Bills in the 2010–2011 Session, General Assembly.
John S. Wisniewski
Sponsored
Became law9
Prohibits manufacture or sale of reflective glass beads with high arsenic content; prohibits DOT and State's toll road authorities from using paint mixed with reflective glass beads for roadway markings. *
The "Banking Development District Act."
Clarifies type of liability insurance coverage certain licensed auto body repair facilities must carry.
Makes sundry changes to taxicab laws. *
"Sara's Law;" requires Motor Vehicle Commission to establish next-of-kin program.
Appropriates $1.047 million in 2003 bond act monies for Sayreville flood control project. ***
Eliminates separate presidential primary election; provides for delegates and alternates to political party national conventions to be elected at regular June primary election.
Authorizes Commissioner of NJDOT to procure revenue-generating sponsors for, and permit sponsorship acknowledgment and advertising on, safety and emergency service patrol vehicles and equipment.
"Caylee's Law;" upgrades penalties for failing to report a death; criminalizes failure to report disappearance of child within 24 hours.
Vetoed3
Requires designated fire command structure in municipal emergency operations plans involving mutual aid responses to fires.
Authorizes State Treasurer to sell as surplus certain land and improvements thereon now part of East Jersey Prison to Woodbridge Township in Middlesex County.
Expands education requirements for special learner's and examination permits.*
Passed the General Assembly4
Requires causes of driver inattention to be noted in traffic accidents.
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.
Requires DOT Commissioner to erect signs informing motorists of State's "move over" law.
Out of committee8
Establishes design-build delivery system for New Jersey Turnpike Authority projects. *
Provides for appointment of certain municipal court judges at the local or county level.
Allows tax credits for development of qualified wind energy facilities in certain portfield sites.
Requires fire suppression systems in new single and two family homes.
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.
Concerns lost or stolen E-ZPass transponders.
Designates "Red Bank Train Station" as "Daniel J. O'Hern Station - Red Bank, New Jersey." *
Concerns the sale of portable electronics insurance and licensing of limited lines insurance producers for that purpose.
In committee54
Permits transcript or videotape of testimony before local issuing authority to be admissible in ABC appeal.
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.
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
Exempts senior homeowners from municipal building permit fees.
Provides for the expeditious roadway removal of certain disabled vehicles.
Increases funding of Senior Citizen and Disabled Resident Transportation Program.
Shortens time periods for adverse possession, clarifies statutes, and repeals N.J.S.2A:14-30 and N.J.S.2A:14-31.
Exempts experienced firefighters from certification requirement.
Concerns eligible municipalities under the urban transit hub credit.
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.
Changes definition of "small qualified business" in UEZ statute from having less than $3,000,000 to having less than $5,000,000 in annual gross receipts in that business.
Requires licensure as insurance producer to sell certain funeral insurance policies; prohibits financing of certain preneed funeral arrangements with reverse mortgage.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Makes various changes to current system for approval, issuance, administration, and discontinuance of various types of special license plates.
Permits wage withholding for costs associated with certain employee identification.
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.
Includes services performed by professional musicians or persons otherwise engaged in performing arts as employment for purposes of unemployment insurance and workers' compensation benefits.
Requires health insurers to disclose broker commissions to purchasers.
Concerns fair business practices at intermodal marine terminals.
Revises allocation of fees for certain NJPDES permits.
"Sara's Law;" requires Motor Vehicle Commission to establish next-of-kin program.
Clarifies certain dormancy fees chargeable against money orders.
Revises requirement that library tax be assessed against equalized value of property.
Permits retail dealer of motor fuel to sell motor fuel at price below retail dealer's net cost to meet competition.
Reorganizes New Jersey Public Broadcasting Authority as New Jersey Public Media Corporation.
Allows State agency to pay subcontractor directly for work performed in certain situations.
Requires producer disclosure of compensation to purchaser of health benefits plan.
Requires legislators to serve full-time; establishes annual compensation.
Establishes standards for commercial insurers and Medicaid program implementing electronic prescribing systems.
Directs NJTA to reduce tolls no longer required for payment of Access to the Region's Core Tunnel project.
Makes residential fire extinguisher requirement optional at municipal level.
