Bills in the 2020–2021 Session, Senate.
Stephen M. Sweeney
Sponsored
Became law53
Designates, as State and public holiday, third Friday in June as Juneteenth Day.*
"New Jersey Buy American Act"; requires certain State agency highway and bridge construction contracts to include iron and steel products made in U.S.
Renames "board of chosen freeholders" to "board of county commissioners" and "freeholder" and "chosen freeholder" to "county commissioner"; requires counties to update materials to reflect this title change.
Requires DHS to contract with third party entity to apply risk reduction model to Medicaid prescription drug services.**
Requires State agencies and political subdivisions to make good faith effort to purchase five percent of goods and services from Central Nonprofit Agency.
Requires DOT Commissioner to advertise availability of certain transportation programs and services.
"Electronic Construction Procurement Act."
Creates special education unit within the Office of Administrative Law; requires annual report.
Requires SEHBP and eligible employers that do not participate in the SEHBP to provide certain plans for public education employees and certain public education retirees.
Concerns family leave and disability benefits during epidemic-related emergencies.
Assists inmates released from incarceration in obtaining necessary reentry benefits.
Concerns family leave benefits during epidemic-related emergencies.
Concerns employment benefits and coronavirus disease 2019 infections contracted by essential employees.
"New Jersey Health Care Transparency Act."
Establishes Clayton Model Pilot Program in DOE to provide school-based social emotional learning to students in grades kindergarten through five at certain public schools.
Establishes program to adopt paratransit best practices, requires greater coordination among paratransit service providers, and establishes regional paratransit coordinating councils.*
Concerns online marketing of affordable housing units.
Requires certain provisions in State contracts for delivery of publicly financed mental health, behavioral health, and addiction services.
"21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act."
Adds two members to State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) Contractors.
Requires Civil Services Commission to undertake various initiatives to increase diversity and inclusivity within law enforcement agencies.
Requires Civil Service Commission establish mentoring program for certain civil service law enforcement applicants. *
Concerns eligibility of education employees for unemployment.
Concerns subcontracting agreements entered into by four-year public institutions of higher education.
Expands scope of inmate reentry assistance and benefits.
Requires DOH to develop Statewide plan for infection control and prevention infrastructure improvements in nursing homes.
Establishes regional municipal court pilot program.
Permits exemption from civil service law enforcement examination requirement for entry level-law enforcement officers.
Appropriates $11.5 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for municipal planning incentive grants for farmland preservation purposes.
Provides voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns for Special Olympics New Jersey.
Permits certain licensees to acquire alcoholic beverage license from retail food store that is bankruptcy asset; permits sell, display, and offer for sale alcoholic beverages within physically seperated area in retail food store.*
Promotes workforce diversity in public works projects; revises "public works projects" definition to permit project labor agreements for more projects.
Codifies same-sex marriage in the statutes.
Modifies certain procedures pertaining to school district regionalization; establishes grant program for cost reimbursement of conducting regionalization feasibility studies; and provides financial incentives for regionalization.
Changes effective date of new law concerning certain State contracts for mental health, behavioral health, and addiction services.
Adds two public members to State Board of Chiropractic Examiners and prohibits licensure for individuals convicted of certain offenses.*
Establishes Amistad Commission Exemplary Award Program; appropriates $10,000.*
Supplements Department of Transportation language provisions in FY 2021 Appropriations Act to provide flexibility for debt service payments.
"Responsible Collective Negotiations Act."
Establishes Kean University as public urban research university.
Authorizes certain offshore wind projects to construct power lines and obtain real property interests; grants BPU authority to supersede certain local governmental powers upon petition from offshore wind project.
Designates Department of Health State office building in Trenton as "Judith M. Persichilli Building."
Temporarily modifies taxes and credits of casino licensees; permanently redefines promotional gaming credits to include certain coupons and table game wagers; requires priority funding for senior and disabled for senior and disabled transportation service
Establishes School and Small Business Energy Efficiency Stimulus Program Fund in BPU.
