Bills in the 2014–2015 Session, General Assembly.
Vincent Mazzeo
Sponsored
Became law11
"Military Dependents Scholarship Fund Act"; provides college scholarships to the spouses and children of those killed, missing in action or disabled in Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn.
Concerns property taxes due and owing on real property damaged or destroyed during, or as the result of, a natural disaster when a state of emergency is declared by the Governor. *
"Mainland Memoriam Act"; directs MVC to create graduated driver's license informational material to be distributed by motor vehicle dealers.
Allows military personnel and veterans to present certain identifying documents in lieu of municipal beach tags to gain admission to certain beaches.
Creates financial planning assistance program for disabled veterans and their caregivers.
Increases income eligibility cap to receive respite care for certain veterans.*
Prohibits eligibility for certain sign programs from being conditioned on availability of free drinking water or public telephone.
Allows student with disability to bring service animal on school bus.
Authorizes supplemental State aid to school districts in municipality with significant decrease in commercial property valuation; makes appropriation.
New Jersey Stolen Valor Act; makes unauthorized use of military uniforms, medals or insignias, and certain false statements regarding receipt of military awards with intent to obtain benefit crimes of third degree.
Requires certain notifications for termination of services to persons with developmental disabilities and providers.
Vetoed7
Makes FY 2015 supplemental appropriation to DOH for $7,453,000 for family planning services.
"Casino Property Taxation Stabilization Act."
Requires holder of casino license to provide certain employees with certain health care and retirement benefits.
Reallocates casino investment alternative tax to Atlantic City to pay debt service on municipal bonds issued.
Removes provisions of law relating to Atlantic City Alliance.
Creates workforce training program for former casino workers.
Revises "Casino Property Tax Stabilization Act."
Passed the General Assembly6
Regulates planting and sale of running bamboo.**
Wounded Warrior Caregivers Relief Act; Provides income tax credit to family caregivers of certain armed service members with physical disabilities.
"Disaster Victims Protection Act"; requires Governor to allocate federal and State disaster aid to municipalities in proportion to amount of catastrophic physical damage sustained within each municipality.
Authorizes medical marijuana for qualifying patients with post-traumatic stress disorder.
"Atlantic City Urban Enterprise Zone and Property Tax Relief Act"; creates urban enterprise zone in Atlantic City for 10 years.
Extends post-military service protection against mortgage foreclosure.
Out of committee24
Extends county-based real property assessment pilot program to Atlantic County.
Eliminates exemption from noise control restrictions for certain bars in Atlantic City Tourism District.*
Repeals anachronistic, superceded, or invalidated sections of statutory law.
Requires establishment and implementation in certain circumstances of wildlife management plans for open space and farmland. *
Authorizes New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2015.
Requires reservation of portion of tenant vouchers under State rental assistance program for veterans.
Provides supplemental appropriation of $85,000 from Property Tax Relief Fund to DCA for consolidation study of certain school districts in Atlantic County.
Provides for licensure of ambulatory care facilities to provide integrated primary care services including behavioral health care.
Permits county clerk or register of deeds and mortgages to create Gold Star Parent identification card.
Provides State Investment Council must report private money managers' fee information and that council's regulations addressing political contributions will apply to federal or national committees and non-State political committees.
Allows casino and out-of-State racetrack to negotiate amount casino will pay for simulcast races.
Establishes "Atlantic City Growth Tax Credit Program" to grant tax credits to promote the development of non-rental housing in Atlantic City.
Creates "Fishing Buddy License."
Extends eligibility to participate in Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Program to areas located in municipality in which casino gaming is authorized.
Requires annual evaluation reports by Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development on survey responses to be obtained from certain employers that end operations in this State.*
Provides active duty Armed Forces and Reserves members with exemption from jury duty and protection from assault while on military duty.
Permits BPU to approve qualified wind energy project; requires BPU to provide application periods for those projects.*
Establishes "New Jersey Business Advisory Council" in Business Action Center.
Increases efficiency and transparency in distribution of Superstorm Sandy aid money.
Directs State Board of Agriculture and Department of Agriculture to develop and adopt certain terms and standards concerning local agricultural and horticultural products.
Directs DOH to issue guidance concerning food safety at farmers markets.
Requires issuance of food vouchers in "Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program" in multiple monetary denominations; establishes pilot program to allow Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program participants to obtain shares of farm products from community
Provides credits against corporation business and gross income taxes for qualified farmers that develop housing for their agricultural workforce.
Voids deed restrictions on publicly-owned or leased property in Atlantic City Tourism District; grants public entity 18 months to sell property or submit public use plan.
