Bills in the 2004–2005 Session, Senate.
Anthony R. Bucco
Sponsored
Became law2
Increases membership of county boards of taxation. *
Requires motorists to reduce speed when approaching or passing equestrians.
Passed the Senate3
Increases maximum death benefit of group life insurance policies paid for by fire district or municipality maintaining volunteer fire department.
Eliminates entitlement to workers' compensation cash benefits during imprisonment.
Grants immunity from civil liability to persons reporting information concerning crimes related to terrorism.
Out of committee7
Appropriates $50,000 to DHS to provide additional funding to Community Hope, Inc.
Permits municipalities to offer prescription drug benefit to certain retired volunteer firefighters and other emergency aid volunteers.
Requires training in diabetes care for certain school employees and use of medical management plans in schools for students with diabetes.
Requires mattresses and box springs for sale in State meet 60-minute resistance to open-flame standard.
Authorizes imposition of additional fines for overcrowding.
Clarifies that using motor vehicle to publicly display obscene material is fourth degree crime.
Requires enforcing agency to remove excessive accumulation of combustible materials inside a rental dwelling unit in certain cases.
In committee118
Removes income limit for eligibility to receive homestead property tax reimbursement.
Establishes "Car Watch" program to combat motor vehicle thefts.
Exempts from sales and use tax sales of carbon monoxide detectors and any device or equipment sold for residential use to detect, warn of, abate, or extinguish fires.
Changes date of election of school board members and special school elections and eliminates school budget elections.
Requires HIV testing for pregnant women and marriage license applicants.
Increases Hearing Aid Assistance for the Aged and Disabled Program allowance to $500 per year.
Authorizes county clerks to issue identification cards to county residents under age 18.
Requires health insurers to provide coverage for positron emission tomography to diagnose Alzheimer's disease.
Makes certain requirements concerning downhill skiing.
Establishes the New Jersey Water Supply in the 21st Century Study Task Force.
Provides corporations business tax and gross income tax credits for employers who support community rehabilitation programs.
Appropriates $100,000 to the Judiciary for a grant to Court Appointed Special Advocates of New Jersey, Inc. (CASA)
Requires managed care plans to deem valid referral for a covered health care service as satisfying requirements for prior notification.
Provides for attachment of real property relating to terrorism.
Permits Legislature to void closing of State psychiatric hospital or developmental center.
Restores the phase-out of corporation business taxes on the regular income of subchapter S corporations.
Waives fee to obtain State and national criminal history record background checks for volunteers and affiliates of certain organizations.
Makes a supplemental appropriation of $500,000 to DCA for a grant to ASPIRA.
Increases civil penalty payable to the "Domestic Violence Victims' Fund" by persons who commit domestic violence.
Requires employers to provide time off from work for members of certain volunteer organizations to respond to fires under certain conditions.
Requires wanted person check before release or transfer of inmates or suspects.
Allows members of PERS Prosecutors Part to purchase credit in Prosecutors Part for previous prosecutor service credited as regular PERS service.
Provides for recoupling of the computation of the New Jersey estate tax in accord with the federal estate tax.
Authorizes county clerks to issue ID cards; requires Motor Vehicle Commission to give cards primary ID status.
Authorizes Lake Hopatcong Commission to hire private counsel, rather than AG, to provide legal advice, services, and representation.
Provides certified municipal fire inspectors and fire officials having more than four consecutive years service with tenure in office.
Establishes child protective services investigation pilot program in Morris county; appropriates $90,000.
Requires school districts to establish plans for responding to emergencies and crises.
Appropriates $1.5 million to the DEP for the Lake Hopatcong Commission.
Requires insurers and SHBP to provide coverage for expenses incurred in screening for ovarian cancer.
Appropriates $500,000 to DHSS for the purpose of providing a grant to Daytop Village.
Appropriates $170,000 to the Palisades Interstate Park Commission for N.J. Highlands Preservation Project.
Establishes free smoke detector program in DCA.
Appropriates $56,000 to DOE for New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education to improve Holocaust education curriculum.
