Bills in the 2008–2009 Session, Senate.
Anthony R. Bucco
Sponsored
Became law2
Imposes conditions on drivers approaching stopped emergency vehicles, tow trucks or highway maintenance vehicles displaying flashing lights.
Requires DCF to provide Safe Haven information to county and municipal agencies, social service agencies, physicians, pregnancy crisis centers, adoption agencies and colleges and universities. *
Passed the Senate1
Makes certain requirements concerning downhill skiing.
Out of committee10
Authorizes imposition of additional fines for overcrowding.
Permits municipalities to offer prescription drug benefit to certain retired volunteer firefighters and other emergency aid volunteers.
Authorizes certain law enforcement officers and corrections officers to possess and use stun guns while on duty.
Requires replacement of door and ignition locks on county and municipal vehicles prior to sale.
Exempts sale of recreational safety helmets from sales and use tax.
Allows military personnel extended period to qualify for exclusion of capital gain from income of the sale or exchange of a principal residence.
Clarifies that automatic sprinkler system is exempt from taxation under certain circumstances.
Codifies Lyme disease reporting requirements.
Prohibits sale and distribution of novelty lighters. *
Authorizes institutions of higher education to grant college credit to high school students who complete the Jersey Boys State or Jersey Girls State program. *
In committee94
Provides for a presumption of joint physical custody in a child custody determination; addresses relocation.
Requires HIV testing for pregnant women and marriage license applicants.
Appropriates $10,000 to restore veterans' monument in Roxbury Township.
Increases Hearing Aid Assistance for the Aged and Disabled Program allowance to $500 per year.
Establishes "Division of Developmental Disabilities Care and Maintenance Contribution Rate Appeals Board."
Requires insurers to provide minimum of 30 days inpatient treatment for substance abuse when physician determines treatment is medically necessary.
Requires training in diabetes care for certain school employees and use of medical management plans in schools for students with diabetes.
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.
Gives Statewide police powers to certain county juvenile detention officers.
Establishes back-to-school sales tax holiday in New Jersey from August 26 through September 1, 2006.
Establishes sales tax holiday in New Jersey from December 10 through December 25, 2006.
Requires public school districts to provide instruction on "New Jersey Safe Haven Infant Protection Act" as part of core curriculum content standards.
Authorizes trained and qualified county corrections officers to carry a firearm at all times in New Jersey.
Decreases membership of county boards of taxation to 2004 level.
Provides for the transfer of special education State aid from a student's former district of residence to present district of residence.
Requires insurers and SHBP to provide coverage for expenses incurred in screening for ovarian cancer.
Allows for certain variances, exemptions, and waivers under "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act."
Requires the reporting of criminal offenses occurring on school property to law enforcement authorities.
Individual's status as minor shall not disqualify him from bone marrow donation.
Requires health insurers to provide coverage for positron emission tomography to diagnose Alzheimer's disease.
Allows taxpayers to deduct adoption expenses from gross income.
Provides for conscientious exemption to mandatory immunizations.
Permits Legislature to void closing of State psychiatric hospital or developmental center.
Adds members representing fire fighting and fire safety interests to the Domestic Security Preparedness Planning Group.
Clarifies that crime victims' rights must be recognized by all courts in the State.
Clarifies that using motor vehicle to publicly display obscene material is fourth degree crime.
Increases certain arson offenses to a crime of the third degree.
Establishes "William's Law," pertaining to pool safety.
Provides that English shall be the official language of the State.
Requires firefighters to obtain "firefighter 1" certification.
Abolishes Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, transfers bridges to NJ DOT and Penn DOT, removes tolls.
Requires ATM facilities to be equipped with access to emergency telephone service.
Provides for attachment of real property relating to terrorism.
Prohibits sale and distribution of certain tobacco related products to persons under 19 years of age.
Removes investigation and security services from sales and use tax.
Exempts municipal clerk from penalties for Open Public Records Act violations under certain circumstances.