Exempts commercial motor vehicle drivers from enforcement of snow and ice removal requirements until appropriate removal equipment is available.
Requires information concerning certain public employees be made public.
Requires public utilities and cable television companies to accommodate and relocate facilities and pay costs thereof when necessary for infrastructure projects.
Permits voter registration at polling place on days of municipal, primary, and general elections.
Authorizes immediate euthanasia of impounded stray animals that are injured or ill beyond hope of recovery.
Requires party bidding on, or performing, a State contract to provide employee health care benefits.
Requires "just compensation" for condemnation of single-family residence to be based on cost of comparable relocation properties within 20 mile radius.
Permits water and sewerage service sub-metering in multi-family dwellings.
Establishes "Truck Operator Independent Contractor Act."
Requires health insurance coverage by health insurers, SHBP and SEHBP for expenses incurred in connection with prophylactic mastectomies and other mastectomy-related procedures.
The "Family and Private Burial Grounds Preservation Act."
Permits direct shipping by wineries and creates Out-of-State Winery license.
Appropriates $3,279,459 from 2009 Historic Preservation Fund to NJ Historic Trust for grant to Proprietary House Association for historic preservation purposes.
Requires owner of autocab to provide proof of financial responsibility.
Carried from the Senate
Became law2
Concerns lost or stolen E-ZPass transponders.
Designates "Red Bank Train Station" as "Daniel J. O"Hern Station - Red Bank, New Jersey."
Vetoed1
Concerns the sale of portable electronics insurance and licensing of limited lines insurance producers for that purpose.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 20
The "Foreclosure Rescue Fraud Prevention Act."
Disqualifies member of board of education or member of charter school board of trustees for conviction of certain crimes and requires member to undergo criminal history background investigation. *
Establishes the "Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Compact."
Provides for equal opportunity for businesses that pay societal benefits charges to apply for certain energy-related incentives and funding. *
Upgrades offenses of engaging in unauthorized practice of law; creates civil action; provides that persons convicted of the offenses are barred from appointment as a notary public. *
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to the "American Red Cross-NJ Fund".
Allows certain entities to submit emergency plans electronically.
Revises law relating to title recordation.
Establishes new procedure in "Administrative Procedure Act" to allow substantial changes to agency rule-making upon adoption.
Changes five year chapter expiration date for rules to seven years; changes procedures for readoption of rules. **
Eliminates various inactive boards, commissions, committees, councils, and task forces.
Permits DOT to contract with county or municipality for certain work on highways to prevent public hazards.
Requires Department of State to create uniform application form for use by small businesses to apply for certain State financial assistance programs.*
Provides corporation with right to renounce corporate opportunity doctrine.
Creates State contract set-aside program for businesses owned and operated by veterans.
The "Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act."
Modifies employer UI tax rates.
Allows all municipalities to sell and lease unneeded public property for "urban" farming and gardening purposes.
Allows MVC to process title transfers of abandoned vessels without court order; lengthens time period required for desertion of vessel to ripen into abandonment.
Allows counties and municipalities to use open space trust funds for purchase of flood-prone properties.
Vetoed · 4
Supplements the State annual appropriations act for the State fiscal year 2010-2011, makes appropriations for Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled Programs and the Homestead Rebate/Credit Program.
Establishes a New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program under the New Jersey gross income tax for home purchases during a qualified period. *
"Historic Property Reinvestment Act"; provides credits against certain taxes for certain costs of rehabilitating historic properties.
Establishes "Back to Work NJ Program"; makes an appropriation.
Passed the General Assembly · 13
Prohibits sending unsolicited advertising by text messaging, and requires companies offering text messaging services to allow customers to block all incoming and outgoing text messages. *
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.
Regulates mailed manufacturer's rebates.
Prohibits towing of motor vehicles displaying wheelchair placards or license plates under certain conditions, requires clear signage for restricted handicapped parking zones, and requires 24-hour access to certain towed motor vehicles.
Directs DOT to allow wineries to erect tourist-oriented directional signs on roads and highways. *
Extends suspension of Statewide non-residential development fee to October 30, 2010.
Transfers $5,000,000 of unexpended balance from Purchase of Service for Inmates Incarcerated in County Penal Facilities account in Fiscal Year 2011 Annual Appropriations Act and appropriates that amount for Women's Health and Family Planning Services.
