Bills in the 2014–2015 Session, General Assembly.
John J. Burzichelli
Sponsored
Became law4
Revises exemption from license requirement for raffles for door prizes of donated or purchased merchandise; increases total retail value from $50 to $200 or higher if permitted.
"New Jersey Rural Microenterprise Act." *
Allows charitable assets set aside from the sale of a nonprofit hospital to a for-profit entity to be allocated to a successor nonprofit hospital acquiring the for-profit hospital.
Concerns certain tobacco sales.
Vetoed5
Reinstates moratorium on imposition of Statewide non-residential development fees until January 2015.
Imposes a one-year fifteen percent surcharge on Corporation Business Tax liabilities.
Authorizes operation of lottery courier services.
Imposes a one-year surcharge on Corporation Business Tax liabilities.
Permits counties to impose one-percent hotel tax.
Passed the General Assembly7
The "Real Estate Installment Contract Act."
Regulates mailed manufacturer's rebates.
Permits tenant to be removed from leased housing due to criminal activity under certain circumstances.
"Safe Motor Vehicle Rental Act"; prohibits rental companies from renting, leasing, or selling unrepaired motor vehicles which are subject to safety recall.*
Requires OLS to provide certain notices and reports to legislators and legislative staff by electronic means only.
Permits inclusion of volunteer firefighters and other emergency responders within municipal eligible employee group for purposes of the small employer health benefits plan statutes.
"Aid in Dying for the terminally Ill Act"; permits qualified terminally ill patient to self-administer medication to end life in humane and dignified manner.**
Out of committee23
Revises "Administrative Procedure Act" concerning conflicts between rules of different State agencies.
Creates New Jersey Cold War medal.
Permits Internet gaming equipment to be located at certain secure facilities in Atlantic City.
Concerns certain workers' compensation supplemental benefits.
Implements constitutional amendment providing for pretrial detention of certain criminal defendants; establishes non-monetary bail alternatives for release; authorizes Judiciary to revise fees for certain legal programs and services.*
Establishes certain apprentice hunting licenses.
Exempts board of education and local government payments to entities under BPU jurisdiction from certain certification requirements.*
Requires funds collected through societal benefits charge not allocated or spent for at least one year be reappropriated in following fiscal year.*
Requires each State agency to review permits issued by agency and make necessary changes to expedite and facilitate permitting.
Exempts certain temporary farm structures from permit and transition area requirements of "Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act."
Requires earlier mandatory polling hours for school elections; requires discretionary additional polling hours be consistent with current primary and general elections.*
Authorizes mobile electronic waste destruction units to operate without DEP permit.
Reduces number of voters for whom person can serve as messenger; limits to three number of voted mail-in ballots transmittable by bearer; modifies conviction standard under vote by mail law.
Clarifies definition of agricultural deed restriction.
Requires non-binding mediation for disputes regarding access to public records.
Eliminates requirement that one license be staged casino facility license; permits use of renovated building by small-scale or staged casino facility.
Expands municipal authority to license and inspect residential rental property.*
Requires county superintendent of elections to operate pursuant to county administrative code; subjects certain salary costs of office of county superintendent of elections to review and approval by county governing body.*
Limits increase in annual budget requests of certain county entities.
Provides a gross income tax exclusion for attorney's fees and costs received in connection with certain unlawful discrimination or unlawful retaliation claims or actions.
Requires filing of financial agreement for long term tax exemption with county finance officer and counsel; requires quarterly payment of county share of payment in lieu of tax.
Prohibits school districts from joining associations which oversee Statewide interscholastic sports unless association limits certain student-athletes who repeat middle school grade to only six consecutive semesters of interscholastic eligibility after en
Maintains property tax exemption for certain nonprofit hospitals with on-site for-profit medical providers; requires these hospitals to pay community service contributions to host municipalities; establishes Nonprofit Hospital Community Service Contributi
In committee71
Regulates advertising of manufacturer’s rebates by retail mercantile establishments.
Makes various technical and procedural amendments to the "Municipal Land Use Law."
