Bills in the 2004–2005 Session, General Assembly.
Michael J. Panter
Sponsored
Became law3
Bars legislators, Governor and department heads from lobbying activities for one year after leaving office or employment.
Designates Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Monmouth Medical Center as State's specialty acute care children's hospitals for Monmouth and Ocean Counties. *
Allows members of PFRS hired during certain periods to serve until attainment of age 68 or 25 years of creditable service, whichever comes first.
Passed the General Assembly1
Prohibits payment of temporary disability benefits to incarcerated individuals.
Out of committee4
Requires continuing education of licensed well drillers and pump installers.*
Allows county or municipality to deposit funds from any source into open space trust funds and to enter agreements with certain nonprofit organizations for land and historic preservation purposes. *
Prohibits payment of temporary disability benefits when disability is incurred as result of fourth degree crime or gross misconduct.
Appropriates $16,575,000 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 central NJ.
In committee18
Prohibits certain relatives of employees in the Executive Branch from being employed in certain positions.
Increases fines for violation of Open Public Meetings Act; provides for enforcement by certain parties.
Prohibits State elected officials, certain legislative staff, and certain Executive Branch officers and employees from lobbying activities for two years after leaving office or employment.
Establishes deferred retirement option program for members of Police and Firemen's Retirement System.
Requires legislators, Governor and department heads to file annually statement of financial affairs with Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards or Executive Commission on Ethical Standards.
Prohibits members of the Legislature from holding other elective public offices.
Provides State, county, municipal, and school district contracts for professional services will be publicly bid.
Requires legislators to designate one covered position of elected office or employment for PERS credit.
Prohibits certain business entities that provide campaign contributions from performing certain public contracts.
Prohibits award of certain public contracts to certain elected public officials.
Authorizes certain local units to limit contract awards to business entities that make political contributions and to limit political contributions by business entities.
Prohibits operation of motor vehicles on motor vehicle race tracks in the State located within one-mile radius of residential housing and use of public address systems at such race tracks between certain hours on certain days.
Provides for temporary voluntary deduction from compensation of State employees for donation to American Red Cross for disaster relief in Southeast Asia.
Increases percentage of parimutuel pool for horse races at certain racetracks that is dedicated to support of N. J.'s thoroughbred breeding industry.
Prohibits the sale and distribution of marijuana-flavored candy to persons under 18 years of age.
Prohibits trapping of dogs and cats; limits trapping to animal control officers, members of SPCA and DEP professionals.
Establishes the "Public Corruption Civil Recovery Act."
Prevents use of condemnation to acquire residential property under redevelopment laws.
Carried from the Senate
Became law3
Allows county or municipality to deposit funds from any source into open space trust funds and to enter agreements with certain nonprofit organizations for land and historic preservation purposes. *
Requires continuing education of licensed well drillers and pump installers. *
Appropriates $16,575,000 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 central NJ.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 27
Establishes "New Jersey Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project."
Changes minimum amount of campaign contribution which triggers obligation to report that contribution to ELEC to $300; requires reporting of all cash contributions. *
Expands campaign communications required to feature identification to include telephone calls featuring recorded messages made in regard to candidates and public questions.
Requires ELEC to conduct random audits of records kept by legislative agents.
Directs ELEC to collect $100 annual fee from legislative agents; dedicates moneys annually to ELEC. *
Prohibits legislative agents from accepting contingency fees to influence legislation or regulation.
Requires that voting machines produce voter-verified paper record; provides that results of audit become official tally; provides for waiver if paper record not commercially available; provides for State funding for paper record. *
Expands duties of racing commission to include advocacy of growth, development and promotion of horse racing.
Restores Department of the Public Advocate as principal department in Executive Branch. **
Prohibits campaign contributions by business entities seeking or holding State contracts in certain circumstances.
Requires hospitals and nursing homes to compile and provide certain staffing information to the public. *
Increases the amount of bonds issued for county college capital projects which qualify for State debt service aid support.
Extends eligibility for thoroughbred breeder awards, in certain circumstances, to owners and breeders of New Jersey horses that win purse money in out-of-State races.
Adds two members to Water Supply Advisory Council.
