Budget & Taxes

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

A 3005: Removes investigation and security services from imposition of sales and use tax.

This bill removes investigation and security services from New Jersey's sales and use tax, meaning these services will no longer be subject to the tax. It amends the tax code (P.L.1966, c.30) by explicitly excluding such services from the definition of taxable "retail sale." Businesses providing investigation (e.g., private investigation) and security services (e.g., monitoring, guarding) will no longer collect sales tax on these services, and customers purchasing them will not pay the tax. The change directly affects service providers and their clients in these specific industries.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves sales tax on investigation/security services, providing tax relief for businesses and customers in these sectors, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax

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

A 2681: Increases tax credits for investments made in emerging technology businesses under "New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act."

This bill increases tax credits for investors in New Jersey's emerging technology businesses. It raises the base credit rate from 20% to 30% of eligible investments, and boosts the enhanced rate from 25% to 35% for investments in qualified opportunity zones, low-income communities, or businesses certified as minority/women-owned. The credit is capped at $500,000 per investment annually, with a total annual limit of $35 million across all credits. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority will administer the program, requiring applicants to demonstrate compliance with diversity or location criteria for the higher credit rate.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax credits for tech investors (20%→30% base, 25%→35% enhanced), providing tax relief to stimulate economic development in qualified communities and businesses.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyIncreases tax credits for investments in emerging tech businesses, directly funding sector growth and innovation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Emerging Technology

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

A 2313: Makes FY2025 supplemental appropriation of $10 million for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Grant Program.

This bill adds $10 million to New Jersey's FY2025 budget specifically for a new grant program under the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. It directly provides funding to state and local law enforcement agencies to purchase equipment or training needed to address unidentifiable drone sightings and ensure compliance with drone regulations. The key provision creates a dedicated grant stream for officials to safeguard critical infrastructure against potential drone-related threats. The funding responds to recent increases in unexplained drone activity across the state's airspace.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdds $10M to FY2025 budget for drone safety grants, directly increasing state funding for security infrastructure program.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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

A 4378: Establishes farmland assessment certification for tax assessors, online portal system for farmland assessment applications, and hotline for reporting farmland assessment fraud; increases on-site inspections for farmland under 10 acres in area and rollback tax.

This bill would require tax assessors to complete certification courses on farmland valuation within six months of the law's effective date. It mandates the creation of an online portal for farmers to apply for farmland assessment status, which must include details about land use, ownership, and agricultural production. The bill also establishes a fraud hotline and increases on-site inspections for farmland under 10 acres, requiring inspections every two years for these smaller parcels. These changes aim to improve the accuracy and efficiency of farmland tax assessments while strengthening fraud prevention measures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill prevents tax fraud through certification, online portals, and inspections, promoting accurate fiscal management and revenue collection.85% confidence

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3407: Designates Hackensack City as urban enterprise zone.

This bill designates Hackensack City as an urban enterprise zone under New Jersey law. It directly affects businesses operating within Hackensack that meet eligibility criteria, such as hiring residents from the zone or low-income individuals. The bill amends existing law to formally include Hackensack in the list of designated urban enterprise zones, allowing qualifying businesses to access tax benefits previously available in such zones. This is a procedural designation, not a new policy, and does not change existing tax provisions or create new obligations. The designation aligns Hackensack with other municipalities already recognized under the Urban Enterprise Zone program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill designates Hackensack as urban enterprise zone, enabling tax benefits for qualifying businesses. This tax incentive program supports economic development and low-income hiring, directly advancing tax policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

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

A 2480: Establishes programs in EDA to support New Jersey-based start-up, small businesses, and medium-sized businesses adopting artificial intelligence capabilities; appropriates $175.5 million.

This bill establishes New Jersey's "AI Job Creation and Economic Development Fund Program" to provide financial support for local businesses adopting AI technology. It directly affects New Jersey-based start-ups (operating ≤7 years), small businesses (SBA-defined), and medium-sized businesses that develop AI capabilities, offering grants up to $500,000 for AI innovation hubs or low-interest loans up to $1 million for business expansion. To qualify, businesses must demonstrate AI intellectual property, a job-creation plan, and financial need for the assistance. The program appropriates $175.5 million from the state budget, with the Economic Development Authority administering the funds and requiring annual reports on job creation and loan repayments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $175.5M for AI business support fund, directly increasing state spending on economic development programs.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProvides $175.5M in grants/loans for NJ businesses to adopt AI, directly advancing technology development and innovation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3358: Phases out State tuition aid grants for students enrolled in proprietary institutions of higher education; redirects State tuition aid grant funding for students enrolled in proprietary institutions to summer tuition aid grant program.

This bill phases out New Jersey's State tuition aid grants for students attending for-profit colleges starting with the 2026-2027 academic year. Current students enrolled at these institutions who received aid before that year will continue to receive it until their eligibility ends, but new students at for-profit colleges will no longer qualify. The redirected funds will instead support the state's summer tuition aid program, which helps students cover costs during summer sessions at public colleges, community colleges, and other eligible institutions. The change takes effect immediately for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects state tuition aid funds from for-profit colleges to summer tuition aid, reallocating budget toward student support programs per bill language.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRedirects tuition aid from for-profit colleges to public summer tuition program, increasing access to affordable higher education through reallocated funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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

A 1658: Establishes Veterans State Government Fellowship program.

Bill A-1658 establishes the Veterans State Government Fellowship program at Rutgers' Eagleton Institute of Politics, creating a paid fellowship for eligible New Jersey veterans. The program selects up to eight veterans (within 10 years of honorable discharge, at or below E-9/O-5 rank) to work for one year - four in legislative offices (Senate/Assembly majority/minority offices) and four in state departments or agencies. Each fellow receives a stipend comparable to other Rutgers fellowships, funded by an annual $600,000 state appropriation. The program aims to provide veterans with hands-on training in legislative and executive government processes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state-funded fellowship program with stipends, allocating resources for veterans' government roles per bill summary.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates paid fellowship for NJ veterans in state government roles, supporting veteran employment and career advancement through dedicated funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

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

A 1316: Expands Tuition Aid Grant program to include workforce training programs.

This bill expands New Jersey's Tuition Aid Grant Program to cover eligible workforce training programs, directly affecting students seeking non-degree credentials in high-demand fields. To qualify, programs must require 150+ classroom hours, offer industry-valued credentials, and maintain 70%+ completion and job placement rates. The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority will designate eligible programs and set participation rules, while institutions must report program success metrics. This change allows workforce training participants to access state aid previously limited to degree-granting programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state-funded tuition aid program requiring new budget allocation for workforce training, directly increasing public spending on education services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition aid to workforce training, increasing access to educational programs and funding for non-degree credentials in high-demand fields.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands access to workforce training for high-demand fields with job placement requirements, directly advancing employment outcomes and skill development for workers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Student Financial Aid Workforce Development

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

A 145: Permits farm income averaging credit under the New Jersey gross income tax.

This bill creates a New Jersey tax credit for farmers to smooth their tax payments by averaging farming income over four years. It allows farmers to calculate their tax using a four-year average of farming income (current year plus the previous three years, adjusting for losses or years without farming), then compares that to the tax calculated without averaging. The credit equals the difference between these two tax amounts, but cannot exceed $5,000 annually. This helps New Jersey farmers manage financial volatility from seasonal factors like weather or market fluctuations, without changing tax rates or creating new obligations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for farmers to average income, reducing tax burden and providing relief under NJ gross income tax system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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