Weekly Legislative Update
Monday, March 22nd Committee Meetings:
Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism, and Historic Preservation
S2056 / A1091 - Requires Division of Travel and Tourism to advertise and promote tours of breweries in the State. PASSED
S2670 / A637 - Revises permit and license processes for sports pools operators and online sports pool operators; revises definitions of certain sports events; allows for transactional waiver for sports wagering lounge. PASSED
S3334 - Requires State agencies to make their websites accessible to people with disabilities and on mobile devices. PASSED
S3502 / A801 - Require business seeking to perform State contract to disclose certain labor and employment law violations. PASSED
S3522 - Creates Local Part of PERS; creates board of trustees for Local Part of PERS. PASSED
S3561 / A5138 - Permits wagering by business entities with horse racing and sports pool operators. HELD
Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
S1147 - Requires lead paint inspection prior to home purchases and tenant turnover; establishes educational program on lead hazards. No action
S1256 - Permits inclusion of volunteer firefighters and other emergency responders within municipal eligible employee group for purposes of the small employer health benefits plan statutes. PASSED
S1958 - The "New Jobs for New Jersey Act." PASSED
S2559 - Revises requirements for health insurance providers and Medicaid to cover services provided using telemedicine and telehealth; appropriates $5 million. PASSED
S2611 / A4556 / A4145 - Requires BPU to establish and maintain electronic public document search system on its website; requires BPU to provide certain notice of its meetings and hold quarterly public comment meeting. PASSED
S3000 - Codifies and establishes certain network adequacy standards for pediatric primary and specialty care in Medicaid program. PASSED
S3031 - Requires DOH to establish certain nursing education and professional advancement programs. PASSED
S3032 - Requires DOH to develop Statewide plan for infection control and prevention infrastructure improvements in nursing homes. PASSED
S3434 - Requires boards of education to provide special education and related services to certain students exceeding age of eligibility for special education and related services. PASSED
S3465 - Directs Department of Agriculture to pay annual premiums for the federal Dairy Margin Coverage Program to enrolled dairy farmers. PASSED
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. PASSED
S3505 - Requires assignment of unemployment claims handlers to legislative districts during COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency; appropriates $1.8 million. PASSED
S3519 - Appropriates $15 million in federal funds to EDA to support businesses and nonprofits in need. PASSED
S3520 - Appropriates $10 million in federal funds to EDA to support child care centers in need. PASSED
S3521 - Appropriates $15 million in federal funds to EDA to support arts and culture organizations in need. PASSED
*S3522 - Creates Local Part of PERS; creates board of trustees for Local Part of PERS. PASSED
S3523 - Appropriates $25 million in federal funds to EDA to support microbusinesses in need. PASSED
S3524 - Appropriates $35 million in federal funds to EDA to support food and beverage establishments in need. PASSED
S3527 / A5405 - Appropriates $10 million in federal funds to Department of Agriculture to support food bank organizations. PASSED
S3564 - Extends CBT, GIT, and Pass-Through Business Alternative Income Tax filing and payment due dates to May 15, 2021. No action
Senate Voting Session 3/25/2021
A740/S2846 - Requires State agencies in awarding contracts for purchase of items that require power source to consider items powered by fuel cells. PASSED
A850 - Establishes "Broadband Access Study Commission." PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS
A970 - Establishes Mental Health Screening in Schools Grant Program in DOE; appropriates $1 million. PASSED
A1285 - Establishes procedures for awarding of design-build contracts. PASSED
A2116 - Requires State Treasurer to submit report to Legislature every six months identifying deadlines for applications for federal funds by State agencies. PASSED
A3384 - Makes various revisions to "Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act"; renames act to "Uniform Voidable Transactions Act." PASSED
A3548/S1140 - Requires health benefits coverage for adolescent depression screenings. PASSED
A4145 - Requires BPU to establish and maintain electronic docketing system providing online document access to public. PASSED