In committee32
Permits veteran's property tax deduction for tax year when veteran was previously qualified to receive deduction and became owner of real property after October 1 of pretax year.
Immunizes from civil liability first responders who forcibly enter property to provide emergency assistance.
Provides certain small businesses impacted by Hurricane Sandy a corporation business tax or gross income tax credit for certain reinvestment in Shore municipalities.
Provides that any superintendent salary caps adopted by the commissioner will apply to charter school administrators.
Provides sales and use tax exemption for compressed natural gas used to fuel certain bus operation.
Requires Pinelands Commission to designate North American fox grape as native Pinelands plant within special agricultural production areas.
Increases penalties for drunk driving with minor as passenger.
Authorizes increase in number of wild turkey hunting permits when appropriate.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns for the NJ World War II Veterans' Memorial Fund.
Directs DOT, NJTA, and SJTA to permit certain wineries to participate in certain sign programs on freeways, interstate highways, and toll roads.
Permits certain retired law enforcement officers to possess hollow nose ammunition.
Revises property assessment calendar.
Permits municipality to sell certain impounded vehicles.
Makes FY 2014 supplemental appropriation to DOH for $7,453,000 for family planning services.
Directs Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to forgive certain student loans in the event of the borrower's death.
Requires New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association to require criminal history records check for person to serve as official at athletic events sanctioned by association.
Provides for increase in allowance paid to veterans with certain wartime service-connected disabilities.
Requires executive county superintendents to submit school district consolidation plan to Commissioner of Education within one year and every five years thereafter and commissioner to approve or modify plan within six months of submission.
Requires government records to be made available on the Internet.
Permits Governor to notify local governments to fly United States and State flags at half-staff upon death of member of Armed Forces of United States or National Guard who was State resident.
Expands eligibility for veterans civil service preference.
Authorizes limited brewery licensee to operate restaurant under certain circumstances.
Provides credits under corporation business tax and gross income tax for qualified wages of certain disabled veterans.
Designates Atlantic City and Pleasantville, Atlantic County, as areas eligible for redemption of pinelands development credits.
Provides US Armed Forces and Reserves members with protection against interference with their employment, trade or business.
Provides US Armed Forces and Reserves members with protection against interference with enjoyment of any accommodation, facility, public accommodation, or privilege.
Exempts certain real estate brokers, broker-salespersons and salespersons from continuing education requirement.
Authorizes annual issuance of permit to sell alcoholic beverages at seasonal farm market.
"Holocaust Reparations Tax Exemption Act"; exempts value of certain payments to Holocaust survivors and their eligible descendants from transfer inheritance and estate taxes.
Permits county governing bodies, by resolution after a public hearing, to revise real property assessment calendar.
Provides tuition benefits at public institutions of higher education to New Jersey residents who are members of reserve component of Armed Forces of United States.
Requires county health departments to maintain reserve stock of opioid antidotes and dispense such reserve stock to first responders and hospital pharmacies, on interim basis, in order to ensure uninterrupted supply.
Carried from the Senate
Became law6
Eliminates exemption from noise control restrictions for certain bars in Atlantic City Tourism District.*
Repeals anachronistic, superseded, or invalidated sections of statutory law.
Authorizes New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2015.
Creates "Fishing Buddy License."
Allows casino and out-of-State racetrack to negotiate amount casino will pay for simulcast races.
Increases efficiency and transparency in distribution of Superstorm Sandy aid money.
Vetoed3
Provides for licensure of ambulatory care facilities to provide integrated primary care services including behavioral health care.
Provides State Investment Council must report private money managers' fee information and that council's regulations addressing political contributions will apply to federal or national committees and non-State political committees.
Permits BPU to approve qualified wind energy project; requires BPU to provide application periods for those projects.*
Co-sponsored
Became law · 33
Directs New Jersey Turnpike Authority and South Jersey Transportation Authority to study and report on potential revenue generating services of rest areas and service plazas.*
Creates State contract set-aside program for businesses owned and operated by disabled veterans.
Exempts Holocaust reparations payments from legal process, and from estate recovery under Medicaid program.
Requires hiring preference for veterans seeking position with State Police.
Extends protections of the new vehicle "lemon law" to new farm tractors purchased or leased in New Jersey.*
Requires certain police vehicles to be equipped with cameras.
Requires municipalities to exempt 100% disabled veterans from construction permit surcharge fees for improvements to promote living unit accessibility; appropriates $20,000 for municipal reimbursements.
Authorizes rural electric cooperative and certain municipalities to establish municipal shared services authority.*
Allows person to request voluntary exclusion from gaming activities without acknowledging being problem gambler.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns for active duty members of United States Armed Forces, Reserve components thereof, and National Guard from New Jersey.
