Bills in the 2024–2025 Session, Senate.
Joseph Pennacchio
Sponsored
Became law1
"Farmland and Woodland Tax Assessment Integrity and Investment Act."*
Passed the Senate1
Adds fusion to types of Class I renewable energies as defined for purposes of "Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act."
Out of committee2
Provides that fusion energy and fusion technology companies are eligible to receive benefits under certain economic incentive programs.
The "Uniform Electronic Wills Act"; authorizes electronic wills.
In committee83
Allocates 10 percent of Green Acres funding to local government units for development of completely inclusive playgrounds.
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.
Establishes scholarship program for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in field of fusion science.
"Fusion Technology Industry Promotion Act"; establishes program to promote fusion technology industry and attract fusion technology businesses.
"Flood Control, Mitigation, and Prevention Bond Act"; authorizes bonds for up to $2 billion and appropriates $5,000.
Provides for reduced sales tax imposition on certain sales in certain Highlands Region Preservation Area municipalities.
"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.
Excludes from gross income contributions that certain federal employees classified as criminal investigators make to federal Thrift Savings Fund.
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.
Establishes task force to study issues facing returning members of US Armed Forces, NJ National Guard, and reserve component of US Armed Forces; creates permanent commission to study various definitions related to veteran status.
Requires bidders on public works construction projects to submit information on fire safety features.
Directs NJ Sports and Exposition Authority to conduct feasibility study of Meadowlands convention center project.
Establishes home elevation fund and dedicates up to $5 million of realty transfer fee revenue annually for this purpose.
Revises requirements for administration of vaccines to patients.
Provides for certain group home licensees to obtain Medicaid reimbursement for reservation of beds used by residents on therapeutic leave.
"Children's Vaccination Bill of Rights"; provides children in State with certain protections concerning vaccines.
Requires entities to accept confirmation of prior COVID-19 infection or protective immune response against COVID-19 when proof of vaccination is required.
Requires use of paper ballots during conduct of election; requires use of open source voting technology; makes appropriation.
"Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act"; bans abortion 20 weeks or more after fertilization.
Requires physicians to provide patients opportunity to undergo obstetrical ultrasound or sonogram within 48 hours of performing abortion.
Modifies "New Jersey Tort Claims Act" to provide for State to be strictly liable for injuries caused by State-mandated vaccines.
Requires informed consent for breast implant surgery.
Expands audit powers of State Auditor; requires online publication of certain materials; requires performance review audits of certain business incentive programs.
Requires managed care plans to allow any clinical laboratory to participate in provider network.
Requires MVC to accept emergency medical technician and paramedic certification cards as two points of documentation for purposes of MVC identification verification program.
Eliminates demand side management programs from cost recovery through societal benefits charge.
Requires DEP to provide public access for boats to certain State-owned lakes; appropriates $1 million.
Exempts expansion or reconstruction, within 125% of existing footprint, of municipal and county buildings and certain emergency services buildings from "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act."
Imposes moratorium on affordable housing litigation until December 31, 2028.
Permits municipality to obtain affordable housing credit for each resident of alternative living arrangement.
Removes income-based limitations on gross income tax exclusion for pension and retirement income.
Establishes NJ Fusion Technology Industry Commission.
Provides gross income tax deductions for membership fees, dam project assessments and potable water system project assessments paid to lake associations.
Temporarily upgrades certain offenses against persons during Public Health Emergency and State of Emergency declared by Governor's Executive Order 103 of 2020 concerning coronavirus pandemic.
Creates New Jersey Innocence Study and Review Commission.
Broadens riot; enhances penalties for certain crimes committed during riot; creates new crimes of mob intimidation and cyber-intimidation by publication; establishes duty in municipality to permit law enforcement to respond appropriately.
Requires health insurers to provide coverage for treatment of tick-borne diseases.
Creates "Unemployment Intake Accountability Pilot Program."
Prohibits retail mercantile establishments from requiring certain consumer identification for return of merchandise.
Requires consumer reporting agencies to provide a consumer with a free credit report three times during any 12-month period upon request.
Requires sex offenders in satellite-based monitoring program to pay for certain equipment and monitoring costs.
Eliminates age restriction for issuing special permits to carry handgun to retired law enforcement officers.
Encourages wearing blue to honor law enforcement officers on Peace Officers Memorial Day.
