Bills in the 2008–2009 Session, General Assembly.
Reed Gusciora
Sponsored
Became law7
Requires DEP Commissioner to establish list and recognition program for certain environmentally responsible companies. *
Authorizes court to provide alternatives for persons who default in payment of fines.
Regulates operation of snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, and dirt bikes, and certain other vehicles and off-road vehicles; requires DEP to designate three sites on State-owned land where snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, and dirt bikes may be used. **
Denies public access to extinguished psychiatric liens.
Revises "Electronic Waste Recycling Act."
Permits adding e-mail address to voter registration applications.
Establishes the "New Jersey Scenic and Historic Highways Program."
Passed the General Assembly4
"Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act."
Requires poll workers to have certain training in the federal "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990".
Requires vehicle registration to contain issue date.
Prohibits the use of simulated government documents in advertising.
Out of committee13
"Historic Property Reinvestment Act"; provides credits against certain taxes for certain costs of rehabilitating historic properties.
Establishes N.J. Historical Commission program for preservation and promotion of graves of significant individuals of the American Revolutionary period; appropriates $200,000.
Creates a credit card do-not-solicit list. *
"New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act." *
Establishes the "Municipal Court Prosecutors' Automated System." *
Directs AG to develop mandatory guidelines for municipal prosecutors.
Requires qualification of bidders for publicly bid contracts of local units. *
Clarifies authority of municipal court to suspend driver's licenses.
Revises definition of destructive device to include weapons of 50 caliber or greater.
Allows lawsuits against home improvement contractors to be brought in county in which residential or non-commercial property is located.
Requires DEP to designate one site in State park or forest where all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles may be used. *
Grants EDA broader discretion to approve applications for corporation business tax benefit certificate transfer program and business employment incentive program.
Permits certain managers and deputy attorneys general of the State to negotiate collectively under the "New Jersey Employer-Employee Relations Act"; changes definition of managerial executive and removes confidential status of deputy attorney generals an
In committee74
Authorizes assessment of development impact fees by municipalities.
Permits certain sheriffs to enforce truck weight limits.
Establishes "Police Officer, Firefighter and Public School Teacher Home-buyer Assistance Act."
Requires each board of education to offer instruction in comprehensive family life education.
Authorizes adoption of timed-growth ordinances by municipalities.
Establishes a computers for schools program in DOC.
Raises vehicle registration fees for heavy vehicles and dedicates portion to Transportation Trust Fund Account.
Provides for automatic expungement of criminal records under certain circumstances.
Authorizes use of automated motor vehicle identification systems to enforce motor vehicle laws on certain local streets.
Eliminates smoking ban exemption for casinos and simulcasting facilities.
Establishes the "New Jersey False Claims Act."
Enacts the "New Jersey Parentage Act of 2006."
Eliminates enhanced penalties for certain crimes occurring on or in proximity to school property except when such crimes occur in the presence of a child.
Eliminates award of attorneys' fees, filing fees and costs of suit for technical violation of the consumer fraud act.
Amends wrongful death act to clarify that surviving children continue to share in any recovery awarded under that act.
Directs Attorney General to establish a criminal firearms recovery clearing house.
Directs AG to develop guidelines for law enforcement cooperation with municipal prosecutors.
"Electronic Waste Recycling Act."
Enacts the "Civil Marriage and Religious Protection Act."
Sets confidentiality standards for public employee assistance program records; prohibits employer actions against program participants.
Requires court to issue animal protective orders against persons found guilty of abusing animals.
Provides public servant is guilty of official misconduct if he knowingly obtains, arranges or provides "no-show" job for himself or another.
Provides for sales tax exemption for advanced technology partial zero emission vehicles, imposes surcharge on certain automobiles.
Requires in-network hospitals to notify patients of out-of-network health care professionals who provide services in hospital.
Establishes procedures for admitting into evidence blood sample certificates and related lab reports in drunk driving cases.
Regulates fees charged by ATM operators.
Allows corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for 50% of purchase cost of diesel engine conversion devices.
The "Pet Food Safety Act."
Increases the term of a municipal prosecutor from one year to three years.
Directs the Office of the Attorney General to develop fee schedule for discovery in municipal court; imposes limit on fees charged for discovery in certain cases.
Authorizes municipalities to require conformity with traffic performance objectives as condition of subdivision or site plan approval.
Requires sharing of revenues derived from major developments situated near municipal borders under certain circumstances.
Requires the State to reimburse counties for costs incurred in connection with the operation of county prosecutors' offices.
