Bills in the 2002–2003 Session, General Assembly.
Nicholas Asselta
Sponsored
Became law1
"Michael's Law;" imposes mandatory jail time and rehabilitation for third or subsequent drunk driving offenses. *
Out of committee4
Eliminates reduction of the death benefit for participants age 70 or more in the alternate benefit program.
Permits gaming investigator to carry firearm.
Establishes annual hunting license for hunting on semiwild and commercial shooting preserves; sets fee therefor. *
Designates sign language "H" as State hand signal for children to indicate they need help.
In committee82
Establishes New Jersey Travel and Tourism Commission; appropriates $20 million for welcome center.
"New Jersey Tourism Matching Grant Act;" appropriates $315,000.
Prohibits fee waiver for inmate name change.
Authorizes annual appropriation of moneys received from riparian land leases for maintenance dredging.
Strengthens public entities' immunity for damages against claims of injury occurring on public beaches and boardwalks.
Permits creation of municipal sports facility authorities.
Allows emergency medical technicians to transfer to and enroll in PFRS.
Makes persons imprisoned for crimes against law enforcement officers ineligible for good time and work credits.
Appropriates $3,600,000 from the General Fund to rehabilitate Cape May Seashore Lines.
Changes calculation for special retirement benefits for certain veteran members of PERS.
Returns portion of realty transfer fee to beach municipalities for certain shore protection projects.
Modifies licensure requirements for optometrists.
Provides additional State aid to certain school districts which send students to Abbott districts.
Upgrades arson and criminal mischief under certain circumstances if certain historic property is target.
Allows Attorney General to prevent halfway house placement of murderers.
Expands definition of antique cannon to include replicas.
Requires DOC to notify prosecutor and victim whenever an inmate is transferred to an out-of-state correctional facility.
Dedicates use of tobacco settlement monies for certain health-related purposes and appropriates $40 million in State funds and $40 million in federal funds to increase Medicaid inpatient reimbursement rates.
Prohibits Tier III sex offenders from living in publicly assisted housing located within 1,000 feet of schools and child care centers.
Modifies budget language concerning rebates received by the PAAD program.
Supplemental appropriation of $2 million to DHSS to expand Respite Care for the Elderly Program.
Provides sales tax exemption for certain home improvement materials purchases.
Concerns subcontracting agreements entered into by public school districts.
Changes membership of Advisory Board on Carnival-Amusement Ride Safety.
Establishes grant program to finance certain elementary school demonstration programs.
Requires NJ Commerce and Economic Growth Commission to develop a foreign trade zone incentive program; appropriates $250,000.
Provides for the reduction of the per pupil expenditure of certain constituent municipalities of regional school districts.
Provides legislative authorization for certain projects of the Delaware River and Bay Authority.
Appropriates $5 million to downtown business improvement loan fund in DCA.
Supplemental appropriation of $2,000,000 to Division of Housing and Community Resources in DCA to fund grant to Wildwood City to construct new Pedestrian Boulevard Connector from Pacific Avenue to the boardwalk.
Appropriates $1.7 million to DLPS for State Police defibrillators.
"Preferred Provider Protection Act."
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Establishes Intercoastal Waterway and Back Bay Dredging Fund, dedicates $2,000,000 of motor fuels tax to the fund; and prohibits collection of realty transfer fees if that amount is not appropriated to the fund.
Authorizes establishment of sports and entertainment districts in certain municipalities.
Extends senior citizen and handicapped citizen reduced fare program for regular route bus service to complementary paratransit bus service.
Imposes civil penalty for the exhibition or use in a performance of a living bear, elephant, lion or tiger.
Provides "Phase 2 Tourism Funding" to tourism and improvement development districts.
Provides supplemental appropriation of $3 million for regional tourism councils and $500,000 for cultural tourism campaign.
Permits municipalities without full-time police forces to appoint Class I Special Law Enforcement Officers.
Requires New Jersey Public Broadcasting Authority and the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to videotape certain New Jersey veterans; appropriates $100,000.
Provides that TPAF and PERS veterans' retirement with 35 years of service shall be based on highest benefit year rather than last year of service.
Permits instruction on the dynamics of family violence and child abuse as part of the Core Curriculum Content Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.
Retroactively prohibits transfer of interest from Enterprise Zone Assistance fund to General fund.
Prohibits marine transfer stations and intermodal container facilities from accepting solid waste that is not containerized.
Provides full or partial reimbursement to new veteran-owned small businesses of sales and use tax paid.
Exempts sales of certain aircraft from sales and use tax.
Concerns arbitration for certain non-teaching school staff.
Creates the position of Inspector General.
Specifies additional pre-layoff actions to avoid civil service layoffs.
Requires new automobile insurance territorial rating plans by January 1, 2003.
Lowers membership requirement for raffle licensure from 25 to 15.
