Budget & Taxes (State Budget) in New Jersey

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

A 2725: Requires installation of diaper changing station in certain public restrooms; appropriates $500,000.

This bill requires public venues like stores, restaurants, libraries, and schools to install baby diaper changing stations in at least one men’s and one women’s public restroom (or a unisex family restroom) during new construction or substantial renovations costing over $5,000. Public buildings, including K-12 schools (which need only one station per campus), must add stations within 37 months of the bill’s enactment. The state appropriates $500,000 from the general fund to reimburse local governments or school districts for installation costs. Owners who fail to comply face penalties up to $500 per violation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics State Budget

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

A 2427: Establishes Medication Management, Outreach, and Support Program in DHS; appropriates $8 million.

This bill establishes a Medication Management, Outreach, and Support Program within New Jersey's Department of Human Services to serve people with severe mental illness living in the community. It appropriates $8 million from the General Fund to fund licensed provider organizations (like community health centers) to offer medication management services, including early intervention, crisis support, and collaborative care planning with clinicians and families. The program requires providers to hire clinical staff (such as psychiatrists and social workers) to minimize medication side effects and improve health outcomes through continuous quality improvement. It directly affects community-based mental health service recipients and the providers delivering those services.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics State Budget Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3457: Establishes requirements for preparation and final passage of annual appropriations act; incorporates multi-year revenue and expenditure projections for informational purposes.

This bill establishes new requirements for New Jersey's annual appropriations process. It mandates that the appropriations bill must be introduced by June 1 of the prior fiscal year, provide 14 days of public notice with at least one hearing, and include a written explanation of significant budget changes compared to the Governor's recommendations. The bill also requires spending agencies to submit multi-year revenue and expenditure projections (for the next two fiscal years) as informational data, not binding targets. These changes apply to the Legislature's budget drafting and approval process, aiming to increase transparency and accountability in state spending decisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics Appropriations Government Spending State Budget

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

A 3058: Establishes Deepfake Technology Unit in DLPS; appropriates $2 million.

This bill establishes New Jersey's Deepfake Technology Unit within the Division of Criminal Justice to combat AI-generated deceptive media (deepfakes). The unit will provide law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts with technical expertise, training, and evidence analysis to detect and investigate deepfakes - defined as AI-manipulated videos, audio, or images that falsely depict people or events. It requires the unit to issue annual reports on detection methods, technological advances, and policy recommendations, and appropriates $2 million from the General Fund to cover operational costs. The unit directly supports state and local agencies in addressing a growing threat to public safety and legal integrity.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics State Budget Law Enforcement Artificial Intelligence

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

A 122: Makes $500,000 supplemental appropriation from General Fund to DEP for dredging and restoration of Passaic River.

This bill provides $500,000 in additional state funding from the General Fund to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for the Township of Fairfield in Essex County to dredge and restore a section of the Passaic River. The funds will cover specific river cleanup activities like dredging, restoration, cleaning, and removing debris, as outlined in a plan the township must submit to the DEP. The DEP must waive permit fees for any work consistent with the approved plan and the Statewide general permit for river restoration. This directly affects Fairfield Township’s river management efforts and requires specific project planning before funds are allocated.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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

A 1497: "Zero-Based Budget Act;" requires State Treasurer to develop and integrate certain zero-based budgeting practices and procedures in preparation and submission of Governor's annual budget message.

This bill (A 1497) requires New Jersey's State Treasurer to develop and implement a zero-based budgeting process for the Governor's annual budget. It directly affects all state spending agencies (like departments and commissions) by mandating they justify every funding request from scratch - not based on prior year spending - starting with the 2020 fiscal year. Key provisions require agencies to submit detailed justifications including goals, cost estimates for current and minimum service levels, stakeholder impacts, and comparisons with similar programs. The process must be fully integrated into the budget preparation by July 1, 2020, as outlined in the bill's requirements for agency submissions. The bill is pending before the Assembly Budget Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics State Budget

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

A 2206: Increases pay for certified nurse aides; makes appropriation.

This bill establishes a state-funded program to increase pay for certified nurse aides in New Jersey. The Department of Health will distribute funds to employers (like nursing homes and hospitals) to raise wages for existing or new certified nurse aides, addressing staffing shortages. Employers must use the funds solely for wage increases, with the Health Commissioner setting application rules and compliance standards. The program is funded by a one-time appropriation from the General Fund and expires once the allocated funds are distributed.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Healthcare Workforce

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

A 1209: Eliminates Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Aid and Consolidated Municipal Property Tax Relief Aid; establishes Municipal Property Tax Relief Fund.

This bill replaces two existing property tax relief funds (Energy Tax Receipts and Consolidated Municipal Property Tax Relief Aid) with a new "Municipal Property Tax Relief Fund" starting in 2026. The fund will receive annual revenue from energy-related sales taxes, utility corporation business taxes, and other specified utility tax payments, plus potential General Fund contributions to meet a target amount. Municipalities will receive annual payments based on a formula that guarantees each gets at least what they received in 2024/2025, with additional funds distributed using factors like population, median income, property valuation, and municipal distress levels. The bill eliminates prior funding mechanisms and establishes a new, indexed distribution system for state aid to local governments.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics Property Tax State Budget

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

A 3840: Requires fiscal notes for all bills that establish new programs or expand existing programs.

This bill (A 3840) requires state legislators to obtain a fiscal note for any bill that creates a new government program or expands an existing one, if the state or a local government will cover the costs. Currently, fiscal notes are required for bills affecting state spending or revenue, but this bill specifically adds program creation and expansion to that requirement. The Legislative Budget and Finance Officer must request the fiscal note from the Treasury's Division of Budget and Accounting before the bill advances. This change applies immediately to all such bills introduced in the New Jersey Legislature. The bill is pending referral to the Assembly Oversight Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics Appropriations Audits & Accountability State Budget

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

A 3722: Provides phased-in increases in cigarette tax rate over four-year period.

This bill gradually increases New Jersey's cigarette tax rate over four years, starting July 1, 2024. The tax will rise from $0.135 per cigarette ($2.70 per pack) to $0.20 per cigarette ($4.00 per pack) by 2027. Retailers and distributors must file annual tax returns showing cigarette inventory and pay the increased tax by specific dates each year. The additional revenue generated will go to the state General Fund, while existing dedications for smoking cessation programs and hospital subsidies remain unchanged.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics State Budget Hospitals

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