Bills in the 2004–2005 Session, General Assembly.
Douglas H. Fisher
Sponsored
Became law6
Prohibits legislative agents from accepting contingency fees to influence legislation or regulation.
Permits expanded use of farm vehicles.
Increases maximum bond amount filed with Department of Agriculture by certain purchasers of milk or cream and agricultural commodities.
Appropriates $25 million from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for planning incentive grants to municipalities and counties for farmland preservation purposes.
Increases liability limitation for owners or operators of vessels that discharge a hazardous substance.
Authorizes Dept. of Agriculture to establish surety fund and assess fees for benefit of perishable agricultural commodity growers, and modifies amount of surety required to be filed by licensed purchasers of such commodities.
Passed the General Assembly5
Requires buildout analysis as part of master plan reexamination report.
Revises statutes regarding acupuncturists.
Concerns tax preparation services for certain clients.
Directs public school officials regarding the administration and implementation of the "No Child Left Behind Act of 2001." *
Requires Attorney General to prepare pamphlet for parents on keeping children safe from predators. *
Out of committee15
Excludes housing and subsistence allowances of members of active and reserve components of U.S. Armed Forces, and of National Guard members on State active duty, from taxable gross income. *
Prohibits certain elected officials from receiving dual health benefit coverage.
Permits a farm income averaging credit under the New Jersey gross income tax.
Limits certain State and nonprofit open space acquisitions in municipalities. *
Permits federally qualified health centers to be reimbursed for off-site services. *
Appropriates moneys from the "Dam, Lake, Stream, Flood Control, Water Resources, and Wastewater Treatment Project Bond Act of 2003" for loans for dams restoration and repair projects and to finance the costs of State dam restoration and repair projects.
The "Public Dam Rehabilitation Project Bond Act," authorizes bonds for $90,000,000 and appropriates $5,000.
"New Jersey Advance Directives for Mental Health Care Act."
Lowers the minimum full-time jobs requirement for business relocation and retention tax credits.
Establishes pilot program for satellite-based monitoring of certain sex offenders and authorizes certain sex offenders to submit to annual polygraph; appropriates $3 million. *
Appropriates moneys from the "Dam, Lake, Stream, Flood Control, Water Resources, and Wastewater Treatment Project Bond Act of 2003" to finance the costs of State flood control projects.
Directs AG to include gang information in Uniform Crime Report, requires gang information to be included on finger print card, appropriates $70,000.
Requires DHS to apply for Home and Community-Based Services waiver for DDD and provide status reports to Legislature. *
Provides energy and utility service sales tax relief benefit to certain manufacturers located near state with minimal or no sales tax.
Appropriates $46.225 million from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for farmland preservation purposes.
In committee51
Provides for third party payment of registered nurse first assistant when insurer covers payment for surgical first assistant services.
Establishes "Wake Up New Jersey" fire prevention grant program.
Establishes certain Dept. of Agriculture programs to promote marketing opportunities for farmers.
Amends "Toxic Catastrophe Prevention Act" to address terrorist and criminal acts.
Prohibits the receipt of certain honoraria by members of the Legislature.
Restores funding to statutory level for Homestead Property Tax Reimbursement program.
Exempts municipalites from payment of corporate filing fees.
Requires certain certification for participation in certain firefighting activities.
Requires retail food establishments to provide certain nutritional information for food or beverage items sold to its customers.
Appropriates $468,700 to Agricultural Experiment Station for oyster revitalization.
Prohibits imposition of the corporation business tax on certain foreign corporations that only store personal property in this State incident to its importation.
Provides for advance directives for mental health services.
Establishes "Health Care Professional Screening Task Force"; appropriates $90,000.
Revises renewable energy portfolio standard.
Exempts homeopathic drugs and dietary supplements from physician dispensing limits.
Limits expenditure of State funds on State advertisements or promotions that feature the Governor.
Requires New Jersey Commerce and Economic Growth Commission's annual report to include information on expenditure of public funds for certain advertising.
