Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4238: Requires Treasury to regularly review contract and performance of pharmacy benefits manager for SHBP and SEHBP.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of the Treasury to conduct a formal review of pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) for the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) and School Employees' Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) every five years. The reviews must assess whether PBM contracts are cost-effective, meet operational and financial goals, and generate net savings for the state and participating local governments. After each review, the Treasury must publish a public report online within 30 days, detailing findings on costs, savings, and performance. The bill directly affects state and school employees covered by these health programs through their prescription drug coverage and costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires Treasury to review PBM contracts for cost-effectiveness and net savings, directly promoting fiscal responsibility in state budget management.90% confidence

Track

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

A 2587: Increases minimum salary of teaching staff members in school districts and educational services commissions.

This bill increases the minimum annual salary for full-time public school teachers in New Jersey from $18,500 to $60,000 (with $61,500 for teachers holding a master's degree or higher), effective for the 2022-2023 school year and all future hires. It directly affects all public school teachers in New Jersey school districts and educational services commissions who are certified as performing acceptably. The bill mandates that school districts cannot pay below these new minimums and requires the state to cover the full difference between current salaries and the new minimums for the 2022-2023 school year, phasing down to zero funding by 2027-2028. This establishes a concrete policy change in teacher compensation standards without altering existing collective bargaining agreements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates increased state-mandated spending on teacher salaries, directly boosting public education funding through higher district expenditures.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases teacher salaries from $18,500 to $60,000, directly supporting educator compensation and school funding as per bill's mandate.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates significant minimum salary increase for teachers from $18,500 to $60,000, directly raising wages and strengthening compensation standards for public school workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Collective Bargaining Minimum Wage

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

A 2327: Increases FY2026 annual appropriation to DCF by $16.7 million to increase NJ FamilyCare monthly reimbursement rate paid to care management organizations.

This bill increases the FY2026 annual funding for New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) by $16.7 million to raise the monthly reimbursement rate paid to care management organizations (CMOs). Specifically, it raises the NJ FamilyCare reimbursement rate for CMO services from $1,032 to $1,200 per client starting in FY2026, with annual $100 increases until reaching $1,500 per client. CMOs - county-based agencies providing coordinated care for youth with complex behavioral health needs, substance use disorders, or developmental disabilities - are directly affected by this rate change. The funding adjustment ensures CMOs receive higher payments for services delivered under the NJ FamilyCare program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases FY2026 DCF appropriation by $16.7M to raise NJ FamilyCare reimbursement rates for CMOs, directly funding public health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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

A 3050: Establishes advertisement grant program for emerging businesses in science and technology.

This bill creates a grant program administered by New Jersey's Economic Development Authority to fund advertising and marketing costs for eligible science and technology businesses. It directly affects small tech companies in New Jersey with fewer than 225 employees (75% based in the state) operating in specified sectors like biotechnology, renewable energy, or information technology. Grants must cover only advertising/marketing expenses, require annual financial reports to verify proper use, and convert to loans if misused. The program aims to stimulate economic development by supporting these emerging businesses' market outreach.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates state-funded grant program for business marketing, increasing government spending on economic development initiatives.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates grant program funding tech businesses' advertising/marketing, directly supporting sector growth in specified tech fields.95% confidence

Track

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

A 888: Increases income-based eligibility of Community College Opportunity Grant Program; codifies Garden State Guarantee Program to provide last-dollar financial aid grants for certain students.

This bill establishes the Garden State Guarantee Program, providing last-dollar financial aid grants to cover the net cost of tuition and fees for eligible students in their third and fourth years at New Jersey's four-year public colleges. It directly affects students with family or personal annual adjusted gross income between $0 and $100,000 (with possible annual adjustments), requiring them to apply for all other federal, state, and institutional aid first. The program covers up to 18 credits per semester after other grants are applied, ensuring students pay only what remains after other financial aid is deducted. It codifies an existing program while expanding income-based eligibility for the third and fourth years of study.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes state-funded financial aid program covering tuition costs for low/middle-income students, increasing public education spending through new budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Garden State Guarantee Program providing last-dollar financial aid grants to cover tuition/fees for eligible students, expanding access to higher education funding and reducing financial barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3434: Requires Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to issue vouchers in amount of monthly loan repayment amount for loan borrowers who have child enrolled in Grow NJ Kids-rated child care program.

