Bills in the 2024–2025 Session, Senate.
Michael L. Testa Jr.
Sponsored
Passed the Senate1
Expands epinephrine administration mechanisms permitted in schools, institutions of higher education, and youth camps.*
Out of committee4
Concerns removal of abandoned vessels; appropriates $25 million.
Establishes Civil Air Patrol Fund to be supported by annual appropriations of $100,000; appropriates $100,000.
Establishes Next New Jersey Manufacturing Program to incentivize in-State manufacturing investments and job creation.
Expands definition of qualifying municipality for purposes of urban aid under P.L.1978, c.14.*
In committee113
Prohibits release of illegal immigrants from correctional facilities.
Expands EDA small business loan program to include certain broadband telecommunications service providers.
Requires development of manufacturing business attraction, expansion, and retention marketing plan for areas located in certain counties within southern New Jersey.
Provides that public school parent who objects to learning material or activity that parent considers harmful may receive voucher from school district to enroll student in nonpublic school.
"Michelle's Law"; requires health benefit plans to cover mammogram for an individual if recommended by health care provider.
"Fairness in Women's Sport Act."
Requires EDA to establish program providing grants to qualified veterans purchasing franchises.
Increases from $750 to $3,000 annual State payment made to certain veterans and their surviving spouses.
Requires MVC to provide certain vehicle and licensing services in each county in State.
Provides a corporation business tax credit for investment in certain manufacturing equipment, facility renovation, modernization, and expansion.
Establishes certain requirements for social media websites concerning content moderation practices; establishes cause of action against social media websites for violation of content moderation practices.
Establishes "Manufacturing Workforce Development Grant Program" for students enrolled at county colleges.
Revises factors for determining employment or independent contractor status under certain State labor laws.
Creates database of veteran separation documents.
Provides alcoholic beverage tax credits to breweries for qualified capital expenses.
Requires EDA to provide loans through small business loan program at lower interest rates, with more flexible repayment terms if issued to small businesses owned or controlled by certain veterans, and prohibit certain fees.
Revises permitting thresholds for certain types of development requiring CAFRA permit from DEP.
Establishes farm brewery and winery-brewery beverage license.
Authorizes holder of limited brewery license to engage in certain activities.
Creates "New Jersey Anti-Semitism Task Force".
Reduces number of manufacturing jobs required to qualify for NJEDA financing and incentive programs.
Permits certain businesses to complete business registration certificate and annual report together.
Authorizes establishment of new cigar bars in Atlantic City Tourism District.
Allocates all revenue from hotel and motel occupancy fee for arts, historical heritage, and tourism purposes.
Repeals $100,000 cap on sales and use tax exemption for certain capital improvements made by businesses participating in Urban Enterprise Zone program.
Makes various changes to civil service; permits institution of temporary layoffs; permits government entities to opt-out of civil service; requires civil service examinations be offered on continual basis.
Requires school districts to receive written permission from parent or legal guardian before administering certain student health surveys.
Establishes "Trenton Makes Commission."
Prevents future tax increases based on revisions to employee unemployment tax wage base; allocates $100 million to unemployment compensation fund from federal government assistance.
Allows limited brewery license holder to engage in certain activities; establishes farm brewery and winery-brewery license.
Provides temporary corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for insourcing business to New Jersey.
Increases penalties for assault and harassment against sports officials and participants under certain circumstances.
Prohibits institutions of higher education from requiring students to receive COVID-19 vaccination.
Provides gross income tax deduction for costs of purchasing and installing whole house backup electrical generator for resident taxpayer's principal residence.
Redirects certain State funding for specific arts, cultural, and historic organizations to competitive grant program.
Permits designation of special event zones for traffic regulation purposes during certain large events.
Establishes program in DOLWD to address jobs lost due to automation.
Establishes Urban Enterprise Zone Microloan Program in EDA to help certain businesses in Urban Enterprise Zones and UEZ-Impacted districts; appropriates $5 million.
Prohibits investment by State of pension and annuity funds in Chinese pharmaceutical companies.
Requires text messages soliciting home owners to provide notice when individuals sending solicitations are not licensed by New Jersey Real Estate Commission.
Establishes rebuttable presumption that person charged with motor vehicle theft be detained prior to trial; imposes mandatory sentencing for thefts involving motor vehicle.
Lowers monetary threshold for certain motor vehicle theft to constitute second degree crime.
Upgrades certain penalties for criminal street gang recruitment and criminality; imposes mandatory minimum sentence for certain offenses; establishes accomplice liability and imposes restrictions for certain recruiters.
