Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 871: Allocates all revenue from hotel and motel occupancy fee for arts, historical heritage, and tourism purposes.

This bill changes how New Jersey allocates revenue from hotel and motel occupancy fees, redirecting 100% of the funds (previously 40%) to arts, historical heritage, and tourism programs starting in fiscal year 2023. It sets specific annual minimums: $31.9 million for the State Council on the Arts, $5.5 million for historical preservation, $17.6 million for tourism promotion, and $720,000 for the Cultural Trust. Hotels, motels, and online platforms like Airbnb must collect and report these fees, with strict reporting requirements for digital bookings. The bill directly affects hospitality businesses paying the fee and state agencies managing arts, history, and tourism funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects 100% of occupancy fee revenue (up from 40%) to fund arts, heritage, and tourism programs with specified annual minimums, increasing dedicated budget allocations.95% confidence

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 615: Provides CBT tax credit for retrofit of existing warehouses with solar-ready zone once solar panels are installed.

This bill provides a tax credit against New Jersey's corporation business tax for businesses that retrofit existing warehouses (100,000+ square feet used for storage) with a designated solar-ready zone and install solar panels. The credit covers up to 50% of retrofit costs or $250,000 per warehouse, with a maximum $25 million total for all taxpayers. To qualify, businesses must prove solar panels are installed after retrofitting and meet specific roof-area requirements for the solar-ready zone. The credit applies to up to eight warehouses owned by the same business in one tax period.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit reducing corporate tax liability for solar retrofits, incentivizing renewable energy adoption through fiscal policy.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProvides tax credit for solar retrofits on warehouses, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and infrastructure investment.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProvides tax credit for solar retrofits, directly promoting clean energy adoption and reducing emissions through renewable infrastructure incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Solar

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2042: Establishes Military Funeral Honors Grant Program to provide grants to certain veteran organizations that provide military funeral honors.

S 2042 establishes a grant program to provide up to $75 per funeral to qualified nonprofit veteran organizations that offer military funeral honors in New Jersey. These organizations must be tax-exempt under IRS codes 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19). The program uses a revolving fund financed by state appropriations, donations, and fees, with grants decreasing for multiple funerals on the same day to cover actual costs like mileage. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will manage applications, eligibility, and payments, requiring organizations to submit proof of expenses and sign grant agreements. This directly supports veteran groups by helping offset costs for providing military funeral honors to service members' families.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state appropriations for veteran funeral honors grants, funding a public service program through government spending.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes grant program funding veteran organizations providing military funeral honors, directly supporting veterans' recognition services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3117: Provides supplemental appropriation of $4 million for Hinchliffe Stadium Partners to support stadium, entertainment, and tourism infrastructure at Paterson Great Falls National Park.

This bill provides a $4 million supplemental appropriation to Hinchliffe Stadium Partners for infrastructure development at Paterson Great Falls National Park. It specifically allocates funds to support sports, entertainment, and tourism facilities within the park, building on an existing $900,000 FY2026 appropriation. The funding requires approval from the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting before use. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was already approved under P.L.2025, c.392.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $4M supplemental appropriation for tourism infrastructure, increasing government spending on public facility development at a national park.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SR 46: Urges Congress to amend tax code to exclude all forms of discharged student loans from federal income tax.

This New Jersey Senate resolution (SR 46) urges Congress to permanently change the tax code so that all forgiven student loans - such as those canceled through income-driven repayment plans, public service programs (like Teacher Loan Forgiveness), or death/disability - no longer count as taxable income. Currently, most discharged loans are subject to federal income tax, while limited exceptions (e.g., public service forgiveness or death/disability loans forgiven between 2017-2026) are not. The resolution seeks to eliminate these inconsistencies by making all discharged student loan amounts tax-exempt permanently. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change the law but requests Congress take action.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill seeks tax relief for student loan borrowers by excluding discharged loans from taxable income, aligning with tax relief indicators for lower/middle income groups.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill removes tax burden on forgiven student loans (including Teacher Loan Forgiveness), supporting educators' financial stability and improving higher education access by reducing debt barriers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Student Financial Aid Teachers

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1851: Provides corporation business tax credits and gross income tax credits to farm employers for providing lodging or transportation benefits.

