Bills in the 2012–2013 Session, General Assembly.
L. Grace Spencer
Sponsored
Became law4
Authorizes the court to credit a person in default of a court-imposed financial obligation under certain circumstances.*
Establishes crime of entering into certain restricted airport areas.
Appropriates funds to DEP for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2013.
Authorizes extension of time for completion of remedial investigation of certain contaminated sites prior to DEP undertaking direct oversight.*
Passed the General Assembly7
Prohibits possession of ammunition capable of penetrating body armor.
Requires ATM independent sales organizations to provide certain withdrawal options.
Requires criminal history record check of school district volunteers.
Authorizes creation of stormwater utilities for certain local government entities.
Concerns regulation of grease recycling industry.
Requires PANYNJ to conduct noise and land use compatibility survey.
The "Green Acres, Water Supply and Floodplain Protection, and Farmland and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2014," authorizes bonds for $200 million; appropriates $5,000.
Out of committee10
The "Adopt a Stormwater Management Basin Act."
Concerns combined sewer overflows; exempts improvements thereto from 2% property tax cap; requires certain permit holders address such overflows in capital improvement plans; and appropriates $5 million.
Prohibits employers from obtaining, requiring, or discriminating on the basis of credit reports.
Requires owner or operator of industrial establishment applying for de minimis exemption from "Industrial Site Recovery Act" to certify as to no actual knowledge of contamination exceeding remediation standards.
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.
Requires DEP to update Shore Protection Master Plan.
Permits fifth and sixth class counties to assume control and responsibility for operation and maintenance of beaches bordering Atlantic Ocean unless control and responsibility are reserved by a municipality. *
Repeals law providing CAFRA permit exemption for certain grading or excavation of a dune.
"Local Hospital Fee Pilot Program Act"*
Directs DOH to develop plan to phase out use of latex gloves in health care facilities and food establishments.
In committee56
Makes employment matters not exempted by statute mandatory subjects of public employment collective bargaining.
Makes various changes to the "Law Against Discrimination"; repeals section 4 of P.L.1985, c.73.
Establishes a gross income tax credit for enrollment at a New Jersey college or university.
Modifies elements of the crime of stalking.
Requires readings at two separate meetings before final passage of a policy by a board of education.
Requires non-custodial parent to purchase health benefits coverage for child.
Requires social studies teachers to complete training in African-American studies.
Establishes "Matthew's Law Limiting the Use of Restraints."
Establishes Distressed Cemetery Maintenance and Preservation Fund.
Increases minimum wage.
Establishes Office of Minority Teacher Recruitment in Department of Education.
Authorizes educational service providers to provide in-district special education instructional programs.
Provides enhanced penalties for drunk drivers with blood alcohol concentration of 0.17% or greater.
Provides enhanced penalties for certain crimes when victim is 65 years of age or older, or disabled.
Allows persons on parole and probation to vote; provides registration assistance to persons on probation, parolees, and persons completing sentences.
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.
Requires motorists operating vehicles to maintain minimum three foot safety distance when overtaking bicycles.
Revises approval process for rate changes applicable to medical malpractice liability insurance.
The "Debt-Management Services Act of New Jersey."
Authorizes court to waive certain fees, offer mediation as sentence; authorizes defendant information in presentence report; reduces certain expungement waiting periods; requires benefits be considered in juvenile plan.
Establishes procedures to prevent and eradicate bedbug infestations in certain residential property.
Authorizes waiver of license revocation process for certain child support obligors.
Creates self-defense justification for victims of domestic violence.
Requires training for constables.
Requires holder of rental security deposit account to provide second notice before account is deemed abandoned under the "Uniform Unclaimed Property Act."
Requires video cameras at certain ATMs.
Amends law concerning application, sale, and use of fertilizer to exempt organic fertilizer from certain requirements.
Concerns regulation of solid waste, hazardous waste, and recycling industries.
Establishes an animal abuser registration system.
Concerns grant funding for Community Health Law Project; appropriates $100,000.
Requires yellow label on certain secondhand furniture.
Requires permit from DHSS to refurbish mattresses.
The "Green Building and Infrastructure Tax Credit Act"; provides tax credits for certain green buildings and wood utility poles.
Establishes requirements for pet restraints in passenger automobiles for dogs and cats; establishes failure to comply with requirements as a motor vehicle offense and an animal cruelty offense.
Provides for 30-day period for filing notice of appeal on matters adjudicated in municipal courts.
Clarifies that certain offenders who drive during periods of license suspension are eligible for certain alternatives to incarceration.
The "Debt-Management Services Act of New Jersey."
