Budget & Taxes

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3185: Makes changes to how uniform gross receipts assessment are charged to ambulatory care facilities.

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 The bill was withdrawn after being approved as part of P.L.2025, c.336, meaning it became law through another legislative action.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates targeted tax assessment on ambulatory facilities, modifying revenue collection method for specific services, directly impacting tax policy.90% confidence

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 924: Establishes Skilled Trades Career Exploration Pilot Program; appropriates $5 million.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $5M from General Fund to fund skilled trades education programs, directly advancing state budget allocation for public education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $5M for high school career exploration programs, funding technical education expansion and instructor training per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Career & Technical Education K-12 Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 436: Provides free telecommunication services for incarcerated persons at State, county, and private adult and juvenile correctional facilities.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds to cover free telecom services, funding a public service without cost to inmates/families.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates costs for inmate communication, promoting family ties to reduce recidivism - key criminal justice reform indicator95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates free email/video calls (expanding internet access for incarcerated individuals), aligning with digital access promotion under technology policy indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1569: Establishes certain exclusions and credits under gross income and corporation business taxes for contributions to lifelong learning accounts.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax credits (50% up to $500) and income exclusions for education savings, reducing taxable income and offering relief to taxpayers, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tax credits/exclusions for education expenses, increasing affordability and access to lifelong learning through financial incentives for individuals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Higher Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1023: Requires DEP to undertake bank stabilization project under certain circumstances; appropriates $10 million.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $10M for DEP bank stabilization projects, directly funding a state environmental program under budget authority.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds DEP bank stabilization to prevent erosion/damage to waterways, directly protecting natural resources and infrastructure. Appropriates $10M for environmental conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Coastal & Flood Protection

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1652: Establishes one-time tax credits for certain organic farmers.

This bill provides a one-time tax credit to New Jersey organic farmers who paid certification fees between May 30 and December 31, 2022. Eligible farmers receive a credit equal to the difference between fees paid to private certification companies and fees paid to the state Department of Agriculture during that period. The credit applies to farmers certified by both systems (state and private) and meeting federal organic standards. It covers only the 2022 certification period and does not create ongoing tax benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides one-time tax credit to organic farmers for certification fees, reducing tax burden and aligning with tax relief indicators for small agricultural businesses.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProvides tax credits for organic certification, incentivizing sustainable farming practices that reduce chemical use and protect soil health, aligning with environmental conservation goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 860: Provides a corporation business tax credit for investment in certain manufacturing equipment, facility renovation, modernization, and expansion.

S 860 provides New Jersey corporations a 20% tax credit for costs of new manufacturing equipment and facility renovations, modernizations, or expansions at eligible manufacturing sites within the state. It directly affects businesses operating in New Jersey that qualify as "manufacturing facilities" (defined as locations where over 50% of property is manufacturing equipment). The credit applies to equipment used in producing taxable goods and facility upgrades, with unused credits carryable forward for up to seven years. The bill excludes these investments from other tax credits like the New Jobs Investment Credit and limits the total credit to 50% of tax liability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides 20% tax credit for manufacturing investments, reducing corporate tax burden to stimulate business growth and economic development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2702: Establishes marine firefighting training course requirements for certain firefighters; appropriates $140 million.

This bill requires all paid and volunteer firefighters in New Jersey municipalities within coastal zones to complete mandatory marine firefighting training. Firefighters must complete basic training within one year of the law's effective date, advanced training within two years of basic, and biennial in-service training thereafter. The law appropriates $140 million from the General Fund to fund the training programs and Coast Guard-approved courses developed by the Division of Fire Safety. It applies to all firefighters engaged in fire suppression or rescue in coastal communities, defined as those included in the state's Coastal Management program under federal law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $140M from General Fund for mandatory firefighter training, directly funding a public safety program per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates marine firefighting training for coastal firefighters with $140M funding, directly improving workplace safety standards for first responders.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2967: Requires State to adopt practices to reduce SNAP benefits theft and to replace stolen SNAP benefits under certain circumstances; upgrades criminal penalties for SNAP benefits theft; makes appropriation.

This bill (S 2967) requires New Jersey to implement security measures to prevent SNAP (food stamp) benefit theft and replace stolen benefits under specific circumstances. It directly affects SNAP recipients and the Department of Human Services, which must adopt practices like requiring strong PINs, two-factor authentication for balance checks, and enhanced fraud education. The bill upgrades criminal penalties for theft (to a third-degree crime for $150+ losses) and mandates the department to post fraud prevention information online and at enrollment sites. It also establishes a claims process for recipients to report and replace stolen benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill makes appropriation for SNAP fraud prevention and benefit replacement, funding essential public service and promoting fiscal responsibility by reducing theft losses.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires security measures like 2FA and strong PINs to prevent SNAP fraud, directly enhancing cybersecurity practices for benefit protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2895: Requires additional surcharge on certain documents filed in certain county offices to support affordable housing in certain populous municipalities.

This bill (S 2895) requires counties containing cities of the first class (Newark and Jersey City, each with populations over 150,000) to impose a $3-$10 surcharge on real property documents filed in county offices. The surcharge funds are deposited quarterly into those cities' municipal affordable housing trust funds. The money must be used exclusively for rehabilitating or purchasing existing housing to create affordable units, or constructing new affordable housing. This provides a new revenue stream specifically for addressing housing affordability in these two largest New Jersey cities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new surcharge tax on property documents to fund affordable housing trust funds, directly allocating revenue to public housing programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill imposes $3-$10 surcharge on real property documents to fund affordable housing trust funds for rehabilitating/purchasing existing housing or building new affordable units.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Procurement Affordable Housing

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