Bills in the 2014–2015 Session, General Assembly.
Declan J. O'Scanlon Jr.
Sponsored
In committee42
Requires filing of financial and conflict disclosure statements as condition of development approval.
Prohibits simultaneous holding of certain State, county and municipal elective and appointive positions.
Provides for mandatory imprisonment and forfeiture of retirement benefits for public officers or employees convicted of certain crimes.
Allows pension calculation to be based on compensation increase in excess of actuarially assumed experience only if employer pays unfunded liability.
Clarifies that retention of unearned wages by a public servant is theft under certain circumstances.
Provides increased representation on receiving district boards of education for certain sending districts.
Authorizes COAH to credit municipalities with 1.5 units of fair share affordable housing obligation for each housing unit occupied by a veteran; permits municipalities to satisfy fair share affordable housing obligation through 35 percent set aside for ve
Authorizes COAH to credit municipalities with 1.5 units of fair share affordable housing obligation for each unit of transitional housing occupied by a veteran.
Makes members of county boards of taxation ineligible for membership in State-administered retirement system or for health care benefits coverage under plan for public employees.
Prohibits for ten years after compliance with penalty or sentence imposed by court elected or appointed officials convicted of certain crimes from serving as governmental affairs agents.
Repeals law requiring prevailing wage be paid to workers employed in construction undertaken with Board of Public Utilities financial assistance.
Establishes a 2.0 percent cap on annual appropriations increases for certain State government spending.
Amends law concerning conversion of age-restricted communities to define substantial detriment and makes other clarifications.
Requires that police obtain warrant to seize cell phone data.
Requires that police obtain warrant to attach GPS device to suspect's motor vehicle.
Replaces TPAF, PERS, PFRS and SPRS accidental disability benefits with reduced work-related disability benefit; modifies JRS disability benefit.
Increases certain time frames governing arbitration in police and fire contract disputes.
Extends "Right to Farm" protections to cultivation or production of marijuana for medical use; permits such activity on preserved farmland; prohibits county or municipal interference with such activity.
Requires local authorities and independent State authorities to grant officers and employees only those holidays granted to State employees.
Prohibits certain public officers and employees from receiving dual health care benefit coverage.
Repeals traffic control signal monitoring system pilot program; prohibits future use of red light cameras in State.
Requires certain elected officials and appointed officers eligible for dual health benefits coverage to choose coverage by one public entity.
Excludes certain institutions of higher education from prevailing wage requirements.
Revises certain motor vehicle fines imposed on motor vehicle drivers or operators for failing to have required documentation.
Establishes moratorium on hydraulic fracturing for purpose of natural gas exploration or production until certain conditions are met.
Expands definitions of "abused child" or "abused or neglected child" to include prenatal exposure of child to controlled substances.
Requires municipality which has authorized installation and use of red light cameras to designate one person in prosecutor's office to respond to certain summons issued in error.
Directs all fines imposed by municipalities for violations of red light cameras to Highway Safety Fund.
Requires municipal court judge to dismiss motor vehicle charges if accident was caused by medical condition of driver.
Lengthens amber light at traffic signal with red light camera; sets penalty for failing to stop before turning right on red when detected by red light camera; implements half-second delay for red light camera violations.
Makes direct deposit the default distribution method for gross income tax refunds and allows gross income tax refunds via prepaid debit cards.
Repeals all prevailing wage laws.
Makes various changes to interest arbitration procedures; repeals sunset provision.
Reauthorizes use of regional contribution agreements between nine most Superstorm Sandy-impacted counties; permits units transferred to be counted toward recipient municipality's fair share obligation.
Prohibits law enforcement agencies from considering number of arrests made and citations issued when evaluating police officer's professional performance.
Prohibits submission of New Jersey license plate information to national photo ticketing system or other states for certain purposes.
Concerns Superstorm Sandy recovery.
Permits use of electronic smoking devices in vapor retail establishments.
Limits transmission of ballots by messenger or bearer to two ballots; limits time to allow ballots to be distributed to and by messenger to within 10 days before election.