Provides certain exemptions from sales and use tax for hybrid electric vehicles, compressed natural gas vehicles, and equipment used for refueling or recharging certain vehicles.
Directs CATV companies to provide energy efficient CATV converter boxes to customers.
Clarifies that certain types of sewage and sewage sludge expelled from a public sewer system or public sewage treatment plant are not hazardous substances for purposes of "Spill Compensation and Control Act."
Requires use of constitutionally dedicated moneys to fund conversion of certain diesel vehicles to compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, or electric vehicles.
Increases penalties for careless driving when violation results in injury or death to pedestrian.
Makes FY 2013 supplemental Grants-in-Aid appropriation of $10 million to Department of Community Affairs for Lead Hazard Control Assistance Fund.
The "Preserve New Jersey Act of 2013"; implements constitutional dedication of sales tax revenue for open space, including flood prone areas, farmland, and historic preservation purposes.
Imposes water consumption and diversion user fees to fund open space and farmland preservation projects.
Concerns environmental permits in burdened communities.
Requires consideration of increased property value due to dune construction in determining compensation provided for condemned beachfront property.
Provides exemption for commercial and institutional solid waste generators from source separation requirements of municipal recycling ordinances if recyclable materials are otherwise recycled pursuant to certain conditions and requirements.
The "Emergency Disaster Relief Act of 2013"; appropriates $100 million.
Concerns cancellation of health club services contracts.
Requires drivers to move over or slow down when approaching a bicyclist or pedestrian.
Establishes "Environmental Justice Advisory Council."
Requires boards of education to calculate body mass index for students in first, fourth, seventh, and tenth grades.
Increases penalty for operating motor vehicle equipped with television located or positioned so screen is visible to the driver.
Provides that a public school used as a polling place may not be open for classes and the day must be used for staff professional development.
Requires paint producers to implement or participate in a paint stewardship program.
Carried from the Senate
Became law1
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.
Vetoed1
Repeals law providing CAFRA permit exemption for certain grading or excavation of a dune.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 10
Requires plans, specifications, and bid proposal documents for certain local public contracts to address soil contamination, and requires contracting unit to approve change order under certain circumstances related thereto.*
Revises law concerning certain professional and occupational licenses.
Permits surety companies to issue blanket bonds for certain local government officers and employees; applies rating criteria and underwriting standards to blanket bond coverage.*
Exempts certain properties acquired by municipalities from county, school, and fire district taxes immediately upon aquisition.*
Prohibits certain energy suppliers from making false and misleading claims to potential customers; prohibits suppliers' calls to customers where no business relationship exists.*
Establishes School Security Task Force.*
Appropriates $24,290,379 from "2009 Farmland Preservation Fund" and Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" to State Agriculture Development Committee for farmland preservation purposes.
Expands notification when an offender is released from custody or transferred within the criminal justice system. *
Requires submission of certain mental health records to National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
Requires that certain HIV testing be performed within 48 hours of request by victim.
Vetoed · 12
Prohibits treatment, discharge, disposal, or storage of wastewater, wastewater solids, sludge, drill cuttings or other byproducts from natural gas exploration or production using hydraulic fracturing.*
"Good Samaritan Emergency Response Act"; eliminates criminal liability for persons who seek medical assistance in response to drug overdose. *
Authorizes Judiciary to revise or fees and other statutory fees, subject to limitations, to fund e-court information system and Legal Services of New Jersey; provides for review of such fees by Judiciary.*
Increases minimum wage to $8.50, then makes annual adjustments based on CPI increases.
Establishes Clean Car Commission.**
Provides for priority consideration, by DCA, DEP, DOT, and municipalities, of permit applications for green building projects. *
Revises definition of destructive device to include weapons of 50 caliber or greater.
Prohibits investment by State of pension and annuity funds in companies manufacturing assault firearms for civilian use.**
Requires school buildings to be equipped with emergency light and panic alarm linked to local law enforcement.
Authorizes municipalities to finance water conservation, storm shelter construction, and flood and hurricane resistance projects.*
Establishes task force to study issues related to the establishment of full-day kindergarten.
Requires certain police vehicles to be equipped with cameras.
Passed the General Assembly · 25
Establishes a civil cause of action for gender-motivated violence.
Establishes the Workforce Shortage Loan Redemption Program.
Establishes 180 day prohibition on purchase of handgun for certain individuals who fail to report loss or theft of firearm.
Reduces maximum capacity of ammunition magazines to 10 rounds.
Permits municipalities to establish weapons free zones around schools and public facilities.
Clarifies authority of municipal court to suspend driver's licenses.
