This bill creates a Fusion Energy and Technology Incentive Program through New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to encourage using power plant sites for fusion energy development. It provides tax credits to two groups: (1) property owners who lease space on power plant sites to fusion companies (15% of rent plus 35% of qualifying site preparation costs), and (2) fusion companies operating facilities on those sites. The program is limited to $5 million in annual tax credits and applies to both operational and decommissioned power plants. It directly affects New Jersey-based fusion energy companies and property owners with eligible power plant sites.
S 3410 establishes the "Entry-Level Home Development Fund" with a $300 million appropriation to provide gap financing for developers building low- to middle-income housing. The fund, administered by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, covers financing shortfalls that prevent developers from constructing housing affordable to households earning up to 120% of the area median income. This program directly supports developers of qualifying projects and aims to increase housing supply for low- to middle-income residents who face affordability challenges due to high prices and limited inventory. The bill defines "low- to middle-income housing" as units reserved for households meeting specific income thresholds, without mandating additional requirements for project locations or developer types.
This New Jersey bill allows businesses to claim a tax credit equal to 10% of wages paid to employees with developmental disabilities (verified by the state’s Division of Developmental Disabilities). The credit is capped at $3,000 per employee and $60,000 total per business annually for both corporation business tax and gross income tax. Businesses cannot claim this credit for the same employee if they also claim credits under existing disability employment programs. The credit applies to wages paid for any employment setting, not just specialized workshops.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to exempt the primary residence of a surviving spouse from property taxes if their first responder spouse (law enforcement, firefighter, or emergency medical service member) died while on duty. The exemption applies only to homes the first responder lived in as their primary residence at the time of death, and continues as long as the spouse owns, occupies the home, and does not remarry. The state would reimburse local taxing districts annually for the lost property tax revenue from these exempt properties. This amendment requires voter approval to become law, as it would amend the New Jersey Constitution.
This bill establishes a state grant program to provide thermal imaging body cameras, thermal imaging masks, and radio repeaters to fire departments serving municipalities with 100,000 or more residents. Qualifying fire departments in cities with 100,000-299,000 residents receive $150,000 every three years (divided equally among departments), while those in cities of 300,000+ residents receive the same amount. The grant covers purchasing or reimbursing costs for the specified equipment, which enhances firefighter visibility through smoke and improves inter-department communication. The Division of Fire Safety must review the program every five years to ensure departments use updated technology and determine if the program should continue.
This bill provides $3.5 million in supplemental state funding specifically to the Freehold Regional School District to maintain its courtesy busing transportation services. The district had planned to eliminate these services (which serve about 30% of students living under 2.5 miles from school) due to prior state aid reductions totaling approximately $20 million since 2019. The funding prevents the loss of this essential service, which students rely on because of hazardous walking conditions and lack of sidewalks in the district. This direct aid supports over 10,000 students across eight communities who currently benefit from the transportation.
This bill establishes a New Jersey State Government and Civil Service Student Internship Program within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. It targets undergraduate and graduate students (excluding law and doctoral programs) from accredited colleges, prioritizing New Jersey residents or students attending NJ institutions. Participants must complete 480 hours of work (240 hours per semester) with state agencies, working 20-40 hours weekly depending on class schedules, and receive a $2,500 stipend per 240 hours. Successful completers gain preference for entry-level civil service jobs within two years of graduation, with disabled veterans receiving highest priority. The program is funded by a $750,000 appropriation from the State General Fund.
This bill (A4057) creates the "Indigent Veterans’ Burial Services Fund" in New Jersey's Treasury. It allows taxpayers to voluntarily contribute a portion of their state tax refund or make a separate payment when filing their gross income tax return, directing funds to cover burial or cremation costs for indigent veterans. The fund specifically supports veterans who lack resources for burial - such as homeless veterans or those with abandoned remains - beyond the current system where counties cover up to $250 and the state provides additional funding up to $1,250. All collected contributions must be annually appropriated by the Legislature to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for these burial expenses.
This bill allocates an additional $500,000 from the General Fund to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs for the New Jersey State Veterans Chamber of Commerce (NJSVCC). The funds must be used to support the NJSVCC's programs focused on veteran economic development, outreach, and skills training. The NJSVCC is a nonprofit organization that assists veteran-owned businesses, military spouses, and veterans through advocacy, networking, and job creation initiatives. This supplemental appropriation continues the state's annual funding for the NJSVCC, which previously received $500,000 in FY 2023. The bill directly supports veterans and veteran-owned businesses by enhancing their access to economic opportunities and workforce development resources.
This bill establishes a regional farm wage in New Jersey by averaging agricultural wage data from Pennsylvania, New York, and Delaware. Farm employers who pay workers at least this regional wage qualify for tax credits against their business and gross income taxes, calculated based on the amount paid above the current state farm wage but not below the regional rate. The credits can be carried forward for up to four years if not fully used in the current tax period. This policy directly affects New Jersey farm employers who hire workers on a piece-rate or hourly basis for farm labor.