Requires review of arbitration agreements for unconscionability.
Clarifies that criminal impersonation committed by any means including electronic communications or Internet website shall be subject to criminal penalties.
Provides immunity to institutions of higher education for food donations.
Authorizes certain municipalities and rural electric cooperatives to establish a municipal shared services energy authority.*
Requires voter approval at the annual school election or by the board of school estimate prior to designation as charter school district of residence or expansion of a charter school. *
"Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act."
Out of committee · 33
Prohibits misleading use of senior-specific certifications or professional designations in connection with sales of securities.
Requires creditor to provide mortgage payoff balance to borrower within five business days after request.
Establishes program for directing motorists to agricultural tourism establishments.*
Authorizes creation of local renewable energy collaboratives and central renewable energy generation systems, and provides for sale of renewable power generation. **
Requires additional public participation and health impact study as conditions of conversion of health service corporation to domestic stock insurer; dissolves the Heath Service Corporation Conversion Temporary Advisory Commission. *
Authorizes credit unions to serve as depositories of public funds; requires credit unions to provide certain funds for financial literacy education.*
Expands permitted expenditures from Airport Safety Fund.
Regulates advertising of manufacturer's rebates by retail mercantile establishments.
Allows students with disabilities to bring service animal to school.*
Enacts the "Jessica Lunsford Act;" increases sentences for sex offenders and persons who harbor them.
Eliminates 10 day advance notification of proposed effective date of certain shareholder action.
Establishes "New Jersey Property Assessment Clean Energy (NJ PACE) Municipal Financing Program."
Requires Division of Taxation to regularly provide certain information to municipalities concerning hotel occupancy taxes.
Reduces employer unemployment taxes during fiscal year 2011.
The "Offshore Wind Economic Development Act"; establishes offshore wind renewable energy certificate program, and authorizes EDA to provide tax credits for qualified wind energy facilities in wind energy zones.
Eliminates minimum threshold for municipal calculation of reserve for uncollected taxes by alternate method when tax appeal judgments reduce the tax levy.
Permits sale of motorcycles on Sunday.
Reduces school district, county, and municipal property tax levy cap from 4% to 2.9% percent and permits unused school district, county and municipal increases to be banked for three succeeding years.
Increases workers' compensation for loss of hand or foot.
Revises financial assistance under Business Retention and Relocation Assistance Grant Program; repeals requirement to study implementation.
Expands gross income tax exclusion for pensions, annuities and other retirement income for certain taxpayers.
Allows corporation business tax credit and gross income tax credit for certain wages paid to qualified interns in tax years 2012 and 2013.
Establishes a long-term capacity agreement pilot program to promote construction of qualified electric generation facilities. *
Allows for unemployment insurance beneficiaries to file, reopen, cancel or close claims online.
"New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act;" provides credits against corporation business and gross income taxes for investing in New Jersey emerging technology businesses.
Prohibits drilling technique of hydraulic fracturing.*
Requires periodic inspection of exterior walls of certain buildings.
Appropriates $45 million from "2009 Green Acres Fund" and $12 million from "2009 Blue Acres Fund" for State acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes, including Blue Acres projects.
Appropriates $84,495,199 from "2009 Green Acres Fund" and "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" for local government open space acquisition and park development projects.
Requires public parking facilities at NJ Transit stations to be open to public on weekends and other occasions; permits reasonable fee for use of parking facility.
Decreases the minimum corporation business tax on certain New Jersey subchapter S corporations by 25%.
"Emergency Transportation and Water Infrastructure Recovery Bond Act of 2011;" authorizes bonds for $100,000,000.
Permits direct shipping by wineries and creates Out-of-State winery license.
In committee · 77
Extends veteran's tax deduction to certain persons undergoing training for deployment in Operation "Iraqi Freedom."
Provides gross income tax deduction for health care plan costs.
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.
Extends certain federal income tax advantages of individual health savings accounts to individual taxpayers under the New Jersey gross income tax.
Directs DOT to study and report on implementation of truck stop electrification systems to reduce truck idling and fuel usage.
Increases from $15,000 to $25,000 annual compensation PERS retiree may earn in PERS-covered employment without reenrollment.