A4246/S3175 - Permits expedited licensure in mental health professions for certain out-of-State individuals during state of emergency or public health emergency. PASSED
A4538/S3131 - Requires dental insurers to provide credits for reduced usage during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. PASSED
A4556 - Requires BPU to establish and maintain electronic public records access service on its website; requires BPU to provide certain notice of its meetings and hearings and allow public comment. PASSED
A4671 - Requires public and local utilities to provide notice to residential customers of available relief measures during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. PASSED WITH ASSEMBLY AMENDMENTS
A4805/S3169 - Requires certain insurers to provide summary concerning business interruption insurance. PASSED
A4806/S3188 - Permits municipalities to authorize programs encouraging local shopping through property tax rewards; validates certain related municipal actions. PASSED
A5405/S3527 - Appropriates $10 million in federal funds to Department of Agriculture to support food bank organizations. PASSED
S83 - Establishes "Jersey Native Plants Program." PASSED
S225 - Provides that student-athlete who sustains concussion must return to regular school activities prior to return to competition; requires school districts to implement six-step return-to-competition process. PASSED
S261 - Eliminates requirement for State residency for public officers and employees with limited historic exceptions. No action
S311 - Prohibits public schools from denying admittance to student due to tardiness or violation of dress code or school uniform policy. PASSED
S399 - Requires residential landlords to equip steam radiators with protective covers. PASSED COMBINED WITH S1645
S942 - Requires certain standards for professional and occupational boards considering applicants with criminal history records. PASSED WITH ASSEMBLY AMENDMENTS
S994 - Requires State agencies and political subdivisions to make good faith effort to purchase five percent of goods and services from Central Nonprofit Agency. PASSED
S995 - Requires DOLWD and DHS to conduct assessment of community rehabilitation programs and community businesses. No action
S1010 - Permits counties and municipalities to bond for alternative fuel vehicles. PASSED
S1047 - Concerns disclosure of certain information prior to sale of real estate. PASSED
S1147 - Requires lead paint inspection prior to home purchases and tenant turnover; establishes educational program on lead hazards. No action
S1239 - Authorizes imposition of fee for connection to municipal electric distribution system. PASSED
S1604 - Requires certification of diligent inquiry in residential mortgage foreclosure actions to be filed by attorneys. PASSED
S1645 - Requires residential landlords to install protective covers on steam radiators. COMBINED WITH S399
S1882 - Clarifies extension of driver's license, identification card, and motor vehicle registration expiration dates for certain military personnel. PASSED
S1958 - The "New Jobs for New Jersey Act." PASSED
S2009 - Requires State Treasurer to submit report to Legislature every six months identifying deadlines for applications for federal funds by State agencies. SUBBED FOR A2116
S2039 - Prohibits gender-based price discrimination. AMENDED ON FLOOR
S2166 - Provides certain sending school districts one representative with limited voting rights on receiving school district board of education. PASSED
S2259 - Establishes Mental Health Screening in Schools Grant Program in DOE; appropriates $1 million. PASSED
S2559 - Revises requirements for health insurance providers and Medicaid to cover services provided using telemedicine and telehealth; appropriates $5 million. PASSED
S2606 - Allows installation of residential solar energy systems prior to obtaining construction permit or interconnection approval during COVID-19 emergency. No action
S2611 - Requires BPU to establish and maintain electronic public document search system on its website; requires BPU to provide certain notice of its meetings and hold quarterly public comment meeting. SUBBED BY A4556
S2682 - Establishes the New Jersey Rare Disease Advisory Council. PASSED
A4477/S2789 - Revises licensure, operational, and reporting requirements for nursing homes. PASSED
S2811 - Requires school report card to include information concerning number of mental health professionals and security personnel employed by each school district. PASSED
S2861 - Concerns certain restrictive covenants on real property. PASSED
S2874 - Establishes procedures for awarding of design-build contracts. SUBBED BY A1285
S2923 - Limits law enforcement presence at polling places and ballot drop boxes; prohibits electioneering within 100 feet of ballot drop box.