Requires institutions of higher education to offer cats and dogs no longer used for educational, research, or scientific purposes to animal rescue organizations for adoption.
Permits 15 liquor licenses to be issued in three municipalities located in Fort Monmouth redevelopment area.
Links police and fire interest arbitration base salary cap to property tax levy; makes cap permanent.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 20
Requires pharmacies and prescribers to notify patients about how to ensure proper and safe disposal of unused prescription drugs.
Establishes durational limits and enumerates certain factors concerning modification and termination of alimony; establishes "open durational" alimony.*
Enacts the "Jessica Lunsford Act;" imposes mandatory term of imprisonment; provides for negotiated reduction of mandatory term under certain circumstances.
Provides that crime victims do not have to pay fees to obtain records relating to the crime and that requests for such records are not public information.*
Authorizes court to order submission of DNA evidence to national database to determine whether evidence matches a known individual or DNA profile from an unsolved crime.*
Grants immunity from liability for certain professional services rendered during emergencies under certain circumstances.
Authorizes property tax deferment for deployed military personnel.
Revises certain laws governing police and fire interest arbitration; incorporates compounding in base salary calculation; extends two-percent cap on base salary awards.
Limits access to data recorded by motor vehicle recording devices.
Authorizes operators of motor vehicles to display electronic proof of insurance.
Permits holders of certain alcoholic beverage licenses to be issued amusement game license and updates definition of recognized amusement park.
"New Jersey Small Business Retirement Marketplace Act."*
Expands timeframe for renewal of driver's license, registration, and inspection by military personnel and immediate family members under certain circumstances.*
Upgrades crime of false public alarm under certain circumstances and establishes reporting requirements concerning crime.
Prohibits awarding of economic development subsidy to business if business is in default on previously awarded subsidy that was loan or loan guarantee.
Establishes State Seal of Biliteracy to recognize high school graduates who have attained a high level of bilingual proficiency.
Authorizes New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2016.
Appropriates funds to DEP for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2016.
Appropriates $88,592,361 from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" and various Green Acres bond funds for local government open space acquisition and park development projects.
Increases number of arbitrators on panel determining contested cases involving tenured employees in school districts and gives Commissioner of Education discretion on setting fees.
Vetoed · 3
Requires an annual State debt affordability analysis be included in the State Debt Report.
Sets forth certain standards to be followed by law enforcement agencies and fire departments when utilizing drones.
Allows modernization for the form of disbursement for certain State government and local unit payments to individuals and business entities. *
Passed the General Assembly · 6
"Transparency in Government Act"; provides for establishment of State public finance website.
Authorizes wiretap orders for investigation of luring or enticing a child, identity theft, stalking and cyber-harassment under certain circumstances.*
Establishes special license plates for honorably discharged veterans.
Modernizes the distribution of gross income tax refunds by making direct deposit the default distribution method.
Authorizes transfer of excess medical marijuana inventory between alternative treatment centers.
Requires online parking ticket payment system, NJMCDirect, to process payments 24 hours per day.
Out of committee · 22
Requires DOH to establish "New Jersey Autism Website."
Authorizes Attorney General to coordinate Statewide law enforcement efforts against opioid drug abuse.*
Revises statutes regarding practice of physical therapy.
Establishes time periods for adverse possession of certain property.*
Increases flexibility, clarity, and available tools of optional municipal consolidation process.
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.*
"New Jersey Tuition Equality for America's Military (NJTEAM) Act;" provides in-State tuition at New Jersey public institutions of higher education to military veterans.
Revises certain provisions of New Jersey Prescription Monitoring Program.
Appropriates funds to DEP for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2015.
Authorizes New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2015.
Provides for licensure of ambulatory care facilities to provide integrated primary care services including behavioral health care.
Requires Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services to annually prepare substance use treatment provider performance report, and make available to public.*
Extends "Overdose Prevention Act" immunity provisions to certain professionals and professional entities, and permits needle exchange programs to obtain standing order for opioid antidote dispensation.*
Permits successful completion of special probation drug court program notwithstading use of medication-assisted treatment.*
Streamlines responsibilities of Division of Local Government Services and local governments; designated as the Division of Local Government Services Modernization and Local Mandate Relief Act of 2015.