Concerns matters related to operations and obligations of casino gaming properties and finances of Atlantic City.
Removes New Jersey Maritime Pilot and Docking Pilot Commission from appropriations act provision that limits compensation and health benefits; clarifies PERS and SHBP eligibility for members of commission.*
Increases thresholds for environmental assessment requirements for certain transportation projects under Executive Order No. 215 of 1989.
Establishes Direct Support Professional Career Development Program; appropriates $1,000,000. **
Requires that only fruits and vegetables grown and packaged in NJ may be labeled by food retailers as local to State.
Concerns apprenticeship programs of public works contractors.
Requires EDA to establish loan program to assist certain businesses with funding to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities.
Establishes county college-based adult centers for transition for individuals with developmental disabilities; makes annual appropriation of $4.5 million.
Provides supplemental appropriations of $500,000 to the Apportionment Commission and $500,000 to the New Jersey Redistricting Commission.
Vetoed6
Requires DOLWD and DHS to conduct assessment of community rehabilitation programs and community businesses.
Revises definition of "public works projects" to permit project labor agreements for more projects.
Authorizes use of disability benefits for transportation provided by transportation network companies.
Establishes Employment and Business-Related Tax Deferral Assistance Program in EDA to allow small businesses to defer the payment and remittance of certain employment and business-related taxes during COVID-19 public health emergency.
Appropriates $30 million to EDA from federal "Coronavirus Relief Fund" to assist food establishments impacted by Executive Order No. 158.
Permits State agency to completely or partially terminate contract concerning marine terminal or attendant real property to serve important public purpose.
Passed the Senate19
Encourages sharing of services; makes appropriations.
Subjects domestic equity investments of the Division of Investment to certain requirements, imposes requirements related to selection of external managers and protection of public sector jobs.
Makes FY 2020 supplemental appropriation of $16.5 million for direct support professional wage increase.
Deactivates certain committees, councils, panels, and task forces of advisory or temporary nature if entity does not meet or have quorum at least once every year.*
Allows CBT and GIT tax credits to certain taxpayers that retain employees during COVID-19 pandemic.
Provides temporary modifications to payment and use of certain casino gaming taxes and fees; permanently redefines promotional gaming credits to include certain coupons and table game wagers; requires priority funding for senior and disabled transportatio
Permits State and local government employees in civil service to be transferred in certain circumstances.
Authorizes private persons to display American flag on bridges and overpasses that travel over property of NJTA and SJTA; prohibits NJTA and SJTA from removing American flag under certain circumstances.*
Provides temporary corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for job creation related to manufacturing of personal protective equipment.
Establishes School and Small Business Energy Efficiency Stimulus Program in BPU.
Makes FY 2021 supplemental appropriation of $180 million to DCF, DHS and DOH for increased rates for social service and early intervention providers in financial distress due to coronavirus disease 2019 public health crisis.*
Allows credit against corporation business tax and gross income tax liability for employing persons with a developmental disability.
Establishes program for certain individuals to become certified nursing assistants and provide private duty nursing services to certain Medicaid enrollees under increased reimbursement rates.
Exempts honorably discharged veterans from payment of passenger motor vehicle registration fee; requires notification of eligible motorists.
Revises permitting thresholds for certain types of development requiring CAFRA permit from DEP.
Imposes temporary surcharge on casino hotel occupancies to fund public safety services.*
Requires certain unclassified State employees to receive certain salary increases.
Establishes Helmets to Hardhats program in the DMVA; appropriates $400,000.
Imposes surcharge on casino hotel occupancies to fund public safety services.
Out of committee29
Requires DHS to employ Transportation Planning Coordinator to manage and oversee transportation services provided to DHS clients.
Concerns benefits provided to workers.*
Requires DOH to establish sanitization standards and protocols for casinos operating in State.
Requires DOH to establish sanitization guidelines for hotels operating in State.
