News Flash

Local Part PERS Legislation Advances

Early this week legislation sponsored by Senate President Sweeney that would divide the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) into two parts: a State PERS for state employees and a Local PERS for all other employees (S-3522) was considered ...

Governor Signs Parental Notification Legislation

Earlier today, Governor Murphy signed S-5472/S-3565 requiring law enforcement to provide a parent, guardian or other person having legal custody of a person under the age of 18 with a written notification for any violation for underage consumption or poss...

Legislative Preview: Week of March 15

Various Assembly and Senate committees will be holding hearings and considering numerous pieces of legislation during the week. The municipal issues before the various committees include:Assembly Telecommunications & Utilities: Considering legislation...

Recap: Week of March 8 Legislative Committees

During the week various Assembly and Senate committees held hearings and considered numerous pieces of legislation. The following legislation of municipal impact was considered: 

• A-5231 permits a county or municipality to enter into a revenue-shar...

Legislative Preview: Week of March 8

Legislative front:

 Various Assembly and Senate committees will be holding hearings and considering numerous pieces of legislation during the week. The municipal issues before the various committees include: 

• Assembly Oversight, Reform &am...

Early Voting Legislation

On Monday, the full Assembly will be considering A-4830/S-3203, which would require the addition of in-person early voting for certain elections. In-person early voting for the May non-partisan election is permitted upon adoption of an ordinance....

Monday Vote: Urge Assemly to Vote No on A-4850 Third-Party Inspection Bill

A-4850, a bill the League opposes, is scheduled for an Assembly vote on Monday, March 1. The legislation would establish an alternate inspection process for property owners willing to pay a premium fee to expedite inspections performed b...

Your Action Needed: PFRS 20 & Out in Assembly on Monday

On Monday, the full Assembly will consider A-2562/S-1017, which permits a PFRS employee who is enrolled before or after the bill's effective date to retire, regardless of age, upon attaining 20 or more years of service credit and would allow that employee...

Feb. 26, 2022 Cannabis Update

On Monday Governor Murphy signed into law legislation legalizing and regulating cannabis use and possession for adults 21 years and older (A-21 – The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act) and decriminal...

Update on S-1

Since 2011, Senate President Sweeney has been advancing legislation (S-1) to encourage shared services by making various civil service reforms, but would permit the state to withhold state aid from municipalities that did not implement a shared service ag...

Legislature Preview: Week of February 22

Today As of this writing, it has been announced that the Governor has signed the legislation legalizing adult recreational use of cannabis, the decriminalization of cannabis, and the clean-up legislation that addresses possession by those under 2...

Legislative Alert: Help Stop Legislation With Potential Chilling Effect on Redevelopment & Affordabl

As we have previously reported, ACS A1571 & A-1576 would make any public work done on a property or premises for which a public body provides, approves or authorizes a tax abatement or tax exemption for the property or premises subject to the Prevaili...

Amended Shared Service Bill S-1 Advances

Yesterday, the Senate Budget Committee unanimously passed the Senate Committee Substitute S-1, Senate President Steve Sweeney’s Shared Service legislation. S-1 amends the “Uniformed Shared Services and Consolidation Act&rd...

Governor Murphy Signs Senate Bill 3220 Into Law

On Thursday, February 4, Governor Phil Murphy signed Senate Bill 3220 into law. This legislation allows the Civil Service Commission to exempt entry law enforcement position applicants who have successfully completed a full basic course for police officer...

Governor Murphy Announces Paycheck Protection Loan Program

On Tuesday, February 9, Governor Murphy announced that his administration will follow the lead of the Federal Government in creating a Paycheck Protection Loan Program (PPP) to be tax exempt at the state level and enable recipients to deduct business expe...

Assembly Committee Reivews Water Systems and Authorities Bill

This week, A-3142 and S-922/A-5043 were before the Assembly Special Committee on Infrastructure and Natural Resources. While S-922/A-5043 was only discussed, the committee voted to approve A-3142, sending it to second reading in the Assembly. The League o...

Assembly Committee Reivews Water Systems and Authorities Bill

This week, A-3142 and S-922/A-5043 were before the Assembly Special Committee on Infrastructure and Natural Resources. While S-922/A-5043 was only discussed, the committee voted to approve A-3142, sending it to second reading in the Assembly. The League o...

