Bills in the 2004–2005 Session, General Assembly.
Joseph J. Roberts Jr.
Sponsored
Became law11
Establishes "New Jersey Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project."
Appropriates $2 million to the Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC); imposes one-time assessment on legislative agents for ELEC Internet upgrade.
"New Jersey Medical Care Access and Responsibility and Patients First Act."
Establishes Property Tax Convention Task Force; appropriates $250,000.
Requires permanent, full-time county fire marshals and assistant marshals authorized to coordinate, control or extinguish fires to be enrolled in PFRS.
Extends authority for municipalities to establish transfer of development rights programs and sets forth parameters for creation thereof.
Appropriates $70,651,800 from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund," and appropriates or reappropriates certain other moneys, for local government open space acquisition and park development projects in "urban aid," densely or highly populat
Concerns regulation of certain agreements between casino and casino service industry licensees.
Approves $6,585,306 in grants for certain historic preservation projects in southern New Jersey.
Establishes prevailing wage standards for State building service contracts.
Modifies the insurance premiums tax treatment of health service corporations. *
Passed the General Assembly4
Requires HMOs to report number of children screened for lead poisoning under Medicaid program.
"Bloodborne Disease Harm Reduction Act"; permits establishment of sterile syringe paccess programs, appropriates $10,000,000. *
Prescribes procedures and protocols for investigating fires involving firefighter fatalities and injuries.
Authorizes State constitutional convention to reform system of property taxation; makes appropriation.
Out of committee9
Permits local authorities to appropriate and transfer available surplus funds to municipality or county that created authority.
Authorizes local government units to construct locally funded public indoor recreation facilities on certain types of parkland under certain conditions.
Revises pilotage laws.
Concerns leasing of NJ Sports and Exposition Authority's racetracks; allows authority to assign off-track and account wagering licenses; revises minimum thoroughbred race date requirements; provides for additional board members appointed by presiding of
Increases membership of county boards of taxation.*
Provides automobile insurance premium reduction of 10% for completion of medical and safe driving program for senior citizens.
Provides for primary and comprehensive stroke centers at acute care hospitals; appropriates $3 million.
Supplemental appropriation of $4,998,581 to DHSS for AIDS Drug Distribution Program and other AIDS services.
Appropriates $75 million from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" for State acquisition or development of lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
In committee40
"New Jersey Medical Care Access and Responsibility and Patients First Act."
Requires certain municipalities to pay for State Police patrol services.
Requires DOT to reimburse municipalities for clean up or removal of litter or debris from a road under certain circumstances.
Establishes special child care license plates to fund child care services.
Revises criteria for urban enterprise zone sales tax exemption and disallows exemption for sales of lumber and millwork.
Removes limitation on amount counties may appropriate in support of performing arts centers.
Establishes "Survivors of the Shield" license plate for family members of law enforcement officers killed in line of duty.
Permits moratorium on sale of tax liens under $2,750.
Supplemental appropriation of $4,000,000 to Division of Fire Safety in DCA to fund local firefighters' training and programs and division salaries.
Permits candidate for office to include professional designation on petition of nomination, ballot of any kind, canvas of votes or for any other purpose.
Provides that DRPA is not a State agency for purposes of R.S.39:5-41.b.
Provides State-paid SHBP benefits in retirement to certain former State employees with 25 or more years State service.
Provides for convening of State constitutional convention to reform system of property taxation.
Moves school, fire district and certain municipal elections to date of nonpartisan municipal elections.
Establishes 11-member "Internet Voting Study Commission."
Permits registered voter to request and receive absentee ballot for any reason.
Authorizes municipalities by resolution to bank Regional Efficiency Aid Program funds until such funds constitute one cent on the municipality's general tax rate.
Creates the Office of Grant Assistance in DCA to assist counties and municipalities in applying for federal, State and private grants.
Requires DCA to establish a rating system of municipal "quality of life" indicators.
Requires DEP confirm transfers of water allocation credits and approve transfers of permits under certain circumstances.
Authorizes members of United States House of Representatives and United States Senate representing New Jersey to administer oaths of office and allegiance.
Permits municipalities hosting UEZs to establish set-aside programs favoring local businesses for construction projects using State funds.
Provides that mentally retarded persons would not be eligible for the death penalty.
Permits certain entertainment owners and operators to withhold additional tickets for advanced sales.
Eliminates death benefit reduction for participants over age 70 in alternate benefit program.
Requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to disclose gifts, fees and other economic benefits provided to health care providers for promotional and marketing purposes to DHSS.
