Budget & Taxes (Appropriations) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 15, 2026

A 5262: Establishes Commission on High-Quality Affordable Early Childhood Care and Education; makes appropriation.

This bill creates a new Commission on High-Quality Affordable Early Childhood Care and Education within New Jersey's Department of Children and Families to improve access to care for children from birth to age five. The commission will consist of 19 members, including state officials and representatives from various sectors such as business, labor, and parent advocacy groups, who will work together to evaluate current funding gaps and develop a strategy for universal access. Its primary duties include assessing the state's existing systems, studying successful models from other states, and proposing sustainable financial solutions to ensure high-quality care is affordable for families while supporting childcare workers. The commission is authorized to hold public hearings across the state and will report its findings and recommendations directly to the Governor and the Legislature. Additionally, the bill includes an appropriation to fund the commission's operations and expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics Appropriations

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 23, 2026

A 5287: Reallocates FY2025 appropriation for City of Paterson - Recreation Center Capital Construction (PTRF) to NJ Community Development Corporation for youth center project in City of Paterson.

This bill directs unspent funds originally set aside for the City of Paterson's recreation center capital improvements to the New Jersey Community Development Corporation instead. The legislation allows these remaining dollars from the Fiscal Year 2025 budget to be used for a youth center project in Paterson, subject to approval by the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting. This change does not add new money to the state budget but simply shifts the purpose of existing unexpended appropriations to support the new initiative.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 15, 2026

A 5285: "Public School Employees' Health Benefits Trust Act."

This bill establishes a new trust fund to provide health benefits, including medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision coverage, to eligible public school employees and their dependents in New Jersey. It defines who qualifies as an employee and dependent, specifying that full-time workers must work at least 25 hours per week and that dependents include spouses, domestic partners, and unmarried children up to age 31. The legislation creates a board of trustees to manage the fund and ensure its assets are used solely for the benefit of the covered individuals. Additionally, the bill includes an appropriation to fund the initial operations of this new trust.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations Prescription Drugs

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 28, 2026

A 5280: Requires return of unexpended balances from certain FY2023, FY2024, and FY2025 appropriations to Hudson County; authorizes supplemental appropriation to Hudson County for general operating aid.

This bill requires Hudson County to return up to $28.1 million in unspent state funds from fiscal years 2023 through 2025, which were originally allocated for jail operations and correctional facility renovations. The county must transfer these unexpended balances to the State Treasurer by June 30, 2026, for deposit into the Property Tax Relief Fund. In exchange for returning the money, the bill authorizes the state to provide a supplemental appropriation of up to $28.1 million to Hudson County as general operating aid. The total amount of this new aid cannot exceed the sum of the unspent funds returned by the county and is subject to approval by the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics Appropriations Property Tax

vetoed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 30, 2026

A 5327: Appropriates $60,743,569,000 in State funds and $30,495,124,195 in federal funds for the State budget for fiscal year 2027.

This bill authorizes the New Jersey State budget for fiscal year 2027 by allocating approximately $60.7 billion in state funds and $30.5 billion in federal funds. The legislation distributes these resources across various government departments, including education, health, and human services, with specific amounts designated for direct state services, grants, and state aid. While the total appropriation is slightly higher than the governor's original proposal, the bill ensures that anticipated revenue covers projected spending for the upcoming fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 23, 2026

A 5319: Eliminates fee on electronic transfer of funds into incarcerated persons' accounts; makes appropriation.

This bill requires the New Jersey Department of Corrections and the Youth Justice Commission to stop charging fees when families send money electronically to incarcerated individuals and youth. It mandates that all correctional facilities, including private ones, allow deposits through online platforms, mobile apps, or phone calls without transaction costs. To fund this change, the legislation authorizes the state to provide necessary money from the General Fund to both agencies. The rules must apply uniformly across all facilities in the state, and the law will take effect thirteen months after being passed.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Corrections

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 26, 2026

S 4520: Establishes Jersey Protein Pro pilot program; appropriates $3 million.

This bill creates a three-year pilot program called Jersey Protein Pro to train New Jersey residents for jobs in the meat processing industry, aiming to solve local labor shortages that currently force farmers to ship livestock out of state. The Department of Labor and Workforce Development will administer the program by awarding grants to county colleges and vocational schools to offer short-term courses in meat cutting, food safety, sanitation, and plant maintenance. Participating schools can use the $3 million appropriation to develop curricula and provide tuition assistance to students who agree to stay employed in the state for at least two years after finishing their training. The bill also requires regular reporting on how the funds are used and includes a final evaluation to determine if the program should be made permanent.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations Higher Education Student Financial Aid Workforce Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 22, 2026

S 4502: Authorizes State acquisition of certain real property to expand affordable, rapid, and transitional housing options; makes appropriation.

This bill authorizes the State of New Jersey to use eminent domain to acquire private real property in the state's five most populous cities to address a severe housing shortage. The acquired land will be used to build affordable, rapid-rehousing, and transitional housing facilities specifically designed to assist formerly incarcerated individuals, families displaced by natural disasters, and those currently experiencing homelessness. The legislation also includes an appropriation of funds to support these construction and operational efforts, aiming to provide stable living environments and necessary supportive services. By creating publicly owned housing hubs in major urban centers, the bill seeks to alleviate the strain on existing shelters and improve access to resources for vulnerable populations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Appropriations Homelessness

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 5003: Establishes 90-day State tax amnesty period ending no later than January 15, 2027; dedicates revenues collected during tax amnesty period for Stabilization Aid to school districts; appropriates up to $15 million.

This bill creates a 90-day tax amnesty period in New Jersey that must conclude by January 15, 2027, allowing taxpayers to pay overdue state taxes from 2017 to 2026 with reduced interest and waived penalties. To participate, individuals must pay the full tax amount plus half of the accrued interest while agreeing to give up the right to appeal the tax assessment. Any money collected during this amnesty window will be placed into a dedicated account to provide stabilization funding for school districts, with an initial appropriation of up to $15 million. The program excludes taxpayers currently under criminal investigation for tax matters and requires them to file any missing tax returns by the end of the amnesty period.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Appropriations Testing & Assessment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4232: "New Jersey Prison Libraries Act"; establishes "Prison Libraries Fund" and appropriates $1 million.

This bill, known as the New Jersey Prison Libraries Act, creates a special fund within the Department of Corrections to support library services for incarcerated individuals. The legislation establishes a $1 million appropriation and allows the department to use these funds for hiring librarians, upgrading library infrastructure, acquiring diverse reading materials, and offering educational programs like job training and digital literacy. The bill explicitly restricts the use of these funds to library-related activities, prohibiting their use for general prison operations, medical care, or basic necessities like food and clothing.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Appropriations Corrections Libraries

All budget & taxes bills