Budget & Taxes (Appropriations)

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3457: Establishes requirements for preparation and final passage of annual appropriations act; incorporates multi-year revenue and expenditure projections for informational purposes.

This bill establishes new requirements for New Jersey's annual appropriations process. It mandates that the appropriations bill must be introduced by June 1 of the prior fiscal year, provide 14 days of public notice with at least one hearing, and include a written explanation of significant budget changes compared to the Governor's recommendations. The bill also requires spending agencies to submit multi-year revenue and expenditure projections (for the next two fiscal years) as informational data, not binding targets. These changes apply to the Legislature's budget drafting and approval process, aiming to increase transparency and accountability in state spending decisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates transparency, multi-year fiscal projections, and public hearings in appropriations process, promoting fiscal responsibility in budget management.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Government Spending State Budget

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2192: Establishes Automobile Theft Prevention Authority; appropriates $2 million.

This bill (A2192) creates the Automobile Theft Prevention Authority within New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety, funded by a $2 million appropriation. The authority, governed by a 7-member board (including the Attorney General, state police, prosecutors, an insurance representative, and public members), aims to coordinate statewide efforts to prevent, combat, and reduce automobile theft. Key mechanisms include developing prevention strategies, funding law enforcement programs, and auditing funded initiatives to ensure effectiveness. The authority will report annually to the Governor and Legislature on its activities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $2 million for new authority, directly increasing state spending on auto theft prevention. Explicit budget allocation aligns with funding essential programs.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates law enforcement authority to combat auto theft, directly supporting criminal justice through prevention funding and coordination. Focuses on public safety within law enforcement, a core criminal justice component.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1813: Establishes Cannabis Certified Worker Grant Program and Social Equity Certified Worker Hiring Grant Program; makes appropriation.

This bill establishes two grant programs under New Jersey's Department of Labor to support workforce development in the cannabis industry. It creates a **Cannabis Certified Worker Grant Program** for training programs (e.g., retail, cultivation, manufacturing) and a **Social Equity Certified Worker Hiring Grant Program** to help businesses hire workers from underrepresented groups. Eligible applicants - including community organizations, colleges, and cannabis businesses - must partner with the industry, demonstrate workforce needs, and report on outcomes like enrollment, completion rates, and job placements for minorities, disabled veterans, and women. Funds cannot replace existing programs or displace current workers, and annual reports will track program effectiveness.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates state-funded grant programs via explicit appropriation, advancing budget allocation for cannabis workforce development and social equity initiatives.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates grant programs for cannabis workforce training and social equity hiring, advancing employment opportunities and underrepresented group inclusion in labor markets.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Workforce Development

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 122: Makes $500,000 supplemental appropriation from General Fund to DEP for dredging and restoration of Passaic River.

This bill provides $500,000 in additional state funding from the General Fund to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for the Township of Fairfield in Essex County to dredge and restore a section of the Passaic River. The funds will cover specific river cleanup activities like dredging, restoration, cleaning, and removing debris, as outlined in a plan the township must submit to the DEP. The DEP must waive permit fees for any work consistent with the approved plan and the Statewide general permit for river restoration. This directly affects Fairfield Township’s river management efforts and requires specific project planning before funds are allocated.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides $500,000 supplemental budget allocation from General Fund for public environmental cleanup, directly funding a state service program.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds river cleanup, dredging, and debris removal for Passaic River restoration, directly advancing environmental protection and pollution control.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3775: "Transparency in Government Act;" provides for establishment of State public finance website; requires certain public entities receiving State funds to establish similar website; makes an appropriation.

This bill requires New Jersey's State Treasurer to create a free, searchable public website displaying detailed financial data about state spending and revenue. It mandates that all state agencies and public entities receiving state funds must provide information on annual expenditures (including salaries, vendor payments, and local aid), revenues (like taxes and grants), and bond debt. The website must include specific data categories - such as exact amounts paid to vendors and bond details - and be updated within 45 days after each fiscal year ends. The law applies to all state departments, the legislature, courts, and any public entity receiving state funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates public disclosure of state spending/revenue data, promoting fiscal accountability per budget/tax transparency indicators95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Tags Government Transparency

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2206: Increases pay for certified nurse aides; makes appropriation.

