Bills in the 2018–2019 Session, General Assembly.
Reed Gusciora
Sponsored
Became law1
Directs Dept. of Agriculture to create pilot program to research cultivation of industrial hemp.*
Vetoed1
Requires large food waste generators to separate and recycle food waste and amends definition of "Class I renewable energy."
Passed the General Assembly2
Permits municipalities to issue retail liquor licenses for use in certain historic taverns.
Eliminates presumption of non-imprisonment for theft of a firearm.
Out of committee6
Establishes N.J. Historical Commission program for preservation and promotion of graves of significant individuals of the American Revolutionary period.*
Permits new cigar lounges to be opened under certain circumstances.
Expands acts of animal cruelty to include theft or release of animal during burglary.
Requires boards of education to include instruction, and adopt instructional materials, that accurately portray political, economic, and social contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.
Allows electric energy produced from biofuel to be eligible as Class II renewable energy.
"Higher Education Citizenship Equality Act;" defines domicile for dependent students for purpose of eligibility for State student grants and scholarships, and resident tuition rate.*
In committee47
Establishes "Naturally Occurring Retirement Community" pilot program; appropriates $250,000.
"Historic Property Reinvestment Act"; provides credits against certain taxes for certain costs of rehabilitating historic properties.
Revises definition of "necessary care" in the State's animal cruelty law to include more specific requirements.
Creates Voluntary Registry for Individuals with a Mental Illness or Developmental Disability.
Subjects most State property to local property taxation beginning on July 1, 2014.
Establishes publicly accessible domestic violence Internet registry.
Establishes artist bank to provide interest-free loans to artist colonies in development.
Extends duration of urban enterprise zones for 10 additional years; specifies permissable use of funds.
Requires replacement of all electronic voting machines used in State by district-based optical scan voting systems by June 7, 2016; makes appropriation.
Requires shareholder approval of campaign contributions and certain independent expenditures made by New Jersey corporations.
Requires prosecutorial or law enforcement review of fatal incidents involving police officers or State Police.
Enhances penalties for committing improper behavior in place of public accommodation.
Concerns organ and tissue donation.
Creates restricted distillery license; permits holder therof to operate restaurant on licensed premises in Garden State Growth Zone.
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.
Prohibits drilling technique of hydraulic fracturing.
Prohibits treatment, discharge, disposal, application to roadway, or storage of wastewater, wastewater solids, sludge, drill cuttings or other byproducts from natural gas exploration or production using hydraulic fracturing.
Requires Commissioner of Education to declare educational state of emergency for certain districts with low proficiency rates in language arts and literacy and provides for corrective measures.
Directs Commissioner of Education to establish full-day kindergarten through grade three school in Trenton modeled on Princeton Day School, for Mercer County residents.
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.
Establishes employment goals and requirements for development subsidies.
Concerning development subsidies and certain employment practices.
Requires repayment of development subsidies in certain cases of failure to meet job creation or retention requirements.
Requires State agencies to vacate certain property in Trenton; allows EDA to offer incentives to private entities to locate to that property.
Requires school districts to provide information on affirmative consent standard as part of core curriculum content standards.
Prohibits inclusion of provision in agreements, contracts, or settlements related to pipeline siting or hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," that would restrict parties from disclosing information, statements, or assertions related to public health or saf
Establishes third or subsequent DUI offenses as fourth degree crime.
"New Jersey Public Option Health Care Act."
Provides tax credits and other assistance to farmers transitioning to organic agricultural production; appropriates $2 million to Dept. of Agriculture.
Creates grant program for business accelerator and incubator networks; transfers $1 million in societal benefits charge revenues to EDA to administer program.
Establishes Green Jobs Training Partnership Program.
Legalizes possession and personal use of small amounts of marijuana for persons age 21 and over; creates Division of Marijuana Enforcement and licensing structure.
