Bills in the 2014–2015 Session, Senate.
Jim Whelan
Sponsored
Became law8
Authorizes a teacher leader endorsement to the instructional certificate.
Exempts disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients from payment of municipal parking meter fees when their vehicles bear a disabled veteran's or Purple Heart license plate or placard issued by New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.*
Permits Internet gaming equipment to be located at certain secure facilities in Atlantic City.
Permits voter registration of certain persons at age17 for voting at next election occurring on or after18th birthday.
Requires each State agency to review permits issued by the agency and make necessary changes to expedite and facilitate permitting.
Allows casino and out-of-State racetrack to negotiate amount casino will pay for simulcast races.
Creates definition of certified.*
Makes fraudulent use of social security number to collect lottery winnings crime of fourth degree.
Vetoed1
Increases from 17 to 21 public members of New Jersey State Council on the Arts; requires members to be residents of NJ; imposes specific criteria for four new members initially appointed.*
Passed the Senate5
Revises "Overseas Residents Absentee Voting Law;" to mirror federal law; permits overseas voters to vote in any election; permits use of federal write-in absentee ballot to vote, register or request ballot for all elections.
Provides certain small businesses impacted by Hurricane Sandy a corporation business tax or gross income tax credit for certain reinvestment in shore municipalities.
Permits municipality to sell certain impounded vehicles.
Establishes "Atlantic City Growth Tax Credit Program" to grant tax credits to promote the development of non-rental housing in Atlantic City.
Voids deed restrictions on publicly-owned or leased property in Atlantic City Tourism District; grants public entity 18 months to sell property or submit public use plan.
Out of committee26
Provides sales and use tax exemption for compressed natural gas used to fuel certain bus operation.
Establishes criteria and requirements for shore protection project priority list and funding from Shore Protection Fund.
Establishes pilot program within Office of Emergency Management to provide zero-interest loans to certain gas stations that install appropriate wiring for generators.
Requires certain bidders for prevailing wage public work to provide proof that the prevailing wage will be paid.
Establishes pilot program to utilize value-based benefit design in SHBP to increase health benefits coverage for certain employees concerning chronic health conditions.
Increases State hotel and motel occupancy fee revenues required to be annually appropriated to fund certain arts and cultural, historical, and tourism-related programs and activities.
Exempts certain persons from HVACR licensing requirement; clarifies definition of heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration.
Authorizes public financing of primary election campaigns to fill gubernatorial vacancy and general election campaigns to fill vacancy in offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor.
"Military Dependents Scholarship Fund Act"; provides college scholarships to the spouses and children of those killed, missing in action or disabled in Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn.
Makes construction work on public utilities subject to "The Public Works Contractor Registration Act."
Eliminates voter registration and in-district residency requirements for certain petition circulators; eliminates in-district residency requirement for petition circulators for partisan primary nominations; establishes petition circulator criteria. *
Establishes Equipment Loan Program in NJ Environmental Infrastructure Trust; changes submission and approval requirements for financial plan.
Allows person to request voluntary exclusion from gaming activities without acknowledging being problem gambler.
"Mainland Memoriam Act"; directs MVC to create graduated driver's license informational material to be distributed by motor vehicle dealers.
Authorizes snow removal from covered fire hydrants and locator pole installation.
Requires fire suppression systems in new single and two family homes.
Codifies "Project Medicine Drop" program; requires Division of Consumer Affairs to maintain secure prescription medicine drop-off receptacles at certain law enforcement agencies.*
Requires pharmacies and prescribers to notify patients about how to ensure proper and safe disposal of unused prescription drugs.
Establishes central registry for sickle cell trait diagnoses; provides for informational outreach and genetic counseling.
Permits educational research and services corporations to act as lead procurement agencies for local units, and publically supported educational institutions; permits Council of County Colleges to act as lead procurement agency for county colleges.*
Prohibits eligibility for certain sign programs from being conditioned on availability of free drinking water or public telephone.
Permits administration of epinephrine auto-injector device by persons who complete approved educational program.
Excludes from gross income compensation paid to members of district boards of election for services rendered in elections.
Requires BPU to render decision on case within 12 months of final public hearing or hold another public hearing prior to deciding case.
Enters New Jersey in multistate Nurse Licensure Compact.*
Authorizes local units of government subject to "Local Public Contracts Law" and "Public School Contracts Law" to use electronic procurement technologies.
