Bills in the 2000–2001 Session, General Assembly.
John S. Wisniewski
Sponsored
Became law3
Requires DCA commissioner to incorporate into State Uniform Construction Code certain dimensional requirements for elevators to accommodate stretchers in residential buildings.
Makes a designated fire command structure a required element in county emergency operations plans involving responses to mutual-aid fires.
Changes certain organizational dates for 2001 for State, county and municipal political party committees.
Passed the General Assembly4
Prohibits use of Transportation Trust Fund monies to purchase office equipment.
Provides for acquisition, receipt, warehousing and allocation or sale of certain surplus property, other than real property, for State, county, municipal or school district purposes, appropriates $75,000.*
Concerns paydays falling on nonwork days.
Exempts operators of rescue equipment of private entities from commercial driver's license requirements under certain conditions.
Out of committee9
Requires certain contracts and warranties to be printed in at least 10-point type. *
Regulates the construction or operation of solid waste marine transfer stations.*
Raises maximum age for appointment for exempt firemen to 45.
Makes volunteer firefighter appointed to paid position eligible for PFRS membership through age 40.
Requires cell phone use to be noted in traffic accidents.
Appropriates $2.5 million to DEP for Proprietary House restoration.
Permits municipalities to offer prescription drug benefit to certain retired volunteer firefighters and other emergency aid volunteers.
Creates continuing education and nurse recruitment pilot program in DMAVA; appropriates $348,000.
Provides certified municipal fire inspectors and fire officials having more than four consecutive years service with tenure in office. *
In committee33
Prohibits the land disposal of dredged materials within 1000 feet of residential dwelling units in certain counties.
Requires employers to provide job counseling services to certain laid off employees.
Increases support for job training programs; provides tax credits to employers for training; appropriates $30 million.
Requires DEP to develop and maintain an integrated computer system.
Permits a mortgagor to cancel private mortgage insurance under certain circumstances.
Requires certain information to be included in a retailer's advertisement of merchandise for sale.
Directs BPU to establish time periods for subscribers to pay certain cable TV line installation charges.
Requires NJT to comment on certain local applications for development.
Requires health insurers to cover well baby visits during the first two years of life.
Permits choice of provider for childhood immunizations.
Provides for the exclusion of demonstrably effective program aid in the calculation of school budget caps.
Provides fiscal rewards to school districts with low administrative expenditures.
Provides support for full-day kindergarten through the T&E budget.
Requires the State to fund certain educational costs for children placed in State facilities and county detention centers.
Permits municipality to create drug free zone around publicly assisted housing.
Requires uninsured motorist coverage for intentional acts of operators of uninsured and hit and run motor vehicles.
Provides parity in benefits for electric and gas utility workers displaced by industry restructuring.
Exempts advertising contracts on public facilities and equipment from bidding requirements and limitation on contract duration of local public contracts law.
Requires five percent premium reduction for certain insureds who use mass transit.
Broadens the criteria under certain circumstances, for eligibility for 100% exemption from property taxes for the surviving spouses of certain veterans.
Requires that notice to owner of impending delivery of unclaimed personal property into custody of State be made by certified mail, return receipt requested.
Provides for access to certain energy customer information by appropriate parties for municipal aggregation.
Limits taking of menhaden in Raritan and Sandy Hook bays.
Makes E-ZPass theft a fourth degree crime.
Expands duties of State Auditor to include conduct of performance audit at request of Legislator.
Subjects all Class II railroad property held in an inactive status for two consecutive tax years to local property taxation.
Subjects all Class II railroad property held in an inactive status for two consecutive tax years to local property taxation.
Increases PERS retirement benefit formula from 1/60 to 1/55 of final compensation for each year of service; revises calculation of PERS assets to fund additional cost of formula change.
Increases loan limit amounts for modernizing emergency facilities, purchasing emergency vehicles and emergency equipment for volunteer emergency service organizations; appropriates $5 million.
Prohibits warrantless arrest for certain traffic offenses.
