Bills in the 2008–2009 Session, General Assembly.
Peter J. Biondi
Sponsored
Became law1
Authorizes creation of non-lapsing Attorney ID Card Program trust fund by counties.
Passed the General Assembly1
Requires that notice of hearing on certain zoning changes be by certified mail only.
In committee33
Authorizes DCA to establish bidding and conflict of interest guidelines for homeowners' associations.
Creates defibrillator grant program in DHSS for municipalities; appropriates $1.7 million.
Creates video camera grant program in DLPS for municipalities; makes an appropriation.
Prohibits persons convicted of certain crimes from possessing body vest.
Eliminates requirement that school bus drivers be fingerprinted for license renewal.
Prohibits awarding of municipal professional services contracts to certain elected officials.
Increases period of license suspension for certain drunk driving offenses.
Establishes the offense of incest.
Requires Medicaid program to increase reimbursement for ambulance services provided to Medicaid recipients who are also Medicare eligible to Medicare rate.
Requires issuance of permit to replace shower valves.
Extends veteran's tax deduction to certain persons undergoing training for deployment in Operation "Iraqi Freedom."
Revises public school district budget cap adjustment for special education and establishes adjustments for utility costs, health benefits costs, legal fees, and membership dues for New Jersey School Boards Association.
Raises penalties for operating snowmobiles or all-terrain vehicles while under the influence.
Eliminates use of vaccines containing mercury over three years.
Provides for motor fuels tax exemption to school bus contractors.
Provides that chair and vice-chair of Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards will be selected from among committee's public members on bipartisan basis.
Authorizes licensed air ambulance services to be dispatched as air medical unit first responders in New Jersey and directs DHSS to establish certain dispatch guidelines.
Exempts certain State authorities and local government contracting units from bidding requirements when goods and services are procured below prices available under State contract.
Increases maximum municipal contribution to fire districts and volunteer fire companies; indexes amount biennially for inflation.
Upgrades possession of controlled dangerous substance in drug free school zone to second degree crime.
Increases income limits for eligibility to receive homestead property tax reimbursement.
Maintains affordability controls on low and moderate income housing in perpetuity.
Clarifies procedure for determination of discount for prepayment and interest for delinquency on property taxes and municipal charges.
Establishes building permit center in Division of Codes and Standards in DCA.
Prohibits double-trailer truck combinations on certain portions of U.S. Route 206 in Mercer and Somerset counties.
Creates offenses pertaining to unauthorized use of confidential information.
Requires fingerprinting for certain disorderly persons offenses.
Requires Commissioner of Community Affairs to list on department website copies of documents related to shared service agreements between local units of government and municipal consolidations.
Provides for priority consideration, by State, of permit applications by counties and municipalities with 10 or more shared services.
Permits board of chosen freeholders to establish "Sharing Resources" grant and loan program to encourage shared services and municipal consolidation.
Grants county planning board power to review site plans for land development affecting county roads.
Regulates the sale and possession of body armor.
Establishes certain ethics protocols for procurement of fire engines.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 14
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. *
Permits municipal board of library trustees to transfer surplus funds to municipality for tax relief under certain conditions.
Revises "Landscape Irrigation Contractor Certification Act of 1991."
Amends stalking law to broaden protections for victims.
Establishes Veterans' Oral History Foundation.
Requires health benefits coverage for certain therapies for the treatment of autism and other developmental disabilities. *
Imposes moratorium on harvest and possession of horseshoe crabs.
The "Permit Extension Act of 2008."
"Tree Experts and Tree Care Operators Licensing Act."
"Ricci's Law;" revises ignition interlock device requirements for certain drunk driving offenders. *
Provides for continuing education for real estate brokers, broker-salespersons and salespersons, and creates a new licensing category of referral agents. *
Revises conditions to qualify for exemptions from electrical contracting permit requirements for electrical installation, repair and maintenance work done by public employees on public property. *
"The Solar Energy Advancement and Fair Competition Act."
The "Green Acres, Water Supply and Floodplain Protection, and Farmland and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2009," authorizes bonds for $400 million; appropriates $5,000. **
Vetoed · 1
Lengthens service life of certain school buses to 15 years. **
Passed the General Assembly · 5
Expands eligibility for veterans' civil service preference; creates additional preference benefits.
Requires certain elected officials and appointed officers eligible for dual health benefits coverage to choose coverage by one public entity. *
Establishes State Capital Coordinating Council on Emergency Evacuation Routes and Procedures.
Requires retail mercantile establishment to provide manufacturer's rebate at time of consumer purchase.
