Bills in the 2012–2013 Session, General Assembly.
Gary S. Schaer
Sponsored
Became law2
Requires Commissioner of Education to change deadline for municipal review of defeated school budgets whenever he changes the annual school election date.
Requires health benefits coverage for refills of prescription eye drops under certain conditions.
Vetoed1
Modifies certain fees charged by, and requirements imposed on, check casher licensees.*
Passed the General Assembly1
Makes permanent certain temporary authorizations that expanded permitted investment by Director of Division of Investment of State of New Jersey Cash Management Fund and State pension funds.
Out of committee10
Provides for appointment to board of directors of New Jersey Automobile Insurance Risk Exchange by Commissioner of Banking and Insurance.
The "Health Care Provider Network Transparency Act"; establishes requirements for granting access to certain health care provider discounts.
Requires adoption agency, court, or DYFS to maintain child's religious upbringing when placing child in adoptive or resource family home.
"Healthcare Disclosure and Transparency Act."
Requires dental plans to make out-of-network payments based on assignment of benefits.
Prohibits Medicaid managed care organizations from reducing certain provider reimbursement rates without approval from DHS.*
Repeals and replaces Chapters 1 and 7 of the Uniform Commercial Code and revises various additional provisions of the code.
"Certificates of Insurance Act."
Prohibits retail mercantile establishments from imposing surcharges on consumer credit card purchases.
Extends time in which DOBI may waive limit of liability exposure for mortgage guaranty insurance companies.
In committee30
Increases membership of PFRS board of trustees from 11 to 13 members.
Exempts Holocaust reparations payments from legal process, and from estate recovery under Medicaid program.
Requires DHSS to establish "New Jersey Autism Website."
Requires certain arbitrators to file financial disclosure statements.
Limits amount of contribution to legal defense fund of holder of elective public office and requires reporting thereof to ELEC.
Requires practitioners to disclose business relationship with out-of-State facilities when making patient referrals to those facilities.
Authorizes wiretap orders for investigation of luring or enticing a child, identity theft, stalking and harassment under certain circumstances.
Makes technical correction to definition of "creditable coverage" in individual, small employer and larger group insurance laws.
Increases and clarifies permissible categories of fees chargeable by residential mortgage lenders and brokers.
Prohibits stranger-originated life insurance contracts.
Restructures ticket sales law.
"Life Settlements Act"; regulates life settlement contracts and prohibits stranger-originated life insurance contracts; repeals "Viatical Settlements Act."
Makes supplemental appropriation of $7,000,000 to DOE to reinstate nonpublic technology initiative aid.
Requires contribution for health care benefits provided for certain local elected and appointed officials.
Establishes that only non-violent offenders should have their cases reviewed by the parole board every three years.
Limits amount of appeal bond in civil actions to $50 million.
Increases personal needs allowance to $50 for recipients of Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income who are veterans or spouses of veterans and provides for annual cost-of-living increase in allowance.
Establishes waiver, rebate or payment of insured's deductible, copayment, or coinsurance by health care practitioner as a form of insurance fraud subject to criminal and civil penalties.
Transfers Bureau of Securities to Department of Banking and Insurance.
"Healthcare Transparency and Disclosure Act."
Extends deadline for filing nominating petitions each year new legislative districts are established by Apportionment Commission.
Requires State to provide recipients of State tax refunds, unemployment insurance benefits and State employee compensation certain payment options.
Requires child's religion not be changed due to foster care or adoption.
Eliminates five percent down payment requirement for bond ordinances approved by counties and municipalities.
Increases reimbursement rate for providers of adult medical day care services.
Appropriates $3.963 million from General Fund to DOE for nonpublic nursing services aid.
Requires electric public utilities to provide priority power restoration to hospitals, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes.
"Protection for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities in Institutional and Community Settings Act."
Permits conversion of life insurance policies to pay for Medicaid long-term care.
Requires that definition of occurrence in certain property damage liability insurance policies include coverage for faulty workmanship.
Carried from the Senate
Became law3
Repeals and replaces Chapters 1 and 7 of the Uniform Commercial Code and revises various additional provisions of the code.
Requires dental plans to make out-of-network payments based on assignment of benefits.
Extends time in which DOBI may waive limit of liability exposure for mortgage guaranty insurance companies.
Vetoed1
Prohibits Medicaid managed care organizations from reducing certain provider reimbursement rates without approval from DHS.*
Co-sponsored
Became law · 13
Authorizes the court to credit a person in default of a court-imposed financial obligation under certain circumstances.*
Requires the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to develop and distribute a document containing student loan repayment information for school districts and nonpublic high schools to disseminate to students.
Revises the period of time required for a State college faculty member to receive tenure.*
Requires a review of corporation business tax credit and gross income tax credit programs for payments to interns.*
Directs Board of Nursing to encourage nursing schools to give academic credit to students for training received in US military as corpsmen and medics.
