This bill allows New Jersey municipalities to pass local laws that exempt duplexes and small rows of three townhouses from mandatory structural inspections required by the state's structural integrity law. Under the new rules, local governing bodies must adopt an ordinance to opt out of these inspections for specific types of planned real estate developments within their borders. The legislation also updates legal definitions to clarify what counts as an "excluded structure," ensuring these smaller multi-unit buildings are treated similarly to single-family homes regarding inspection requirements. By giving local control over this exemption, the bill adjusts how the state's existing safety mandates apply to certain residential properties.
This New Jersey bill requires emergency departments at licensed general hospitals to give parents or guardians of children in mental health crises contact information for local care management organizations. These organizations are defined as county-based nonprofits that offer face-to-face support to youth with complex needs and their families. The law aims to connect families with community resources during urgent situations by ensuring this information is provided directly at the hospital. The changes will become effective 90 days after the bill is signed into law.
This bill allows New Jersey school districts to use leftover state funding from one nonpublic school program to pay for another, rather than requiring them to return the unused money to the state. Specifically, it permits funds originally designated for nursing services to be applied toward security services, and vice versa, if a district spends less than the amount received for either program. The legislation amends existing laws governing state aid for nonpublic schools to streamline how districts manage these specific financial resources.
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.