Decriminalizes possession of 15 grams or less of marijuana, imposes civil penalties, and establishes fund for drug education.*
Criminalizes purchase or possession of firearms ammunition by persons convicted of certain crimes.
Enacts the "Jessica Lunsford Act": imposes mandatory term of imprisonment; provides for negotiated reduction of mandatory term under certain circumstances.**
Permits small, women or minority owned businesses located in designated regional centers to qualify for loans from EDA as if located in designated urban center.
Concerns determination of value for conveyance of certain State-owned lands.*
"Christopher's Law;" provides court with option of ordering juveniles adjudicated delinquent to receive interactive instruction in preventing gang involvement and gang and youth violence.
Allows corporation business tax or gross income tax credits to developers for certain capital investments for repurposing qualified health care facilities.*
Requires assessments prior to laboratory and diagnostic testing of persons undergoing mental health screening.
Codifies the Judiciary's Foreclosure Mediation Program; dedicates monies from foreclosure filing fees and fines.
Requires cable television, telecommunications, and utility service providers request alternate mode of communication from customers; requires that providers contact customers in event of service interruptions and emergencies.*
Establishes a regulatory and reporting program for ammunition sales and transfers.*
Requires background check for private gun sales.
Requires firearms seizure when mental health professional determines patient poses threat of harm to self or others.
Revises statutes concerning firearms purchaser identification cards and handgun purchase permits; makes handgun purchase permit valid for four years.*
Enacts the "Reader Privacy Act."
Requires at least one State developmental center in each region of State; requires certain factors to be considered for transfer of residents between developmental centers.
Exempts mugshots of arrestees who have not been convicted of the underlying offense from State's open public records law.
Permits qualifying patients to possess and use medical marijuana legally obtained from another jurisdiction; extends State medical marijuana laws to qualifying out-of-State patients; expands ability of parents to serve as primary caregiver to minor child
Requires oversight reporting on Hurricane Sandy recovery funds.
Out of committee · 22
Enacts the "Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption Act."
Revises penalties for animal cruelty, increasing degree of certain offenses; designated as Patrick's Law.
Increases fine and imposes license suspension for talking or texting on hand-held device while driving.
Revises the NJ STARS and NJ STARS II Programs.
Expands category of lists from which a single juror source list is compiled to include recipients of cash assistance or food stamps.
Grants credit against business taxes to developer of rental housing reserved for occupancy by veterans.
Immunizes from civil liability first responders who forcibly enter property to provide emergency assistance.
Establishes "Bleeding Disorders Treatment Fund."
Extends statute of limitations in certain civil actions for sexual abuse; expands the categories of potentially liable defendants; and revives certain actions.*
"Healthcare Disclosure and Transparency Act."
Establishes notification signage, and monitoring requirements related to combined sewer overflows.*
Updates provisions governing Board of Education Employees' Pension Fund of Essex County to comply with Internal Revenue Code.
Provides for phased-in mandatory participation in "drug court" program for certain offenders.*
The "Opioid Antidote and Overdose Prevention Act."
Clarifies that certain types of sewage and sewage sludge do not constitute hazardous substances under "Spill Compensation and Control Act."
"New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training Provider Demonstration Project Act."
Prohibits retail mercantile establishments from imposing surcharges on consumer credit card purchases.
Increases benefit amounts under New Jersey earned income tax credit program to 25 percent of federal earned income tax credit amounts beginning in Tax Year 2013.
"The Opportunity to Compete Act"; establishes certain employment rights for persons with criminal histories.
Enhances penalties for certain firearms offenses; designated as Anti-Gun Trafficking Act of 2013.*
Clarifies charitable contributions are not a factor in determining where person is domiciled under New Jersey gross income tax.
Makes FY 2013 supplemental appropriation to DOH for $7,453,000 for family planning services.
In committee · 66
Requires all elected or appointed local government officers to receive ethics training.
Permits appointment of certain nonpermanent firefighters laid off for reasons of economy to vacant paid positions.
Requires DHSS to establish "New Jersey Autism Website."
"Healthcare Transparency and Disclosure Act."
Establishes Autism Education Council.
Clarifies that conviction of refusal to submit to breathalyzer constitutes prior conviction for sentencing purposes under drunk driving law.
Eliminates 15% fee charged by cemetery company on transfer of graves, crypts and niches.
Designates walking as New Jersey State Exercise.
Prohibits businesses that outsource jobs overseas from receiving State contracts or grants; prohibits investment of State funds in such businesses.
Establishes timeframes for certain stages in interest arbitration procedures.