This bill creates the Grow NJ Kids Student Loan Voucher Program, which provides monthly vouchers to New Jersey residents with student loans. Eligible participants must have a child enrolled in a Grow NJ Kids-rated child care program (minimum 3-star rating), meet income limits ($75,000 individual / $150,000 household), and apply through the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. The voucher amount equals the borrower's monthly student loan payment, funded by state appropriations. The program requires child care providers to publicize the program and participants to report enrollment changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds student loan vouchers via state appropriations, increasing public spending on childcare support for lower-income families ($75k income limit).95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides monthly student loan repayment vouchers for higher education borrowers, reducing financial barriers to higher education access and supporting student affordability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Student Financial Aid

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

A 1595: Provides gross income tax credits to taxpayers who purchase certain low-speed electric bicycles.

This bill provides a tax credit for New Jersey residents who buy qualifying low-speed electric bicycles for personal use. Taxpayers can claim a credit equal to 30% of their purchase cost, up to $1,500 annually, for bikes costing $8,000 or less. The credit applies only to bikes that meet specific technical standards (e.g., max 20 mph, pedal-assist or throttle-only operation) and cannot be used for business purposes. The credit cannot reduce a taxpayer’s total tax liability below zero. It applies to taxable years beginning after the bill’s enactment date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a tax credit (30% up to $1,500) for personal electric bike purchases, providing direct tax relief to residents. This aligns with tax policy support by reducing individual tax liability without specifying income thresholds.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncentivizes e-bike adoption (reducing vehicle emissions) and aligns with clean transportation goals to support climate action.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4145: Provides temporary corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for certain employer-provided child care expenditures.

This bill creates a temporary tax credit for New Jersey employers who build or improve facilities to provide child care for their employees' children. Employers can claim a 50% credit (up to $50,000) against corporation business tax or gross income tax for eligible property expenses, effective for three years after the bill's enactment. To qualify, employers must commit to using the property as a child care center for employees' children for 60 consecutive months and submit documentation to the state tax authority. If the property stops serving this purpose (except in cases of casualty or transfer), employers must repay the credit plus interest. The credit directly affects businesses establishing on-site or contracted child care centers for their workforce.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides temporary tax credit (50% up to $50k) reducing business tax liability for employer child care facilities, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides tax credit for employer child care facilities, expanding worker benefits and supporting employment standards by reducing childcare barriers for employees.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits

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

A 3104: Establishes "Menstrual Hygiene Products Program," appropriates $200,000.

This bill establishes a state-funded program to improve access to menstrual hygiene products (like tampons and sanitary napkins) for low-income residents in New Jersey. The Department of Agriculture will administer the program, awarding annual grants of up to $10,000 to participating food pantries to purchase these products, with $200,000 appropriated from the state General Fund. The department must list participating pantries and their hours online, coordinate with pharmacies for efficient product distribution, and develop educational materials about menstrual hygiene. The program requires implementation within six months of the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $200,000 from state General Fund to fund menstrual hygiene products for low-income residents, directly increasing public service funding.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds access to menstrual hygiene products for low-income residents, improving public health access and aligning with healthcare support policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Aug 6, 2026

A 2391: Authorizes creation of "250th Anniversary Revolutionary War" license plates.

This bill authorizes New Jersey to create special "250th Anniversary Revolutionary War" license plates for motor vehicles. Vehicle owners who apply (paying a $50 one-time fee plus a $10 annual fee) can display these plates, with all fees deposited into a dedicated fund. The fund, managed by the Department of Treasury, uses these monies to support the preservation of Revolutionary War sites across New Jersey. The design and implementation involve coordination between the Motor Vehicle Commission and the New Jersey Historical Commission.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $50 one-time/$10 annual fees funding Revolutionary War preservation, directly supporting program funding through dedicated revenue stream.85% confidence