Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 4537: Modifies eligibility for alternative business calculation adjustment allowed under gross income tax.

This bill modifies New Jersey's gross income tax by restricting the alternative business calculation adjustment for taxpayers with higher incomes. It allows business owners to net losses from specific income categories, such as rents or royalties, against gains to determine their taxable business income. Under the new rules, effective for tax years starting in 2026, taxpayers earning $500,000 or less can still deduct 50% of their business profit increase, while those earning between $500,000 and $1 million can only deduct 25%. The bill completely eliminates this tax deduction for individuals with gross income exceeding $1 million.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill restricts tax deductions for higher-income taxpayers, limiting the ability to net losses against gains, which reduces tax relief for those earning over $500,000.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax

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signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 30, 2026

A 5330: Permits Director of Division of Pensions and Benefits to initiate temporary transfer of funds in certain circumstances.

This bill amends the School Employees' Health Benefits Program Act to allow the Director of the Division of Pensions and Benefits to initiate temporary transfers of funds under specific circumstances. The legislation directly affects school employers and their employees by modifying how health benefit premiums are paid and managed within the state's dedicated fund. Key provisions include establishing rules for employer payment obligations, creating a subaccount for claims and health services, and defining the data collection responsibilities of a third-party medical claims reviewer. The bill also clarifies that the program's assets must be used solely for providing benefits and covering administrative costs for covered employees and their dependents.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enables temporary fund transfers to manage health benefits, ensuring program solvency and fiscal stability for school employees.75% confidence

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 30, 2026

A 5333: Appropriates $15,546,575 to DEP from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues for grants to certain nonprofit entities to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, and for certain administrative expenses.

This bill appropriates $15,546,575 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues to the Department of Environmental Protection for conservation grants. The funds will be distributed to specific tax-exempt nonprofit organizations to help them acquire or develop land for recreation and conservation purposes across New Jersey. The legislation authorizes grants for three designated projects: the D&R Greenway Land Acquisitions Trust, the Lamington Conservancy Central Project, and the New Jersey Conservation Foundation Priority Area Acquisitions. Additionally, the bill allocates money for administrative expenses related to these conservation efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates dedicated tax revenues to fund conservation grants and land acquisition, directly increasing funding for public services.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates funds to the DEP for conservation grants to acquire and develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Conservation

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 30, 2026

A 5334: Appropriates $77,406,208 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and various Green Acres funds to DEP for local government open space acquisition and park development projects, and for certain administrative expenses.

This bill allocates approximately $77.4 million from dedicated tax revenues and Green Acres funds to the Department of Environmental Protection to support local governments in New Jersey. The money will be used to provide grants or loans for acquiring and developing land for recreation and conservation purposes, as well as for certain administrative expenses. Specific funding is designated for open space acquisition and planning projects in several municipalities, including Burlington, Gloucester, Livingston, Verona, West Orange, and Kingwood. The legislation defines eligibility based on population density and utilizes existing funds made available through interest earnings, loan repayments, and project cancellations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $77.4M from dedicated revenues to fund open space and park development, directly strengthening government spending for public services.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates $77.4M to DEP for open space acquisition and park development, directly conserving natural resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

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

A 4966: Designates Hackensack City as urban enterprise zone.

This bill officially designates Hackensack City as an urban enterprise zone, a status intended to stimulate economic growth in the area. By adding Hackensack to the list of qualifying municipalities, the legislation allows businesses located there to access specific tax incentives and support programs available to enterprises in designated zones. The law defines "qualified businesses" as those employing residents, long-term unemployed individuals, or low-income workers within the zone, while also outlining rules for community organizations and development plans. Ultimately, this measure aims to attract investment and create jobs in Hackensack by leveraging existing state frameworks for economic revitalization.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill designates an urban enterprise zone to provide tax incentives and stimulate economic growth, aligning with fiscal management goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 18, 2026

A 5101: Authorizes local governments and nonprofit organizations to utilize certain constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues for administrative expenses.

This bill modifies New Jersey's Green Acres program to allow local governments and nonprofit organizations to use specific constitutionally dedicated funds for administrative expenses related to land acquisition. It increases the state's financial contribution for certain municipalities and counties, raising the maximum grant share from 25% to 50% or 75% under special circumstances, and permits state loans to cover up to 100% of project costs with low interest rates. Additionally, the legislation clarifies rules for grants to tax-exempt nonprofits, requiring them to match funds with their own resources rather than using restricted state money, while also setting conditions for public access and land conservation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases state financial contributions and funding for the Green Acres program, strengthening fiscal support for land acquisition.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens the Green Acres program by increasing funding and administrative capacity for land acquisition, directly supporting environmental conservation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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

A 5152: Permits unexpended nonpublic school textbook aid or aid for Nonpublic Technology Initiative to be used to support other program.

This bill allows school districts in New Jersey to use leftover state funding from one nonpublic school program to pay for expenses in the other program. Specifically, it permits unspent money designated for nonpublic school textbooks to be used for the Nonpublic Technology Initiative, and vice versa. Currently, districts must return any unused funds to the state after the school year ends, but this legislation would let them apply those funds to the alternative program first. The change aims to provide districts with more flexibility in managing their budgets for these specific educational services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allows flexible use of unspent state funds to support nonpublic school programs, promoting fiscal efficiency and maximizing existing budget resources.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allows unused nonpublic school funds to be redirected to technology programs, enhancing educational resources and flexibility.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 14, 2026

A 5086: "Property Tax Relief Act"; makes various changes to SHBP and SEHBP administration and limits reimbursement for certain medical procedures.

This bill, titled the Property Tax Relief Act, modifies how the State Health Benefits Program and the School Employees' Health Benefits Program operate in New Jersey. It limits reimbursement for specific medical procedures like knee and hip replacements, MRIs, and colonoscopies to the lowest available price, unless the service is provided at certain rural or critical access hospitals or in an emergency. The legislation also requires non-state employers to commit to staying in the program for three years if they join or leave, and it establishes a five-member commission to oversee the program's administration.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill limits reimbursement for medical procedures, effectively reducing government spending on health benefits.85% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill limits reimbursement for specific medical procedures to the lowest available price, restricting patient access and reducing benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 4376: Establishes grant program in Department of State for preservation of certain Revolutionary War sites; appropriates funds.

This bill creates a grant program within the New Jersey Department of State to help local governments and non-profit organizations preserve Revolutionary War sites that are at risk due to development. The program will provide funding for the maintenance and expansion of battlefields, encampments, and skirmish sites, with awards given competitively based on applicants' specific preservation plans and administrative capabilities. To support this initiative, the legislation appropriates $50 million from the state's General Fund and requires the department to establish rules for applying for and managing these grants within 90 days of the law's passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates $50 million to fund a grant program for preserving Revolutionary War sites, directly advancing the budget topic through increased government spending.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill funds preservation of Revolutionary War sites, honoring veterans' history and service.75% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 4366: Permits unexpended State aid for nonpublic school nursing services and nonpublic school security services to be used to support other program.

This bill allows school districts in New Jersey to use leftover state funding for nonpublic school nursing services to pay for security services, and vice versa. Currently, districts must return any unused money from these specific programs to the state after the school year ends. The legislation changes this rule by permitting districts to apply unspent funds from one program toward the costs of the other if they have excess money in one category. This adjustment gives districts more flexibility in managing their budgets for both nursing and security needs without requiring an immediate refund of unexpended aid.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enhances fiscal efficiency by allowing flexible use of unspent state aid, preventing waste and maximizing available funding for essential school services.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allows flexible use of state aid for nursing and security, enhancing school safety and health resources without restricting funds.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

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