Requires institutions of higher education to use procedures in response to allegations of sexual harassment that are consistent with certain federal guidance and to report incidence of sexual assault.
Extends duration of first five designated UEZs for two additional years; specifies permissible use of UEZ funds; requires DCA Commissioner to assess and issue report on UEZ program.
Prohibits certain third-party property tax appeals.
Expands qualifying conditions for medical marijuana; requires issuance of additional dispensary permits; revises requirements for physicians to authorize qualifying patients; and revises application, ownership, and operational requirements for alternative
Excludes permit applications for construction of certain pipelines and related infrastructure from eligibility for automatic approval if DEP fails to take action on application within 90 days.
Tolls statute of limitations for workers' compensation claims of minors.
Legalizes possession, personal use, cultivation, manufacture and distribution of small amounts of marijuana for persons age 21 and over; creates Division of Marijuana Enforcement and licensing structure.
Creates New Jersey Coastal Commission; reallocates certain funds from DEP to commission; and appropriates $20 million.
Requires DOE to adopt green cleaning policy for schools and child care centers with 50 or more students.
Provides exemption to licensing requirements for certain art therapists.
Permits, as approved by court, use of assistance dogs by certain victims or witnesses when giving testimony on certain offenses.
Requires State and local public contracts for food services to require compliance with federal food service guidelines.
Increases tax credit provided for qualified investments under "New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act"; provides additional incentive to businesses located in certain enterprise zone.
Requires public utilities and cable television companies to notify certain entities prior to removing mature trees.
Designates Trenton-Morrisville Toll Bridge as "Master Sergeant Fred William Zabitosky Memorial Bridge."
Carried from the Senate
Became law2
"Higher Education Citizenship Equality Act;" defines domicile for dependent students for purpose of eligibility for State student grants and scholarships, and resident tuition rate.*
Requires boards of education to include instruction, and adopt instructional materials, that accurately portray political, economic, and social contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 27
Restricts use of isolated confinement in correctional facilities.
"Alyssa's Law"; requires public school buildings to be equipped with panic alarm linked to local law enforcement.**
Prohibits offshore oil and gas exploration, development, and production in State waters, and issuance of DEP permits and approvals for activities associated with offshore oil and gas activities.*
Directs the Division of Travel and Tourism to publish on its website information of farm-to-table restaurants.
Requires firearms seizure when certain health care professional determines patient poses threat of harm to self or others. *
Clarifies intent of P.L.2007, c.340 regarding NJ's required participation in Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
"Drama Therapists and Dance/Movement Therapists Licensing Act."
Requires financial literacy instruction to pupils enrolled in grades six through eight.*
Permits theaters with 50 seats or more to apply for liquor license.*
Provides that PERS or PFRS member who continues to be volunteer firefighter or emergency services worker after retirement with employer from whom member retires has bona fide severance for compliance with State and federal law.
Increases penalties for energy "slamming" practices.
Imposes State sales and use tax and hotel and motel occupancy fee on transient accommodations; authorizes various municipal taxes and fees on transient accommodations.
Prevents criminal defendent from asserting "gay and transgender panic" defense to murder charge in order to reduce charge to manslaughter committed in heat of passion.*
Automatically registers to vote and updates voter registration for eligible person when applying for motor vehicle driver's license, or non-driver identification card.*
Enhances enforcement and oversight of mental health condition and substance use disorder parity laws.**
"Healthy Small Food Retailer Act." *
Authorizes issuance of Delta Sigma Theta license plates.
Limits time continuing care retirement communities may retain refundable entrance fee after resident vacates facility; provides for disposition of certain personal property.*
Requires background check for private gun sales.
Codifies regulations defining justifiable need to carry handgun.
Adopts federal definition of armor piercing ammunition.*
Reduces maximum capacity of ammunition magazines to 10 rounds.*
Requires prescription opioid medications include warning sticker advising patients of risk of addiction and overdose.
Re-establishes former NJ Commission on Science and Technology as NJ Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology.