Grants driving privileges to certain individuals without road test during COVID-19 public health emergency and state of emergency.
Provides for uniform regulation of small wireless facility deployment in this State.
"New Jersey COVID-19 Emergency Bond Act," authorizes issuance of State bonds totaling up to $9.9 billion.
Imposes CBT surtax at rate of 2.5 percent until December 31, 2023.
Requires DOH to establish certain nursing education and professional advancement programs.
Allows health insurers to provide certain health care benefit plans to local boards of education and eligible employers who do not participate in SEHBP; modifies employee contribution for New Jersey Educators Health Plan and its equivalent.
Updates and clarifies recent legislation passed by both Houses of the Legislature addressing cannabis legalization, and marijuana and hashish decriminalization.
Reduces alcoholic beverage tax rate on cider and low-percentage alcohol by volume liquors.
Changes effective date of Garden State Health Plan; exempts certain charter and renaissance schools from certain healthcare plan requirements; requires certain negotiations over certain health care costs. *
Creates Local Part of PERS; creates board of trustees for Local Part of PERS.
Appropriates $10 million in federal funds to Department of Agriculture to support food bank organizations.
Provides for regional economic and land use impact report and establishes review processes related to development of certain large warehouses; and requires related real property reassessments. *
Extends period of municipal stabilization and recovery, with certain modifications, under "Municipal Stabilization and Recovery Act."
Requires use of design-bid-build or design-build delivery system for certain local government construction projects.
Provides project grants under "Securing Our Children's Fund" for career and technical education expansion in county vocational school districts; appropriates $222,904,769.
Removes Fire Museum and Fallen Firefighters Memorial from auspices of DEP and establishes museum as independent organization; makes $200,000 supplemental appropriation.
Directs DEP to develop State water infrastructure investment plan; requires NJ Infrastructure Bank to publish additional information about water infrastructure projects; appropriates $200,000 to NJ Infrastructure Bank.
Eliminates requirement for three years that school districts receive DOE approval for non-instructional or non-educational school facilities or capital maintenance projects.
Removes requirement for Legislature, DOE, free public libraries, and historical societies to purchase "Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey."
Permits deferred retirement from JRS for member appointed as Administrative Director of the Courts by Chief Justice of Supreme Court.
Classifies golf caddies as independent contractors for purposes of State employment laws.
Eliminates requirement for DOE to set certain tuition rates for approved private schools for students with disabilities in certain cases.
Provides local public employee health care plans or programs are not unfunded mandates; gives Legislature's Presiding Officers right to intervene as parties or appear as amicus curiae without Council on Local Mandates approval.
Concerns changes in control of hotels and disruptions of hotel services.
Includes duct cleaning as maintenance work subject to the prevailing wage law.
In committee36
Clarifies law concerning circumstances in which members of Pinelands Commission may vote.
Provides corporation business tax credits and gross income tax credits to farm employers for providing lodging or transportation benefits.
Provides corporation business tax credits and gross income tax credits to small business employers and farm employers related to increase in State minimum wage.
Provides corporation business tax credits and gross income tax credits to small business employers and farm employers for increases in certain mandatory employer contributions.
Requires EDA, in consultation with Department of Agriculture, to establish temporary loan program for small business and farm employers.
Allows taxpayers to deduct cost of certain depreciable assets under corporation business and gross income taxes.
Requires reduced worker's compensation premiums for farm employers and small employers.
Transfers county college employees and retirees from membership in SEHBP to membership in SHBP.
Prohibits sale of food and beverage products prepared with liquid nitrogen.
Eliminates NJ Schools Development Authority and transfers its school construction responsibilities to EDA.
"Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act"; provides for uniform regulation of small wireless facility deployment in NJ.
Establishes cash balance plans in PERS and TPAF for new public employees and employees with less than five years of service; makes various changes to PERS and TPAF retirement eligibility.
