This bill, titled the "End Data Center Tax Credits Act," sets a combined nine-year spending cap of $11.5 billion for various state tax credit programs, including those for economic recovery, arts, and manufacturing. It specifically reduces the amount of credits available under the Next New Jersey Program and directs $200 million of those credits to a housing agency through competitive auctions. Additionally, the legislation authorizes the Board of Public Utilities to issue tax credits for energy storage projects and creates a temporary income tax credit for certain residential electricity customers.
This bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities and the Department of Environmental Protection to conduct a study on the potential for wave and tidal energy within the state. The study will evaluate impacts on energy prices, ecosystems, and the grid, while also exploring the feasibility of creating renewable energy credits or other incentives to encourage development. Following the study, the bill requires the state to update its Energy Master Plan to include specific goals for ocean energy and take steps to position New Jersey as a national leader in this sector.
This bill, titled the "Smart Planning Wireless and Water Public Utility Facilities Act," allows investor-owned water utilities in New Jersey to rent out space on their water towers to wireless service providers for installing communication equipment. The legislation mandates that these utilities grant non-discriminatory access to their towers unless there is insufficient space or safety concerns would be compromised. To financially benefit ratepayers and investors, the bill requires the state's Board of Public Utilities to classify half of the rental income from these leases as "above-the-line" income, which can be used to offset operating costs, while the remaining half is treated as "below-the-line" income.
This bill allows school districts in New Jersey to count days of virtual or remote instruction toward the mandatory 180-day school year requirement when schools are closed due to emergencies or public health directives. It applies to public schools, charter schools, and private schools serving students with disabilities, ensuring that remote learning can fulfill attendance and graduation requirements if approved by the state commissioner. Under the new rules, districts must submit their remote instruction plans for approval within 30 days of a closure, or the commissioner may grant retroactive approval if the district cannot meet the initial deadline. The legislation also requires the commissioner to provide guidance on technical access for students without internet, the length of remote learning days, and how these changes affect school meals and standardized testing. Additionally, the superintendent gains the authority to implement remote instruction plans during emergencies after consulting with the school board.
This bill creates a pilot program in New Jersey that allows some municipalities to let voters cast their ballots electronically during local elections. To participate, voters would use a secure system that lets them receive, mark, and return ballots online while maintaining strict data protection measures like encryption and identity verification. The state will hire a vendor to build this system, and local election officials will ensure there are backup plans in case the technology fails. The program is designed to run for eight years, with officials required to submit detailed reports on how well it works after each election.
This bill creates a new Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights within New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety to oversee the use of automated systems by state agencies. The office will be led by a director appointed by the Attorney General and will focus on preventing discrimination in high-risk algorithms that affect areas like housing, employment, and criminal justice. Key provisions include conducting regular audits of these systems to check for bias, requiring state agencies to appoint liaisons, and mandating the development of corrective plans if discrimination is found. Additionally, the office will provide training and resources to state entities while submitting annual reports to the Governor and Legislature on its findings and recommendations.
This bill directs New Jersey's Department of Human Services to create a single online portal that allows individuals to apply for and manage their own home and community-based services through various Medicaid waiver programs. The system will include a standardized application form and an automated screening process that matches eligible applicants with the appropriate self-directed care options. Additionally, the bill requires uniform documentation rules to simplify the hiring process for personal care workers hired directly by program participants. These changes aim to streamline access to existing services while remaining subject to necessary federal approvals.
This bill requires developers of new residential construction in New Jersey to install pre-existing conduits, known as raceways, that are large enough to support at least two broadband internet providers. These conduits must be four inches wide and installed during normal utility work to ensure future internet cables can be added without digging up lawns or driveways. The law also allows developers to lease or buy access to existing conduits, provided no single company gets exclusive control that blocks other providers from entering the market. Finally, the state's Commissioner of Community Affairs must create specific rules to ensure these installations meet safety and size standards for multiple internet connections.
This New Jersey bill establishes a formal framework for law enforcement agencies to use investigative genetic genealogy in solving violent crimes and identifying human remains. It creates a system where police and medical examiners must work with specialized, accredited centers to analyze DNA samples from crime scenes. The legislation also allocates $500,000 in funding to support these operations and defines specific rules for how DNA testing and data sharing should be conducted.
This New Jersey bill, the Sensitive Life-Changing Test Results Protection Act, creates an exception to federal rules that currently require the immediate electronic release of all medical test results to patients. It mandates that results indicating serious, permanent, or life-limiting conditions must wait three business days before appearing in a patient's online health portal, unless a doctor releases them sooner or the patient explicitly requests immediate access. The law aims to give healthcare providers time to personally discuss these difficult findings with patients before they are automatically shared digitally. By allowing this brief delay, the bill seeks to prevent potential emotional harm and ensure patients receive proper medical context and support when receiving significant news.