Revises the eligibility criteria under the State earned income tax credit to equal the eligibility criteria of the federal earned income tax credit.
The "Working Families Property Tax Refund Act."
Establishes Office of Minority Teacher Recruitment in Department of Education.
Requires NJ Energy Star Homes Program incentives be available Statewide.
Establishes "New Jersey Council on Child Poverty."
Allows credit against gross income tax liability for dependent care expenses or a heightened credit for the expenses of child care provided by a nationally accredited child care center.
Creates the "Commission on Undocumented Immigrants".
Concerns unemployment compensation for workers who are "locked-out" of employment.
Extends the life of certain school buses from 12 to 15 years.
Requires public schools to include instruction on humane treatment of animals as part of the Core Curriculum Content Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.
Establishes the "Voting Rights Restoration Task Force."
Allows corporation business tax credit and gross income tax credit for certain costs of operating sick child care centers.
Prohibits imposition of death penalty on mentally retarded defendants.
Establishes the "New Jersey False Claims Act."
Requires responsible business practices by large employers regarding wages and benefits.
Authorizes criminal background checks for au pairs and nannies.
Provides for establishment of county offices for the disabled; appropriates $425,000.
Provides for continuous, satellite-based monitoring and polygraph testing of high risk sex offenders; appropriates $2 million.
Requires DHS to compile list of State properties suitable for residential treatment facilities for children in need of mental health services.
Requires Commissioner of Community Affairs to establish the "Senior Citizen Home Repair and Modification Program;" appropriates $10 million.
Permits police officer to impound uninsured motor vehicle.
"Health Security Act"; establishes Health Security Program in DHSS to provide affordable health care coverage to businesses and individuals.
Provides for recognition of Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indians of New Jersey, Inc., for certain limited federal purposes.
Requires approval from appropriation committees of the Legislature for employee bonuses proposed by certain public institutions of higher education.
Increases penalties for harboring or concealing a sex offender.
Requires judges in divorce and in termination of domestic partnership actions to inquire whether parties want to change or revoke advance directive.
Permits certain for-profit entities to manage or operate cemeteries.
Requires DOC commissioner to implement telecommunications voice mail system for staff in correctional facilities.
"New Jersey Uninsured Auto Enforcement Act."
Prohibits use of certain underwriting guidelines by insurers pertaining to guide dogs, service dogs, or hearing assistance dogs harbored on the insured property.
Appropriates $1,263,166 from "Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund" to provide historic site management grants for certain historic preservation projects.
Requires independent contractors to submit to background checks to work within certain industries.
Makes permanent sex offender monitoring pilot program.
Permits certain State officers to accept reimbursements of greater than $500 if made by federal government to attend training outside State.
Carried from the Senate
Became law8
Excludes housing and subsistence allowances of members of active and reserve components of U.S. Armed Forces, and of National Guard members on State active duty, from taxable gross income. *
Establishes pilot program for satellite-based monitoring of certain sex offenders and authorizes certain sex offenders to submit to annual polygraph; appropriates $3 million. *
Directs AG to include gang information in Uniform Crime Report, requires gang information to be included on finger print card, appropriates $70,000.
Appropriates moneys from the "Dam, Lake, Stream, Flood Control, Water Resources, and Wastewater Treatment Project Bond Act of 2003" for loans for dams restoration and repair projects and to finance the costs of State dam restoration and repair projects.
Appropriates moneys from the "Dam, Lake, Stream, Flood Control, Water Resources, and Wastewater Treatment Project Bond Act of 2003" to finance the costs of State flood control projects.
"New Jersey Advance Directives for Mental Health Care Act."
Requires DHS to apply for Home and Community-Based Services waiver for DDD and provide status reports to Legislature. *
Appropriates $46.225 million from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for farmland preservation purposes.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 26
Expands campaign communications required to feature identification to include telephone calls featuring recorded messages made in regard to candidates and public questions.
Sets time period for filing application for recount at 15 days following election.