Terminates SEHBP; terminates SHBP Plan Design Committee; transfers coverage from SEHBP to SHBP; requires certain plans with no employee or retiree contributions; imposes limit on health care benefits for public employees.
Concerns employment status of individuals with respect to wage and hour and unemployment laws.
Clarifies statutory exemptions from mandatory immunization requirements for child care center and school attendance.
Permits appointment of alternate members for county improvement authorities; permits compensation for members of these authorities.
Provides tax levy cap adjustment in 2020-2021 through 2024-2025 school years for school districts that are spending below adequacy and losing State aid.
Imposes prevailing wage for public work on properties receiving tax abatements or exemptions.
Requires State Treasurer to make loans to casino gaming properties for making required payments in lieu of property taxes to Atlantic City during current public health emergency and state of emergency.
Makes FY 2020 supplemental appropriation of $1 million to DHS and DCF to support certain direct support professional wage increases during coronavirus 2019 public health crisis.
Authorizes creation of "New Jersey Council on Access and Mobility."
Increases Fiscal Year 2020 appropriation for Extended Employment services by $2.5 million to ensure rate stability.
Imposes tax on high-quantity processors of financial transactions at $0.0025 per transaction.
Authorizes Assistant Commissioner of Division of Developmental Disabilities to establish exception rates, and programmatic and staffing requirements, for individuals with highly acute needs.
Promotes workforce diversity in public works projects; revises "public works projects" definition to permit project labor agreements.
Incorporates boardwalks into transportation local aid program and provides for Local Aid Infrastructure Fund grants to boardwalk projects.
"New Jersey Retirement Infrastructure Collateralized Holdings Fund Act"; creates trust fund for conveyance of certain assets for benefit of State-administered retirement systems; requires remediation of emergent conditions for certain public assets; appro
Establishes grant program for alternate route police officer training.
Permits exemption from certain civil service examinations for person with disability.
Designates September as "Prostate Cancer Awareness Month."
Prohibits certain forms of discrimination in DOH policies concerning allocation of critical health care resources.
Requires certain warehouse operators to implement air pollution reduction and mitigation plans.
Modifies certain eligibility requirements under grant program for cost reimbursement of conducting regionalization feasibility studies and updates grant program reporting requirements; repeals law that permits withdrawal from certain regional school distr
Concerns work break periods and warehouse conditions of employment.
Prohibits certain changes to plumbing subcode.
Establishes Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as principal department in Executive Branch and specifies functions, powers, and duties of department.
Filed8
Allows conduct of State business and legislative sessions at locations other than Trenton during periods of emergency or other exigency; allows conduct of legislative business using electronic means.
Provides for termination of public health emergency declared by Governor to address COVID-19 pandemic.
Provides for termination of public health emergency declared by Governor to address COVID-19 pandemic, except certain executive orders, directives, and powers will remain in effect temporarily.
Revises certain requirements for district board members and polling places for June 2021 primary election; provides reimbursement for National Guard assistance with 2020 primary and general election; makes appropriation.
Authorizes State Treasurer to enter lease for real property and improvements with NJEDA for construction of New Jersey Wind Port in Lower Alloways Creek Township, Salem County.
Permits certain administrative orders, directives, and waivers issued for the COVID-19 public health emergency to be extended for 45 days.
Permits PERS retiree to return to employment in NJ Legislature after retirement under certain circumstances.
Appropriates $2 million to Legislative Services Commission.
Carried from the General Assembly
Became law22
Allows conduct of State business and legislative sessions at locations other than Trenton during periods of emergency or other exigency; allows conduct of legislative business using electronic means.
Requires DOH to establish sanitization guidelines for hotels operating in State.
Concerns benefits provided to workers.*
"New Jersey COVID-19 Emergency Bond Act," authorizes issuance of State bonds totaling up to $9.9 billion.
Imposes CBT surtax at rate of 2.5 percent until December 31, 2023.
