Budget & Taxes

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

A 195: Decreases Alcoholic Beverage Tax rate paid on certain liquors.

This bill preserves New Jersey's current tax rate structure for small distilleries, maintaining a $2.75 per gallon tax rate for liquors produced by distilleries making under 20,000 gallons annually while keeping the $5.50 rate for larger distilleries. It directly affects small New Jersey distilleries by ensuring their tax burden remains lower than that of larger competitors. The change applies immediately to all sales and deliveries after enactment, as specified in the amended tax statute (R.S.54:43-1).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPreserves lower $2.75/gallon tax rate for small distilleries, providing targeted tax relief to this business sector per bill summary.95% confidence

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

A 4368: Authorizes County Agriculture Development Boards to establish program to receive and lease donated farmland to new farms, establishes gross income tax credit for farmers who donate land.

This bill allows New Jersey's County Agriculture Development Boards to create a program accepting donated farmland from commercial farmers and leasing it to new farmers residing in the state. It also establishes a tax credit for donating land, capped at $100,000 or the value of the donated portion (calculated as a share of the farm's assessed value based on the donated acreage). To qualify for leased land, new farmers must meet board-established criteria, including New Jersey residency. Donors must apply for certification through the board to claim the tax credit, which is processed by the Division of Taxation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes gross income tax credit for land donations, providing direct tax relief to qualifying farmers per bill's summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Property Tax Tax Credits

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

A 4111: Excludes veteran disability compensation from income qualification limits under homestead property tax reimbursement program.

This bill amends New Jersey's homestead property tax reimbursement program to exclude veteran disability compensation from the income calculation used for eligibility. Currently, veterans receiving disability compensation may be disqualified if that income pushes their total income over the program's limit. The bill changes the law so that veteran disability compensation is not counted toward the income threshold, allowing more veterans to qualify for the tax reimbursement. It directly affects veterans who own a homestead in New Jersey and receive disability compensation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes veteran disability pay from income calculation, expanding eligibility for property tax reimbursement, providing tax relief to veterans.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExcludes veteran disability income from tax program eligibility, increasing access to housing cost assistance for veterans.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExcludes veteran disability pay from income calculation, allowing more veterans to qualify for tax reimbursement program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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

A 3709: Prohibits NJTA from passing credit card processing fees to toll payers.

This bill prohibits the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) from charging toll payers or E-ZPass account holders any fees for processing credit card or electronic payments. The NJTA must absorb these processing costs within its existing operating budget instead of passing them to customers. The bill codifies the NJTA’s current practice of not charging these fees, ensuring toll payers won’t face additional costs for using credit cards or electronic payment methods. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents NJTA from passing credit card fees to toll payers, absorbing costs within budget, promoting fiscal responsibility and protecting consumers from added costs.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationPrevents NJTA from passing credit card fees to toll payers, protecting users from additional costs on highway infrastructure.90% confidence

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

A 2991: Phases out the transfer inheritance tax over two years.

This bill phases out New Jersey's inheritance tax over two years. It reduces the tax to 50% of current rates for inheritances received in the first full year after the bill takes effect, then eliminates the tax entirely for all inheritances in the second year. The tax primarily affects non-family inheritances (such as transfers to siblings, nieces/nephews, or unrelated individuals), as the law already exempts transfers to spouses and direct descendants. The change applies to all estates of New Jersey residents and nonresidents with property in the state, following the tax's 1892 origin and 1985 revisions.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesPhases out inheritance tax, reducing government revenue from this source. Explicitly weakens tax collection for non-family inheritances, aligning with 'restricts/weaken' indicators.95% confidence

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

A 1443: Creates grant program for NJ YouthBuild programs through DOLWD; makes appropriation.