Legislation Subjecting PILOT to Prevailing Wage Advances

The Assembly Labor Committee has advanced an Assembly Committee Substitute A-1571 & A-1576.  ACS A1571 & A-1576 would make any public work done on a property or premises for which a public body provides, approves, or authorizes a tax abat...

Bill Limiting Municipal Regulation of Electric Fences Now Law

Governor Murphy, on Thursday, signed into law S-2419, which prohibits municipal regulation of “perimeter fence intrusion protection systems” (electric fence) and the regulation of locksmith and alarm businesses, among other things. Eff...

Assembly Committee to Hear Bill Limiting Appeals of Land Use Decisions

On Monday, the Assembly State and Local Government Committee will review A-4881, a bill which the League supports. A-4881 would prohibit the appeal of land use decisions on grounds attributable to convening the meeting by virtual means, provided that reas...

Governor Signs Tax Incentive Legislation

Yesterday, Governor Murphy signed into law A-4, the "New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020." The new law provides for the administration of programs and policies related to; jobs, property development, food deserts, community partner...

Cannabis Clean Up Legislation Held

Initially, both the Assembly and Senate were scheduled to consider legislation to clarify the recent cannabis legislation, A-5211/S-3320, on Monday. However, as of this afternoon, it appears the deal to legalize and decriminalize cannabis collapsed report...

Governor signs PFRS Enhanced Benefits for Surviving Spouses Act

Yesterday, Governor Murphy signed S487, the “Dominick Marino PFRS Enhanced Benefits for Surviving Spouses Act”. This legislation expands accidental death benefits provided to widow of a PFRS member. The benefit paid will now be either ...

Right to Farm Act Amended to Allow Employees to Live on Horse Farms

Governor Murphy, yesterday, signed A-2768/S-1245, which amends the “Right to Farm Act” to allow housing for equine-related farm employees.The new law requires that, notwithstanding any local health code or zoning ordinance to the contrary, the rules and r...

Police Body Camera Funding Legislation Passed

On Wednesday, December 23, Governor Murphy signed A-4907 into law, which appropriates $58 million in funding to support police departments when purchasing body cameras. While P.L. 2020, c. 142 goes a long way to help purchase body cameras, the issue of on...

Hospital Property Tax Subsidy Bill Headed to Governor

After advancing through Senate and Assembly committee hearings, yesterday both houses voted to approve A-1135/S-624 & S-357, sending the measure to the Governor’s office for his action. While the League is supportive of a legislative solutio...

Senate Passes PFRS 20 and Out Legislation

On Thursday, the Senate unanimously passed S-1017, which permits a PFRS employee who is enrolled before or after the bill's effective date to retire, regardless of age, upon attaining 20 or more years of service credit and would allow that employee to rec...

Tax Incentive Legislation Moving Quickly

Late on Wednesday, it was announced that Governor Murphy, Senate President Sweeney, and Assembly Speaker Coughlin reached an agreement on reforms to the tax incentive programs.According to the announcement  the agreement “includes annua...

Your Action Needed: Full Senate to Consider PFRS 20 & Out Legislation

On Thursday, the full Senate will be considering S-1017, which permits a PFRS employee who is enrolled before or after the bill's effective date to retire, regardless of age, upon attaining 20 or more years of service credit and would allow that ...

Hospital Property Tax Subsidy Bill Headed for Vote

Hospital Property Tax Subsidy Bill Headed for Vote After advancing through Senate and Assembly committee hearings, A-1135/S-624 & S-357 have been scheduled for a vote in both houses on Thursday, December 17, 2020. A-1135 was previously approved by the...

Small Cell Regulation Bill Advances

Yesterday, the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee advanced with amendments, A-1116. The purpose of this legislation is to provide for uniform regulation of small wireless facility deployment in the State and attempts to mirror and in some...

Disabled Veterans Property Tax with Reimbursement Advances

Earlier this week the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee advanced S-220, which extends the totally disabled veterans property tax exemption to be retroactive to the effective date of the determination of the veteran’s total disability ...