Provides for the inclusion of home-schooled students in the NJ STARS Program.
Establishes free smoke detector program in DCA.
The "New Jersey Bleacher Safety Act."
Requires MVC to accept death certificate as proof of name change.
Authorizes handicapped parking privileges for certain healthcare workers transporting handicapped persons.
Removes income limit for eligibility to receive homestead property tax reimbursement.
Waives fee to obtain State and national criminal history record background checks for volunteers and affiliates of certain organizations.
Provides certified municipal fire inspectors and fire officials having more than four consecutive years service with tenure in office.
Requires municipalities that receive State aid to certify that all municipal buildings adhere to fire codes.
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.
Provides for recoupling of the computation of the New Jersey estate tax in accord with the federal estate tax.
Allows members of PERS Prosecutors Part to purchase credit in Prosecutors Part for previous prosecutor service credited as regular PERS service.
Grants certain leaves of absence for Vietnam Veterans of America conventions.
Grants immunity from civil liability to persons who give good faith report of terroristic activity or threats.
Exempts certain motor vehicle repair dealers from consumer fraud law and regulation under certain circumstances.
"New Jersey G.I. Bill"; provides higher education benefits to New Jersey veterans.
Provides corporations business tax and gross income tax credits for employers who support community rehabilitation programs.
"Toxic Mold Protection Act of 2008."
Extends eligibility for N.J. World Trade Center Scholarship Program to dependents and spouses of persons totally and permanently disabled as a result of exposure to the attack sites.
Imposes fine on owner of dog which attacks or otherwise interferes with guide or service dog.
Mandates basic training for certain newly-appointed entry-level firefighters and supervisory training for full-time firefighters promoted to certain positions.
Provides two-year window for persons to transfer, render inoperable or surrender assault firearm.
Excludes certain federal employee Thrift Savings Fund contributions from gross income under the gross income tax.
"Post-Viability Protection Act."
Grants immunity from civil liability to persons reporting information concerning crimes related to terrorism.
Prohibits investment of certain public funds in companies doing business in countries that sponsor terrorism.
Requires managed care plans to deem valid referral for a covered health care service as satisfying requirements for prior notification.
Creates procedure for destruction of all records pertaining to juveniles who are arrested but subsequently not charged with delinquency.
Provides a sales and use tax exemption for sales of certain high-efficiency home heating equipment.
Allows a deduction against New Jersey gross income for bicycle commuters.
Appropiates $600,000 to the Lake Hopatcong Commission from constitutionally dedicated Corporation Business Tax revenues.
Requires all new State buildings to have solar or geothermal energy systems, where feasible.
Requires State to purchase alternative fuel, alternative technology, hybrid, and fuel efficient vehicles.
Allows certain members of PFRS to serve until age 70 upon approval by municipal governing body.
Authorizes a motion to dismiss in a cause of action (a "SLAPP" suit) arising from a defendant's valid exercise of the constitutional rights of freedom of speech.
Requires drivers to move over and stop when approached by vehicle with blue emergency warning lights; increases penalties.
Prohibits candidate for public office from giving or selling ticket to entertainment event to person or committee that made contribution to candidate; eliminates exemption.
Establishes mutual aid assistance request protocols for 9-1-1 ambulance dispatchers.
Grants roadside diesel bus and truck emissions inspection authority to municipal police; grants authority to police for random inspections for size and weight.
Requires State to purchase energy efficient and hybrid vehicles; provides for phase-in of the requirement.
Requires display of State vehicle abuse hotline bumper stickers on all State vehicles.
Revises and expands duties and responsibilities of State Auditor in performance of certain audits and reviews.
Establishes Lake Hopatcong Fund, dedicates $700,000 annually from pleasure boat registration fees to that fund, and appropriates $700,000 for FY2009.
Prohibits certain towing practices.
Authorizes submission of certification of remediation at unregulated heating oil tank sites by certain persons; requires use of contractors by DEP to review site remediation submissions.