Requires the reporting of criminal offenses occurring on school property to law enforcement authorities.
Provides for annual deposit of 20% of county forfeiture funds by county prosecutor in county fund for alcohol and drug abuse programs.
Clarifies that crime victims' rights must be recognized by all courts in the State.
Supplemental appropriation of $250,000 to DMVA for grant to Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program.
Exempts sale of recreational safety helmets from sales and use tax.
Provides motor fuels tax refunds for fuel used in recreational boats.
Allows taxpayers to deduct adoption expenses from gross income.
Makes failure to report an offense against a child a crime under certain circumstances.
Exempts government-owned property from adverse possession and eliminates statute of limitation period for recovery.
Increases certain arson offenses to a crime of the third degree.
Supplemental appropriation of $75,000 to DHSS for grant to Sunrise House Foundation, Inc.
Supplemental appropriation of $235,000 to DHS for a grant to Homeless Outreach Program in Morris County.
Appropriates $85,000 to DEP for conservation officer for Split Rock Reservoir.
Requires training for school bus drivers and aides involved in transporting handicapped pupils; directs Legislature to appropriate necessary funding.
Requires DMV to accept death certificate as proof of name change.
Individual's status as minor shall not disqualify him from bone marrow donation.
Requires health insurers to provide coverage for prosthetic appliances obtained from any licensed prosthetist.
Requires the Commission on Holocaust Education to monitor false information concerning the Holocaust disseminated over the Internet; appropriates $50,000.
"Post-Viability Protection Act."
Appropriates $50,000 to DHS for grant to Medical Needs Foundation in Mountain Lakes.
Permits boards of education to establish comprehensive household safety education programs; appropriates $750,000.
Revises New Jersey's firearms statutes to conform with federal Brady Law.
Supplemental appropriation of $500,000 to DLPS for urban search and rescue teams.
"Toxic Mold Protection Act of 2004."
Mandates basic training for certain newly-appointed entry-level firefighters and supervisory training for full-time firefighters promoted to certain positions.
Adds members representing fire fighting and fire safety interests to the Domestic Security Preparedness Planning Group.
"Grace's Law;" requires health insurers, State Health Benefits Program and NJ FamilyCare to provide coverage for hearing aids for covered persons 18 and younger.
Exempts automotive repair dealers from the consumer fraud law under certain circumstances.
Supplemental appropriation of $50,000 to the Morris County Organization For Hispanic Affairs for its community outreach program.
Makes supplemental appropriation of $350,000 to DCA for a grant to National Burn Victim Foundation.
Supplemental appropriation of $85,000 to Division of Fire Safety in DCA to fund fire safety juvenile response education program.
Makes a supplemental appropriation of $200,000 to the Department of State for a grant to Art in the Atrium, Inc.
Expands enforcement of motor vehicle tire safety standards.
Increases loan limit amounts for modernizing emergency facilities, purchasing emergency vehicles and emergency equipment for volunteer emergency service organizations; appropriates $5 million.
Requires ATM facilities to be equipped with access to emergency telephone service.
Creates pilot program to create a database with certain information regarding public buildings and facilities for use by emergency service providers during an emergency; appropriates $5,000,000.
Supplemental appropriation of $500,000 to DHSS for defibrillator training for police and firefighters.
Supplemental appropriation of $100,000 to DHS for DYFS violence prevention training grant.
Provides for recalculation of PERS retirement allowance for subsequent public employment.
Permits municipalities to designate segments of certain highways as recreation or government facilities zones with 25 MPH speed limits.
Revises fines for drivers unable to exhibit a driver's license, insurance card or registration certificate.
Requires juveniles waived to adult court to be placed in adult incarceration facilities, separate from adult inmates.
Establishes identification guidelines and record-keeping requirements and revises fee schedules for notaries public.
Requires replacement of door and ignition locks on county and municipal vehicles prior to sale.
Establishes a sales tax holiday in New Jersey from August 26 through September 1, 2004.
Establishes a sales tax holiday in New Jersey from December 10 through December 25, 2004.
Creates "Children's Equal Rights Act."
