Bills in the 2000–2001 Session, General Assembly.
George F. Geist
Sponsored
Became law6
The "Private Well Testing Act"; appropriates $1million from safe Drinking Water Fund. *
Provides for public access to government records; protects certain government records from public disclosure; establishes Privacy Study Commission and appropriates $95,000 to commission. *
Requires Ombudsman for Institutionalized Elderly to disclose results of investigation of abuse or exploitation of elderly person to family member or guardian of elderly person.
Concerns carnival-amusement ride safety.
Upgrades simple assault against a law enforcement officer under certain circumstances.
Removes requirement that a public utility employee's Social Security number appear on employee's identification badge.
Passed the General Assembly8
Exempts land used for farming purposes from transfer inheritance tax for decedents' transfers to immediate family members under certain conditions.
Concerns public works subcontractors.
Requires contract provisions regarding violations of federal immigration laws by public contractors.
Provides for the establishment of a pilot program to promote exports and makes technical clarification to "New Jersey Commerce and Economic Growth Commission Act of 1998."
Prohibits residency requirements for certain county law enforcement officers.
Authorizes an increase in administrative penalties for prevailing wage violations.
Concerns offenses related to unlawful use of personal identifying information. *
Establishes driving while fatigued as recklessness under vehicular homicide statute.
Out of committee25
Accelerates phase-in of the NJ SAVER rebate. *
Changes date of primary elections in year 2004 to first Tuesday in March.
Directs DOT Commissioner to allocate $4.2 million in Transportation Trust Fund monies for advance acquisition of rights-of-way for Gloucester County rail transit corridor.
Permits a board of education to adopt a salary policy in excess of three years and requires the payment of increments pursuant to an expired policy in certain circumstances.
Concerns broadcasting industry employment contracts.
Permits tax credit against gross income tax for child and dependent care expenses.
Modifies filing and confidentiality of reports of work related accidents. *
Concerns payment of temporary disability payments and workers' compensation settlements for the same injury or illness.
Makes supplemental appropriation of $7.2 million from the General Fund for Inter-Departmental Account capital construction project costs of the Battleship U.S.S. New Jersey refurbishment.
Supplemental appropriation of $750,000 to DHSS to promote women's awareness about heart disease and stroke.
Extends period of restricted sale of poppies to raise funds to benefit veterans.
Creates program to assist small or medium-sized companies in finding foreign business contacts for exporting; appropriates $250,000.
Concerns reforestation of lands by State entities.
Permits firemen's associations, firemen's relief associations and volunteer fire companies to conduct certain income-producing activities and retain tax-exempt status.
Directs Medicaid to establish community spouse resource allowance and income limits at highest levels permitted by federal law.
Allows certain juvenile offenders to be placed in county jail.
Prohibits insurers from requiring filing of municipal court complaint as precondition to payment of certain claims.
Establishes Water Quality Remediation Fund; appropriates $50 million.
Creates six Superior Court judgeships to allow expansion of drug court program; provides appropriations for court staff and substance abuse treatment.
Creates shade tree and community forest preservation license plates for commercial vehicles.
Requires prosecutor to instruct grand jury in the elements of justification in cases involving use of force by law enforcement officer.
Provides for post-conviction DNA testing; allows post-conviction DNA profile information to be used in the investigation and prosecution of other crimes.
Exempts emergency volunteers from the 7-day waiting period for workers' compensation.
Authorizes reciprocal agreements with other states for certain temporary disability benefits.
Increases aid-in-lieu-of transportation amount and requires certain review of pupil transportation contracts by county superintendent.
In committee41
Requires health insurers to cover Lyme disease treatment costs.
Establishes a gross income tax credit for enrollment at a New Jersey College or university.
Expands the role of the Insurance Claims Ombudsman.
Prohibits public employer from changing terms and conditions of employment prior to reaching agreement with public employee representative.
Concerns subcontracting by public schools and higher education institutions.
Requires a cost analysis in certain cases when a State department contracts out work.
Adds two career service public employee members to the Pension and Health Benefits Review Commission.
Concerns arbitration of grievances of NJ Transit Corporation employees.
Supplemental appropriation of $2,000,000 to DCA for purchase of equipment and facilities at Gloucester County Clarksboro fire training center.
Authorizes State Lottery Commission to participate in joint lotteries with net proceeds to fund NJHOPE Scholarship program.
Makes various changes in civil service system concerning titles, compensation and layoffs.