S2946 - Establishes task force to study technology and other methods used to reduce or eliminate telemarketing harassment and intimidation. PASSED
S3000 - Codifies and establishes certain network adequacy standards for pediatric primary and specialty care in Medicaid program. PASSED
S3031 - Requires DOH to establish certain nursing education and professional advancement programs. AMENDED ON SENATE FLOOR
S3032 - Requires DOH to develop Statewide plan for infection control and prevention infrastructure improvements in nursing homes. PASSED
S3066 - Permits use of alternate names by limited liability partnerships. SUBBED BY A4932
S3091 - Requires builders to offer unit concrete products that utilize carbon footprint-reducing technology as option in new construction; establishes tax incentives, and State and local purchasing requirements, for unit concrete products that utilize carbon foot PASSED
S3131 - Requires dental insurers to provide credits for reduced usage during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. SUBBED BY A4538
S3142 - Expands epinephrine access laws to include epinephrine nasal sprays. PASSED
S3145 - Concerns names required on applications for professional and occupational licensure. PASSED
S3169 - Requires certain insurers to provide summary concerning business interruption insurance. SUBBED BY A4805
S3171 - Makes various revisions to "Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act"; renames act to "Uniform Voidable Transactions Act." SUBBED BY A3384
S3188 - Permits municipalities to authorize programs encouraging local shopping through property tax rewards; validates certain related municipal actions. SUBBED BY A4806
S3198 - Extends time outstanding parimutuel ticket may be claimed from six months to 12 months; allows additional time to claim outstanding parimutuel tickets and unclaimed cash vouchers due to Public Health Emergency. PASSED
S3203 - Requires in person early voting period for certain elections; makes appropriation. PASSED
S3234 - Allows deduction from tax of certain expenses when taxpayer's federal paycheck protection program loan is forgiven and excludes those forgiven loans from gross income tax. PASSED
S3252 - Clarifies that County Option Hospital Fee Pilot Program expires five years after each participating county has collected fee and that participating counties in program are not liable for fee imposed on hospitals. PASSED WITH GOVERNOR'S CONCURRENCE
S3306 - Authorizes optometrists to administer immunizations against coronaviruses and influenza under certain circumstances. SUBBED BY A5222
S3405 - Provides certain protections for pandemic financial assistance. PASSED
S3434 - Requires boards of education to provide special education and related services to certain students exceeding age of eligibility for special education and related services. PASSED
S3465 - Directs Department of Agriculture to pay annual premiums for the federal Dairy Margin Coverage Program to enrolled dairy farmers. PASSED
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. PASSED
S3505 - Requires assignment of unemployment claims handlers to legislative districts during COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency; appropriates $1.8 million. PASSED
S3519 - Makes $15 million in federal funds available to EDA to support businesses and nonprofits in need.
A5445/S3520 - Makes $10 million in federal funds available to EDA to support child care providers in need.