Criminalizes participation in criminal street gang.
Establishes deadlines for publishing quarterly crime data, issuance of annual report by Attorney General.
Concerns possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages or cannabis by underage persons.
Allows municipality to establish alcohol-free and cannabis-free areas and to impose civil penalties for violations.
Provides CBT and gross income tax credits for replacement of abandoned commercial building with new commercial building.
Requires legislative approval of updates or revisions to core curriculum content.
Prohibits financial institutions from penalizing individuals for exercise of free speech.
Concerns certain agreements entered into by State political subdivisions with groups outside US.
Establishes State aid reduction cap for calculation of State school aid.
Provides for EDA oversight and control over certain local economic development, community development, and housing programs if corruption is suspected following criminal charge or conviction of local official.
Requires organizations training disabled veteran assistance dogs to register with Division of Consumer Affairs and provide disabled veteran assistance dogs with vests or harnesses.
Exempts certain oversized vehicles from requirement of additional escort vehicle if transported load is property illuminated during nighttime.
Directs fines collected for certain prostitution crime to "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund."
Prohibits municipal ordinance to create sanctuary city; establishes State and local employee ethics violation upon noncompliance with federal immigration enforcement request.
Concerning noncitizens voting in local elections and conduct in office by local government officers.
Directs AG to enter into agreement with U.S. Attorney General to empower certain corrections officers to investigate immigration status of inmates.
Requires chief law enforcement officer or Superintendent of State Police to notify federal immigration authorities when non-citizen applies for firearms purchaser identification card or handgun purchase permit.
"Naturopathic Doctors Licensing Act."
Transfers administration of certain nutrition programs to Department of Agriculture.
Establishes means by which customers may submit written authorizations approving repairs to be made by automotive repair dealers.
Prohibits State funding to assist immigrants facing detention or deportation.
Establishes "New Jersey Works Dual Enrollment Option Program."
Increases penalties for second or subsequent stalking or harassment offenses, increases penalty for first offense of harassment.
Establishes "Bring Veterans to New Jersey Program."
Removes principal place of business requirement of "Set-Aside Act for Disabled Veterans' Businesses.
Authorizes farmers and other persons to use, sell, and distribute ground-harvested fruit for purposes of value-added product processing and production.
Concerns approval process for personal protective equipment and State stockpiles of personal protective equipment.
Provides tax credits equal to cost of Jersey Fresh products purchased by breweries and wineries to be used in production of beer or wine.
Establishes Elementary Student Literacy Task Force.
Establishes pilot program to provide Medicaid coverage of remote maternal health services for eligible beneficiaries.
Directs Secretary of Higher Education to establish Wine and Grape Education Grant Program; appropriates $1.5 million.
Modifies requirements for operation of certain food and service stands in State, county, and municipal buildings, grounds, and premises.
Establishes rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention of defendant charged with aggravated assault of law enforcement officer.
Amends "Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights Act" to exclude full-time students and au pairs from definition of domestic worker and remove joint and several liability provision from law.
Permits sale of raw milk under certain conditions and establishes raw milk permit program.
Directs Commissioner of Education to establish "Teacher Retention Program."
Establishes rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention for child sexual abuse and child endangerment.
"Protecting Students from Obscene Material in School Libraries Act."
Establishes Career and Technical Education Dual Enrollment Grant Program; appropriates $5 million.
Establishes Skilled Trades Career Exploration Pilot Program; appropriates $5 million.
Requires Commissioner of Education to submit report on SDA district designation.
Requires regional representation for members of BPU.
"Grown Here, Eaten Here Act"; provides CBT and GIT tax credits to qualifying food establishments for costs of purchasing certain local ingredients.
Requires NJT to establish pilot program to support commuting needs of residents in Cumberland and Cape May counties to Atlantic City.
Requires Commission on Human Trafficking to post public awareness signage in additional establishments.
Repeals requirement that individuals maintain minimum essential health insurance coverage.
Establishes a business coaching program in DCF for licensed child care providers; appropriates $3 million.
Prohibits teaching of critical race theory in public schools; prohibits public school teachers from engaging in political, ideological, or religious advocacy in classroom.
Imposes criminal penalties for harboring aliens who have outstanding warrants and are unlawfully present in U.S.
Prohibits release of certain substances into atmosphere for purposes of geoengineering.
Establishes Forest Fire Preparedness Commission in DEP.
Modifies definition of "aquaculture" throughout State law to include construction of facilities and appurtenant structures.