Permits sheriffs, local police, and county corrections facilities to hire certain laid off officers without utilizing certain Civil Service lists. *
Out of committee · 21
Requires recipients of certain unusually hazardous substances to notify local fire officials of anticipated storage time of such substances in their communities.
Revises "Notaries Public Act of 1979."
Permits municipality to enact ordinance regulating where sex offenders may reside. *
Requires DHSS to report certain patient safety indicators on a hospital by hospital basis and prohibits hospitals from charging for certain medical errors. *
Exempts certain renewable energy systems from real property taxation. *
Enacts the "Jessica Lunsford Act;" increases sentences for sex offenders and persons who harbor them.
Bars certain sex offenders from positions in youth serving organizations. *
Appropriates $1,068,921 from "Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund" to provide historic site management grants for certain historic preservation projects.
Appropriates $54,917,725 from various Green Acres funds for local government open space acquisition and park development projects.
Provides manufacturers a single sales fraction corporation business tax income allocation formula.
Enhances PFRS accidental death pension benefit for survivors of member serving in nonsupervisory rank.
Grants workers' compensation coverage to volunteer firefighters going to or returning from their stations when called to a fire.
Appropriates $27.75 million from "2007" Farmland Preservation Fund" and "Garden State Farmland Preservation Fund" for planning incentive grants to municipalities for farmland preservation purposes.
Appropriates $49.65 million from "2007" Farmland Preservation Fund" for farmland preservation purposes.
Appropriates $6.45 million from "2007 Farmland Preservation Fund" and "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for grants to certain nonprofit organizations for farmland preservation purposes.
Appropriates $120,123,420 from various Green Acres funds for local government open space acquisition and park development projects.
Appropriates $19,919,700 from various Green Acres funds for grants to certain nonprofit entities to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
Appropriates $15,557,201 from various historic preservation funds to provide grants for certain historic preservation projects, and appropriates $574,805 from certain historic preservation bond funds for associated administrative expenses.
Establishes additional investigative and enforcement powers in Division of Consumer Affairs to deter individuals from engaging in unauthorized practice of professions and occupations.
Appropriates funds to DEP for environmental infrastructure projects.
Authorizes New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects.
In committee · 89
Prohibits certain contributions by certain entities and individuals doing business with counties or municipalities; limits amount of contribution by principals and officers of such entities.
Provides that PERS member holding more than one position covered by PERS has to designate one position as the basis for enrollment.
Prohibits elected officials and public employees from enrolling for health benefits with more than one public entity; provides civil action for treble expenses by public entity providing additional coverage.
Eliminates exception allowing supplier to discriminate in tank wagon price of branded motor fuel to meet competition.
Designated "New Jersey Economic Development Promotion Act"; streamlines and reorganizes State economic development statutes in order to promote administrative efficiency.
Changes compensation trigger for reenrollment of PERS retiree from $15,000 in aggregate to $15,000 per public employer.
Provides for conscientious exemption to mandatory immunizations.
Increases membership of PFRS board of trustees from 11 to 13 members.
Requires local government notification of sex offender registration and prohibits sex offenders from living near schools, child care centers or playgrounds.
Ends the transitional energy facilities assessment, caps the State use portion of State energy tax revenues and ensures the balance of such State revenues are paid annually as municipal aid.
Eliminates PERS membership for current and future part-time elected and appointed officials.
Prohibits sex offenders from entering school property.
Provides that English shall be the official language of the State.
Prohibits sale of gasoline containing MTBE; directs DEP to seek waiver from EPA oxygen requirements for purpose of discontinuing use of MTBE; and establishes Transportation Energy Security Council to monitor good faith compliance effort.
Prohibits certain sex offenders from selling from ice cream trucks.
Bars high-risk and moderate-risk sex offenders from residing within 2,500 feet of a school, child care center or playground.
"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.
Permits municipality to enact ordinance prohibiting sex offenders from living near schools, child care centers or playgrounds.
Allows certain volunteer firefighters, rescue and first aid squad members to claim $500 income tax deduction.
Exempts volunteer fire companies from charitable registration fees.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song.
Revises Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act; repeals law expediting certain State permits.
Permits smoking in place or building owned and operated by social or fraternal organization.
Provides for philosophical exemption to mandatory immunizations.
Requires school districts to inform the parent or guardian of a student recommended to use certain medications of the possible side effects and potential negative consequences of those medications.
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.
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
"Transportation Trust Fund Renewal and Reform Act of 2005."
Repeals cosmetic medical procedure gross receipts tax.
Prohibits contributions by certain entities doing business with State; limits amount of contributions by principals and officers of such entities.
Concerns telemarketing political calls.
