S 1459 would provide a property tax rebate to disabled veterans in New Jersey who own or occupy a primary residence as their main home. The bill defines eligibility to include veterans living in various housing types like condominiums, cooperatives, or manufactured homes, as long as they meet the state's "homestead" criteria for primary residence. This rebate would reduce the property tax burden for qualifying veterans on their eligible home. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.
S 1082 creates the "Jersey Craft Beverage Retailer Promotion and Grant Program" to support New Jersey's craft beverage industry. It establishes a certification program for retailers selling at least 10% of their alcohol sales from local craft producers (breweries, cideries, distilleries), requiring them to display "Certified Jersey Craft Alcohol Beverage Retailer" signage. Qualified retailers can apply for grants up to $2,500 annually to fund capital improvements or promotional activities related to selling New Jersey-made beverages. Funding comes from 50% of tax revenues on craft beverage sales, administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority with input from the Division of Travel and Tourism.
S 985 would exempt transfers of residential real property (such as single- or two-family homes, including attached garages) between family members who already co-own the property from New Jersey's inheritance tax. Currently, only transfers to spouses, domestic partners, children, and some immediate relatives are exempt; this bill expands the exemption to include siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and in-laws. The change applies to property passing between co-owning family members, not new transfers to unrelated parties. The bill would take effect for taxable years beginning after its enactment.
This bill (S 1724) prohibits New Jersey from implementing any fee based on how many miles drivers travel in the state. It specifically bans the state from charging vehicle owners or operators a fee calculated by mileage, and also prevents state funds from being used for any related studies, pilot programs, or initiatives. The law applies to all motor vehicles and takes immediate effect. It does not affect existing vehicle taxes or fees like gas taxes.
New Jersey's S 2463 bill withdraws the state from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multi-state program targeting carbon emissions, and repeals the "Global Warming Response Act" along with related climate laws. It directs the Environmental Protection Commissioner to notify RGGI officials of New Jersey's withdrawal 30 days after the bill takes effect. All unencumbered funds previously held in the "Global Warming Solutions Fund" are transferred to the General Fund for ratepayer relief. This bill directly affects New Jersey's climate policy framework by ending its participation in RGGI and redirecting climate-related funding.
This bill, S 2621, establishes the "Equitable Drug Pricing and Patient Access Act" to set minimum reimbursement rates for pharmacies providing prescription drugs to Medicaid beneficiaries in New Jersey. It mandates that pharmacies receive at least the national average drug acquisition cost plus a $10.92 dispensing fee, regardless of whether services are delivered through Medicaid’s fee-for-service or managed care systems. The bill requires Medicaid managed care organizations to include pharmacy choice as a mandatory benefit, ensuring enrollees can select any qualified pharmacy and preventing exclusion of pharmacies based on cost or other criteria. Additionally, it directs the State Auditor to audit pharmacy pricing practices and fund flows within Medicaid to identify potential state savings.
S 3214 creates the "New Jersey Earn and Learn Program" to provide tax credits for employers offering structured apprenticeships and paid internships that lead to permanent jobs. Employers receive a $3,000 tax credit per enrolled individual (apprentice or intern) for the first year, with an additional $1,000 available for small businesses, for enrollees from underrepresented groups, or if the enrollee secures full-time employment after completing the program. The program requires participants to maintain full-time employment for six months post-program and limits participation to three years per individual. These tax credits reduce the employer's corporation business tax or gross income tax.
S 2034 establishes a $250,000 grant program within New Jersey's Office of the Secretary of Higher Education to support public colleges and universities hosting scientific conferences. The program provides grants to cover venue costs, speaker fees, travel, and lodging for conferences held in New Jersey, but excludes food and unrelated vendor expenses. Institutions must submit applications detailing conference agendas, speaker credentials, and cost information to receive funding. This bill directly affects public higher education institutions seeking financial assistance for scientific events.
This bill establishes a voluntary business coaching program within New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) for licensed child care providers. It provides licensed providers with monthly virtual coaching sessions (in English, Spanish, or other relevant languages) to improve center efficiency, increase enrollment, set tuition rates, and understand health/safety regulations. The program is funded by a $3 million appropriation from the General Fund, requiring participants to be licensed child care center operators residing in New Jersey. Participation is entirely voluntary, with DCF selecting eligible providers based on established criteria.
This bill allows New Jersey counties with significant greenhead fly problems to use Rutgers-developed fly box traps to reduce populations. County commissioners can authorize their mosquito extermination commissions to implement these trap programs in affected areas. The bill appropriates $50,000 from the state General Fund as grants to cover the costs of these county-level fly control efforts. It directly affects coastal and affected counties where greenhead flies have become a pest nuisance, providing a specific, funded mechanism for local pest management.