Eliminates maximum age requirement for appointment as police officer or paid firefighter.
Requires insurers to provide minimum of 30 days inpatient treatment for substance abuse when physician determines treatment is medically necessary.
Establishes "Division of Developmental Disabilities Care and Maintenance Contribution Rate Appeals Board."
"Wastewater Treatment System Replacement Bond Act," authorizes bonds for $50,000,000 and appropriates $5,000.
Permits county prosecutors to appoint "victim-witness advocates" and "team coordinators" to assist in the implementation of county victim-witness programs.
Exempts Picatinny Arsenal conversion plan from the provisions of the "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act."
Designates New Jersey Route No. 15 as "Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway;" appropriates $2,500.
Provides for the inclusion of home-schooled students in the NJ STARS Program.
Requires municipalities that receive State aid to certify that all municipal buildings adhere to fire codes.
Gives Statewide police powers to certain county juvenile detention officers.
Establishes three regional superintendents of schools and eliminates the position of county superintendent of schools.
Creates the "Court Facilities Act of 2004."
Requires prescription drug label for brand name drug to include generic name of the drug dispensed.
Prohibits investment of certain public funds in companies doing business in countries that sponsor terrorism.
Appropriates $10,000 to restore veterans' monument in Roxbury Township.
Revises calculation of budget caps and increases allowable surplus for public school districts.
Prohibits DEP from classifying carbon dioxide as pollutant.
The "Dam, Lake, and Stream Restoration Bond Act of 2005," authorizes bonds for $200,000,000 and appropriates $5,000.
Allows certain taxpayers a one-time refundable gross income tax credit for gross income tax paid at highest rate of tax upon the gain from sale of small businesses.
Establishes a pothole repair and research program in the Department of Transportation and provides funding from new motor vehicle tire fee revenue.
Authorizes special license plate with proceeds to land acquisition in the Highlands.
Allows certain members of PFRS to serve until age 70 upon approval by municipal governing body.
Requires firefighters to obtain "firefighter 1" certification.
Prohibits local public entities from agreeing to finance employee's pension time buy-back.
Allows for certain variances, exemptions, and waivers under "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act."
Requires that governing board members of public institutions of higher education adhere to certain ethical standards; prescribes penalties for failure to adhere.
Establishes a State aid program for charter school facilities.
Creates procedure for destruction of all records pertaining to juveniles who are arrested but subsequently not charged with delinquency.
Abolishes Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, transfers bridges to NJ DOT and Penn DOT, removes tolls.
Allows the deduction of the costs of providing employee health benefits in calculating the corporation business tax alternative minimum assessment.
Allows consumer to purchase no more than 100 gallons of motor fuel at posted price in effect at time of purchase of pre-paid card.
Establishes pilot program to study feasibility of regionalization of certain school districts; appropriates $150,000.
Provides a sales and use tax exemption for sales of certain high-efficiency home heating equipment.
Provides for a presumption of joint physical custody in a child custody determination; addresses relocation.
"Hospital Infection Reporting Act."
Requires DHS to distribute certain federal grant monies directly to substance abuse prevention providers.
Requires Division of Criminal Justice to establish program to train municipal and county law enforcement officers to detect computer crime.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 19
Ends automatic adjustment of campaign contribution limits for committees; adjusts limits for candidate committees.
Establishes Inmate Education and Vocational Training Study Commission.
Excludes housing and subsistence allowances of members of active and reserve components of U.S. Armed Forces, and of National Guard members on State active duty, from taxable gross income. *
Allows corporation business tax and gross income tax credits to businesses providing employment to qualified handicapped persons at sheltered workshops.
Authorizes police training commission to contract for private entity's recommendations for pre-entry standards for police training academies. *
Extends certain benefits to veterans of Operations Northern and Southern Watch.
Establishes NJ STARS Program to provide scholarships for county college students. *
Requires certain public entities to competitively bid in order to provide pupil transportation services to a local school district.
Makes certain volunteer firefighters who were appointed to paid positions and currently in PERS eligible for transfer to PFRS. *
Establishes New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum (NJ QSAC), a new State monitoring system for public school districts.
