Budget & Taxes

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

ACR 68: Urges Congress to enact "Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act of 2024" to reimburse State and local units for public safety expenses incurred during major presidential and vice presidential candidates' visits.

ACR 68 is a New Jersey concurrent resolution urging Congress to pass the "Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act of 2024" (H.R.9332). It directly affects state and local governments, which currently bear the costs of providing security for presidential and vice-presidential candidates during campaign events. The resolution requests federal reimbursement for these expenses - such as personnel, equipment, and facilities - after highlighting the financial burden on jurisdictions like New Jersey following the July 2024 assassination attempt on a presidential candidate. This is a procedural resolution, not a bill, seeking to prompt federal action.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesSeeks federal reimbursement for state security costs, reducing state budget burden and promoting fiscal responsibility in government spending.90% confidence

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3526: Authorizes creation of non-lapsing fire academy trust fund by county.

This bill allows New Jersey counties to create a dedicated "Fire Academy Trust Fund" using fees paid by individuals registering for county fire academy courses. The fund would collect all such registration fees and use them exclusively for fire academy equipment, maintenance, supplies, and operational services - preventing these funds from lapsing into general county budgets at year-end. It amends state law to permit counties to retain these revenues specifically for fire academy operations, rather than having them revert to the general budget annually. This change ensures consistent funding for fire academy programs without requiring annual budget approvals for these specific costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates dedicated trust fund for fire academy fees to prevent lapse, ensuring funds are used exclusively for equipment/operations. Promotes fiscal responsibility by protecting essential public safety funding.90% confidence

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

ACR 76: Proposes constitutional amendment to permit Legislature to extend eligibility to receive veterans' property tax deduction to surviving spouse of nonresident veteran in certain circumstances.

ACR 76 proposes a constitutional amendment to extend New Jersey's veterans' property tax deduction to surviving spouses of veterans who were not residents of New Jersey at the time of the veteran's death, but had previously been residents before and after their military service. Currently, the deduction applies only to surviving spouses of veterans who were residents at death; this bill would allow the Legislature to provide the deduction to spouses of veterans who met the residency requirement prior to service or after discharge. If passed, it would change the state constitution to permit this extension, requiring voter approval after legislative passage. The policy change would directly affect surviving spouses of veterans who served but lived outside New Jersey at death, while maintaining existing eligibility rules for veterans who died as residents.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands property tax deduction eligibility for veterans' spouses, providing tax relief per topic indicators.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veterans' property tax deduction eligibility to surviving spouses of nonresident veterans who previously resided in NJ, strengthening benefits without restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3623: Establishes Fusion Energy and Technology Incentive Program in EDA to encourage use of power plants for fusion energy and technology purposes; authorizes funds in Global Warming Solutions Fund to support fusion energy and technology facilities.

S 3623 establishes a Fusion Energy and Technology Incentive Program through New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to support fusion energy development. It provides tax credits to two groups: (1) power plant owners who lease space to fusion energy or technology companies, and (2) the companies themselves operating facilities on power plant sites. The program uses funds from the Global Warming Solutions Fund to cover these tax credits, targeting facilities that generate electricity using fusion energy or develop fusion technology. This policy directly affects power plant owners and fusion technology companies in New Jersey by offering financial incentives to repurpose power plant sites for fusion energy projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credits to power plant owners and fusion companies using Global Warming Solutions Fund, directly advancing tax policy for targeted industry development.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes tax credits and funds fusion energy development via Global Warming Solutions Fund, directly advancing clean energy infrastructure and innovation in renewable energy technology.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill funds fusion energy technology via tax credits and Global Warming Fund, directly advancing a specific technology sector through incentives and dedicated funding.95% confidence

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

A 2413: Provides dedicated funding for promotion of apprenticeships and apprenticeship programs from Workforce Development Partnership Fund.

This bill (A2413) redirects specific portions of New Jersey's existing Workforce Development Partnership Fund to support apprenticeship programs. It requires 5% of annual fund revenues (starting in 2021) to be allocated to One Stop Career Centers for promoting state-accredited apprenticeships, and 0.5% for the Apprenticeship Start-Up Grant Program. These funds directly support the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, career centers, and employers offering apprenticeships approved by the U.S. Department of Labor. The bill does not create new programs but specifies how existing fund resources will be dedicated to expanding apprenticeship opportunities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects 5% of existing fund revenues to apprenticeship programs, increasing public service funding allocation without tax changes.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRedirects 5% of fund revenues to promote apprenticeships, directly funding workforce development programs that enhance employment opportunities and skills training.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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

AR 49: Urges Congress to fully fund programs and activities under federal Elder Justice Act.