Establishes Renewable Energy Trust Fund and Renewable Energy Research, Demonstration and Development Program in DEP.
Requires adoption of emissions portfolio standard under certain conditions.
Punishes certain acts involving invasion of privacy of child.
Provides a State match for donations made to school districts.
Prohibits issuance of new well permits by DEP within one half-mile of contaminated well sites.
Clarifies criminal statutes dealing with obstruction of justice and resisting arrest.
Permits certain federal Bureau of Prison officers to carry firearms at all times.
Waives driver's license and motor vehicle registration fees for volunteer firefighters and volunteer members of first aid and rescue squads.
Requires suspension of local elected officials indicted for certain offenses involving moral turpitude.
Concerns employment rights of teaching staff at schools and programs subject to State takeovers.
Regulates temporary help service firms as employment agencies, enforces collection of unemployment insurance taxes and other payroll assessments.
Requires review of certain privatization contracts.
Requires relatives seeking custody or guardianship of child under DYFS' care or custody to undergo criminal history record background checks.
Provides grants to hospitals to determine feasibility of converting underused facilities to other uses; appropriates $4 million.
Permits fire district to place certain capital appropriation items in current budget.
Permits creation of solid waste collection zones by municipalities.
Supplemental appropriation of $250,000 to DLPS for child car safety seat public education campaign.
Exempts sales of certain child restraint systems, such as car seats, booster seats and locking baby carriers, from sales and use tax.
Supplemental appropriation of $1 million to DLPS for child car safety seat grant program.
Increases nonpublic pupil transportation to 30 miles from the pupil's residence.
Creates two additional Superior Court judgeships for Gloucester County.
Requires criminal history record background checks for health care professionals as condition of initial licensure.
Provides that disabled students at institutions of higher education are eligible for reasonable substitution of specific courses required for the completion of degree requirements.
Permits absence from school resulting from suspension to be counted as unexcused absence.
Requires the State Board of Education to adopt core curriculum content standards for technology.
Provides relief to certain NJ Transit retirees.
Increases civil fines and penalties imposed by ELEC; remits moneys collected therefrom to General Fund for appropriation by the Legislature to commission.
Authorizes special license plates for members of the Disabled American Veterans Department of New Jersey.
Requires Division of Investment to invest 2% of State-administered pension funds in venture capital and private equity; creates alternative investment fund and board.
Changes car and booster seat and seat belt requirements for certain children traveling in motor vehicles.
Filed1
Revises law concerning employment and training services.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 35
Provides for mandatory minimum five year prison term without parole for persons convicted of certain firearms offenses with prior violent crime convictions. *
Appropriates $26.3 million in federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds.
Provides for presumption of death for persons exposed to catastrophic events.
Concerns certain public benefits available to persons affected by September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on US.
Establishes a New Jersey Earned Income Tax Credit.
Appropriates $30 million from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" for State acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
Appropriates $39,895,889 from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" and various Green Acres bond acts for local government open space acquisition or park development projects; and approves funding of certain local government park development projects.
Approves $16,001,500 in State funding for certain local government open space acquisition projects.
Approves $9,749,389 in State funding for certain "urban aid" local government park development projects.
"FamilyCare Health Coverage Act."
Establishes new procedures for the application for services provided to the developmentally disabled.
Authorizes municipal utilities authorities and school districts to join with municipalities to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
Prohibits dissemination of student personal information on the Internet without parental consent.
Prohibits leaving animal unattended under inhumane conditions in vehicle.
Requires State Health Benefits Program managed care plans to give 90-days notice to enrollees if primary care physician is terminated from plan.
Excludes U.S. military pensions and survivors benefits of persons less than 62 years of age from gross income taxation.
Expands access to certain juvenile records; establishes right of victims to attend juvenile delinquency proceedings.
Creates Coordinating Committee on Youth in Department of State; appropriates $50,000.
Provides school districts with additional State aid for special education pupils if costs exceed a certain amount. *
Requires health insurers to provide coverage for colorectal cancer screening.
Eliminates possible price-driven rate increase in petroleum products gross receipts tax and sets tax rate at the current minimum rate floor.
Permits real estate brokers, broker-salespersons and salespersons to engage in certain promotions offering free or discounted products and services.
Prohibits limitations on contractor's remedy for delay caused by local government and school contracting units. *
Appropriates an amount, not to exceed $30 million, in certain State revenues for energy assistance programs. *
"Leonard Cohen's Law"; concerns hospital patient transfers.
