July 2nd
Weekly Newsletter
New Jersey Update
This afternoon, Governor Murphy announced an additional 309 positive COVID-19 cases, increasing the statewide total to 892,308. An additional 12 deaths were announced, increasing the statewide total to 23,730. The rate of transmission is 0.94. There have been 10,103,410 COVID-19 vaccination doses administered to NJ residents, with 4,863,135 residents now fully vaccinated.

This week, Governor Murphy reminded NJ residents to make sure they are enrolled to receive the expanded child tax credit under the American Rescue Plan. The tax credit for children over 6 was raised from $2,000 to $3,000 and from $2,000 to $3,600 for children under the age of 6. The age limit for children included was raised from 16 to 17 years old. Couples making up to $150,000 and single parent families making up to $112,500 will get the full credit. If you filed tax returns in 2019 or 2020 or signed up for a stimulus check through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) you will receive the monthly payments automatically.
Budget Update

This afternoon, joined by Budget Committee Chairs Pintor Marin and Sarlo, Senate President Sweeney, Assembly Speaker Coughlin, State Treasurer Muoio and Lieutenant Governor Oliver, Governor Phil Murphy signed the Fiscal Year 2022 budget bill (S2022), totaling a record $46.4 billion. The measure was signed along with a Fiscal Year 2021 Supplemental funding bill, S3949/A5871 in addition to several other budget related measures listed below: 
  • A-13/S-4000 – Establishes "New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund," appropriates $3.7 billion.
  • S-1255/A-1925 - Requires that certain realty transfer fee revenues be dedicated to the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund.
  • S-3949/A-5871 – FY 2021 State supplemental appropriation; appropriates $100.3 million in General Fund monies and $14.4 million in Property Tax Relief Fund monies.
  • A-12/S-3997 – “New Jersey College Affordability Act”; appropriates $10 million.
  • A-5539/S-3954 – Provides partial pension and retirement income exclusion for taxpayers with incomes between $100,000 and $150,000.
  • A-5345/S-3428 – Expands eligibility under New Jersey earned income tax credit program to allow taxpayers who are at least 18 years of age or older to qualify for modified benefit.
  • A-5520/S-3633 – Increases income eligibility limits for PAAD program and Senior Gold Prescription Discount Program by $10,000. 
  • S-3798/A-5805 – Eliminates premiums and waiting periods for certain NJ FamilyCare enrollees and directs DHS to implement additional targeted outreach initiatives to increase enrollment.

The budget increases the State’s pension payment to $6.9 billion and property tax rebates provided to homeowners through the Homestead Benefit Program, provides $319 million for the tax rebate program as a result of the millionaire’s tax last year. The budget also puts $1.3 billion into the rainy day fund, with another $500 million going into the unreserved surplus. 

In an effort to continue improving financial solvency in the years to come, the State will establish a $3.7 billion debt defeasance fund with $2.5 billion to pay down existing debt and about $1.2 billion which must be spent on capital projects in lieu of long term borrowing. 

An unexpected revenue surplus and an influx of federal recovery money has buoyed the State's fiscal health despite the pandemic's impacts. The $46.38 billion spending proposal includes $2.356 billion in surplus funds. The signing of the budget comes before the June 30th deadline. 

Governor's Office: 

Legislative Budget Documents: 

Budget and Legislative Leadership Press Releases: 

Budget Articles: 
Vaccine Distribution Information and Notices from NJ DOH


General Information

EUA Fact Sheet for COVID-19 Vaccine Recipients and Caregivers [Pfizer/BioNTech] [Moderna]

Healthcare Provider Toolkit

Information for Long-Term Care Facilities

Policy, Guidance, and Directives

NJ News Quick Links


Governor's Notices




Department and Agency Notices

Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Department of Health

Legislative Update

Senate Voting Session - Wednesday June 30th:

            A698    Requires incarcerated individual from State to be counted at residential address for municipal, county, and congressional redistricting purposes and for apportionment of regional school district board of education members. Substituted for S3964 and passed

            A850    Establishes "Broadband Access Study Commission." Concur with Governor’s Recommendations and passed 

            A1116  [bill added] Provides for uniform regulation of small wireless facility deployment in this State.

