This bill establishes a grant program administered by New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to reimburse small retail businesses (with 50 or fewer employees) for increased operating costs caused by public highway projects. It also provides a 50% sales and use tax exemption for eligible businesses in municipalities affected by these projects. The grants cover the difference between a business's normal operating expenses and the increased costs during the project's duration, requiring documentation of both periods. The program is funded by a $1 million appropriation, with applications reviewed by the EDA using criteria defined in the bill.
This bill allows New Jersey municipalities to use school bus video footage to enforce laws against drivers illegally passing stopped school buses. It requires law enforcement to review footage within 90 days to issue fines ($100 for first offense, $250 for repeat offenses) when violations are confirmed, with footage purged after 60 days or 3 days if no ticket is issued. The bill clarifies that vehicle owners and operators are jointly liable for fines unless the owner proves unauthorized use, with special rules for leased vehicles. It also prohibits adding points to driver's licenses for these violations and restricts footage use to enforcement purposes only, not public disclosure.
Bill A 3936 authorizes New Jersey to issue classic license plates (replicating designs from 1979-1991) for registered motor vehicles. Vehicle owners must pay a $50 application fee and a $10 annual renewal fee on top of standard registration costs. The fees collected will fund state transportation projects through the "Special Transportation Fund," while initial program costs (like design and production) must be covered by non-public donations up to $25,000 and require at least 500 initial applications before plates can be issued.
Bill A3263 establishes the New Jersey Energy Independence Bank as an independent subsidiary of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA). The bank will provide financing, loan guarantees, and other support for clean energy projects - including renewable generation, energy storage, efficiency upgrades, and electric vehicle infrastructure - primarily targeting residential, municipal, small business, and commercial developers. Key provisions require the bank to maintain separate finances from the EDA, have a board with majority independent members, and publicly disclose financing terms (with limited exceptions for confidential business information). The bill effectively renames the existing New Jersey Green Bank as the Energy Independence Bank and transfers its assets and staff to this new entity.
This bill increases penalties for denying access to service dogs and their handlers in public facilities, New Jersey Transit (NJT), and ride-sharing companies (like Uber or Lyft) from civil fines to criminal charges. First-time offenders face a petty disorderly persons offense (up to 30 days in jail or $500 fine), while second or subsequent violations become a disorderly persons offense (up to one year in jail or $1,000 fine). Fines collected will fund law enforcement training on service dog access rights, and the bill mandates a public awareness campaign. It directly affects businesses, public venues, and transportation providers that deny access to service dog users.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to create and maintain an online database showing the vertical clearance (distance from bridge bottom to water level) for all bridges carrying highways over navigable waterways. Municipalities and counties responsible for bridge inspections must submit clearance data to the DOT within 14 days after inspections, and the DOT must publish the database on its website within 60 days. The database must be updated within 14 days of receiving new clearance reports from local governments. This affects bridge inspectors and the public by making critical clearance information publicly accessible for safety and navigation purposes.
New Jersey's bill A-3338 requires municipalities, public utilities, and state agencies to install or replace street lights with LED technology during routine maintenance or new installations. Exceptions apply for temporary lighting (e.g., emergencies, special events), safety concerns, or historic properties. The law mandates compliance with minimum lighting standards while prioritizing energy conservation, reduced glare, and minimized light pollution. This policy directly affects all entities managing street lighting across the state, applying to lights funded by municipal budgets, utility rates, or state/federal sources.
This bill provides tax credits to New Jersey businesses and individuals for purchasing compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles. Businesses can claim credits up to $3,500 (2023), $2,500 (2024), or $1,500 (2025) for standard CNG vehicles, and up to $25,000 (2023), $15,000 (2024), or $7,500 (2025) for Class 8 CNG trucks. Individuals may claim credits up to $3,500 (2023), $2,500 (2024), or $1,500 (2025) for personal CNG vehicles under the gross income tax system. To qualify, purchasers must obtain certification from the Environmental Protection Commissioner confirming the vehicle’s CNG use, and unused credits can be carried forward for up to seven years.
This bill establishes a Climate Change Mitigation and Resilience Financing Program within the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank. It would impose a per-kilowatt-hour charge on all electricity consumption in the state, added to utility bills for residential, commercial, and industrial consumers. The collected funds would finance projects like flood-resistant infrastructure, coastal protection, and other climate resilience initiatives. The program aims to address climate impacts through targeted infrastructure investments, funded directly by electricity users.
This New Jersey bill (A 2690) elevates the crime of leaving the scene of an accident that results in death from a second-degree to a first-degree offense. It directly affects drivers who leave such accident scenes, increasing penalties from up to 10 years in prison to up to 20 years, and raising fines from $150,000 to $200,000. The law clarifies that a driver’s knowledge of the death or violation of traffic laws is not required for conviction. It also ensures separate sentences for this charge and related offenses like aggravated manslaughter, with sentences running consecutively. The bill is pending in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
