Budget & Taxes (Appropriations) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1977: Establishes legislative internship program; makes appropriation.

This bill establishes a New Jersey legislative internship program allowing state legislators to hire students with up to $10,000 annually per member. It prioritizes New Jersey residents or students attending New Jersey colleges, excluding law and doctoral students, and requires interns to complete at least one work period in a legislator's district office. Participants receive a $1,000 stipend per work period, paid bi-weekly or monthly as determined by the legislator. The state appropriates $1.2 million from the General Fund to fund this program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3227: Authorizes municipal assessment of development impact fees following State guidelines and makes an appropriation.

This bill authorizes New Jersey municipalities to charge development impact fees on new construction projects to fund infrastructure improvements. It requires these fees to follow state-established guidelines and directs the funds toward upgrading roads, water systems, sewer facilities, and school infrastructure strained by new development. Developers of new projects will pay these fees, while municipalities will use the revenue to address specific infrastructure needs identified by the state. The bill also includes a funding appropriation to support this fee program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Appropriations Testing & Assessment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1448: Requires cost of living increase to be granted in each of two State fiscal years when retirement allowance or benefit is below certain amount for retiree or beneficiary in PERS, TPAF, PFRS, SPRS, and JRS; makes appropriation.

This bill requires a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for retirees and beneficiaries in New Jersey's Teachers' Pension, Judicial Retirement, Public Employees', Police and Firemen's, and State Police retirement systems whose monthly benefits are at or below 150% of the federal poverty level for a single-person household. The adjustment equals 100% of the Consumer Price Index change (instead of the previous 60%) and applies only on January 1, 2023, and January 1, 2024. The state must appropriate funds from the General Fund to cover these increases and administrative costs for those two years. Retirees or beneficiaries may voluntarily waive the adjustment with written notice.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations Pensions State Budget

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2204: Provides supplemental appropriation of $20 million for loan redemption program and tuition reimbursement program for certain teachers of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

This bill allocates $20 million in supplemental funding to support STEM teachers in New Jersey public schools through two programs. It provides eligible new STEM teachers (those completing educator preparation programs or advanced STEM degrees in 2021-2022) with either: 1) Upfront loan redemption covering 25% of eligible student debt (up to $20,000), or 2) Upfront tuition reimbursement covering 25% of eligible tuition costs (up to $20,000). Recipients must sign a contract committing to four years of teaching in a New Jersey public school STEM classroom and maintain teaching certification. Failure to complete the service period requires repayment as a loan. The funding modifies existing programs under P.L.2019, c.401 for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Appropriations Higher Education Teachers

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2583: Requires minimum annual State appropriation of $10 million for Public Health Priority Funding.

This bill requires New Jersey to appropriate at least $10 million annually from the state General Fund to the Department of Health for Public Health Priority Funding, starting July 1 after the bill takes effect. It directly affects local health departments by restoring a dedicated, unrestricted state funding source they previously relied on (before it was eliminated in 2011), which previously covered about 15% of their total funding. The bill reinstates the "Public Health Priority Funding Act of 1977," allowing local health departments to use these funds flexibly to address community health needs, emerging threats, and other priorities - unlike current funding, which is often restricted to specific purposes like vaccines. This policy change would shift funding away from reliance on property taxes and narrowly designated federal/state grants.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Public Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3017: Makes supplemental General Fund appropriation of $45 million to DHS for opioid related care and treatment at certain hospitals.

This bill shifts $45 million in state funding for opioid care from the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund to the General Fund for the 2026 fiscal year. The funds must be distributed to four specific hospitals - $10 million to Hackensack, $15 million to RWJ Barnabas, $15 million to Cooper, and $5 million to Atlantic Health - to provide opioid-related treatment. Each hospital must submit quarterly reports detailing fund usage, patient outcomes, and remaining balances until all funds are expended.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Hospitals Substance Abuse

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2474: Appropriates $300,000 from General Fund to New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers University.

This bill appropriates $300,000 from New Jersey's General Fund to the Rutgers University New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station specifically for the Veterans Environmental Technology and Solutions (VETS) program. The funding will continue and expand this initiative, which provides unemployed veterans with training in sustainable landscaping, environmental skills, and business development through classroom instruction, site visits, and community projects. The program helps veterans transition to civilian life while supporting local environmental improvement efforts. The VETS program, originally established in Essex County in 2014, had previously ended due to funding gaps. This supplemental appropriation ensures its ongoing operation and growth.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Higher Education Veteran Education Veteran Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1100: Makes supplemental appropriation of $15 million to DMVA for New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation for facilities expansion.

This bill provides a $15 million supplemental appropriation from the General Fund to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation through the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. It directly funds the expansion of the Vietnam Era Museum, adding 11,850 square feet of facilities. The funding supports accreditation, artifact preservation, and improved educational programming for the foundation, which serves over 10,000 New Jersey students annually. The bill authorizes this specific allocation to complete the museum’s expansion project.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Memorials & Recognition

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2813: Requires State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to employ three geriatric social workers to serve New Jersey's long-term care residents and makes appropriation.

This bill requires New Jersey's State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to hire three specialized geriatric social workers - one for each of the state's northern, central, and southern regions - to directly assist long-term care residents. The social workers will help residents address legal, financial, and service needs, including being present at initial facility contract meetings. The bill also appropriates necessary funds from the General Fund to cover these positions. It directly affects all residents in New Jersey's long-term care facilities by adding dedicated support staff focused on their well-being and rights.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Long-Term Care

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1627: Establishes Veterans State Government Fellowship program.

S 1627 establishes a Veterans State Government Fellowship program at Rutgers' Eagleton Institute of Politics. It creates eight annual fellowships for New Jersey veterans who were discharged honorably within the past decade (with pay grade limits), providing them with paid opportunities to learn government processes. Four fellows will work in legislative offices (Senate/Assembly majority and minority offices), while four will be placed in state departments or agencies. The program requires a $600,000 annual state appropriation to Rutgers for administration and stipends, with eligibility and placements managed by the Eagleton Institute director.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Appropriations Veteran Education Veteran Employment

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