Requires driver distractions to be noted in traffic accidents.
Criminalizes certain fraudulent solicitations and collections of funds relating to the events of September 11, 2001 and other mass disasters or acts of terrorism.
Establishes college scholarship program to pay tuition, room and board and certain other costs of children and spouses of persons killed or injured in the terrorist attack on 9/11/01.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 14
Provides for presumption of death for persons exposed to catastrophic events.
Concerns certain public benefits available to persons affected by September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on US.
Approves $9,749,389 in State funding for certain "urban aid" local government park development projects.
Establishes new procedures for the application for services provided to the developmentally disabled.
Requires proof of valid motor vehicle insurance before release of impounded motor vehicle in certain cases.
Permits a State employees' salary reduction program for qualified transportation benefits and increases the Travel Demand Management Program gross income tax exclusions for commuter transportation benefits.*
"Athletic Training Licensure Act."
Establishes the "New Jersey Individual Development Account Program," appropriates $2 million from federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families funds. **
Provides enhanced benefits to survivors of certain PFRS members.
Creates new motor vehicle offense; clarifies municipal prosecutors' duties concerning plea agreements.
The "Neighborhood Revitalization State Tax Credit Act."
"Leonard Cohen's Law"; concerns hospital patient transfers.
"The Emergency Management Assistance Compact Act."
Eliminates certain requirements applicable to members of the New Jersey National Guard who receive higher education tuition waivers and requires State to pay the tuition costs.
Vetoed · 3
Allows covered persons with out-of-network benefits in dental and health service corporations and dental plan organization plans to assign dental benefits to dentist of choice.
Prohibits discrimination in the sale of malt alcoholic beverages by certain breweries to licensed wholesalers in the State.
Amends "The New Home Warranty and Builders' Registration Act" to enhance oversight and accountability.
Passed the General Assembly · 17
Requires the licensing of bail runners as private detectives.
Defines municipal powers to remove graffiti from buildings. **
Establishes the crime of assault by animal.
Directs New Jersey Highway Authority to designate Garden State Parkway as memorial highway to ex-POWs.
Establishes toll-free telephone hotline for reporting guns and other weapons in public schools.*
Adds leader of firearms trafficking network to RICO statute.
Supplemental appropriation of $360,000 to Division of Fire Safety in Department of Community Affairs for incident management training programs.
Provides compensatory time off for certain essential attendance State employees.
Requires DOT to conduct mosquito abatement on storm water drainage facilities; appropriates $1.25 million. *
Places five-year moratorium on distribution and sale of irradiated food.
Concerns use of Transportation Trust Fund Authority funds.
Appropriates $50,000 to DHS for a grant to the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen.
Concerns offenses related to unlawful use of personal identifying information. *
Supplemental appropriation of $45 million to DOT for road repair grants to counties and municipalities, for State road repair, and for State and local road and bridge repair with concrete.*
Establishes State Capital Coordinating Council on Emergency Evacuation Routes and Procedures.
Requires surcharge for passenger restraint violation; establishes Child Safety Seat Distribution Program Fund.
Establishes the "Alan M. Augustine Colon Cancer Research Fund," appropriates $100,000.
Out of committee · 39
Provides tuition assistance for children and spouses of the victims of the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001. *
Establishes the Amistad Commission to coordinate educational and other programs on slavery and African-American history.
Establishes the State Commission of Investigation as a permanent agency.
Allows taxpayers to deduct adoption expenses from gross income.
Broadens group of defendants from which blood samples for DNA testing must be drawn.
Provides gross income tax credit for certain small business employers that provide health care benefits to employees.
Provides credit under gross income tax and corporation business tax for certain costs of rehabilitating historic properties.
Provides New Jersey sales tax amnesty program for small business.
Requires health insurers to provide coverage for medically necessary expenses incurred in diagnosis and treatment of infertility.
Supplemental appropriation of $650,000 from the General Fund to DOL for transportation services for sheltered workshop clients.
