Budget & Taxes (State Budget) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1751: Requires annual State debt affordability analysis be included in State Debt Report.

S 1751 requires New Jersey's State Commission to include an annual debt affordability analysis in the State Debt Report, assessing the state's ability to take on additional debt. This analysis must detail specific metrics (like debt service relative to state revenues and debt per capita) and compare these metrics to those of other states. The report will provide the Legislature with a framework to evaluate and prioritize legislation impacting state debt levels. The bill amends existing law to mandate this analysis as part of the annual report, which was not previously required.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds State Budget

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2866: Requires appointment of State Dementia Services Coordinator; appropriates $150,000.

S 2866 requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Human Services to appoint a State Dementia Services Coordinator with expertise in dementia care. This coordinator will develop a master plan, coordinate existing state services (including the Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Advisory Commission), prevent service duplication, identify gaps, and improve access to quality dementia care for affected individuals and their families. The bill appropriates $150,000 from the General Fund to fund this position and mandates all state departments to cooperate with the coordinator by providing necessary data and assistance. It directly affects people with dementia, caregivers, and state agencies delivering dementia-related services.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics State Budget

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 1790: Provides certain resources to county prosecutors for enforcement of law regarding failure to pay wages; makes appropriation.

This bill (S 1790) provides funding and training to New Jersey county prosecutors to investigate and prosecute wage theft cases. It requires each county prosecutor to assign a dedicated assistant prosecutor to handle violations of state wage laws and a specific statute (P.L.1999, c.90, C.2C:40A-2), directly affecting workers owed wages and county prosecutors' offices. The key mechanism involves appropriating up to $2 million from the General Fund to the Department of Labor for this purpose, including funding for staff training and case investigations. The bill aims to strengthen enforcement of wage laws by providing concrete resources to local prosecutors.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Labor Standards

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 487: Exempts sales of energy-saving products and services from sales and use tax.

This bill exempts the sales tax on specific energy-saving products and services when purchased by consumers or businesses. It covers items like LED light bulbs, insulation, window weather stripping, tankless water heaters, and furnace filters, which are defined as products or services primarily designed to reduce energy use in homes and buildings. The tax exemption applies to retail sales made after the bill takes effect, removing the sales tax burden on these items. This change directly benefits homeowners and businesses looking to install or buy energy-efficient upgrades.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Sales Tax State Budget Tax Incentives Energy Efficiency Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 569: Establishes County-Based School Security Pilot Program in DOE; appropriates $15 million.

S 569 establishes a three-year County-Based School Security Pilot Program in Essex, Mercer, and Camden counties, directly affecting public school students and districts in those areas. The bill provides $15 million from the General Fund to fund two key components: county-based mental health services (including screenings, counseling, and crisis intervention) and enhanced school security infrastructure (such as active shooter training and bullet-resistant shields). The program requires collaboration between the Education Department and other state agencies, with annual reports to the Governor and Legislature evaluating the pilot's effectiveness. This initiative aims to address student mental health needs and physical security in participating school districts through concrete, funded provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics State Budget School Safety Student Health Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 974: Imposes daily fine of $250 upon each member of Legislature during state of emergency due to failure to enact annual appropriations law.

This bill (S 974) would impose a $250 daily fine on each New Jersey legislator for failing to pass the state's annual budget law during a declared state of emergency. The fine applies to each day or partial day the Legislature misses the constitutional deadline for enacting the budget. All collected fines would go directly to the State General Fund via the State Treasurer. The bill targets legislators' accountability for budget delays during emergencies, not the budget's content or impact on residents.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics State Budget

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1915: "Securing Access to Funding for Educating Drivers (SAFE) Act"; establishes NJ Behind-The-Wheel Driver Education Scholarship Program; appropriates $1 million.

The SAFE Act (S 1915) creates a New Jersey scholarship program to help low-income teens aged 16-17 cover the cost of a required six-hour behind-the-wheel driver education course. It appropriates $1 million from the state General Fund to provide scholarships covering the full course cost or $500 (whichever is less) for eligible residents from households at or below twice the federal poverty level. To qualify, applicants must be NJ residents, pass a written driving exam, and meet income requirements. The program, administered by the Motor Vehicle Commission, will award scholarships on a rolling basis as funds allow, with annual reports to the Governor and Legislature. The bill is pending in the Senate Transportation Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics State Budget Student Financial Aid Driver Licensing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1105: Makes supplemental appropriation of $600,000 to Joseph's House of Camden to provide shelter and services to people experiencing homelessness.

S 1105 provides an additional $600,000 in state funding to Joseph's House of Camden, a shelter in Camden, New Jersey. This supplemental appropriation directly supports the organization's existing services for people experiencing homelessness, including shelter and related programs. The funding comes from the General Fund under the Social Services Programs budget category (specifically line item 05-8050). The bill does not create new programs but allocates existing state resources to strengthen current homeless services at this specific shelter.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Homelessness

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 465: Establishes Stolen SNAP Benefits Replacement Fund in Department of Treasury, requires DHS to replace stolen SNAP benefits from fund, and appropriates $20 million to AOC.

This bill creates a temporary fund in the State Treasury to replace SNAP benefits stolen through fraud like card cloning or skimming. It requires the Department of Human Services to restore stolen benefits using this fund, funded by a 5% supplemental fee on penalties from fraud cases. The bill appropriates $20 million to the Administrative Office of the Courts to build a system for collecting this fee. It expires after the state transitions to chip-based EBT cards for all SNAP participants, with any remaining funds returned to the General Fund. The fund directly affects SNAP recipients who experienced benefit theft via electronic card fraud.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics State Budget

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 845: Establishes EDA grant program to support increased business expenses incurred by certain businesses impacted by certain public highway projects; appropriates $1 million.

S 845 creates a $1 million grant program administered by New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to reimburse small retail businesses for increased operating costs caused by public highway projects. It directly affects small businesses (≤50 employees) located in areas immediately surrounding highway construction zones where traffic flow is blocked or access is restricted. The program reimburses the difference between normal business expenses and increased costs during the project's duration ("relief period"), requiring applicants to document pre-project expenses and project-related financial impacts. Funds are appropriated from the General Fund, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis as long as money remains available. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Economic Growth Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics State Budget Roads & Highways

All budget & taxes bills