Criminalizes third and subsequent drunk driving offenses.
Provides gross income tax exclusion for portion of federal civil service pension representing foregone military pension benefit.
Requires medical malpractice liability insurers to offer policy deductibles and prohibits premium increases for medical malpractice liability claims unless resulting in settlements, judgments or awards.
Modifies statute of limitations for medical malpractice liability actions.
Allows gross income tax credit for certain child care expenses.
Directs DOT Commissioner to allocate Transportation Trust Fund monies for concept development and design of Route 55 extension.
Establishes ovarian cancer public awareness campaign in DHSS; appropriates $75,000.
Clarifies that activities conducted and uses of land by farm wineries are agricultural.
Limits exchange of information between State officer or employee and bidders or prospective bidders prior to awarding of State or State authority contract.
Bans sale, possession, and release of live snakehead fish.
Increases penalties for possession and release of certain invasive or potentially invasive animals into the environment.
Makes No Early Release Act applicable to persons convicted of child pornography crimes.
Establishes publicity program for senior and disabled citizens property tax freeze reimbursement program.
Requires Casino Reinvestment Develoment Authority to study role of pinelands regional growth areas in meeting economic needs of the region.
Establishes the Excellence in Teaching Scholarship Program and appropriates $500,000.
Establishes the National Board Certification Scholarship Program; appropriates $500,000.
Creates State contract set-aside program for businesses owned and operated by disabled veterans.
Appropriates $11.105 million from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" for grants to certain nonprofit entities to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
Establishes the New Jersey School Counts County College Scholarship Program; appropriates $2,000,000.
Establishes a joint legislative and executive branch State Revenue Forecasting Integrity Commission to provide a revenue forecast for annual State budget purposes.
Increases benefits of certain PFRS ordinary disability retirees.
Grants Abbott district status to the school districts of Buena Regional, Commercial Township, Fairfield Township, Salem City and Woodbine.
Provides that shore protection funds may be used for maintenance dredging of State navigational waterways.
Permits municipalities to withdraw from certain county library systems.
Adds Secretary of Agriculture and DEP Commissioner to Domestic Security Preparedness Task Force; directs Secretary of Agricultrure to advise task force concerning agriculture security issuses.
Establishes the New Jersey Agroterrorism Commission.
Requires Domestic Security Preparedness Planning Group to conduct mock exercise pertaining to agricultural bioterrorism; and appropriates $150,000 therefor from New Jersey Domestic Security Account.
Appropriates $25 million to remove and replace 500 bed Phase I facility at Southern State.
Permits certain housing nonprofits to join together with other local units in joint insurance funds.
Permits State, counties, municipalities and boards of education to establish special pay plans under sections 401(a) and 403(b) of federal Internal Revenue Code.
Carried from the Senate
Became law2
Eliminates reduction of the death benefit for participants age 70 or more in the alternate benefit program.
Establishes certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 18
"New Jersey Home Ownership Security Act of 2002."
Requires certification of persons installing medical gas piping in licensed health care facilities.
Permits board of education to disqualify low bidder if any school district or the EDA in certain cases has had prior negative experience with the bidder. *
Prohibits unsolicited telemarketing sales calls to certain customers.
Establishes the Amistad Commission to coordinate educational and other programs on slavery and African-American history.
Establishes "Amber's Plan" to broadcast public alerts concerning abducted children.
Increases jail time for repeat offenders who drive while licenses revoked.
Concerns public works contracts and project labor agreements with labor organizations. *
Revises Clean Communities Program and makes available recycling grants to counties and municipalities. *
Clarifies parameters of joint UEZ authorized in Cape May County under P.L.2001, c.347.
Exempts from New Jersey gross income tax the income of victims who died in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States. *
Provides "Phase 2 Tourism Funding" to tourism and improvement districts. *
Requires public employers to deduct a representation fee in lieu of dues in certain circumstances.
Adds two members chosen by public employees' labor organizations to State Health Benefits Commission.
Revises law concerning possession and release into the environment of certain animals.
Allows groups authorized to conduct bingo or raffles to use proceeds for capital improvements in certain instances.
Designates State office building in Asbury Park as "Thomas S. Smith, Sr. State Office Building."
Establishes procedures for court and DYFS to determine safety of minor child whose child's caretaker is incarcerated. **
Passed the General Assembly · 6
Adds leader of firearms trafficking network and weapons training for illegal activities to RICO statute. *
Permits Director of ABC to grant plenary winery license under certain circumstances.
Extends certain benefits to veterans of Operation "Enduring Freedom".
Directs Adjutant General of DMVA to develop and report plan to provide home-based and outpatient health care to NJ veterans. *
Clarifies procedures for closing active child protective services cases.