In committee24
Concerns various authorities, boards, commissions, councils, divisions, and task forces.
"The Reliability, Preparedness, and Storm Response Act"; requires public utilities to file certain information concerning emergency preparedness with BPU and increases certain penalties.
Requires simple majority for proposal to increase school tax levy above tax levy growth limit.
Authorizes Office of Public Defender to provide legal representation for child in proceedings after parental rights have been terminated.
Provides that certain disabled veterans may purchase special automobile insurance policies.
Permits veteran's property tax deduction for tax year when veteran was previously qualified to receive deduction and became owner of real property after October 1 of pretax year.
Revises calculation of assessments concerning certain casino licensee fees; clarifies certain conditions of employment concerning Atlantic City Tourism District; makes non-gaming tourism district and certain CRDA project site properties eligible for tax c
Immunizes from civil liability first responders who forcibly enter property to provide emergency assistance.
Permits liens in favor of planned real estate development associations for unpaid assessments in planned real estate developments.
Requires Department of Agriculture to publish on its website information concerning wineries and community supported agriculture entities in NJ.
Clarifies that a single State college may enter into a joint purchasing agreement with other contracting units.
Establishes small business loan guarantee program in EDA to support capital purchases and operating expenses and permits certain qualified businesses in regional centers to qualify for certain EDA loans.
Prohibits retail mercantile establishments from imposing surcharges on consumer credit card purchases.
Concerns eligibility for certain leave and benefit programs.
Permits NJ boat manufacturers to qualify for EDA loans for renewable energy technology, equipment, or systems.
Provides supplemental enrollment growth aid to districts that experienced significant enrollment growth; appropriates $21,881,000 to DOE.
Requires electric public utilities to conduct vegetation management adjacent to service lines on certain real properties.
The "Smart Container Act."
Establishes procedure for licensure of timeshare salespersons.
Provides supplemental appropriation of $85,000 from Property Tax Relief Fund to DCA for consolidation study of certain school districts in Atlantic County.
Provides credits against corporation business and gross income taxes for qualified farmers that develop housing for their agricultural workforce.
Directs DOT, NJTA, and SJTA to permit certain wineries to participate in certain sign programs on freeways, interstate highways, and toll roads.
Imposes gross consideration tax on certain casino licensees for performance of certain services in house for tax avoidance purposes.
Establishes Medicaid program to provide housing-related services to individuals experiencing chromic homelessness.
Carried from the General Assembly
Became law8
Requires pharmacies and prescribers to notify patients about how to ensure proper and safe disposal of unused prescription drugs.
"Military Dependents Scholarship Fund Act"; provides college scholarships to the spouses and children of those killed, missing in action or disabled in Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn.
Codifies "Project Medicine Drop" program; requires Division of Consumer Affairs to maintain secure prescription medicine drop-off receptacles at certain law enforcement agencies.*
Authorizes snow removal from covered fire hydrants and locator pole installation.*
"Mainland Memoriam Act"; directs MVC to create graduated driver's license informational material to be distributed by motor vehicle dealers.
Prohibits eligibility for certain sign programs from being conditioned on availability of free drinking water or public telephone.
Permits educational research and services corporations to act as lead procurement agencies for local units, and publically supported educational institutions; permits Council of County Colleges to act as lead procurement agency for county colleges.*
Permits administration of epinephrine auto-injector device by persons who complete approved educational program.
Vetoed4
Requires certain bidders for prevailing wage public work to provide proof that the prevailing wage will be paid.
Requires fire suppression systems in new single and two family homes.
Excludes from gross income compensation paid to members of district boards of election for services rendered in elections.
Requires BPU to render decision on case within 12 months of final public hearing or hold another public hearing prior to deciding case.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 9
Reduces number of voters for whom person can serve as messenger; limits to three number of voted mail-in ballots transmittable by bearer; modifies conviction standard under vote by mail law.
Provides standards for, and requires registration of, home elevation contractors.*
Eliminates exemption from noise control restrictions for certain bars in Atlantic City Tourism District.*
Partially repeals prohibitions, permits, licenses, and authorizations concerning wagers on professional, collegiate, or amateur sport contests or athletic events.
Authorizes certain county veteran identification cards to serve as proof of status for veteran designation on driver's license or identification card.
