Budget & Taxes

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

A 2885: Establishes grant program in Department of State for preservation of certain Revolutionary War sites; appropriates funds.

This bill creates a $50 million grant program within New Jersey's Department of State to protect Revolutionary War sites (battlefields, encampments, and skirmish locations) threatened by development. Local governments and qualifying nonprofit organizations can apply for competitive grants to fund preservation, expansion, or management plans for these historically significant sites. The program requires applicants to submit detailed plans demonstrating public benefit and administrative capability, with the Department of State establishing application guidelines and monitoring grant use. The legislation appropriates $50 million from the General Fund immediately upon enactment to implement this preservation effort.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $50 million for historic preservation grants, directly funding a state program under budget allocation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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

A 156: "New Jersey Jobs Protection Act"; requires verification of employment.

This bill requires New Jersey employers to verify the work authorization of all employees using the federal E-Verify system. It prohibits employers from knowingly employing unauthorized aliens and imposes a $10,000 penalty per violation. Employers found in violation must terminate unauthorized employment, submit quarterly E-Verify reports for three years, and pay fines to the state general fund. The law targets employers who hire undocumented workers, aiming to protect legal residents' job opportunities and state tax revenues.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes $10k fines per violation, depositing penalties into state general fund, increasing budget revenue without new taxes.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates E-Verify for employers, penalizes hiring unauthorized workers, and increases state enforcement against undocumented employment per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects legal workers' job opportunities by preventing unauthorized employment, aligning with workers' rights protection per bill's stated purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Work Authorization

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

A 3684: Establishes Military Funeral Honors Grant Program to provide grants to certain veteran organizations that provide military funeral honors.

This bill creates a grant program to provide financial support to nonprofit veteran organizations that offer military funeral honors in New Jersey. Qualified organizations - those recognized as tax-exempt under federal law (501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19)) - can receive grants of up to $75 per funeral to cover costs like mileage and transportation. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will administer the program, including setting application rules and managing a dedicated revolving fund for the grants. Grants may be reduced for multiple funerals on the same day, and organizations must submit proof of expenses to receive payments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new state-funded grant program ($75/funeral) administered via revolving fund, directly allocating state budget resources to support veteran services.92% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransFunds veteran organizations providing military funeral honors, directly supporting recognition and services for veterans through grants up to $75 per funeral.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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

A 202: Repeals "Statewide Non-Residential Development Fee Act."

This bill repeals New Jersey's "Statewide Non-Residential Development Fee Act" and redirects its previously collected fees into the newly established "New Jersey Affordable Housing Trust Fund." The fund will receive money from the repealed fee system, municipal development trust funds, and other dedicated housing funds. It will finance specific affordable housing projects - including rehabilitation, accessory dwelling units, and conversions for low- and moderate-income households - in municipalities with approved housing plans or receiving state aid. The bill requires projects to be certified by municipal governing bodies and ensures housing units remain affordable for qualifying households.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects non-residential development fees to fund affordable housing projects, strengthening fiscal allocation for public housing needs.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRedirects non-residential development fees to a new Affordable Housing Trust Fund financing rehab, ADUs, and conversions for low/moderate-income households.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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

A 2677: Prohibits bill certified for fiscal note or estimate from being released from committee without fiscal note or estimate.

This bill requires that any bill certified for a fiscal note or estimate cannot be released from committee until a complete fiscal note or estimate is prepared. It directly affects legislative committees, bill sponsors, and the Legislative Budget and Finance Officer, who must provide the fiscal analysis. The key mechanism mandates that committees must withhold releasing such bills until the fiscal note is finalized, preventing premature committee action. The bill does not change how fiscal notes are created but enforces a procedural requirement for their completion before bills advance. This applies to all bills requiring fiscal analysis under New Jersey law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates fiscal notes before committee release, promoting fiscal responsibility by ensuring cost analysis precedes action. Directly supports proper fiscal management process.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

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passed · New Jersey · General Assembly May 18, 2026