Allows PERS and TPAF pensions for veterans with 35 or more years of service to be based on 12-month period of greatest compensation. *
Out of committee · 35
Clarifies provisions of "Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act" concerning municipal electric power systems and rural electric cooperatives. *
Permits use of preliminary breath testing devices to detect drunk driving.
Establishes new method of establishing financial liability for patients in psychiatric facilities and eliminates financial liability of certain family members. *
Requires coverage for certain nonprescription formulas under certain health benefits plans, including SHBP. **
Concerns workers' compensation for firefighters with cancer.
Appropriates $11.105 million from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" for grants to certain nonprofit entities to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
Appropriates $18,725,000 from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for farmland preservation purposes.
Revises lifeguard pension benefits.
Concerns workers' compensation for occupational disease claims and workers' compensation benefits rates for surviving dependents.
Establishes aid program for certain municipalities with State correctional facilities.
Revises Clean Communities Program and makes available recycling grants to counties and municipalities.
Eliminates remarriage prohibition for PFRS and SPRS accidental death benefits. *
Appropriates $368,700 to Agricultural Experiment Station for oyster revitalization.
Requires health insurers to provide coverage for hearing aids.
Establishes certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth.
Provides early childhood program aid to certain school districts contiguous to Abbott districts.
Directs HMFA to require shower rails in senior rental projects. **
Makes various changes to casino gambling and use of proceeds thereof. *
Requires fee-for-service prescription drug benefits for SSI recipients under Medicaid.
Grants certain rights, privileges and protections to investigators in the county prosecutors' offices.
Requires at least one member of Pinelands Commission to possess training knowledge, or experience in wildfire management or fire safety.
Directs DOE to develop guidelines for the teaching of child victimization prevention techniques for use by districts to establish comprehensive programs.
Establishes publicity program for senior and disabled citizens property tax freeze reimbursement program.
Establishes grant program to rehabilitate veterans' organizations posts; appropriates $300,000.
Establishes commission to study and promote desalination.
Establishes "Matthew's Law Limiting the Use of Restraints." *
Provides unemployment benefits for certain spouses of armed services members. *
Establishes 27-member New Jersey African-American Reconciliation Study Commission. *
Repeals law creating State poet laureate.
Provides PFRS members in federal or State military service who is injured or killed with disability or death benefits.
Expands duties of racing commission to include advocacy of growth, development and promotion of horse racing.
Appropriates $6,036,777 from the "Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund" to provide grants for certain historic preservation projects.
Appropriates $51,282,300 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
Appropriates $16,042,000 from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" for local government open space acquisition and park development projects in southern NJ.
Appropriates $45,220,823 from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" and certain farmland preservation bond funds for farmland preservation purposes.
In committee · 81
Permits municipalities hosting UEZs to establish set-aside programs favoring local businesses for construction projects using State funds.
Directs UEZA to establish permanent enterprise zones.
Expands FamilyCare Health Coverage Program to cover single adults and couples without dependent children with incomes up to 133% of poverty level.
Supplemental appropriation of $2.2 million to DHS for domestic violence programs.
Requires fee-for-service prescription drug benefits for SSI recipients under Medicaid.
Authorizes and directs DEP to implement Phase II of the California Low Emission Vehicle program in the State beginning in calendar year 2006.
Establishes the "Alan M. Augustine Colon Cancer Research Fund," appropriates $100,000.
Prohibits contributions by certain entities doing business with State; limits amount of contributions by principals and officers of such entities.
Provides for mandatory life imprisonment for certain sexual assaults upon a minor.
Establishes the NJ Defense Industry Retention Program in the EDA; appropriates $15,000,000.
Authorizes Commissioner of Labor to issue certifications and promulgate regulations in connection with the siting, location and operation of mines and quarries.
Establishes criminal penalties for operating or participating in pyramid promotional schemes.
Provides for establishment of county offices for the disabled; making an appropriation.
Makes certain DEP coastal rules inoperative until completion of cross-acceptance process; appropriates $2,500,000 for grants to local governments in the coastal area.
Requires designated employees trained in the use of defibrillators to be available for high school athletic events; appropriates $1.2 million.
Prohibits sale of gasoline containing MTBE; directs DEP to seek waiver from EPA oxygen requirements for purpose of discontinuing use of MTBE; and establishes Transportation Energy Security Council to monitor good faith compliance effort.
Allows certain volunteer firefighters, rescue and first aid squad members to claim $5,000 income tax deduction.
Permits purchase of PFRS credit for certain pre-enrollment temporary service.
Regulates power vessels in certain environmentally sensitive areas.
Establishes and allocates funds for program to provide capital grants to veterans' organizations; appropriates $250,000.
Provides grants to educational technology training centers to establish satellite facilities and maintain and upgrade equipment; appropriates $2.8 million.
Allows surviving spouses who remarry to continue to receive PFRS and SPRS accidental death benefits.