Provides partial exemption and maximum sales and use tax imposition amount for sales and uses of boats and vessels; establishes grace period for use tax imposition on certain boats and vessels used by resident purchasers.*
Establishes requirements for training programs for homemaker-home health aides in care of patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.*
Establishes a process to integrate certain health data and other data from publicly supported programs for population health research.*
Authorizes DEP to require public access to waterfront and adjacent shoreline as condition of waterfront development approvals and CAFRA permits.
Vetoed · 7
Establishes innovation zone program to stimulate technology industry clusters around New Jersey's research institutions; allows certain technology businesses located in certain innovation zones to receive certain tax credits under Grow New Jersey Assistan
Requires paint producers to implement or participate in paint stewardship program.*
Prohibits employment discrimination based on applicant employment status.
Establishes "Police Officer, Firefighter, Public School Teacher, Corrections Officer, and Sanitation Worker Home-buyer Assistance Act."; appropriates $5 million.*
Partially repeals prohibitions against sports wagering at racetracks and casinos in New Jersey.
Permits public-private partnership agreements for certain building and highway infrastructure projects; provides for EDA oversight.
Permits BPU to approve qualified wind energy project; requires BPU to provide application periods for those projects.*
Passed the Senate · 11
Provides for representation of certain regions of State on New Jersey Turnpike Authority.
Requires New Jersey Turnpike Authority to hold regular meetings in various counties in the State.
Permits municipalities and school districts to contract for video monitoring systems to assist in enforcing law against unlawfully passing a school bus.
Requires availability of early voting for certain elections; makes appropriation.
Transfers responsibility for establishment and enforcement of ethical standards for local officials to State Ethics Commission.**
Designates May of each year "Military Appreciation Month" in New Jersey.
Allows veteran or personal representative to withdraw honorable discharge papers from county clerk.
Authorizes special Support Our Veterans license plate with proceeds supporting New Jersey homeless veteran's centers.
Requires health care practitioners to inform patients of addiction potential of controlled dangerous substances prior to issuing prescription.
Requires hospital patient's medical record to include notation if patient has Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.
Prohibits investment by State of pension and annuity funds in companies that boycott Israel or Israeli businesses.
Out of committee · 30
Requires government records to be made available on the Internet and permits custodian to advise requester of the record to obtain record directly from Internet.*
Revises penalty provisions for certain drunk driving violations, including use of and applicable time periods covering driver's license suspensions and installations of ignition interlock devices on motor vehicles.*
Requires gubernatorial candidates' statements be posted online.
Revises law concerning the purchase of scrap metal.
"Government Energy Reliability and Savings Public-Private Partnership Act."
"New Jersey Tuition Equality for America's Military (NJTEAM) Act"; provides in-State tuition at New Jersey public institutions of higher education to military veterans and certain family members living in New Jersey.
Directs New Jersey Turnpike Authority and South Jersey Transportation Authority to study and report on potential revenue generating services of rest areas and service plazas. *
Authorizes permits for certain New Jersey casinos for interstate and foreign Internet wagering; requires Internet gaming payment processors be licensed as casino service industry enterprises.
Concerns property taxes due and owing on real property damaged or destroyed during, or as the result of, a natural disaster when a state of emergency is declared by the Governor. *
Allows certain State agencies to sell Internet advertisements on agencies' websites as pilot program.*
Excludes certain district boards of election poll workers from employee wage withholding and coverage under UI, TDI, and family disability leave insurance programs.
Imposes tax on certain State lottery winnings to finance grant program for not-for-profit entities operating after school programs in certain districts.
Requires one-time application for requesting services for individuals with developmental disabilities from DCF and DHS.
Establishes certain requirements for hospitals regarding patient-designated caregivers.
Requires Secretary of State to establish secure Internet website for online voter registration; authorizes use of digitized signatures from New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission's database.
Prohibits existing child care subsidy recipient from being treated as a new applicant for subsidy after moving to a new county of residence.
"Casino Property Taxation Stabilization Act."
Requires holder of casino license to provide certain employees with certain health care and retirement benefits.
Authorizes supplemental State aid to school districts in municipality with significant decrease in commercial property valuation; makes appropriation.
Reallocates casino investment alternative tax to Atlantic City to pay debt service on municipal bonds issued.
Removes provisions of law relating to Atlantic City Alliance.
Provides diamondback terrapins protection as nongame indigenous species.
