S 1903 establishes the New Jersey Military Family Relief Fund, a permanent fund in the State Treasury funded by voluntary taxpayer contributions designated on state income tax returns. The fund provides grants of up to $2,500 to cover essential expenses like food, housing, and medical costs for New Jersey residents who are active-duty military members (including reserves), National Guard members, veterans (with honorable discharge), or surviving spouses of eligible service members. To qualify, applicants must be NJ residents for at least 12 consecutive months, demonstrate financial hardship, and cannot receive more than one grant within a 12-month period. The Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs administers the program, determining eligibility and issuing grants from available funds.
This bill requires New Jersey mortgage lenders to provide a disclosure form with each loan application, informing veterans seeking housing loans under the G.I. Bill (Servicemen's Readjustment Act) that counseling services are available. It mandates the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (DMVA) to refer eligible veterans to the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) for free mortgage counseling. The counseling must review loan terms, provide G.I. Bill-specific guidance, and include any federally required information. It directly affects veterans in New Jersey applying for G.I. Bill-backed home loans and applies to all residential mortgage lenders originating such loans in the state.
The New Jersey Fostering Success Voucher Act (S 1780) provides rental assistance and case management services to young adults aged 18-26 who have been in foster care or kinship care and are experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness. The bill establishes a voucher program administered by the Department of Community Affairs, offering rental assistance comparable to the state’s existing rental assistance program and requiring participants to engage with approved case management agencies. To qualify, applicants must reside in New Jersey, meet moderate-income guidelines, and voluntarily agree to case management services. The program is funded with a $10 million appropriation from the General Fund, effective immediately upon enactment.
S 1548 proposes a new "Support Our Veterans" license plate for New Jersey vehicle owners. Drivers who choose this plate would pay a $50 application fee and a $10 annual renewal fee. All collected fees would fund veterans' services at Veterans Haven facilities through the Veterans Haven Council, after covering initial administrative costs. The program would support housing and services for homeless veterans, with funds deposited into a dedicated state fund.
This bill requires residential landlords in New Jersey to install durable guards or covers on all radiators exceeding 110°F surface temperature within 90 days of a tenant's written request. It updates previous law by removing the "steam radiator" restriction (applying to all radiator types) and replacing "insulating materials" with safety-focused guards. Landlords must provide annual written notice to tenants about this requirement and maintain it in common areas. Violations may lead to fines under the Uniform Fire Safety Act, and tenants injured due to non-compliance can seek legal remedies. The bill directly affects landlords of rental properties and their tenants.
S 2711 requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to prohibit electric and gas utilities from charging residential customers lump-sum payments when actual usage exceeds estimated usage under equal payment plans. It also bans utilities from "underbilling" residential customers - charging them for the difference between estimated and actual usage after the fact - and prevents adding those unpaid balances to future bills. The bill mandates that any annual adjustments to equal payment plans must be based solely on a customer’s actual usage data, not estimates. This directly affects residential electricity and gas customers in New Jersey by preventing unexpected large charges tied to billing practices.
The New Jersey Workforce Housing Partnership Act (S 1830) creates a state program to help middle-income workers - like teachers, first responders, and healthcare professionals - afford homes by incentivizing employers to provide homebuyer assistance. It provides $55 million for a Workforce Housing Assistance Program that matches employer down payment help and offers low-interest mortgages, while giving tax credits to businesses that develop affordable housing for employees. The bill also includes affordability protections ensuring housing remains accessible to residents earning up to 120% of the area median income and encourages municipalities to repurpose vacant commercial spaces into workforce housing through zoning flexibility.
This bill (S 394) prohibits public utilities in New Jersey from disconnecting electricity, gas, water, or sewer service to residential customers for nonpayment for 180 days after the coronavirus public health emergency ends. It requires utilities to offer residential customers who fall behind on bills a payment plan allowing them to pay over at least 48 months, rather than cutting off service. The law applies specifically to residential customers (not businesses) and covers all four utility services listed. Utilities cannot disconnect service as long as customers follow their agreed payment plan terms. This applies after the March 9, 2020, state emergency declaration ends.
This bill amends New Jersey's affordable housing law to permit municipalities to establish a preference for low and moderate income veterans who served during wars or emergencies in affordable housing projects. It allows cities and towns to agree with developers to reserve up to 50% of affordable units for these veterans, giving them priority during the first 90 days of a project's marketing period. After the initial 90 days, remaining units become available to the general public until the end of a 120-day marketing period. Veterans who qualify are placed on a special waiting list to maintain the preference level as units become available, without requiring municipalities to adopt this preference.
This bill establishes a new Rent Control Enforcement Unit (RCEU) within New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs to enforce local rent control laws. It directly affects residential tenants in municipalities with rent restrictions (such as rent stabilization ordinances) and landlords who may face violations. Tenants can petition the RCEU to investigate and challenge rent increases they believe violate local rules, and the unit can order rent reductions, impose fines up to four months' rent, or allow lease termination. The RCEU will also operate a dedicated helpline and online portal for tenant reporting.