Clarifies spitting in law enforcement officer's food or drink constitutes aggravated assault; requires certain sanctions on restaurant employees who commit this crime.
Revises method of determining reimbursement costs when a law enforcement entity hires a recently trained officer from another law enforcement entity.
Provides three-year phase-in of full funding of extraordinary special education State aid.
Provides for direct State payment of cost of special education and related services for certain students.
Requires board of education to publicly post full meeting agenda 48 hours prior to meeting.
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.
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 rate-regulation over municipal electric utilities.
Increases income eligibility limit for reduction or abatement of municipal or county utility authority fees.
Allows gross income tax deduction for amounts paid for removal of lead, asbestos, sodium, chloride, and other contaminants from taxpayer's property.
Creates permanent commission to study various statutory definitions of veteran, disabled veteran, and service-disabled veteran.
Makes FY2023 supplemental appropriation of $17 million to DEP for grants for certain lake management activities.
Removes diversity and inclusion instruction requirements for students in grades kindergarten through eight.
Establishes program covering menstrual hygiene products under WIC and SNAP.
Establishes Office of River Maintenance in DEP; repeals P.L.1993, c.376 concerning stream cleaning activities.
Amends State college law to remove certain employees from civil service system and allow boards of trustees to conduct collective bargaining.
Prohibits institutions of higher education and certain proprietary institutions from withholding transcript due to outstanding student account balance; establishes penalties for noncompliance.
Prohibits adoption of State and local rules that prohibit use of fossil fuel-powered kitchen appliances.
Revises process for use of virtual or remote instruction to meet minimum 180-day school year requirement.
Permits public high school students to opt out of physical education and sports programs during Ramadan.
Establishes loan program in EDA to assist businesses owned by individuals with disabilities; appropriates $5 million.
Establishes certification program for disabled-owned businesses.
Establishes "New Jersey Pandemic Bill of Rights for the Welfare of Individuals."
Reauthorizes use of regional contribution agreements related to affordable housing obligations; establishes approval role of DCA and Attorney General.
Requires Division of Developmental Disabilities to develop guidelines for tiered group home placements and transfers.
Eliminates State residency requirement for mathematics and science public school teachers.
Permits students to be eligible for high school graduation credits in health, safety, and physical education for completing county fire academy course under certain circumstances.
Establishes State Pension Cost of Living Reform Commission.
Requires certain nursing homes to improve quality ratings.
Requires State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to assign paid or volunteer advocates to long-term care facilities; makes appropriation.
Requires Division of Purchase and Property to issue annual report on public contracts awarded to women-owned and minority-owned businesses; requires Division of Revenue to operate Selective Assistance Vendor Information (SAVI) database.
Expands eligibility for gross income tax credit to family caregivers of certain armed service members with physical disabilities.
Requires boards of education to post on website information summarizing payroll, total accounts payable, and weekly accounts payable.
Requires Secretary of State to adjust census redistricting data to remove noncitizens for redistricting purposes in this State.
Permits party member, candidate, or designee to be present for ballot position draw and inspect materials used for drawing; requires officials conducting ballot draw to provide notice of date, time, and location of drawing.
Requires parent to be notified when minor undergoes procedure or treatment under certain circumstances.
Prohibits remote work for State employees.
Creates offense of impersonating first responder; grades offense one degree higher than underlying offense.
Requires controller or processor to de-identify personal data and prohibits re-identification of de-identified data.
Requires NJT to establish a transportation network company pilot program in certain counties.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 6
Exempts sales of investment metal bullion and certain investment coins from sales and use tax.
Exempts municipal electric utilities from regulation by BPU in certain circumstances.*
Directs DHS to conduct landscape analysis of available mental health services.**
Establishes "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act"; revises motor vehicle franchise agreements.*
Authorizes certain types of permanent structures, recently constructed or erected on preserved farmland, to be used, in certain cases, for purposes of holding special occasion events thereon.
Extends expiration date of special appraisal process for Green Acres and farmland preservation program; provides aid for watershed lands.*
Out of committee · 12
Establishes Nuclear Power Advisory Commission.
Establishes State definition of anti-Semitism; creates a public awareness campaign; appropriates $100,000.
Allows certain volunteer firefighters, rescue and first aid squad members to claim $2,000 gross income tax exemption.
Establishes minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to beneficiary eligible for brain injury services.