This bill (A1443, "The New Jersey YouthBuild Act") creates a state grant program administered by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to fund YouthBuild programs for economically disadvantaged youth, particularly those who have not completed high school. It directly affects eligible youth (ages 16-24) and community organizations that can apply for grants to run these programs. Key provisions require funded programs to provide balanced services: 50% classroom education (including high school diploma preparation) and 50% construction/vocational training in housing rehabilitation for low-income communities, plus counseling, leadership development, and a stipend for participants. The program aims to promote economic self-sufficiency through job skills, education, and community-focused housing projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly makes an appropriation to fund YouthBuild programs through DOLWD, directly allocating state budget resources for public service provision.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds YouthBuild programs providing education/job training to at-risk youth (16-24), reducing recidivism through rehabilitation - a core criminal justice reform strategy.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates state grant program funding YouthBuild's 50% classroom education component for disadvantaged youth (ages 16-24), directly expanding educational access and providing dedicated funding for K-12 transition support.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds YouthBuild programs providing education/training for disadvantaged youth (16-24) to improve employment outcomes, directly advancing workforce development under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Career & Technical Education K-12 Education Workforce Development

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

A 2447: Amends and supplements State aviation appropriations and language provisions in FY 2022 annual State appropriations act.

This bill increases funding for New Jersey's Airport Improvement Program from $4 million to $10 million, adding $6 million to the state's transportation capital budget. It also raises the Airport Safety Administration's funding by $185,000, from $465,000 to $650,000. The bill automatically grants airport grant recipients two additional 12-month extensions (totaling 24 months) to complete projects if local, county, or state permitting delays occur, with potential for further extensions if a permitting agency causes the delay. These changes directly affect airports and grant recipients receiving funds through New Jersey's Airport Improvement Program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state funding for aviation infrastructure by $6M in transportation capital budget, advancing public service funding within state budget management.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases aviation infrastructure funding ($4M→$10M) and safety budget, directly advancing transportation infrastructure projects per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Airports

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

A 2816: Extends veteran's gross income tax exemption to spouses of deceased veterans.

This bill (A 2816) amends New Jersey's tax code to extend a $6,000 gross income tax exemption currently available to veterans to the spouses of deceased veterans. Under the current law, a veteran's spouse could claim this exemption only in the tax year the veteran died (if filing jointly), but not in future years. The bill would allow the spouse to continue claiming the $6,000 exemption starting the year after the veteran's death, and until the year they remarry. This directly affects surviving spouses of veterans who were honorably discharged and eligible for the exemption in their final tax year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends $6,000 tax exemption to surviving spouses, providing ongoing tax relief for vulnerable veterans' families, directly aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExtends tax exemption to surviving spouses, expanding financial benefit beyond current law's one-year limit for veterans' families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Incentives Military Families

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

A 3053: Requires Director of Division of Housing and Community Resources in DCA to establish grant program to encourage local governments to promote New Jersey as innovation hub in certain fields; appropriates $100,000.

This bill creates a $100,000 grant program for New Jersey municipalities to promote local innovation achievements through street pole banners. Local governments must apply with specific plans for banners highlighting bioscience, telecommunications, clean energy, or other tech fields in their area. The state will select nine municipalities (three per region, with urban/suburban/rural representation) to receive grants for developing and installing these banners. Participating towns must report on banner installations and impacts within a year, and the state will compile results to assess potential statewide expansion.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $100,000 for municipal innovation grants, directly increasing state budget allocation for a specific program under fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly lists 'clean energy' as a field to promote via grant-funded banners, directly advancing renewable energy visibility and innovation promotion.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds $100k grants for municipalities to promote tech innovation hubs (bioscience, telecom, clean energy) via street banners, directly advancing tech sector promotion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Telecommunications

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

A 2449: Requires cost of living increase to be granted in each of two State fiscal years when retirement allowance or benefit is below certain amount for retiree or beneficiary in PERS, TPAF, PFRS, SPRS, and JRS; makes appropriation.

This bill requires New Jersey to provide cost-of-living increases to retirees and beneficiaries in specific public pension systems (Teachers', Judicial, Public Employees', Police/Fire, and State Police Retirement Systems) whose monthly payments are at or below 150% of the federal poverty level for a single person. The increases, calculated as 100% of the Consumer Price Index change (instead of the previous 60%), apply only on January 1, 2023, and January 1, 2024. The state will fund these adjustments through the General Fund, with annual certification of costs by pension authorities. Beneficiaries may voluntarily waive the increase or later reinstate it with 30 days' notice.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates state appropriation to fund cost-of-living increases for low-income retirees in public pension systems, directly allocating budget resources to support beneficiaries.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Pensions State Budget

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