Increases veteran's property tax deduction.
Requires certification of persons installing medical gas piping.
Directs the Commissioner of Human Services to establish staffing level ratios for DYFS caseworkers; appropriates $12,000,000.
Supplemental appropriation of $2,400,000 to Division of Local Government Services in DCA to fund Carteret Borough Municipal Center building repair costs.
Appropriates $1 million to DEP for grants for certain historic sites preservation projects. *
Permits aid to State supervised municipalities to eliminate structural deficit.
Allows certain firefighters to enroll in PFRS regardless of age.
Establishes a Learning Through Listening Program in the Abbott district to assist students with print disabilities.
"Congestion Reduction and Transportation Trust Fund Renewal Act."
The "Multiple Dwelling State Tax Credit Act." *
Requires ignition interlock device or registration revocation for repeat drunk driving; prohibits possession of unsealed alcoholic beverage in motor vehicle.
Appropriates $7,000,000 for New Jersey Fire Engine and Equipment Museum.
Concerns workers' compensation for firefighters with cancer.
Provides grants to educational technology training centers to establish satellite facilities and maintain and upgrade equipment; appropriates $2.8 million. *
Authorizes use of revenue allocation financing by certain municipalities and the use of additional financing mechanism by municipalities in certain areas.
Establishes Joint Commission on Governmental Performance Review and Evaluation in the legislative branch of government.
"Senior Gold Prescription Discount Act." *
Establishes New Jersey Advisory Council on Traumatic Brain Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Fund.
Directs Medicaid to establish community spouse resource allowance and income limits at highest levels permitted by federal law.
"Health Care Carrier Accountability Act."
Repeals law relating to transportation development districts and provides for establishment of transportation enhancement districts.
"Local Bridge Bond Act of 2001"; authorizes bonds for $250 million, appropriates $5,000.
Increases TPAF and PERS retirement benefits for active members and retirees; revises calculation of assets and establishes benefit enhancement fund.
Requires electric utilities to provide reduced rates to volunteer fire companies and volunteer first aid, rescue or emergency squads.
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Increases TPAF and PERS retirement benefits for certain active and retired employees. *
Provides benefit coverage to certain police, fire and emergency personnel.
Requires four year digitized picture driver's license; tightens requirements for issuance of driver's license to legal aliens; appropriates $1.5 million. *
Prohibits removal of certain offenders from sex offender registry.
In committee · 115
Provides a 2001 gross income tax year deduction for charitable contributions made for efforts in relief of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Requires HMOs to report number of children screened for lead poisoning under Medicaid program.
Requires health benefits coverage for prescription drugs for treatment of epilepsy.
Establishes State Pediatric Epilepsy Resource Program; appropriates $50,000.
Directs Medicaid to establish community spouse resource allowance and income limits at highest levels permitted by federal law; appropriates $9 million in State funds and $9 million in federal funds.
Upgrades simple assault committed against domestic violence victims to aggravated assault.
Provides training grants to workers notified of permanent layoff; appropriates $30 million.
Requires payment of prevailing wages in construction related to DCED and EDA assistance.
Increases minimum wage.
Concerns disqualification from unemployment benefits.
Prohibits railroad storage of hazardous substances and nighttime idling of train engines near residences.
Supplemental appropriation of $424,000 to Board of Nursing.
Establishes certain requirements regarding childhood immunizations.
Prohibits DHSS from restricting inclusion of off-site psychiatric service facility under acute care hospital's license if operated by hospital prior to January 1, 1999, solely because of its location.
Directs DOT Commissioner to allocate $2.4 million in Transportation Trust Fund monies for new public, limited access road in Perth Amboy.
Establishes environmental standards for the sale of electricity.
Authorizes local officials to inspect commercial motor vehicles.
Criminalizes the failure of a witness to report a crime in certain circumstances.
Makes supplemental appropriation from the General Fund for State aid to local government units and school districts to replace local tax loss attributable to certain change in taxable value of depreciable business personal property.