"Group Home Fire Safety Act."
Permits real estate brokers to provide rebates to purchasers.
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.
Permits price adjustments in local public contracts for asphalt cement and fuel.
Creates offense of impairing communications, which would constitute domestic violence in certain circumstances.
"The Domestic Violence and Workforce Development Initiative Act."
Creates the "New Jersey Security and Financial Empowerment Act" to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Revises law concerning tastings and samplings conducted by certain alcoholic beverage licensees.
Prohibits investment by State of pension and annuity funds in hedge funds and derivative contracts.
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.
Establishes the "Healthy Workplace Act."
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song.
Creates new motor vehicle offense of engaging in a pattern of aggressive driving.
Prohibits imposition of corporation business tax on certain foreign corporations carrying passengers into and out of State in motor vehicle or motorbus.
Provides prescriber or health care facility with discretion to number prescription blank forms consecutively.
Increases from $15,000 to $30,000 annual compensation in PERS-covered employment retiree may earn without reenrollment.
Provides enhanced penalties for drunk drivers with blood alcohol concentration of 0.17% or greater.
Includes local emergency management volunteers in Emergency Services Volunteer Length of Service Award Program.
Establishes N.J. Historical Commission program for preservation and promotion of graves of significant individuals of the American Revolutionary period; appropriates $200,000.
Raises vehicle registration fees for heavy vehicles and dedicates portion to Transportation Trust Fund Account.
Requires dental benefits coverage for dental composite restorations.
Requires health insurance carriers to use standard explanation of benefits form.
Establishes Task Force on Underage Drinking in Higher Education.
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 member 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.
Revises laws concerning pedestrian safety and traffic control; requires drivers to stop and remain stopped for pedestrians under certain conditions.
Establishes limits on resident's hours in hospitals.
Revises "lemon law" refund formula for consumers of certain new motor vehicles.
Requires ATM operators to disclose balance inquiry fees.
The "Owners' Rights and Obligations in Shared Ownership Communities Act."
Validates certain local parking, speed limit and traffic direction regulations.
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.
Requires weekly reporting of construction and building permit approvals to municipal tax assessor.
Adds two additional public members to NJ Transit board.
Requires and permits preference in awarding certain contracts.
Permits direct shipping of wine to New Jersey consumers.
Exempts senior citizens, disabled persons and veterans from E-ZPass account monthly service charge.
Establishes right of way for funeral processions.
Prohibits certain sex offenders from selling from ice cream trucks.
Requires municipalities to include unique identifier on signs at certain handicapped parking spots.
Provides supplemental appropriation of $2,700,000 to DCA for Neighborhood Preservation Program.
Excludes from PAAD income eligibility withdrawals from an IRA.
Requires certain motor vehicle reinspections be conducted at licensed private inspection facilities.
Concerns processing and payment of insurance claims for physical therapy services.
Designates State Highway Route 31 as the "Tri-County Purple Heart Memorial Highway."
Modifies requirements for local unit to dissolve certain authorities.
Authorizes proportional property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected permanent disability.
Permits voter registration of certain persons at age 17 for voting at next election occurring on or after 18th Birthday.
Provides refundable gross income tax credit for amount of annual homestead property tax that exceeds 7 percent of homestead owner's New Jersey gross income.
Modifies New Jersey gross income tax rates.
Increases filing threshold for the New Jersey estate tax.
Provides that settlement agents are not responsible for transmitting estimated gross income tax payment and forms for certain nonresident real estate transactions unless so responsible pursuant to contract.
Concerns NJ Transit's treatment of people with guide or service dogs; establishes Access Link Customer Service Group.
Requires that wheelchairs be secured using four-point securement system in paratransit vehicles.
Requires incarcerated individual be counted for redistricting purposes at previous address if State resident and not counted if incarcerated and not State resident.
Requires coin redemption machine operators to disclose fees.
Directs NJTA to study and report on potential revenue generating services of NJTA rest areas and service plazas.
Establishes right to immediate interlocutory appeal from determinations as to class certification in class action lawsuits.
Clarifies that hospitals are not subject to PIP medical fee schedules.
Requires health benefits coverage for mammograms for women under 40 who lack access to family medical history due to their or their parent's adoption.