Upgrades assault on victims who are disabled.
Creates nine-member New Jersey Legislative Elections Public Financing Study Commission.
Requires electronic recording of purchases of over-the-counter drugs used to manufacture methamphetamine.
Requires certain tax-exempt institutions to reimburse school districts for the local educational costs of students who reside in tax-exempt institutional facilities and are enrolled in the district.
Amends "Alcoholic Beverage Tax Law" to provide funding for programs seeking to end discrimination against persons in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction.
Requires the design of new public schools to incorporate the "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" (LEED) guidelines.
Establishes "Naturally Occurring Retirement Community" pilot program; appropriates $250,000.
Prohibits use of State funds to lease or purchase certain motor vehicles.
Increases income eligibility limits for PAAD program and Senior Gold Prescription Discount Program by $5,000.
Revises lifeguard pension benefits.
Establishes Task Force on the Oversight of Group Homes for Persons with Developmental Disabilities.
Clarifies possession of machine guns and assault firearms by certain law enforcement officers.
Requires dealers to notify MVC of certain trade-ins within 21 working days.
Appropriates $1,000,000 to Department of State to continue the New Jersey Knowledge Initiative Statewide database program.
Raises minimum wage to $7.40, then makes annual adjustments based on CPI increases.
Allows licensed professional counselors to use certain professional specialty designations as part of credentials.
The "Pesticide Use Reduction Recognition Act."
Prohibits cemetery company from charging additional fee for rendering certain services on Sunday.
Establishes defense to illegally parking in permit areas at train stations.
Mandates training for school bus drivers.
Requires dental benefits coverage for dental composite restorations.
Clarifies failure to provide minimum care to an animal constitutes animal cruelty.
Prohibits use of person's likeness without consent of that person.
Enacts the "Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage Act."
Requires the incorporation of solar panels in design and construction of new public school facilities.
Establishes sales tax holiday for certain energy efficient products during third week of April and October.
Increases fine for student truancy and requires truant student to attend court-ordered truancy counseling program or other appropriate program.
Makes certain changes concerning the appointment, duties, and tenure of the Director of Division on Civil Rights.
Consolidates various municipalities into the new municipalities of Seaside Township and Long Beach Island Township.
Increases penalties for violations of certain pet shop laws and regulations.
Requires DEP to designate smoke-free sections of State beaches, parks, and forests.
Requires filing of report comparing investment returns earned by private money managers and by State employees for public employee retirement funds and State of New Jersey Cash Management Fund.
Consolidates all "doughnut municipalities" and "doughnut-hole municipalities" within 10 years.
Establishes a "Home Energy Efficiency Improvement Program" in the EDA.
Requires replacement of all electronic voting machines used in State by district-based optical scan voting systems by June 8, 2010; makes appropriation.
Permits limited pharmacy sales of syringes and needles without a prescription.
The "Foreclosure Consulting and Anti-Fraud Act."
Consolidates various municipalities into the new municipalities of Seaside Township and Long Beach Island Township.
Consolidates all "doughnut municipalities" and "doughnut-hole municipalities" within 10 years.
Requires DOE to adopt green cleaning policy for schools and child care centers with 50 or more students.
Imposes certain conditions on NJPDES permit for energy generation facilities that withdraw water from, or discharge water to, a shallow lagoonal estuary.
Filed1
Enacts the "Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage Act."
Carried from the Senate
Became law2
"New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act." *
Permits certain managers and deputy attorneys general of the State to negotiate collectively under the "New Jersey Employer-Employee Relations Act;" changes definition of managerial executives and removes confidential status of deputy attorneys general a
Co-sponsored
Became law · 28
Prohibits individuals from purchasing more than one handgun in a calendar month.
Repeals provision allowing vehicles, under certain conditions, to enter and proceed through stop intersection without stopping twice.
Daniel Mackay's Law; requires certain information be given to next of kin of relatives killed or incapacitated in motor vehicle accident; caps certain abandoned vehicle storage fees.
Requires developers to offer solar energy systems in certain new home construction. *
Authorizes municipal planning boards to adopt green buildings and environmental sustainability municipal master plan element.
Requires bittering agent to be added to certain engine coolants and antifreeze to render it unpalatable.
Establishes compelling circumstances exception to mandatory driver's license suspension under conditional discharge statute; allows court to revoke remainder of suspension for compelling circumstances.
Amends special probation statute to increase participation in drug program; permits court to reduce certain fees. *
Revises eligibility for expungement of criminal and juvenile delinquency records.
