This bill allocates up to $50 million from the Property Tax Relief Fund to help school districts cover tax increases caused by rising health care costs. To qualify, a district must have seen its adjusted tax levy rise by more than 9.9 percent between the 2024-2025 and 2026-2027 school years. The specific amount each eligible district receives is calculated based on its proportional share of the statewide increase in health care expenses. This measure aims to offset the financial burden on taxpayers resulting from a significant allowable adjustment to property taxes for health care purposes.
This New Jersey bill creates a $20 million fund within the Department of the Treasury to replace SNAP benefits that are stolen through card cloning or skimming. It directs the Department of Human Services to use these funds to restore stolen money to eligible participants once federal replacement programs end and the state has transitioned to chip technology cards. To finance this fund, the Attorney General will temporarily collect a five percent fee from penalties and restitution paid in civil or criminal cases involving fraud. The bill also requires the state to publicly share information about the replacement process and to dissolve the fund once the state fully adopts chip technology for all SNAP cards.
This New Jersey Assembly resolution urges the U.S. Congress to pass legislation creating a national infrastructure bank to address the need for repairing and modernizing critical systems like roads, bridges, and energy grids. The bill specifically recommends adopting House Resolution 5356, which would establish a government-owned entity that generates capital by trading U.S. Treasury bonds for preferred stock to fund large-scale infrastructure projects. While the resolution highlights the state's specific infrastructure challenges, its primary function is to formally request federal action rather than to enact new laws within New Jersey itself. Copies of the resolution are to be sent to federal leaders and representatives to advocate for the establishment of this funding mechanism.
This bill proposes to increase the New Jersey earned income tax credit from 40 percent to 50 percent of the federal earned income tax credit amount, effective for tax years beginning in 2026. The change directly affects New Jersey residents who qualify for the federal earned income tax credit, allowing them to receive a larger refundable state tax credit based on their federal eligibility. By amending the state tax code, the legislation ensures that eligible working individuals and families will calculate their state tax benefit using the new higher percentage.
This bill allows qualified veteran organizations to offer free post-traumatic stress disorder counseling to veterans and their family members through licensed clinicians. It requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to coordinate these efforts by recruiting clinicians, matching them with those in need, and maintaining a list of available providers. To encourage participation, the bill establishes a system where clinicians can receive a state tax credit for donated hours, capped between 20 and 40 hours annually, while also granting them immunity from civil liability. Additionally, the legislation defines key terms such as "clinician," "family member," and "veteran" to clarify who is eligible for these services and benefits.
This bill increases the maximum state funding for farmland preservation projects led by nonprofit organizations in New Jersey from 50 percent to 80 percent of acquisition costs. Sponsored by Senator John J. Burzicelli, the legislation amends existing laws to align the financial support given to nonprofits with the higher rate already available to local government units. The funds, drawn from the Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, can be used to purchase development easements or fee simple titles on farmland, with the latter requiring agricultural deed restrictions upon resale or lease. By removing the lower funding cap for nonprofits, the bill aims to expand the scope of farmland preservation initiatives managed by these organizations.
This bill authorizes the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to lend up to $3.85 billion to local governments and public water utilities for environmental infrastructure projects in fiscal year 2027. The legislation allows the bank to use funds from various existing trust accounts to finance the construction of facilities related to drinking water and wastewater treatment. Additionally, the bill outlines how the bank can increase its available loan amounts by including interest earned, fees, and other financial adjustments.
This bill requires New Jersey to deposit at least 50% of funds recovered by the state from lawsuits involving the Attorney General into specific financial institutions. These institutions must be licensed in New Jersey, hold at least $1 billion in total deposits, and maintain a significant portion of their assets within the state. The Department of Banking and Insurance will create a list of approved banks, and those already authorized to hold attorney trust accounts will be automatically considered eligible.
This bill allocates $1 million from the state's General Fund to the Department of Veterans Affairs for suicide prevention training. The money will be used specifically to train staff at state-run Veterans' Haven facilities, which provide transitional housing for veterans. By funding this training, the legislation aims to equip facility personnel with the skills needed to better support residents and address suicide risks. The funding is designated under the annual appropriations act for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.
This bill modifies how New Jersey applies reductions to state school aid, requiring that any cuts made in one school year be postponed and applied to the district's funding in the next school year instead. It directly affects school districts that face budget reductions by ensuring they receive their full allocated aid amount for the current year, with the shortfall deducted later. The law defines "state school aid" to include specific categories like equalization and special education funding, and it overrides previous rules that might have allowed immediate reductions. By deferring these financial adjustments, the measure aims to provide districts with more predictable funding while maintaining the total amount of aid reduced over a two-year period.
