Bills in the 2016–2017 Session, Senate.
Joseph Pennacchio
Sponsored
Became law1
Establishes "Small Business Bonding Readiness Assistance Program" in EDA to assist certain small businesses meet State or federal contract surety bond requirements.*
Passed the Senate1
Requires MVC to accept emergency medical technician and paramedic certification cards as two points of documentation for purposes of MVC identification verification program.
Out of committee4
Forbids members of the State Investment Council from voting on transactions concerning investment with which a member has certain financial or familial conflicts and requires removal for violations thereof.
Establishes home elevation fund and dedicates up to $5 million of realty transfer fee revenue annually for this purpose.
Establishes "Ethanol Study Commission."
Concerns temporary registration certificates for automobiles.
In committee52
Directs State acquisition of Troy Meadows Natural Area, Morris County, for recreation and conservation purposes and designates it as natural area and wildlife sanctuary.
Decreases sales and use tax rate from 7% to 6%.
Provides for reduced sales tax imposition on certain sales in certain Highlands Region Preservation Area municipalities.
Requires sex offenders in satellite-based monitoring program to pay for certain equipment and monitoring costs.
Concerns certain workers' compensation supplemental benefits for surviving dependents of public safety workers who die in the line of duty.
Replaces TPAF, PERS, PFRS and SPRS accidental disability benefits with reduced work-related disability benefit; modifies JRS disability benefit.
"Transparency in Government Act;" provides for establishment of State public finance website; requires certain public entities receiving State funds to establish similar website; makes an appropriation.
"Flood Control, Mitigation, and Prevention Bond Act of 2012," authorizes bonds for up to $2 billion, and appropriates $5,000.
Reduces gross income tax rates by ten percent over three years.
Requires managed care plans to allow any clinical laboratory to participate in provider network.
"Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Cargo Facility Charge Act."
Exempts construction, expansion or renovation of public institutions of higher education, public schools, and police and fire academies from "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act."
Excludes from gross income the contributions that certain federal employees classified as criminal investigators make to the federal Thrift Savings Fund.
Requires DHSS to study relationship between autism and ultrasounds and issue protocol for use of ultrasounds.
Eliminates power of DRPA to finance economic development; changes composition of board; imposes restrictions regarding financing, contract procedures, conflicts of interest, and review audits; creates commuter's council.
Revises exemption from "unemployment compensation law" for operators of certain motor vehicles.
Reduces the gross income tax's top marginal rate to 7.97% from 8.97%.
Prohibits any reimbursement for donation of cadaveric fetal tissue and prohibits use of cadaveric fetal tissue in research for cosmetic treatment.
Permits certain applicants to submit personal statement of veteran status, in lieu of determination of veteran status, prior to issuance of civil service eligible list; requires submission of determination of status prior to employment.
Permits ambulatory care facility to deduct up to $125,000 in Medicare reimbursements when calculating gross receipts assessment.
Permits ambulatory care facility to deduct Medicaid payments when calculating gross receipts assessment.
Eliminates demand side management programs from cost recovery through societal benefits charge.
"The Reliability, Preparedness, and Storm Response Act of 2012"; requires public utilities to file certain information concerning emergency preparedness with BPU and increases certain penalties.
Directs NJ Sports and Exposition Authority to conduct feasibility study of Meadowlands convention center project.
Requires immediate resumed qualification as dependent covered person under certain health benefits plans after active military duty under certain circumstances.
Makes revisions to "Contractors' Registration Act."
Provides certain homestead exemption in medical malpractice judgments; prohibits insurers from raising medical malpractice liability insurance premiums under certain circumstances.
Prohibits retail mercantile establishments from requiring certain consumer identification for return of merchandise.
Allows public contractors paying benefits under collective bargaining agreements to count benefit costs toward compliance with local "living wage" ordinances.
Increases income eligibility limit for reduction or abatement of municipal or county utility authority fees.