Allows active duty members of United States military to carry firearm at all times.
Prohibits State contractors from distributing data to foreign adversaries.
Abolishes BPU; transfers responsibilities to Department of Treasury.
Establishes Capital City Commission to study and make recommendations concerning promotion and improvement of City of Trenton.
Requires DOLWD to establish job portal for employers in State to post listings for positions that are at least 50 percent in-person.
"New Jersey Healthy SNAP Act"; requires DHS to submit waiver to federal government to prohibit purchase of soft drinks with SNAP benefits.
Concerns UEZ assistance fund expenses by specifically including certain property acquisition under definition of "qualified assistance fund expense."
Repeals law that requires diversity and inclusion instruction for public school students in grades kindergarten through 12.
Provides CBT and GIT credits to certain food and drink establishments for purchase of certain local ingredients and products.
"NJ Healthy Schools Act"; prohibits sale and distribution of ultraprocessed foods in schools participating in federally funded or assisted meal programs.
Permits county sheriffs to certify that law enforcement officer meets certain criteria for renewal of law enforcement license.
Establishes grant program for certain law enforcement agencies to purchase and install bullet-resistant components for motor vehicles.
Renames "Delaware Bay" to "Bay of New Jersey"; directs all State departments and agencies to update official publications, signage, websites, and materials to reflect the new designation and notify relevant federal entities.
Enters NJ in New Jersey-Delaware Territorial Boundary Adjustment Compact.
Requires food manufacturers to disclose new food additives not reported to FDA.
Clarifies right of crime victim to make in-person statement directly to defendant concerning impact of crime.
Requires waiver of juvenile to adult criminal court for certain criminal homicide offenses involving stalking.
Designates "New Jersey and You - Perfect Together Again" as Division of Travel and Tourism slogan.
Carried from the General Assembly
Became law1
Establishes Next New Jersey Manufacturing Program to incentivize in-State manufacturing investments and job creation.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 8
Directs Department of Agriculture to advertise and promote State aquaculture products through Jersey Fresh Program; establishes annual $25,000 appropriation.*
Requires DOE to establish working group on student literacy; mandates universal literacy screenings for kindergarten through grade three students; requires professional development for certain school district employees.*
Establishes crimes of home invasion burglary and residential burglary.*
Upgrades certain penalties for assaulting law enforcement officer and requires offender to be tested for communicable diseases in certain instances.
Provides project grant under "Securing Our Children's Future Fund" for career and technical education expansion; appropriates $7.65 million.
Appropriates $34 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for county planning incentive grants for farmland preservation purposes.
Appropriates $52,798,268 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and other farmland preservation funds to State Agriculture Development Committee for farmland preservation purposes.
Concerns Municipal Stabilization and Recovery Act; extends for six years.*
Out of committee · 16
Establishes program in DOLWD to connect persons with disabilities with job training and employment.
Establishes special license plates for honorably discharged veterans.
Establishes NJT Office of Customer Advocate and Rider Advocacy Commission.
Requires members of Sexual Assault Response Team to receive training on interacting with victims with developmental disabilities.*
Requires automatic external defibrillators on-site at certain places of public assembly and youth athletic events.*
Requires minimum annual State appropriation of $10 million for Public Health Priority Funding.
"Stephanie's Law"; Requires AOC to establish publicly-accessible domestic violence registry; requires law enforcement officer to search State's domestic violence registries when conducting arrest.
Provides tuition fee waiver apprenticeship courses.
Establishes minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to beneficiary eligible for brain injury services.
"Illicit Opioid Supply Substances Poisoning Awareness Act"; requires school districts to provide instruction on dangers of illicit opioid substances.*
Prohibits certain substances in sale, distribution, and manufacture of commercial foods for human consumption; bans certain substances in school food.*
Requires Division of Consumer Affairs to hire staff to alleviate professional license application backlog; appropriates $10,000,000 in fiscal years 2026, 2027, and 2028.*
Revises law on extended employment programs for persons with disabilities.
Permits certain wineries to sell their products by the glass for consumption in licensed salesrooms.
Permits certain winery license holders to produce wine on behalf of another winery under certain circumstances; establishes supplemental wine production facility license.*
Codifies Bringing Veterans Home Initiative.
In committee · 95
Authorizes proportional property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected disability and proclaims that the State shall reimburse municipalities for cost of exemptions.
Requires MVC to issue one license plate instead of two.
Requires person convicted, or fleeing charge, of sex offense in foreign country to register under Megan's Law; requires law enforcement to inquire about immigration status of sex offenders and cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
Revises requirements for administration of vaccines to patients.
