Budget & Taxes (State Budget) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 896: Establishes "Civil Air Patrol Fund" to be supported by annual appropriations of $275,000; appropriates $275,000.*

This bill creates a permanent "Civil Air Patrol Fund" within New Jersey's Department of Military Affairs, requiring an annual $100,000 appropriation from the state General Fund. The fund supports the New Jersey Civil Air Patrol Wing by financing specific programs like cadet STEM/aviation training, search and rescue preparation, disaster relief equipment (including a Redbird flight simulator), and volunteer training. Unspent funds carry forward annually, and the fund may also accept federal grants and public donations. It directly affects the Civil Air Patrol's operational capacity for emergency services and youth development in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1400: Directs DHS to establish three year advertising campaign to attract certified home health aides to health care professions; appropriates $3 million.

This bill directs New Jersey's Department of Human Services (in consultation with the Department of Health) to launch a three-year advertising campaign targeting certified home health aides, promoting healthcare careers as rewarding opportunities with available financial support like scholarships and student loan assistance. The campaign must specifically aim to recruit from underrepresented racial groups, senior care specialists, and high-demand healthcare fields. It appropriates $3 million from the state general fund to cover campaign costs and requires a final report on effectiveness to be submitted to the governor and legislature within six months of the campaign's end. The bill expires upon submission of this report.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics State Budget

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 750: Concerns Municipal Stabilization and Recovery Act; extends for six years.

This bill extends the recovery period for municipalities designated under New Jersey's Municipal Stabilization and Recovery Act from 9 years (109 months) to 15 years (181 months). It directly affects municipalities deemed "in need of stabilization and recovery" by state officials, requiring them to implement a 15-year financial recovery plan within 150 days of designation. Key provisions mandate the plan include a balanced budget, detailed debt repayment schedules for state obligations (including deferred pension payments), and strategies to increase revenue while ensuring timely payments to counties and school districts. The extension provides additional time for municipalities to stabilize finances under the existing framework of P.L.2016, c.4.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics Pensions State Budget

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1475: Requires temporary benefit enhancement to be granted in each of two State fiscal years when retirement allowance or benefit is below certain amount for retiree or beneficiary in PFRS; makes appropriation.

This bill provides $1,000 temporary benefit enhancements in fiscal years 2025 and 2026 for retirees and beneficiaries in New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) whose monthly benefits are at or below 450% of the federal poverty level (for a single-person household). The payments would be added to existing benefits or issued as separate checks, directly supporting low-income retirees and survivors. The state would fund this through a new appropriation from the General Fund, with administrative costs handled by the PFRS board.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics Appropriations Pensions State Budget

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 Jan 13, 2026

S 1173: Expands NJT Access Link paratransit service area to include certain veterans health care facilities; appropriates $1 million.

This bill requires NJ Transit to expand its Access Link paratransit service to cover all U.S. Veterans Health Administration facilities in New Jersey. It mandates that Access Link service be available within a 1.5-mile radius around each facility and along a 1.5-mile-wide corridor connecting each facility to the nearest NJ Transit bus route or light rail station, regardless of whether these locations fall within the current service area. The bill appropriates $1 million from the state General Fund to cover implementation costs and prohibits NJ Transit from entering new contracts for Access Link service unless they comply with these expanded requirements. This change directly affects veterans using these health facilities who rely on paratransit for medical appointments.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Transportation ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics State Budget Public Transit Rail Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1391: Establishes minimum Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare reimbursement rate for pediatric special care nursing facilities.

This bill establishes a minimum daily reimbursement rate of $950 for pediatric skilled care nursing facilities (SCNFs) participating in New Jersey's Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs. It directly affects facilities providing specialized, long-term care to medically fragile children and youth up to age 21, such as the four currently operating in New Jersey. To qualify for this rate, facilities must comply with state and federal requirements for licensure, patient safety, and care quality. The bill appropriates necessary funds from the General Fund to implement this rate increase and requires the Commissioner of Human Services to seek federal approval for the change.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics State Budget Children's Health Long-Term Care Medicaid

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 770: Requires DOH to create best practices manual for maternity care; appropriates $950,000.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health to create a best practices manual for prenatal and postpartum care, which all hospitals and maternity care facilities must adopt as a condition of licensure. The manual must include specific standards like emergency response teams, patient screenings, treatment guidelines, and reporting protocols for complications. It appropriates $950,000 from the state general fund to fund this manual's development and implementation. The bill directly affects healthcare facilities providing maternity services by mandating adherence to these new standards.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics State Budget Medical Licensing Women's Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2336: Establishes public awareness campaign concerning risks of gambling and resources available to compulsive gamblers; appropriates $200,000.

S 2336 requires New Jersey's Division of Gaming Enforcement, working with the Health Commissioner, to create a public awareness campaign about gambling risks and resources for people struggling with gambling addiction. The campaign must cover gambling risks, consequences, addiction rates, and available help, using media like TV, radio, social media, and newspapers within 180 days of the bill's enactment. The state will appropriate $200,000 from the General Fund to fund this campaign and requires a report on its progress to the Governor and Legislature within 24 months. This bill directly affects all New Jersey residents by making this information widely accessible through official state channels.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics State Budget

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

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