Budget & Taxes

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

A 2156: Appropriates $3 million annually to DEP for mosquito control.

This bill appropriates $3 million annually from the General Fund to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for the State Mosquito Control Commission. The funds will directly support local governments by providing financial assistance for mosquito control activities, research, administration, and operations at the county level. The commission distributes these resources to county mosquito control agencies, which typically operate under local government authority.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $3M from General Fund for mosquito control, funding public service and local government operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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

A 970: Appropriates $2.5 million to DOBI to reimburse joint insurance funds for COVID-19 surveillance testing.

This bill appropriates $2.5 million from the state General Fund to the Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) to reimburse joint insurance funds for covering COVID-19 surveillance testing costs. It directly affects insurance plans providing group health coverage to "covered workers" (defined in Governor Murphy's executive orders), specifically for weekly testing of unvaccinated, asymptomatic employees in healthcare and high-risk settings from August 2021 to August 2022. The reimbursement covers costs incurred by insurance funds that voluntarily provided this testing despite federal guidance not requiring it. The bill establishes a process for funds to request reimbursement through DOBI and clarifies that "surveillance testing" refers to routine screening to identify asymptomatic cases, distinct from required medical testing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $2.5M from General Fund to reimburse insurance funds for pandemic testing, directly funding a public health program through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReimburses insurers for mandatory COVID-19 testing in healthcare settings, directly funding public health surveillance within health coverage programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 3635: Establishes "New Jersey Cybersecurity Grant Program"; appropriates $5 million from General Fund.

S 3635 establishes the "New Jersey Cybersecurity Grant Program" within the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, appropriating $5 million from the General Fund. The program provides grants to financial and healthcare businesses operating in New Jersey that are deemed high-risk for cybersecurity incidents, with a maximum award of $100,000 per business per fiscal year. Businesses must submit applications online and provide documentation like invoices for reimbursement after purchasing qualifying cybersecurity equipment. The bill defines "sensitive businesses" to include financial institutions and healthcare entities operating in the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $5M from General Fund to fund cybersecurity grants for businesses, directly advancing state budget allocation for essential program funding.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes cybersecurity grant program funding high-risk businesses to enhance security measures, directly strengthening cybersecurity protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement State Budget Cybersecurity

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 12, 2026

A 4030: Establishes grant program for reimbursement of tuition and fees for certain qualifying courses taken by farmers; appropriates $100,000.

This bill creates a New Jersey grant program to reimburse farmers for tuition and fees of approved courses related to farming, business, or agriculture. It directly affects farmers who own or operate a farm with at least $2,500 in annual sales, including both experienced farmers (10+ years) and new farmers (less than 10 years). Reimbursement percentages increase with course count: experienced farmers get 10-30% back, while new farmers receive 15-35% for qualifying courses. The program is funded by a $100,000 appropriation from the General Fund, administered by the Department of Agriculture.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $100,000 from state budget to fund farmer education grants, directly increasing government spending on agricultural support programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 3471: Establishes New Jersey Veteran Gravesite Maintenance Grant Program in DVA.

This bill establishes a New Jersey Veteran Gravesite Maintenance Grant Program within the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). It provides grants to qualified nonprofit veterans' organizations (specifically 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) tax-exempt groups or federally chartered Veterans' Service Organizations) to help maintain veteran gravesites across the state. The DVA must develop application guidelines, monitor grant usage, require recipient reporting, and annually report program effectiveness to the Governor and Legislature. Funding for the program requires future legislative appropriation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state-funded grant program for veteran gravesite maintenance, allocating public funds to support a public service initiative.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes grant program to fund maintenance of veteran gravesites, directly advancing veteran recognition and service preservation through state funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Memorials & Recognition

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

A 273: Requires State reimbursement to municipalities of cost of disabled veterans' total property tax exemption.

This bill requires the state of New Jersey to reimburse municipalities 102% of the property tax costs they incur from granting disabled veterans a full property tax exemption. It directly affects disabled veterans (who receive the exemption) and local governments (which bear the tax loss but now get state reimbursement). Key mechanisms include annual certification by tax assessors and county boards of the number and total dollar amount of exemptions, with the state paying the full cost based on these reports. The bill amends existing tax law to clarify that these exemptions are excluded from taxable value calculations but still trigger state reimbursement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates state reimbursement for disabled veterans' tax exemptions, preventing municipal budget strain and ensuring fiscal responsibility.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransReimburses municipalities for disabled veterans' property tax exemptions, ensuring continued benefit without local fiscal burden.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives

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

A 3916: Directs NJ Infrastructure Bank to establish financing program for electric school buses; allocates $20 million annually in societal benefits charge revenues to NJ Infrastructure Bank for purposes of program.