"New Jersey Fair Debt Collection Practices Act."
Modifies process for contested case hearings by OAL with regard to telephone and video conferences, delegation of final decision authority, oral decisions, checklist decisions, electronic filings, and settlements.
Permits licensed dealers to display and auction firearms at fund raising events sponsored by certain tax exempt organizations.
"Consumer Credit Fairness Act."
Authorizes deer hunting with firearm on Sundays on private property.
Increases membership of Drinking Water Quality Institute and responsibilities of DEP related to institute.
Increases annual income limitation for senior and disabled citizens' eligibility for $250 property tax deduction and bases future annual income limitations on annual CPI changes.
Applies provisions of "New Jersey College Student and Parent Consumer Information Act" to proprietary schools and limits eligibility for State student assistance programs to students enrolled in certain proprietary schools.
Requires toll road authorities to award contracts for motor fuel services on toll roads to retail dealers who dispense motor fuel provided by suppliers with refineries located in this State.
Requires certain purchasers of precious metals and jewelry to maintain certain records; grandfathers certain municipal ordinances regarding sales of used and secondhand jewelry.
Requires certain user fees for the provision of traditional municipal services to be included within the 2% municipal and county property tax levy cap.
Restricts bail for persons charged with violent crimes; establishes bail alternatives for non-violent offenders.
Changes certain eligibility criteria for TPAF, JRS, PERS, PFRS and SPRS disability benefits; requires Attorney General to establish fraud unit; creates temporary committee to recommend accidental disability standard for systems.
Prohibits State departments and agencies from charging a fee to an applicant solely to correct clerical errors on any application form.
Directs State agencies to take certain action to expedite permitting through use of general permits.
Requires MVC to offer driver's license knowledge test in Italian.
Expands notification when an offender is released from custody or transferred within the criminal justice system.
Prohibits enforcement, for a period of 12 months, of homeowners' association bylaws prohibiting domesticated animals if owner is FEMA designated displaced individual following emergency declaration by President or Governor.
Requires wholesalers, terminal facilities, motor fuel retail dealers, grocery stores, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and residential rehabilitation facilities to install appropriate wiring for use of generator during power outage.
Makes certain technical corrections to the "Revised Uniform Limited Liabiltiy Company Act."
Requires patient to receive notification of abnormality in chest x-ray; designated as Claudia's Law.
Concerns rights of Delaware River and Bay Authority employees.
Prohibits boards of education from charging students a fee to participate in extracurricular activities.
Exempts veterans and members of military from boat license and registration fees under certain circumstances.
Provides that certain funds in Casino Simulcasting Special Fund will be paid to Atlantic City Racetrack and prescribes use thereof with certain amounts remaining paid to other racetracks.
Authorizes licensing of operators to provide restricted foreign Internet wagering under certain circumstances.
Permits wineries to operate salesrooms in certain municipalities with restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages.
Permits historic motor vehicles to be used for pleasure driving one day per week.
Requires the Board of Public Utilities in the Department of the Treasury to administer certain federal energy assistance programs.
Requires lobbyists that are nonprofit organizations to report annually to Election Law Enforcement Commission estimated number of members, contributors, and supporters.
Permits restaurants without a liquor license to advertise that they are BYOB or a winery salesroom.
Directs Commissioner of Education to establish guidelines limiting amount of time students spend on school bus.
Eliminates licensure of rehabilitation counselors.
Concerns licensure exemptions for boiler operators.
Stipulates that applicants for pawnbroker license are not required to submit CPA-certified financial statement.
Requires school districts and school bus contractors to ensure that school bus drivers are familiar with assigned route.
The "New Jobs for New Jersey Act."
Requires veterinarians to provide written prescriptions and certain notifications.
Strengthens public entities' immunity for damages against claims of injury occurring on public beaches and boardwalks.
Requires certain local and State government entities to issue certain emergency and warning light permits.
Permits a student to participate in sex-segregated school activities and use facilities consistent with the student's gender identity.
Requires assessment of administrative penalty amount by administrative law judge for environmental violations.
