Budget & Taxes (Appropriations) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 10, 2026

S 3863: Makes FY2026 supplemental appropriation of $175 million from General Fund to DHS for Emergency SNAP Replacement Benefits.

This bill allocates $175 million from New Jersey's General Fund to the Department of Human Services to provide temporary financial assistance to SNAP recipients whose federal benefits are reduced due to a federal government shutdown. The funds enable the state to issue monthly replacement benefits that make up the difference between a household's current federal SNAP payment and their previously approved benefit amount, ensuring eligible families receive their full certified food assistance. These replacement benefits are distributed through the existing SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer system and must be used exclusively for food purchases, following the same state rules as regular SNAP benefits. The state will seek reimbursement from the federal government by June 30, 2026, if federal SNAP funding resumes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 19, 2026

S 3981: Establishes program in New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing for support of residency programs at veterans' memorial homes in New Jersey; appropriates $500,000.

This bill creates a program for veterans' memorial homes in New Jersey to receive support from the New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing in developing residency training programs for licensed practical and registered nurses. The legislation establishes specific requirements for these programs, including a 12-month timeline, full-time schedules, preceptor support, and data collection on nurse retention after training. A $500,000 appropriation is provided to fund the program, with applications processed on a first-come, first-served basis and annual reporting to the Governor and Legislature.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Appropriations Healthcare Workforce Memorials & Recognition

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3782: Concerns New Jersey 2-1-1 information and referral system; makes appropriation.

This bill modernizes New Jersey's 2-1-1 information and referral system by requiring operators to make active referrals, including "warm handoffs," that directly connect callers with service providers rather than just giving them contact information. It mandates the use of technology for real-time availability checks, appointment scheduling, and outcome tracking, while also requiring participating agencies to maintain updated service availability. The legislation includes provisions for annual reporting on referral success rates and authorizes funding to support system upgrades and staff training.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Appropriations

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4536: Requires State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to employ three geriatric social workers to serve New Jersey's long-term care residents and makes appropriation.

This bill requires New Jersey's State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to hire three geriatric social workers to serve residents in long-term care facilities across the state. The social workers would be assigned to cover the northern, central, and southern regions and would help address legal, financial, and service-related concerns for long-term care residents, including providing advice during initial contract signing meetings. The legislation also authorizes funding from the General Fund to support these new positions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Long-Term Care

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 19, 2026

S 4020: Establishes "New Jersey Living Donor Support Program" in DOH; makes appropriation.

This bill creates the New Jersey Living Donor Support Program within the Department of Health to provide financial assistance to living donors who donate organs or tissues for transplantation. The program covers eligible expenses such as lost wages, travel and lodging, childcare, elder care, and medication costs, with reimbursement limits of four weeks for lost wages or eight weeks under special circumstances. Funding is available only to New Jersey residents who donate to other New Jersey residents, and the program serves as a payer of last resort after other insurance or employer benefits are applied. The Department of Health will administer the program and may contract with third parties to manage it, while the Commissioner retains authority to adjust reimbursement limits and add eligible expense categories.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics Appropriations

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 9, 2026

ACR 128: Amends State Constitution to prohibit State appropriations to non-State agencies unless based upon competitive criteria or statutory process.

ACR 128 proposes a constitutional amendment to restrict how New Jersey allocates state funds to non-state entities like local governments, private colleges, or community organizations. It would require that any funding for these groups must follow a competitive process, merit-based criteria, or a pre-established formula - never by directly naming a specific organization in the funding law. The amendment also mandates that any such appropriation must clearly state its specific purpose. This change would apply to all future state budget appropriations and requires voter approval to take effect.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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

A 3757: Establishes basic life support services as essential; requires municipalities to arrange for basic life support services; makes an appropriation.

This bill requires all New Jersey municipalities to provide basic life support (BLS) ambulance services as an essential service for their residents. Municipalities must arrange these services through one of four options: licensing private companies, contracting with public/private/nonprofit entities, entering mutual aid agreements with other towns, or partnering with hospitals. The bill also creates a state appropriation to reimburse municipalities for the costs of establishing these services. It defines BLS as pre-hospital care including CPR, wound care, and fracture stabilization, and amends prior laws to clarify hospital partnerships for these services.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Appropriations Hospitals

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

A 3505: Increases FY 2025 Grants-in-Aid appropriation to DCA for "NJSHARES - S.M.A.R.T. Program" by $5 million.

This bill increases funding for New Jersey's NJSHARES - S.M.A.R.T. Program by $5 million, raising its total FY 2025 appropriation to $10.5 million. It directly provides utility payment assistance to homeowners and tenants facing financial hardship who struggle to pay utility bills. The program requires that applicants cannot receive similar aid from private insurance or other public programs, and the Department of Community Affairs commissioner must establish clear guidelines to distribute funds quickly. The commissioner may work with nonprofits or public agencies to administer the assistance, using funds specifically allocated from the Universal Service Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics Appropriations

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 3474: Requires annual General Fund appropriation to DMVA for purposes of base realignment and closure.

This bill requires New Jersey to annually appropriate up to $200,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs (DMVA) to preserve military installations if the federal government initiates base realignment or closure actions. It mandates that the DMVA submit a detailed public report each July 15th, including receipts for all expenditures over a small threshold, listing vendors and services purchased. The bill also requires that any contracts with lobbyists or governmental affairs agents for these preservation efforts follow a competitive two-year process. These provisions directly affect the DMVA, military installations in New Jersey, and entities working with the state on base preservation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 12, 2026

A 4067: Establishes Food Recovery Infrastructure Grant Program in Department of Agriculture; makes appropriation.

This bill (A4067) creates a state grant program within New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to support food recovery organizations, such as food banks, pantries, and soup kitchens. It provides grants of up to $50,000 per organization to purchase essential equipment like commercial refrigerators, freezers, delivery trucks, and storage units, as well as cover up to 10% of operational costs like staff salaries and administrative expenses. The program prioritizes using federal or non-state funds before state money and requires organizations to apply through a department-developed process. This directly helps nonprofits that redistribute surplus food to people facing food insecurity.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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