Establishes "New Jersey Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund" and provides funding to reimburse providers and patients of HIP Health Plan of New Jersey or its subcontractor and American Preferred Provider Plan; appropriates $40 million.
Requires short-term custody, evaluation for student bringing gun to school.
Provides additional retirement benefits for certain police and firefighter members of PFRS.
Establishes special license plates supporting literacy programs.
Increases penalty for illegal firearms' sale within 1,000 feet of school.
Extends property tax reimbursement benefits to certain low income veterans.
Extends overtime pay requirements to certain workers.
Enhances tax relief under the NJ SAVER and Homestead Rebate Act.
Requires annual audited financial reports of insurance companies.
Establishes criminal penalties for operating or participating in pyramid promotional schemes.
Allows credit against gross income tax liability for dependent care expenses or a heightened credit for the expenses of child care provided by a nationally accredited child care center.
Provides credit against corporation business tax for taxpayers supporting child care facilities for employees.
Requires bicycle and pedestrian paths as condition of certain projects receiving funding from Transportation Trust Fund.
"New Jersey CARES Act"; appropriates $1 million.
Appropriates $36,000 to the Middlesex County Vocational and Technical School for C.H.A.N.G.E.S. Program.
Imposes surcharge on drunk drivers to establish Drunk Driving Prevention and Education Grant Fund.
Continues entitlement to senior property tax freeze although income ineligible for one year.
Establishes additional criterion for BPU approval of certain regulatory petitions by local exchange telecommunication companies.
Concerns reimbursements to hospitals, physicians and podiatrists from the New Jersey Medical Malpractice Reinsurance Recovery Fund.
"Brain Injury Research Act."
Directs the Commissioner of Human Services to establish staffing level ratios for DYFS caseworkers.
Allows a gross income tax deduction for certain higher education loan payments.
Provides enhanced penalties for certain crimes when victim is 65 years of age or older, or disabled.
Provides for establishment of firefighter memorial.
Mandates basic training for certain newly-appointed entry-level firefighters and supervisory training for full-time firefighters promoted to certain positions.
Establishes minimum registration fees for certain private passenger vans and noncommercial trucks equipped with wheelchair lifts.
Prohibits the imposition by water utilities of standby fees or charges for new fire protection systems.
Establishes certain minimum levels for expenditures of dedicated open space monies for projects in urban areas and for recreation projects Statewide.
Requires State to pay for administrative costs of general public assistance administered by municipalities.
Directs UEZA to establish permanent enterprise zones.
Waives driver's license and motor vehicle registration fees for volunteer firefighters and volunteer members of first aid and rescue squads.
Provides protection for electricity customers.
Requires registration for sex offense convictions in certain foreign countries.
Requires homeowner to disclose information concerning nearby sex offender to potential buyer.
Prohibits certain breweries from discriminating against wholesalers.
Prohibits use of not at-fault accidents as a tier rating factor for automobile insurance.
Prohibits public employer from changing terms and conditions of employment prior to reaching agreement with public employee representative.
Makes various changes in civil service system concerning titles, compensation and layoffs.
Adds passenger automobile insurance information to DMV database.
Authorizes payment of funeral expenses for certain public safety employees killed in line of duty.
Makes changes to certain powers, functions, duties and proceedings of BPU.
Increases membership of Board of Public Utilities from three to five members.
Permits purchase of TPAF credit for certain nonpublic school service.
Provides for the inclusion of certain district factor group A or B districts based on 1990 census data within the Abbott district definition.
Prohibits New Jersey Turnpike Authority from adopting "congestion pricing" or off-peak discounts on New Jersey Turnpike without legislative approval or authorization.
Establishes Prostate Cancer Awareness, Education and Research Program in DHSS; appropriates $1 million.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song.
Revises method for payment of certain foundation aid to county vocational schools.
Dedicates use of tobacco settlement monies for certain health-related purposes and appropriates $40 million in State funds and $40 million in federal funds to increase Medicaid inpatient reimbursement rates.
