Bills in the 2020–2021 Session, Senate.
James W. Holzapfel
Sponsored
Passed the Senate2
Allows shore municipalities to provide spouse and dependent children of veterans free or reduced cost access to beaches.
Restricts phosphorus content and requires labelling thereof for household cleansing products.*
Out of committee2
Exempts certain motor vehicles that are owned by certain nutrition programs and certain nonprofit organizations that offer social services from motor vehicle registration fees.
Provides State income tax credit for removal of lawns near Barnegat Bay.
In committee85
Establishes NJ Animal Abuser Registry.
Increases criminal penalties if leaving loaded firearm within easy access of minor results in injury or death.
Doubles amount of certain retirement income that may be excluded from gross income under the gross income tax.
Provides gross income tax credit for certain tolls paid via E-ZPass.
Increases income eligibility limit for homestead property tax reimbursement program.
Requires insurers that sell flood insurance to provide certain policyholders with certain information.
Increases annual income limit for eligibility to receive homestead property tax reimbursement.
Extends to 90 days statute of limitations for unlawful use of cell phone while driving; increases penalties for texting while driving.
Revises distribution of monies from Alcohol Education, Rehabilitation and Enforcement Fund to municipalities.
Excludes passenger and freight rail projects from purposes for which revenue from increase in petroleum products gross receipts tax revenue may be used.
Enhances penalties imposed on drivers who have never been issued a driver's license.
Requires State to lower compensation rate of civilly committed sexually violent predators to same level as State inmates for institutional work.
Requires each municipality to establish a Reverse 9-1-1 system.
Requires police notification when driver's license is suspended.
Criminalizes fourth or subsequent drunk driving offenses.
Authorizes court to impose rescue operation costs of public entity under certain circumstances.
Establishes "Distracted Driver Enforcement and Education Fund."
Requires municipalities to reimburse qualified private communities for street paving costs.
Requires suspension without pay and health care benefits if public officer or employee formally charged with crime involving or touching office, position, or employment.
Prevents State school aid reduction in school districts that experienced decrease in equalized valuation and are located in certain counties.
Includes value of certain properties exempt from taxation in valuation used to calculate State school aid.
Provides for court dismissal, with prejudice, of civil actions for which lis pendens notices are filed under certain circumstances.
Establishes three-year nonpublic school pupil transportation pilot program in Ocean County to provide funding to county consortium of nonpublic schools that will assume responsibility for mandated nonpublic school busing.
Establishes New Jersey Internet Criminal Information Registry.
Waives certain adoption fees for veterans.
Permits any member of PERS to receive accidental disability retirement allowance for disability resulting from participation in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup options.
Provides gross income tax deduction for certain E-ZPass tolls paid.
Expands statute authorizing temporary restraining orders for certain alleged stalking victims to include victims of any age or mental capacity.
Increases penalties for unlawfully manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing fentanyl.
Exempts certain transactions of residential property involving senior, blind, and disabled citizens from general purpose fee under realty transfer fee and one percent assessment on real property selling for more than $1,000,000.
Eliminates supplemental realty transfer fee.
Provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for employing immediate family members of members of the Armed Forces of the United States who were killed in action.
Requires local governing body and DCA to suspend collection of certificate of occupancy and related inspection fees for homes being rented by persons identified by FEMA as displaced individuals.
Requires Director of Division of Taxation to include sales of properties in age-restricted developments by third parties in table of equalized valuations.
Requires explosive gas detectors to be installed in certain residential properties.
Requires newly-constructed grocery stores to have generators.
Prohibits public utility from filing rate increase petition under certain circumstances.
Requires public utility to reimburse business customer during period when business ceases operations due to utility repairing or replacing its equipment on business customer's property.
Prohibits utility from billing customer for costs incurred for certain upgrades to utility infrastructure; allows costs for certain upgrades to utility infrastructure be recovered in utility's rate base.
Requires electric distribution lines to be located underground in areas affected by severe weather or natural disasters.
Prohibits sale, distribution, and use of urea as an ice melt.
Increases fines for failing to have required markings on commercial vehicles.
Requires State park and forest restroom facilities to include an exclusive family restroom.
Clarifies crime of unlawful access concerning certain password protected communications in electronic storage.
Provides certain immunities from spectator-based lawsuits arising from youth sports events.
Establishes training for law enforcement officers interacting with pregnant women.
Establishes mandatory penalties for committing burglary and theft during a state of emergency.
Permits county board of chosen freeholders to appoint interim member of county tax board under certain circumstances.
Permits short-term tax exemption for certain improvements to dwellings damaged by natural disasters.