            A2722  Requires Commissioner of Corrections to institute 30-minute shift overlap in State correctional facilities. Substituted for S1862 and passed 

            A3027  Commits $3 million from Supplemental Workforce Fund for Basic Skill to NJ Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development. Substituted for S793 and passed 

            A3950  Prohibits employer use of tracking or electronic communications device in vehicle operated by employee under certain circumstances. Substituted for S3180 and passed

            A4463  Establishes confidentiality of court records of certain eviction actions initiated during COVID-19 pandemic. Substituted for S3713 and passed 

            A4521  Allows insurer to submit to MVC power of attorney executed electronically for certificate of ownership or salvage certificate of title by person who received or is due to receive total loss settlement from insurer. Substituted for S2882 and passed 

            A4554  Establishes successor program to solar renewable energy certificate program in BPU, including solicitation process for certain solar power generation facilities. Substituted for S2605 and passed 

            A4630  Concerns labor harmony agreements in retail and distribution center projects.
Substituted for S577 and passed
 
            A4746  Requires that certain provider subsidy payments for child care services be based on enrollment. Substituted for S3947 and passed

            A4836  Establishes task force to evaluate quality, efficacy, costs, and educational outcomes of online courses offered by public and independent institutions of higher education and degree-granting proprietary institutions during COVID-19 pandemic. Substituted for S3313 and passed

            A4869  Requires certain bidders for prevailing wage public work to provide proof that prevailing wage will be paid. Substituted for S2414 and passed

            A5212  Permits dentists to administer vaccines under certain circumstances. Substituted for S3638 and passed 

            A5434  Establishes dual-use solar project pilot program for unpreserved farmland; allows land used for dual-use solar project to be eligible for farmland assessment under certain conditions. Substituted for S3484 and passed

            A5570  Requires motorists operating vehicles to maintain reasonable and safe distance when overtaking pedestrians and certain bicycles. Combined with A5571 and substituted for senate bill and passed

            A5571  Imposes certain requirements on operators of motor vehicles when overtaking bicycles; establishes fine for collision with bicyclist under certain circumstances.

            A5579  Imposes certain requirements on operators of motor vehicles when overtaking pedestrians, bicycles, and scooters.

            A5599  Establishes order of protection for current or former judge; upgrades and clarifies harassment against current or former judge; bars firearms possession by persons against whom current or former judge order of protection is entered. Emergency resolution passed and bill passed 

            A5656  Requires certain actions by motor vehicle operators when overtaking or passing pedestrians, bicycles, or scooters. Combined and passed 

            A5683  [bill added] Modifies Garden State Growth Zone tax exemption program. Substituted for S3869 and passed 

            A5690  Requires DOLWD to provide link to New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program on website and in emails concerning unemployment compensation benefits. Substituted for S3772 and passed

            A5737  [bill added] Establishes Asian American Pacific Islander Commission. Substituted for S3763 and passed 

            A5817  Revises violation and fines for approving or assigning unauthorized individuals as school bus drivers.Substituted for S3852 and passed

            A5818  Provides for debarment of school bus contractors for certain violations; requires certain information in pupil transportation contract bid. Substituted for S3849 and passed 

            A5819  Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for transportation infrastructure projects for FY2022. Substituted for S3924 and passed 

            A5822  Renames Dismal Swamp and Dismal Swamp Preservation Commission as "Peter J. Barnes III Wildlife Preserve" and "Peter J. Barnes III Wildlife Preservation Commission." Substituted for S3919 and passed 

            A5825  Changes effective date of Garden State Health Plan; exempts certain charter and renaissance schools from certain healthcare plan requirements; requires certain negotiations over certain health care costs. Substituted for S3487 and passed 

            A5840  Authorizes State Treasurer to enter lease for real property and improvements with NJEDA for construction of New Jersey Wind Port in Lower Alloways Creek Township, Salem County. Substituted for S3923 and passed 

            A5841  Revises certain funding provisions for financial assistance and grants from Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund. Substituted for S3932 and passed 

            A5849  Requires Adjutant General of DMVA send weekly reports to Commissioner of DOH on status of veterans' homes in State during every future public health emergency; requires such reports through December 31, 2021. Substituted for S3918 and passed

            A5850  Requires DMVA veterans' memorial homes to hold quarterly town hall meetings with veterans' guardians. Substituted for S3906 and passed 

            A5851  Allows veteran's guardian to remove veteran from DMVA veterans' memorial home under certain emergency circumstances. Substituted for S3905 and passed 

            A5852  Requires DMVA veterans' memorial homes to communicate with veterans' guardians via at least two communication means. Substituted for S3904 and passed 

