News Flash

Posted on: October 3, 2023

Have Your Voices Heard: Send in Your Conference Resolutions

Sending in Conference Resolutions that suggest changes to improve municipal life helps build the foundation for the League Legislative team’s annual actions. Now is the time to submit your resolutions for this year’s Annual Conference....

Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: September 29, 2023

Recap of Plan Design Committee September Meeting

The State Health Benefits Program Plan Design Committee (PDC) met for its regularly scheduled meeting on September 27.

The PDC approved Resolution 2023-13, expanding eligibility for the First Responders Direct Primary Care Medical Home Pi...

Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: September 15, 2023

SHBC Holds September Meeting

On Wednesday, the State Health Benefits Commission held its regularly scheduled bi-monthly meeting. The majority of the agenda items were discussed in closed and executive session. The commission members moved to delegate purchasing authority to ...

Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: August 24, 2023

SHBP Plan Design Committee Meets

The State Health Benefits Program Plan Design Committee (PDC) met for its regularly scheduled meeting on August 23.

The PDC approved Resolution 2023-11 for New Jersey Direct High Deductible Low Resolution to ensure IRS compliance with minimum deductibles a...

Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: August 3, 2023

State Health Benefits Commission Adopts 2024 Plan Year Rates

On Monday, the State Health Benefits Commission adopted the Plan Year 2024 rates, which includes a 7.4% increase for the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) Local Government Employer Group effective January 1, 2024. There were no changes to the rates tha...

Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: July 7, 2023

$200 Million Allocation for State Health Benefits Cut from FY2024 Budget

Governor Murphy's plan to dedicate $200 million from federal pandemic relief funds to offset the over 20% rising health insurance premium rise did not secure a place in the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget. This plan was initially laid out in Governor Murphy's FY ...

Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: July 7, 2023

Governor Signs 20 and Out Legislation

Governor Murphy signed S-3090/A-4498, which permits police and fire employees to retire after 20 years of service, regardless of age, with a retirement benefit of 50% of final compensation, into law on July 3, 2023. P.L. 2023, 92 took effect immediately. ...

Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: June 30, 2023

SHBP Plan Design Committee June Meeting Report

On Wednesday, the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) Plan Design Committee met for its regularly scheduled monthly meeting. Items on the agenda included a High Deductible Plan Discussion, Reduced Specialty Copay resolution,&am...

Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: May 26, 2023

Plan Design Committee Holds Regular May Meeting

The State Health Benefits Program Plan Design Committee met on Wednesday for the regularly scheduled meeting and discussed the following items:

  • Potential increase in the contribution amount for High Deductible Health Plans to comply with recent guidance fr...
Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: May 15, 2023

Governor Conditionally Vetoes 20 and Out Legislation

Governor Murphy conditionally vetoed legislation (S-3090/A-4498) that would permit police and fire employees to retire after 20 years of service, regardless of age, with a retirement benefit of 50% of final compensation. The League joined the New Jersey A...

Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: May 12, 2023

New Law Requires DEP Post Water Purveyor Information Online

This new law took effect on May 8, and the DEP has 30 days from this date to post the required reports.  

Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137. 

Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: May 12, 2023

Governor Signs Deferred Compensation Plans Investments Bill

On May 8, Governor Murphy signed into law S-2423/A-3746, which permits local government deferred compensation plans to invest in collective investment trusts. The League supported this legislation that adds collective investments to the types of investmen...

Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: March 31, 2023

20 and Out Legislation On Governor’s Desk

On Thursday, the full Assembly unanimously approved A-4498/S-3090, which provides police and fire a retirement allowance after 20 years of service, regardless of age. The bill is now before the Governor for his consideration. 

The League joins the...

Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: March 24, 2023

20 and Out Legislation Passed Senate, Before Assembly

Legislation (A-4998/S-3090) which provides police and fire personnel a retirement allowance after 20 years of service, regardless of age unanimously passed the Senate earlier this week and is before the full Assembly on March 30. The League joins the New ...

Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: March 17, 2023

Assembly Committee to Consider 20 and Out Legislation

On Monday Assembly State and Local Government Committee will be considering A-4498, which provides police and fire personnel a retirement allowance after 20 years of service, regardless of age. The League joins the New Jersey Association of Counties in ou...

Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: February 24, 2023

Division Issues Guidance on Cap Relief & Opioid Settlement

The Division of Local Government Services issued Local Finance Notice 2023-04 announcing one-time exemptions to the appropriation cap for certain items for the Calendar Year 2023/State Fiscal Year 2024 budget and guidance on usage and reporting Opioid Set...

Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: February 24, 2023

SHBC Plan Design Committee Meeting Summary

On Wednesday, the State Health Benefits Commission Plan Design Committee met for its February meeting. During the Director’s report, it was noted that 27 entities have left the State Health Benefits Plans since it enacted a nearly 23% rate incre...

Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: February 3, 2023

State Health Benefits Increase Continues to Remain Unresolved

There continues to be no progress in efforts to mitigate the impact of the unprecedented health care contribution increase for State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) participants and employers. As reported last week, employers are beginning to leave the sys...

Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: January 31, 2023

State Health Benefits Increase Remains Unresolved

Unfortunately, as we reported last week, the talks regarding relief for raising healthcare premium costs remain unresolved. This comes among news that Newark, Camden, and Trenton have all left the State Health Benefits system, or are in the process of doi...

Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: January 9, 2023

SHBP Municipalities: Please Continue to Reach Out to Governor & Your Legislators

The New Year has come and the 379 municipalities participating in the State Health Benefits system, along with their employees, and ultimately their taxpayers, will still have to fund a 22% increase in health benefits costs, unless an immediate solution i...

Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: January 9, 2023

State Extends Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance

New Jersey extended its health benefits contract with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield for another year, media outlets report. This occurred after state officials alleged the health insurer failed to meet the terms of the deal.   ...

Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: December 30, 2022

SHBP Update: No Relief In New Year

Earlier today the Joint Budget Oversight Committee (JBOC) met to consider items including the transfer of Federal Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds. The transfers, which were already outlined in the State budget, included:

  • $300 million for various ca...
Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: December 20, 2022

SHBP Municipalities: Reach Out to Governor & Your Legislators

In less than two weeks, the 379 municipalities participating in the State Health Benefits system, along with their employees, and ultimately their taxpayers, will have to fund a 22% increase in health benefits costs. It is imperative that the Governor and...

Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: December 19, 2022

Unions and Local Government Management Submit Plan to Address Pending SHPB Increase

The League of Municipalities, the New Jersey Conference of Mayors, the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association, and New Jersey Association of Counties have been working with other interested stakeholders, including the major public sector union representative...

Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: December 5, 2022

State Health Benefits Update

State Health Benefits Update

The League continues to work pro-actively and collaboratively with our partners at the NJ Conference of Mayors and NJ Association of Counties to identify a workable plan and means toward a resolution by the Governor and the le...

Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: November 11, 2022

State Health Benefits Commission Meets – No New Action on SHBP 2023 Increase

Earlier this week, the State Health Benefits Commission (SHBC) met to consider regular business and appeal requests. During the meeting, SHBC Committee member Dudley Burge asked for an update on and solutions to the 22% cost increase in local government h...

Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: October 31, 2022

OSC Municipal Sick and Vacation Leave Corrective Action

If you were one of the municipalities that had their sick and vacation time policy reviewed by the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) earlier this year and asked to make corrective action by September, we ask you to share your response with the League ...

Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits
Posted on: October 31, 2022

SHBP Plan Design Committee Meets & Labor Launches Campaign

On Oct. 26, the State Health Benefits Plan (SHBP) Plan Design Committee (PDC) held its regularly scheduled meeting. Agenda items included a review of 2023 Dental CDT codes and the bi-annual Optum Rx formulary review.   ...

Read on...

Pension & Health Benefits