Bills in the 2008–2009 Session, General Assembly.
Douglas H. Fisher
Sponsored
Became law4
Revises statutes regarding acupuncturists; criminalizes unauthorized practice of acupuncture. *
Authorizes New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects.
Allows in FY2009 up to $9 million from "Shore Protection Fund" to be used to help defray State park and forest operation and maintenance costs; requires DEP to study State park and forest fee structure and revenue sources, and modify fees accordingly. *
Permits New Jersey Historic Trust to charge fees for publications and access to seminars; permits Trust to become tax-exempt charitable organization under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Passed the General Assembly5
Requires certain elected officials and appointed officers eligible for dual health benefits coverage to choose coverage by one public entity. *
Establishes "New Jersey Council on Child Poverty."
Prohibits use of certain underwriting guidelines by insurers pertaining to guide dogs, service dogs, or hearing assistance dogs harbored on the insured property.
Prohibits mislabeling and misbranding of farm products; directs Secretary of Agriculture to investigate and enforce violations; increases penalties for certain violations.
Exempts agricultural driver's licensees from certain graduate driver law restrictions when operating farm equipment and vehicles.
Out of committee2
Appropriates $33 million from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" for State acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
Removes appropriations for gypsy moth suppression from the municipal expenditure cap and county and municipal tax levy cap.
In committee39
Amends "Toxic Catastrophe Prevention Act" to address terrorist and criminal acts.
Permits a farm income averaging credit under the New Jersey gross income tax.
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.
Lowers the minimum full-time jobs requirement for business relocation and retention tax credits.
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 establishment of county offices for the disabled; appropriates $425,000.
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.
Authorizes courts to include animals in domestic violence restraining orders.
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.
Establishes 2-year "Gang Violence Prevention Pilot Program" in Department of Children and Families.
Prohibits school districts from hiring governmental affairs agents.
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.
Bars sales of aerosol dusters to persons under the age of 18.
Permits wineries to produce and sell certain distilled alcoholic beverages.
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.
Revises law concerning sales representatives to permit treble damages when a principal fails to pay earned commissions within 30 days of termination.
Authorizes special Recreational Fishing Alliance license plate.
Concerns responsibilities and liabilities of individuals involved in equine animals activities.
Requires pharmacies to maintain drop-off site for disposal of unused drugs.
Authorizes certain police officers to possess and use stun guns while on duty.
Requires abandoned gift card balances to escheat to State.
Requires abandoned gift card balances to escheat to State.
Provides for establishment of county offices for disability services; appropriates $90,000.
The "Green Acres, Farmland, and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2008"; authorizes issuance of $300 million in bonds; appropriates $5,000.
Authorizes issuance of $400 million in bonds under the "Green Acres, Farmland, and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2008;" appropriates $5,000.
Prohibits insurers and affiliated entities offering managed care plans from denying participation in network to health care providers willing to meet terms of contract.
Revises certain provisions of farmland assessment law.
Requires certain notifications upon sale of property where private well is treated by point of entry systems.
Authorizes DEP to issue and charge fee for commercial license for taking spiny dogfish within State waters.
Clarifies that local units of government may enter into shared services agreement for a service that either one of them is authorized to provide.
Places restrictions and reporting requirements on compensation of agents by health care facility receiving State funds.
Carried from the Senate
Became law1
Appropriates $33 million from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" for State acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 15
Requires DEP Commissioner to establish list and recognition program for certain environmentally responsible companies. *
Authorizes court to provide alternatives for persons who default in payment of fines.
Establishes New Jersey Reading Disabilities Task Force.
Affords employment protection to certain volunteer emergency responders.
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.
Amends special probation statute to increase participation in drug program; permits court to reduce certain fees. *
Imposes moratorium on harvest and possession of horseshoe crabs.
Provides tax deduction from casino gross revenues for certain promotional gaming credits.
Requires schools to provide eligible high school students with voter registration material. *
Makes revisions to personal assistance services program in DHS.
Adds non-voting member to NJT board.
Makes FY 2009 supplemental appropriations totaling $22,500,000 to provide food, energy and legal aid assistance to individuals and families under the "New Jersey Economic Assistance and Recovery Plan."
Establishes the "Main Street Business Assistance Program;" appropriates $50 million.