S3521 - Makes $15 million in federal funds available to EDA and New Jersey Council on the Arts to support arts and culture organizations in need. PASSED
S3523 - Makes $25 million in federal funds available to EDA to support microbusinesses in need. PASSED
A5444 (S3524) - Makes $35 million in federal funds available to EDA to support food and beverage establishments in need. PASSED
S3527 - Appropriates $10 million in federal funds to Department of Agriculture to support food bank organizations. SUBBED BY S5405
A5472/S3565 - Requires law enforcement to provide written notification to parent or guardian of person under age 18 who commits first offense of unlawfully possessing or consuming alcoholic beverage, cannabis, marijuana or hashish. PASSED
S3595 - Limits police presence at polling places and ballot drop boxes; prohibits electioneering within 100 feet of ballot drop box. No action
A5373/S3596 - Allows county board of elections to determine location of certain ballot drop boxes under certain circumstances. PASSED
SJR28 - Designates June of each year as "Scleroderma Awareness Month." PASSED
SJR30 - Designates second week of June of each year as "Kids Entrepreneurship Awareness Week." PASSED
SJR88 - Designates May 27 of each year as "Richard Rescorla Day." PASSED
SR96 - Honors life of Tuskegee Airman James A. Cotten. PASSED
SR110 - Honors life of Tuskegee Airman Malcolm Nettingham. PASSED
SR120 - Condemns inflammatory rhetoric and abuse targeted at Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and recognizes contributions of these individuals and communities in New Jersey. PASSED
Assembly Voting Session 3/25/2021
A275 - Allows persons owing certain court-imposed financial obligations and ordered by court to serve term of probation or diversionary program to earn transformative credit against amount owed by participating in treatment programs, educational or vocational services, or service to community. PASSED
A681 - Expands scope of law prohibiting age discrimination. PASSED
A798 - Establishes local drug overdose fatality review teams in each county in State. PASSED
A812 - Requires notice to be provided by municipal court to applicant for public defender of fee and process to waive fee for inability to pay. PASSED
A1171 - Requires Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development to create Statewide database of certified payroll information for public works projects. PASSED
A1172 - Allows county and municipal police departments to establish designated safe areas for Internet purchase transactions; establishes public awareness campaign. PASSED
A1191 - Establishes "Innovation Partnership"; provides funding for certain nonprofit partnerships to promote certain emerging technology businesses. Amended on Assembly floor, 2nd reading
A1483 - Regulates pay-off of trade-in vehicles and certain vehicle title releases. PASSED
A1841 - Allows gross income tax deduction for amounts paid for removal of lead, asbestos and other contaminants from taxpayer's residential property. PASSED
A1976 - Establishes Renewable and Efficient Energy Financing Program; authorizes BPU to transfer up to $20 million annually in societal benefits charge revenues to New Jersey Infrastructure Bank for purposes of program. PASSED
A2117 - Establishes State to oversee application for and receipt of federal funds Ombudsman by State agencies. PASSED
A2293 - Requires institutions of higher education to implement suicide prevention programs and raise awareness of mental health services. PASSED
A2340 / A2489 - Prohibits commercial mobile service providers from disclosing customer's geolocation data to third parties. A2340 combined with A2489 and passed
A2891 - "Digital Asset and Blockchain Technology Act." PASSED
A3804 - Designates 9-1-1 operators or dispatchers as 9-1-1 first responder dispatchers. PASSED
A3883 - Prohibits VCCO from denying award of compensation to victims with certain outstanding warrants and charges. PASSED
A4240 - Provides for technological upgrade of application process for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. PASSED
A4297 - Permits conduct of bingos and raffles remotely; permits online sale of tickets for all bingos and raffles. PASSED
A4463 - Establishes confidentiality of court records of certain eviction actions initiated during COVID-19 pandemic. PASSED
A4558 - Requires pharmacies to provide certain information regarding insulin manufacturer assistance programs. PASSED
A4655 - Limits law enforcement presence at polling places and ballot drop boxes; prohibits electioneering within 100 feet of ballot drop box. PASSED
A4815 - Establishes certain guidelines for health insurance carriers concerning step therapy protocols. PASSED
A4833 - Expands crime of bias intimidation; establishes additional penalties for crimes of bias intimidation and harassment; establishes bias intimidation motivation damages. PASSED
A4861 - Requires DOH to publish total number of COVID-19 deaths and cases in long-term care facilities. PASSED
