This bill establishes a new calculation method for retirement costs at New Jersey's public colleges and universities (like Rutgers and NJIT), requiring the state to set a separate "fringe benefit rate" reflecting actual retirement expenses. It also requires public institutions to pay for health insurance coverage for part-time faculty (including adjuncts and lecturers) who taught at least 24 credits in the prior fiscal year and 12 credits in the current year, making them eligible for benefits as if they were full-time. Employers must cover the full cost of health plans, shifting this responsibility from part-time faculty who meet the teaching credit thresholds. The bill aims to standardize retirement cost accounting and expand health coverage access for qualifying part-time educators.
This bill increases the tax rate on fire insurance premiums collected by out-of-state insurers from 2% to 3% for properties located in New Jersey. It directly affects non-New Jersey-based fire insurers and their agents/brokers who place insurance with such companies. The tax is calculated on premiums received during the prior year and paid annually to the New Jersey State Firemen's Association. Funds collected are allocated to local fire districts or, if no local association exists, to the New Jersey Firemen's Home for operational expenses and capital projects. The change applies to all fire insurance premiums excluding those on stored vehicles.
ACR 31 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing New Jersey municipalities to create partial property tax exemptions for volunteer firefighters and first responders' primary homes. It would authorize cities or towns to pass local ordinances providing exemptions of up to 10% of a home's assessed value for active volunteer members of fire companies or first aid/rescue squads serving that municipality. The exemption applies only to the primary residence of eligible volunteers, with municipalities deciding the exact percentage (up to 10%) and the state not required to reimburse lost tax revenue. This amendment must be approved by voters before it can take effect.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health and Department of Corrections to reimburse volunteer emergency service organizations for expenses related to false alarms at specific state facilities. It covers costs for damaged or used emergency equipment and vehicles when volunteers respond to alarms that don't involve actual emergencies at state psychiatric hospitals, developmental centers, or correctional facilities. The reimbursement is in addition to any existing penalties for false alarms and does not affect volunteers' status. The state must appropriate funds annually from the General Fund to cover these reimbursements.
This bill directs New Jersey to use excess revenue from energy sales and use taxes (above the 2025 fiscal year level) into the Universal Service Fund. The fund supports utility assistance programs like the Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric Program, which helps low-income households with energy costs. It specifically allocates funds when tax collections exceed the 2025 baseline, ensuring ongoing support for these programs. The policy directly affects utility assistance programs and the households they serve.
This bill creates a New Jersey state tax deduction for businesses that donate food from their inventory to qualified charities. It allows taxpayers to deduct the same amount for state income tax as they could claim under federal tax rules (as of December 2013) for donations of "apparently wholesome" food - meaning food meeting safety standards but unsellable due to appearance, age, or surplus. The deduction applies regardless of whether the business claims a federal charitable deduction. It directly affects New Jersey businesses that donate excess food inventory to IRS-qualified charitable organizations.
This bill provides an additional $250,000 in state funding for the Agricultural Experiment Station to develop deer-resistant native plant species. It directly affects the Agricultural Experiment Station (part of Rutgers University) and aims to mitigate deer-related damage to New Jersey's agricultural crops, gardens, and natural ecosystems. The key mechanism involves collecting plant cuttings and seeds from regional species, developing propagation protocols, and testing plants with natural deer-resistance traits. This project explores nonlethal methods to reduce deer damage, addressing concerns like crop loss and ecosystem disruption linked to New Jersey's estimated 125,000 deer.
S 3618, the "Long-Term Budget Outlook Act," requires New Jersey's State Treasurer to prepare and submit two annual fiscal reports to the Governor and Legislature. The reports must project the state's budget trajectory for the current fiscal year and the next two years, including distinct deficit estimates under optimistic, pessimistic, and baseline economic scenarios. They must detail anticipated appropriations, revenues, fund balances, and explain all assumptions and methods used - including adjustments for inflation, population changes, and program expansions - using a "current services basis" approach. The first report is due by April 1 (or the Treasurer's first budget committee appearance), and a revised update is due by May 31 (or the second appearance). This bill directly affects state budget planning by mandating transparent, multi-year fiscal forecasting for legislative and executive decision-making.
This bill allows New Jersey school districts to establish tax relief trust funds via board resolution. School boards may accept donations (bequests, gifts, or legacies) into these funds, which must be used exclusively to reduce local property taxes for residents in the district. A non-school board trustee must be appointed to manage the fund, remit payments to the tax collector, and ensure funds directly offset the annual property tax levy. The trust fund rules require clear documentation of how tax reductions will be applied each year. This creates a new mechanism for districts to potentially lower property tax burdens through community contributions, without affecting state aid eligibility.
This bill provides an additional $500,000 from the Property Tax Relief Fund to the Borough of North Caldwell specifically for restoring the Walker’s Family Home at Walker’s Park and the surrounding 17-acre park property. The funds are intended to cover restoration costs for the historic home and park, which the borough acquired in 2016. The appropriation is added to the existing 2024 state budget through a supplemental funding measure. The borough will determine how to use the restored property after completion.
