Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3776: Establishes fund to reimburse municipalities for police and sanitation costs related to crowding at MVC sites; appropriates $500,000.

This bill (A 3776) creates a $500,000 fund to reimburse New Jersey municipalities for specific police and sanitation costs incurred managing crowds at Motor Vehicles Commission (MVC) locations during the COVID-19 emergency period. It directly affects municipalities that spent on crowd control, traffic management, litter/garbage collection, and portable restrooms at MVC sites. Municipalities must apply through the Division of Local Government Services to receive reimbursement, with funds limited to the $500,000 appropriation. The program is retroactive to March 9, 2020, and ends when the state's emergency declarations conclude.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $500,000 to reimburse municipalities for essential police/sanitation services at MVC sites, directly funding government expenditure during emergency.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3533: Excludes certain services rendered in connection with installation of carpeting and other flooring from sales and use tax.

This bill amends New Jersey's tax code to exclude the installation of carpeting and other flooring from sales and use tax. It directly affects flooring installers and homeowners who pay for installation services, as they will no longer be charged the 7% tax on these labor costs. The key mechanism is an amendment to Section 3(b)(2) of the tax law, explicitly removing "services rendered in installing property which, when installed, will constitute an addition or capital improvement to real property" from taxable services - specifically adding carpeting and flooring to the existing list of exempt services. The bill does not affect taxes on the flooring materials themselves, only the installation labor. It was introduced in 2026 and referred to the Assembly Commerce Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes flooring installation from sales tax, providing direct tax relief to homeowners and installers by removing 7% tax on labor costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1189: "Fully Funding Schools and Cutting Property Taxes Act"; repeals certain sections of law; requires additional aid to lower property taxes commensurate with residents' ability to support schools; appropriates $2.9 billion.

This bill (A-1189) requires New Jersey to provide additional state school funding to reduce property tax burdens for residents. It directly affects school districts that experienced state aid reductions between 2018-2019 and 2022-2023, directing the state to pay them retroactive aid equal to their past funding losses. Key mechanisms include calculating base aid amounts based on historical funding formulas, mandating districts receiving increased state aid to lower property tax levies by the same amount, and requiring annual property tax reductions if state aid rises. The bill appropriates $2.9 billion to implement these changes, aiming to ensure school funding aligns with residents' ability to pay property taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $2.9B to fund schools and mandates property tax cuts for residents, directly reducing tax burdens while increasing state education spending.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates $2.9B state aid to restore school funding cuts (2018-2023), requiring districts to lower property taxes. Directly increases educational funding and reduces financial burden on schools/residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax State Budget School Funding

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3350: Establishes gross income tax credit for full-time tuition cost at certain New Jersey institutions of post-secondary education.

S 3350 creates a New Jersey tax credit for residents with gross income under $150,000 who pay full-time tuition at qualifying in-state institutions. It provides a 10% credit on tuition costs, capped at $1,000 per year, for either the taxpayer’s own education or for dependents under age 22. The credit applies to four-year public colleges, county colleges, and accredited vocational schools in New Jersey. Taxpayers cannot claim this credit if they already deducted the tuition for the dependent or if a parent claimed it for them. The credit is available for taxable years starting January 1 after the bill’s enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit for tuition, reducing tax burden for middle-income residents under $150k, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides 10% tax credit for in-state tuition at public/vocational colleges, increasing affordability and access to higher education for NJ residents under $150k income.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3273: Increases gross income tax deduction available to veterans from $6,000 to $12,000.

S 3273 increases New Jersey's tax deduction for eligible veterans from $6,000 to $12,000, directly affecting veterans honorably discharged from active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard, or reserve components. The bill amends the state's tax code to double the deduction amount available when calculating gross income tax liability. This change applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date. The deduction remains available to qualifying veterans regardless of other personal exemptions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax deduction for veterans, reducing their tax liability - a direct tax relief measure aligning with support indicators for middle/lower income tax relief.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDoubles tax deduction for veterans, expanding financial benefits directly addressing veterans' tax relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1133: Establishes $40 daily pay rate for jurors and certain other juror benefits; appropriates $20 million.