Dedesignates portion of State Highway Route 45 and conveys that portion to Gloucester County.
Authorizes interception of wire or electronic communications of suspected computer trespasser under certain circumstances.
Vetoed · 2
Lengthens service life of certain school buses to 15 years. **
Expands scope of New Jersey Regulatory Flexibility Act dealing with economic impact of rules on small businesses.
Passed the General Assembly · 16
Creates offense of impairing communications, which would constitute domestic violence in certain circumstances. *
Prohibits local government agency from employing person on paid leave from local government agency of another county or municipality.
Requires DCF to provide information on shaken baby syndrome to parents of newborn infants. *
"Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act."
Prohibits sending unsolicited advertising by text messaging, and requires companies offering text messaging services to allow their customers to block all incoming and outgoing text messages. *
Prohibits display of gift card account numbers.
Requires and permits preference in awarding certain contracts. *
Requires retail mercantile establishment to provide manufacturer's rebate at time of consumer purchase.
Clarifies penalties for trespassers who damage farmland and crops with all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles.
Directs Chief Technology Officer to conduct study of costs and benefits of replacing the State's high-volume, basic computing systems with more cost-effective alternatives.
Creates New Jersey Honor Guard Ribbon.
Permits casino employees to serve on Atlantic City governing body in certain circumstances. *
Allows bureau chief to assess civil penalty for certain violations of "Uniform Securities Law (1997)."
Increases income eligibility limit for homestead property tax reimbursement program.
Upgrades certain sex crimes against minors.
Authorizes wiretap orders for investigation of luring or enticing a child, identity theft, stalking and harassment under certain circumstances.
Out of committee · 32
Allows certain undocumented aliens to qualify for in-state tuition rates at public institutions of higher education.
Establishes Hooked on Fishing-Not on Drugs Program in DEP and appropriates $200,000 therefor from Drug Enforcement and Demand Reduction Fund.
Requires alternative testing arrangements be provided to certain students unable to attend tests at their regular administration due to religious observance.
Provides for promotion and sale of "Jersey Fresh" and other NJ agricultural or horticultural products at service areas along certain toll roads.
"Historic Property Reinvestment Act"; provides credits against certain taxes for certain costs of rehabilitating historic properties.
Creates a credit card do-not-solicit list. *
Requires water purveyors and licensed operators to notify municipalities they service regarding water supply and water quality issues. *
Consumer Electronics Warranty Lemon Law.
Requires DHSS to report certain patient safety indicators on a hospital by hospital basis and prohibits hospitals from charging for certain medical errors. *
Revises "lemon law" refund formula for consumers of certain new motor vehicles.
Authorizes each municipality that shares courtroom facilities with one or more municipalities to appoint a judge and an administrator. *
"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.
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.
Exempts certain renewable energy systems from real property taxation. *
Establishes involuntary commitment to outpatient treatment for person in need of involuntary commitment to treatment. *
Enacts the "Jessica Lunsford Act;" increases sentences for sex offenders and persons who harbor them.
Revises criteria for eligibility to receive senior and disabled homestead property tax reimbursement.
Appropriates $1,068,921 from "Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund" to provide historic site management grants for certain historic preservation projects.
Regulates certain credentialing and trade practices of insurance producers, and provides private cause of action for insurance producer violations.
Permits imposition of municipal host community petroleum bulk processing impact fees under certain circumstances. *
Expands NJ FamilyCare, establishes mandate for health care coverage of children, makes various reforms to individual and small employer insurance markets and certain dependent coverage; appropriates $1 million. *
Concerns biomass, solar, and wind energy generation on farms. *
Permits retail dealer of motor fuel to sell motor fuel at price below net cost to retail dealer and to give rebates which reduce price below posted price. *
Revises certain eligibility requirements and employment incentive limitations and provides for extension of certain grant agreements under Business Employment Incentive Program.
Allows UEZ municipalities to include certain homeland security expenses as eligible for funding from enterprise zone assistance fund.
Establishes forest stewardship and forest certification programs in DEP; establishes Forest Stewardship Incentive Fund. *
Requires DEP to establish free recreational saltwater fishing registry.