Makes a supplemental appropriation of $500,000 to DCA for a grant to ASPIRA.
Permits purchase of service and salary credit in PERS for service with a bi-state agency created by interstate compact.
Requires financial services firms to adopt certain practices to protect against the occurrence of conflict of interest in work they perform for Division of Investment or State Investment Council.
Makes certain reforms in the process of estimating and certifying State revenues for the annual State budget.
The "Utility Facilities Relocation and Installation Act."
Clarifies that police and firefighters belonging to certain organizations will be granted paid leave to attend certain conventions.
Authorizes PERS to enroll eligible employees of Delaware River Port Authority and subsidiary Port Authority Transit Corporation.
Authorizes assessment of educational facilities construction fees by boards of education under certain circumstances.
Increases the maximum amount of bonds issued by the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority for the Public Library Project Fund from $45 million to $95 million to provide library construction and technology grants.
Establishes a direct taxpayer property tax relief subaccount to ensure that revenue from the "millionaire's" tax increase is dedicated for real property tax relief directly for taxpayers.
Requires retail food establishments to have staff person certified in DHSS-approved food safety training course.
Requires used passenger automobiles sold on and after July 1, 2006 to be retrofitted with certain trunk safety equipment.
"Motor Vehicle Damage Disclosure Act."
"Automobile Sale and Finance Full Disclosure Act."
Carried from the Senate
Became law6
Provides for primary and comprehensive stroke centers at acute care hospitals; appropriates $3 million. *
Permits local authorities to appropriate and transfer available surplus funds to municipality or county that created authority.
Increases membership of county boards of taxation. *
Concerns leasing of NJ Sports and Exposition Authority's racetracks; allows authority to assign off-track and account wagering licenses; revises minimum thoroughbred race date requirements; provides for additional board members appointed by presiding off
Revises pilotage laws.
Appropriates $75 million from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" for State acquisition or development of lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 10
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. **
Regulates certain devices which interfere with traffic control signals. *
Changes laws governing financial liability for patients in psychiatric facilities and eliminates institutional liens for persons treated at State and county psychiatric facilities. **
Requires insurers and SHBP to cover mammograms for women under 40 under certain circumstances. *
The "Cigarette Tax Securitization Act of 2004."
Transfers administration of certain casino taxes to Casino Control Commission; provides for phased elimination of casino complimentaries tax. *
Extends certain casino tax obligation to 50 years; gives CRDA general bonding authority; authorizes CRDA to bond for certain purposes; extends incentive program and adds five districts under CRDA Urban Revitalization Act; expands CRDA board. *
Concerns relationship between manufacturers and wholesalers of malt alcoholic beverages; authorizes certain alcoholic beverage trade practices. *
Ratifies the SMART Research and Development Compact in New Jersey; appropriates $25,000. *
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.
Passed the General Assembly · 8
Establishes criminal penalties for operating or participating in pyramid promotional schemes.
Requires lenders to provide debtors with amount necessary to cure debt and attach copy of 14 day notice to application for final judgment in certain foreclosure actions.
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.
Permits limited pharmacy sales of syringes and needles without prescription.
Directs public school officials regarding the administration and implementation of the "No Child Left Behind Act of 2001." *
Expands scope of New Jersey Regulatory Flexibility Act dealing with economic impact of rules on small businesses. *
Requires Attorney General to prepare pamphlet for parents on keeping children safe from predators. *
Out of committee · 20
Concerns workers' compensation for firefighters with cancer.
Establishes "Commission to Examine Strategies for Strengthening Familial Bond Between Children and Incarcerated Parents."
Requires insurers that provide outpatient prescription drug benefits and State Health Benefits Program to cover costs of prescription female contraceptives. *
Affords emergency services peer counselors confidentiality privileges.
Increases the maximum amount of bonds issued by the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority for the Public Library Project Fund from $45 million to $95 million to provide library construction and technology grants.
Permits certain minors to consent to medical care or treatment for HIV infection or AIDS. *
Authorizes court to refrain from imposing driver's license suspension on defendant convicted of CDS offense if compelling circumstances exist.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to Community Food Pantry Fund.
Clarifies procedures for closing active child protective services cases.
Clarifies that use of ignition interlock device is mandatory for all drunk driving offenses and requires installation during license suspension.
Establishes "Alan M. Augustine Colorectal Cancer Research Fund"; appropriates $100,000. *
Regulates operation of motorized scooters and motorcycles. *
Requires services under State contracts to be performed in the United States. *
Creates study commission on the death penalty.
