Bills in the 2008–2009 Session, General Assembly.
John S. Wisniewski
Sponsored
Became law7
Permits municipalities and counties to make certain traffic engineering decisions without DOT approval.
Prohibits sale and distribution of novelty lighters. *
Provides increased time frame for issuing summons pursuant to traffic control signal monitoring systems and for destruction of records; establishes certain payment methods.
Increases permitted axle weights for certain omnibuses with the approval of the Commissioner of Transportation.
Makes sundry changes to limousine laws.
Provides for specified alternative proposals and base specifications for certain public contracts; requires contracting unit to specify basis for determining lowest responsible bid and criteria for selection of alternate bids. *
Increases tax rates on liquor and wines, vermouth, sparkling wines and hard cider and dedicates additional revenue to the Health Care Subsidy Fund.
Passed the General Assembly9
Allows State or State authority to terminate construction contract upon transfer of contractor's ownership or control; requires advance approval of subcontractor changes.
Makes residential fire extinguisher requirement optional at municipal level.
Increases fine for failing to secure a child in a child passenger restraint system or booster seat and for failing to secure the seat belts of passengers between the ages of 8 and 18. *
Prohibits manufacture or sale of reflective glass beads with high arsenic content; prohibits DOT and two State toll road authorities from using paint mixed with reflective glass beads for roadway markings.
Provides for the expeditious roadway removal of certain disabled vehicles.
Shortens time periods for adverse possession, clarifies statutes, and repeals N.J.S.2A:14-30 and N.J.S.2A:14-31.
Requires causes of driver inattention to be noted in traffic accidents. *
Expands requirements for special learner's and examination permits.
Permits municipalities to auction taxi licenses to highest bidder, requires taxicabs to post taxi license number and name of licensing municipalities on exterior, and requires drivers of taxicabs to submit to criminal history record background checks. *
Out of committee22
Requires DEP to develop and maintain an integrated computer system.
Requires liability insurance for certain vessels.
Concerns firefighter training. *
Exempts senior homeowners from municipal building permit fees.
Increases funding of Senior Citizen and Disabled Resident Transportation Program.
Exempts experienced firefighters from certification requirement.
Extends from 14 days to 28 days length of first permitted adjournment of sale of real property by sheriff or other officer selling real estate by virtue of an execution. *
Requires State firewarden to consult with local fire department commander upon arrival at scene of wildfire.
Amends expiration date of P.L.2005, c.234, which concerns a systematic maintenance check program for intermodal chasis.
Establishes Long Term Obligation and Capital Expenditure Fund and makes various appropriations to pay-down debt and provide for certain capital improvements.
Authorizes construction of curb extensions for pedestrian safety on local roadways without Commissioner of Transportation's approval.
Permits municipalities to adopt ordinances requiring bond from landlords in certain circumstances.
The "Banking Development District Act."
Provides statute of limitations for residential mortgage foreclosures.
Requires licensure as insurance producer to sell certain funeral insurance policies; prohibits financing of certain preneed funeral arrangements with reverse mortgage.
Requires NJ Transit to do report on rail station accessibility to the disabled.
Establishes system for the issuance of special vehicle registration plate decals and medallions and provides for the discontinuance of certain special license plates. *
Requires designated fire command structure in municipal emergency operations plans involving mutual aid responses to fires. *
Makes emergency medical technician certification valid for five years.
Prohibits SDA from restricting the ability of certain firms or persons from competing for contracts in more than one Division of Property Management and Construction classification or prequalification category.
Makes various changes to State law concerning commercial driver licenses to comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
Permits wage withholding for costs associated with certain employee identification.
In committee58
Establishes a pilot program in DOE for the organization of a county administrative school district.
Requires written security plan when school is polling place and open to students; provides that schools may be used as polling places only under certain circumstances; makes an appropriation.
Provides support for full-day kindergarten through the T&E budget.
Requires uninsured motorist coverage for intentional acts of operators of uninsured and hit and run motor vehicles.