Permits voting by absentee ballot for any reason; requires increased identification when requesting and returning absentee ballots; authorizes automatic transmission of absentee ballot application for general election. **
"Kinship Legal Guardianship Notification Act."
Permits appointment of up to four alternate members to municipal zoning boards of adjustment.
Empowers United States Department of Defense police officers to make arrests for certain violations of New Jersey law.
Prohibits fireworks or pyrotechnics in certain buildings. *
Changes laws governing financial liability for patients in psychiatric facilities and eliminates institutional liens for persons treated at State and county psychiatric facilities. **
Establishes a civil penalty for persons who contribute to a high school student-athlete's loss of amateur-athlete status. *
Requires nursing homes to have defibrillator on site and employees trained to use defibrillator.
Restores Department of the Public Advocate as principal department in Executive Branch. **
Grants Abbott district status to Salem City School District.
Requires hospitals and nursing homes to compile and provide certain staffing information to the public. *
Prohibits sale or distribution of cigarettes in packs of less than 20.
Requires permanent, full-time county fire marshals and assistant marshals authorized to coordinate, control or extinguish fires to be enrolled in PFRS.
Increases the amount of bonds issued for county college capital projects which qualify for State debt service aid support.
Upgrades criminal trespass under certain circumstances. *
Modifies catch and possession limits for taking of striped bass.
Redirects $100 million in unemployment taxes to Health Care Subsidy Fund, changes thresholds for employer unemployment taxes, and modifies UI benefits. *
Appropriates $75 million from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" for State acquisition of or development of lands for recreation and conservation purposes. *
Appropriates $52,432,378 from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for farmland preservation purposes.
"The Domestic Violence and Workforce Development Initiative."
Extends eligibility for sales and use tax exemption of energy and utility service purchases by certain manufacturing-intensive businesses in Urban Enterprise Zones and certain counties. *
Approves $6,585,306 in grants for certain historic preservation projects in southern New Jersey.
Establishes date of initial employment with board of education as effective date of provisional teaching certificate and provides that novice teacher will be a teaching staff member for all purposes.
Appropriates $30,000,000 to the DEP from the "Wastewater Treatment Bond Act of 1985" for grants to or on behalf of local government units for wastewater treatment system projects.
Passed the General Assembly · 19
Permanently disqualifies certain persons convicted of child endangerment from working with children.
Permits school bus operator to display "Stop When Red Lights Are Flashing" on rear of bus.
Prohibits public colleges from charging tuition to students who are parents, spouses or children of those killed, missing in action or disabled in Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom or in Operation Iraqi Freedom. *
Requires photographic identification cards for certain health care professionals. *
Upgrades penalty for misusing public utility employee identification badge; establishes penalties for making, selling or possessing simulated public utility employee identification badge.
Requires charge to nonresidents for E-ZPass transponders. *
Prohibits sale to minors of anabolic androgenic steroids prohibited by World Anti-Doping Agency. *
Requires independent contractors to submit to background checks to work within certain industries.
Establishes the New Jersey-Africa Commission.
"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.
Establishes "New Jersey Task Force on Long-Term Care Quality and Financing."
Requires the placement of organ donation information and materials at public institutions of higher education.
Provides for civil action against person committing act of cruelty against domestic companion animal.
Implements procedures to ensure compliance of State agencies with certain set-aside contract requirements.
Concerns penalties for passing a school bus.
Authorizes bars and restaurants to offer special discounts based on sex under certain circumstances. *
Provides NJ STARS scholarship to certain students who had been enrolled in a dual enrollment program established by the students's high school and a county college.
Prohibits public school districts from joining under certain circumstances voluntary associations which oversee Statewide interscholastic sports programs.
Revises school district budget cap adjustment for courtesy busing, makes permanent adjustment for insurance and domestic security, provides adjustment for utility costs and an appeal on administrative cost limits, and authorizes 3% surplus for 2006-2007
Out of committee · 49
Prohibits campaign contributions by certain business entities performing State, county and local contracts; prohibits certain contributions by county committee of political party.