            A5853  Requires administrator and assistant administrator at State veterans' memorial home have prior work experience in clinical setting. Substituted for S3903 and passed 

            A5854  Requires position of resident advocate at each State veterans' memorial home. Substituted for S3907 and passed 

            A5855  Requires DMVA veterans' facilities provide payroll-based journal information to NJ Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Substituted for S3908 and passed 

            A5856  Requires Director of Division of Veterans' Healthcare Services in DMVA to have prior clinical and long-term care experience. Substituted for S3909 and passed 

            A5890  Concerns enforcement of employee misclassification and stop-work order laws. Substituted for S3920 and passed 

            A5891  Creates "Office of Strategic Enforcement and Compliance" in DOLWD; appropriates $1 million from General Fund. Substituted for S3921 and passed 

            A5892  Streamlines identification of employee misclassification. Substituted for S3922 and passed

            A5897  Authorizes Capital City Redevelopment Corporation on behalf of State Treasurer to sell surplus real property and improvements located in City of Trenton, County of Mercer; appropriates proceeds of sale. Substituted for S3958 and passed 

            A5898  Temporarily expands summer working hours for certain minors. Substituted for S3963 and passed 

            A5906  [bill added] Rescinds prohibition on return of certain items purchased from retail food stores during COVID-19 state of emergency; provides that future limitations on returns occur during declared public health emergency. Substituted for S3965 and passed 

            A5939  Revises various provisions of "New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020" and other economic development programs; establishes New Jersey Innovation Fellows Program; appropriates $10 million. Substituted for S3993 and passed 

            ACR177           [bill added] Urges United States Trade Representative to take all appropriate remedial actions granted under Section 301 of "Trade Act of 1974" concerning unpaid Peruvian agrarian reform bonds. Substituted for S141 and passed 

            AJR238 Urges U.S. President and EPA to take appropriate action, through waivers and other reforms, to allow blending of renewable fuels under the federal "Clean Air Act." Substituted for S123 and passed

            S84      Requires institutions of higher education and public and nonpublic high schools and middle schools to adopt anti-hazing policies; expands activities encompassing criminal hazing and upgrades penalties for engaging in these activities. Concur with Assembly Amendments 

            S108    Concerns speech rights of student journalists at public schools and public institutions of higher education. Concur with Assembly Amendments 

            S577    Concerns labor harmony agreements in retail and distribution center projects.

            S598    Raises pay for election workers to $400 per day or State minimum wage, whichever is greater; appropriates $5,000,000 to Department of State.

            S758    Reopens Workers Compensation Judges Part of PERS and requires Workers' Compensation Judges to be enrolled in PERS. Concur with Assembly Amendments 

            S793    Commits $3 million from Supplemental Workforce Fund for Basic Skill to NJ Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development.

            S830    Requires public water systems to offer drinking water tests to customers in certain circumstances. Concur with Assembly Amendments 

            S1010  Permits counties and municipalities to bond for alternative fuel vehicles. Concur with Assembly Amendments 

            S1071  [bill added] Increases amount annually credited to Shore Protection Fund to $50 million.

            S1256  [bill added] Permits inclusion of volunteer firefighters and other emergency responders within municipal eligible employee group for purposes of the small employer health benefits plan statutes.
            S1460  Imposes certain requirements on operators of motor vehicles when overtaking pedestrians, bicycles, and scooters.

            S1463  Requires motorists operating vehicles to maintain reasonable and safe distance when overtaking pedestrians and certain bicycles.

            S1726  Prohibits sale of cosmetic products that have been tested on animals. Concur with Assembly Amendments 

            S1862  Requires Commissioner of Corrections to institute 30-minute shift overlap in State correctional facilities.

            S2039  Prohibits gender-based price discrimination.

            S2093  Expands scope of activities constituting hazing; increases penalties for hazing resulting in injury; requires institutions of higher education and public and nonpublic high schools and middle schools to adopt anti-hazing policies.

            S2208  Requires certain actions by motor vehicle operators when overtaking or passing pedestrians, bicycles, or scooters. Amended on floor 

            S2414  Requires certain bidders for prevailing wage public work to provide proof that prevailing wage will be paid.

            S2559  Revises requirements for health insurance providers and Medicaid to cover services provided using telemedicine and telehealth; appropriates $5 million. Concur with Assembly Amendments 

            S2605  Establishes successor program to solar renewable energy certificate program in BPU, including solicitation process for certain solar power generation facilities.

            S2674  [bill added] Provides for uniform regulation of small wireless facility deployment in this State.