Revises statutes governing New Jersey State Firemen's Association.
Appropriates moneys from the "Dam, Lake, Stream, Flood Control, Water Resources, and Wastewater Treatment Project Bond Act of 2003" for loans for dams restoration and repair projects and to finance the costs of State dam restoration and repair projects.
Expands membership and mission of Council on Armed Forces and Veterans' Affairs.
Establishes notification requirements in connection with public and private development proximate to certain military facilities.
Authorizes court to refrain from imposing driver's license suspension on defendant convicted of CDS offense if compelling circumstances exist.
Appropriates $75 million from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" for State acquisition or development of lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
Appropriates $15 million from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for farmland preservation purposes in Highlands Region.
Appropriates $31,415,464 from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for planning incentive grants to counties and municipalities for farmland preservation purposes.
Appropriates $25,389,500 from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" and various Green Acres bond funds for local government open space acquisition and park development projects in northern NJ.
Passed the Senate · 5
Implements the "Dam, Lake, Stream, Flood Control, Water Resources, and Wastewater Treatment Project Bond Act of 2003."
Expands responsibilities of "New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect."
Excludes Armed Services combat zone pay from gross income taxation.
Establishes Office of Environmental Law Enforcement in the Division of Criminal Justice in Department of Law and Public Safety; establishes Environmental Prosecutor. *
Amends and supplements the "New Jersey Parentage Act."
Out of committee · 29
Provides that information about location of a shelter for victims of domestic violence shall not be a public record.
Provides for annual cost-of-living increase in amount of Lifeline Credit and Tenants' Lifeline Assistance payment.
Requires blood alcohol testing for drivers in fatal accidents.
Establishes Prostate Cancer Awareness, Education and Research Program in DHSS; appropriates $1 million.
Requires acquisition of defibrillators for use in public and nonpublic high schools and training of certain personnel in usage; appropriates $900,000. *
Establishes September 11th Memorial License Plate; dedicates fees therefrom to support New Jersey World Trade Center Scholarship Fund. *
Permits the incorporation of ophthalmic dispensers and technicians.
Expands scope of New Jersey Regulatory Flexibility Act dealing with impact of rules on small businesses.
Revises charity care distribution formula.
Increases the amount of bonds issued for county college capital projects which qualify for State debt service aid support.
Limits liability of food producers, manufacturers, packers, distributers, carriers, holders, sellers, marketers and advertisers for claims arising out of weight gain or obesity. *
Authorizes payment of funeral expenses for certain qualified employees.
Authorizes bars and restaurants to offer special discounts based on sex under certain circumstances. *
Supplemental appropriation of $5 million to Division of State Police for additional police recruit class and communication system upgrades.
Makes a supplemental appropriation of donations received by the State for the New Jersey September 11th Memorial at Liberty State Park.
Prohibits investment of certain public funds in foreign companies doing business in Sudan. *
Expands definition of resident for purposes of State tuition aid grant eligibility to include a dependent child whose parent or guardian has been transferred to a military base in this State.
Appropriates $18,000,000 to provide grants for certain historic preservation projects; approves $4,979,092 thereof for certain historic preservation projects in northern NJ.
Modifies penalty for operating an aircraft while impaired, establishes blood alcohol content offense level and requires report of violation to FAA. *
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns for New Jersey National Guard members and their families in need of assistance.
Authorizes deer hunting with bow and arrow on Sundays.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns for the New Jersey World Trade Center Scholarship Fund.
Requires DOC to study deficiencies in facilities whenever certain inmate disturbances occur and to include needed improvements in budget request.
Increases maximum permitted fee differential in optometric continuing education programs charged by professional association to non-members.
Allows disabled veteran's surviving spouse to claim property tax exemption when veteran's disability declaration is granted after death.
Concerns availability, deductibles, and certain treatment under high deductible health plans paid through federally qualified health savings accounts. *
Supplemental appropriation of $750,000 to DHSS for Office on Women's Health.
Bars sex offenders from positions in youth serving organizations.