Requires carriers to clarify whether medically necessary procedures are covered benefits and remit certain payments to hospitals for services rendered.
Authorizes local public contract set-aside program for employers who hire former prisoners.
Provides rental and lease protections for domestic violence victims.
Requires all personal audio players distributed in New Jersey to contain warning about volume and hearing loss.
Provides for termination of child support obligation upon certain conditions.
The "Abandoned Cemetery Maintenance and Preservation Act."
Establishes standardized energy audit and training program.
Revises definition of class I renewable energy to include energy produced by certain geothermal heat pumps.
Establishes "Monica's Law" concerning domestic violence risk assessment pilot program.
Establishes a New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program under the New Jersey gross income tax for home purchases during a qualified period.
Prohibits the use of certain fishing gear on artificial reefs.
Upgrades lewdness to fourth degree crime if committed in public rest room.
Requires applicants for liquor licenses and license transfers to notify residents within 200 feet of licensed premises.
Prohibits certain sales of alcoholic beverages within 1,000 feet of schools or religious institutions.
Requires mandatory registration of family day care providers.
Exempts sales to homeowner assistance and recovery programs from realty transfer fees.
Addresses various concerns affecting post-release employment.
"Historic Property Reinvestment Act"; provides credits against certain taxes for certain costs of rehabilitating historic properties.
Amends law concerning conversion of age-restricted communities to define substantial detriment and makes other clarifications.
Establishes "Victim-Witness Scholarship Fund;" establishes "Witness Protection Fund;" and concerns State forfeiture funds.
Creates advisory council to oversee revision of core curriculum content standards.
Establishes a Gun Court Pilot Program in Passaic County.
Establishes five-year tax credit program to support expansion of preschool in school districts.
Allows certain undocumented aliens to qualify for in-state tuition rates at public institutions of higher education.
Reforms procedures concerning provision of affordable housing; abolishes Council on Affordable Housing.
Requires ATM facilities to be equipped with access to emergency telephone service.
Requires insurance coverage for magnetic resonance imaging for women at high risk for breast cancer.
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.
Provides supplemental appropriation of $2,700,000 to DCA for Neighborhood Preservation Program.
Increases gross income tax rate on income exceeding $1,000,000 and dedicates revenue from tax rate increase for direct real property tax relief for taxpayers.
Increase gross income tax rate on income exceeding $1,000,000 for taxable years 2011 and 2012 and expands gross income tax exclusion for pensions, annuities and other retirement income for certain taxpayers beginning in 2011.
Creates crime of victimization of persons with disabilities and senior citizens.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to support NJ SHARES.
Concerns repayment of unemployment compensation overpayments.
Requires parole board under certain circumstances to release inmates not convicted of a violent crime under the No Early Release Act at the time of parole eligibility.
Concerns eligibility for unemployment benefits for certain seasonal workers.
Provides a NJHOPE credit, increases the current gross income tax homestead property tax credit, and increases the gross income tax rate on taxable income exceeding $1,000,000.
Requires court appearance for certain motor vehicle offenses that occur in school zone.
Requires certain entities to be equipped with generators and allows those entities to qualify for NJEDA loans for cost of generators.
Establishes energy efficiency standards for battery chargers.
Requires MVC to issue driving privilege cards to persons who cannot prove lawful presence in the country.
Increases penalties for illegal use of telephone or electronic communication device while driving.
Increases fine for student truancy and requires truant student to attend court-ordered truancy counseling program or other appropriate program.
Requires BPU to conduct pilot program to allow free parking for alternative fuel vehicles and alternative technology vehicles.
Exempts from sales tax for two years certain highly fuel efficient vehicles and energy efficient appliances.
Allows certain students including undocumented immigrants who meet certain criteria to qualify for in-State tuition at public institutions of higher education and State financial aid.
The "Green Acres, Water Supply and Floodplain Protection, and Farmland and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2013," authorizes bonds for $400 million; appropriates $5,000.
Establishes task force to study the relationships among video games, mental health, and violence.
Permits payment of only one co-payment or deductible for follow-up care or treatment after surgery or illness under certain health benefits plans.
Requires OLS to provide certain notices and reports to legislators and legislative staff by electronic means only.
Makes crime of firearms trafficking subject to No Early Release Act.
Enhances penalty for failure to report loss or theft of firearm that subsequently is used in a crime.
Establishes enhanced penalties for licensed firearms dealers under certain circumstance.
Increases penalties for motor vehicle violations resulting in serious bodily injury or death to certain persons in highway.
Expands implied consent statute to include blood and urine testing.
Establishes "Rutgers, The State University Study Commission."