"Homestead School Property Tax Reimbursement Act"; provides State reimbursement for 50% of school property taxes paid by seniors, 65 years and older.
Upgrades unlawful taking thefts in certain instances.
Clarifies that fishing license is not required to fish at a private community lake.
Changes law regulating size limits of lobsters.
Increases fines for failing to report suspected abuse or exploitation of institutionalized elderly person.
"Barnegat Bay Protection Act"; establishes Barnegat Bay Protection Fund, dedicates portion of sales tax on fertilizer, authorizes special license plates, and provides for donations.
Revises polysomnography license fees.
Provides that school districts spending below adequacy will not be subject to certain State school aid reductions.
Permits minors to work until 11 p.m. between Memorial Day and October 1 of each year in certain circumstances.
Requires mortgage lenders to maintain vacant, age-restricted dwelling units during foreclosure.
Directs Commissioner of Education to encourage implementation of Natural High Drug Prevention Program in school districts.
Concerns valuation of property condemned for dune construction or beach replenishment.
Exempts police from jury duty.
Establishes new offenses concerning the unlawful possession and use of credit card scanners.
Requires State aid reduction to municipalities and school districts by amount of accumulated absences paid to employees upon their retirement.
Requires installation of emergency power supply systems to certain common areas of new planned real estate developments; provides related tax incentives.
Requires State agencies to review operations and to implement use of Internet to conduct public business when cost savings may be realized, with certain exceptions.
Exempts certain essential individuals and businesses from certain requirements in state of emergencies or public health emergencies.
Requires DOE to release to school district upon request data and software program algorithms used to calculate State school aid.
Prohibits default approvals of certain municipal land use applications, and permits municipal agencies to not hold certain required meetings, under emergency circumstances.
Establishes Jersey Shore Safety and Economy Task Force.
Establishes immunity for businesses against damage claims for COVID-19 exposure; excludes reckless or intentional conduct.
Requires registered voters to present photo ID when voting at polling place.
Allows retiree to change designated beneficiary after retirement in event of divorce.
Requires school districts to provide instruction on the dangers of texting while driving as part of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.
Eliminates remarriage prohibition for PFRS death benefits; provides retirement allowance to certain survivors of PFRS members.
Establishes immunity for senior planned real estate development associations relating to COVID-19.
Requires registered voters to present photo ID when voting at polling place.
Requires at least one member of BPU to reside in either Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth, or Ocean County.
Authorizes payment of just compensation to businesses for losses due to public health emergency closures.
Requires annual inspection of certain veterinary facilities.
Prohibits discrimination against individuals who have not received COVID-19 vaccine.
Provides gross income tax deduction for home office expenses incurred during COVID-19 pandemic.
Prohibits requiring students to wear face masks in schools and on school buses.
Permits religious services during state of emergency and public health emergency by Governor.
Prohibits NJT from making major alterations to rail yards located near certain environmentally sensitive areas.
Filed1
Creates monetary penalty for violating social mitigation strategy of barring or limiting social gatherings, implemented pursuant to "Emergency Health Powers Act," or government order issued pursuant to act, during declared public health emergency under ac
Co-sponsored
Became law · 11
"Laura Wooten's Law"; Requires civics instruction in middle school; authorizes New Jersey Center for Civic Education to provide curricula, professional development and technical assistance for middle and high school civics.*
Establishes trunk fighting as animal cruelty offense and crime of the third degree.
Creates special education unit within the Office of Administrative Law; requires annual report.
Provides civil and criminal immunity to certain health care professionals and health care facilities during public health emergency and state of emergency; facilitates issuance of certain temporary licenses and certifications during public health emergenc
"COVID-19 Fiscal Mitigation Act"; clarifies filing and payment deadline for CBT and GIT taxpayers, modifies duration of State Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021, requires certain updates and presentation for State Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021.
Permits nonprofit corporations to allow members to participate in meetings by means of remote communication, and permits nonprofit corporations to hold meetings in part or solely by means of remote communication during state of emergency.
Delays mandatory retirement in SPRS when it would occur during period of state of emergency; extends eligibility for appointment as member of State Police and enrollment in SPRS for 160th Class of NJ State Police.*
Authorizes pharmacists to order and cause to be administered test for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 or COVID-19 antibodies; requires health benefits and Medicaid coverage for tests.**
Allows deduction from tax of certain expenses when taxpayer's federal paycheck protection program loan is forgiven and excludes those forgiven loans from gross income tax.
Expands opportunities for restaurants, bars, distilleries, and breweries to provide outdoor dining and permits certain sales at seasonal farm markets in response to COVID-19 public health emergency.