Prohibits State agencies from posting emergency medical technicians' personal information on web sites.
Requires security guards at institutions of higher education which do not employ police officers to immediately report crimes committed on campus to the local police department.
Provides for reciprocity of certain out-of-State EMT certification.
Requires bail enforcement agent identification cards and badges.
Appropriates $600,000 from "Clean Waters Bond Act of 1976" for Lake Hopatcong Commission.
Abolishes offices of superintendent of elections and deputy superintendent; transfers powers and duties thereof to county commissioner of registration or county board of elections.
Requires designated fire command structure in municipal emergency operations plans involving mutual aid responses to fires.
Establishes a State aid program for charter school facilities.
Makes residential fire extinguisher requirement optional at municipal level.
Expands membership of Police Training commission to include representative from the Italian American Police Society of New Jersey.
Increases penalties for luring a child and kidnapping.
Restores the death penalty for persons who commit certain murders.
Changes membership of Lake Hopatcong Commission and requires DEP to develop water level management plan for Lake Hopatcong to be approved by commission.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 16
"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.
Bars certain sex offenders from positions in youth serving organizations.
Establishes involuntary commitment to outpatient treatment for person in need of involuntary commitment to treatment. *
Appropriates $33 million from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" for State acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
Revises deadline for selection of delegates for annual convention of New Jersey State Firemen's Association.
Expands State law enforcement powers of United States Park Police.
Requires criminal history background checks for paid firefighters employed by fire districts.
Makes changes to PERS and TPAF concerning retirement age, eligibility, purchase of service credit; makes various changes to SHBP administration; merges Washington and Lincoln holidays for State employees in Presidents Day. *
Appropriates $27.75 million from "2007" Farmland Preservation Fund" and "Garden State Farmland Preservation Fund" for planning incentive grants to municipalities for farmland preservation purposes.
Appropriates $49.65 million from "2007" Farmland Preservation Fund" for farmland preservation purposes.
Appropriates $6.45 million from "2007" Farmland Preservation Fund" and "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for grants to certain nonprofit organizations 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.
Appropriates $66 million from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund," "2007 Green Acres Fund," and "2007 Blue Acres Fund" for State acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes, including Blue Acres projects.
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.
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.
Makes emergency medical technician certification valid for five years.
Passed the Senate · 1
Concerns collection of surplus lines premiums receipts tax dedicated to firemen's relief fund.
Out of committee · 24
Eliminates throwout of receipts in allocation of entire net income under the corporation business tax; eliminates "regular place of business" requirement to allocate less than 100% of income to New Jersey.
Broadens small qualified business exception under UEZ sales tax rebate program.
Requires use of uniform silver flags to mark certain pesticide applications.
Establishes requirements for non face-to-face sales of cigarettes and tobacco products. *
Allows gross income tax credit for purchase of health club memberships by taxpayers 55 and older.
Allows application for PERS accidental disability benefit for injury sustained while employed at State psychiatric institution or correctional facility immediately prior to PERS membership.
"Transparency in Government Act;" provides for establishment of State public finance website.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns for active duty members of United States Armed Forces, Reserve components thereof, and National Guard from New Jersey. *
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.
Concerns chiropractic scope of practice. *
Requires consumer complaints to licensing boards of regulated professions to be resolved within 120 days. *
Increases personal needs allowance to $50 for those persons currently residing in nursing facilities, State hospitals or State developmental centers. *
Requires bittering agent to be added to certain engine coolants and antifreeze to render it unpalatable.
Concerns homeowners insurance coverage with respect to dogs.
Extends payment of accidental death benefit in PFRS, SPRS, PERS and TPAF to survivors of certain members of reserve component of Armed Forces and National Guard. *
Establishes "New Jersey Fire and EMS Crisis Intervention Services" telephone hotline.
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. **
The "Permit Extension Act of 2008."