This proposed bill would increase New Jersey jury pay from $5 to $40 per day for all grand and petit jurors, replacing the current rate. It adds travel reimbursement (based on standard mileage for cars or actual fares for public transit) and toll reimbursements for jurors traveling to court. Private employers with 10 or more employees would be required to pay up to five days' salary during jury duty, without using the employee’s paid time off. The bill appropriates $20 million from the General Fund to cover these new costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $20M to fund increased jury pay ($40/day) and benefits, directly advancing public service funding per Budget & Taxes indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases jury pay to $40/day, mandates employer pay during duty without PTO use, and appropriates $20M - directly advancing worker compensation benefits and employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3717: Requires DHS and DOH, respectively, to provide information to SNAP, WFNJ, and WIC recipients regarding card skimming, cloning, and similar fraudulent activities and to replace stolen benefits; makes appropriation.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) and Department of Health (DOH) to provide SNAP (food assistance), WFNJ (cash assistance), and WIC (nutrition program) recipients with clear information about card skimming, cloning, and fraud prevention. It mandates that agencies replace stolen benefits through established claims processes using federal funds (per the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act) or state funds if federal funds are unavailable. DHS and DOH must also coordinate with card vendors to implement security measures like embedded microchips and transaction alerts. The bill directly affects millions of low-income New Jersey residents who rely on these programs for essential support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates state/federal appropriation to replace stolen SNAP/WIC benefits, ensuring essential program funding via budget allocation per 2023 federal act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2634: Extends certain federal income tax advantages of individual health savings accounts to individual taxpayers under the New Jersey gross income tax.

This bill extends New Jersey's state income tax benefits for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to mirror the federal tax advantages currently available to individual taxpayers. It amends existing law (P.L.1992, c.161) to align New Jersey's gross income tax treatment with federal HSA rules, allowing residents to deduct HSA contributions and enjoy tax-free growth on savings. The policy change directly affects New Jersey individual taxpayers who use HSAs for qualified medical expenses. The bill does not alter health insurance plan requirements or coverage provisions but adjusts state tax treatment to match federal standards. It remains pending before the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends tax deductions for HSA contributions, aligning NJ tax treatment with federal rules to provide individual taxpayer relief.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends tax benefits for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), enabling tax-free savings for medical expenses and improving healthcare affordability access for NJ residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Insurance

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1954: Allows gross income tax deduction for surviving spouses of certain veterans.

This New Jersey bill adds a $3,000 annual deduction to the state's gross income tax for surviving spouses of veterans who: (1) died while on active duty, (2) were honorably discharged from active duty, or (3) were released under honorable circumstances from active duty. It directly affects surviving spouses of qualifying veterans who do not remarry, providing tax relief equivalent to the deduction previously available only to living veterans. The deduction is applied against gross income each year the spouse qualifies, ending if they remarry. The policy extends existing tax benefits for veterans' families to acknowledge the financial impact on surviving spouses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides $3,000 annual tax deduction for qualifying veterans' surviving spouses, offering direct tax relief per bill summary.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides $3,000 annual tax deduction for surviving spouses of qualifying veterans, expanding benefits previously available only to living veterans, directly strengthening veteran support services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Military Families

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

ACR 27: Proposes constitutional amendment to increase veterans' property tax deduction to $1,000, and base future deductions on annual CPI increases.

ACR 27 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase New Jersey's veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $1,000 annually, effective for tax year 2021. It would also tie future adjustments to annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) increases, ensuring the deduction grows with inflation while never decreasing. This change directly affects honorably discharged veterans, their surviving spouses, and veterans living in continuing care retirement communities. The amendment requires voter approval after legislative passage, as it modifies the state constitution. If approved, the deduction would automatically adjust yearly based on inflation without legislative action.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $1,000, providing direct tax relief for eligible veterans, aligning with support indicators for tax relief measures.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $1,000 annually, tied to CPI, expanding financial benefits for veterans and spouses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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