Allows health insurers to provide certain health care benefit plans to local boards of education and eligible employers who do not participate in SEHBP; modifies employee contribution for New Jersey Educators Health Plan and its equivalent.
Requires DOH to establish certain nursing education and professional advancement programs.
Removes Fire Museum and Fallen Firefighters Memorial from auspices of DEP and establishes museum as independent organization; makes $200,000 supplemental appropriation.**
Appropriates $10 million in federal funds to Department of Agriculture to support food bank organizations.
Extends period of municipal stabilization and recovery, with certain modifications, under "Municipal Stabilization and Recovery Act."
Provides for termination of public health emergency declared by Governor to address COVID-19 pandemic, except certain executive orders, directives, and powers will remain in effect temporarily.
Changes effective date of Garden State Health Plan; exempts certain charter and renaissance schools from certain healthcare plan requirements; requires certain negotiations over certain health care costs. *
Authorizes State Treasurer to enter lease for real property and improvements with NJEDA for construction of New Jersey Wind Port in Lower Alloways Creek Township, Salem County.
Revises certain requirements for district board members and polling places for June 2021 primary election; provides reimbursement for National Guard assistance with 2020 primary and general elections; makes appropriation.
Provides project grants under "Securing Our Children's Fund" for career and technical education expansion in county vocational school districts; appropriates $222,904,769.
Removes requirement for Legislature, DOE, free public libraries, and historical societies to purchase "Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey."
Permits deferred retirement from JRS for member appointed as Administrative Director of the Courts by Chief Justice of Supreme Court.
Eliminates requirement for DOE to set certain tuition rates for approved private schools for students with disabilities in certain cases.
Concerns changes in control of hotels and disruptions of hotel services.
Imposes surcharge on casino hotel occupancies to fund public safety services. *
Permits PERS retiree to return to employment in NJ Legislature after retirement under certain circumstances.
Appropriates $2 million to Legislative Services Commission.
Vetoed1
Classifies golf caddies as independent contractors for purposes of State employment laws.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 13
Codifies constitutional right to freedom of reproductive choice.
Concerns skilled and trained workforce in work by contractors in certain industries.
"Healthy Terminals Act"; requires certain airport and train station workers to be paid certain wage rates and benefits.*
Establishes waterfront wage standards.
Establishes Task Force to Promote Employment by State Agencies of People with Disabilities.
Provides civil and criminal immunity to certain health care professionals and health care facilities during public health emergency and state of emergency; facilitates issuance of certain temporary licenses and certifications during public health emergenc
Requires Commissioner of Education to establish three-year "Bridge Year Pilot Program" for certain students who were impacted by public health state of emergency caused by coronavirus disease 2019.*
Establishes database to aid in civil service hiring process for certain law enforcement officers; requires Statewide diversity analysis of law enforcement. *
Allows Board of Cosmetology Hairstyling licensees to operate mobile facilities when providing services.
Requires boards of education to provide special education and related services to certain students exceeding age of eligibility for special education and related services.
Revises eligibility requirements for NJ Workability Program and Personal Assistance Services Program.
Directs Department of Agriculture to pay annual premiums to enrolled dairy farmers for certain coverage under the federal Dairy Margin Coverage Program; appropriates $125,000.*
Appropriates $5 million to New Jersey Pediatric Cancer Fund.
Vetoed · 4
Establishes "2020 New Jersey Emergency Rental Assistance Program"; appropriates $100 million.
Establishes county-based mitigation plan to allow businesses to operate during pandemic.
Revises out-of-network arbitration process.
Requires assignment of unemployment claims handlers to legislative districts during COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency; appropriates $1.8 million.
Passed the Senate · 9
Permits counties to share county tax administrators.
Provides that purchase of insulin is not subject to deductible and requires health insurers to limit copayments and coinsurance for insulin.**
Requires notification of local law enforcement prior to expungement of certain mental health records of prospective firearms purchasers.
The "New Jobs for New Jersey Act."
Permits certain entertainment and retail activity during current public health emergency and state of emergency.