            S2765  Requires Civil Services Commission to undertake various initiatives to increase diversity and inclusivity within law enforcement agencies. Concur with Assembly Amendments 

            S2766  Requires Civil Service Commission establish mentoring program for certain civil service law enforcement applicants. Concur with Assembly Amendments 

            S2767  Establishes database to aid in civil service hiring process for certain law enforcement officers; requires Statewide diversity analysis of law enforcement. Concur with Assembly Amendments 

            S2798  Revises requirements for long-term care facilities to establish outbreak response plans. Concur with Assembly Amendments 

            S2861  Concerns certain restrictive covenants on real property. Concur with Assembly Amendments 

            S2882  Allows insurer to submit to MVC power of attorney executed electronically for certificate of ownership or salvage certificate of title by person who received or is due to receive total loss settlement from insurer.

            S2921  Allows municipalities to designate outdoor areas upon which people may consume alcoholic beverages.

            S2996  Allows Board of Cosmetology Hairstyling licensees to operate mobile facilities when providing services. Concur with Assembly Amendments 

            S3000  Codifies and establishes certain network adequacy standards for pediatric primary and specialty care in Medicaid program. Concur with Assembly Amendments 

            S3180  Prohibits employer use of tracking or electronic communications device in vehicle operated by employee under certain circumstances.
 
            S3257  Establishes Task Force for the Development of Universal Child Care.

            S3264  Requires State agency to redact person's handwritten signature prior to publishing documents on agency's Internet website. Passed

            S3284  Provides for accidental death benefit if death of TPAF member and certain PERS members is caused by COVID-19. Passed 

            S3311  Establishes the "COVID-19 Frontline Healthcare Worker Memorial Commission." Passed

            S3313  Establishes task force to evaluate quality, efficacy, costs, and educational outcomes of online courses offered by public and independent institutions of higher education during COVID-19 pandemic. Amended on floor and substituted by A4836 and passed

            S3319  Eliminates certain juvenile justice fines, fees, costs, and other monetary penalties. Passed

            S3389  Requires adoption of and training on anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policy by certain campaign committees; creates Office on Discrimination and Harassment Prevention; appropriates $2,000,000. Passed

            S3484  Increases amount of solar energy generation on lands eligible for farmland assessment under certain conditions; revises law concerning solar energy generation on preserved farmland; directs BPU to provide certain incentives to "dual-use" solar projects on
            S3487  Changes effective date of Garden State Health Plan; exempts certain charter and renaissance schools from certain healthcare plan requirements; requires certain negotiations over certain health care costs.

            S3488  Modifies certain procedures pertaining to school district regionalization; establishes grant program for cost reimbursement of conducting regionalization feasibility studies; and provides financial incentives for regionalization. Concur with Assembly Amendments 

            S3498  Requires gift card issuer provide certain protections to consumer.Passed

            S3512  Authorizes purchaser of automobile by private sale to operate automobile for three-day period following purchase without permanent registration or transfer of title. Passed

            S3579  Requires certain permanency hearing to be held at least every six months. Passed

            S3584  Establishes immunity relating to COVID-19 spread in planned real estate developments. Concur with Assembly Amendments 

            S3617  [bill added] Establishes School Funding Formula Evaluation Task Force. Passed

            S3618  Makes supplemental appropriation of $10 million for grants for certain lake management activities for recreation and conservation purposes. Concur with Assembly Amendments 

            S3632  Expands exemption from restrictions on health care practitioner referrals; requires certain referrals to be made in accordance with certain professional standards. Passed

            S3638  Permits dentists to administer vaccines under certain circumstances.

            S3672  [bill added] Permits exemption from civil service law enforcement examination requirement for county correctional police officers; permits hiring of such officers. Passed 

            S3700  Clarifies that any State entity that issues professional or occupational licenses will not require individuals to demonstrate lawful presence in New Jersey to obtain professional or occupational licensure. Passed 

            S3713  Establishes confidentiality of court records of certain eviction actions initiated during COVID-19 pandemic.

            S3714  Concerns liability of certain non-profit and governmental employers for unemployment benefits paid during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic state of emergency. Concur with Assembly Amendments 

            S3733  Requires health insurance carriers to offer clear cost share plans for individual health benefits plans. Passed 

            S3763  [bill added] Establishes Asian American Pacific Islander Commission.

            S3772  Requires DOLWD to provide link to New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program on website and in emails concerning unemployment compensation benefits.