Actions on Law Enforcement Body Worn Cameras

Last week, Governor Murphy signed S1163 legislation regarding the use of Body Worn Cameras for Law Enforcement and issued Executive Order 201 Establishing an Interagency Working Group on Law Enforcement Body Worn Cameras Task Force. Please see the League’...

AG Issues Marijuana Charge Guidance

Last week, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal issued additional guidance to prosecutors concerning the prosecution of low-level marijuana cases, supplementing his August 29, 2018 and November 4, 2020 guidance.The Attorney General’s guidance directs ...

Gov. Murphy Signs Plastic Ban into Law

On November 4, Governor Murphy signed into law the strictest plastic ban legislation in the United States. For more information on P.L. 2020, c.117 see our blog post. Also, we will be hosting a League Conference Session on the plastic bag ban so don’t for...

Electronic Review of Construction Permits Up for Hearing

On Monday, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee is scheduled to consider A-1145/S-1739, which the League opposes. A-1145/S-1739 would establish an electronic permit processing review system requiring electronic submission of applications for con...

Vegetation Management Bill Advances

Yesterday, the Senate Economic Growth Committee approved S-434, known as the “Vegetation Management Response Act.” In the past, the League has opposed this and similar bills because they would give electric utility companies complete d...

Hospital Property Tax Bill Advances

Yesterday, the Assembly Appropriations Committee advanced with committee amendments A-1135, a bill which the League opposes. A-1135 seeks to address the ongoing issue of property tax exemptions for nonprofit hospitals with on-site for-profit medical provi...

Governor Takes Action on Bills

Earlier this week, Governor Phil Murphy signed two bills of interest into law – S-349 (P.L. 2020, c.80), which requires developers to offer electric vehicle charging stations as an option in certain new home construction, and S-2380 (P.L. 2020, ...

MIllioniares' Tax to Bolster State Budget

An agreement has been reached by Governor Phil Murphy and Legislative leaders on an income tax rate hike (from 8.97% to 10.75%) on earnings in excess of $1 million. The higher rate currently applies to income over $5 million. Announcing the agreement, Gov...

Governor Conditionally Vetoes CRB Bill

On July 31 Governor Murphy issued a conditional veto for A-3971, which authorizes the issuance of "coronavirus relief bonds" (CRBs) by municipalities and counties. In the conditional veto language the Governor acknowledge the need for local gove...

Governor Vetoes Bill Expanding Project Labor Agreements

On Monday Governor Murphy issued a conditional veto for S-1370, which expands the permissible use of project labor agreements for public works projects from building based public works projects to include highways, bridges, pumping stations, and water and...

Coronavirus Relief Bond Legislation Advances, Before Senate

Today the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee released S-2475/A-3971, which authorizes the issuance of “coronavirus relief bonds” (CRB) by municipalities and counties. The legislation permits municipalities to issue bonds for th...

Legislation Requiring Health Insurance Annual Assessment Advances

Legislation that would require certain entities authorized to issue health benefits plan to annually pay an assessment of 2.75% of the entity’s’ net written premiums was amended and released from committee and now await consideration b...

Murphy Ok's COVID-19 Borrowing Bill

Yesterday, both the Assembly, by a 46-26 vote, and the Senate, by a 22-15 vote, passed the amended State COVID-19 Borrowing bill. Late yesterday Governor Murphy signed it into law. P.L. 2020, c. 60 authorizes the borrowing of up to $9.9 billion in State g...

Governor Sighs Electronic Procurement Act

Yesterday Governor Murphy signed into law the Electronic Procurement Act. P.L.  2020, c. 59 permits local governments to use an electronic construction procurement process for public works construction contracts. Rulemaking authority has been giv...

Bridge Budget Bill Introduced

Because of the extension of the State’s current Fiscal Year for an additional three months, the Legislature must pass and the Governor sign a Supplemental Appropriations bill by midnight, June 30. On Thursday, June 24, Assemblywoman Eliana Pinto...

New Law Provides Local Units with Flexibility to Waive Penalties on Overdue Sewer or Water Charges

Last Friday, Governor Murphy signed into law A-4126 (now, P.L.2020, c.39), which gives municipalities, counties, and utility authorities the ability to waive interest and lien enforcement for certain delinquent water and sewer utility payments during emer...

