financial need and have previously adopted policies identifying hazardous routes, while municipalities must handle permits and long-term maintenance. The program allows grants of up to $1 million per district for projects like capital improvements or temporary transportation, with applications prioritized based on the severity of risks and the number of students affected.
This bill requires public school principals and teachers in New Jersey to lead a daily two-sentence recitation of the Declaration of Independence for students in grades three through twelve. The specific text to be read covers the famous preamble regarding equality and the consent of the governed, and it must occur after the pledge of allegiance but before the school day begins. To support this requirement, the legislation appropriates $10,000 to the Department of Education to create and distribute notices to school districts outlining the new obligation. Additionally, the bill mandates that schools develop an age-appropriate curriculum explaining the historical significance of the recited passage and includes exemptions for students with conscientious objections or children of foreign diplomats.
This bill updates New Jersey's laws regarding endangered plant species by clarifying definitions and expanding the state's ability to manage invasive plants. It directs the Department of Environmental Protection to create a list of endangered plants based on federal designations, rarity, or having five or fewer populations in the state, while explicitly excluding invasive species from this protection. The legislation also grants the department authority to control or remove invasive plants even if they grow near endangered species, provided such actions do not violate federal laws. These changes aim to balance the conservation of rare native flora with the prevention of environmental damage caused by aggressive non-native plants.