Prohibits solicitation and making of political contributions on State property by certain persons.
Increases monetary penalties for violations of "New Jersey Conflicts of Interest Law."
Requires candidates seeking office of Governor or member of Legislature to disclose prior conviction for criminal offense.
Expands definition of lobbyist and legislative agent to include those who influence governmental processes; defines governmental processes.
Establishes "Commission to Examine Strategies for Strengthening Familial Bond Between Children and Incarcerated Parents."
Establishes criminal penalty for Megan's Law registrant who gives false address; requires verification of address before registrant is released.
Establishes Child Labor Law Enforcement Fund.
Establishes a program to provide college scholarships to the parent, spouses and children of those killed, missing in action or disabled in Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. *
Increases applicants' annual minimum allocation of transferable tax benefits under the New Jersey Emerging Technology and Biotechnology Financial Assistance Program.
Provides for establishment of county offices for the disabled; making an appropriation.
Revises qualifications to carry firearms for certain retired police officers. *
The "New Jersey Freedom to Fish Act."
Requires nursing homes to compile and provide certain staffing information to the public. *
Requires DEP Commissioner to establish list of environmentally responsible companies and recognition and grant program for certain exemplary companies; requires companies on list be given preference whenever possible in the awarding of State contracts. *
Requires criminal background checks of employees of private prisoner transport companies.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to Community Food Pantry Fund.
Removes license suspension penalty for persons with only one outstanding parking fine; permits Motor Vehicle Commission to refuse registration to persons with only one outstanding parking fine. *
Provides for re-enrollment right or refund of fees for students who are called to active duty for certain military operations. *
Clarifies procedures for closing active child protective services cases.
Clarifies that cruelty to animals includes the use of an animal to injure another animal or the use of any direct or indirect means to inflict the cruelty. *
Establishes New Jersey Rx Program to reduce prescription drug prices.
Encourages State purchase of "Jersey Fresh," "Jersey Grown," and other NJ agricultural products and commodities. *
Revises pilotage laws.
Revises "lemon law" refund formula for consumers of certain new motor vehicles.
Requires services under State contracts to be performed in the United States. *
Provides for establishment of liens on proceeds of life insurance policies for payment of child support judgments.
Designates Downer Soil as New Jersey State Soil.
Permits adopted person and certain others access to adopted person's original birth certificate and other related information; appropriates $1,000,000. *
Creates credit card do-not-solicit list for certain persons.
Prohibits the sale of gasoline containing MTBE.
"Health Claims Authorization, Processing and Payment Act." *
Exempts solar energy systems from real property taxation.
"Billy's Law;" directs Department of Education to establish a register of qualified educational facilities outside the State for special education students and establishes procedures for the placement of such facilities on the register.
"Family Health Care Coverage Act"; reestablishes NJ FamilyCare Program, expands eligibility for Medicaid program for parents and adults without dependent children and provides for pharmaceutical manufacturer rebates for GA program. *
Designates Jersey tomato as State Vegetable.
Requires and permits preference in awarding certain contracts in order to satisfy certain urban revitalization goals.
Authorizes early termination of residential lease by senior citizen tenant accepted into assisted living facility, continuing care retirement community, or low or moderate income housing.
Permits unemployment benefits for workers "locked-out" by their employers.
Appropriates $1 million in Federal funds for the Garden State Ethanol Project.
Creates the "New Jersey Security and Financial Empowerment Act" to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. *
Prohibits use of public school corrective actions available under federal law unless actions are scientifically based and proven effective in bringing about desired organizational change.
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.
Changes criteria for continued receipt of NJ STARS scholarship after first year of enrollment in a county college.
Changes project listing requirements for certain farmland preservation programs; appropriates $44 million from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for State farmland acquisitions; and appropriates $1,009,225 in bond funds for soil and water c
Appropriates $15 million from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for farmland preservation purposes in Highlands Region.