Provides a school district budget cap adjustment for expenses related to the opening of a new school facility.
Increases income eligibility limit for homestead property tax reimbursement program beginning in tax year 2000.
Specifies the crimes encompassed by the provisions of the "No Early Release Act," including murder.
Provides Medicaid coverage for certain breast and cervical cancer-related treatment services for presumptively eligible persons under federal law.
Permits assistant adjutant general for NJ Air National Guard to have rank of major general.
Appropriates $12,789,000 from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" and various Green Acres bond funds for local government park development projects.
Appropriates $10.6 million from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for farmland preservation projects in southern NJ.
Appropriates $9 million from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for direct easement purchases by State Agriculture Development Committee for farmland preservation purposes in pinelands area.
"The Emergency Management Assistance Compact Act."
Eliminates certain requirements applicable to members of the New Jersey National Guard who receive higher education tuition waivers and requires State to pay the tuition costs.
Passed the General Assembly · 17
Permits a tax deduction under the New Jersey gross income tax for taxpayers who operate or maintain for their employees a licensed child care center or who have paid the cost of outside child care.
Authorizes actions for damages for unauthorized use of credit card information.
Revises HMFA loan program for remediation of radium-contaminated water supplies of single family residences.
Allows part-time State employees and part-time faculty members at public institutions of higher education in this State to purchase SHBP coverage. *
"Tattooing and Body Piercing Practice Act."
"Family Home Occupation Act;" classifies certain home-occupations as accessory uses needing no use variances in residential zone; authorizes municipalities to limit or exclude certain warehousing, manufacturing or retailing activities.
Provides for establishment of county offices for the disabled; making an appropriation. *
Permits public comment at meetings of municipal governing body.
Specifies use of actual enumeration of State's population by Apportionment Commission and Redistricting Commission to establish legislative and congressional districts.
Concerns paydays falling on nonwork days.
Authorizes Chief Executive Officer and Secretary of the New Jersey Commerce and Economic Growth Commission to establish NJ Higher Education International Network.
Establishes program to reduce risk from lead-based paint; requires inspection of rental properties for lead-based paint; creates lead-safe housing registry. **
Prohibits local exchange telecommunications companies from assessing touch-tone service or similar service charges.*
Upgrades disorderly persons offense of shoplifting under certain circumstances.
Establishes the NJ Defense Industry Retention Program in the EDA; appropriates $15,000,000.
Supplemental appropriation of $45 million to DOT for road repair grants to counties and municipalities, for State road repair, and for State and local road and bridge repair with concrete.*
Establishes the "Alan M. Augustine Colon Cancer Research Fund," appropriates $100,000.
Out of committee · 61
Revises PFRS funding to reduce local employers' contributions by $150 million for FY 2001.
Allows vendors to retain 1% of sales tax collected as consideration for collecting and promptly remitting the same.
Clarifies health insurance coverage requirements for Pap smears and requires same coverage under State Health Benefits Program.
Provides a corporation business tax credit for day care center support benefiting children of employees.
Excludes from gross income under the gross income tax certain United States military compensation paid to members of units of the NJ National Guard.
Authorizes reciprocal agreements with other states for wage collection.
Criminalizes the use of the Internet and other electronic communication devises to commit harassment or stalking.
Provides reimbursement to municipalities for taxes lost due to totally disabled veterans' tax exemption and administrative expenses.
Appropriates $21,480,950,000 in State funds and $8,009,987,000 in federal funds for the State budget for fiscal year 2000-2001.
Provides tax credit for certain corporate taxpayers that provide health care benefits to employees.
Provides gross income tax credit for certain small business employers that provide health care benefits to employees.
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 contact against minor or victim who suffered serious bodily injury. *
Provides refundable gross income tax credit for private well owner's costs of radium contamination testing of drinking water supply.
Authorizes loan, from funds appropriated from 1996 Economic Development Site Fund under P.L.1999, c.99, for project approved by Economic Development Site Task Force.*
Provides full PFRS credit for transferred PERS service of certain PFRS members.**
Provides for license plates identifying amateur radio operators.
Requires DOC to notify prosecutor and victim whenever an inmate is transferred to an out-of-state correctional facility.
Requires State responsibility for tuition costs for certain children whose parents reside in a State facility. *
Adds a new Governor's School and appropriates an additional $609,160 to the Governor's Schools in FY 2000.*
Exempts all pension income from gross income tax.