Provides that public school pupils may choose not to participate in certain experiments involving animals and requires schools to provide alternative education projects.
Extends authority for municipalities to establish transfer of development rights programs and sets forth parameters for creation thereof.
Extends workers' compensation coverage under NJ Horse Racing Injury Compensation Board to thoroughbred exercise riders in certain circumstances.
Permits units of local government to limit award of public contracts to business entities that make political contributions; requires certain business entities to file annual disclosure statement. **
Establishes requirements for reducing fine particle diesel emissions from certain vehicles and equipment; creates fund for financing costs associated therewith; increases penalties for idling and authorizes DEP to establish additional restrictions on sch
Appropriates $16,181,750 from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" for local government open space acquisition and park development projects in central NJ.
Appropriates $25 million from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for planning incentive grants to municipalities and counties for farmland preservation purposes.
"The Domestic Violence and Workforce Development Initiative."
Exempts dentists from requirement that needles and sharp devices used in health care facilities have integrated safety features.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns for the New Jersey World Trade Center Scholarship Fund.
Requires State Board of Education to include two hours of instruction in suicide prevention as part of professional development for public school teaching staff members and to revise the Core Curriculum Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Educ
The "Identity Theft Prevention Act" *
Concerns availability, deductibles, and certain treatment under high deductible health plans paid through federally qualified health savings accounts.
Passed the General Assembly · 7
Provides for attachment of real property relating to terrorism.
Prohibits product testing with traditional animal test methods if federally recommended alternative test method exists, with certain exceptions; and provides for injunctive relief for violations.
Provides for civil action against person committing act of cruelty against domestic companion animal.
Concerns penalties for passing a school bus.
Concerns availability, deductibles, and certain treatment under high deductible health plans paid through federally qualified health savings accounts. *
Revises school district budget cap adjustment for courtesy busing, makes permanent adjustment for insurance and domestic security, provides adjustment for utility costs and an appeal on administrative cost limits, and authorizes 3% surplus for 2006-2007
Concerns tax preparation services for certain clients.
Out of committee · 34
Extends certain financial disclosure requirements to lobbying conducted through advertisements and direct mail to general public.
Prohibits solicitation and making of political contributions on State property by certain persons.
Prohibits member of Legislature from acting on legislation in which member or family member of that member has personal interest.
Changes memberships of Executive Commission on Ethical Standards and Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards.
Increases monetary penalties for violations of "New Jersey Conflicts of Interest Law."
Requires candidates seeking office of Governor or member of Legislature to disclose prior conviction for criminal offense.
Expands definition of lobbyist and legislative agent to include those who influence governmental processes; defines governmental processes.
Provides counseling and prenatal care information to pregnant women who test positive for HIV.
Requires insurers that provide outpatient prescription drug benefits and State Health Benefits Program to cover costs of prescription female contraceptives. *
Establishes New Jersey Rx Program to reduce prescription drug prices.
Requires NJ Division of Travel and Tourism to report to Governor and Legislature every six months on status of tourism industry.
Requires services under State contracts to be performed in the United States. *
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
Requires telemarketers to have signed consent form or written request before making telemarketing sales calls to customer on NJ Do Not Call List.
Requires all voting machines to produce a voter-verified paper record.
Directs DEP to acquire certain obsolete vessels to use as artificial reefs; appropriates up to $250,000. *
The "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act"; creates Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council; and dedicates a portion of realty transfer fee revenue annually for certain State aid purposes in Highlands Region and the pinelands area. **
Creates credit card do-not-solicit list for certain persons.
Credits coverage under Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare towards employer's minimum participation rate under NJ Small Employer Health Benefits Program.
Requires prior notification of insurer's practices concerning nonrenewal of homeowners insurance based on claims experience.
Exempts solar energy systems from real property taxation.
Prohibits smoking in college and university dormitories.
Establishes Office of the Inspector General. *
Establishes notification requirements in connection with public and private development proximite to certain military facilities.
"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. *
"New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act"; prohibits smoking in indoor public places and workplaces.
Increases the minimum wage; creates New Jersey Minimum Wage Advisory Commission.