Makes FY2006 supplemental General Fund appropriations of $4 million to DHS for home heating assistance and $9 million for energy assistance programs. *
In committee · 90
The "New Jersey Bleacher Safety Act."
Requires State institutions of higher education and associated hospitals or medical facilities to obtain legislative approval of any name change.
Allows certain undocumented aliens to qualify for in-state tuition rates at public institutions of higher education.
Permits police officer to impound uninsured motor vehicle.
Establishes mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment without parole eligibility for crimes of criminal sexual contact committed against children.
Disqualifies workers from UI benefits for illegal workplace drug use.
"Women's Right to Know Act."
Eliminates redundant fingerprinting for certain gun permit applicants.
Requires principals and teachers of public schools to conduct an oral recitation from the Declaration of Independence before the opening of each school day in grades 3-12; appropriates $10,000.
Permits certain private health care institutions to determine circumstances under which it will decline to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining measures.
Provides automobile insurance premium reduction of 10% for completion of medical and safe driving program for senior citizens.
Requires health insurers to provide coverage for hearing aids.
Requires criminal history record background checks on certain volunteer sports personnel.
Provides for mandatory terms of imprisonment for certain sexual assaults upon a minor; amends murder statute; requires lifetime parole supervision for certain sex offenders.
Doubles amount of certain retirement income that may be excluded from gross income under the gross income tax.
Directs DHSS to adopt regulations prohibiting overcowding of animals in kennels, pet shops and other retail establishments; establishes penalties.
Prohibits sale of any dog by kennel, pet shop or other retail establishment without name, address and phone number of person providing dog thereto; establishes $500 fine for each violation.
Increases personal needs allowance to $50 for those persons currently residing in nursing facilities, State hospitals or State developmental centers.
Provides for regulation of certain call center communications by Division of Consumer Affairs.
Appropriates $3,400,000 to DCA to fund Watershed Moratorium Offset Aid.
Requires award of grants to remediate discharges from home heating oil tanks for applications filed prior to July 1, 2007.
Permits municipalities to appoint paid fire chiefs for paid and certain part-paid fire departments; clarifies duties and responsibilities.
Establishes the Commission on After-School Programs in DHS; appropriates $25,000.
Makes prisoners responsible for their own support and maintenance and provides the State with a lien for the cost thereof.
Classifies burglary of a residence as a crime of the second degree.
Requires health insurers, Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare to provide coverage for comprehensive program of pediatric feeding and swallowing services.
Requires DCA to promulgate certain fire safety regulations concerning furniture and furnishings purchased for use in residential premises and public buildings.
"Health Care Claims Payment Responsibility Act."
Limits school bus idle time to five minutes with certain exceptions.
"New Jersey Medical Care Access and Responsibility and Patients First Act."
Supplemental appropriation of $100,000 to DHS for public awareness campaign concerning "New Jersey Safe Haven Infant Protection Act."
Establishes a joint legislative and executive branch State Revenue Forecasting Integrity Commission to provide a revenue forecast for annual State budget purposes.
Increases PFRS disability, accidental death and special retirement benefits; increases members' contribution rate.
Permits a tax deduction under the New Jersey gross income tax for taxpayers who operate or maintain for their employees a licensed child care center or who have paid the cost of outside child care.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song.
Provides $100,000 military death benefit to State citizens killed on federal active duty; establishes "Fallen Patriots Memorial Fund."
Includes same sex marriages among marriages declared void; provides that New Jersey will not recognize marriages in other jurisdictions which are void in New Jersey.
Requires parental notification of abortion performed on minor.
Revises procedure for issuing permits to carry a handgun.
Establishes statutory standards to guide authorities in evaluating applications for permits to carry handguns.
Streamlines requirements for retired police officer to carry handgun.
Authorizes certain out-of-state police officers to carry handguns in this State.
Specifies criteria for funding domestic violence shelters.
Permits "Family Support Act" to reimburse for documented, unreimbursed costs, appropriates $100,000.
Supplemental appropriation of $1 million to DHSS for research in Ataxia Telangiectasia.