Imposes moratorium on harvest and possession of horseshoe crabs.
Authorizes BPU to use Retail Margin Fund monies to provide grants for combined heat and power production, energy efficiency projects and programs promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency; makes an appropriation. **
Permits location of certain wind and solar facilities in industrial zones.
Requires disclosure when selling certain clothing apparel containing fur.
Authorizes court to waive or reduce parole ineligibility or grant probation for drug-free school zone violations under certain circumstances.
Authorizes New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects.
Establishes Ellis Island Advisory Commission.
Authorizes establishment of Dismal Swamp Preservation Commission. *
Permits counties to create County Homelessness Trust Funds. *
Makes FY 2009 supplemental appropriations totaling $22,500,000 to provide food, energy and legal aid assistance to individuals and families under the "New Jersey Economic Assistance and Recovery Plan."
Concerns hospital asset transformation program.
Permits New Jersey Historic Trust to charge fees for publications and access to seminars; permits Trust to become tax-exempt charitable organization under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Makes several changes to the Environmental Infrastructure Financing Program.
Requires confirmation of financial assistance for eligible homeowners voluntarily closing or replacing petroleum underground storage tanks, and expands eligibility for financial assistance. *
Eliminates off trigger for additional unemployment benefits during job training program.
The "Green Acres, Water Supply and Floodplain Protection, and Farmland and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2009," authorizes bonds for $400 million; appropriates $5,000. **
Appropriates funds to DEP for clean water environmental infrastructure projects.
Brings State law into conformity with federal law concerning sharing of certain mental health information relating to the purchase and possession of firearms.
Clarifies that certain transfers of handguns are not subject to law prohibiting purchase of more than one handgun in a 30-day period.
Passed the General Assembly · 20
Permits physicians and veterinarians to earn continuing education credits by providing certain free medical or veterinary services. *
Regulates the placing or posting of certain commercial advertisements on public or private property.
Creates offense of impairing communications, which would constitute domestic violence in certain circumstances. *
Establishes innovation zone program to stimulate technology industry clusters around New Jersey's research universities, colleges or research hospitals.
Allows State or State authority to terminate construction contract upon transfer of contractor's ownership or control; requires advance approval of subcontractor changes.
The "Consumer Telephone Records Protection Act of 2008." *
Prohibits sending unsolicited advertising by text messaging, and requires companies offering text messaging services to allow their customers to block all incoming and outgoing text messages. *
Prohibits display of gift card account numbers.
Requires certain elected officials and appointed officers eligible for dual health benefits coverage to choose coverage by one public entity. *
Establishes "New Jersey Council on Child Poverty."
Prohibits use of certain underwriting guidelines by insurers pertaining to guide dogs, service dogs, or hearing assistance dogs harbored on the insured property.
Requires retail mercantile establishment to provide manufacturer's rebate at time of consumer purchase.
The "Real Estate Installment Contract Act."
Provides for Autism Advocate in Division of Advocacy for the Developmentally Disabled. *
Requires ATM operators to disclose balance inquiry fees.
Provides that reports and publications produced by State be primarily available on Internet, provides for notice of availability of reports and publications.
Requires electronic submission of certain periodic reports to Governor and Legislature by State agency.
Qua-Daishia's Law: bars disclosure of personal identifying information contained in grand jury materials; creates fourth degree offense for unauthorized disclosure. *
Expands emergency operations plans to include care for domestic animals.
Requires Public Advocate intervention, additional public participation, and health impact study as conditions of conversion of health service corporation to domestic stock insurer. *
Out of committee · 36
Allows certain undocumented aliens to qualify for in-state tuition rates at public institutions of higher education.
Establishes criteria municipalities and counties are to consider when establishing speed limits. *
Provides for allocation of $25 million from available balances from societal benefits charge revenues for utility assistance grants for qualified households. **
Consumer Electronics Warranty Lemon Law.
Imposes conditions on drivers approaching stopped emergency vehicles, tow trucks or highway maintenance vehicles displaying flashing lights.
Regulates sale of certain bicycles with quick release wheels. *
Concerns magazine subscriptions.
"Grace's Law;" requires health insurers, State Health Benefits Program and NJ FamilyCare to provide coverage for hearing aids for covered persons 15 and younger.
Exempts certain renewable energy systems from real property taxation. *
Establishes involuntary commitment to outpatient treatment for person in need of involuntary commitment to treatment. *
Permits water supply service and sewerage service sub-metering in multi-family dwellings to promote water conservation. *
Authorizes enhancement of State Uniform Construction Code's energy subcode based on anticipated energy savings; provides down payment assistance to certain purchasers of homes meeting enhanced energy subcode requirements.