Prohibits requiring domed roofs on storage tanks if alternative emissions reduction method for volatile organic compound emissions can be established.
Establishes certain requirements for trapping of snapping turtles.
Requires school districts to employ a certain number of student assistance coordinators based on district enrollment.
Prohibits BPU review and approval of property transactions of certain telecommunications companies.
Eliminates requirement that at least one of two licenses issued under small-scale and staged casino facility pilot program must be staged casino facility license; permits these facilities to be located in renovated buildings.
Eliminates New Jersey Law Revision Commission.
Requires at least 50% of highest Casino Simulcasting Special Fund amount awarded to racetrack be paid to Atlantic City Race Course; prescribes uses thereof.
Authorizes permits for certain New Jersey casinos for interstate and foreign Internet wagering; requires Internet gaming payment processors be licensed as casino service industry enterprises.
Modifies interest rates and accrual of interest on certain unpaid water and sewer utility bills and delinquent municipal taxes, assessments, and other municipal liens and charges.
Prohibits new employees of certain organizations from enrolling in State-administered retirement system or health care plan of public employer.
Requires that a teacher's evaluation take into consideration the degree of parental involvement and the impact it has on student achievement.
Increases salary of certain government officials; codifies legislative district office allowance and legislative director salary; opens PERS enrollment to certain elected officers; eliminates PERS/TPAF disability insurance.
Establishes approval process for proposed offshore wind energy projects and certain benefits to facilitate development of offshore wind energy.
Allows deduction against gross income for unreimbursed expenses incurred by organ donor.
Requires DEP to obtain approval from Secretary of Agriculture prior to levying penalties against farmers.
Provides that students attending a choice district may only play interscholastic sports on sending district sports teams unless sending district does not offer a sport that the choice district offers.
Implements recommendations of SCI report concerning bail bond industry.
Creates new liquor licenses for certain restaurants and permits the issuance of additional liquor licenses; provides tax credit under corporate business tax and gross income tax for fair market value of certain alcoholic beverage licenses.
Makes changes to electronic waste recycling program.
Extends voting rights of representatives of sending districts on receiving district board of education.
Revises law concerning partnerships, limited partnerships, and limited liability companies.
Reduces ambulatory care facility assessment.
Establishes Student Loan Lottery with winnings applying only to outstanding student loans.
Establishes Child Advocacy Center-Multidisciplinary Team Advisory Board and certification program for child advocacy centers and multidisciplinary teams; appropriates $10 million.
Permits marriage or civil union license to be obtained in any municipality in the State.
Concerns calculation of net premiums on certain life insurance policies for purposes of certain DOBI assessments.
Establishes "Court Security Enhancement Fund" increases certain court fees and assessments.*
Carried from the Senate
Became law12
Permits Internet gaming equipment to be located at certain secure facilities in Atlantic City.
Establishes apprentice firearm hunting license and apprentice bow and arrow license.*
Reduces number of voters for whom person can serve as messenger; limits to three number of voted mail-in ballots transmittable by bearer; modifies conviction standard under vote by mail law.
Implements constitutional amendment providing for pretrial detention of certain criminal defendants; establishes non-monetary bail alternatives for release; authorizes Judiciary to revise fees for certain legal programs and services.*
Requires each State agency to review permits issued by the agency and make necessary changes to expedite and facilitate permitting.
Exempts board of education and local government payments to entities under BPU jurisdiction from certain certification requirements.*
Exempts certain temporary farm structures from permit and transition area requirements of "Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act."
Requires earlier mandatory polling hours for school elections; requires discretionary additional polling hours be consistent with current primary and general elections.*
Authorizes mobile electronic waste destruction units to operate without DEP permit.
Requires filing of financial agreement for long term tax exemption with county finance officer and counsel; requires quarterly payment of county share of payment in lieu of tax.
Limits increase in annual budget requests of certain county entities.
Requires county superintendent of elections to operate pursuant to county administrative code; subjects certain salary costs of office of county superintendent of elections to review and approval by county governing body.*
Vetoed3
Concerns certain workers' compensation supplemental benefits.