Prohibits minors under 14 years of age from using spray tanning in tanning facilities and prohibits minors under 17 years of age from using tanning beds.**
Designates State Highway Route 7 bridge between Township of Belleville and Borough of North Arlington "Lance Corporal Osbrany Montes De Oca Memorial Bridge." *
Requires State pay educational costs of students who reside in domestic violence shelter or transitional living facility outside district of residence for more than one year.
Allows nonpublic schools to participate in joint purchasing agreements entered into by two or more school districts.
Requires homeowners insurance consumer information brochure to contain one page summary of policy.
Disqualifies person named on federal Terrorist Watchlist from obtaining firearms identification card or permit to purchase handgun.
Requires submission of certain mental health records to National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
Permits counties and municipalities to use snow removal reserve funds for clearance of debris following declaration of emergency by President or Governor.
Vetoed · 6
Increases distributions to municipalities from Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over five years to restore aid reductions; extends "poison pill" protection to total formula aid provided to each municipality.
Increases benefit amounts under New Jersey earned income credit program to 25 percent of federal earned income tax credit amounts beginning in Tax Year 2012.
Revises definition of destructive device to include weapons of 50 caliber or greater.
Prohibits investment by State of pension and annuity funds in companies manufacturing assault firearms for civilian use.**
Grants immunity from liability for certain professional services rendered during emergencies under certain circumstances.
Establishes task force to study issues related to the establishment of full-day kindergarten.
Passed the General Assembly · 19
Prohibits possession of ammunition capable of penetrating body armor.
Requires certain State departments, divisions, commissions, and authorities to consider use of green or blue roof in construction of certain new State buildings, facilities, and structures.*
Establishes the Workforce Shortage Loan Redemption Program.
Authorizes State and local governments to enter into group purchasing agreement for advanced technology vehicles and alternative fueled vehicles. *
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.
Reduces maximum capacity of ammunition magazines to 10 rounds.
The "Real Estate Installment Contract Act."
Criminalizes purchase or possession of firearms ammunition by persons convicted of certain crimes.
Enhances the reporting and disclosure requirements concerning State tax expenditures and limits the duration of new State tax expenditure enactments.
Permits small businesses to qualify for loans from NJEDA for costs of energy audit and making energy efficiency or conservation improvements.
Prohibits notaries public from falsely representing themselvesas attorneys in advertisments.*
"Higher Education Citizenship Equality Act;" defines domicile for dependent students for the purpose of eligibility for State student loans, grants, or scholarships and resident tuition rate.*
Requires proof of firearms safety training as a condition for issuance of firearms purchaser ID cards and permits to purchase handguns.
"Garden State Manufacturing Jobs Act."
Establishes a regulatory and reporting program for ammunition sales and transfers.*
Requires background check for private gun sales.
Revises statutes concerning firearms purchaser identification cards and handgun purchase permits; makes handgun purchase permit valid for four years.*
Requires at least one State developmental center in each region of State; requires certain factors to be considered for transfer of residents between developmental centers.
Clarifies that electronic funds transfers are included within the scope of the statute concerning issuing or passing bad checks.
Out of committee · 17
Supplemental appropriation to DOT of $10,000,000 as State contribution towards resolution of flooding issues at Marsellus Street Bridge in Bergen County.
Directs Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to forgive certain student loans in the event of the student borrower's death.
"PANYNJTransparency and Accountability Act." *
"New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act;" provides credits against corporation business and gross income taxes for investing in New Jersey emerging technology businesses.
Prohibits State and local public contracts with persons or entities engaging in certain investment activities in energy or finance sectors of Iran.*
Requires certain cemeteries to accept Work First New Jersey and SSI allowance for burial expenses.
Establishes New Jersey Council on Responsible Fatherhood and Responsible Fatherhood Fund.
Eliminates restriction on placement of special education students in sectarian schools.
Authorizes New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2013.
Criminalizes second or subsequent drunk driving offenses in certain cases.
Appropriates $8,930,975 from "2009 Green Acres Fund" for grants to certain nonprofit entities to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
Provides gross income tax credit for certain expenses paid or incurred for care and support of qualifying senior family member; designated as Caregiver's Assistance Act.
Excludes certain conveyances of graves, crypts and niches from 15% fee charged by cemetery company.
"New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training Provider Demonstration Project Act."
Increases benefit amounts under New Jersey earned income tax credit program to 25 percent of federal earned income tax credit amounts beginning in Tax Year 2013.
Authorizes award of attorney's fees and expenses in landlord-tenant actions under certain circumstances.*
Allows certain students including undocumented immigrants who meet certain criteria to qualify for in-State tuition at public institutions of higher education and State financial aid.*
In committee · 62
Permits State Lottery Commission to authorize video lottery terminals at Meadowlands horse racetrack, subject to voter approval.
Permits State Lottery Commission to authorize video lottery terminals at Meadowlands racetrack, upon voter approval; dedicates 1/3 net proceeds to General Fund, 1/3 to State education aid, and 1/3 to horse racing industry.
Requires BPU to increase credit provided when issuing Solar Renewable Energy Certificates for solar energy produced by equipment manufactured in NJ.
Limits scope of inmates whose cases must be reviewed for parole eligibility every three years.
Requires annual review of all released sex offenders to determine if they were registered and tiered.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song.