This bill provides New Jersey farm employers with tax credits for offering lodging or transportation benefits to their hourly or piece-rate farm workers. Employers can claim up to $250 per employee for qualifying lodging (must be on-site, required for employment, and provided for at least six weeks) and up to $500 per employee for transportation benefits (reimbursing actual commute costs like public transit or fuel). The credits apply against corporate business tax and gross income tax, but cannot exceed 50% of the tax liability. Unused credits may be carried forward for up to four years, and benefits cannot overlap with other tax credits or incentives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credits to farm employers against corporate/business tax, reducing tax liability and incentivizing worker benefits under state tax code.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly provides tax credits for reimbursing public transit commutes, directly incentivizing transportation benefits for workers and supporting public transit use.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Public Transit

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1194: Extends eligibility for certain veterans' gross income tax exemptions to include veterans of all Uniformed Services of United States.

This bill (S 1194) changes New Jersey's tax law to expand a $6,000 gross income tax exemption for veterans. Currently, only veterans of the "Armed Forces" (military branches) qualify. The bill updates the definition to include all "Uniformed Services of the United States," as defined federally, which now covers veterans of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) in addition to military veterans. This change directly affects eligible veterans from these additional service branches by allowing them to deduct $6,000 from their New Jersey taxable income. The amendment applies to all qualifying veterans regardless of which uniformed service they served in.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax exemption for veterans, providing tax relief under NJ's gross income tax law by including additional uniformed service veterans.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands tax exemption eligibility to include NOAA/USPHS veterans, directly advancing financial benefits for more veterans under state law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1624: Eliminates requirement under veterans' gross income tax exemption that taxpayer serve in active duty status or federal active duty status to qualify for exemption.

This bill (S 1624) removes a requirement that New Jersey veterans must have served in active duty or federal active duty to qualify for a $6,000 tax exemption. It directly affects honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, reserve components, or New Jersey National Guard who previously needed active duty service to claim the exemption. The key change eliminates the language requiring "active duty status" or "federal active duty status" from the tax code, allowing all eligible honorably discharged veterans to claim the exemption regardless of their service status. The bill does not change the exemption amount or eligibility criteria beyond removing the active duty requirement. It is currently pending in the Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax exemption eligibility for veterans, providing direct tax relief without increasing state revenue burden.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRemoves active duty requirement, expanding tax exemption eligibility for more veterans without restricting benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Incentives National Guard & Reserve

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2856: Creates Office of Nonprofit Ombudsperson in Department of Treasury; appropriates $329,000.

This bill establishes an independent Office of Nonprofit Ombudsperson within New Jersey's Department of the Treasury to serve as a dedicated advocate for nonprofit organizations. The ombudsperson, appointed by the Governor, will monitor state agencies' compliance with online resource portals for nonprofits, investigate complaints, provide technical assistance, and report annually on agency interactions. It requires state agencies to maintain updated, accessible online resource pages detailing funding, eligibility, and support services for nonprofits. The $329,000 appropriation funds the office's operations, directly affecting all nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) entities) and state agencies interacting with them.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $329,000 to fund a new nonprofit ombudsperson office within Treasury, advancing budget allocation for nonprofit services and fiscal management.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2448: Allows gross income tax credit for volunteer firefighters.

This bill creates a $500 tax credit against New Jersey's gross income tax for eligible volunteer firefighters. To qualify, a taxpayer must have been an active member of a volunteer fire company or part-paid fire department for three consecutive years (including the current tax year and the two prior years). The credit applies to New Jersey gross income tax liability but cannot reduce the tax below zero. It directly benefits volunteer firefighters who meet the service requirements, providing a financial incentive for their service.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides targeted tax relief ($500 credit) for volunteer firefighters, reducing gross income tax liability for eligible middle-income taxpayers, aligning with support indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides $500 tax credit to volunteer firefighters, expanding financial benefits for a specific worker group within labor/employment context.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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