This bill appropriates $4 million from New Jersey's General Fund to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to cover the state's portion of the local cost share required for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers beach replenishment project on the Barnegat Peninsula in Ocean County. It directly affects Ocean County municipalities, which face an unaffordable $7.5 million local cost share for the project after federal funding covers most costs. The $4 million helps meet the state's obligation, enabling the project - scheduled for late 2022/early 2023 - to proceed and protect 14 miles of coastline from erosion and flooding. The funding is specifically for the state's share of the nonfederal cost, not the project's total expense.
This bill eliminates the requirement for students to provide a sales tax exemption form when purchasing textbooks, and removes the need for schools to formally declare textbooks as required for school. It directly affects students (especially those buying online), schools, and retailers by simplifying the tax exemption process. Key provisions include removing all form submissions, clarifying that rentals and all textbook formats (new, used, electronic, physical) qualify for exemption, and removing school approval requirements. The change applies immediately to all textbook sales and rentals without needing proof of school use.
This bill increases the tax revenue dedicated to New Jersey's wine promotion account from $0.47 to $0.875 per gallon on sales of wine, vermouth, and sparkling wine by New Jersey wineries. It directly affects licensed wineries (both plenary and farm wineries) that pay this tax under the state's Alcoholic Beverage Tax Law. The funds will be used by the Department of Agriculture for promoting New Jersey wine and supporting viticultural research, as recommended by the Wine Industry Advisory Council. The change makes 100% of this specific tax revenue go to the promotion account, up from the previous 54% rate.
S 1317 allows New Jersey taxpayers to deduct certain payments made to private lake associations from their gross income. Specifically, it permits deductions for membership fees, dam project assessments (for dam construction/repair), and potable water system assessments (for safe drinking water systems). This applies only to payments made to lake associations defined as private property owner groups with exclusive lake access (not open to the public). The deduction reduces taxable income for individuals who pay these specific fees to qualifying lake associations, effective for taxable years starting January 1 after enactment.
S 2015 requires most New Jersey employers to provide up to two full paid workdays for employees to attend their children's school events (like conferences or meetings), in addition to existing earned sick leave. Employers offering this benefit would receive tax credits equal to the wages paid during those days, reducing their corporate or income tax liability. The tax credits are capped at $10 million annually, with reports to the legislature on program usage. The bill is pending and would take effect in 2025.
This bill (S 3185) modifies how assessments are calculated for ambulatory care facilities in New Jersey. It requires facilities providing specific outpatient services (like surgery, MRI, or rehabilitation) to pay an assessment based on gross receipts, but exempts those with less than $300,000 in annual revenue. The assessment applies to facilities licensed for services listed in state regulations, excluding hospital off-site facilities. The bill was withdrawn after being approved as part of P.L.2025, c.336, meaning it became law through another legislative action.
This bill establishes a three-year Skilled Trades Career Exploration Pilot Program for high school students in New Jersey, appropriating $5 million from the General Fund. It provides grants to school districts to develop or expand career and technical education programs, acquire equipment/facilities, and train instructors. Five school districts per region (southern, central, northern) will be selected to participate, with all grantees required to submit annual impact reports. The program aims to strengthen vocational pathways for high school students through targeted school district support.
This bill requires all New Jersey state, county, private, and juvenile correctional facilities to provide free voice calls, video calls, and email services for incarcerated people. It eliminates all costs for both inmates and their families by banning per-minute charges (previously up to 11 cents), surcharges, commissions, or fees on these services. Facilities must maintain current access levels and transfer any remaining prepaid funds to inmates' commissary accounts. The bill appropriates funds from the General Fund to cover implementation costs and takes effect six months after enactment.
S 1569 creates tax benefits for New Jersey taxpayers aged 18-71 who contribute to "lifelong learning accounts" designed for education expenses. It excludes up to $2,500 in annual employer contributions and account earnings from gross income, and provides a 50% tax credit (up to $500) for individual contributions. Distributions used for qualified education expenses (like tuition, books, or training courses) remain tax-free, while non-qualified withdrawals incur a 5% penalty. The bill defines strict account rules, including annual contribution limits, prohibitions on investments in life insurance or collectibles, and requirements for account administration.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to immediately conduct bank stabilization projects on waterways experiencing significant erosion that has damaged homes or caused land loss, but only if the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has conducted flood control work upstream. It mandates the DEP to consult with local municipal engineers and affected homeowners during project planning and to expedite emergency permits under flood control laws. The bill appropriates $10 million from the state general fund specifically for these projects, with additional funding requests requiring immediate notification to budget officials if needed. It directly affects residents in flood-prone areas near waterways with upstream Corps of Engineers projects.