Expands municipal authority to license and inspect residential rental property. *
Maintains property tax exemption for certain nonprofit hospitals with on-site for-profit medical providers; requires these hospitals to pay community service contributions to host municipalities; establishes Nonprofit Hospital Community Service Contributi
Co-sponsored
Became law · 16
Prohibits sending unsolicited advertising by text messaging, and requires companies offering text messaging services to allow customers to block all incoming and outgoing text messages.
Enacts the "Jessica Lunsford Act;" imposes mandatory term of imprisonment; provides for negotiated reduction of mandatory term under certain circumstances.
Requires a board of education to consult with appropriate nonpublic school representatives prior to any change in the provision of nursing services.
Requires hiring preference for veterans seeking position with State Police.
Allows person to request voluntary exclusion from gaming activities without acknowledging being problem gambler.
Codifies "Project Medicine Drop" program; requires Division of Consumer Affairs to maintain secure prescription medicine drop-off receptacles at certain law enforcement agencies.*
Requires timeframe of standardbred mare residing in New Jersey breeding farm be inclusive of foaling instead of between foal's conception and birth.
Provides that certain field sports conducted or occurring in agricultural production area in pinelands area constitute low intensity recreational use under pinelands comprehensive management plan.***
Allows gross income taxpayers to use their gross income tax returns to make voluntary contributions to ALS Association for services to New Jersey residents.
Revises certain laws governing police and fire interest arbitration; incorporates compounding in base salary calculation; extends two-percent cap on base salary awards.
Prohibits eligibility for certain sign programs from being conditioned on availability of free drinking water or public telephone.
Extends for one year expiration date of certain permits pursuant to "Permit Extension Act of 2008." *
Authorizes supplemental State aid to school districts in municipality with significant decrease in commercial property valuation; makes appropriation.
"New Jersey Small Business Retirement Marketplace Act."*
Raises maximum workers' compensation fees for evaluating physicians.*
Appropriates funds to DEP for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2016.
Vetoed · 9
Requires school buildings to be equipped with emergency light and panic alarm linked to local law enforcement.
Requires release of bid list prior to bid date under "Local Public Contracts Law."
Requires an annual State debt affordability analysis be included in the State Debt Report.
"The New Jersey Social Innovation Act"; establishes social innovation loan pilot program and study commission within EDA.
Allows modernization for the form of disbursement for certain State government and local unit payments to individuals and business entities. *
"Casino Property Taxation Stabilization Act."
Requires holder of casino license to provide certain employees with certain health care and retirement benefits.
Reallocates casino investment alternative tax to Atlantic City to pay debt service on municipal bonds issued.
Removes provisions of law relating to Atlantic City Alliance.
Passed the General Assembly · 11
Requires Adjutant General of DMVA to issue State flag to resident enrolling in federal service academy.
Reduces dollar amount of full outstanding debt issue that exempts casino institutional investor from requirement to maintain qualifications.
Clarifies that using animal to cause bodily injury to another constitutes assault with a deadly weapon; grants immunity to police officers who use police dog as deadly weapon.*
Authorizes wiretap orders for investigation of luring or enticing a child, identity theft, stalking and cyber-harassment under certain circumstances.*
Requires law enforcement officers to search domestic violence restraining order registry upon conducting an arrest.
Requires closure of a four-year public institution of higher education that fails to achieve a six-year graduation rate of at least 50% for full-time undergraduate students.
Directs Secretary of Higher Education to revoke proprietary school's license to award academic degrees if school fails to achieve certain minimum graduation rates.
Modernizes the distribution of gross income tax refunds by making direct deposit the default distribution method.
Requires DEP to establish "private wildlife habitat certification program"; creates affirmative defense against municipal nuisance ordinances for properties certified under the program.
Extends urban enterprise zone designation in all qualifying municipalities for additional 10 years. *
Establishes "Court Security Enhancement Fund" increases certain court fees.*
Out of committee · 25
Allows commercial farmer to recover reasonable costs and attorney fees of defending against unreasonable complaints under "Right to Farm Act."