This bill establishes a $20 million annual financing program through New Jersey's Infrastructure Bank to help school districts replace diesel school buses with electric ones and install charging infrastructure. It directs the Infrastructure Bank to provide loans and financial assistance to school districts, prioritizing those in "overburdened communities" as defined by state law. School districts must complete energy assessments comparing costs and environmental benefits of electric buses before receiving funding. The program uses existing societal benefits charge revenues, federal funds, and loan repayments to sustain the initiative without requiring new state taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $20M annually from existing societal benefits charges to fund electric school bus program, representing targeted government spending on public infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $20M annually for electric school buses and charging infrastructure, directly improving school transportation infrastructure and environmental benefits for K-12 districts.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAllocates $20M annually to replace diesel school buses with electric ones, directly advancing renewable energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence in transportation infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds electric school buses and charging infrastructure via $20M annual allocation, promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure as per bill's explicit financing program for electric vehicle adoption.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

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

A 4250: Makes supplemental appropriation of $2,500,000 to Salvation and Social Justice for "Return and Restore" Program.

This bill appropriates $2.5 million in supplemental funding from the General Fund to Salvation and Social Justice for its "Return and Restore" program. The funds will be administered by the Trenton Restorative Street Team (TRST), a community-based initiative that directly serves formerly incarcerated individuals in Trenton at risk of gang involvement or recidivism. Key provisions include providing comprehensive supportive services - such as outreach, counseling, and conflict mediation - through a team of trained workers, including former gang members and formerly incarcerated residents. The program aims to reduce gang-related activities, gun violence, and recidivism by addressing root causes in high-risk communities. This funding supplements existing state appropriations for the 2026 fiscal year and takes effect immediately.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $2.5M supplemental funding from General Fund for community program serving formerly incarcerated individuals, increasing public spending on essential services.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds 'Return and Restore' program providing supportive services to formerly incarcerated individuals to reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Firearms

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 3467: Prohibits investment of pension and annuity funds by State in entities that avoid Superfund obligations to State.

This bill prohibits New Jersey's state pension and annuity funds from investing in businesses identified under federal Superfund law (CERCLA) as responsible for environmental cleanup costs at contaminated sites, specifically if those businesses filed for bankruptcy to avoid paying. It directly affects the state's pension funds and companies that evade Superfund obligations through bankruptcy filings after EPA designation. The key mechanism requires the state Treasury to divest such investments within three years of identification, with "business affiliates" (entities owning 20%+ of the debtor) also covered. The bill targets entities like YPF S.A., which acquired Maxus Energy (responsible for Newark's Diamond Alkali Superfund site) and filed bankruptcy after EPA's $1.38 billion cleanup finding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by requiring divestment of pension funds from high-risk entities, aligning with prudent fiscal management under Budget & Taxes.80% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPrevents state pension investments in companies evading Superfund cleanup obligations, enforcing accountability for environmental contamination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions Hazardous Materials

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

A 476: Establishes EMT Workforce Development Partnership in DOH, appropriates $1.5 million.

This bill creates the EMT Workforce Development Partnership within New Jersey's Department of Health, providing free training to high school students (16+), college students, and community residents to become certified emergency medical technicians (EMTs). It requires participants to work as paid or volunteer EMTs for at least two years in their local community after certification to avoid repaying training costs. The partnership involves collaboration between the Department of Health, schools, hospitals, and certified training agencies, with $1.5 million appropriated from the state general fund to cover implementation. Participants who complete the training and pass the certification exam receive temporary EMT certification, while those who don't fulfill the service requirement must reimburse the training agency. The bill aims to expand local EMT workforce access through accessible, no-cost training pathways.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $1.5 million for EMT workforce development, funding a public service program through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides free EMT training to high school/college students via school partnerships, expanding educational access and workforce opportunities with $1.5M funding.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds EMT training to expand emergency medical workforce, ensuring community healthcare access through mandatory local service post-certification.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds free EMT training with mandatory local employment post-certification, advancing workforce development and job opportunities in healthcare sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Higher Education K-12 Education Professional Licensing Workforce Development

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