Budget & Taxes

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

A 117: Allows certain volunteer firefighters, rescue and first aid squad members to claim $5,000 income tax deduction.

This New Jersey bill (A 117) allows eligible volunteer firefighters, first aid, and rescue squad members to claim a $5,000 deduction from their state income tax. To qualify, volunteers must serve the entire tax year and meet specific duty requirements: firefighters need 60% fire service attendance (or 400+ duty hours with ≤50% drills) plus Firefighter I certification, while rescue members need 10% rescue service attendance (or 400+ duty hours) plus EMT training. Departments must verify eligibility annually by submitting lists to state health or community affairs departments by March 31, and taxpayers must provide proof with their tax claim. The deduction applies to tax years starting after the bill’s enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax relief for volunteer first responders via $5,000 deduction, aligning with middle-income tax support and fiscal responsibility indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

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

A 2911: Establishes "Jersey Craft Beverage Retailer Promotion and Grant Program" in EDA.

This bill creates a program to promote New Jersey-made craft alcohol (beer, cider, mead, liquor) and the retailers who sell it. It establishes a "Certified Jersey Craft Alcohol Beverage Retailer" program requiring retailers to derive at least 10% of annual sales from NJ craft beverages to earn certification and use special signage. The program includes grants of up to $2,500 annually for certified retailers to support capital improvements or marketing, funded by 50% of tax revenue from craft beverage sales. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority will manage the program, develop application guidelines, and track grant usage. The bill directly affects craft beverage producers (with specific licenses) and eligible retail businesses selling their products.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates 50% of craft beverage tax revenue to fund grants for certified retailers, directly using tax revenue for economic development spending.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue

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

A 1330: Requires certain institutions of higher education to make annual payment to municipality.

This bill requires public and independent colleges and universities with over 2,000 full-time equivalent students to pay an annual community service fee to the municipality where their main campus is located. The fee, calculated using a formula based on on-campus and commuter student enrollment (starting at $100 per student, adjusted annually for inflation), must fund local services like police, fire, emergency medical, traffic control, and event management directly impacted by the institution. Institutions may receive up to 50% credit toward their fee by providing direct community benefits (e.g., local public safety funding or scholarships for residents), and those with campus police departments get a 50% reduction in the law enforcement portion of the fee. The municipality must deposit all fees into a dedicated fund and transfer 5% of total collections to the county.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates annual fees from institutions to fund local services (police, fire, etc.), directly increasing municipal revenue for essential public services as required by the bill.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates fees funding police/fire/emergency services directly impacted by institutions, aligning with criminal justice funding indicators.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds traffic control (a transportation service) under required community services, directly supporting transportation management infrastructure.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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

A 3062: Codifies Eagleton Science and Politics Fellowship Program at Eagleton Institute of Politics; makes appropriation.

This bill establishes the Eagleton Science and Politics Fellowship Program at Rutgers' Eagleton Institute of Politics, creating a formal structure for recruiting scientists, engineers, and healthcare professionals with PhDs. It requires appointing a minimum of four fellows annually - two to work with the New Jersey Legislature (in specified offices) and two with the Executive Branch - to provide expert analysis on policy issues. The bill appropriates $360,000 for initial program costs and mandates annual funding of $520,000 starting in fiscal year 2025 to cover fellow stipends, benefits, and administrative expenses. Fellows, designated as "John Weingart Science Fellows," serve full-time for one year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates $360,000 for program establishment, directly funding a new state initiative within budget allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3356: Requires Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to develop pathway to nursing scholarship for health care workers who want to become nurses; appropriates $1 million.

This bill creates the "Pathway to Nursing Scholarship Program" to address New Jersey's nursing shortage by helping healthcare workers transition into nursing careers. It requires the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) to develop a program offering 100 scholarships of $10,000 each to eligible healthcare workers enrolled in approved nursing programs. To qualify, applicants must be New Jersey residents, currently or previously working in healthcare, enrolled in an approved nursing program, and commit to working as a nurse after graduation. The program is funded by a $1 million appropriation from the General Fund to support this targeted workforce development initiative.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $1M to fund nursing scholarship program, directly advancing public service funding for healthcare workforce development.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds nursing scholarships ($1M appropriation) for healthcare workers entering nursing programs, expanding higher education access and workforce development.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds nursing scholarships to address healthcare workforce shortage, directly advancing healthcare workforce development through $1M appropriation for 100 scholarships.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds $1M for nursing scholarships targeting healthcare workers, advancing career pathways and addressing workforce shortages, directly supporting labor mobility and employment opportunities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Student Financial Aid Healthcare Workforce Workforce Development

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

A 4167: Limits use of State, county, and municipal property or funding to support immigrant detention facilities.