Permits board of chosen freeholders to change title to "board of county commissioners" and "freeholder" and "chosen freeholder" to "county commissioner"; requires county that changes terms to update website.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns for pediatric cancer research.
Authorizes use of retail coupons for purchase of milk by consumers.
Adds aneutronic fusion to types of Class I renewable energies as defined for purposes of "Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act."
Revises method of determining reimbursement costs when a law enforcement entity hires a recently trained officer from another law enforcement entity.
Prohibits using cadaveric fetal tissue obtained from elective abortion procedure for research purposes and using any cadaveric fetal tissue to research cosmetic treatments.
Encourages wearing blue to honor law enforcement officers on Peace Officers Memorial Day.
Increases gross income tax pension and retirement income exclusion over three years and removes income eligiblity cap applicable to exclusion.
Exempts construction, expansion, or renovation of building or structure owned and used by municipality or volunteer fire department from "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act."
Exempts expansion or reconstruction, within 125 percent of existing footprint, of municipal and county buildings and certain emergency services buildings from "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act."
Requires school districts, charter schools, and contracted service providers to review employment history of prospective employees to ascertain allegations of child abuse or sexual misconduct and includes penalties for certain willful violations.
Creates New Jersey Innocence Study and Review Commission.
Exempts certain persons providing hair braiding or eyebrow threading services from licensure requirement.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross tax returns for New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research.
Eliminates age restriction for issuing special permits to carry handgun to retired law enforcement officers.
Directs school districts to establish policies and require training for employees on issues regarding child sexual abuse.
Establishes Office of State Dental Director and New Jersey Oral Health Commission.
Provides for invasion of privacy civil action by residential property owners and tenants due to actor's unwanted, improper, or harassing photographing, filming, or monitoring of persons on residential property.
Concerns baked goods sold at farm markets.
Requires automobile insurers to provide certain information regarding premiums relating to PIP coverage in certain circumstances.
Requires consumer reporting agencies to provide a consumer with a free credit report three times during any 12-month period upon request.
Permits taxpayers to deduct the total amount of State property taxes paid on principal residence from gross income tax obligation.
Carried from the General Assembly
Became law1
Concerns temporary registration certificates for automobiles.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 17
Establishes Class Three special law enforcement officers to provide security in public and nonpublic schools and county colleges.*
Requires family day care providers and certain household members to undergo criminal history record background checks.
Provides for time period during which complaints may be filed for certain motor vehicle violations.
Regulates autocycles as motorcycles.
Concerns NJ Transit's treatment of people with guide or service dogs; establishes Access Link Customer Service Group.
Designates Killed in Action flag as an official State flag; mandates it be displayed at certain public buildings.
Expands acceptable military separation forms for county veteran identification card; allows issuance to National Guard veterans of other states.*
Prohibits investment of pension and annuity funds by State in companies that boycott Israel or Israeli businesses.
Exempts hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles from certain labeling requirements.
Includes students who participate in school intramural sports programs in the student-athlete head injury safety program.
Establishes Lake Hopatcong Fund and dedicates $500,000 annually from certain power vessel operator license fees to the fund.
Designates portion of Interstate Highway Route 195 in Upper Freehold Township as "State Trooper Anthony A. Raspa Memorial Highway."
Requires Office of Emergency Management to establish county storm preparedness funding program.*
Requires DCF and DHS to study predatory alienation and its effects on young adults and senior citizens.
Appropriates $71,700,224 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and various Green Acres funds to DEP for local government open space acquisition and park development projects.
Appropriates $8,992,898 to DEP from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and various Green Acres funds for grants to certain nonprofit entities to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
Exempts certain motor vehicles that provide service to persons with developmental disabilities from motor vehicle registration fees.
Passed the Senate · 2
Permits installation of GPS navigation devices which do not obstruct motor vehicle operator's vision.
Prohibits State from disclosing New Jersey driver's license holders' personal information to other states seeking to issue speed camera or red light camera citations.