A 804: Requires BPU to report societal benefits charge revenues and expenditures to Governor and Legislature.*

This bill requires New Jersey's Governor to include a detailed annual report in the budget message about revenues and spending from the "societal benefits charge" on utility bills. The report must show, for each of the past five fiscal years and the current year, how much was collected from electricity and gas customers, and how those funds were spent - specifically for energy efficiency programs, low-income energy assistance, plug-in electric vehicle incentives, and other approved initiatives. It also mandates itemized breakdowns of funds allocated by each utility company. The goal is to increase transparency about how this charge, embedded in customer bills, finances state energy and assistance programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates annual reporting on societal benefits charge revenues/expenditures, enhancing fiscal transparency for energy efficiency and assistance programs.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires reporting on funds for energy efficiency, low-income assistance, and EV incentives - directly advancing clean energy initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Energy Efficiency

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

A 3617: Provides gross income tax credit for certain taxpayers who pay tuition costs for nurse aide in long-term care facilities training program.

This bill creates a $1,000 refundable tax credit for New Jersey taxpayers (or their dependents) who pay tuition for approved nurse aide training programs. To qualify, individuals must complete the training - based on the state's curriculum and approved by the Department of Health - and work 12 consecutive months as a Certified Nursing Aide (CNA) at a licensed long-term care facility. The credit is claimed in the tax year following this employment requirement and reduces tax liability, with any unused portion refunded if it brings tax owed to zero. It directly supports people entering the CNA workforce, aiming to address staffing shortages in nursing homes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides refundable tax credit ($1,000) reducing tax liability for qualifying taxpayers, aligning with tax relief for lower/middle income and funding workforce development in healthcare.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides tax credit to incentivize nurse aide training for long-term care facilities, directly supporting healthcare workforce development and improving access to long-term care services.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides $1,000 tax credit for nurse aide training and employment, supporting workforce development in healthcare labor sector.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care

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

A 1268: Requires eligibility checklist and audit for enrollment in PERS of certain public employees who provide professional services; imposes fine on certifying officer or supervisor for ineligible enrollments.

This bill requires certifying officers to verify that certain public employees (such as attorneys, engineers, accountants, physicians, and architects) are properly classified as state employees - not independent contractors - before enrolling them in New Jersey’s Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). Officers must complete a form based on IRS employee classification guidelines and submit supporting documents like position resolutions and oaths of office. The state will conduct audits to ensure compliance, and supervisors who fail to verify eligibility may face fines up to $5,000 per violation. The law applies to both new enrollments and existing members of the retirement system.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents improper PERS enrollment, ensuring state funds are used correctly for eligible employees, promoting fiscal responsibility in budget management.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnsures proper employee classification for retirement benefits access, preventing misclassification that would deny benefits to public professionals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Pensions

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

A 717: Establishes $40 daily pay rate for jurors.

This bill increases the daily pay for jurors in New Jersey courts from $5 to $40 per day, effective immediately. It replaces the current system (which paid $5 daily plus $35 for days beyond three in a row) with a flat $40 rate for all grand and petit jurors, excluding certain full-time government employees. The bill appropriates $6 million from the General Fund to cover this pay increase and requires the Administrative Office of the Courts to manage payments. It directly affects all citizens summoned to serve on juries statewide.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $6M from General Fund to fund increased juror pay, directly allocating state resources to support public service operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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

A 2029: Requires stress testing on State's ability to provide services in various economic conditions.

Bill A 2029 would require New Jersey's Department of the Treasury to conduct a comprehensive financial stress test every three years. The analysis would examine how state revenue (from taxes and federal funds), spending patterns, and emergency reserves might change during economic downturns, including recession scenarios. It would also evaluate strategies to maintain essential services during financial crises and require the results to be published online and included in the Governor's annual budget proposal. This bill directly affects state budget planning processes, aiming to improve preparedness for economic shifts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates fiscal stress testing to ensure budget resilience during downturns, promoting responsible fiscal management and service continuity per Budget & Taxes topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue State Budget

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