Allows wagering at casinos and racetracks on certain professional and collegiate sports or athletic events.
Authorizes special assessments and bond issuance to replace lead-contaminated water service lines.
Establishes "New Jersey Complete Count Commission."
Passed the General Assembly · 14
Requires 30-day grace period prior to accrual of interest on late water and sewer bill payments.
Authorizes wiretap orders for investigation of luring or enticing a child, identity theft, stalking and cyber-harassment under certain circumstances.
Requires DCA to make information on homeless prevention programs and services available on its Internet website.
Establishes offense of criminal mischief committed on historical sites.
Establishes process for recovering cost of caring for animals involved in animal cruelty violations.*
Requires State parks, forests, and other natural and historic areas to remain open to public for seven days if emergency is declared due to failure to enact general appropriation law as prescribed by NJ Constitution.
Requires health benefits coverage for adolescent depression screenings.
Requires minimum of one school bus aide for every 15 special needs students on school bus.
Establishes central registry for sickle cell trait diagnoses; provides for informational outreach and genetic counseling.
Creates certain assistance programs for businesses owned by lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender persons, by persons with a disability, and by veterans.
Requires public water systems to provide certain notice of boil water notices and violations of drinking water quality standards.
Requires certain public water systems to publish certain financial and employee information on Internet.
Revises certain licensure requirements to operate water supply and wastewater treatment systems.*
Requires DOE and DCF to establish online reporting systems for schools and child care centers to report lead testing results.
Out of committee · 26
Establishes task force to study issues related to the establishment of full-day kindergarten.
Bars persons under age 18 from marrying or entering into a civil union.
Requires training for law enforcement officers and assistant county prosecutors concerning handling of domestic violence cases.
Requires EDA, in consultation with Department of Agriculture, to establish loan program for certain vineyard and winery capital expenses.
Revises acreage requirement for plenary winery licenses.
Concerns low emission and zero emission vehicles; establishes Clean Vehicle Task Force.
Requires hospital laboratories and bio-analytical or clinical laboratories to offer test for hepatitis C to certain individuals; authorizes certain laboratories to perform rapid tests for hepatitis C.
Expands the Address Confidentiality Program to include victims of sexual assault and stalking; and reproductive health service patients and providers.*
Establishes certain requirements for a State entity planting vegetation in certain circumstances; provides for preferences for NJ businesses providing such vegetation.
"Babs Siperstein Law"; revises procedure for issuance of amended birth certificate for person who has undergone change in gender.**
Requires Division of Parole to offer parole services to certain defendants who have served their maximum sentence.
Criminalizes certain actions of individuals who offer rental of residential property that they do not own or legally possess.
Provides for priority consideration, by DCA, DEP, DOT, and municipalities, of permit applications for green building projects.
Permits municipalities to hold certain inactive liquor licenses reserved for smart growth developments for an additional five years.
Prohibits sale and distribution of mercury relays and switches under certain circumstances.
Provides immunity from civil and criminal liability for rescue of animal from motor vehicle under inhumane conditions.
Establishes public-private alternative fueling station pilot program and requires DOT to conduct study.
Authorizes impoundment of all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes for certain crimes and offenses.
"Jake Honig's Law"; removes limits on amount of medical marijuana that may be dispensed at one time and expands access to edible forms, including oils.
Expands summer meal program to all school districts with 50 percent or more of students eligible for free or reduced price meals.
Requires "breakfast after the bell" program in all schools with 70% or more of students eligible for free or reduced price meals.
Establishes New Jersey Caregiver Task Force to evaluate and provide recommendations on caregiver support services.
Reinstates and extends duration of certain UEZs; requires DCA to study UEZ program and report recommendations to the Legislature.*
Requires NJ UEZ authority to assess and issue report on urban enterprise zone program.
Establishes NJ Blockchain Initiative Task Force.