Establishes immunity relating to COVID-19 spread in planned real estate developments.
Vetoed · 3
Affords employment protection to certain emergency medical responders.
Appropriates $30 million to EDA from federal "Coronavirus Relief Fund" to assist food establishments impacted by Executive Order No. 158.
Requires assignment of unemployment claims handlers to legislative districts during COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency; appropriates $1.8 million.
Passed the Senate · 9
Permits certain portion of municipal development trust funds to be spent on housing affordability assistance to veterans.
Increases amount annually credited to Shore Protection Fund to $50 million.
Allows CBT and GIT tax credits to certain taxpayers that retain employees during COVID-19 pandemic.
Allows gross income tax deduction for charitable contributions to certain New Jersey-based charitable organizations during COVID-19 pandemic.
Permits State and local government employees in civil service to be transferred in certain circumstances.
Authorizes private persons to display American flag on bridges and overpasses that travel over property of NJTA and SJTA; prohibits NJTA and SJTA from removing American flag under certain circumstances.*
Allows tax credits for nonresidential and multifamily building improvement expenses to reduce spread of COVID-19.**
Establishes School Funding Formula Evaluation Task Force.
Revises law prohibiting cruel tethering and confinement of dogs; establishes procedures for seizure, care, and forfeiture of animals involved in animal cruelty violations.
Out of committee · 19
Authorizes proportional property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected disability. *
Requires DHS to establish Alzheimer's disease public awareness campaign.*
Provides county clerks with additional week to mail ballots for 2020 primary election; requires ballot position draw to occur one day early if statutory date falls on holiday.*
Extends time period for filing and processing certain property tax appeals in 2020.
Concerns delivery and sale of alcoholic beverages during declared state of emergency; requires ABC director to notify licensees of certain tax exemptions during emergency.*
Establishes toll free helpline for first responders and health care workers experiencing mental health issues related to COVID-19 pandemic.*
Requires DOH to establish sanitization standards and protocols for casinos operating in State.
Requires DOH to establish sanitization guidelines for hotels operating in State.
Increases allowance paid to war veterans with certain service-connected disabilities.
Authorizes MVC to use stored driver's license or identification card photo for longer than eight years; limits certain appointment times at MVC locations to senior citizens and persons with certain medical conditions during COVID-19 pandemic.**
Establishes NJMVC Virtual Check-In Pilot Program.
Establishes "Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Long-Term Planning Commission" in DHS.
Temporarily extends deadline to register vehicle and obtain driver's license for new State residents during COVID-19 public health emergency.
Allows continued use of heaters and tents by food or beverage establishments under certain circumstances during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.*
Provides gross income tax deduction to surviving spouses of certain veterans.
Expands indoor capacity for food and dining establishments and banquet and wedding venues under certain circumstances during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.*
Requires MVC to conduct unscheduled surprise inspections of certain school buses.
Increases income eligibility limits for PAAD program and Senior Gold Prescription Discount Program by $10,000.
Provides tax credits to qualified small employers in industries impacted by COVID-19 emergency.
In committee · 44
"Consumer Freedom From Unwanted Expense in Health Insurance Coverage Act."
Reestablishes senior citizen supplemental stabilization aid.
Requires State reimbursement to municipalities of cost of disabled veterans' total property tax exemption.
Allows certain drug dealing offenses to be graded by "units," rather than weight, of controlled dangerous substances.
Eliminates age restriction for issuing special permits to carry handgun to retired law enforcement officers.
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.
Prohibits municipal ordinance to create sanctuary city; establishes State and local employee ethics violation upon noncompliance with federal immigration enforcement request.
Establishes a formula for the distribution of State aid to school districts.
"Reliability, Preparedness, and Storm Response Act"; requires public utilities to file certain information concerning emergency preparedness with BPU and increases certain penalties.
Establishes that failure to maintain lane may constitute recklessness under vehicular homicide statute; designated as Eileen's Law.
Limits to 14 days effective period of certain emergency orders, rules, or regulations.
Allows commercial property owner to claim tax credit against CBT or GIT for providing commercial tenant rent forgiveness during COVID-19 emergency.
Establishes general immunity for entities, including non-profits and governments, and institutions of higher education, and their officers, employees, and agents, against actions relating to Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic or related viral strain in sub
Requires certain group homes to install electronic monitoring devices in common areas, upon uniform request of residents, and to permit consensual use of such devices in private rooms.
Requires electric public utility to reimburse residential customer for cost of food and prescription medicine spoiled or compromised as a result of sustained electric service outage.