A4864 - Makes FY 2021 supplemental appropriation of $210,000 to DHS for temporary 25 percent increase to certain assisted living facilities in Medicaid. PASSED
A4881 - Prohibits appeal of land use decision related to holding meeting electronically. PASSED
A4918 - Allows corporations to hold remote shareholder meetings. PASSED
A4958 - Provides temporary exemption under sales and use tax for winterizing certain small business operations. PASSED
A4963 - Provides comprehensive Medicaid benefits to certain individuals formerly in foster care. PASSED
A5059 - Requires DOH to establish certain nursing education and professional advancement programs. Amendment on Assembly floor, 2nd reading
A5075 - Removes Fire Museum and Fallen Firefighters Memorial from auspices of DEP and establishes museum as independent organization; makes $200,000 supplemental appropriation. PASSED
A5147 - Establishes Alleviating Learning Loss in New Jersey Grant Program in DOE to assist public schools in establishing or expanding certain educational programs to address learning loss in students. PASSED
A5215 - Requires Medicaid Fraud Division to enter into data sharing agreement upon request of county to provide access to third party insurance liability data regarding certain COVID-19 related health claims. PASSED
A5222 - Establishes requirements for optometrists to be authorized to administer certain immunizations and injections. Passed concur with Senate Amendments
A5231 - Allows county or municipal governing body to enter into revenue sharing agreement for alcoholic beverage sales by concessionaire permit holder. PASSED
A5310 - Increases limit on number of social affairs permits that can be issued for one premises from 25 to 52 for designated premises owned by municipality or for event sponsored by municipality. PASSED
A5374 - Directs DOE to request waiver of certain student academic assessment requirements from federal government. PASSED
A5443 - Makes $25 million in federal funds available to EDA to support microbusinesses in need. A5443 substituted by S3523 and passed
A5444 - Makes $35 million in federal funds available to EDA to support food and beverage establishments in need. PASSED
A5445 - Makes $10 million in federal funds available to EDA to support child care providers in need. PASSED
A5446 - Makes $15 million in federal funds available to EDA to support businesses and nonprofits in need. PASSED
A5447 - Makes $15 million in federal funds available to EDA and New Jersey Council on the Arts to support arts and culture organizations in need. A5447 substituted by S3521 and passed
A5472 - Requires notification to parent or guadian of certain underage persons for first offense of possessing or consuming alcohol, cannabis, marijuana, or hashish; bars law enforcement from transporting such persons to police station to deliver warning. Passed concur with Senate Amendments
AR212 - Supporting NJ Sharing Network and opposing new federal rules on organ procurement organizations. PASSED
AR232 - Respectfully urges National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum induct Joan Whitney Payson into Hall of Fame. PASSED
S550 / A1616 - Requires certain student identification cards to contain telephone number for suicide prevention hotline. Amended on floor in Assembly and on 2nd reading
S703 / A1079 - Requires certain health care professionals to undergo explicit and implicit bias training. S703 substituted for A1079 and passed
S767 / A4552 - Eliminates five percent down payment requirement for local bond ordinances involving New Jersey Infrastructure Bank transportation projects. A4552 substituted by S767 and passed
S890 / A1061 - Requires DOH and DHS to identify and take appropriate steps to secure federal sources of funding to support maternal mental health. A1061 substituted by S890 and passed
S968 / A2863 - Requires public water systems to provide notice of elevated lead levels in drinking water to customers and local officials; requires landlords to notify tenants of elevated lead levels. A2863 substituted by S968 and passed
S989 / A2487 - "Healthy Terminals Act"; requires certain airport and train station workers to be paid certain wage rates and benefits. A2487 substituted by S989 and passed
S1676 / A3326 - Allows hospitals to construct housing and provide wrap-around services for individuals who are homeless or housing insecure. A1597 substituted by S1676 and passed
S1937 / A1597 - Establishes Task Force to Promote Employment by State Agencies of People with Disabilities. A4264 substituted by S1937 and passed
S2486 / A4264 - Establishes Clayton Model Pilot Program in DOE to provide school-based social emotional learning to students in grades kindergarten through five at certain public schools. A4264 substituted by S2486 and passed
S2525 / A4274 - Expands powers and duties of State Chief Diversity Officer to promote diversity in State government and public contracting. HELD
S2714 / A5478 - Authorizes special occasion events at certain farms on preserved farmland, under certain conditions. HELD