Requires school districts to take all steps to ensure adequate security for students when school is open as a polling place and provides that school district costs shall be deducted from the itemized list of expenses submitted by the county board of elec
Directs Commissioner of Community Affairs to promulgate certain fire safety regulations concerning furnishings purchased by public and independent institutions of higher education.
Provides for accidental disability retirement for certain PFRS members who participate in off-duty firefighting activities in a municipality other than the one in which they are employed.
"Transportation Trust Fund Renewal and Reform Act of 2005."
Provides compulsory attendance for out-of-state witnesses at investigations conducted by the SCI.
Establishes commission to study the sale and lease of State assets.
Amends Tort Claims Act concerning liability for discretionary acts.
Increases penalty amount for violations of certain laws regulating retail sale of motor fuel to not less than $500 nor more than $1,000.
Concerns One-Call Damage Prevention System and railroads.
Requires certain contracts and warranties to be printed in at least 10-point bold type.
Creates intermodal container safety program.
Prohibits the idling or queuing of heavy-duty diesel trucks at marine terminals for more than 30 minutes.
Increases New Jersey Property-Liability Insurance Guaranty Association payment cap to $500,000, and immunizes policyholders protected by association from liability within policyholders' policy limits.
Concerns fair business practices at intermodal marine terminals.
Requires payment of entire amount of homestead property tax reimbursement to eligible claimant co-owner who pays entire property tax bill when other co-owners do not reside in real property for which reimbursement is claimed.
Authorizes payment options for certain motor vehicle fines and fees.
Revises driver's license suspension for operating a motor vehicle without certain insurance.
Creates PFRS non-accidental disability retirement option for disability incurred in performance of duty other than as result of traumatic event.
Exempts certain low-voltage installations from electrical contractor licensing requirements.
Requires legislators to serve full-time; establishes annual compensation.
Revises allocation of fees for certain NJPDES permits.
Requires that no combustible materials be present near designated outdoor smoking areas.
Provides for establishment and funding of "New Jersey Bridge Safety Program"; appropriates $500,000.
Permits municipality to change its fiscal year from State fiscal year to calendar year fiscal year.
Mandates basic training for certain newly-appointed entry-level firefighters and supervisory training for full-time firefighters promoted to certain positions.
Requires all State firefighter training to be accredited.
Exempts the parking of certain container-loaded intermodal chassis from the sales and use tax.
Prohibits financial institutions from charging any fee on sales and use tax portion of retail sales transaction.
Authorizes creation and operation of stormwater utility systems.
Permits the appointment of joint municipal court judges by agreement of affected municipalities.
Requires certain public contract bid advertisements to contain certified cost estimates or estimate ranges of projected contract costs and specifies grounds for rejections of all bids.
Clarifies that automatic sprinkler system is exempt from taxation under certain circumstances.
Extends to school board attorneys the right to indemnification by boards of education.
Bars public entities and public employees from entering into confidential settlements of claims against them; provides that such settlements constitute public records.
"Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Reform Act."
Prohibits the assessment of motor vehicle points under certain circumstances.
Provides for use of advisory and payment requests for violations pursuant to traffic control signal monitoring systems.
Directs DOT to study and report on construction aggregate materials.
Requires 90-day notice of claim for actions brought under the New Jersey Civil Rights Act.
Provides for establishment of "Highway Construction Zone Safety Program."
Designates Harrison, South Amboy and Woodbridge as eligible municipalities under Transit Hub Tax Credit program.
Requires signs posted by retail motor fuel dealers to indicate motor fuel prices for cash and credit card customers; establishes additional $1,000 penalty for violations.
Increases penalties for violations of special learner's permits, examination permits, and probationary driver's licenses; changes "provisional" license to "probationary" license.
Permits municipalities to recover certain costs and fees from alcoholic beverage licensees charged with violations.
Increases amount of Transportation Trust Fund monies that may be used for salaries and overhead of DOT and NJT.
