This bill creates a new program within the Department of Environmental Protection to help build wildlife corridors by partnering with private businesses, non-profits, and academic institutions. It also establishes a special license plate for vehicles that supports these conservation projects. Owners who choose these plates will pay an extra $50 application fee and $10 annual fee, which go into a dedicated investment fund to finance the construction and maintenance of wildlife crossings. The bill requires government officials to appoint a liaison to manage these partnerships and track how the money is used. Additionally, the bill mandates that the department report on the program's progress and effectiveness every five years.
This bill directs the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to create a mentoring program that pairs experienced farmers with new entrants to help them succeed. To implement this initiative, the department must collaborate with various agricultural and educational groups, such as Rutgers and the New Jersey Farm Bureau, while also establishing clear rules for who can participate as mentors or mentees. The legislation allows the department to partner with public or private organizations to run the program and requires the adoption of necessary regulations to put the plan into effect.
This bill amends the law governing the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) to require that at least three of the six members appointed by the Governor be residents of Atlantic County. The CRDA is the agency responsible for overseeing investment and development projects in Atlantic City, and this change directly affects the composition of its board of directors. Under the new provision, the residency requirement applies only to appointments made after the bill becomes effective, meaning current board members are not required to relocate. The legislation aims to ensure local representation on the board without altering the existing appointment process or the total number of seats.
This Senate Resolution designates May 25, 2026, as "Missing Children's Day" in New Jersey to raise public awareness about missing children and honor the efforts of families, law enforcement, and support organizations. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a commemorative observance to highlight the risks children face when they go missing and the importance of quick reporting. It recognizes that missing children represent a significant portion of missing persons cases and aims to promote community vigilance and support for those affected by child disappearances.
This bill creates the Hazardous School Route Grant Program within the New Jersey Department of Education to improve pedestrian safety for students walking to school. It allocates $15 million in funding to help school districts address dangerous walking paths where courtesy bus services are not available. To qualify, districts must demonstrate financial need and have previously adopted policies identifying hazardous routes, while municipalities must handle permits and long-term maintenance. The program allows grants of up to $1 million per district for projects like capital improvements or temporary transportation, with applications prioritized based on the severity of risks and the number of students affected.
This bill requires public school principals and teachers in New Jersey to lead a daily two-sentence recitation of the Declaration of Independence for students in grades three through twelve. The specific text to be read covers the famous preamble regarding equality and the consent of the governed, and it must occur after the pledge of allegiance but before the school day begins. To support this requirement, the legislation appropriates $10,000 to the Department of Education to create and distribute notices to school districts outlining the new obligation. Additionally, the bill mandates that schools develop an age-appropriate curriculum explaining the historical significance of the recited passage and includes exemptions for students with conscientious objections or children of foreign diplomats.
This bill updates New Jersey's laws regarding endangered plant species by clarifying definitions and expanding the state's ability to manage invasive plants. It directs the Department of Environmental Protection to create a list of endangered plants based on federal designations, rarity, or having five or fewer populations in the state, while explicitly excluding invasive species from this protection. The legislation also grants the department authority to control or remove invasive plants even if they grow near endangered species, provided such actions do not violate federal laws. These changes aim to balance the conservation of rare native flora with the prevention of environmental damage caused by aggressive non-native plants.
This New Jersey bill prohibits payment card networks from charging interchange fees on sales tax and gratuity amounts included in credit and debit card transactions. The law requires merchants to send tax and tip data separately during the payment process so that fees are only applied to the actual purchase price. If a merchant fails to separate these amounts initially, they can submit the data within 180 days to receive a refund for any fees incorrectly charged on the tax or gratuity. Violations of this rule could result in a $1,000 penalty per transaction and an order to refund the affected fees to the merchant.
This bill would increase the maximum state funding for farmland preservation grants given to nonprofit organizations from 50 percent to 80 percent. Currently, while local governments can receive up to 80 percent of the cost for acquiring farmland easements or full ownership, nonprofits are limited to a lower share. The legislation aligns the funding rate for nonprofits with that of local governments to help them purchase development easements or acquire land titles for agricultural use. Under the new provisions, the State Agriculture Development Committee would approve the terms of easements held by these organizations, and any future proceeds from the land would be reinvested into farmland preservation efforts.
This bill mandates an automatic recount for any election where the margin of victory is 0.5 percent or less of the total votes cast. For elections with larger margins, it allows candidates or groups of ten voters to request a recount within three days of the results being certified if they suspect counting errors. The legislation also requires applicants for these manual recounts to post a financial deposit to cover potential costs, which is returned only if the recount changes the election outcome. Additionally, the state would be responsible for paying all expenses related to conducting these automatic recounts.
This bill requires developers of new residential construction in New Jersey to install pre-existing conduits, known as raceways, that are large enough to support at least two broadband internet providers. These conduits must be four inches wide and installed during normal utility work to ensure future internet cables can be added without digging up lawns or driveways. The law also allows developers to lease or buy access to existing conduits, provided no single company gets exclusive control that blocks other providers from entering the market. Finally, the state's Commissioner of Community Affairs must create specific rules to ensure these installations meet safety and size standards for multiple internet connections.
This bill allows homeowners in New Jersey whose primary residences are located in Governor-declared disaster areas to pause their mortgage payments for 180 days. To qualify, borrowers must request forbearance from their lender, who is required to approve the request within 15 business days without charging any penalties, fees, or interest during this period. The bill also permits borrowers to extend the pause for another 180 days and mandates that missed payments be repaid later through loan extensions, modifications, or a final lump-sum payment at the end of the loan term.