Eliminates 15% fee charged by cemetery company on transfer of graves, crypts and niches.
Provides enhanced penalties for certain crimes when victim is 65 years of age or older, or disabled.
Expands parity between certain State-chartered financial institutions, and permits interstate banking by such institutions through de novo branching or expanded authority to acquire existing branches or institutions.
Revises approval process for rate changes applicable to medical malpractice liability insurance.
Allows for five years corporation business tax and gross income tax deductions for net interest amount received on loans to certain qualified UEZ businesses.
Requires NJ Environmental Infrastructure Financing Program to give additional weight in ranking system to projects including green or blue roofs.
"New Jersey College Student and Parent Consumer Information Act"; requires each four-year public institution of higher education to provide on its website certain information regarding its costs, faculty, and graduation rates.
Clarifies certain standards for regulation of recreational vehicles as housing.
Authorizes local public contract set-aside program for employers who hire former prisoners.
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.
Authorizes creation of urban enterprise zones in Garfield, Harrison, Keansburg, and two joint urban enterprise zones, one in Cliffside Park and Fairview, and one in Buena Vista Township and Buena Borough.
Permits voter registration of certain persons at age 17 for voting at next election occurring on or after 18th birthday.
Requires counties, municipalities, fire districts, and boards of education to cooperatively develop and implement five-year financial plans.
Creates grant program for newly established small businesses engaged in life sciences.
Requires the adoption of nepotism policies by school districts and charter schools.
Establishes a gross income tax credit for full time enrollment at four year institutions of higher education, county colleges and accredited post-secondary schools in New Jersey.
Provides for conscientious exemption to mandatory immunizations.
Establishes innovation zone program to stimulate technology industry clusters around New Jersey's research universities, colleges or research hospitals.
Prohibits cemetery company from charging additional fee for rendering certain services on Sunday.
Requires that police obtain warrant to seize cell phone data.
Requires that police obtain warrant to attach GPS device to suspect's motor vehicle.
Requires and permits preference in awarding certain contracts.
Expands existing film and digital media production tax credit programs; designated as the Garden State Film and Digital Media Jobs Act.
Establishes a closing fund to provide financial resources for certain economic development projects.
Requires the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners maintain minutes of meetings; provides Governor veto over minutes.
Allows certain undocumented aliens to qualify for in-state tuition rates at public institutions of higher education.
Permits alternative annual reorganization meeting date for county political committees if regular date coincides with period of religious observance.
Concerns access to certain job training courses for employees affected by plant closings, mass layoffs or transfer of operations.
Requires audits of managed care plan provider networks.
Requires that school districts use a model contract developed by the Commissioner of Education when employing a superintendent of schools.
Provides that settlement agents are not responsible for transmitting estimated gross income tax payment and forms for certain nonresident real estate transactions unless so responsible pursuant to contract.
Allows gross income tax deductions for contributions to the "NJBEST college savings program."
Permits developer to qualify for low-interest loan from NJEDA when building a high performance green building.
Allows gross income tax deductions for contributions to the New Jersey Better Educational Savings Trust (NJBEST) Program.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to support autism programs.
Decreases the premium receipts tax for surplus lines insurance coverage.
Increases and revises membership of New Jersey Cemetery Board.
Requires members of governing boards of public institutions of higher education to complete a training program developed by the Commission on Higher Education.
Provides a NJHOPE credit, increases the current gross income tax homestead property tax credit, and increases the gross income tax rate on taxable income exceeding $1,000,000.
Requires charter schools to annually submit to Commissioner of Education salary and benefit information for certain employees.
"Opportunity Scholarship Act"; establishes pilot program in Department of Treasury providing tax credits to entities contributing to scholarships for low-income children; appropriates $1,500,000 to Treasury.
Requires release of bid list prior to bid date under "Local Public Contracts Law."
Conforms Megan's Law to requirements of federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
Allows certain fuel dealers and distributors refunds of petroleum products gross receipts tax and credits against motor fuel tax for certain bad debts from sale of fuel.
Requires certain entities to be equipped with generators and allows those entities to qualify for NJEDA loans for cost of generators.
Permits temporary casino gaming at Meadowlands Complex for 2014 Super Bowl.
Permits temporary casino gaming at Meadowlands Complex for 2014 Hambletonian Race.
Allows certain students including undocumented immigrants who meet certain criteria to qualify for in-State tuition at public institutions of higher education and State financial aid.
Allows for waiver of school bus requirements for mobility assistance vehicle technicians who transport students with medical needs to and from school.
Prohibits notaries public from falsely representing themselves as attorneys in advertisements.
Establishes procedures for determining enforceability of standard form contracts; invalidates certain indemnification clauses.
Requires reporting of the graduation rates of State tuition aid grant recipients.
Requires an annual State debt affordability analysis be included in the State Debt Report.
Clarifies that electronic funds transfers are included within the scope of the civil statute concerning issuing bad checks.
Establishes "Rutgers, The State University Study Commission."
Exempts certain persons from licensing requirements of the "New Jersey Residential Mortgage Lending Act."