Provides individual cause of action for unfair practices in the settlement of insurance claims and makes unfair practices subject to consumer fraud law.
Requires health insurers to provide coverage for medically necessary expenses incurred in diagnosis and treatment of infertility.
"Home Improvement Contractors' Registration Act."
Increases veteran's property tax deduction.
Permits person registering to vote to declare political affiliation on voter registration form. *
Appropriates $22,927,403,000 in State funds and $8,333,566,000 in federal funds for the State budget for fiscal year 2001-2002.
Supplemental appropriation of $8,050,000 in State and federal funds to increase Medicaid reimbursement for home health services.
Requires insurers that provide certain prescription drug benefits to cover costs of contraceptives.
Allows physicians and dentists to jointly negotiate with carriers over contractual terms and conditions. *
Concerns subcontracting agreements entered into by public school districts.*
Requires that administrative rules be written in simple language. *
Appropriates $200,000 to New Jersey Commission on Environmental Education for programs to promote an environmentally responsible citizenry. *
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."*
Establishes the New Jersey Export Matching Grant Program in the New Jersey Commerce and Economic Growth Commission; appropriates $250,000.
Provides that certain special education treatment options or teaching methods shall be discontinued.
Approves State funding for certain "urban aid" local government open space acquisition and park development projects.
Concerns workers' compensation for firefighters with cancer.
Provides grants to educational technology training centers to establish satellite facilities and maintain and upgrade equipment; appropriates $2.8 million. *
Clarifies that definition of toxic chemical includes substances that are illegally inhaled or "huffed." *
Establishes the crime of Bias Intimidation. *
"Senior Gold Prescription Discount Act." *
Accelerates by one year phase-in of veteran property tax deduction increase.
Appropriates $40,440,000 from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" and various Green Acres bond funds for local government open space acquisition and park development projects; and approves funding of certain local government open space acquisition projects; including local "planning incentive" projects in southern NJ.
Approves State funding for certain "urban aid" local government open space acquisition and park development projects.
Permits students to satisfy high school graduation requirements by taking practical arts courses.
Provides mechanism for provision of municipal trash collection services or reimbursement to apartment buildings and complexes.
Regulates employee leasing companies and employee leasing agreements.
Appropriates $502,201.99 from "Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund" to provide historic site management grants from certain historic preservation projects in New Jersey.
"Health Care Carrier Accountability Act."
Increases and indexes maximum homestead rebate benefit.
Increases BPU membership from three to five members.
Requires boards of education to file information on violence and vandalism in the schools with the DOE.
Designates annual "School Violence Awareness Week" and prescribes certain activities.
Increases TPAF and PERS retirement benefits for active members and retirees; revises calculation of assets and establishes benefit enhancement fund.
Codifies Urban Home Ownership Recovery Program (UHORP) in NJHMFA to promote revitalization, redevelopment and stabilization of urban neighborhoods.
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Increases TPAF and PERS retirement benefits for certain active and retired employees. *
Authorizes hunting of deer with bow and arrow on Sundays.
Appropriates $10.8 million from various Green Acres bonds funds for local government open space acquisition and park development projects.
Designates U.S. Highway Route No. 9 southbound bridge over Raritan River as the "Ellis S. Vieser Memorial Bridge"; appropriates $2,500.
In committee · 70
Upgrades the penalty for aggravated assault when the victim is a law enforcement officer who suffers serious bodily injury.
Provides for State financial assistance for solid waste debt service.
Revises provisions of the "Coastal Area Facility Review Act."
"The 10-20-Life Law."
Requires nurses and home health aides to be tested annually for tuberculosis.
Authorizes special license plates for Office of Emergency Management volunteers.
Revises law governing access to public records.
Supplemental appropriation of $2,000,000 to DCA for expansion and refurbishment of fire training facilities at Camden County Fire Academy.
Increases membership of Executive Commission on Ethical Standards to fifteen through addition of eight public members.
Authorizes actions for damages for computer information theft.
Prohibits sale or distribution of computer software under certain circumstances.
Requires e-mailed unsolicited advertising materials to meet certain requirements.
Authorizes actions for damages for computer impersonation and electronic forgery.
Authorizes actions for damages for computer embezzlement.
"Adolescents' Online Privacy Protection Act."
Increases cost of living adjustment in pension allowances and survivor benefits payable to certain former public safety officers and their survivors.
Increases cost of living adjustment in pension allowances and survivor benefits payable to certain former public safety officers and their survivors.
