Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4272: Imposes contribution requirements on use of automated customer service kiosks by employers.

This New Jersey bill requires employers to pay a fee for each automated customer service kiosk they operate within the state. The fee is calculated based on the number of hours the kiosk is available for use and the state minimum wage, with the collected money going to unemployment and property tax relief funds. The law specifically defines these kiosks as self-service stations where customers can quickly order goods or submit payments at a business location. Employers must report and pay this contribution to the Division of Taxation, and the bill does not classify the kiosks themselves as employees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes fees on kiosks to fund unemployment and property tax relief, directly supporting budget stability and tax relief.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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passed both · New Jersey · Senate Jun 11, 2026

SCR 135: Approves FY2027 Financial Plan of NJ Infrastructure Bank.

This bill formally approves the Fiscal Year 2027 financial plan for the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank. The resolution authorizes the bank to proceed with funding loans and debt guarantees for eligible environmental projects, including clean water, drinking water, and stormwater management initiatives. By passing this measure, the Legislature ratifies the bank's budgetary strategy for the upcoming fiscal year as required by state law. The document does not alter the bank's operations but rather provides the necessary legislative consent for its planned financial activities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill approves FY2027 financial plan and authorizes funding for infrastructure projects, advancing state budget goals.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill approves funding for environmental projects including clean water, drinking water, and stormwater management.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4125: Allows gross income tax deduction for amounts paid for removal of lead, asbestos, sodium, chloride, and other contaminants from taxpayer's property.

This New Jersey bill allows homeowners to deduct up to $45,000 from their gross income for costs associated with removing hazardous contaminants from their residential properties. The measure specifically covers expenses related to lead and asbestos abatement, replacing lead pipes and windows, and treating private well water contaminated with sodium or chloride. To claim the deduction, taxpayers must provide affidavits from their local municipality confirming that the work was performed by certified contractors. The provision applies to all income levels and includes a retroactive option for expenses incurred between January 1, 2018, and the bill's enactment, with the tax benefit set to expire on December 31, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides a gross income tax deduction for hazardous abatement costs, offering direct tax relief to homeowners and reducing their financial burden.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill provides financial incentives for removing hazardous contaminants like lead and asbestos, directly reducing pollution and protecting public health.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides tax deductions for hazardous material removal, protecting property value and health safety, which supports safe housing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Drinking Water

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4963: Authorizes Secretary of Agriculture to declare agricultural emergency; establishes sales tax holiday on sale of fertilizer during agricultural emergency.

This bill authorizes New Jersey's Secretary of Agriculture to declare an agricultural emergency for up to six months if events like rising fertilizer costs impact farming. During such an emergency, the state would temporarily suspend sales taxes on the retail purchase of fertilizer to help reduce costs for farmers and gardeners. The Secretary has the power to set the specific criteria for declaring an emergency, limit the relief to certain areas of the state, and end the emergency when conditions improve. Additionally, the bill allows tax officials to create necessary rules quickly to implement this tax break while staying compliant with federal agreements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides temporary sales tax relief on fertilizer to reduce costs for farmers and gardeners, directly supporting fiscal assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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signed · New Jersey · Senate Jul 8, 2026

S 4221: Appropriates funds to DEP for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2027.

This bill allocates state funds to the Department of Environmental Protection to support environmental infrastructure projects during fiscal year 2027. The money will be used to provide zero-interest or principal forgiveness loans to help finance clean water and drinking water initiatives. Additionally, the legislation authorizes the department to transfer money between different state revolving funds to ensure there is enough capital for these projects. Ultimately, the act aims to expand funding availability for essential water systems without changing the underlying loan terms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds to the DEP for environmental infrastructure projects, directly increasing government spending on public services.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates funds for clean water and drinking water infrastructure, directly supporting environmental protection and conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4148: Establishes maximum THC potency of cannabis items and imposes excise tax of moderate and high potency cannabis items.

This bill establishes maximum THC potency limits for cannabis products and introduces an excise tax on moderate and high potency items in New Jersey. It directly affects cannabis businesses by requiring them to adhere to these new potency standards and pay the additional tax. The legislation also mandates that the state commission create rules to enforce these limits and collect the tax.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill introduces an excise tax on high-potency cannabis, generating revenue for the state budget and enhancing fiscal management.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 28, 2026

A 5131: Requires nonpublic secondary schools, independent institutions of higher education, and State to make payment to school districts for educational costs of students residing in tax-exempt housing upon adoption of resolution by municipal governing body.

This bill requires nonpublic secondary schools, independent colleges, and the State of New Jersey to pay public school districts for the education costs of students living on their tax-exempt property. The payment obligation begins only after a local school district's governing body passes a resolution requesting it. Once activated, the bill mandates that these institutions calculate and send an annual payment by November 1, based on the per-pupil tax levy amount for each student residing in their facilities. This change aims to ensure that public school districts receive funding for students who live on private or state-owned land that is exempt from local property taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates payments from tax-exempt institutions to public school districts, increasing funding for public education and reducing the tax burden on local districts.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates payments from nonpublic schools and the State to public districts for students living on tax-exempt property, increasing funding for public education.85% confidence

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 5010: Allows corporation business tax and gross income tax credits to businesses employing released nonviolent offenders.

This bill allows businesses in New Jersey to receive tax credits if they hire adults who have been released from incarceration for nonviolent crimes. The credits apply to both corporation business taxes and gross income taxes, offering a benefit equal to 15 percent of wages paid to each eligible employee, up to a maximum of $900 per person. To qualify, the offenders must not have committed violent acts or specific serious offenses, and the tax savings are limited to 50 percent of the total tax owed for the year. Any unused portion of the credit can be carried forward for up to seven years, and the law applies to wages paid after the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax credits to businesses hiring released nonviolent offenders, directly advancing fiscal incentives and government spending goals.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill incentivizes hiring released nonviolent offenders, directly promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill incentivizes hiring released nonviolent offenders, expanding employment opportunities and supporting workforce reintegration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Corrections

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 28, 2026

S 4356: Prohibits application of State aid growth limit to State school aid provided in 2026-2027 school year; appropriates $332.6 million.

This bill prevents the state from applying a six percent growth limit to school funding for the 2026-2027 school year. It directly affects school districts by ensuring they receive their full calculated aid for equalization, transportation, special education, and security categories without reduction. To fund this change, the legislation appropriates $332.6 million from the Property Tax Relief Fund to the Department of Education. The act takes effect immediately and overrides any existing rules that would have restricted these aid increases.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $332.6M to increase school funding and prevents cuts to essential education categories.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill prevents funding cuts and appropriates $332.6M to ensure full school aid for the 2026-2027 year.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax State Budget School Funding Special Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4127: Establishes New Jersey Student Emergency Aid Program in Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.

This bill creates the New Jersey Student Emergency Aid Program to provide one-time financial grants to undergraduate students at public colleges and universities facing unexpected crises. The program covers essential living expenses such as food, housing, and childcare, but explicitly excludes payment for tuition, fees, or student loans. A new revolving fund will be established to manage these grants, initially seeded with $1.5 million from the state's general fund. The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority will set specific rules for eligibility and distribution, while colleges must report annually on how the aid is used and its impact on student retention.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $1.5M from the state general fund to create a new student emergency aid program, directly increasing funding for public services.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates a grant program to help undergraduate students with living expenses, enhancing educational access and student stability.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds essential living expenses including housing for students facing crises, directly supporting housing stability.75% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Early Childhood Higher Education

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