            S3849  Provides for debarment of school bus contractors for certain violations; requires certain information in pupil transportation contract bid.

            S3852  Revises violation and fines for approving or assigning unauthorized individuals as school bus drivers.

            S3869  [bill added] Modifies Garden State Growth Zone tax exemption program.
            S3903  Requires administrator and assistant administrator at State veterans' memorial home have prior work experience in clinical setting.
            S3904  Requires DMVA veterans' memorial homes to communicate with veterans' guardians via at least two communication means.
            S3905  Allows veteran's guardian to remove veteran from DMVA veterans' memorial home under certain emergency circumstances.
            S3906  Requires DMVA veterans' memorial homes to hold quarterly town hall meetings with veterans' guardians.
            S3907  Requires position of resident advocate at each State veterans' memorial home.
            S3908  Requires DMVA veterans' facilities provide payroll-based journal information to NJ Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
            S3909  Requires Director of Division of Veterans' Healthcare Services in DMVA to have prior clinical and long-term care experience.
            S3916  Establishes order of protection for current or former judge; upgrades and clarifies harassment against current or former judge; bars firearms possession by persons against whom current or former judge order of protection is entered.
            S3918  Requires Adjutant General of DMVA send weekly reports to Commissioner of DOH on status of veterans' homes in State during every future public health emergency; requires such reports through December 31, 2021.
            S3919  Renames Dismal Swamp and Dismal Swamp Preservation Commission as "Peter J. Barnes III Wildlife Preserve" and "Peter J. Barnes III Wildlife Preservation Commission."
            S3920  Concerns enforcement of employee misclassification and stop-work order laws.
Tracking: NJ State Building and Construction Trades Council
            S3921  Creates "Office of Strategic Enforcement and Compliance" in DOLWD; appropriates $1 million from General Fund.
Tracking: NJ State Building and Construction Trades Council
            S3922  Streamlines identification of employee misclassification.
Tracking: NJ State Building and Construction Trades Council
            S3923  Authorizes State Treasurer to enter lease for real property and improvements with NJEDA for construction of New Jersey Wind Port in Lower Alloways Creek Township, Salem County.
            S3924  Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for transportation infrastructure projects for FY2022.
            S3932  Revises certain funding provisions for financial assistance and grants from Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund.
            S3947  Requires that certain provider subsidy payments for child care services be based on enrollment.
            S3958  Authorizes Capital City Redevelopment Corporation on behalf of State Treasurer to sell surplus real property and improvements located in City of Trenton, County of Mercer; appropriates proceeds of sale.
            S3963  Temporarily expands summer working hours for certain minors.
            S3964  Requires incarcerated individual from State to be counted at residential address for municipal, county, and congressional redistricting purposes and for apportionment of regional school district board of education members.
            S3965  [bill added] Rescinds prohibition on return of certain items purchased from retail food stores during COVID-19 state of emergency; provides that future limitations on returns occur during declared public health emergency.
            S3993  Revises various provisions of "New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020" and other economic development programs; establishes New Jersey Innovation Fellows Program; appropriates $10 million.

            S4004  Establishes database of certain appointed positions and elected offices. Passed

            SCR71  Recognizes Armenian Genocide. Passed 

            SCR141            [bill added] Urges United States Trade Representative to take all appropriate remedial actions granted under Section 301 of "Trade Act of 1974" concerning unpaid Peruvian agrarian reform bonds.

            SJR22   Designates September 11th of each year as "Heroes Day." Passed

            SJR45   Designates September 23 of each year as "Bruce Springsteen Day." Passed 

            SJR59   Designates October of each year as "First Responders Appreciation Month." Passed

            SJR81   Designates second week of November of each year as "National Apprenticeship Week in New Jersey." Passed 

            SJR86   [bill added] Designates December 4 of each year as "Alpha Phi Alpha Day" in New Jersey. Passed 
            SJR123 Urges U.S. President and EPA to take appropriate action, through waivers and other reforms, to allow blending of renewable fuels under the federal "Clean Air Act."

            SR136  Urges Secretary of Navy to designate Delaware River as site for celebration of 250th anniversary of Navy and Marine Corps. Passed
 
S2600 – Amended on the floor
S3436 – Amended on the floor
S5338 – Amended on the floor 

Federal and National Update
Administration and Department Information
The New Jersey Governor's Office
The Governor's Office has been updating their website with the latest information on the COVID-19 response.

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