Limits liability for insurers conducting boiler insurance inspections.
Allows homestead property tax reimbursement program participants who lose income eligibility due to an IRA withdraw for certain purposes to maintain base year upon requalification.
Clarifies type of liability insurance coverage certain licensed auto body repair facilities must carry.
Provides exemption from motor fuels use tax for certain operations.
Permits municipality, fire district or authority to approve transfer of certain firefighters from PERS to PFRS.
Permits county, county college, or municipality to offer additional retirement benefits to certain employees; permits issuance of refunding bonds to fund benefits.
Makes various changes to current system for approval, issuance, administration, and discontinuance of various types of special license plates.
Permits NJTA to undertake design-build procurements.
Limits use of inherently beneficial use doctrine when municipality making variance determination has received substantive certification from the Council on Affordable Housing; provides repose from litigation.
Carried from the Senate
Became law10
Provides statute of limitations for residential mortgage foreclosures.
Permits municipalities to adopt ordinances requiring bond from landlords in certain circumstances.
Authorizes construction of curb extensions for pedestrian safety on local roadways without Commissioner of Transportation's approval.
Increases funding of Senior Citizen and Disabled Resident Transportation Program.
Establishes Long Term Obligation and Capital Expenditure Fund and makes various appropriations to pay-down debt and provide for certain capital improvements.
Requires licensure as insurance producer to sell certain funeral insurance policies; prohibits financing of certain preneed funeral arrangements with reverse mortgage.
Makes emergency medical technician certification valid for five years.
Makes various changes to State law concerning commercial driver licenses to comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
Prohibits SDA from restricting the ability of certain firms or persons from competing for contracts in more than one Division of Property Management and Construction classification or prequalification category.
Permits wage withholding for costs associated with certain employee identification.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 40
Eliminates role of State Board of Education in the appeal of Commissioner of Education decisions in disputes arising under the State school laws.
Requires facility where patient dies to provide medical examiner with contact information for next-of-kin so medical examiner may obtain additional information about death. *
Permits real estate brokers to provide rebates to purchasers.*
Permits price adjustments in local public contracts for asphalt cement and fuel.
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. *
Delays expiration date of certain professional and occupational licenses and registrations for individuals with certain types of military services. *
Regulates operation of snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, and dirt bikes, and certain other vehicles and off-road vehicles; requires DEP to designate three sites on State-owned land where snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, and dirt bikes may be used. **
Requires wheelchair securement and occupant securement devices for wheelchaired passengers.
Repeals provision allowing vehicles, under certain conditions, to enter and proceed through stop intersection without stopping twice.
Revises laws concerning pedestrian safety and traffic control; requires drivers to stop and remain stopped for pedestrians under certain conditions.
Amends stalking law to broaden protections for victims.
Establishes Veterans' Oral History Foundation.
Permits use of overseas absentee ballots for all elections; authorizes transmission of ballots by electronic means. *
Permits location of certain wind and solar facilities in industrial zones.
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. *
Authorizes New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects.
Abolishes Department of Personnel; transfers functions, powers, and duties primarily to new Civil Service Commission in but not of Department of Labor and Workforce Development; creates Civil Service Reform Task Force. *
Allows in FY2009 up to $9 million from "Shore Protection Fund" to be used to help defray State park and forest operation and maintenance costs; requires DEP to study State park and forest fee structure and revenue sources, and modify fees accordingly. *
The "Permit Extension Act of 2008."
Allows certain corporate notices to be provided via electronic transmission.
Allows director of corporation to provide notice of resignation, which resignation is only effective upon occurrence of certain event.
Provides one hour and two hour service options for expedited over the counter corporate service requests.
Provides that corporate by-laws may allow corporation to eliminate plurality voting for corporate directors.
Expands scope of unincorporated entities permitted to merge or consolidate with domestic corporations.
Allows officers of corporation to grant employees and officers of corporation shares of stock, rights or options.