"Children's Vaccination Bill of Rights"; provides children in State with certain protections concerning vaccines.
Requires entities to accept confirmation of prior COVID-19 infection or protective immune response against COVID-19 when proof of vaccination is required.
Broadens riot; enhances penalties for certain crimes committed during riot; creates new crimes of mob intimidation and cyber-intimidation by publication; establishes duty in municipality to permit law enforcement to respond appropriately.
Removes diversity and inclusion instruction requirements for students in grades kindergarten through eight.
Prohibits adoption of State and local rules that prohibit use of fossil fuel-powered kitchen appliances.
Establishes "New Jersey Pandemic Bill of Rights for the Welfare of Individuals."
Requires registered voters to present photo ID when voting at polling place.
Prohibits requiring students to wear face masks in schools and on school buses.
Establishes crime of gang shoplifting.
Requires public utilities to provide customers notice of request for increase in rates; revises requirements related to hearings on proposed rate increases.
Requires State Board of Education meetings to be accessible virtually and in person.
Clarifies court's discretion in imposing monetary conditions of bail; establishes rebuttable presumption that person charged with violent crime be detained prior to trial.
Authorizes schools to administer commercial driver license exam and other motor vehicle services for school bus drivers.
Establishes State definition of anti-Semitism.
Restricts all ownership of agricultural land in State by foreign governments and persons.
Criminalizes unlawful occupancy of dwellings.
Prohibits public institutions of higher education from accepting gifts and donations from foreign adversaries.
Prohibits government entities from procuring and using technology products and services from companies owned by, controlled by, or domiciled in certain foreign countries.
Prohibits any foreign company created under laws of foreign adversary from participating in critical infrastructure.
Requires State Division of Investment to review pension and annuity fund assets to determine extent to which assets are invested in businesses with ties to foreign adversaries.
Indexes for inflation taxable income brackets under New Jersey gross income tax.
Upgrades burglary of a residence as a crime of the second degree; upgrades it to a crime of the first degree if committed while armed.
Removes requirement for branch office registration certificates and modernizes requirements to notify State and consumers of locations where dentists provide services.
Requires do not forward label on mail-in ballot envelopes; allows mail-in voter to cure mail-in ballot due to missing or detached certificate; requires certain voter data be entered into voter file within 30 days.
Permits police officers to travel to and from and remain within police station located within 100 feet of polling place; permits Class Three special law enforcement officers to be assigned to certain polling places.
Establishes grant program for homeless veterans shelters.
Upgrades burglary of a residence to a crime of the second degree; requires mandatory period of parole ineligibility if residence was occupied at time of offense.
Requires commissioner of registration to move voters with undeliverable mail-in ballots to inactive file; removes such inactive voters from Statewide voter registration system following failure to vote in two consecutive federal general elections.
Requires AG to create voting fraud task force.
Requires Secretary of State create website for voters to report irregularities regarding mail-in ballots; establishes "Vote by Mail Study Commission."
Establishes Office of Inspector General for Veterans' Facilities.
Requires Secretary of State to establish voter list maintenance and crosscheck program and to include certain voter registration data in annual report to Governor and Legislature.
Requires DMVA assist discharged service members who have diagnosed service-connected mental health condition with petitions to change discharge designation.
Establishes "Parents Bill of Rights Act"; prohibits school district from interfering with fundamental right of parent or guardian to engage in and direct student's education; permits opt-out of school district curriculum.
Increases degree of crime for unlawful taking of motor vehicle.
Creates second degree crime for operation of stolen vehicle in manner that creates risk of injury to person or property.
Requires proof of ownership prior to resale of catalytic converter and upgrades theft of catalytic converter to one degree higher than underlying offense.
Prohibits mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 as condition of attending public K-12 schools.
Prohibits deepfake pornography and imposes criminal and civil penalties for non-consensual disclosure.
Establishes "New Jersey Small Business Indoor Air Quality Management Support Program."
"Manufacturing in Higher Education Act"; requires various State entities to promote manufacturing career pathways for students and provides assistance to manufacturing industry.
Increases qualified research expenses tax credit for corporation business taxpayers engaged in targeted industries; increases basic research payment tax credit; allows research tax credit to be refundable.
Directs BPU to adopt rules and regulations concerning small modular nuclear reactors; authorizes EDA to incentivize construction and operation of such reactors.
Permits municipality to enact ordinance regulating where sex offenders may reside; restricts locations of certain child care centers and school bus stops.