Allows State to offer incentive to employees with non-SHBP health care coverage to waive SHBP benefits.
Permits State aid to fund start-up costs for local shared services projects.
Authorizes parent or guardian to request use of individualized health care plan for student with diabetes and provides for the emergency administration of glucagon for certain students.
Establishes registry of offenders of individuals with developmental disabilities in DHS.
Requires schools to provide eligible high school students with voter registration material.
Requires confirmation of financial assistance for eligible homeowners voluntarily closing or replacing petroleum underground storage tanks, and expands eligibility for financial assistance. *
In committee · 92
Provides mandatory minimum terms and fines for persons who travel to another municipality and sell or purchase controlled dangerous substances there.
Requires reduction in number of State employees to FY2000 level; establishes procedure to control creation of new State positions and filling of vacancies.
Ends the transitional energy facilities assessment, caps the State use portion of State energy tax revenues and ensures the balance of such State revenues are paid annually as municipal aid.
"Jessica Lunsford Act;" concerns sentencing of sex offenders and persons who harbor them; requires electronic monitoring for certain sex offenders and creates child protection zones.
Provides that a homestead owner who is 65 years of age or older or disabled shall not receive a homestead rebate of less than $1,440.
"Women's Right to Know Act."
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.
Extends application period for retired police officers to carry firearms.
Requires that each school district receive a minimum of 35% State support of its net budget and that a minimum of 35% of the net budget be supported through local tax levy.
Requires health insurers to provide coverage for hearing aids.
Clarifies tenure protections for exempt firemen in public employment.
Requires licenses to conduct business in tobacco products under the New Jersey Tobacco Products Wholesale Sales and Use Tax Act.
Limits liability of food producers, manufacturers, packers, distributers, carriers, holders, sellers, marketers and advertisers for claims arising out of weight gain or obesity.
Authorizes bars and restaurants to offer special discounts to certain persons under certain circumstances.
Implements the economic indicator recommendations of the Commissioner of Education on Abbott district designation.
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.
Reduces the sales and use tax from 7% to 6%.
Provides that regular work week of all newly-hired full-time State or local government employees will be 40 hours.
Lowers the minimum full-time jobs requirement for business relocation and retention tax credits.
Requires certain NJ Transit Corporation employees to undergo criminal history background checks and wear photo identification.
Eliminates use of vaccines containing mercury over three years.
Doubles amount of certain retirement income that may be excluded from gross income under the gross income tax.
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.
Directs DHSS to adopt regulations prohibiting overcrowding of animals in kennels, pet shops and other retail establishments; establishes penalties.
Establishes a joint legislative and executive branch State Revenue Forecasting Integrity Commission to provide a revenue forecast for annual State budget purposes.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as State song.
Provides $100,000 military death benefit to State citizens killed on federal active duty; establishes "Fallen Patriots Memorial Fund."
Repeals law expediting certain State permits.
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."
"Historic Property Reinvestment Act"; provides credits against certain taxes for certain costs of rehabilitating historic properties.
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.
Provides for DCA to set maximum loan amounts to volunteer emergency service organizations to purchase vehicles and equipment.
Extends eligibility for total property tax exemption to 100% disabled Cold War veterans; requires State to reimburse municipality for local tax revenue loss.
The "Public Dam Rehabilitation Project Bond Act," authorizes bonds for $90,000,000 and appropriates $5,000.
"Thomas P. Canzanella Twenty First Century First Responders Protection Act"; concerns workers' compensation for public safety workers.
Repeals cosmetic medical procedure gross receipts tax.
Removes limousine services from sales and use tax imposition.
Provides for mandatory imprisonment and forfeiture of retirement benefits for public officers or employees convicted of certain crimes.
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Sets States mileage reimbursement rate at IRS rate for business use of automobile.
Revises criteria for eligibility to receive homestead property tax reimbursement.
"Kyleigh's Law"; revises laws concerning provisional driver's licenses.