Authorizes establishment of Dismal Swamp Preservation Commission. *
Requires railroad company to negotiate in good faith with certain entities for sale of railroad right of way proposed for abandonment.
Adds non-voting member to NJT board.
Concerns on-site generation facilities.
Concerns prevailing wage in construction projects connected with Board of Public Utilities financial assistance.
Makes FY 2009 supplemental appropriations totaling $22,500,000 to provide food, energy and legal aid assistance to individuals and families under the "New Jersey Economic Assistance and Recovery Plan."
Establishes the "Main Street Business Assistance Program;" appropriates $50 million.
Provides certain law enforcement officers and firefighters regain pay status when appeals of termination are not resolved within 180 days.
The "New Jersey Residential Mortgage Lending Act"; concerns certain licensed mortgage and consumer lending practices, supervision and enforcement.
Establishes the "New Jersey Scenic and Historic Highways Program."
"New Jersey Economic Stimulus Act of 2009"; appropriates $15 million to "New Jersey Affordable Housing Trust Fund." *
Permits adult with an autism spectrum disorder to voluntarily register with the State registry of reported diagnoses in children.
Clarifies provisions of "Law Against Discrimination" concerning persons with an autism spectrum disorder.
Imposes additional penalties for loaning motor vehicle to person with suspended driver's license under certain circumstances. *
Clarifies that certain transfers of handguns are not subject to law prohibiting purchase of more than one handgun in a 30-day period.
Passed the General Assembly · 21
Requires certain school districts to reduce per pupil administrative expenditures by 10% over three-year period, certain reporting by executive county superintendents of schools, and schedule for appointment of such superintendents.
Provides for the election of school board members at November general election and eliminates vote on school budgets except for separate proposals to spend above cap which will also occur at general election.
The "Foreclosure Rescue Fraud Prevention Act."
Creates offense of impairing communications, which would constitute domestic violence in certain circumstances. *
Expands eligibility for veterans' civil service preference; creates additional preference benefits.
Provides for equal opportunity for businesses to apply for certain energy-related incentives and funding.
Requires weekly reporting of construction and building permit approvals to municipal tax assessor.
Prohibits sending unsolicited advertising by text messaging, and requires companies offering text messaging services to allow their customers to block all incoming and outgoing text messages. *
Requires and permits preference in awarding certain contracts. *
Requires retail mercantile establishment to provide manufacturer's rebate at time of consumer purchase.
Requires installation of operational automatic rain sensor on lawn sprinklers as condition of sale and on lawn sprinklers on commercial, retail or industrial property and in common interest communities within specified timeframes.
Requires ATM operators to disclose balance inquiry fees.
Requires creditor to provide mortgage payoff balance to borrower within five business days after request.
Establishes the "Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Compact."
Permits State aid to fund start-up costs for local shared services projects.
Eliminates 10 day advance notification of proposed effective date of certain shareholder action.
Regulates mailed manufacturer's rebates.
Prohibits plea agreements for motor vehicle violations by drivers subject to the Graduated Driver Licensing law. *
Expands parity between certain State-chartered financial institutions, and permits interstate banking by such institutions through de novo branching or expanded authority to acquire existing branches or institutions.
Increases income eligibility limit for homestead property tax reimbursement program.
Requires Public Advocate intervention, additional public participation, and health impact study as conditions of conversion of health service corporation to domestic stock insurer. *
Out of committee · 28
Requires insurers to inform insureds whether certain coverages extend to rental automobiles.
Requires 45 days' notice to affected municipalities of discontinuance of certain bus and train service.
Provides for allocation of $25 million from available balances from societal benefits charge revenues for utility assistance grants for qualified households. **
Regulates certain rental-purchase agreements.
"Historic Property Reinvestment Act"; provides credits against certain taxes for certain costs of rehabilitating historic properties.
Establishes N.J. Historical Commission program for preservation and promotion of graves of significant individuals of the American Revolutionary period; appropriates $200,000.