Establishes right of sexual assault victim to notification of certain developments in criminal case.
Requires DEP to adopt regulations to allow cultivation of commercial shellfish species in certain coastal and inner harbor waters for research, educational, or restoration purposes; requires community engagement process for revision therof.*
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.
Criminalizes using drones to conduct surveillance of or fly over critical infrastructures; requires certain drones to be registered and insured.*
Permits vapor lounges for use of electronic smoking devices to be opened under certain circumstances.
Revises laws concerning real estate licensees.
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 committee · 83
"Transparency in Government Act;" provides for establishment of State public finance website.
Removes authority of MVC to increase certain fees; sets certain fees by statute.
Suspends pension of any retired public employee who resumes public employment with compensation more than $15,000.
"Direct Tax Relief for New Jersey Families Act"; Establishes the New Jersey Direct Property Tax Relief Program; increases the renter's gross income tax credit for property taxes; and increases the earned income tax credit.
Prohibits payment to public employees at retirement for certain unused sick leave, provides for forfeiture of payment for unused sick leave for certain criminal convictions, and requires documentation for use of sick leave.
Establishes the "New Jersey Right to Work Act"; prohibits payroll deduction of union dues from wages or salaries of public employees.
Concerns eligibility for unemployment benefits for certain seasonal workers.
Decriminalizes possession of 15 grams or less of marijuana, imposes civil penalties, and establishes fund for drug education.
Provides for modification of child support and certain alimony payments due to changed circumstances.
Upgrades theft to a crime of the first degree if amount involved is $500,000 or more.
Upgrades penalties for certain crimes committed during a state of emergency.
Requires ballot question on approval of State bond issue to disclose total amount of debt of State or other entity, debt service on which is funded through annual State appropriation.
Clarifies that crime victim has a right to make a victim impact statement directly to the defendant at sentencing.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song.
Concerns collective negotiations for school employees; repeals law prohibiting school boards from imposing terms and conditions of employment.
Prohibits legislative aide who works, or worked, directly for legislator in district office from making political contribution greater than $30 per election to that legislator; prohibits receipt of such contribution.
"The New Jersey Healthcare Choice Act"; permits health insurers licensed in other states to provide coverage in New Jersey under certain circumstances.
Amends State college law to remove certain employees from civil service system.
Concerns access to information maintained by Prescription Monitoring Program.
Establishes task force to study issues facing returning members of the United States Armed Forces and New Jersey National Guard and make recommendations on how State should address issues.
Authorizes special emergency appropriations for the payment of certain expenses incurred by municipalities and counties to implement municipal consolidation, the sharing of services, and the creation of a joint meeting under certain circumstances.
Specifies conditions under which State, county, municipality, independent authority, school district, or higher education institution can grant unpaid or paid leave of absence to public employee to perform work for labor organization.
Requires reporting of suspected abuse of institutionalized elderly to police and that facility employees receive notice of reporting requirement annually; designated as "Peggy's Law."
Revises property assessment calendar.
Prohibits use of volunteer driving activities in underwriting for private passenger automobile insurance; revises charitable immunity statute as applied to volunteer drivers.
Eliminates transfer inheritance tax and increases filing threshold and applicable exclusion amounts under New Jersey estate tax in accordance with provisions of federal tax law.
Directs MVC to establish driver's license endorsement for autonomous vehicles.
Creates crime of victimization of persons with disabilities and senior citizens.
Provides that certain permits and approvals for critical infrastructure projects must be acted upon within 45 days.
Reduces number of paid holidays from 13 to 10 for all State and local government employees.
Prohibits public employers from reimbursing tuition or awarding promotions or compensation based on degrees or certifications obtained from unaccredited institutions.
Provides full forfeiture of pension of elected or appointed official convicted of any crime touching office.
Amends the "Public Corruption Profiteering Penalty Act."
Repeals statutory requirement of annual or biennial dog census.
Provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for certain employer-provided child care expenditures.
Enacts the "NJ Family First Employer Act"; establishes award for certain employers.
Provides for appointment of certain municipal court judges at the local or county level.
Extends eligibility for veterans' property tax deduction to residents of continuing care retirement communities.
Prohibits local government agency from employing person on paid leave from local government agency of another county or municipality.
Encourages local unit sharing of services; makes appropriations.
The "New Jersey Right to Home Defense Law."
Restricts bail for persons charged with violent crimes; establishes bail alternatives for non-violent offenders.
Concerns liability, standards of care, and insurance coverage for medical malpractice actions.
Equalizes standing of private and public colleges before land use agencies.
Provides sales and use tax exemption for sales of services performed to certain prewritten computer software delivered electronically.
Concerns organ and tissue donation.
Requires immediate forfeiture of public office, position or employment, without application by the prosecutor, for public officials and employees convicted under federal law of certain public corruption offenses.
Permits juveniles to be admitted to drug court program under certain circumstances.
"Dietitian/Nutritionist Licensing Act."
Permits holders of certain alcoholic beverage licenses to be issued amusement game license.
Clarifies use of motor vehicle headlights to warn oncoming traffic of certain road conditions is permissible.
Removes exclusion of "nonimmigrant aliens" from qualifying for in-State tuition rates at public institutions of higher education under certain conditions.
Authorizes slot machine gambling to be conducted at horse racetracks; dedicates State's share of revenues for open space preservation.
Excludes certain Medicaid income from gross income tax.
Allows deduction against gross income for unreimbursed expenses incurred by organ donor.
Prohibits immobilization of motor vehicle under certain circumstances.
Revises 20% affordable housing set-aside requirement for newly-constructed housing developments within regional planning entities.
Authorizes special Combat Action Badge license plate program.
Requires certain health benefits plans to provide treatment for behavioral health care services when determined medically necessary.
Permits county governing bodies, by resolution, to revise real property assessment calendar.
Increases filing threshold and applicable exclusion amount for the New Jersey estate tax to $5 million over period of five years.
Revises individual cause of action under consumer fraud act.
Requires anyone receiving opioid antidote to treat drug overdose be provided with information concerning substance treatment programs and resources.
Prohibits adoption of new rules exceeding federal standards unless specifically authorized by State law or necessary to protect public health, safety, or welfare.
Provides courts with sentencing discretion for certain convictions concerning possession of a firearm.
Eliminates language in FY 2015 appropriation act that restricts participation of certain institutions in the Tuition Aid Grant program.
Imposes mandatory minimum term of imprisonment for habitual driver's license suspensions.
Prohibits MVC from imposing duplicate license or identification card fee and digitized picture fee if duplicate is requested to reflect change in organ donor status.
Requires health care practitioners to inform patients of addiction potential of controlled dangerous substances prior to issuing prescription.
Makes it a crime of the fourth degree for a private citizen to use a tracking device to track another person without that person's consent.
Requires institutions of higher education to provide greater assistance to certain students with military obligations.
Establishes animal cruelty offenses pertaining to chaining or other restraint of animals.
Excludes projects funded by Transportation Trust Fund from prevailing wage requirements.
Permits publication of legal notices by governments and individuals on official government website instead of newspaper.
Exempts transfers of property to Class C beneficiaries from transfer inheritance tax and increases filing threshold and applicable exclusion amount under estate tax to $5,000,000 over five-year period.
Revises definition of "antique firearm" to include handguns.
Prohibits transfer of individuals with developmental disabilities from out-of-State to in-State placements under certain conditions.
Permits certain breweries to sell beer at community farm markets.
Authorizes restricted breweries to annually sell up to 1,000 barrels of beer to in-State and out-of-state retailers.
Eliminates certain motor vehicle registration renewal.
Establishes "Superstorm Sandy Homeowners Protection Act."
Gives priority to applicants for firearms purchaser identification card and permits to purchase handguns when domestic violence restraining order is in effect.
"New Jersey Small Business Retirement Marketplace Act."