Assembly Approves Bill Decriminalizing Small Amounts of Marijuana

Yesterday, the Assembly passed A-1897 which aims to decriminalize marijuana and promote awareness of the expungement process. The bill would replace arrests for possessing up to two ounces of marijuana or hashish with a civil fine of $50. A-1897 would als...

Legislature Focuses on State Three-Month Budget Plan

Yesterday in Trenton, the Assembly Budget Committee heard testimony from the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services’ Budget and Finance Officer, Frank Haines, and State Treasurer, Elizabeth Maher Muoio, regarding Governor Murphy’s ...

Gov. Signs Legislation Setting 2020 Tax Appeal Date

Yesterday Governor Murphy signed into law A-4157, which extends the statutory deadline to file a property tax appeal from May 1, 2020 to July 1, 2020 and provides the County Board of Taxation until September 30, 2020 to render a decision on a tax...

Your Action Needed on COVID-19 Bonding

On Thursday the Assembly passed by a vote of 57-20 A-3971 which authorizes the issuance of “coronavirus relief bonds” by municipalities and counties. Specifically, A-3971 permits municipalities to issue bonds for the loss of revenue an...

Gov. Signs States of Emergency Law Addressing Timeframes & Deadlines

On May 15 Governor Murphy signed A-3969/S-2392 into law. P.L. 2020, c. 34 provides for local government flexibility with regard to various timeframes, deadlines, and other statutory requirements in order to help them continue to function and meet their ob...

Call to Action: Assembly Passes A-3971

Yesterday the Assembly passed by a vote of 57-20 A-3971 which authorizes the issuance of “coronavirus relief bonds” by municipalities and counties. Specifically, A-3971 permits municipalities to issue bonds for the loss of rev...

2020 Tax Appeal Date Bill Awaits Gov's Signature

Yesterday both the Assembly and Senate unanimously approved A-4157/S-2387, which extends the statutory deadline to file a property tax appeal from May 1, 2020 to July 1, 2020 and provides the County Board of Taxation until September 30, 2020 to render a d...

Senate OKs Civil Service Transfers During States of Emergency Bill

Yesterday the Senate unanimously approved S-2477, which would permit State and local government employees in civil service to be transferred under certain circumstances. The legislation, which the League supports, awaits consideration by the Assembly.

S-24...

Timeline, Deadline Bills on Governor's Desk

Yesterday both the Assembly, by a vote of 70-6, and the Senate, by a vote of 37-1, passed A-3969/S-2392, which provides for local government flexibility with regard to various timeframes, deadlines, and other statutory requirements in order to help them c...

Senate Budget Committee Releases S-2387

Yesterday the Senate Budget Committee released S-2387, which extends the statutory deadline to file a property tax appeal from May 1 to July 1 and provides the County Board of Taxation until September 30 to render a decision on a tax appeal. The deadline ...

Urging Support for A-3971/S-2475 Permissive COVID-19 Reflief Bills

Yesterday the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee released A-3971 which authorizes the issuance of “coronavirus relief bonds” by municipalities and counties. Specifically, A-3971 permits municipalities to issu...

Upcoming Legislative Briefings on A-3971 for Coronavirus Relief Bonds

Mayors Keith Kazmark of Woodland Park, Colleen Mahr of Fanwood, and Matt Moench of Bridgewater invite you, your business administrators, and your chief financial officers to a panel discussion on prospective legislation (A-3971) that would permit counties...

Week of April 12 Bills Signed Into Law

Earlier this week both Houses of the State Legislature met virtually and sent a number of bills to the Governor. The Governor took action a number of these bills.

Please see the League’s April 17 Town Crier blog post for a breakdown of these new ...

Resolution & Options for Changing Delinquent Property Taxes Interest

As we approach the May 1 property tax deadline, we would like to advise you of options currently available to you to assist property owners facing fiscal challenges. 

N.J.S.A. 54:4-67 permits municipal governing bodies to establish the rate of int...

COVID-19 Response Legislation for First Responders and Local Governments

Yesterday, the Legislature acted on a number of COVID-19 response bills, including these.

S-2351/A-3924 – Protects paid and volunteer members of first aid, rescue, and ambulance squads from termination, dismissal, or suspension by an employer for...