Imposes mandatory life imprisonment for aggravated sexual assault against minor or victim who suffered serious bodily injury; imposes mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment for sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact and criminal sexual conta
Provides New Jersey certification as a school administrator or principal to any applicant with similar certification in another State.
Prohibits public employer from changing terms and conditions of employment prior to reaching agreement with public employee representative.
Concerns public works subcontractors.
Provides for public access to government records; protects certain government records from public disclosure; establishes Privacy Study Commission and appropriates $95,000 to commission.
Provides relief to certain NJ Transit retirees.
Entitles representatives of WACS, WAVES, Women Marines and Vietnam Veterans of America to leave of absence with pay to attend conventions.
Establishes an "Export Mentor and Matchmaker Program;" appropriates $250,000.
Provides credit against gross income tax and corporation business tax for certain qualified mentors in "Export Mentor and Matchmaker Program."
Expands mission of NJ organized militia in DMVA and increases size and rank of leadership.
Authorizes Casino Control Commission to permit Atlantic City casinos to accept wagers from remote locations on live games conducted in their casinos.
Establishes low interest mortage program in HMFA for volunteer fire and rescue squad members.
Allows vendors to retain 1% of sales tax collected as consideration for collecting and promptly remitting the same.
Allows certain corporations to file consolidated corporation business tax returns.
"The 10-20-Life Law."
The "Export Promotion Tax Credit Act"; allows tax credit to small and medium-sized businesses for certain export and export promotion activity.
Allows certain self-employed business owners to deduct their own pension plan contributions from gross income under the gross income tax.
Permits care and treatment of animals by certain persons and prohibits those persons from identifying themselves as veterinarians.
Provides credit under gross income tax and corporation business tax for certain costs of rehabilitating historic properties.
Permits medical malpractice liability insurance purchasing alliances among physicians.
Requires certain State officials to reside in New Jersey.
Requires review of certain privatization contracts.
Establishes New Jersey General Accounting Office.
Establishes the level of State school aid for the 2002-2003 school year; establishes the Save Our Schools Fund to finance increased State aid.
Increases minimum PFRS special retirement allowance from 65% to 70% of final compensation.
Appropriates funds to DEP for environmental infrastructure projects.
Authorizes special license plates for military retirees.
Supplemental appropriation of $2 million to NJ Commerce and Economic Growth Commission for tourism promotion and grants to regional tourist councils.
Exempts certain municipalities from payment for certain State Police services.
Establishes New Jersey Travel and Tourism Commission.
Designates September 11 in each year as "Red, White, and Blue Ribbon Day" in honor of victims of September 11, 2001 terrorist attack.
Provides for recoupling of the computation of the New Jersey estate tax in accord with the federal estate tax.
Designates "New Jersey, U.S.A." as State song.
Authorizes digitized student identification program.
Establishes mandatory minimum terms of imprisionment without parole eligibility for crimes of criminal sexual contact committed against children.
Upgrades penalties for certain crimes involving children under 16 years of age.
Excludes income of school district residents who rank in the top 5% of income as reported on State Income Tax forms from calculation of district income for school aid purposes.
Provides for mandatory life imprisonment for certain sexual assaults upon a minor.
Makes supplemental appropriation of $6,460,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Education for the Teacher Quality Mentoring Program.
Establishes "Matthew's Law Limiting the Use of Restraints."
Provides tax credits for certain participants in federal Environmental Performance Track Program.
Eliminates the alternative minimum assessment under the corporation business tax.
Excludes certain unemployment compensation recipients from paying civil service application fees.
Decreases and eliminates certain fees and penalties.
Exempts vanpool rentals from domestic security fee imposed under P.L.2002, c.34.
Supplemental appropriation of $500,000 for compulsive gambling treatment and education.
Increases membership of PFRS board of trustees.
Increases membership of PFRS board of trustees from 11 to 19 members.
Appropriates $18,725,000 from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for farmland preservation purposes.
Increases service retirement allowance for certain PFRS retirees who retired before January 18, 2000.
Prohibits certain contributions by certain entities and individuals doing business with counties or municipalities; limits amount of contribution by principals and officers of such entities.
Requires Medicaid program to increase reimbursement for ambulance services provided to Medicaid recipients who are also Medicare eligible to Medicare rate.
Expands responsibilities of "New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect."
Prohibits contributions by certain entities doing business with State; limits amount of contributions by principals and officers of such entities.
Revises definition of manufactured or mobile home under "State Uniform Construction Code Act."
Extends certain benefits to veterans of operations that have continued from "Desert Shield/Desert Storm."
Establishes the "Veterans Home Health Care Demonstration Program"; appropriates $1 million.
Increases State supplementary payment for residential health care facilities.
Allows a corporation business taxpayer that dissolves and completely liquidates during the 2002-2003 suspension of net operating loss deductions to use that deduction.