Budget & Taxes (Appropriations) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1676: Makes supplemental appropriation of $35 million to "Urban and Rural Centers Unsafe Buildings Demolition Revolving Loan Fund."

This bill appropriates an additional $35 million from the state's General Fund to the Urban and Rural Centers Unsafe Buildings Demolition Revolving Loan Fund, established under P.L.1997, c.125. The fund provides low-cost loans to New Jersey municipalities for demolishing unsafe buildings in urban and rural centers. Repaid loans replenish the fund, allowing it to support future demolition projects without new appropriations. This directly assists local governments in addressing hazardous building conditions through a revolving financial mechanism.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 337: Requires Attorney General to establish educational and public information program concerning State and federal crimes of human trafficking; appropriates $75,000.

This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create an educational program about state and federal human trafficking crimes, aimed at informing the public. It directly affects the Attorney General's office, which must use $75,000 in state funds to develop and run this program. The key provision is the mandatory public education initiative, funded through a specific appropriation, to raise awareness about trafficking offenses under both state and federal law. The bill does not change existing trafficking laws but focuses on public information. It was introduced in January 2026 and refers to the Assembly Public Safety Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics Appropriations

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2497: Concerns New Jersey Black Cultural and Heritage Initiative Foundation; requires annual appropriation.

This bill restructures the governance of the New Jersey Black Cultural and Heritage Initiative Foundation, reducing its board of trustees from 25 to 12 members. It requires the State to appropriate annual funds to support the foundation’s work, which focuses on promoting Black arts, history, and cultural heritage through specific activities like funding arts groups, expanding youth programs, and enhancing cultural tourism. The foundation will be governed by state officials, representatives from partner agencies (like the Arts Council and Historical Commission), and community members. Directly, it affects the foundation’s operations and the Black cultural community in New Jersey through its funded initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics Appropriations

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 121: Makes $500,000 supplemental appropriation from General Fund to DEP for dredging and restoration of Peckman River.

This bill allocates an additional $500,000 from the state General Fund to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) specifically for dredging and restoration of the Peckman River. It directly affects the municipalities of Cedar Grove, Little Falls, Verona, and Woodland Park, requiring them to submit a joint plan for DEP approval to receive funding. The key provisions include waiving permit fees for approved dredging activities and mandating that DEP establish an application process to distribute funds based on each municipality's proposed river restoration plan. The funding covers dredging, cleaning, and other work consistent with an existing state permit for the river.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Parks & Recreation

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 981: Makes FY2025 supplemental appropriation of $8,000,000 to Monmouth County Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund to assist in the purchase of the Stein property in Upper Freehold Township, New Jersey.

This bill appropriates $8,000,000 from the Property Tax Relief Fund to Monmouth County's Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund. The funds are specifically designated to help purchase the Stein property in Upper Freehold Township, a historic Revolutionary War site. The funding supports permanent preservation of this farmland, preventing a proposed warehouse development that local residents and groups expressed concerns about affecting open space, water sources, and community quality.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Appropriations Property Tax Conservation

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2213: Increases pay for direct support professionals; makes appropriation.

This bill creates a state program to increase pay for direct support professionals (DSPs) who provide essential care to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It directs the Department of Human Services to distribute state funds to employers (such as group homes or care agencies) to raise DSP wages for both current and new staff, addressing staffing shortages. Employers must use the funds solely to boost DSP pay, with the state establishing application rules and oversight. The bill appropriates necessary funds from the General Fund and takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2216: Requires several State agencies to review and increase, if authorized, income eligibility standards for certain public assistance, school nutrition, and higher education student financial assistance programs; makes an appropriation.

This bill (A2216) requires New Jersey's Department of Agriculture, Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, and Department of Human Services to review and update income eligibility limits for specific public assistance, school nutrition, and student financial aid programs. It mandates that if agencies have the authority and funding, they must increase income thresholds by the total percentage rise in the state minimum wage since 2019 (from $8.85 to $15.13) plus a cost-of-living adjustment based on Social Security benefits. The change directly affects low-income residents qualifying for programs like the National School Lunch Program, Community College Opportunity Grants, and public assistance benefits. The bill ensures these eligibility limits better reflect rising costs of living and minimum wage increases, without creating new programs or altering existing funding structures.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations Higher Education Student Financial Aid Minimum Wage

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 984: Makes $3 million supplemental appropriation for bonus awards for certain COVID-19 emergency essential frontline State workers of Local 195 of International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers.

This bill allocates $3 million from the General Fund to provide one-time bonus awards to members of Local 195 of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers who worked as frontline state employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be distributed by state agencies to eligible union members who provided essential emergency workplace service. The bonus amount is determined per agency through consultation between the Division of Budget and Accounting and the union president. This supplemental appropriation directly affects approximately 3,000 Local 195 members across state departments, as specified in the bill text. It does not create new policy but provides targeted financial recognition for pandemic-era service.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Collective Bargaining

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3074: Establishes Inclusive Workplaces Program in EDA to provide grants and tax credits to encourage employer investment in workspaces inclusive of neurodivergent employees; appropriates $2.5 million.

This bill establishes the Inclusive Workplaces Program within New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to provide financial support for employers creating inclusive environments for neurodivergent employees. It offers grants of up to $25,000 per small business (employing fewer than 150 people) and tax credits (up to $25,000 or 50% of eligible investments) for large businesses (150+ employees), both requiring at least one or three neurodivergent employees respectively. Key provisions include funding for sensory-friendly workspace adjustments, adaptive equipment, and staff training programs, with a total annual appropriation of $2.5 million. The program requires employers to apply and demonstrate specific workplace investments before receiving support.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3365: Makes supplemental appropriation of $500,000 to DOH for Huntington's Disease Grant Program.

This bill appropriates an additional $500,000 from the General Fund to New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) for the Huntington's Disease Grant Program, increasing its total funding for fiscal year 2025 to $701,000 (from an estimated $201,000). The funds will support grants to New Jersey-based institutions of higher education, non-profits, and research organizations to provide pre-symptomatic testing, neurology/psychiatry services, treatment, disease management, and counseling. It directly affects approximately 900-1,200 New Jersey residents living with Huntington's disease and about 7,000 at-risk individuals. Huntington's disease is a fatal, inherited condition causing progressive neurological decline without a cure.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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