Creates the "New Jersey Security and Financial Empowerment Act" to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. *
The "New Jersey Homeowners Equity Protection Act." *
Changes criteria for continued receipt of NJ STARS scholarship after first year of enrollment in a county college.
Appropriates $46.225 million from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for farmland preservation purposes.
Appropriates $26,743,525 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 $75 million from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" for State acquisition or development of lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
Appropriates $31,415,464 from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for planning incentive grants to counties and municipalities for farmland preservation purposes.
In committee · 49
Doubles amount of certain retirement income that may be excluded from gross income under the gross income tax.
Designated the "Clean Indoor Air Act."
Requires humane treatment of calves raised for veal.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song.
Revises provisions of the "Coastal Area Facility Review Act."
Authorizes assessment of development impact fees by municipalities.
Provides for regulation of certain call center communications by Division of Consumer Affairs.
Extends eligibility for veterans' property tax deduction to residents of continuing care retirement communities.
Concerns private entities that own, operate or manage correctional facilities or jails.
Amends "Toxic Catastrophe Prevention Act" to address terrorist and criminal acts.
Increases membership of PFRS board of trustees.
Provides for convening of State constitutional convention to reform system of property taxation.
Authorizes assessment of educational facilities construction fees by boards of education under certain circumstances.
Authorizes municipalities to require conformity with traffic performance objectives as a condition of subdivision or site plan approval.
Authorizes adoption of timed-growth ordinances by municipalities.
Exempts certain persons enrolled in public institutions of higher education from payment of undergraduate tuition at nonresident rates.
Requires certain malls to provide motorized carts to customers.
Prohibits county agriculture development board member from submitting application to preserve farmland under farmland preservation program.
Requires the Commissioner of Education to study the issue of school district consolidation and to develop a plan to eliminate local school districts and establish a county-based educational system.
Prohibits black bear hunting until completion of report submitted by Rutgers; appropriates $95,000.
Prohibits black bear hunting for five years and until study is issued by Fish and Game Council; appropriates $95,000.
Prohibits black bear hunting, creates black bear study commission, authorizes issuance and sale of NJ Black Bear Stamp, establishes NJ Black Bear Stamp Account.
Requires ATM facilities to be equipped with access to emergency telephone service.
Requires Secretary of State maintain website listing State agency public hearings and meetings.
Requires retail food establishments to provide certain nutritional information for food or beverage items sold to its customers.
Provides that impairing another person's means of communication may constitute an act of domestic violence.
Revises school district budget cap adjustments for special education and courtesy busing, makes permanent adjustment for insurance and domestic security, and provides adjustment for utility costs.
Eliminates certain components of realty transfer fee.
Limits annual increases in tuition and fees at public institutions of higher education to 2.5% or the CPI.
Raises hourly minimum wage to $7.00.
Requires SHBP to provide coverage for expenses incurred in screening for prostate cancer.
Repeals law expediting certain State permits.
Amends "Law Against Discrimination" concerning gender identity or expression discrimination.
Prohibits supplemental compensation for unused sick leave for public school employees with an annual salary of $100,000 or more.
Directs the BPU to require cable television companies to clearly disclose terms and conditions of "introductory rates" offered to new and existing customers.
Provides DEP commissioner with veto authority over all hunts.
Provides for mandatory forfeiture of retirement benefits of elected official convicted of crime involving office held.
Changes catch and possession limits for taking of striped bass.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns for New Jersey National Guard members and their families in need of assistance.
Revises the eligibility criteria under the State earned income tax credit to equal the eligibility criteria of the federal earned income tax credit.
Requires disclosure to subscribers of certain cable television costs.
Establishes New Jersey Wildlife Rehabilitation Licensing Study Commission, and temporarily expands scope of "cooperator permit" to include rehabilitation of other kinds of wildlife besides game animals.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns for the New Jersey World Trade Center Scholarship Fund.
Clarifies designation of district of residence for pupils who reside on certain federal property.
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.
"Jessica Lunsford Act;" concerns sentencing of sex offenders and persons who harbor them; requires electronic monitoring for certain sex offenders and creates child protection zones.
Prohibits the use and display of Social Security numbers for certain identification purposes by public or private entities.
Prohibits sale of flavored tobacco products.
Prohibits certain unsolicited checks.