S2728 / A4835 - Adds two members to State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) Contractors. A4835 substituted by S2728 and passed
S2832 / A5295 - Allows student enrolled in institution of higher education who has completed 30 semester-hour credits to serve as substitute teacher; extends time period substitute teacher may serve during public health emergency. A1676 substituted by S2832 and passed
S3208 / A1676 - Provides accidental death benefits in certain circumstances to surviving spouse and surviving child of SPRS member or retiree who participated in 9 / 11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations. A1676 substituted by S3208 and passed
S3252 - Clarifies that County Option Hospital Fee Pilot Program expires five years after each participating county has collected fee and that participating counties in program are not liable for fee imposed on hospitals. PASSED
S3322 / A5373 - Allows county board of elections to determine location of certain ballot drop boxes by majority vote of its members under certain circumstances. Passed concur with Senate Amendments
S3364 / A5267 - Permits certain licensees to acquire alcoholic beverage license from retail food store that is bankruptcy asset; permits sell, display, and offer for sale alcoholic beverages within physically seperated area in retail food store. A5267 substituted by S3364 and passed
S3414 / A5378 - Promotes workforce diversity in public works projects; revises "public works projects" definition to permit project labor agreements for more projects. A5378 substituted by S3414 and passed
A2308 - Concerns names required on applications for professional and occupational licensure. A2308 substituted by S3145 and passed.
A3384 - Makes various revisions to "Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act"; renames act to "Uniform Voidable Transactions Act." Concur with Senate Amendments and passed
A4246 - Permits expedited licensure in mental health professions for certain out-of-State individuals during state of emergency or public health emergency. PASSED
A4477 - Revises licensure, operational, and reporting requirements for nursing homes. PASSED
A4805 - Requires certain insurers to provide summary concerning business interruption insurance. PASSED
A4806 - Permits municipalities to authorize programs encouraging local shopping through property tax rewards; validates certain related municipal actions. PASSED
A4932 - Permits use of alternate names by limited liability partnerships. PASSED
A5078 - Extends time outstanding parimutuel ticket may be claimed from six months to 12 months; allows additional time to claim outstanding parimutuel tickets and unclaimed cash vouchers due to Public Health Emergency. A5078 substituted by S3198 and passed
A5121 - Concerns provision of energy to certain manufacturing facilities by providing exemptions to certain energy related taxes. PASSED
*A5133 - Expands indoor capacity for food or beverage establishments and banquet and wedding venues under certain circumstances during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. PASSED
*A5135 - Allows continued use of heaters and tents by food or beverage establishments under certain circumstances during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. PASSED
*A5136 - Includes use of physical barriers as social distancing measure for food or beverage establishments during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. PASSED
*A5139 - Eases certain food and beverage establishment tent requirements during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. PASSED
A5343 - Requires public community water systems to inventory and replace lead service lines within 10 years; provides for recoupment of costs by investor-owned public water systems. PASSED
A5353 - Provides for certification of temporary nurse aides. PASSED
A5405 - Appropriates $10 million in federal funds to Department of Agriculture to support food bank organizations. Concur with Senate amendments and passed
A5407 - Removes restrictions on special assessments and bond issuances for replacement of residential lead service lines; revises budgetary requirements for operators of certain water systems. PASSED
AJR204 - Designates April of each year as "Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Month" in New Jersey. PASSED
AJR216 - Designates March 10 of each year as "COVID-19 Memorial Day." PASSED
AR239 - Condemns inflammatory rhetoric and abuse targeted at Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and recognizes contributions of these individuals and communities in New Jersey. PASSED
S853 / A5064 - "New Jersey Buy American Act"; requires certain State agency highway and bridge construction contracts to include iron and steel products made in U.S. A5064 substituted by S853 and passed
S975 / A3231 - Establishes trunk fighting as animal cruelty offense and crime of the third degree. A3231 substituted by S975 and passed
