Budget & Taxes in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 1834: Authorizes creation of additional urban enterprise zones.*

S 1834 amends New Jersey's urban enterprise zone (UEZ) program to allow for the creation of additional zones. The bill updates definitions to clarify terms like "UEZ-impacted business districts" (areas negatively affected by adjacent zones) and expands the list of qualifying municipalities eligible to establish zones. This would enable more communities to create UEZs, which provide tax incentives to businesses to stimulate economic development in distressed areas. The changes would directly affect businesses operating within new zones and local governments managing these zones.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2195: Provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for businesses that employ apprentices in DOL registered apprenticeships.

New Jersey's S 2195 provides tax credits to businesses that hire apprentices in U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)-registered programs. Businesses can claim a $1,000 base credit per apprentice per tax period, with an additional $2,000 for veterans, displaced workers, those from underrepresented groups, or individuals previously incarcerated. To qualify, apprentices must be employed for at least seven months during the tax period, and credits cannot exceed four tax periods per apprentice. The bill prohibits using these credits to displace existing workers or undermine collective bargaining agreements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Apprenticeships Collective Bargaining

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2052: Revises tax lien foreclosure process to protect equity accrued by property owner in tax lien foreclosure.

This bill revises New Jersey's tax lien foreclosure process to require returning excess proceeds from property sales to former owners after lienholders are reimbursed for unpaid taxes and interest. It directly affects property owners facing tax lien foreclosures and both municipal and private lienholders under current tax sale law. The change responds to court rulings (Tyler v. Hennepin County and a New Jersey Appellate Division case) finding that retaining all sale proceeds violates constitutional protections against uncompensated property takings. The law would end the practice of "equity theft" by mandating that property equity beyond the tax debt must be returned to the original owner.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Mortgages

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1577: Permits school districts to receive loans from State to support operating budget under certain circumstances.

This bill creates a state loan program to help New Jersey school districts facing significant operating budget shortfalls. School districts with shortfalls that would force cuts to nonmandatory programs - such as advanced placement courses, sports teams, music programs, and kindergarten - may apply for state loans through a new "School District Budget Relief Loan Account." To qualify, districts must demonstrate they spent below state adequacy levels in the prior year, increased property taxes by at least 2% annually for five years, and cannot resolve the shortfall through program cuts or tax hikes. The bill also allows districts to delay budget submission deadlines and public hearings until a loan decision is made.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Funding

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 487: Exempts sales of energy-saving products and services from sales and use tax.

This bill exempts the sales tax on specific energy-saving products and services when purchased by consumers or businesses. It covers items like LED light bulbs, insulation, window weather stripping, tankless water heaters, and furnace filters, which are defined as products or services primarily designed to reduce energy use in homes and buildings. The tax exemption applies to retail sales made after the bill takes effect, removing the sales tax burden on these items. This change directly benefits homeowners and businesses looking to install or buy energy-efficient upgrades.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Sales Tax State Budget Tax Incentives Energy Efficiency Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3238: Requires Type I school districts and charter schools to establish citizen budget oversight committee to monitor district's or charter school's financial position.

S 3238 requires Type I school districts and charter schools in New Jersey to establish citizen budget oversight committees. These committees, composed of at least five members (including parents, educators, and taxpayers with at least two having financial expertise), must review monthly financial data, monitor budgets, and report to the governing board. Committees will have access to non-confidential financial documents, can recommend changes to tax levies or special initiatives, and must complete a two-hour training program on school budgeting. The bill aims to increase transparency in school financial management by involving community members in oversight.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics School Choice

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 2456: Requires school bus drivers and school bus aides to call 911 emergency line in potential life-threatening emergencies; requires certain school buses transporting students with disabilities to be equipped with certain safety features.*

This bill requires school bus drivers, aides, and personnel to call 911 during potential life-threatening emergencies involving students. It also mandates that school buses transporting students with disabilities be equipped with specific safety features (though the exact features are not detailed in the provided text). The bill updates training requirements to include recognizing life-threatening emergencies and proper procedures for students with disabilities, requiring twice-yearly training and certification for all personnel. These changes apply to school bus contractors and school districts in New Jersey, with implementation tied to a pending training program update. The bill includes funding (an appropriation) for these requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Appropriations School Transportation Public Transit Tags Public Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1861: Authorizes South Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Association license plates with proceeds to veterans' and emergency management operations.

This bill authorizes New Jersey to issue special "South Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Association" license plates for motor vehicles. Owners pay a $50 one-time application fee and a $10 annual renewal fee (in addition to standard registration costs), with all fees deposited into a dedicated fund. The fund's money is split equally each year between the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (to support veterans' organizations) and the Emergency Management Section of the Division of State Police (to aid local emergency management groups). The program includes mechanisms to reimburse the Motor Vehicle Commission for administrative costs and allows discontinuation if annual plate costs exceed revenue for two consecutive years.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1664: Requires New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology to establish matching grant program for public research universities that receive certain federal research grants; appropriates $5 million.

New Jersey's S 1664 establishes a matching grant program for public research universities that receive federal research grants. The bill requires the Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology to distribute $5 million in state funds to help these universities match federal grants, prioritizing projects aligned with state economic development goals and priority industries. Universities must apply for funding, with selections based on criteria like economic impact potential and student research opportunities. The commission must annually report on grant recipients and the program's effectiveness in advancing economic development.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Technology

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 82: Provides State income tax credit for removal of lawns near Barnegat Bay.

This bill provides a $250 annual state income tax credit for homeowners within 1,000 feet of Barnegat Bay and its tributaries who replace grass lawns with stone, crushed shells, or similar non-maintenance materials. Property owners who already made this change before the bill's effective date also qualify for the credit. The credit aims to reduce chemical runoff from lawns - like fertilizers and pesticides - that flow into the bay, addressing a key factor in the bay's environmental degradation. It applies to taxable years starting January 1 after the bill takes effect, with tax credit rules to be established by the Division of Taxation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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