Increases minimum amount of PFRS ordinary disability retirement allowance from 40% to 50% of average final compensation.
The "Health Care Insurer Accountability Act of 1998."
Provides certain procedural changes in death penalty cases.
Enacts the "Ethical ATM Act of 1997."
Prohibits sending of unsolicited advertisements to electronic mail addresses.
Authorizes adoption of municipal transfer of development rights programs.
Establishes minimum registration fees for certain private passenger vans and noncommercial trucks equipped with wheelchair lifts.
Waives driver's license and motor vehicle registration fees for volunteer firefighters and volunteer members of first aid and rescue squads.
Entitles representatives of WACS, WAVES, Women Marines and Vietnam Veterans of America to leave of absence with pay to attend conventions.
Prohibits certain breweries from discriminating against wholesalers.
Excludes certain deferred compensation of public school and charity employees from current taxation under the gross income tax.
Supplemental appropriation of $180,000 to DHS for grant to the Organization for the Advancement of Retarded Citizens, Inc. in Berlin, Camden County.
Authorizes payment of funeral expenses for certain public safety employees killed in line of duty.
Excludes veterans' entitlements from income for determination of PAAD eligibility.
Waives driver's license and motor vehicle registration fees for volunteer firefighters and volunteer members of first aid and rescue squads.
Provides for a mandatory minimum term without eligibility of parole for sexual assault.
Establishes Prostate Cancer Awareness, Education and Research Program in DHSS; appropriates $1 million.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song.
Makes persons imprisoned for crimes against law enforcement officers ineligible for good time and work credits.
Provides additional retirement benefits for certain county and county college employees and certain municipal employees who retire between July 1, 2000 and July 1, 2001.
The "Steep Slope Protection Act."
Limits disclosure of customer information by financial institutions to nonaffiliated third parties.
Permits certain small groups to combine for purpose of self-insuring or purchasing traditional insurance for health benefits.
Provides for certification for emergency medical technicians to administer epinephrine.
Amends definition of veteran for certain military engagements.
Provides for mandatory life imprisonment for certain sexual assaults upon a minor.
Establishes Brownfields Redevelopment Grants Program; appropriates $150 million.
Revises method of computing seniority for certain law enforcement officers transferred to the State Police.
Provides for convening of State constitutional convention to reform system of property taxation.
Provides gross income tax credit for active members of certain volunteer organizations.
Prohibits erection of communications tower facilities in certain circumstances.
Increases penalties for trafficking in nitrous oxide.
Supplemental appropriation of $2.5 million in tobacco settlement funds to N.J. State Commission on Cancer Research.
Permits police at accident involving a death or serious injury to test driver for DWI.
Requires New Jersey Turnpike Authority to establish memorial program for members of the State Police who were killed in line of duty.
Includes custom fabrication work under the prevailing wage act.
Provides full PFRS credit for transferred PERS service of certain PFRS members at State cost.
Prohibits use of cell phone while driving school bus.
Increases PERS retirement benefit formula from 1/60 to 1/55 of final compensation for each year of service; revises calculation of PERS assets to fund additional cost of formula change.
Concerns reemployment services and training programs.
Requires employer disclosure of electronic monitoring of employees.
Supplemental appropriation of $2.2 million to DHS for domestic violence programs.
Imposes civil penalty for the exhibition or use in a performance of a living bear, elephant, lion or tiger.
Appropriates $100,000 to DEP for Monroe Township water contamination study.
Grants PFRS membership for certain Division of Parks and Forestry titles; allows current DEP employees in titles to transfer from PERS to PFRS.
Permits gaming investigator to carry firearm.
Authorizes and directs DEP to implement Phase II of the California Low Emission Vehicle program in the State beginning in calendar year 2006.
Makes various changes in civil service system concerning layoffs.
Requires DEP to classify certain surface waters of the State as category one waters.
Requires text of model codes to be reprinted in State regulations rather than incorporated by reference.
Authorizes New Jersey Economic Development Authority to refinance county solid waste facility bonds.
Permits school districts to exceed the aid-in-lieu-of transportation amount when accepting bids for nonpublic school transportation in the case of subscription busing.
Designated the "Camden Rehabilitation and Economic Recovery Act;" authorizes issuance of bonds and makes appropriations.
Filed · 2
The "New Jersey Domestic Security Preparedness Act;" appropriates $8.98 million.
Makes various changes in civil service system concerning layoffs.