Bills in the 2006–2007 Session, General Assembly.
Douglas H. Fisher
Sponsored
Became law8
Lowers the minimum full-time jobs requirement for business relocation and retention tax credits.
Concerns tax preparation services for certain clients.
Permits certain for-profit entities to manage or operate cemeteries.
Appropriates $8,552,405 from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" and various Green Acres bond funds for local government open space acquisition and park development projects in southern NJ.
Appropriates $9,066,000 from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" and various Green Acres bond funds for local government open space acquisition and park development projects in northern NJ.
Increases certain fees and penalties of the Mine Safety Act.
Appropriates $11 million from "Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund" to provide grants for certain historic preservation projects.
Revises statutory law concerning shellfisheries.
Passed the General Assembly4
Prohibits certain elected officials from receiving dual health benefit coverage.
Clarifies that gang related incident offense report is to be forwarded to Superintendent of State Police for inclusion in Uniform Crime Report. *
Requires governmental affairs agents retained by State government entities to file with ELEC notice of representation and separate quarterly and annual reports on activities and expenditures.
Appropriates $33 million from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" for State acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
Out of committee21
Permits a farm income averaging credit under the New Jersey gross income tax.
Revises statutes regarding acupuncturists.
Establishes "New Jersey Council on Child Poverty."
Provides for establishment of county offices for the disabled; appropriates $425,000.
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.
Establishes sex offender monitoring program. *
Eliminates restriction for licensing use of outline of the State on packaging of fresh or salt water food products.
Appropriates $3 million in federal funds for the Asian Longhorn Beetle Program.
Exempts volunteer fire companies from water use registration renewal fees.
Authorizes courts to include animals in domestic violence restraining orders.
Broadens definition of "toxic chemical" in the drug statutes to include nitrous oxide and other substances.
Bars sales of aerosol dusters to persons under the age of 18. *
Appropriates $48.5 million from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for farmland preservation purposes.
Appropriates $21,588,646 from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for planning incentive grants to counties and municipalities for farmland preservation purposes, and $600,000 for county farmland preservation program strategic plans.
Requires new State residents to register their vehicles in New Jersey.
Requires DCF and DHS to compile lists of State properties suitable for certain residential uses. *
Permits wineries to produce and sell certain distilled alcoholic beverages.
Expands number of salesrooms winery may operate from six to seven; permits sampling of wine at salesrooms, and permits wineries to sell wine at certain farm markets.
Requires Business Employment Incentive Program and other program grant recipients to pay the prevailing wage on certain public work projects.
Prohibits mislabeling and misbranding of farm products; directs Secretary of Agriculture to investigate and enforce violations; increases penalties for certain violations. *
In committee22
Amends "Toxic Catastrophe Prevention Act" to address terrorist and criminal acts.
Requires retail food establishments to provide certain nutritional information for food or beverage items sold to its customers.
The "Public Dam Rehabilitation Project Bond Act," authorizes bonds for $90,000,000 and appropriates $5,000.
Revises the eligibility criteria under the State earned income tax credit to equal the eligibility criteria of the federal earned income tax credit.
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.
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.
Provides for recognition of Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indians of New Jersey, Inc., for certain limited federal purposes.
Increases penalties for harboring or concealing a sex offender.
Provides energy and utility service sales tax relief benefit to certain manufacturers located near state with minimal or no sales tax.
Requires DOC commissioner to implement telecommunications voice mail system for staff in correctional facilities.
Requires independent contractors to submit to background checks to work within certain industries.
Permits certain State officers to accept reimbursements of greater than $500 if made by federal government to attend training outside State.
Removes from requirements of local budget cap law municipalities that do not levy municipal purposes tax.
Requires approval from appropriation committees of the Legislature for employee bonuses proposed by certain public institutions of higher education.
Prohibits imposition of the corporation business tax on certain foreign corporations that only store personal property in this State incident to its importation.