Upgrades penalties for tampering with witnesses and informants; upgrades hindering apprehension or prosecution under certain circumstances. *
Appropriates $1,068,921 from "Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund" to provide historic site management grants for certain historic preservation projects.
Appropriates $54,917,725 from various Green Acres funds for local government open space acquisition and park development projects.
Requires State to purchase energy efficient and hybrid vehicles; provides for phase-in of the requirement.
Permits municipalities to adopt ordinances requiring bond from landlords in certain circumstances.
Defines "inherently beneficial use" for purposes of zoning variance and specifically includes facilities and structures that supply electrical energy produced from wind, solar, or photovoltaic technologies. *
Provides that tuition assistance or additional compensation for graduate degree provided under employment contracts for certain school district administrators may only be provided if degree is conferred by accredited institution.
Protects property taxpayers by requiring removal of certain property tax deduction and credit information from documents available for public inspection and provides for homestead property tax benefit in form of credit. *
Establishes Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program. *
Concerns urban enterprise zones.
Designates DOT's Engineering and Operations Building as "Jack Friedenrich Engineering and Operations Building."
Requires certain conditions be met in order for school districts to provide their employees with tuition assistance for coursework or additional compensation upon acquisition of academic credits or completion of a degree program.
"New Jersey Public Water Supply Fluoridation Act."
Extends range of investment vehicles in which Director of the Division of Investment and State Investment Council may invest moneys in the State of New Jersey Cash Management Fund and State pension funds.
Appropriates $49.65 million from "2007" Farmland Preservation Fund" for farmland preservation purposes.
Appropriates $11,293,478 from various farmland preservation bond funds and "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for farmland preservation purposes.
Expands eligibility, clarifies qualifications and limits certain provisions under the "Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit Act."
Appropriates $66 million from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund," "2007 Green Acres Fund," and "2007 Blue Acres Fund" for State acquistion of lands for recreation and conservation purposes, including Blue Acres projects.
Appropriates $120,123,420 from various Green Acres funds for local government open space acquisition and park development projects.
Appropriates $19,919,700 from various Green Acres funds for grants to certain nonprofit entities to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
Appropriates $15,557,201 from various historic preservation funds to provide grants for certain historic preservation projects, and appropriates $574,805 from certain historic preservation bond funds for associated administrative expenses.
Requires development of uniform fee schedule by Department of Treasury for registration and certification of small and women- and minority-owned businesses; requires collaboration to streamline procurement application process.
Makes certain changes to the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust Financing Program.
Requires chief administrator to establish certain promotional payment incentives. *
In committee · 80
Requires all personal audio players distributed in New Jersey to contain a warning about volume and hearing loss.
The "Smart Container Act."
Limits operation of personal watercraft in coastal wetlands.
Sets State's mileage reimbursement rate at IRS rate for business use of automobile.
Establishes pilot program in Department of Education to provide instruction in personal finance to high school seniors.
Extends penalties for driving under the influence to include any substance that impairs driving ability; deems driver's consent to non-invasive drug tests.
Requires school board member and local elective office candidates to file financial disclosure statements; requires criminal background disclosure for school officials and school board member candidates.
Establishes criminal penalties for operating or participating in pyramid promotional schemes.
The "Public Surface Water Supply Protection Act."
Permits transcript or videotape of testimony before local issuing authority to be admissible in ABC appeal.
Requires State Board of Education to include two hours of instruction in suicide prevention as part of professional development for public school teaching staff members.
Permits MVC to issue driving privilege cards to persons who cannot prove ID or lawful presence in the country; appropriates $90,000.
Creates the "New Jersey Security and Financial Empowerment Act" to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song.
Authorizes actions for damages for computer embezzlement.
Permits adopted person and certain others access to adopted person's original birth certificate and other related information; appropriates $90,000.
Extends property tax reimbursement benefits to certain low income veterans.
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Permits certain senior citizens or disabled persons to qualify as " eligible claimant" for homestead property tax reimbursement even if fourth quarter property taxes are delinquent.
Provides additional retirement benefits for certain police and firefighter members of PFRS.
Prohibits sale of tobacco products in vending machines and establishes requirements for retail sales of tobacco.
Requires emergency first aid and first responder retraining for local law enforcement officers; establishes a "duty to act" in emergency situations for on-duty local law enforcement officers.