Authorizes hiring preference for veterans in non-civil service jurisdictions.
Provides protections for individuals with developmental disabilities through accountability and transparency; designated as "Stephen Komninos' Law."
Stipulates that retail motor fuel dealers shall not be responsible for certain fees associated with credit, debit and rewards cards.
Creates offense of financial exploitation of the elderly.
Authorizes special "We Support the Arts" license plates with proceeds to the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
Revises certain laws governing police and fire interest arbitration; extends two-percent cap on base salary awards.
Designates Dept. of Agriculture as sole agency to administer "Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program."
Confers title of Acting Associate Justice of the Supreme Court on certain judges of the Superior Court, Appellate Division, temporarily assigned to the Supreme Court.
Partially repeals prohibitions, permits, licenses, and authorizations concerning wagers on professional, collegiate or amateur sport contests or athletic events.*
Clarifies provisions with regard to pet trusts.
Allows casino and out-of-State racetrack to negotiate amount casino will pay for simulcast races.
Expands category of lists from which a single juror source list is compiled to include recipients of cash assistance or food stamps.
Creates "Fishing Buddy License."
Permits reimbursement of COBRA health benefit costs of survivors of certain deceased public safety employees; appropriates $750,000.**
Provides expedited procedure for foreclosing residential properties in uncontested actions.
Establishes a gross income tax credit for certain firefighter training graduates.
Establishes vocational training pilot program in DOC; provides for inmate compensation for education and workforce training participation.
Requires owner or operator of certain trains to have discharge response, cleanup, and contingency plans to transport certain hazardous materials by rail.
Directs State Board of Agriculture and Department of Agriculture to develop and adopt certain terms and standards concerning local agricultural and horticultural products.
Allows collection of seeds from wild native plants.
Directs DOH to issue guidance concerning food safety at farmers markets.
Creates definition of certified mail.*
Voids deed restrictions on publicly-owned or leased property in Atlantic City Tourism District; grants public entity 18 months to sell property or submit public use plan.
Allows businesses due to receive grant under Business Employment Incentive Program to receive tax credit instead of grant.
In committee · 64
Requires minimum geographic cost adjustment for school districts in all counties.
Enacts the "Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption Act."
"Historic Property Reinvestment Act"; provides credits against certain taxes for certain costs of rehabilitating historic properties.
Grandfathers municipal ordinances that require merchants of used and secondhand jewelry to maintain possession longer than minimum period required by State law.
Limits political contributions by hedge funds and private equity funds that invest in casinos or in which State funds are invested.
Caps at 35 percent share of State public employee pension and annuity funds portfolio that may be invested in combination of hedge funds, private equity, commodities, and real estate.
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Prohibits use of certain underwriting guidelines by insurers pertaining to guide dogs, service dogs, or hearing assistance dogs harbored on the insured property.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song.
Requires the adoption of nepotism policies by school districts and charter schools.
Permits counties and municipalities to withdraw from civil service system by ordinance.
Authorizes imposition of additional fines for overcrowding.
Revises sales and use tax to specify certain persons deemed to be sellers and to clarify tax collection responsibilities of certain other persons and agents.
"Assistance to Firefighters' Families Act"; doubles State survivor pension amounts for beneficiaries of certain deceased volunteer emergency service providers; requires municipal life insurance and burial expenses for volunteer firefighters; permits fire
Modifies timeframe during which charter school applications are submitted to and approved by DOE.
Establishes State pension fund preference for certain in-State infrastructure investment.
Makes a $3 million supplemental appropriation for increased Per Capita Library Aid.
Increases membership of PFRS board of trustees from 11 to 13 members.
Requires certain arbitrators to file financial disclosure statements.
Revises law concerning ticket sales.
Eliminates the board of trustees of Rutgers University and provides that its powers will be exercised by the board of governors of the university.
Authorizes account wagering licensee to accept wagers from residents of eligible United States jurisdictions through account wagering system via electronic means such as internet.