Prohibits school districts from hiring governmental affairs agents.
Authorizes director of board of freeholders to exercise veto power over proposed actions of county authorities.
Requires hospital governing boards to report certain information to DHSS.
Increases penalties for intentional feeding of black bears.
Permits municipalities to agree to share municipal court services while each appointing their own municipal court judge.
Carried from the Senate
Became law11
Requires DCF and DHS to compile lists of State properties suitable for certain residential uses. *
Establishes sex offender monitoring program. *
Appropriates $1,263,166 from "Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund" to provide historic site management grants for certain historic preservation projects.
Broadens definition of "toxic chemical" in the drug statutes to include nitrous oxide and other substances.
Exempts volunteer fire companies from water use registration renewal fees.
Eliminates restriction for licensing use of outline of the State on packaging of fresh or salt water food products.
Appropriates $3 million in federal funds for the Asian Longhorn Beetle Program.
Appropriates $48.5 million from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for farmland preservation purposes.
Appropriates $21,588,646 from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for planning incentive grants to counties and municipalities for farmland preservation purposes, and $600,000 for county farmland preservation program strategic plans.
Requires new State residents to register their vehicles in New Jersey.
Requires Business Employment Incentive Program and other program grant recipients to pay the prevailing wage on certain public work projects.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 32
Implements CORE proposals, including "Uniform Shared Services and Consolidation Act"; user -friendly budgets; revision of county superintendent of schools title and duties.*
Eliminates various inactive commissions, committees, councils and boards.
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.
Designates New Jersey Route 55 as "Veterans Memorial Highway;" appropriates $2,500.
Requires the placement of organ donation information and materials at public institutions of higher education.
Concerns omnibuses; creates "Omnibus Safety Enforcement Fund." *
Requires boards of education to offer elementary school students instruction in gang violence prevention.
Requires coordination of emergency operations plans and creation of emergency plan for certain animals. *
Upgrades penalty for misusing public utility employee identification badge; establishes penalties for making, selling or possessing simulated public utility employee identification badge.
Prohibits public school districts from joining under certain circumstances voluntary associations which oversee Statewide interscholastic sports programs.
Requires suicide and mental health screening of juveniles in county detention centers.
Requires DHSS to maintain registry of reported autism diagnoses; appropriates $500,000. *
Adds four members to South Jersey Port Corporation. *
Makes it a disorderly persons offense to purposely disrupt funeral through certain conduct. *
Establishes commuter transportation services public awareness campaign in DOT. *
Revises certain penalties relating to operation of autobuses.
The "Global Warming Response Act."
Mandates alternate testing dates because of days of religious observance for certain applicants seeking licensure.
Provides for religious accommodation regarding admission procedures at licensed heath care facilities.
Removes limitation on amount of grant money that may be allocated from Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund.
"Electronic Waste Recycling Act."
Establishes certificate of rehabilitation for certain persons with criminal records.
Revises the marriage laws; establishes civil unions; establishes the "New Jersey Civil Union Review Commission."
Authorizes creation of sports and entertainment district and imposition of additional taxes therein to finance development of sports and entertainment facilities.
Broadens the exception for small businesses under the UEZ sales tax rebate program. **
Reorganizes and renames NJ Commerce, Economic Growth and Tourism Commission as NJ Commerce Commission; transfers Division of Travel and Tourism to Department of State.
Appropriates $30,660,000 from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for farmland acquisitions, and appropriates certain bond funds for soil and water conservation grants.
Appropriates $45.15 million from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for farmland preservation purposes.
Establishes the New Jersey Schools Development Authority and revises the school construction program established under the "Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act."
Makes certain changes to the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust Financing Program.
The "Green Acres, Farmland, Blue Acres, and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2007"; authorizes issuance of $200 million in bonds; appropriates $5,000.
Creates offenses of gang criminality and promoting organized street crime.