Authorizes medical marijuana for treatment of any diagnosed condition; revises requirements for physicians to authorize qualifying patients; and revises requirements for alternative treatment center operations and permitting.
In committee · 86
Requires distribution of homestead benefits on or before October 31 of the State fiscal year during which an appropriation is made.
"New Jersey Sexual Assault Violence in Education Act"; requires institutions of higher education to adopt anti-sexual assault theater program, report allegations of sexual assault to county prosecutor, and provide students with information on sexual assau
Prohibits awarding alimony to domestic violence offenders; permits termination of alimony based on conviction for crime or offense involving domestic violence.
Provides $21 minimum annual energy assistance to qualified families.
Revises certain laws concerning domestic violence and firearms.
Dedicates 30 percent of all UEZ sales tax revenues to respective UEZ account and 70 percent of UEZ sales tax revenues to General Fund.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song.
Requires printers to display average cost per 1,000 printed pages and ink cartridges to display yield.
Imposes restrictions concerning Port Authority of New York and New Jersey commissioners, officers, and employees regarding employment, gifts, and compensation.
Concerns credit card interchange fees and consumer protection.
Provides that PFRS definitions of widow, widower and spouse will include domestic partners of all PFRS members.
Establishes procedures for the approval of the closure of a public school.
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.
Caps at 35 percent share of State public employee pension and annuity funds portfolio that may be invested in combination of hedge funds, private equity, commodities, and real estate.
Provides for mandatory forfeiture of retirement benefits of elected official convicted of crime involving office held.
"Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Prevention Act"; requires Internet-connected devices to have blocking capability in certain circumstances.
Establishes "Government Crowdfunding Act" to allow government entities to conduct fundraising for certain government projects.
Requires 10 percent bail; prohibits installment payments.
Extends penalties for driving under the influence to include any substance that impairs driving ability; deems driver's consent to non-invasive drug tests.
Phases out the transfer inheritance tax over two years.
Gives Director subpoena powers in administration of Division of Pensions and Benefits.
Authorizes special Support Our Veterans license plate with proceeds supporting New Jersey homeless veteran's centers.
Requires school districts to offer course in computer science and DOE to adopt changes to NJ Student Learning Standards in computer science.
Provides supplemental appropriation of $2,700,000 to DCA for Neighborhood Preservation Program.
Requires Attorney General to establish Statewide gun buyback program.
Prohibits juror disqualification based on gender identity or sexual orientation; codifies procedures when discriminatory use of peremptory challenges is alleged.
Requires mandatory registration of family day care providers.
Increases personal needs allowance to at least $50 for low-income persons residing in certain facilities.
Requires certain energy tax receipts to be paid directly to municipalities.
The "Safe Playing Fields Act"; restricts use of lawn care pesticides at child care centers and certain schools, playgrounds, and recreational fields.
Revises "Pet Purchase Protection Act" to establish new requirements for pet dealers and pet shops.
Dedicates $140,000 from NJ Brain Injury Research Fund for community based services provided by Statewide alliance dedicated to assisting persons with brain injury through advocacy, education, information and resources, outreach, and support services.
Establishes minimum registered professional nurse staffing standards for hospitals and ambulatory surgery facilities and certain DHS facilities.
Creates new liquor licenses for certain restaurants and permits the issuance of additional liquor licenses; provides tax credit under corporate business tax and gross income tax for fair market value of certain alcoholic beverage licenses.
Directs poison control and drug information program to establish clearinghouse of drug overdose information, report on trends, and provide education on safe storage and disposal of medications; appropriates $500,000.
Authorizes Drinking Water Quality Institute to study and recommend maximum contaminant level for 1,2,3-trichloropropane to DEP.
Requires certain places of public assembly to have automated external defibrillator on-site.
Prohibits use of certain underwriting guidelines by insurers pertaining to guide dogs, service dogs, or hearing assistance dogs harbored on the insured property.