Requires wheelchair securement devices and wheelchair occupant securement devices on certain vehicles and training in their use for certain employees.
Revises "lemon law" refund formula for consumers of certain new motor vehicles.
"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.
Requires drivers to make all reasonable efforts to remove ice or snow from vehicle; creates fine.
Enacts the "Jessica Lunsford Act;" increases sentences for sex offenders and persons who harbor them.
Revises statutes concerning abandoned vessels to include sunken vessels; authorizes certain entities to remove abandoned vessels. *
Regulates certain credentialing and trade practices of insurance producers, and provides private cause of action for insurance producer violations.
Requires assisted living facilities to have defibrillator on site and employees trained to use defibrillator.
Concerns lost or stolen E-ZPass transponders.
Authorizes municipalities operating under State fiscal year to revert to calendar fiscal year.
"Public Access and Marina Safety Task Force Act." *
Validates certain local parking, speed limit and traffic direction regulations.
Prohibits employment and licensing background checks to go back further than seven years under certain circumstances.
Requires DEP to designate one site in State park or forest where all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles may be used. *
Revises law concerning tastings and samplings conducted by certain alcoholic beverage licensees. *
Revises certain restrictions on permit holders and provisional driver's licensees; renames provisional license "probationary."
Allows certain entities to submit emergency plans electronically.
Expands eligibility, clarifies qualifications and limits certain provisions under the "Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit Act."
Prohibits misleading use of senior-specific certifications or professional designations in connection with sales of securities.
Establishes Task Force on Underage Drinking in Higher Education.
Requires chief administrator to establish certain promotional payment incentives. *
Prohibits the enforcement of "palimony" agreements unless such agreements are in writing.
In committee · 77
Creates new motor vehicle offense of engaging in a pattern of aggressive driving.
Provides gross income tax deduction for health care plan costs.
Authorizes suspension of motor vehicle registration.
Renames New Jersey Merit Rating Plan and provides for changes in procedures for payment of outstanding surcharges.
Authorizes periodic motor vehicle surcharge amnesty period.
Increases from $15,000 to $25,000 annual compensation PERS retiree may earn in PERS-covered employment without reenrollment.
"Group Home Fire Safety Act."
"Billy's Law"; establishes Council on Out-of-State Placement of Children and registry of qualified out-of-State residential schools and programs in DCF.
Establishes criminal penalties for operating or participating in pyramid promotional schemes.
Increases penalties for failing to secure a child in a child passenger restraint system or booster seat while operating a motor vehicle.
Restricts bail options for second and subsequent offenses occurring while released.
Permits municipality to enact ordinance to curb gang related loitering and criminal activity.
Makes chief of police contractual municipal employee and establishes in DLPS "Chiefs of Police Performance Evaluation Commission."
Includes local emergency management volunteers in Emergency Services Volunteer Length of Service Award Program.
Permits transcript or videotape of testimony before local issuing authority to be admissible in ABC appeal.
Allows a gross income tax credit for textbook purchases by full-time undergraduate students at four year institutions of higher education, county colleges and accredited post-secondary schools in New Jersey.
Prohibits certain sex offenders from selling from ice cream trucks.
Establishes the "Veterans Home Health Care Demonstration Program"; appropriates $1 million.
"The Domestic Violence and Workforce Development Initiative."
Creates the "New Jersey Security and Financial Empowerment Act" to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Provides for commencement of short term tax exemptions and abatements as of date of completion of project.
Provides enhanced penalties for drunk drivers with blood alcohol concentration of 0.17% or greater.
Allows a corporation business taxpayer recognizing income, gain or loss pursuant to a plan of complete liquidation to deduct its net operating loss carryovers notwithstanding the limitations on such deductions during the 2002-2005 tax years.
Adds two additional public members to NJ Transit board.
Extends property tax reimbursement benefits to certain low income veterans.
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Creates New Jersey Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act of 2006.
Establishes Commission on Women Veterans.
Raises vehicle registration fees for heavy vehicles and dedicates portion to Transportation Trust Fund Account.