Requires State to sell as surplus property certain land and improvements in Morris County known as Central Park School.*
"Illicit Opioid Supply Substances Poisoning Awareness Act"; requires school districts to provide instruction on dangers of illicit opioid substances.*
Differentiates certain legal services from traditional insurance products.
Requires health insurers to provide coverage for biomarker precision medical testing.*
Requires third-party discounts and payments for individuals covered by health benefits plans to apply to copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, or other out-of-pocket costs for covered benefits.
Revises law on extended employment programs for persons with disabilities.
Establishes Fusion Energy and Technology Incentive Program in EDA to encourage use of power plants for fusion energy and technology purposes; authorizes funds in Global Warming Solutions Fund to support fusion energy and technology facilities.
Clarifies current law addressing commissions paid to limited liability companies formed by real estate salespersons or broker-salespersons.
In committee · 37
Authorizes proportional property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected disability and proclaims that the State shall reimburse municipalities for cost of exemptions.
Permits application for PERS accidental disability benefit for injury sustained after January 2003 while employed at State psychiatric institution or correctional facility immediately prior to PERS membership.
Prohibits requiring students to wear face masks in schools and on school buses.
Requires State Board of Education meetings to be accessible virtually and in person.
Broadens offenses of riot and disorderly conduct; enhances penalties for public monument destruction; addresses riot victim assaults; creates crime of promotion of violent, disorderly assembly.
Prohibits government entities from procuring and using technology products and services from companies owned by, controlled by, or domiciled in certain foreign countries.
Prohibits any foreign company created under laws of foreign adversary from participating in critical infrastructure.
Permits police officers to travel to and from and remain within police station located within 100 feet of polling place; permits Class Three special law enforcement officers to be assigned to certain polling places.
Establishes Office of Inspector General for Veterans' Facilities.
Establishes "Commission on People with Disabilities."
Prohibits mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 as condition of attending public K-12 schools.
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.
Provides that public school parent who objects to learning material or activity that parent considers harmful may receive voucher from school district to enroll student in nonpublic school.
Requires legislative approval of updates or revisions to core curriculum content.
Authorizes use of school bus monitoring systems.
Permits Legislature to terminate certain declarations by Governor for state of emergency or public health emergency and limits duration of such declarations unless Legislature approves extension.
Permits taxpayers to deduct the total amount of State property taxes paid on principal residence from gross income tax obligation.
Credits $2.35 billion to "New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund"; appropriates $4.32 billion to Department of Treasury to provide funds to municipalities and counties for debt retirement and avoidance.
"New Jersey Jobs Protection Act"; requires verification of employment.
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Allows law enforcement officers in PERS to transfer to and enroll in PFRS; requires all law enforcement officers to be enrolled in PFRS.
Requires certain animals used in testing to be offered for adoption; requires establishment of procedures for assessment and disposition of animals; establishes penalties for noncompliance.
Revises emergency care services referral standards for providers of telemedicine and telehealth.
"New Jersey Ticket Consumer Choice Act."
"Energy Security and Affordability Act"; requires BPU to consider energy security, diversity, and affordability when preparing Energy Master Plan and perform economic and ratepayer impact analysis of energy generation projects and Energy Master Plan.
Authorizes municipality to enact ordinance regulating where certain sex offenders may reside.
Amends appropriations act to provide funding for restoration of State school aid reductions for certain school districts; shifts $64,920,000 from certain appropriations for purposes of restoring aid; provides supplemental appropriation of $145,215,047.
Clarifies crime of highway and public passage obstruction and increases penalties.
Makes supplemental appropriation of $500,000 for Main Library Alliance.
Requires DEP to implement Advanced Clean Trucks regulations no earlier than January 1, 2027.
Prohibits teaching of critical race theory in public schools; prohibits public school teachers from engaging in political, ideological, or religious advocacy in classroom.
Prohibits local government from naming its property after foreign terrorist organization.
Suspends sales and use tax and societal benefits charge on electric and gas public utility bills during four-month period.
Reinstates automatic COLAs for retirement benefits of certain PFRS members.
Establishes abandoned mine reclamation program in DEP.
Suspends sales and use tax and societal benefits charge on electric and gas public utility bills during one year period beginning January 1, 2026 and ending December 31, 2026.
Requires county boards of election to have bipartisan representation when opening and canvassing mail-in ballots; requires secure storage of mail-in ballots; upgrades penalties for certain election-related crimes.