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 in-person early voting for 2020 election; raises pay for election workers for 2020 general election; requires county boards to consider appointing certain residents as election workers.
Requires option to vote in person using electronic voting machine at polling place for November 2020 general election if voter turns in unopened and unfilled mail-in ballot.
Allows corporation business tax credit for subcontracting work to NJ small businesses.
Prohibits government entity or school from requiring influenza vaccinations for persons who are 18 years of age or younger.
Suspends automatic voter registration until implementation of standards and procedures to maintain accuracy of voter rolls.
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."
Requires MVC to make mobile units available to reduce service delays at overcrowded agencies.
Provides business taxpayers with gross income tax or corporation business tax deduction for qualifying cleaning expenses incurred due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Appropriates $300 million to EDA for small business and not-for-profit organization assistance.
Requires ABC to waive fee for alcoholic beverage COVID-19 Expansion Permit.
Concerns restaurant safety during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
Requires voter who wishes to vote by mail to complete application for mail-in ballot each calendar year; repeals automatic vote-by-mail designation.
Prohibits mail-in ballot outer envelope from containing political affiliation or designation visible to public.
Requires certain documentation as proof of voter identity to vote; updates procedures for challenging voters regarding proof of identity.
Provides for agreement between Secretary of State and AOC to match information in Statewide voter registration system with certain jury records in order to identify and remove ineligible non-citizen voter registrants from system.
Modifies eligibility requirements for other retirement income exclusion concerning other sources of income.
Appropriates $300 million to EDA for small business and not-for-profit corporation assistance to preserve and create jobs, spur economic growth, and preserve the viability and vitality of communities.
Provides that if minor under age 18 unlawfully buys or possesses alcoholic beverages or cannabis and receives written warning from law enforcement, the minor's parent or guardian would be notified in writing.
"Fairness in Women's Sport Act."
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.
Revises emergency care services referral standards for providers of telemedicine and telehealth.
Requires transfer of certain excess animal control funds to prosecutors, municipalities, police departments, and Police Training Commission for enforcement of animal cruelty laws and training humane law enforcement officers.
Requires public schools to post curriculum plans online; requires school districts to make textbooks or other materials used in implementing curriculum plans available for inspection by parents and legal guardians.
Prohibits mandatory mask use at youth camps.
Requires board of education to publicly post full meeting agenda 48 hours prior to meeting.
Makes permanent certain immunity relating to COVID-19 spread in planned real estate developments.
Prohibits NJTA from implementing automatic toll increases and increasing tolls for three years; reduces NJTA tolls.
Filed · 19
Concerns prohibition of residential tenant eviction and eviction due to residential foreclosure during certain emergency circumstances.
Establishes Bridging the Digital Divide in Schools Grant Program in DOE to provide and expand access to technology and equipment for students in certain school districts.
Requires health insurance and Medicaid coverage for testing of coronavirus disease 2019 and for telemedicine and telehealth during coronavirus disease 2019 state of emergency.
Authorizes EDA to make grants during periods of emergency declared by Governor and for duration of economic disruptions due to emergency; allows EDA to grant certain business documentation submission deadline extensions.
Authorizes all licensed health care facilities and laboratories to collect specimens to test for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); allows waiver of staffing ratio requirements.
Requires food access information be displayed on websites of 2-1-1 system and executive branch departments during public health emergencies to the extent practicable.
Establishes certain requirements to use telemedicine and telehealth to respond to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Permits corporations to hold shareholders' meetings in part or solely by means of remote communication during state of emergency.
Limits return of items purchased from retail food stores under certain circumstances.
Permits use of virtual or remote instruction to meet minimum 180-day school year requirement under certain circumstances.
Allows public bodies to conduct meetings, and provide notice, by electronic means during periods of emergency.
Permits extension of deadlines for adoption of county and municipal budgets under certain circumstances.
Allows conduct of State business and legislative sessions at locations other than Trenton during periods of emergency or other exigency; allows conduct of legislative business using electronic means.
Permits professional and occupational licensing boards to expedite licensure of certain individuals during state of emergency or public health emergency.
Authorizes notaries public to perform certain notarial acts remotely.
Automatically extends time to file gross income tax or corporation business tax return if federal government extends filing or payment due date for federal returns.
Modifies deadline by which public agency is required to respond to request for government record during period of emergency.
Provides enhanced penalty for distribution of counterfeit drugs and medical devices during declared states of emergency.
Requires law enforcement to provide written notification to parent or guardian of person under age 18 who commits first offense of unlawfully possessing or consuming alcoholic beverage, cannabis, marijuana or hashish.