Appropriates $5.015 million from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for grants to certain nonprofit organizations for farmland preservation purposes.
Appropriates $31,415,464 from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for planning incentive grants to counties and municipalities for farmland preservation purposes.
Changes striped bass catch and possession limits.
In committee · 97
Requires licensure of hospital in Union County to provide adult cardiac surgery services.
Establishes the crime of assault by animal.
Requires reporting by certain persons of attemped or completed suicides by youth and establishes NJ Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council.
Establishes procedures for court and DYFS to determine safety of minor child whose child's caretaker is incarcerated.
Doubles amount of certain retirement income that may be excluded from gross income under the gross income tax.
Creates a civil rape shield law.
Concerns errors in estimating income for certain programs for aged and disabled persons.
Establishes certain customer protection requirements for cable televison customers.
"Michael's Law;" imposes mandatory jail time and rehabilitation for third or subsequent drunk driving offenses.
Requires award of grants to remediate discharges from home heating oil tanks for applications filed prior to July 1, 2007.
Provides official State recognition of Powhatan Renape Nation, Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indians of New Jersey, Inc., and Ramapough Mountain Indians as American Indian Tribes for certain purposes.
Establishes corporation business tax credit for certain remediation costs.
Establishes Task Force on Child Welfare.
Authorizes a county college board of trustees to grant voting rights to the graduating class representative on the board and requires the board chairman to cast deciding vote in the event of a tie under certain circumstances.
Establishes standards for State and State authority design-build contracts and design-build-operate and maintain contracts.
Establishes procedures for issuance of certain bonds, notes and other obligations.
Provides PFRS members in federal or State military service who is injured or killed with disability or death benefits.
Establishes special license plate supporting after-school programs.
Requires Commissioner of Education to grant an equivalency or waiver under certain conditions.
Provides additional State school aid to school districts with significant enrollment growth and low per pupil property and income wealth.
Classifies burglary of a residence as a crime of the second degree.
Clarifies that school bus for purpose of upgraded penalties in "school zone" criminal drug laws includes any bus owned and operated by board of education or by private contractor.
Requires DHSS investigation and provides for receivership and imposition of enforcement remedies of nursing homes under certain circumstances.
Increases public members on New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education.
Protects privacy of an individual's financial information by prohibiting disclosure without the prior informed, affirmative consent of the consumer.
Requires DYFS to provide people who make reports of child abuse or neglect to DYFS with written confirmation of report's receipt.
Requires child to DYFS caseworker ratio of no greater than 25 to 1.
Provides that the State shall pay health insurance premiums for survivors of certain police officers in PERS.
Exempts physicians from jury service under certain circumstances.
Requires mortgage lenders to include list of financial assistance programs with notice of intention to foreclose.
Provides for maximum rate for transcript fees.
Increases motor vehicle property damage reporting threshold to over $1,000.
Establishes a juror voluntary charitable contribution system.
Provides for posting of radon testing results in public schools.
Establishes toll-free hotline to report motorists who litter in New Jersey.
Requires certain long-term care facilities to provide training in Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.
Provides early childhood program aid to certain school districts contiguous to Abbott districts.
Provides increased demonstrably effective program aid to school districts contiguous to Abbott districts.
Establishes in-house counseling services for DYFS employees.
Creates crime of committing offense in senior citizen zone.
Permits immediate expungement of court records where the person is acquitted or discharged or where the charges have been dismissed.
Requires State and State authorities to report to Legislature on certain contracts; requires State Auditor to review the financing of certain contracts.
Prohibits assessment on certain municipalities for State Police patrol services.
Requires drug testing of foster parents and DYFS caseworkers.
Provides that cash assistance from DHS kinship care programs shall not be considered income for certain State-funded programs.
Prohibits public entity from compensating officer or employee who is member of Legislature for time off to attend legislative meetings.
Increases fairness for bidding on certain public contracts requiring proprietary goods, services, materials, or supplies.
