June 25, 2024

Dear Mayor,

At Monday’s Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee hearing, Chairman Sarlo indicated that the goal is to have the SFY2025 budget voted out of committee on Wednesday or Thursday with a floor vote on either Friday or Saturday. Now is the time to contact your State Legislators urging the restoration of Energy Tax Receipts 

The Legislature must approve and the Governor must sign the SFY2025 budget by July 1, otherwise State government will shut down. While specific details of the SFY2025 budget are unknown at this time, it appears that the Governor, Senate President, and Assembly Speaker have a preliminary agreement on a new tax on corporations with more than $10 million in net annual income for five years with the funds dedicated to New Jersey Transit.  

With a budget nearly complete, it is important that municipal officials continue to push their legislators to fully restore funding to Energy Tax Receipts. If you have not done so already, please reach out to your State Senate and Assembly representatives urging funding in the SFY2025 budget to fully restore Energy Tax Receipts.  

Also on June 24, various legislative committees met and took action on the following items of municipal interest:

Revising Development Fee Reporting: The Assembly Appropriations Committee advanced a bill that would extend the deadline for municipalities to report non-residential development fee information.  Read more: Legislation Revising Development Fee Reporting Advances 

Bill Bypassing Local Zoning: League staff testified in opposition to A-2623, the “Home Based Job Creation Act.” This bill would permit a family home business to exist in a residential zone as an accessory use and not require a use variance. Read more: League Testifies in Opposition to Bill Bypassing Local Zoning 

Amending Tax Lien Foreclosures: Legislation was advanced through committee that would revise the process for property tax lien holders to foreclose a property tax lien. Read more: Bill Amending Tax Lien Foreclosures Advances

Amending Lead-Based Paint Inspection Law: S-3368 would make certain clarifications to allow municipalities to use contractors for required inspections and make various other changes. Read more: Bill Amending Lead-Based Paint Inspection Law Advances 

Volunteer EMT Training Reimbursement: A-3537/S-2435, which revises the current statute to allow reimbursement to Volunteer EMTs for training expenses, is scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday. Read more: Volunteer EMT Training Reimbursement Bill Released from Committee

Subjecting PILOTs to the Public Contractors Registration Act: The Senate Budget Committee advanced legislation that would subject PILOT programs to the Public Works Contractors Registration Act. Read more: Bill Subjecting PILOTs to PWCRA Advances

Allowing Liquor Stores to Sell Hemp Drinks: Legislation that would allow liquor stores to sell intoxicating hemp drinks without a cannabis license is quickly advancing through the legislature, setting up a possible vote in both houses this week. Read more: Legislation Allowing Liquor Stores to Sell Hemp Drinks Advances  

Expanding Use of UEZ Funds: Legislation that revises the definition of qualified assistance fund expenses under the UEZ program to include costs of transportation infrastructure projects and related debt awaits consideration of the full Assembly. Read more: Bill Expanding Use of UEZ Funds Advances 

Changes to Municipal Wireless Broadband Requirement: A-1497, which removes the requirement that municipalities may only provide broadband telecommunication service via wireless community service, was recommitted to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Read more: Bill Heard to Remove Municipal Wireless Broadband Requirement

Expanding Affordable Housing Vouchers: A-586, which expands the use of the affordable housing voucher program, was favorably reported out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Read more: Legislation Expanding Affordable Housing Vouchers Clears Committee  

Subject C-PACE Programs to Prevailing Wage: Legislation that would subject Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) projects to prevailing wage requirements was released from committees and is poised to be considered by the full Senate and Assembly. Read more: Bill Advancing Would Subject C-PACE Programs to Prevailing Wage