New Jersey Stolen Valor Act; makes unauthorized use of military uniforms, medals or insignias, and certain false statements regarding receipt of military awards with intent to obtain benefit crimes of third degree.
Provides gross income tax credit for A-list performing artists for income derived from certain live performances contracted for and rendered within the Atlantic City Tourism District on a recurring basis and within the State.
Permits municipal, county, and regional police and fire forces to establish five-year residency requirement for police officers and firefighters; allows exceptions to requirement under certain circumstances.*
"New Jersey Secure Choice Savings Program Act"; establishes retirement savings program for certain workers.
Creates workforce training program for former casino workers.
Authorizes operation of lottery courier services.
Expands timeframe for renewal of driver's license, registration, and inspection by military personnel and immediate family members under certain circumstances.
"Healthy Small Food Retailer Act"; provides funding to small food retailers to sell fresh and nutritious food.
In committee · 38
Requires labeling of foods containing genetically modified material.
The "Bio-based Heating Oil Act."
Authorizes free hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and free admission to State parks and forests for individuals with certain types of military service.
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Makes a $3 million supplemental appropriation for increased Per Capita Library Aid.
Establishes special license plates for honorably discharged veterans.
Permits a board of education to adopt a salary policy of up to five years.
Authorizes special license plates for members of the United States Coast Guard.
Authorizes South Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Association license plates with proceeds to veterans' and emergency management operations.
The "Safe Playing Fields Act"; restricts use of lawn care pesticides at child care centers and certain schools.
"Carryout Bag Reduction and Recycling Act."
Requires development and implementation of mitigation plans for radon contamination in certain child care centers; requires DOE to develop such plans for child care centers operating in public schools, request funding, and implement plans when funded.
The "Preserve New Jersey Act of 2013"; implements constitutional dedication of sales tax revenue for preservation of open space, including lands that protect water supplies and flood prone areas, farmland, and historic properties.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as State song.
Removes authority of MVC to increase certain fees; sets certain fees by statute.
Allows establishment of county-wide purchasing system for certain school district services in certain counties; offers employment protections for certain food or custodial services employees; and regulates subcontracting by districts and public higher edu
Concerns arbitration for certain non-teaching school staff.
Waives commercial driver's license fees for certain volunteer firefighters.
Establishes gross income tax credit for cost of certain postage for sending goods to members of United States Armed Forces and National Guard who are serving their country away from home.
Allows tax credits for development of qualified wind energy facilities in certain portfield sites.
Clarifies that crime victim has a right to make a victim impact statement directly to the defendant at sentencing.
Revises "Local Bond Law" provisions to exempt certain energy projects from appropriation requirement for five percent down payment.
Authorizes Secretary of Higher Education to impose a fine against an institution of higher education that fails to appropriately respond to a student's allegation of sexual assault by another student.
Concerns subcontracting agreements entered into by public school districts and higher education institutions.
Revises laws concerning access to medical marijuana.
Provides courts with sentencing discretion for certain convictions concerning possession of a firearm.
Requires health care provider participating in carrier network to give notice to covered person of provider's referral to out-of-network provider.
Provides credits under corporation business tax and gross income tax for qualified wages of certain disabled veterans.
Requires pharmacies to install and maintain secure prescription medication drop-off receptacles, and Division of Consumer Affairs to post receptacle location information online.
Authorizes health care practitioners to provide health care services through telemedicine.
Extends eligibility to participate in Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Program to areas located in municipality in which casino gaming is authorized.
"Atlantic City Urban Enterprise Zone and Property Tax Relief Act"; creates urban enterprise zone in Atlantic City for 10 years.
Permits increase in municipal free public library tax upon voter approval.
"New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act"; authorizes issuance of $125,000,000 in general obligation bonds to finance capital projects at public libraries; appropriates $5,000.
Authorizes medical marijuana for qualifying patients with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Authorizes transfer of excess medical marijuana inventory between alternative treatment centers.
Prohibits certain provisions in consumer contracts.
Requires public school students with concussion to be evaluated by licensed health care professionals before return to school; requires school districts to provide restrictions or limitations to student as needed.
Filed · 3
Establishes "The Democracy Act" to modify various voter registration and voting procedures.
Designates May of each year "Military Appreciation Month" in New Jersey.
Extends protections of the new vehicle "lemon law" to new farm tractors purchased or leased in New Jersey.*