Establishes in the DOE a three-year community service pilot program for juniors in high school beginning in the 2005-2006 school year.
Establishes Office of the Inspector General. *
"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. *
"Social Services Student Loan Redemption Program Act. " *
Regulates certain rental-purchase agreements.
Establishes pilot program for satellite-based monitoring of certain sex offenders and authorizes certain sex offenders to submit to annual polygraph; appropriates $3 million. *
In committee · 53
Restricts bail options for second and subsequent offenses occurring while released.
Clarifies that the term "deadly weapon" includes an animal.
Requires licensure of hospital in Union County to provide adult cardiac surgery services.
Provides family leave insurance.
Directs New Jersey Highway Authority to designate Garden State Parkway as memorial highway to ex-POWs.
Allows a gross income tax deduction for certain higher education loan payments.
Establishes procedures for court and DYFS to determine safety of minor child whose child's caretaker is incarcerated.
Expands scope of New Jersey Regulatory Flexibility Act dealing with impact of rules on small businesses.
Requires racial and ethnic categories used in most recent federal decennial census be included on certain State forms.
Provides that student of limited English-speaking ability shall not be required to take certain tests.
Prohibits use of unmarked police vehicles for routine traffic stops.
Provides reimbursement to municipalities for taxes lost due to totally disabled veterans' tax exemption.
Supplemental appropriation of $2 million to DHSS to expand the Alzheimer's Disease Demonstration Adult Day Care Center Program.
Authorizes free admission to State parks and forests and free hunting, fishing, and trapping licences for retired members of NJ National Guard.
Requires emergency first aid and first responder retraining for local law enforcement officers; establishes a "duty to act" in emergency situations for on-duty local law enforcement officers.
Provides for commencement of short term tax exemptions and abatements as of date of completion of project.
Establishes certain minimum levels for expenditures of dedicated open space monies for projects in urban areas and for recreation projects Statewide.
Provides for receipt for voter at primary or general election; allows receipt to be proof of eligibility to vote in subsequent election; provides State reimbursement.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song.
Establishes low interest mortgage program in HMFA for volunteer fire and rescue squad members.
Provides PFRS members in federal or State military service who is injured or killed with disability or death benefits.
Provides relief to certain NJ Transit retirees.
Creates New Title 19A, Elections; establishes elections offenses in Title 2C.
Establishes special license plates supporting literacy programs.
Makes a series of amendments to statutes governing SCI.
Establishes hiring preference for children of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty seeking appointment to municipal police forces.
Increases senior citizen stabilization aid to $500 and makes certain regional districts eligible for senior citizen stabilization aid.
Permits care and treatment of animals by certain persons and prohibits those persons from identifying themselves as veterinarians.
Exempts police from jury duty.
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Establishes "New Jersey Health Care Improvement Trust Fund."
Provides grants to educational technology training centers to establish satellite facilities and maintain and upgrade equipment; appropriates $2.8 million.
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 premium assistance fund and task force concerning medical malpractice liability insurance.
Provides PFRS death benefit of 3 1/2 times the annual rate of compensation in the event of accidental death occurring in the first year of creditable service.
Allows credit against corporation business tax for computer equipment donated to public or nonpublic schools in Abbott and certain other low-income districts.
Establishes special license plates for veterans of the Korean conflict.
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
"Private Fire Protection Services Act."
Establishes targeted breast cancer education and screening initiative in DHSS; appropriates $750,000.
Requires State aid for operating expenses of higher education institutions as a percentage of the State budget to equal national average.
Makes supplemental appropriation of $13,000,000 from the General Fund for renovations at UMDNJ's University Hospital, Newark, for Labor, Delivery, Recovery suite renovations and neonatal and intermediate care nursery equipment.
Requires one half of natural resource damage payments to State to be remitted to municipality where damage occurred.
Requires SHBP to provide coverage for expenses incurred in screening for prostate cancer.
Revises licensure and certification requirements for certain persons who engage in practice of social work.
"Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act."
Establishes "New Jersey Council on Child Poverty."
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.
Requires county welfare agency directors to develop plan prohibiting sex offenders from admittance to or remaining in emergency shelters for homeless where children reside.
Establishes Task Force on Education Reform.
Authorizes DEP and New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust to provide loans to residential homeowners for water supply connections.
Requires development and distribution of pamphlet and poster informing students of "New Jersey Safe Haven Infant Protection Act."