Establishes certain requirements for hospitals regarding patient-designated caregivers.
Establishes procedure for consolidating fire districts.
Requires State Employment and Training Commission to prepare annual report on State workforce.
Concerns authority of DOLWD to inspect prevailing wage public work projects.
"Economic Opportunity Act of 2014, Part 3."
Provides that certain field sports conducted or occurring in agricultural production area in pinelands area constitute low intensity recreational use under pinelands comprehensive management plan.***
Requires DMVA to encourage and facilitate returning service members' registration with VA.*
Establishes program to provide assistance to qualified veterans in in-patient and out-patient treatment programs to travel to medical counseling in State.*
Prohibits religious entities from engaging in certain practices involving cemeteries, funeral homes and mortuaries, memorials, mausoleums and burial vaults.
Requires BPU to provide links to pricing information to customers from electric and gas public utilities, and third-party electric power and gas suppliers.*
Requires BPU to establish procedures allowing electric power and gas supplier customers to switch energy suppliers.
Imposes contract standards between customers and third-party electric power and gas suppliers.
Requires continuing care retirement communities to provide residents with information on influenza vaccines for older adults.
Requires drivers to slow down before passing slow moving vehicles; establishes Statewide educational campaign on rural roadway safety; updates agriculture-related motor vehicle laws to reflect current industry practices.
"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 and certain family members living in New Jersey.
Permits holders of certain alcoholic beverage licenses to be issued amusement game license and updates definition of recognized amusement park.
Provides an excused absence on Veterans Day for pupil who participates in certain activities for veterans or active duty members of United States Armed Forces or New Jersey National Guard.
Requires DHS to notify enrollees in Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly of Medicare eligibility.
Requires providers to submit to DHS expenditure details of enrollees in Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.
Requires DHS to monitor utilization and billing of services for Medicaid home and community-based long-term care.
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 withholding of State school aid based on student participation rate on State assessments.
Vetoed · 4
Permits small businesses to qualify for loans from NJEDA for costs of energy audit and making energy efficiency or conservation improvements.
Excludes from gross income compensation paid to members of district boards of election for services rendered in elections.
Dedicates 30 percent of all UEZ sales tax revenues to respective UEZ account and 70 percent of UEZ sales tax revenues to General Fund.
Authorizes operation of lottery courier services.
Passed the General Assembly · 31
"Transparency in Government Act"; provides for establishment of State public finance website.
Requires Adjutant General of DMVA to issue State flag to resident enrolling in federal service academy.
Concerns reviews of State's economic development incentives.
Requires appropriate community notification when sex offender is placed in halfway house; prohibits certain county inmates in halfway house.
Authorizes wiretap orders for investigation of luring or enticing a child, identity theft, stalking and cyber-harassment under certain circumstances.*
Designates salt water taffy as New Jersey State Candy.
Permits a witness who is under the age of 16 or a victim of any age to testify by closed circuit television in prosecutions for crimes or offenses involving domestic violence.
Requires Division of Travel and Tourism to prepare and implement annual advertising and promotion plan.
Requires oversight reporting on Hurricane Sandy recovery funds.
Requires residential community release programs to file certain financial disclosure documents with DOC.
Requires OAL to maintain Internet database summarizing all State rule-making actions.
Prohibits four-year public and independent institutions of higher education from requiring students to purchase meal plans and permits the institutions to only offer meal plans in the form of a spending allowance.
Requires Attorney General to establish Statewide gun buyback program.
Allows certain materials to be included in corporation's proxy solicitation materials.
Creates Education Reform Review Task Force; delays implementation of certain assessments and certain changes to teacher evaluation system.
Requires written contract between customers and third-party electric power and gas suppliers.
Directs Attorney General to establish a criminal firearms recovery clearing house.
Requires annual notice of assessment on property to contain bolded notice of filing deadline for appeal.
Requires DOE to create military-connected student identifier for inclusion in student-level database.
Provides rental and lease protections for domestic violence victims.
Requires dealership to notify buyers of recalls on used motor vehicles for sale.
"Uncompensated Pending Medicaid Beneficiary Payment Relief Act"; provides compensation relief to nursing facilities when resident's Medicaid eligibility determination is delayed more than 90 days.*
Imposes three-year moratorium on use of assessments developed by Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers for certain purposes.
Clarifies liability for discharges of hazardous substances from drilling platforms that enter NJ waters.
Authorizes transfer of excess medical marijuana inventory between alternative treatment centers.
Establishes Small Business Unit and Small Business Task Force within Business Action Center in Department of State.
Concerns enterprise zone assistance fund project approval; dedicates certain revenues to UEZs or UEZ municipalities.
