I. State Issues
a. Governor Signs Legislation Changing Certain Primary Election Deadlines
On March 25, Governor Murphy signed into law A-3587, which changes the dates of certain primary election deadlines. P.L. 2022, c.7 will allow sufficient time to prepare and distribute mail-in ballots by the 45-day ballot mailing deadline ahead of each election. The deadline for municipal clerks to certify names of candidates to the county is changed from close of business day to noon 54 days before the primary election. Candidates will have until 4:00 p.m. on third day after the last day for filing the petitions to amend petitions. Also, the deadline for the drawing of ballot positions is changed from 53 to 54 days before the primary election.
In addition, every nominating petition must be deemed valid, unless written objections are filed with the officer with whom the original petition was filed, not later than 4:00 p.m. of the fourth day after the last day for filing of petitions. If such an objection is made, notice must be mailed to the candidate who may be affected and addressed to the candidate at the candidate’s place of residence as given in the nominating petition. The officer with whom the original petition was filed must first determine the validity of such objection in a summary way unless there is a court order. Such officers will have the power to subpoena witnesses and take testimony or depositions. A written determination must be filed on or before the ninth day after the last day for the filing of petitions. The determination must be open for public inspection.
The new deadlines took effect on March 25, 2022.
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.
b. Governor Signs Law to Help Food Banks Prepare for Compliance with Plastic Bag Ban
Last Friday, March 25, Governor Murphy signed P.L. 2022, C.6., which gives food banks and food pantries another six months to prepare for compliance with New Jersey's ban on single-use plastic and disposable paper carryout bags that starts on May 4. The new law also appropriates $600,000 from the General Fund to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to distribute 500,000 reusable carry out bags to New Jersey’s food banks.
Contact: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.
c. 2023 State Budget Testimony Progresses
Budget hearings continued this week with the Senate Budget and Appropriations meeting on Tuesday, March 29. League Executive Director, Michael Cerra testified before the Committee, reaffirming our requests that funding be restored for the Consolidated Municipal Property Tax Relief Aid (CMPTRA) and Energy Tax Receipts (ETR). He also asked that the 35% decrease in Open Space In-Lieu of Tax Payment Program funding be restored to its FY 2022 Budget appropriation of $10 million. The testimony can be found at in the League’s website under the Legislative section.
Next week the Assembly Budget Committee will hold a joint hearing with the New Jersey Office of Legislative Services.
Contact: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.
d. Legislators Plan Hearings on Delayed Start of Legalized Cannabis
Senate President Nicholas Scutari announced this week that he will form a special legislative committee to review the delays with legal cannabis sales in New Jersey. Reports also indicate that Assembly Speaker Coughlin may join the Senate President and have the two legislative houses host joint hearings.
New Jersey voters approved adult-use cannabis in 2020 and the implementing legislation was enacted in February 2021. Since enactment, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission has adopted regulations and has begun accepting and reviewing license applications for cannabis operators, but has not issued any recreational cannabis licenses and missed a deadline to allow Alternative Treatment Centers to sell to the recreational market.
It is unknown at this time who will be on the review committee or when hearings would begin.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.
e. Utility Shutoff Moratorium Extended for Those Seeking Assistance
Last week, after swift approval in the legislature, Governor Murphy signed into law S-2356/A-3671, a measure which effectively extended the utility shutoff moratorium for utility customers who have started the application process for aid with their bills.
The COVID-19 pandemic had caused many customers to fall behind on utility payments. To avoid mass shutoffs lawmakers instituted a broad moratorium on utility shutoffs, which was extended multiple times as the pandemic dragged on. On March 15, the statewide moratorium expired while many customers were still in the process of applying for various aid opportunities to help pay their past due utility bills.
Under P.L. 2022, c.4, residential customers will be protected for 60 days after starting a utility assistance application, and if they complete their application within this time, will be protected until a decision is made on the application. The Department of Community Affairs, Board of Public Utilities, Department of Human Services, and any other state agency administering utility assistance program will notify utility service providers of customers who have applied for an assistance program.
During this time, liens cannot be placed, sold or enforced on the property of residential customers for unpaid utility bills while the state agencies determine the customer’s application status. Customers will also be eligible for a 12-month interest-free deferred payment plan if they are denied assistance or if the assistance does not cover the full amount of their unpaid bills.
Local authorities, municipal or public utilities, and rural electric cooperatives must continue providing electric, gas, sewer, or water service to residential customers who applied for utility assistance before June 15, 2022, but have not yet received a decision on their application. Municipal utility providers are required to provide information regarding utility assistance programs in any communication with an overdue utility bill.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.
f. NJ BPU Grant Funding Available for ElectrifyingTransportation
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) has a variety of programs, which includes grant funding, to help electrify transportation in your town. For more information, please visit njcleanenergy.com/ev.
NJBPU’s Clean Fleet Program supports local and state governments as they transition their fleets to Electric Vehicles (EV), which offers incentives for new electric vehicles and charger installation for FY22 and FY23. Applications are due by May 2, 2022 and purchases can be made through June 30, 2023. Award caps are based on population. Overburdened Municipalities are eligible for bonus incentives.
NJBPU’s Multi-Unit Dwellings (MUD) EV Charging Incentive provides funds for any MUD with 5 or more units and dedicated off street parking. Please share this excellent program with your network of developers and management companies for local apartments, condos and townhouses. Applications are due by May 2, 2022 and purchases can be made through June 30, 2023. Overburdened Municipalities are eligible for bonus incentives.
BPU’s EV Tourism program recently awarded $1 million in grants to municipalities, hotels, and tourism sites across the state. Round 2 of the program has opened. Applications are due by May 16, 2022.
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.
II. Federal Issues
a. Recap of Lunch and Learn Briefing with White House Intergovernmental Affairs Office
This past Thursday, the League hosted a free Lunch and Learn briefing with Gabe Amos, Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, and Evan Wessel, Policy Advisor, White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. They outlined the Biden Administration’s priorities and available funding opportunities and how they impact New Jersey. They discussed funding opportunities in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which are outlined on build.gov and BIL Guidebook, the American Rescue Plan, US DOT Multimodal Projects Discretionary Grant, and US DOT RAISE Discretionary Grant program.
Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.
b. Lunch and Learn Briefing with US DOT
On Tuesday, May 3 at noon, the League is hosting a free Lunch and Learn briefing with Charles Small, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Intergovernmental Affairs Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation, to discuss municipal funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), and the new federal Commercial Drivers’ License rules.
Please register in advance to participate. Once registered a link to the briefing will be sent to you the morning of May 3.
Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.
III. Also of Interest
Please take some time to review your promotional kit and the suggested deadlines.
We look forward to hearing from your municipality and raising interest in future municipal leaders.
Contact: Ciara Bradley, Legislative Administrator, cbradley@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x128.
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email