This bill prohibits New Jersey state and local governments (including counties and municipalities) from using public funds or property to support immigrant detention facilities. Specifically, it bans state/local spending on constructing, renovating, or leasing public property for detention, paying private facility costs, or covering detention expenses for privately-owned facilities. The law allows public health and safety resources for detained individuals but does not affect existing detention operations. It directly affects state/local budgets and property decisions related to immigration enforcement. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill explicitly prohibits state/local spending on immigrant detention facilities, restricting government budget allocation for this purpose.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill defunds immigrant detention facilities, reducing incarceration in criminal justice system. Aligns with reform goals of limiting unnecessary detention and promoting systemic change.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationDefunds state support for detention facilities, limiting cooperation with federal enforcement (key support indicator).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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

A 1083: Permits counties to charge a fee to fund infrastructure through voter approval.

This bill allows New Jersey counties to charge a voter-approved fee to fund local infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and water systems. Counties must first get voter approval (over 50% in a referendum) for the fee's amount, duration, and projects before collecting it. Proceeds from the fee must be used exclusively for infrastructure construction within that county, administered by the county government. It does not change existing state funding for infrastructure but gives counties a new local funding option.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates voter-approved county fee mechanism for infrastructure funding, advancing local fiscal management of essential public projects without altering state taxes.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds county infrastructure projects including roads and bridges through voter-approved fees, directly advancing transportation infrastructure funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Transportation Funding

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

A 3791: Provides gross income tax exclusion for minimum required distributions from qualified retirement plans.

This bill (A 3791) excludes "minimum required distributions" (RMDs) from New Jersey's gross income tax. RMDs are mandatory annual withdrawals from retirement plans for people aged 72+ under federal law. The bill applies to qualified retirement plans defined under federal tax code section 4974, directly benefiting New Jersey seniors who receive these distributions. It would reduce their state income tax burden by removing RMDs from taxable income, effective for taxable years after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes RMDs from NJ gross income tax, reducing seniors' tax burden - tax relief for retirees (aligns with tax relief indicator).90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

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

A 3124: Establishes NJ Affordable Connectivity Program to provide discounted broadband services to certain households; appropriates $10 million.

This bill establishes New Jersey's Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides up to $30 monthly discounts on broadband bills for low-income households (earning 50% or less of local median income) and very low-income households (earning 30% or less). Households must apply annually to the Department of Human Services, demonstrating income eligibility and state residency. The program is funded by a $10 million appropriation from the General Fund, with broadband providers receiving subsidies to cover the discount costs. It aims to increase affordable internet access for qualifying households across New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $10M from General Fund to fund broadband subsidies for low-income households, advancing public service access through state budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProvides $10M broadband subsidies to low-income households, expanding internet access as a core technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Broadband Access

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

A 2409: Requires all revenue generated by casino hotel parking fee to be provided to CRDA; expands permitted uses of parking fee revenues by CRDA.

This bill redirects all revenue from Atlantic City casino hotel parking fees (currently $3.00 per day) to the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) instead of splitting it between the CRDA and the Casino Revenue Fund. It expands CRDA’s permitted uses of these funds to support infrastructure, traffic improvements, public safety, and economic development projects *within* Atlantic City. The change affects casino hotels (required to collect the fee), CRDA (which gains full access to parking revenue), and Atlantic City residents (who benefit from funded projects). The bill does not alter the $3.00 fee amount but ensures all proceeds directly support city development efforts under CRDA’s oversight.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects parking fee revenue to CRDA for infrastructure, public safety, and economic development projects within Atlantic City, funding essential public services.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRedirects casino parking fees to fund CRDA infrastructure and traffic improvements within Atlantic City, directly advancing transportation infrastructure projects.90% confidence

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