This bill establishes a state-funded program to increase pay for certified nurse aides in New Jersey. The Department of Health will distribute funds to employers (like nursing homes and hospitals) to raise wages for existing or new certified nurse aides, addressing staffing shortages. Employers must use the funds solely for wage increases, with the Health Commissioner setting application rules and compliance standards. The program is funded by a one-time appropriation from the General Fund and expires once the allocated funds are distributed.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds nurse aide wage increases via one-time General Fund appropriation, directly allocating state budget resources to support healthcare staffing.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds wage increases for nurse aides to address healthcare staffing shortages, directly supporting workforce stability in health services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds wage increases for certified nurse aides to address staffing shortages, directly advancing worker compensation and addressing labor shortages in healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 900: Concerns recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters; appropriates $2 million.

This bill creates a new $2 million stipend program to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters in New Jersey. It provides new volunteers aged 18+ with a $750 monthly stipend for 15+ hours of service per month during their first year, administered through the Department of State’s Office of Volunteerism. Firehouses must certify volunteer hours, and the program includes after-school fire service education in grades 6-8 to promote future recruitment. The $2 million appropriation funds the stipends and related initiatives through a dedicated, permanent state fund. The bill directly affects new volunteer firefighters, fire departments, and school districts offering the youth programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $2 million for firefighter stipends, directly increasing state budget allocation for public service funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates after-school fire service education in grades 6-8, directly enhancing K-12 curriculum and student programs through required educational outreach.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3840: Requires fiscal notes for all bills that establish new programs or expand existing programs.

This bill (A 3840) requires state legislators to obtain a fiscal note for any bill that creates a new government program or expands an existing one, if the state or a local government will cover the costs. Currently, fiscal notes are required for bills affecting state spending or revenue, but this bill specifically adds program creation and expansion to that requirement. The Legislative Budget and Finance Officer must request the fiscal note from the Treasury's Division of Budget and Accounting before the bill advances. This change applies immediately to all such bills introduced in the New Jersey Legislature. The bill is pending referral to the Assembly Oversight Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires fiscal notes for new/expanded programs, promoting fiscal responsibility and transparency in budget planning.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Audits & Accountability State Budget

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 746: Requires certain school districts to receive additional State aid for certain State school aid reductions from previous school years; authorizes appropriation.

This bill requires New Jersey to provide additional state aid to school districts that experienced State school aid reductions exceeding 3% of their prior year's funding during the 2020-2021 through 2024-2025 school years. It calculates the extra aid as the total amount of reductions above that 3% threshold, using specific funding categories like equalization aid, transportation support, special education funding, security grants, and adjustment aid. The Department of Education must fund this through an appropriation from the Property Tax Relief Fund. The policy directly compensates affected school districts for past aid cuts without requiring new legislative action for each district.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates additional state funding for school districts to offset past aid cuts, increasing public education appropriations and fulfilling state budget obligations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates additional state aid to offset school funding cuts exceeding 3%, directly restoring resources for districts and supporting educational funding stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Property Tax School Funding Special Education

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1904: Makes supplemental appropriation of $8 million to DHS to increase reimbursement for funeral, burial, and crematory services provided to certain beneficiaries of Work First New Jersey and Supplemental Security Income programs.

This bill (A 1904) allocates $8 million in supplemental funding to New Jersey's Department of Human Services for the Division of Family Development. It directly increases reimbursements paid to funeral homes and cemeteries by $1,000 per eligible person for funeral, burial, or cremation services provided to beneficiaries of the Work First New Jersey and Supplemental Security Income programs. The funds are added to existing appropriations (not replacing them) to raise the reimbursement level above current caps, which previously covered only about 28% of average service costs. This change specifically affects funeral service providers and program participants by expanding financial support for end-of-life services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $8M supplemental funding to increase reimbursements for funeral services under state programs, directly advancing public service funding within budget appropriations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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