Prohibits penalizing pharmacy for dispensing forged or fraudulent prescription approved by certain State prescription drug benefit programs. *
Establishes pilot program in Gloucester County, transferring municipal tax assessment function to county through appointment of a county assessor and deputy county assessors. *
Provides penalties for sexually offensive communication or harassing communication through social networking websites. *
Upgrades offense of harassment under certain circumstances.
In committee · 67
Requires photographic identification cards for certain health care professionals.
Expands number of disorders included in newborn screening program.
Designates Jersey tomato as State Vegetable.
Allows gross income tax credit for unreimbursed hearing aid expenses.
"Group Home Fire Safety Act."
"Steven's Law;" prohibits use of non-wood bats in certain organized games.
Prohibits municipal prosecutors from making certain recommendations to the court.
Requires licensure of hospital in Union County to provide adult cardiac surgery services.
Establishes the crime of assault by animal.
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.
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.
"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.
Establishes a loan redemption program for certified vocational-technical education teachers employed in public schools in the State.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song.
Permits adopted person and certain others access to adopted person's original birth certificate and other related information; appropriates $90,000.
Establishes school property tax freeze program for resident homeowners age 65 or older and disabled homeowners.
Requires keg registration; makes the unlawful possession of an unregistered keg a petty disorderly persons offense.
"Electronic Waste Recycling Act."
Imposes surcharge on drunk drivers to establish Drunk Driving Prevention and Education Grant Fund.
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.
Requires annual review of all released sex offenders to determine if they were registered and tiered.
Establishes prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse public awareness campaign; designated Jason's Law.
Exempts certain persons enrolled in public institutions of higher education from payment of undergraduate tuition at nonresident rates.
Requires reporting of public high school, district and Statewide drop-out and graduation rates.
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.
"Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Institute Act"; appropriates $6 million.
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.
Adds four members to South Jersey Port Corporation.
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.
Allows for municipal designation of "Petroleum Manufacturing Retention and Expansion Zones"; requires DEP to expedite permitting in these zones.
Authorizes civil action for certain economic damages against owner or keeper of pet animal that injures or kills another person's pet animal.
Revises procedures for the use of eminent domain in municipal redevelopment programs.
Restores point of sale sales tax exemption on purchases by businesses located in UEZ.
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.
Authorizes assessment of heritage fee by certain municipalities to further preservation and protection of historic sites.
Clarifies procedures for closing active child protective services cases.
Clarifies that Fish and Game Council has sole authority to regulate freshwater fishing, hunting, and trapping.
Specifies motor vehicle fines from tickets issued by State Police providing rural patrol be paid to municipality, not State.
Authorizes imposition of additional fines for overcrowding.
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.
Appropriates $1,000,000 to Department of State to continue the New Jersey Knowledge Initiative Statewide database program.
Authorizes release of sex offender registration information to DHS and county welfare agencies.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns for New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund.
Excludes from PAAD income eligibility withdrawals from an IRA.
Clarifies that licensed dealers may provide firearms for display at fund raising events sponsored by certain tax exempt organizations.
Authorizes special Gold Star Family license plates.
Permits direct shipping of wine to New Jersey consumers.
Requires nursing homes and ambulatory surgical facilities to implement infection prevention programs.
Authorizes SDA school districts to construct school facilities projects and receive State debt service aid.
Revises law concerning meetings of public bodies.
Permits advertising on exterior of school buses.
Requires date of purchase and return policy on sales receipts.
Provides Heritage Tourism Task Force with extension of time for submission of its heritage tourism master plan and inventory of historic sites.
Requires insurers to cover treatment for sickle cell anemia; requires DHSS to prepare and distribute informational booklet about sickle cell anemia; appropriates $95,000.
Extends the statute of limitations for certain sexual abuse cases.
Provides for an extended term of imprisonment, supervision for life and sex offender registration for the crime of human trafficking under certain circumstances.
Exempts certain municipalities from certified recycling coordinator requirements.
Requires insurers to provide coverage for medications and dose-intensive chemotherapy/bone marrow transplants and umbilical cord blood transplants for treatment of sickle cell anemia.
Provides for registration and regulation of athlete agents.
Establishes special license plate for fire police officers.
Authorizes credit unions to serve as depositories of public funds.
Requires on-site care for children in school bus accidents.
Prohibits telecommunications companies from charging for certain services.
Prohibits charges for busy or unanswered cellular telephone calls.