Directs Secretary of State to contract with qualified vendor to develop national marketing campaign promoting State's innovation economy; appropriates $1,000,000.
Directs DCA to establish grant programs for public water systems.
Prohibits bill certified for fiscal note or estimate from being released from committee without fiscal note or estimate.
Requires ABC to waive certain alcoholic beverage license renewal fees in response to COVID-19 pandemic; allows municipalities to waive renewal fees.
Removes criminal liability for law enforcement officers who have investigative encounter with underage person for possession of alcohol or cannabis unless civil rights are violated.
Requires Governor to transmit budget sustainability statement along with annual budget message.
Permits Legislature to terminate certain declarations by Governor for state of emergency or public health emergency and limits duration of such declarations unless Legislature approves extension.
Requires school districts to institute policies to improve emergency communications to increase school security.
Credits $2.35 billion to "New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund"; appropriates $4.32 billion to Department of Treasury to provide funds to municipalities and counties for debt retirement and avoidance.
Authorizes special license plates for members of the United States Coast Guard.
Eliminates certain practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses.
Increases amount annually credited to Shore Protection Fund to $50 million.
Requires certain animals used in testing to be offered for adoption; requires establishment of procedures for assessment and disposition of animals; establishes penalties for noncompliance.
Provides tax credits to small businesses to offset increases in unemployment insurance contributions.
Revises emergency care services referral standards for providers of telemedicine and telehealth.
Provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for businesses that employ apprentices in DOL registered apprenticeships.
Directs BPU to establish program concerning renewable natural gas; provides gas public utilities with customer rate recovery mechanism for costs associated with program.
Prohibits State Board of Education from requiring student growth objectives to evaluate teachers.
Requires school districts to provide training and coaching to certain teachers on student literacy and reading interventions; requires DOE to establish program for literacy coaches.
Regulates smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities.
Creates "Manufacturing Reboot Program" in EDA to provide financial assistance to certain manufacturing businesses; makes $10 million appropriation to EDA.
"New Jersey Makes, the World Takes Act"; allows corporation business tax credit for selling New Jersey made products.
"Made in New Jersey Tax Credit Act"; provides CBT tax credits to taxpayers that purchase "New Jersey made" products.
Establishes manufacturing machine and metal trade apprenticeship tax credit program.
"Energy Security and Affordability Act"; requires BPU to consider energy security, diversity, and affordability when preparing Energy Master Plan and perform economic and ratepayer impact analysis of energy generation projects and Energy Master Plan.
Supports activities of New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program, Inc.
Establishes Government Efficiency and Regulatory Review Commission.
Amends appropriations act to provide funding for restoration of State school aid reductions for certain school districts; shifts $64,920,000 from certain appropriations for purposes of restoring aid; provides supplemental appropriation of $145,215,047.
Concerns justified use of force and deadly force.
Removes registered apprenticeship program requisites of public work contractors; sets apprenticeship standards for prevailing wage projects.
Revises various provisions of the New Jersey Aspire Program.
Requires certain motorbus operators to unload passengers at scheduled destinations.
Permits Secretary of Higher Education to appoint antisemitism monitor to any institution of higher education; requires institution to implement recommendations of antisemitism monitor.
Requires DEP to implement Advanced Clean Trucks regulations no earlier than January 1, 2027.
Adds to list of crimes ineligible for administrative parole release.
Establishes "Business Growth Protection Act"; revises law concerning temporary help service firms and temporary laborers.
Allows school district to appoint certain specialists to provide school security services to schools.
Requires automatic voter registration to be available when applying for certain licenses and permits.
Requires Commission on Human Trafficking to identify methods to prevent human trafficking through online gaming platforms.
Prohibits local government from naming its property after foreign terrorist organization.
Suspends sales and use tax and societal benefits charge on electric and gas public utility bills during four-month period.
"Grid Reliability Protection Act"; prohibits State agencies from decommissioning electric generation facilities in State under certain circumstances.
Withdraws New Jersey's participation in Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative; repeals "Global Warming Response Act" and related sections of Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative implementing law.
Establishes Department of State Police as principal department in executive branch of State government.
Prohibits condemnation of farmland actively supporting agricultural or horticultural production for purpose other than agricultural or horticultural production.
Requires report of societal benefits charge revenues and expenditures to be included in the Governor's annual budget message.
"Saving Our Diners and Protecting Our Past (SODA POP) Act"; provides sales and use tax exemption and corporation business and gross income tax credits for historic diners and restaurants included on annual registry.