Provides for annual support from General Fund and appropriates $150,000 for current fiscal year for oyster resource enhancement program.
Authorizes comparable sales as primary appraisal method for assessment of county or municipally owned watershed lands.
Requires laws for police service benefits and fire service benefits to be the same.
Eliminates public school district budget reduction appeals to Commissioner of Education.
Prohibits filling of vacancy among candidates nominated at primaries after 48th and before 14th day before general election, except due to death; prohibits filling subsequent vacancies before elections.
Establishes involuntary outpatient commitment for certain persons who are mentally ill or gravely disabled and provides for involuntary inpatient commitment for certain persons who are gravely disabled.
Requires certain NJ Transit Corporation employees to undergo criminal history background checks and wear photo identification.
Revises filing requirements for minor subdivisions.
Authorizes counties and municipalities to adopt regulations limiting political contributions by contractors.
Exempts construction, expansion or renovation of buildings or other structures for police departments, fire departments, and volunteer first aid, emergency, ambulance or rescue squads from "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act."
Concerns affordable housing in the Highlands Region.
Provides that no more than four of the seven public members appointed to the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council may be of the same political party.
Authorizes marriages by proxy for certain persons serving overseas in the Armed Forces or National Guard.
Requires dam owners to prepare emergency action plan, and install alarm for certain dams.
Authorizes DEP to assess penalties for violations of the "Safe Dam Act."
Exempts sales of energy and utility service to manufacturing facilities from the sales and use tax and the transitional energy facility assessment (TEFA) unit rate surcharge.
Provides for regional economic impact report and review by affected municipalities for certain proposed large scale retail developments.
Clarifies that Fish and Game Council has sole authority to regulate freshwater fishing, hunting, and trapping.
Repeals law expediting certain State permits.
Restricts sale of yellow ribbons; dedicates proceeds to veterans.
"Billy's Law;" directs Department of Education to establish a register of qualified educational facilities outside the State for special education students and establishes procedures for the placement of such facilities on the register.
Increases the minimum wage in four steps to $7.25 on August 1, 2008.
Eliminates the "millionaire's" gross income tax rate increase and repeals the obsolete dedication of the tax increase for direct property tax relief.
Requires ELEC to provide ethics training for governmental affairs agents.
Requires all elected or appointed local government officers to receive ethics training.
Requires completion of legislative ethics training program for legislators and State officers or employees and special State officers or employees in Legislative Branch.
Requires DMVA to send Servicemembers' Advisory Notice to members of National Guard called to active duty.
Establishes Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act of 2005.
Designates September 11 each year "September 11 Remembrance Day" in New Jersey.
Requires county boards of chosen freeholders to establish county special services school districts.
Clarifies powers of public safety directors.
Requires interactive computer service to remove images, information, or data which depicts child engaged in prohibited sexual act from computer server or other storage device controlled or owned by the interactive computer service.
Authorizes special license emblems for Fraternal Order of Police members.
Requires breath or blood sample to be obtained from driver involved in motor vehicle accident resulting in death.
Authorizes appointment by counties of special law enforcement officers to supplement staff of sheriff's officers.
Requires portion of State rental assistance grants be reserved for graduates of State veterans' transitional housing program.
Requires bid proposal documents to include traffic safety requirements.
Requires line item disclosure of all State revenues and appropriations in the Governor's budget proposal, and in bills pending in the Legislature or enacted in this State; eliminates off-budget State spending.
Implements the economic indicator recommendations of the Commissioner of Education on Abbott district designation.
Establishes involuntary outpatient commitment to treatment for persons in need of involuntary commitment.
Provides for DCA to set maximum loan amounts to volunteer emergency service organizations to purchase vehicles and equipment.
Exempts certain physician-owned or operated ambulatory health care facilities from ambulatory care gross receipts assessment if facility is Medicaid or NJ Family Care provider.
Eliminates use of vaccines containing mercury over three years.
Supplemental appropriation of $350,000 for Camp Marcella.
Authorizes special "Born to Run" license plate with proceeds to benefit Community FoodBank of New Jersey.