Passed the General Assembly · 24
Permits the appointment of joint municipal court judges by agreement of affected municipalities.
Creates a credit card do-not-solicit list for certain persons. **
Concerns penalties for illegally passing a school bus. *
Authorizes creation of sports and entertainment district and imposition of additional taxes therein to finance development of sports and entertainment facilities. *
Designates Downer Soil as New Jersey State Soil.
Provides for promotion and sale of "Jersey Fresh" and other NJ agricultural or horticultural products at service areas along certain toll roads. *
Authorizes release of sex offender registration information to DHS and county welfare agencies.
Expands scope of New Jersey Regulatory Flexibility Act dealing with economic impact of rules on small businesses.
Imposes surcharge on drunk drivers to establish Drunk Driving Prevention and Education Grant Fund.
Concerns homeowners insurance coverage with respect to dogs. *
Requires that any United States or State of New Jersey flag purchased with State funds be manufactured in the United States.
Requires water purveyors and licensed operators to notify the municipalities they service regarding water supply and water quality issues. *
Prohibits the use of accumulated funds after wage executions.
Requires reporting of public high school, district and Statewide drop-out and graduation rates.
Clarifies penalties for trespassers who damage farmland and crops with all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles.
Authorizes civil action for certain economic damages against owner or keeper of pet animal that injures or kills another person's pet animal.
Prohibits sending unsolicited advertising by text messaging.
Revises procedures for the use of eminent domain in municipal redevelopment programs.
Requires annual review of all released sex offenders to determine if they were registered and tiered.
Requires alternative testing arrangements be provided to certain students unable to attend tests at their regular administration due to religious observance.
Requires retail mercantile establishment to provide manufacturer's rebate at time of consumer purchase.
Daniel Mackay's Law; requires certain information be given to next of kin of relatives killed or incapacitated in motor vehicle accident; caps certain abandoned vehicle storage fees.
Prohibits display of gift card account numbers.
Requires DHSS to make reported information about certain adverse events publicly available.
Out of committee · 47
"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.
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.
"Historic Property Reinvestment Act"; provides credits against certain taxes for certain costs of rehabilitating historic properties. *
Requires DEP Commissioner to establish list of environmentally responsible companies and recognition program for certain exemplary companies; requires companies on list be given preference whenever possible in the awarding of State contracts. *
Amends "Law Against Discrimination" concerning gender identity or expression discrimination.
"Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act."
Permits school bus operator to display "Stop When Red Lights Are Flashing" on rear of bus.
Expands responsibilities of "New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect."
Protects privacy of an individual's financial information by prohibiting disclosure without the prior informed, affirmative consent of the consumer.
Exempts solar energy systems from real property taxation.
Makes various changes to the laws governing underground storage tanks. **
Requires independent contractors to submit to background checks to work within certain industries.
Prohibits the use of a dog or other animal in a drug distribution scheme.
Makes use of an animal to carry illegal drugs or facilitate drug-related crimes an animal cruelty offense; provides for non-merger of criminal animal cruelty offenses. *
Revises statutory mental health coverage requirements and requires all health insurers and SHBP to cover treatment for alcoholism and other substance-use disorders under same terms and conditions as for other diseases or illnesses.
Requires certain ambulatory care facilities to provide services to patients without regard to ability to pay or source of payment.
Criminalizes possession or use of electronic communications devices in certain correctional facilities. *
Amends wrongful death act to clarify that surviving children continue to share in any recovery awarded under that act.
Recodifies Title 4 criminal animal cruelty offenses in State criminal code; increases level of certain offenses and crimes; establishes new offenses; revises civil penalties; repeals various sections of law; designated as Angel's Law. **
Changes funding limits for grants to local governments from hazardous discharge fund for site remediation.
"Group Home Fire Safety Act."
Regulates donation clothing bins.
Increases funding of Senior Citizen and Disabled Resident Transportation Program.
Exempts from sales tax all hybrid and certain highly fuel efficient vehicles.