Requires hepatitis B immunization for admission to kindergarten or first grade and sixth grade at a public or private school.
Establishes a contract bond participation program in the NJ Development Authority for Small Businesses, Minorities' and Women's Enterprises; appropriates $5,000,000.
Makes supplemental appropriation for grants-in-aid to pay New Jersey residents' legal expenses for a challenge to a change in the New York City nonresident earnings tax that discriminates against New York State nonresidents.
Requires health care provider participating in NJ KidCare program to provide all medically necessary health care services to eligible child which provider is qualified to provide.
Authorizes use of Workforce Development Partnership Fund moneys as needed for a certain construction project.
Excludes certain contributions to deferred compensation plans and provides deduction for certain individual retirement savings under the gross income tax.
Permits recovery of expert witness expenses in certain consumer fraud actions.
Requires installation of sprinklers in all dormitories; creates loan program in NJHMFA; appropriates $70 million.
Creates the "New Jersey Electronic Transactions Act."
The "Dormitory Fire Safety Act."
Phases out business personal property tax on incumbent local exchange telecommunications carriers and replaces revenue with State aid funding, and reduces intrastate access charges and requires savings to be passed on to customers.
Permits municipality under State supervision to reduce operating costs through employee early retirement and termination incentive program.
The "Multiple Dwelling State Tax Credit Act."
"Business Incentive for Neighborhood Revitalization State Tax Credit Act."
Clarifies municipal prosecutors' duties concerning plea agreements.
Increases income eligibility limits for PAAD program by $5,000.
"21st Century Transportation Trust Fund Extension Act."
Amends definition of veteran for certain military engagements.
Directs Secretary of State to establish toll-free telephone service to facilitate contacting of Executive Branch State agencies.
Permits sale of motor fuels on the internet.
"Senior Gold Prescription Discount Act."
Supplemental appropriation of $500,000 to DHSS for defibrillator training for police and firefighters.
Authorizes special license plate for ex-prisoners of war.
Provides for convening of State constitutional convention to reform system of property taxation.
Requires DOT to provide map of low clearance and weight restricted bridges and overpasses; appropriates $50,000.
Prohibits unsolicited telemarketing sales calls to certain customers.
Includes custom fabrication work under the prevailing wage act.
Makes a series of amendments to statutes governing SCI.
Supplemental appropriation of $22.9 million in General and federal Funds to DHSS for supplemental charity care.
Concerns reemployment services and training programs.
Establishes the level of State school aid for the 2001-2002 school year.
Supplemental appropriation of $250,000 to DMAVA for grant to Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program.
Establishes minimum salary of $40,000 for teaching staff members in school districts and educational services commissions.
Establishes a computers for schools program in DOC.
Restricts bail options for second and subsequent offenses occurring while released.
Extends eligibility for veterans' property tax deduction and disabled veterans' property tax exemption to certain veterans who have served in Korean Demilitarized Zone.
Requires health insurers to cover Hepatitis B vaccination costs.
Authorizes and directs DEP to implement Phase II of the California Low Emission Vehicle program in the State beginning in calendar year 2006.
Requires Superintendent of State Police to report directly to Governor.
Establishes hiring preference for children of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty seeking appointment to municipal police forces.
Permits municipality to enact ordinance to curb gang related loitering and criminal activity.
Requires DEP to classify certain surface waters of the State as category one waters.
Directs DEP to conduct feasibility study of assessing air pollution sources in and around certain airports and military bases; appropriations $50,000.
Concerns errors in estimating income for certain programs for aged and disabled persons.
Requires financial institutions and check cashing businesses to file a suspicious transactions report when they suspect terrorism.
Eliminates waiting period for unemployment benefits claimed after September 11, 2001.
Repeals prohibition against "negative check-off" fees on public institution of higher education tuition bills.
Filed · 1
The "New Jersey Domestic Security Preparedness Act;" appropriates $8.98 million.