"New Jersey Medical Care Access and Responsibility and Patients First Act."
Provides for convening of State constitutional convention to reform system of property taxation.
Provides that mentally retarded persons would not be eligible for the death penalty.
Makes certain reforms in the process of estimating and certifying State revenues for the annual State budget.
Expands number of disorders included in newborn screening program.
Establishes pilot program for CDL training.
Exempts certain persons enrolled in public institutions of higher education from payment of undergraduate tuition at nonresident rates.
Provides a credit under the corporation business tax and gross income tax for the cost of certified tourism investment projects.
Extends certain hazardous material inspection and enforcement powers to police officers of the Delaware River and Bay Authority.
Provides for review of State agency regulations by State Planning Commission for their consistency with State Development and Redevelopment Plan.
Requires that driver education curriculum include information on automobile insurance.
Authorizes creation of 32nd urban enterprise zone in Salem City.
Designates New Jersey Route 55 as "Veterans Memorial Highway;" appropriates $2,500.
Redesigns special prisoner of war license plates.
Requires criminal history record background checks for notaries public.
Establishes an agricultural tourism program and appropriates $95,000.
Appropriates $100,000 to the DEP for deer fencing.
Allows deduction against gross income for gain from sale of development easement on farmland.
Provides that impairing another person's means of communication may constitute an act of domestic violence.
Revises school district budget cap adjustments for special education and courtesy busing, makes permanent adjustment for insurance and domestic security, and provides adjustment for utility costs.
Eliminates certain components of realty transfer fee.
Requires SHBP to provide coverage for expenses incurred in screening for prostate cancer.
Prohibits municipalities from requiring permits for certain voter registration drives.
Clarifies that Fish and Game Council has sole authority to regulate freshwater fishing, hunting, and trapping.
Requires DHS to provide information on shaken baby syndrome to parents of newborn infants.
Permits early voting starting eight days before general election; makes appropriation.
Authorizes assessment of heritage fee by certain municipalities to further preservation and protection of historic sites.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns for New Jersey National Guard members and their families in need of assistance.
Prohibits investment of certain public funds in financial institutions located in Delaware if that state does not reverse its Coastal Zone Act ruling that impacts a proposed New Jersey facility.
Creates yellow and blue Fraternal Order of Police plates.
"Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act."
Limits increase in annual license fees for radon businesses.
"Independence, Dignity and Choice in Long-Term Care Act"; reallocates State long-term care expenditures.
Authorizes U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs police officers to make certain State arrests.
Excludes from PAAD income eligibility withdrawals from an IRA.
Establishes a loan redemption program for certified vocational-technical education teachers employed in public schools in the State.
Abolishes office of Secretary State and Department of State and makes transfers to New Jersey Commerce, Economic Development and Tourism Commission, Department of Education and Attorney General.
Prohibits investment of certain public funds in financial institutions located in Delaware if that state does not amend its permitting laws to conform to the Compact of 1905.
Makes residential underground storage tanks eligible for grants and loans for closure and replacement.
Authorizes establishment of dedicated local tax to finance redevelopment.
Requires motor vehicles manufactured after July 1, 2008 to have trunk safety equipment.
Requires used passenger automobiles sold on and after July 1, 2006 to be retrofitted with certain trunk safety equipment.
Prohibits certain voluntary associations from denying eligibility for State playoff competitions to teams and athletes from certain school districts and nonpublic schools.
Allows gross income tax credit for unreimbursed hearing aid expenses.
Makes it a crime of the third degree to practice psychology without a license and prohibits certain unlicensed employees of nonprofit community agencies from using title of psychologist.
Permits corporation with one or two employees who are the only shareholders to opt out of workers' compensation.
Establishes pilot program in DLPS requiring electronic recording of certain police interrogations.
Requires development and distribution of pamphlet and poster informing students of "New Jersey Safe Haven Infant Protection Act."
Establishes New Jersey State Building Green Building Technology Task Force.
Authorizes special license plate with proceeds to public schools.