This New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 49) urges Congress to fully fund existing programs authorized under the federal Elder Justice Act of 2010. It specifically requests funding for state adult protective services, long-term care ombudsman programs, facility survey agencies, forensic centers, and the Elder Justice Advisory Board - programs Congress has not fully funded since 2014, per a 2020 Congressional Research Service report. The resolution does not create new law but formally requests Congress restore funding to these elder abuse prevention and response initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUrges full federal funding for elder justice programs, advocating for increased appropriations on essential services like adult protective services and long-term care.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUrges full funding for elder justice programs including adult protective services and long-term care ombudsman programs, directly supporting healthcare funding and services for elderly.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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

A 2930: Provides gross income tax deduction for costs of purchasing and installing whole house backup electrical generator or home backup battery system for resident taxpayer's principal residence.

This bill allows New Jersey resident taxpayers to deduct the full cost of purchasing and installing qualifying whole-house backup power systems (either natural gas/propane generators or home battery systems with at least 3 kilowatt-hours capacity) from their gross income. It directly affects homeowners who own a primary residence in New Jersey and install these systems to provide backup electricity during power outages. The deduction covers both the purchase and installation costs, provided the systems meet state and local installation, inspection, and permitting requirements. The bill defines "home backup battery systems" to include common technologies like lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries, and "whole house generators" as permanently connected systems that only activate during outages.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax deduction for home backup systems, reducing taxable income for homeowners, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Procurement

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

A 232: Provides research and development tax credit under gross income tax.

This bill (A 232) creates a 10% tax credit against New Jersey's gross income tax for businesses that spend money on research and development (R&D) activities conducted within New Jersey. It directly affects companies subject to New Jersey's gross income tax that incur qualified R&D expenses or make basic research payments, including those that previously couldn't claim the federal R&D credit. The credit is calculated similarly to the federal version but only applies to R&D done in New Jersey, and it cannot be used for expenses already covered by other tax benefits. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to seven years. The goal is to incentivize in-state R&D investment to support technological and economic growth.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 10% R&D tax credit, providing tax relief for businesses under gross income tax, aligning with fiscal support indicators.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill provides 10% R&D tax credit for NJ-based tech innovation, directly funding research activities to advance technology development.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3626: Requires Department of Treasury to review and approve digital payment platform.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Treasury to review and approve a blockchain-based digital payment platform designed for legal, licensed businesses that lack access to traditional banking and operate primarily in cash. The platform must enable secure cashless transactions with a 1:1 virtual currency-to-dollar conversion, record all transactions on a permanent digital ledger, and allow businesses to pay sales tax to local municipalities. Businesses would need state approval to use the platform, which must also support managing expenditures and meeting regulatory requirements. The law aims to expand digital commerce access for cash-reliant businesses while ensuring compliance and security.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables secure sales tax payments via digital platform, improving tax collection efficiency for municipalities and promoting fiscal accountability.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyPromotes blockchain-based digital payments for cash-reliant businesses, enhancing secure transactions and digital inclusion via state-approved platform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Emerging Technology

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

A 1953: Directs Dept. of Agriculture to establish "Urban Gardening Pilot Program"; appropriates $100,000.

This New Jersey bill establishes a three-year "Urban Gardening Pilot Program" administered by the Department of Agriculture, appropriating $100,000 to fund up to three urban gardening projects in low-income neighborhoods. The program provides grants of up to $35,000 each to qualified municipalities or nonprofits for creating community gardens in areas with high poverty rates (20%+ poverty or below 80% median income), requiring applicants to partner with agricultural experts to teach residents about growing food. Projects must aim to improve neighborhood conditions and foster community integration across diverse groups, with the department reporting on outcomes to the legislature after three years. The bill expires upon submission of this evaluation report.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $100,000 for urban gardening in low-income areas, funding a public service program under state budget allocation.95% confidence

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