Increases transparency and accountability for NJT and independence of NJT board members; establishes Office of Customer Advocate; requires greater detail for capital program.
Reduces or delays increases in employer unemployment taxes related to benefits paid during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic state of emergency.
Excludes farmland and certain other lands from definitions of "redevelopment area" and "rehabilitation area" in "Local Redevelopment and Housing Law." *
Permits exemption from civil service examination requirement for entry-level county sheriff's officer and county correctional police officer.
Out of committee · 10
"New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act"; legalizes personal use cannabis for certain adults, subject to State regulation; decriminalizes small amount marijuana and hashish possession; removes marijuana
Restricts authority to terminate reciprocal personal income tax agreements with other states.
Extends certain permits, approvals, and deadlines during COVID-19 emergency.*
Allows issuance of limited license to individual who would otherwise be denied license due to criminal conviction.
Makes supplemental appropriation of $58,000,000 for NJ Statewide Body Worn Camera Program.*
Provides for reorganization of health service corporation.
Reduces age at which health benefit plans cover colorectal cancer screenings from 50 to 45.
Renames Dismal Swamp and Dismal Swamp Preservation Commission as "Peter J. Barnes III Wildlife Preserve" and "Peter J. Barnes III Wildlife Preservation Commission."
Provides partial pension and retirement income exclusion for taxpayers with income between $100,000 and $150,000.
Establishes "New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund," appropriates $3.7 billion.
In committee · 20
Establishes "The Democracy Act" to modify various voter registration and voting procedures.
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Establishes pilot program in DOE for organization of county administrative school districts.
Requires public employers to provide each employee with annual written statement of all remuneration paid to, or on behalf of, that employee by that public employer.
Revises requirements for emergency medical services delivery.
Establishes competitive grant program for school districts to assist in hiring of school psychologists; appropriates $1 million.
Permits school district of residence to provide aid in-lieu-of transportation to pupil attending Marine Academy of Science and Technology provided certain conditions are met.
Requires State Board of Education high school graduation requirements include instruction on tuition assistance programs and student loan debt; requires high school students to meet with guidance counselor to discuss tuition assistance and dual enrollment
Provides for certain group home licensees to obtain Medicaid reimbursement for reservation of beds used by residents on therapeutic leave.
Allocates $10 million of constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues for grants for certain lake management activities for recreation and conservation purposes.
Authorizes Sunday firearm and bow hunting for deer on certain lands.
Requires members, officers, and employees of Legislature to undergo implicit bias and cultural competency training.
Provides three-year phase-in of full funding of extraordinary special education State aid.
Appropriates $300 million to EDA for small business and not-for-profit corporation assistance to preserve and create jobs, spur economic growth, and preserve the viability and vitality of communities.
Makes FY 2021 supplemental appropriation of $100,000 to Rutgers, The State University - New Brunswick for Weinberg Scholars Program.
Requires portable anti-choking devices be placed in schools.
Directs Secretary of Higher Education to develop career and education guide for postsecondary students disabilities.
Permits members of NJ National Guard to be election workers under certain circumstances.
"New Jersey Disability Savings Act."
Requires Commissioner of Community Affairs to establish building safety inspection program for older buildings.
Filed · 6
Appropriates $20 million from General Fund to EDA to support food and beverage establishments impacted by COVID-19 pandemic.
Appropriates $50 million from General Fund to EDA to support businesses and nonprofit organizations impacted by COVID-19 pandemic.
Appropriates $10 million from General Fund to EDA to support Sustain and Serve NJ Program.
Establishes Startup Business and Nonprofit Assistance Program in EDA to support new businesses and nonprofit organizations following COVID-19 pandemic; appropriates $25 million.
Appropriates $120 million from General Fund to EDA to support microbusinesses impacted by COVID-19 pandemic.
Appropriates $10 million from General Fund to EDA to support child care providers impacted by COVID-19 pandemic.