Establishes "Affordable Housing Obligation Study Commission."
Establishes NJ "Farm-to-Table Restaurant" awards program.
Establishes "New Jersey Farm to Public Institution of Higher Education Program."
Designates Common Eastern Bumble Bee as New Jersey State Native Pollinator.
Directs DEP to designate native bee nesting habitat areas in each State park and forest.
The "Smart Container Act."
Requires health insurance carriers to comply with certain network adequacy requirements.
Establishes "Art in Storefronts" initiative within the Main Street New Jersey program.
Establishes the "New Jersey Safe and Responsible Driver Act."
Requires counseling for certain domestic violence offenders.
Prohibits firearm possession by persons convicted of certain offenses.
Requires State's full participation in Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
Requires, by energy year 2035, all electric power sold in NJ by each electric power supplier and basic generation service provider be from Class I renewable energy sources.
Establishes protection from adverse employment action for authorized medical marijuana patients.
Concerns discrimination because of familial status.
Repeals family cap in Work First New Jersey program.
Establishes certain network adequacy and standard application requirements for health insurance carriers; requires determination of hospital diversity for tiered networks.
Requires carriers to disclose selection standards for, and establishes certain requirements regarding, placement of health care providers in tiered health benefits plan network.
Establishes "New Jersey Task Force on Tiered Health Insurance Networks."
Establishes pilot program in DOE to provide supplemental reading instruction to students in grades K through 3.
Requires public and nonpublic schools to test for and remediate lead in drinking water, and disclose test results.
Requires municipalities to conduct lead paint inspections in single- and two-family dwellings; requires reporting of inspection results to State.
Encourages timely recording of residential deeds.
Directs Division of Consumer Affairs to establish public information campaign concerning real estate rental scams.
Requires all creditors that acquire title to non-owner occupied residential property following foreclosure to notify municipality and common interest community.
Requires new voting machines purchased or leased for use in elections in this State to produce paper record of each vote cast.
Requires photo identification for handgun ammunition purchases.
Requires electronic reporting of handgun ammunition sales.
Increases fee for firearms purchaser identification card; requires color photo on firearms purchaser identification cards, permits to purchase handgun, and permits to carry handgun.
Prohibits certain light frame residential construction in densely populated census tracts; establishes construction requirements for certain light frame residential construction in other census tracts.
Authorizes municipalities to establish program for public or private financing of certain energy, water and storm resiliency projects under PACE program through use of voluntary special assessments for certain property owners.
Establishes "Veterans Affordable Housing Section 8 Voucher Pilot Program."
Creates first degree crime of home invasion, makes crime subject to No Early Release Act, and upgrades burglary of a residence to a second degree crime under certain circumstances.
Requires DEP to establish "private wildlife habitat certification program"; creates affirmative defense against municipal nuisance ordinances for properties certified under the program.
Establishes program allowing certain applicants to perform community service in lieu of paying motor vehicle surcharges.
Provides for transfer and sale of inactive liquor licenses for use in qualifying smart growth municipalities.
Strengthens location confidentiality for certain crime victims.
Makes FY 2016 supplemental Grants-in-Aid appropriation of $10.5 million to DCA for State Rental Assistance Program.
Clarifies that using animal to cause bodily injury to another constitutes assault with deadly weapon; grants immunity to police officers who use police dog as deadly weapon.
Amends the "Fair Housing Act" to change details of regional contribution agreements.
Concerns urban enterprise zones.
Deletes prior authorization requirements by certain insurers for accessing certain health care services.
Clarifies that piercing or tattooing animals constitutes needless mutilation and animal cruelty.
Establishes animal cruelty offense of cruel confinement of a gestating pig.
Prohibits drug manufacturers and distributors from advertising prescription drug products in New Jersey.
Requires full-day kindergarten in all school districts and establishes uniform age requirement for enrollment in kindergarten.
The "Marriage Equality Act"; codifies same-sex marriage.