"Steven's Law;" prohibits use of non-wood bats in certain organized games. *
Provides that if an annual appropriation act is not enacted at the beginning of a State fiscal year casino gambling operations shall continue and all State employees shall be deemed essential. *
Provides unemployment benefits for spouses of armed services members under certain conditions. *
Extends expiration date of automobile insurance urban enterprise zone program to April 1, 2009.
Authorizes suspension of motor vehicle registration.
Prohibits denial of credit on the basis that individual was a victim of identity theft.
Authorizes certain local units to develop broadband telecommunications infrastructure used for providing broadband telecommunications service via wireless community networks. *
Allows authorized representative of deceased or incapacitated dentist to contract with another dentist to continue practice for one year.
Requires MVC to provide minor's motor vehicle record to parent or guardian. *
Consumer Electronics Warranty Lemon Law.
Prohibits municipal prosecutors from making certain recommendations to the court. *
Changes date of presidential primary from last Tuesday in February to first Tuesday after first Monday in February.
Restricts receipt of things of value by members of the Legislature and legislative staff from lobbyists and governmental affairs agents; increases certain penalty provisions. *
Establishes New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium.
Requires hospitals to implement infection prevention programs.
Authorizes civil action for certain damages when a pet animal becomes ill, is injured, or dies from consuming or coming into contact with adulterated pet food.
Revises law concerning sales representatives to permit treble damages when a principal fails to pay earned commissions within 30 days of termination.
Requires hospitals to report certain information concerning infection rates to DHSS and requires DHSS to make information public.
Permits municipal board of library trustees to reduce library tax rate under certain conditions.
Removes appropriations for gypsy moth suppression from the municipal expenditure cap and county and municipal tax levy cap.
Grants the court discretion regarding imposition of penalties for certain drug offenses and to allow "reformative service" to satisfy a portion of such penalties when certain conditions are met.
Reduces annual assessment on intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded from 5.8% to 5.3% for limited period.
Expands program eligibility and enhances benefit amount under the New Jersey earned income tax credit program.
In committee · 89
Creates a civil rape shield law.
Exempts certain persons enrolled in public institutions of higher education from payment of undergraduate tuition at nonresident rates.
Provides that impairing another person's means of communication may constitute an act of domestic violence.
"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.
Creates yellow and blue Fraternal Order of Police plates.
Allows a gross income tax credit for textbook purchases by full-time undergraduate students at four year institutions of higher education, county colleges and accredited post-secondary schools in New Jersey.
Requires institutions of higher education to develop campus security plans.
Requires licensure of hospital in Union County to provide adult cardiac surgery services.
Establishes the crime of assault by animal.
Establishes in-house counseling services for DYFS employees.
Provides for establishment of county offices for the disabled; making an appropriation.
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.
Permits immediate expungement of court records where the person is acquitted or discharged or where the charges have been dismissed.
Clarifies procedures for closing active child protective services cases.
"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.
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.
Establishes "New Jersey Task Force on Long-Term Care Quality and Financing."
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.
Requires Commissioner of Education to grant an equivalency or waiver under certain conditions.
Revises "lemon law" refund formula for consumers of certain new motor vehicles.
Eliminates certain components of realty transfer fee.
The "New Jersey Freedom to Fish Act."
Provides for posting of radon testing results in public schools.
Designates Jersey tomato as State Vegetable.
Excludes from PAAD income eligibility withdrawals from an IRA.
Allows gross income tax credit for unreimbursed hearing aid expenses.
Establishes a loan redemption program for certified vocational-technical education teachers employed in public schools in the State.
Clarifies that Fish and Game Council has sole authority to regulate freshwater fishing, hunting, and trapping.
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.
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.
Requires photographic identification cards for certain health care professionals.
Expands number of disorders included in newborn screening program.
Requires award of grants to remediate discharges from home heating oil tanks for applications filed prior to July 1, 2007.