Establishes "Jersey Canned Goods Program."
Establishes "Jersey Frozen Foods Program."
Facilitates identification of municipal liens on residential property of certain seniors and disabled persons.
Requires DCA to establish county assistance programs aiding seniors in property tax lien foreclosure; notification of certain county offices upon senior property tax lien sale; collector to provide requested lien satisfaction information within seven days
Out of committee · 36
Provides general election, primary, and school election sample ballots may be sent to registered voter by electronic mail if so requested.
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.
Permits Internet gaming equipment to be located at certain secure facilities in Atlantic City.
Exempts disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients from payment of municipal parking meter fees when their vehicles bear a disabled veteran's or Purple Heart license plate or placard issued by New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.*
Establishes one-year moratorium on replacement of copper-based landline telephone service with wireless telephone service; requires BPU to report to Governor and Legislature. *
Creates offense of financial exploitation of the elderly.
Establishes the "Superstorm Sandy Bill of Rights."*
"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.
Allows certain National Guard and United States Reserve members on federal active duty to temporarily defer mortgage loan payments and suspend property tax payments.***
Authorizes special "We Support the Arts" license plates with proceeds to the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
Designates September 11 each year "September 11 Remembrance Day" in New Jersey.
Increases maximum municipal contribution to fire districts and volunteer fire companies; indexes amount biennially for inflation.
Removes statutory requirement that health officers and registered environmental health specialists employed by municipalities receive maximum salary within their range within five years from date of appointment.
Requires Secretary of Higher Education, in consultation with various entities, to design a manufacturing career pathway to provide students with skills necessary to gain employment in manufacturing sector.
Creates the New Jersey Advanced Manufacturing Council.
Requires use of goods made in the United States for public contracts; requires disclosures by businesses that receive public contracts or development assistance.**
Revises certain provisions of New Jersey Prescription Monitoring Program.***
Provides for special Bronze Star license plates.
Requires funds collected through societal benefits charge not allocated or spent for at least one year be reappropriated in following fiscal year.*
Requires each State agency to review permits issued by agency and make necessary changes to expedite and facilitate permitting.
Designates Dept. of Agriculture as sole agency to administer "Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program."
Requires PANYNJ be subject to NY Freedom of Information Law and NJ open public records act.
Increases transparency and accountability at PANYNJ.
Eliminates consumer data collection requirements for certain gift cards.
Partially repeals prohibitions, permits, licenses, and authorizations concerning wagers on professional, collegiate or amateur sport contests or athletic events.*
Conforms Megan's Law to requirements of federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.*
Requires Internet gaming affiliates to be licensed as casinos; prohibits waiver of licensing requirements.
Establishes right of sexual assault victim to notification of certain developments in criminal case.
Authorizes establishment of Achieving a Better Life Experience accounts for persons with certain disabilities.*
Removes presumption of nonimprisionment in certain assault cases involving domestic violence victims; expands criminal coercion statute; revises Pretrial Intervention procedures in certain criminal cases.*
Establishes temporary mortgage relief programs for certain owners of real property impacted by "Superstorm Sandy."*
Establishes a gross income tax credit for certain firefighter training graduates.
"Music Therapist Licensing Act."
Sets fees for DEP permits and approvals for repair or reconstruction of Sandy-damaged structures at no more than amount in effect on October 28, 2012.
Eliminates requirement that one license be staged casino facility license; permits use of renovated building by small-scale or staged casino facility.
Requires State to pay its pension contributions on quarterly basis by August 1, November 1, February 1 and May 1 of each year.
In committee · 62
Requires electronic bulletin board on DCA website for local units to advertise shared services opportunities; requires development of computerized survey to match local units together to implement shared services.
Makes desecration of a military monument a crime of the third degree.
Allows jurors to designate donation of their jury duty fees to various charitable funds.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song.
Revises "Overseas Residents Absentee Voting Law" to mirror federal law; permits overseas voters to vote in any election; permits use of federal write-in absentee ballot to vote, register or request ballot for all elections.
Eliminates salary for part-time members of certain boards, commissions, and independent authorities.
Provides for priority consideration, by State, of permit applications by counties and municipalities with 10 or more shared services.
"Home-Based Jobs Creation Act"; classifies certain home businesses as accessory uses needing no use variances in residential zone; authorizes municipalities to limit or exclude certain warehousing, manufacturing, or retailing activities.
Establishes gross income tax credit for cost of certain postage for sending goods to members of United States Armed Forces and National Guard who are serving their country away from home.
Provides supplemental enrollment growth aid to districts that experienced significant enrollment growth; appropriates $21,881,000 to DOE.