Increases from 3.2% to 5% percentage of certain dedicated purse moneys used for horsemen aid programs and the association from Standardbred racing at private racetracks.
Allows State residents who are outside of New Jersey to place wagers on horse races using account wagering system.
Allows monies statutorily dedicated to standardbred or thoroughbred horse racing purses to be used for benefit of horse racing industry, subject to agreement between permitholder and representative horsemen's organization.
Authorizes New Jersey Racing Commission to grant special horse racing permit for steeplechase races; allows wagering on such races.
Permits persons at racetracks, off-track wagering facilities, and casino simulcasting facilities to place instant racing wagers.
Clarifies sales tax collection responsibilities of horse boarding businesses in New Jersey.
"Steven's Law;" prohibits use of non-wood bats in certain organized games.
Concerns interest rate chargeable by licensed pawnbrokers on certain transactions.
Requires explanatory statement on ballot question for school district capital projects to include certain information.
Requires public utilities and cable television companies to accommodate and relocate facilities when necessary for transportation infrastructure projects at direction of DOT.
Permits developer to qualify for low-interest loan from NJEDA when building a high performance green building.
Permits municipalities to establish weapons free zones around schools and public facilities.
Requires certificate of need for hospital-based basic obstetric and pediatric services.
Creates "Inmate Community Service Program" in DOC.
Provides immunity from civil liability for person who sends text message to motor vehicle operator.
Appropriates $20,000,000 from General Fund to the Department of State for travel and tourism advertising and promotion to communicate that New Jersey's tourism destinations are operational despite damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.
Modernizes business filing statutes to include entity conversion and domestication.
Clarifies law authorizing application of reciprocal limitations against businesses from states that give in-state preference in awarding public contracts.
Concerns proof of workers' compensation coverage with certain legally required annual reports of employers.
Re-establishes moratorium on the imposition of Statewide non-residential development fees until 2016.
Establishes "New Jersey Racetrack Growth and Development Fund" on behalf of eligible lessees of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.
Increases benefit amounts under New Jersey earned income credit program to 25 percent of federal earned income tax credit amounts beginning in Tax Year 2014.
Permits conduct of lottery games on Internet.
Appropriates $3.5 million to Phillip Alampi Beneficial Insect Rearing Laboratory improvements project.
Requires Pinelands Commission to designate North American fox grape as native Pinelands plant within special agricultural production areas.
Prohibits plea bargaining for certain repeat criminal offenders.
Implements constitutional amendment providing for pretrial detention of certain criminal defendants.
Authorizes executor or administrator to take control of online accounts of deceased person.
Directs DOT, NJTA, and SJTA to permit certain wineries to participate in certain sign programs on freeways, interstate highways, and toll roads.
Authorizes local public contract set-aside program for employers who hire former prisoners.
Requires New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association to require criminal history records check for person to serve as official at athletic events sanctioned by association.
Establishes certain requirements for use of physical restraint on students with disabilities in school districts and approved private schools for students with disabilities.
Increases filing threshold and applicable exclusion amount for the New Jersey estate tax to $5 million over period of five years.
Prohibits adoption of new rules exceeding federal standards unless specifically authorized by State law or necessary to protect public health, safety, or welfare.
Permits agriculture-related events on preserved farmland.
Limits authority of court to order one or both parents to pay post-high school education expenses on behalf of a child if both parents agree that they will not pay such expenses.
Prohibits "gay panic" defense for murder; prevents reduction of murder charge to manslaughter committed in heat of passion under certain circumstances.
Establishes "gun-free" and "weapon free" zones around certain school and public properties.
Revises timeframes for issuance of certain construction permits by DEP in 90 days.
Requires direct payment of homestead credit to claimant following sale of qualifying homestead and upon claimant request.
Provides sales and use tax exclusion for charges for student parking provided by certain colleges and universities.
Permits police departments to donate unclaimed bicycles to nonprofit organizations.
Filed · 1
Partially repeals prohibitions against sports wagering at racetracks and casinos in New Jersey.