Amends the "Fair Housing Act" to change details of regional contribution agreements.
Affords emergency services peer counselors confidentiality privileges.
Exempts certain persons enrolled in public institutions of higher education from payment of undergraduate tuition at nonresident rates.
Authorizes payment options for certain motor vehicle fines and fees.
Establishes the offense of incest.
Prohibits use of smokeless tobacco in public schools.
Limits contributions by certain public contractors; limits contributions by county and municipal political party committees.
Provides family leave insurance.
Exempts membership fees, initiation fees, or dues for access to health and fitness, athletic, or sporting clubs of certain charitable organizations from sales and use tax.
Deletes prior authorization requirements by certain insurers for accessing certain health care services.
Requires retail food establishments to provide certain nutritional information for food or beverage items sold to its customers.
Lowers the minimum full-time jobs requirement for business relocation and retention tax credits.
Requires Attorney General to prepare pamphlet for parents on keeping children safe from predators.
Requires public schools to include instruction on humane treatment of animals as part of the Core Curriculum Content Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.
Permits wineries to produce and sell certain distilled alcoholic beverages.
Permits all municipalities to adopt ordinances requiring bond from seasonal rental landlords in certain circumstances and increases penalties for subsequent offenses.
Establishes minimum registered professional nurse staffing standards for hospitals and ambulatory surgery facilities and certain DHS facilities.
Expands offense of computer criminal activity to include accessing computer data for an unlawful purpose by means of a knowing misrepresentation as to identity of person requesting information.
Establishes criminal penalties for failure to pay the minimum wage.
Prohibits delegation of investment discretion of Director of Division of Investment to outside managers.
Provides for civil and criminal penalties for giving false information pertaining to violations of environmental laws.
Clarifies procedures for closing active child protective services cases.
"Recycling Enhancement Act"
"Plastic Container Recycling Enhancement Act."
Expands programs in BPU to include low-interest loans and grants to municipalities for energy efficient programs and innovative energy technologies.
Provides State in lieu aid to municipalities for certain tax-exempt group homes.
Establishes September 11th Memorial License Plate; dedicates fees therefrom to support a memorial and victims injured in attack.
Provides for mandatory forfeiture of retirement benefits of elected official convicted of crime involving office held.
Establishes "Virtual Medical Monitoring Service Pilot Program" in DHSS; appropriates $150,000.
Provides for receipt for voter at primary or general election; allows receipt to be proof of eligibility to vote in subsequent election; provides State reimbursement.
Establishes the New Jersey Prescription Drug Cost Reduction Study Commission.
Requires under "Fair Housing Act" that certain percentage of affordable housing be reserved for very low income households.
Permits certain funds to be spent on temporary emergency housing; appropriates $1 million to DCA rental assistance program.
Requires installation of protective fencing along certain overpasses.
Permits municipalities to adopt ordinances requiring bond from landlords in certain circumstances.
Authorizes denying development applications of developers who defaulted on performance and maintenance bonds and establishes system for sharing notice of performance and maintenance bond defaults.
Requires DEP to conduct testing of school grounds for hazardous substances under certain circumstances.
Restricts large trucks to certain highway networks.
Prohibits double-trailer truck combinations on certain portions of U.S. Route 206 in Mercer and Somerset counties.
Requires handgun ammunition to be encoded with serial number.
Authorizes State and local governments to enter into group purchasing agreement for alternative fueled vehicles.
Authorizes SDA school districts to construct school facilities projects and receive State debt service aid.
Makes it a crime to sell or possess products or materials designed to alter firearms to look like toy guns.
Permits advertising on exterior of school buses.
"Water Resource Lands Protection Act."
Exempts carsharing rentals from State imposed $5 per day motor vehicle rental fee.
Requires signs posted by retail motor fuel dealers to indicate motor fuel prices for cash and credit card customers; establishes additional $1,000 penalty for violations.
Requires graduated driver licensees who plead guilty to non-point violations to complete driver safety course.
Establishes "Smart Housing Incentives Act."
Removes confidential employee status of certain Casino Control Commission employees.
Establishes conditional intervention program in municipal court for certain first-time offenders.
Limits sales or use of certain prescription information.
"Personal Seat License Holder's Bill of Rights."
Upgrades offense of knowingly engaging in unauthorized practice of law.
Regulates the sale of dextromethorphan.
Requires debt collector to provide debtor certain information.
Requires State Treasurer to organize and publish certain contract and grant data and information on State expenditure Internet website.
Requires mandatory registration of family day care providers.