"Electronic Waste Recycling Act."
Concerns workers' compensation for firefighters with cancer.
Makes temporary insurance and temporary domestic security local cap exceptions permanent; exempts pre-July 7, 2004 contract obligations from current, lower cap.
Extends veteran's tax deduction to certain persons undergoing training for deployment in Operation "Iraqi Freedom."
Establishes lawn watering restrictions; authorizes DEP to adopt water conservation regulations and to reduce water supply application backlog; and requires installation of automatic rain sensor devices under certain circumstances.
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.
Extends certain federal income tax advantages of individual health savings accounts to individual taxpayers under the New Jersey gross income tax.
Prohibits blocking of caller identification.
Establishes low interest mortgage program in HMFA for volunteer fire and rescue squad members.
Adds representatives from the Department of Community Affairs to the Domestic Security Preparedness Task Force.
Provides PFRS members in federal or State military service who is injured or killed with disability or death benefits.
Provides immunity from liability for persons who install or inspect child restraint systems.
Clarifies functioning high-mounted rear stop lamp is required under State law.
Concerns transfer of PANYNJ contracts related to marine terminals.
Exempts membership fees, initiation fees, or dues for access to health and fitness, athletic, or sporting clubs of certain charitable organizations from sales and use tax.
Establishes limits on resident's hours in hospitals.
Establishes the "New Jersey False Claims Act."
Requires Attorney General to prepare pamphlet for parents on keeping children safe from predators.
Prohibits insurers offering managed care plans from denying participation in network to health care providers willing to meet terms of contract.
Allows for municipal designation of "Petroleum Manufacturing Retention and Expansion Zones"; requires DEP to expedite permitting in these zones.
Restores point of sale sales tax exemption on purchases by businesses located in UEZ.
Expands offense of computer criminal activity to include accessing computer data for an unlawful purpose by means of a knowing misrepresentation as to identity of person requesting information.
Prohibits unilateral changing of terms and conditions of employment by public employers.
Clarifies procedures for closing active child protective services cases.
Exempts charges for residential storage space and dues for residential health and fitness facilities from the sales and use tax.
Establishes "Matthew's Law Limiting the Use of Restraints."
Exempts senior citizens, disabled persons and veterans from E-ZPass account monthly service charge.
Prohibits registration of identical or similar corporate alternate names.
Requires health insurance carriers to use standard explanation of benefits form.
Prohibits purchaser of used motor vehicle from waiving dealer's obligation regarding emissions control equipment.
Requires dental benefits coverage for dental composite restorations.
Concerns eligible municipalities under the urban transit hub credit.
Establishes right of way for funeral processions.
Permits direct shipping of wine to New Jersey consumers.
Authorizes SDA school districts to construct school facilities projects and receive State debt service aid.
Establishes Criminal Sentencing Commission to study and review the criminal law and recommend revisions; repeals existing commissions.
Directs DOT to study and report on implementation of truck stop electrification systems to reduce truck idling and fuel usage.
Renames "Local Unit Alignment, Reorganization and Consolidation Commission" as "Karcher Commission"; requires commission to promulgate two consecutive plans for municipal consolidation; provides for enactment of municipal consolidation plans.
Prohibits imposition of corporation business tax on certain foreign corporations carrying passengers into and out of State in motor vehicle or motorbus.
Increases from $15,000 to $30,000 annual compensation in PERS-covered employment retiree may earn without reenrollment.
Requires Secretary of State to prepare standard absentee ballot design.
Requires outer envelope for mailing of voted absentee ballot by voter to include postage prepaid.
Authorizes credit unions to serve as depositories of public funds.
Provides prescriber or health care facility with discretion to number prescription blank forms consecutively.
Upgrades offense of knowingly engaging in unauthorized practice of law.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to the "American Red Cross-NJ Fund".
Disqualifies member of board of education for conviction of certain crimes and requires member to undergo criminal history background investigation.