This bill imposes a 10% surtax on electric public utilities in New Jersey with annual profits exceeding $10 million. It directly affects large electricity providers that transmit and distribute power to end users within the state. All revenue from this surtax (excluding constitutionally dedicated funds) must fund state utility assistance programs, such as those helping low-income households with energy costs. The bill also prohibits these utilities from raising customer rates to cover the surtax cost.
This bill requires New Jersey's State Treasurer to create a zero-based budgeting process for the Governor's annual budget. It directly affects all state spending agencies that submit budget requests, mandating they justify every funding request from scratch - without assuming prior year allocations - by detailing goals, activities, legal authority, cost estimates, and impact assessments. Key provisions include requiring agencies to submit itemized spending justifications, evaluate minimum service levels, and rank programs based on their ability to meet agency objectives. The process must be implemented for budgets starting July 1, 2012, ensuring each tax dollar is evaluated for cost-effectiveness and necessity.
S 1603 creates a 90-day tax amnesty period ending January 15, 2026, allowing New Jersey taxpayers with overdue state taxes (for returns due between September 2017 and January 2025) to pay with only half the interest due as of November 1, 2025 and without penalties like late fees. Taxpayers must pay the full tax amount plus reduced interest to participate, and they forfeit all rights to appeal the tax liability. All revenue collected during this period will fund a dedicated Stabilization Aid Account, which provides financial support to school districts experiencing reduced state school aid compared to the prior year. The bill also allocates up to $15 million from this account to cover administrative costs of running the amnesty program.
This Senate Resolution (SR 35) urges the federal government to repeal the $10,000 cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions established by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. It specifically addresses New Jersey residents, who historically claimed the SALT deduction (41% of filers), face high property taxes (averaging $9,112 in 2020), and are impacted by the cap’s restriction on deducting state/local taxes. The resolution highlights New Jersey’s status as a "donor state" (paying more in federal taxes than received in funding) and notes that the cap has exacerbated financial strain amid the pandemic, with many residents relocating to lower-tax states. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change law but formally requests federal action.
This bill requires New Jersey's Governor to include a detailed annual report in the budget message about revenues and expenditures from the "societal benefits charge" on utility bills. The report must show, for five prior fiscal years and the current year, how much money was collected, and how it was allocated - specifically for energy efficiency programs, the Universal Services Fund (which supports low-income energy assistance), and plug-in electric vehicle incentives. It mandates itemized breakdowns of funds committed and spent for each program, including amounts retained by electric and gas utilities. The bill applies to all electric and gas public utilities in the state and aims to increase transparency about how these utility bill charges fund public programs.
S 1239 creates a "Manufacturing Reboot Program" within New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA), providing financial assistance to eligible manufacturing businesses affected by the pandemic. It appropriates $10 million from the state General Fund - $5 million prioritizing businesses producing coronavirus vaccines and $5 million for other healthcare products like PPE or medical devices - to fund grants of $25,000-$150,000 per business. Qualified businesses must operate facilities with over 50% manufacturing equipment, pay above-average salaries with health benefits, and demonstrate market expansion or capacity to pivot to healthcare manufacturing. Grant funds can cover equipment, payroll, or employee training, with businesses required to report quarterly on employment and spending, and the EDA to submit annual program reports to the Governor and Legislature.
This bill (S 2952) was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was incorporated into enacted law (P.L.2025, c.314). It allows New Jersey municipalities to impose an employer payroll tax of up to 1% (with a 3% administrative fee option) on businesses operating within their borders. If a municipality has a median household income of $55,000 or more, all collected tax revenues must fund local schools through a special fund, with strict confidentiality rules protecting employer reporting data. The bill also clarifies tax obligations for out-of-state employees and prohibits duplicate tax payments across multiple municipalities.
This bill creates neutral safe exchange zones at county sheriff offices for parents exchanging minor children under custody or visitation orders. Each zone must have clear signage, 24/7 access, adequate lighting, and continuous video surveillance recording for 45 days. The court may require exchanges at these zones if domestic violence is involved or a restraining order exists. County sheriffs receive state funding to establish these zones, and law enforcement is protected from liability for incidents occurring there.
S 616 provides New Jersey businesses with tax credits for installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and converting commercial vehicle fleets to zero-emission models. Businesses that purchase and install EV charging stations (capped at $1,000 per station) or buy qualifying zero-emission vehicles (with credits up to $100,000 based on vehicle weight) can claim a 50% credit against corporation business tax or gross income tax. To qualify, businesses must apply for certification from the Environmental Protection Commissioner, proving purchase dates, costs, and installation details, with decisions made within 90 days. The credits apply for five years starting after the bill’s effective date and require submitting certification with tax returns.
This bill requires developers seeking long-term property tax exemptions (e.g., for urban renewal projects) to submit a cost-benefit analysis showing impacts on local government revenues and services, including effects on schools and municipal budgets. Municipalities must publish these analyses online within 30 days. It also mandates the state Department of Community Affairs to create a public database tracking all approved tax exemption agreements, including their financial details, sorted by municipality. The law directly affects developers, municipalities, and local taxing districts (like school boards) involved in tax exemption decisions. It aims to increase transparency around tax exemption approvals without changing the exemption process itself.