Out of committee · 18
Requires condemnor to acquire road access easement for property owner if condemnation eliminates road access.
Establishes Response to Intervention initiative in DOE to support and encourage school districts in implementation of Response to Intervention framework.
Establishes State Transportation Infrastructure Bank and State Energy Bank within New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust.*
Establishes veterans' preference for affordable housing in certain housing projects.
Wounded Warrior Caregivers Relief Act; Provides income tax credit to family caregivers of certain armed service members with physical disabilities.
Requires public school student with concussion to be evaluated by physician or other licensed health care provider before return to school and return to physical activity at school.*
Increases penalties for unlawfully manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing fentanyl.
Makes various changes to law addressing meetings of public bodies to provide public with greater access to meetings and information about meetings.
Makes certain access changes to open public records act; establishes State public finance website and creates program for development of local websites; makes appropriation.
Requires Motor Vehicle Commission to issue exempt certificates for motor vehicles not required to be inspected.
Allows person with implanted medical device to voluntarily make notation on driver's license.
Increases exclusion amount under New Jersey estate tax; phases out estate tax over five years.
"New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act"; authorizes issuance of $125,000,000 in general obligation bonds to finance capital projects at public libraries; appropriates $5,000.
Authorizes New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2017.
Appropriates funds to DEP for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2017.
Provides that motor vehicle registration expires on registrant's numerical calendar day of birth.
Appropriates $32.5 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for county planning incentive grants.
Dedicates $140,000 from NJ Brain Injury Research Fund for community based services provided by Statewide alliance dedicated to assisting persons with brain injury through advocacy, education, information and resources, outreach, and support services.
In committee · 28
Repeals the New Jersey estate tax.
Designates Black Swallowtail butterfly as State Butterfly.
Increases filing threshold for the New Jersey estate tax to $1,000,000.
"Homestead School Property Tax Reimbursement Act"; provides State reimbursement for 50% of school property taxes paid by seniors, 65 years and older.
"Volunteer Medical Professional Health Care Act."
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
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.
Provides governance, transparency, and accountability reforms at PANYNJ.
"New Jersey Jobs Protection Act;" requires verification of employment.
Requires local governments to purchase excess insurance for certain renewable energy projects financed by bonds.
Extends eligibility for veterans' property tax deduction and veterans' property tax exemption to residents of continuing care retirement communities.
Requires certain commissions to maintain meeting minutes; establishes Governor's authority to approve or veto the minutes of those commissions.
Requires public referendum prior to issuance of general obligation bonds by local units.
Establishes a formula for the distribution of State aid to school districts.
Removes authority of MVC to increase certain fees; sets certain fees by statute.
Allows application for PERS accidental disability benefit for injury sustained while employed at State psychiatric institution or correctional facility immediately prior to PERS membership.
Provides "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act" exemption for artificial turf field construction by local government units.
Establishes appraisal method for taxation of watershed lands.
Requires certain health care facilities to provide information concerning palliative care and hospice care services.
Establishes insurance and safety requirements for companies that use digital network or software application to match passengers with drivers.
Doubles amount of certain retirement income that may be excluded from gross income under gross income tax, eliminates income cap on exclusion.
"Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act"; bans abortion 20 weeks or more after fertilization.
Reforms procedures concerning provisions of affordable housing; repeals "Statewide Non-Residential Development Fee Act."
Provides tax credits for performing certain repairs on primary residences of senior citizens or persons with disabilities.
Establishes four-year pilot program in Ocean County for electronic monitoring of certain domestic violence offenders; designated as "Lisa's Law"; appropriates $2.5 million.
Limits tobacco products wholesale sales and use tax to 50 cents per cigar.
"Consumer Freedom From Unwanted Expense in Health Insurance Coverage Act."
"Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Prevention Act"; requires Internet-connected devices to have blocking capability in certain circumstances.