Prohibits members of the Legislature from acting on certain bills in which they have personal interest; redefines personal interest.
Revises various provisions of the "New Jersey Cemetery Act, 2003."
Requires demonstration of compliance with municipal zoning requirements as a condition for the issuance of certain construction and occupancy permits.
Establishes procedures for operation of air ambulance services.
Limits payment to $15,000 for accumulated sick leave upon retirement for local public employees.
Provides for mandatory imprisonment and forfeiture of retirement benefits for public officers or employees convicted of certain crimes.
Increases enrollment threshold in PERS and TPAF to $10,000; requires assessment of adding annual minimum hour requirement to qualify for service credit.
Concerns affordable housing in the Highlands Region.
Repeals Highlands planning and environmental permitting provisions of "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act," and amends various statutes to reflect repeal thereof.
"Transportation Trust Fund Renewal and Enhancement Act."
Requires in public schools instruction on the contributions of United States veterans and the observance of patriotic exercises on certain holidays.
Exempts military personnel receiving combat zone pay from the gross income tax.
Provides DEP authority over remedy selection for cleanup of contaminated property to be used for residential purposes or as a school.
Clarifies procedures for closing active child protective services cases.
Provides that no more than four of the seven public members appointed to the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council may be of the same political party.
Exempts construction, expansion or renovation of buildings or other structures for police departments, fire departments, and volunteer first aid, emergency, ambulance or rescue squads from "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act."
Creates offense of financial exploitation of the elderly.
Authorizes imposition of additional fines for overcrowding.
Establishes "Matthew's Law Limiting the Use of Restraints."
Requires insurers and State health care coverage programs to cover cost of HPV vaccine.
Requires public referendum prior to issuance of general obligation bonds by local units.
"Highway Accident Property Tax Relief Act;" requires State to reimburse municipalities for costs of providing certain emergency services.
Establishes 6-member "Prescription Drug Labeling Task Force."
Requires ten years legal experience to be eligible to be appointed county prosecutor.
Prohibits sale of food and beverage packaging and containers made with bisphenol A.
Caps bond counsel legal fees and costs on public issuers' bond transactions and requires a competitive selection process for retaining bond counsel.
Revises membership and duties of Pension and Health Benefits Review Commission.
Restricts use of accumulated sick leave by public employees in year prior to retirement.
Limits payment upon retirement to $10,000 to State and local public officers and employees for accumulated sick leave.
Prohibits certain public officers and employees from receiving dual health care benefit coverage.
Excludes certain federal employee Thrift Savings Fund contributions from gross income under the gross income tax.
Permits direct shipping of wine to New Jersey consumers.
Repeals law providing benefits for family temporary disability leave.
Restores the death penalty for certain murders.
Provides that municipalities with minimum amounts of developable land may file certification with the Council on Affordabe Housing, even if no petition for substantive certification is filed.
Requires proposed State budgets be balanced against recurring revenues and places related constraints on budget messages.
Designated the Shop Here, Save Money, Secure Jobs Act of 2008; establishes sales and use tax rate reduction period from November 28, 2008 through January 4, 2009, sets reduction period tax rate at 3.5%.
Allows vendors to retain 1% of sales tax collected as consideration for collecting and promptly remitting the same.
Delays implementation of paid family leave for one year.
Provides sales tax exemption for sales of prepared foods.
Provides full forfeiture of pension of elected or appointed official convicted of any crime touching office.
Prohibits electric public utilities from cutting or removing agricultural items located on certain right-of-way easements on private property.
Bars sex offenders from jobs which primarily consist of contact with children.
Protects property owned by military personnel and first responders from condemnation.
Revises and expands duties and responsibilities of State Auditor in performance of certain audits and reviews.
Abolishes Council on Affordable Housing for failure to comply with legislative directives.
Provides prescriber or health care facility with discretion to number prescription blank forms consecutively.
Consumer Relief Act of 2009; establishes temporary sales and use tax rate reduction periods for sales of certain goods and services.
Establishes 18-month moratorium on promulgation of new administrative rules and issuance of new policy circular letters by State agencies.
Removes authority of MVC to increase certain fees; sets certain fees by statute.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to the "American Red Cross-NJ Fund".
Concerns dispensation by an optometrist or ophthalmologist to a patient of drugs delivered to the eye through a contact lens.
Prohibits certain unsolicited checks.
Requires New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development to provide database of initiatives from other states with respect to green jobs.
Permits officers of S corporations to be eligible for workers' compensation.
Requires Department of Labor and Workforce Development to establish a database of green job vacancies.
Requires Department of Labor and Workforce Development to establish certification program for green jobs and provide tax credits.