Establishes school property tax freeze program for resident homeowners age 65 or older and disabled homeowners.
Requires responsible business practices by large employers regarding wages and benefits.
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.
Requires DHS to provide information on shaken baby syndrome to parents of newborn infants.
Authorizes assessment of heritage fee by certain municipalities to further preservation and protection of historic sites.
Provides that mentally retarded persons would not be eligible for the death penalty.
Requires permanent, full-time county fire marshals and assistant marshals authorized to coordinate, control or extinguish fires to be enrolled in PFRS.
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.
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.
Establishes New Jersey Rx Program to reduce prescription drug prices.
Extends certain hazardous material inspection and enforcement powers to police officers of the Delaware River and Bay Authority.
Authorizes creation of 32nd urban enterprise zone in Salem City.
Prohibits public school districts from joining under certain circumstances voluntary associations which oversee Statewide interscholastic sports programs.
Requires and permits preference in awarding certain contracts in order to satisfy certain urban revitalization goals.
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.
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.
Authorizes establishment of dedicated local tax to finance redevelopment.
Requires motor vehicles manufactured after July 1, 2008 to have 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.
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.
Requires charge to nonresidents for E-ZPass transponders.
Requires State and State authorities to report to Legislature on certain contracts; requires State Auditor to review the financing of certain contracts.
Authorizes court to provide alternatives for persons who default in payment of fines.
Authorizes U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs police officers to make certain State arrests.
Permits adopted person and certain others access to adopted person's original birth certificate and other related information; appropriates $90,000.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song.
Revises school district budget cap adjustment for special education and 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%
Changes reimbursement structure for various transportation services provided to Medicaid recipients.
Permits candidates for school employment to demonstrate rehabilitation to the Commissioner of Education to avoid disqualification due to a criminal conviction revealed in a criminal history record check.
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.
Requires forfeiture of public office upon conviction of fourth degree crime or higher; disqualifies person from future office upon conviction of fourth degree crime or higher or conviction of crime involving dishonesty.
Concerns responsibilities and liabilities of individuals involved in equine animals activities.
Permits municipalities to enact an ordinance requiring drivers arrested for DUI to be held in custody.
Increases annual income limitation for senior and disabled citizens' eligibility for $250 property tax deduction and bases future annual income limitations on annual CPI changes.
Increases penalty for equipment violations in omnibuses.
Concerns responsibilities and liabilities of individuals involved in equine animal activities.
Allows for municipal designation of "Petroleum Manufacturing Retention and Expansion Zones", requires DEP to expedite permitting in these zones.
Establishes 2-year "Gang Violence Prevention Pilot Program" in Department of Children and Families.
Requires keg registration; makes the unlawful possession of an unregistered keg a petty disorderly persons offense.
Authorizes POW license plates for leased vehicles.
Specifies motor vehicle fines from tickets issued by State Police providing rural patrol be paid to municipality, not State.
Prohibits payment of public employee bonuses not directly contingent upon achieving certain performance goals.
"Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Institute Act"; appropriates $6 million.
Establishes prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse public awareness campaign; designated Jason's Law.
Provides an exclusion for military compensation of military personnel serving outside of this State from gross income tax.
Authorizes COAH to credit municipalities' fair share affordable housing obligations with certain housing units occupied by employees of a State or regional cultural center located within 3,000 feet of the housing units.
Affords employment protection to certain volunteer emergency responders.
Prohibits local government agency from employing person on paid leave from local government agency of another county or municipality.
Establishes New Jersey Reading Disabilities Task Force.
Filed · 3
Authorizes individual boards of education to self insure for certain insurance; removes current prohibitions.
Clarifies authority of DOT to enter certain agreements with local governments.
Establishes Division of Risk Management in the Department of the Treasury; reorganizes Office of Information Technology; requires consolidation of enhanced 9-1-1 public safety answering points.