Eliminates maximum age requirement for appointment as police officer or paid firefighter.
Prohibits DOT from putting tolls on I-78 and I-80 and from transferring jurisdiction to independent authority or entity.
Grandfathers use of certain dry cleaning equipment and machinery and perchloroethylene by dry cleaners.
Creates alternate voting members on county agriculture development boards.
Permits limited exchange of certain juvenile information to facilitate delivery of services to at risk children and their families.
"Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act."
Increases membership of Fish and Game Council and clarifies it has sole authority to regulate freshwater fishing, hunting, and trapping.
Permits certain motor vehicle offenders to apply for a restricted use license.
Requires physicians and other prescribers to obtain informed consent from parents or guardians of minors for certain medications with "black box warning."
Abolishes Department of the Public Advocate.
Clarifies that car pools are not subject to regulation as school buses.
Prohibits use of public funds for embryonic stem cell research.
David's Law; establishes crime of negligent vehicular homicide.
Authorizes "100 percent Disabled Veteran" license plates for qualified veterans; entitles holders to handicapped parking privileges.
Permits direct shipping of wine to New Jersey consumers.
Eliminates throwout of receipts in allocation of entire net income under the corporation business tax.
Authorizes special Gold Star Family license plates.
Clarifies certain standards for regulation of recreational vehicles as housing.
Creates New Jersey Youth Legislature; makes an appropriation.
"Dietitian/Nutritionist Licensing Act."
Requires State and local emergency operations plans include provisions to address needs of families of emergency responders serving during a disaster or emergency.
Revises "Predatory Towing Prevention Act."
Requires MVC to offer driver's license knowledge test in Italian.
"The New Jersey Healthcare Choice Act"; permits health insurers licensed in other states to provide coverage in New Jersey under certain circumstances.
Enhances PFRS accidental death pension benefit for survivors of member serving in nonsupervisory rank.
"Zero-Based Budget Act;" requires State Treasurer to develop and integrate certain zero-based budgeting practices and procedures in preparation and submission of Governor's annual budget message.
Requires motorists to stop for pedestrians in or waiting to enter crosswalks.
Revises Special Municipal Aid program.
Designated the Shop Here, Save Money, Secure Jobs Act of 2008; establishes sales and use tax rate reduction period from November 28, 2008 through January 4, 2009, sets reduction period tax rate at 3.5%.
Revises laws governing provision of affordable housing; reestablishes regional contribution agreement as method of meeting affordable housing obligation; repeals Statewide non-residential development fee.
Authorizes black bear hunting permits and permit fees, and clarifies Fish and Game council authority over bear hunting.
Extends expiration date of special appraisal process for Green Acres and farmland preservation programs from 2009 to 2014 for lands in Highlands Region.
Provides full forfeiture of pension of elected or appointed official convicted of any crime touching office.
Authorizes free hunting, fishing, and trapping for certain retired military personnel.
Authorizes free admission to State parks and forests for retired veterans living in NJ and their immediate family members.
Requires Attorney General to seize campaign funds of convicted candidates; prohibits convicted criminal offenders from making contributions to candidates and committees.
Requires training and registration for in-house security officers.
Provides for immediate driver's license suspension under certain circumstances.
Permits sheriffs, local police, and county corrections facilities to hire certain laid off officers without utilizing Civil Service lists.
Consumer Relief Act of 2009; establishes temporary sales and use tax rate reduction periods for sales of certain goods and services.
Permits person with developmental disability and legal guardian to audio record sessions of interdisciplinary team in which person or guardian participates.
Abolishes Council on Affordable Housing for failure to comply with legislative directives.
Removes authority of MVC to increase certain fees; sets certain fees by statute.
Allows corporation business tax credit and gross income tax credit for certain unreimbursed psychiatric treatment of veterans.
Establishes crime of initiating a false "Amber Alert."
Provides enhanced penalties for making a false report to law enforcement authorities in certain circumstances.