Increases distribution to municipalities from Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over five years to restore municipal aid reductions; requires additional aid to be subtracted from municipal property tax levy.
Provides gross income tax credits to support development of New Jersey-based small business start-ups.
"PANYNJ Transparency and Accountability Act."
Requires funds collected through societal benefits charge not allocated be credited to electric and gas public utility customers.
Excludes Armed Services combat zone pay from gross income taxation.
Allows corporation business tax and gross income tax credits to businesses paying a salary differential to National Guard members or reservists on active duty.
Permits toll-free passage on State toll roads for certain buses traveling to casinos.
Encourages local unit sharing of services; makes appropriations.
Increases State hotel and motel occupancy fee revenues required to be annually appropriated to fund certain arts and cultural, historical, and tourism-related programs and activities.
Eliminates requirement that at least one of two licenses issued under small-scale and staged casino facility pilot program must be staged casino facility license; permits these facilities to be located in renovated buildings.
Provides standards for home elevation contractors.
Requires at least 50% of highest Casino Simulcasting Special Fund amount awarded to racetrack be paid to Atlantic City Race Course; prescribes uses thereof.
Requires all campaign contributions to be reported to ELEC.
Prohibits toll-free passage for SJTA employees, officers, and members except while commuting or carrying out official duties.
Regulates sale of olive oil.
Authorizes permits for certain New Jersey casinos for interstate and foreign Internet wagering; requires Internet gaming payment processors be licensed as casino service industry enterprises.
Creates "Real Property Revaluation Review Commission."
Clarifies that certain former New Jersey National Guard members may be eligible for higher education tuition assistance.
Requires each county to establish and maintain veterans' service office.
Permits NJ boat manufacturers to qualify for EDA loans for renewable energy technology, equipment, or systems.
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.
Requires State Board of Medical Examiners to conduct international criminal history background checks and check employer references for licensees.
Allows gross income tax deduction for certain student loan interest.
"Dietitian/Nutritionist Licensing Act."
Permits municipalities to use portion of State aid under Clean Communities Program for snow and ice removal.
Authorizes free hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and free admission to State parks and forests for individuals with certain types of military service, and their immediate family members.
"Disaster Information Access Act"; requires utility service providers to report severe weather and emergency related service interruptions; directs utility service providers and State Office of Emergency Management to present reported information online a
Clarifies that only products assembled in U.S. meet "Buy-American" standards of public contracts laws.
Extends Class Two special law enforcement training for time deployed.
Permits counties to share county tax administrators.
Makes it a crime of the fourth degree to unlawfully use a controlled dangerous substance or prescription drug while pregnant.
Requires State to enable applicants for State agency-issued permits to electronically track the progress and status of their permit application.
Establishes a small business job creation and preservation account program to incentivize small business workforce expansion in New Jersey with income tax exclusions for interest.
Directs Division of Gaming Enforcement to prohibit certain deed restrictions limiting use of casino hotel facility properties.
Limits number of casino licenses issued to person.
Provides casino licensee must repay any grants received from State entity when casino hotel facility is not sold at fair market value and used for casino gambling.
Provides courts with sentencing discretion for certain convictions concerning possession of a firearm.
Establishes veterans' preference for affordable housing in certain housing projects.
Prohibits certain credit card issuers from reporting student credit card holders to credit reporting agencies for 90 days following missing payment.
Permits agriculture-related events on preserved farmland.
Requires certain law enforcement officers to wear cameras.
Establishes "Veterans Court Pilot Program in several counties."
Upgrades crime of false public alarm under certain circumstances.
Eliminates transfer inheritance tax on Class C beneficiaries and increases filing threshold and applicable exclusion amount for New Jersey estate tax to $1,500,000.
Requires public bodies under Open Public Meetings Act to display U.S. flag and recite Pledge of Allegiance at beginning of meeting.
Directs DOT to update advisability studies concerning cost difference between using in-house forces versus consultants for bridge inspections, construction inspections, and design projects.
Adds as additional aggravating factor in sentencing that the person committed an act of domestic violence in presence of a child under 16 years of age.
Authorizes issuance of craft distillery license to certain other alcoholic beverage manufacturing licensees.
Requires Governor to file annual report disclosing expenditures made from funds provided thereto as allowance.
Criminalizes possession and sale of alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (alpha-PVP) commonly known as "flakka," or "flocka."
Provides tuition benefits at public institutions of higher education for dependents of certain veterans.
Requires first responders to transport persons treated for drug overdose to hospital emergency department.
Filed · 1
Partially repeals prohibitions against sports wagering at racetracks and casinos in New Jersey.