News Flash

Bridge Budget Bill Introduced

Because of the extension of the State’s current Fiscal Year for an additional three months, the Legislature must pass and the Governor sign a Supplemental Appropriations bill by midnight, June 30. On Thursday, June 24, Assemblywoman Eliana Pinto...

New Law Provides Local Units with Flexibility to Waive Penalties on Overdue Sewer or Water Charges

Last Friday, Governor Murphy signed into law A-4126 (now, P.L.2020, c.39), which gives municipalities, counties, and utility authorities the ability to waive interest and lien enforcement for certain delinquent water and sewer utility payments during emer...

Assembly Approves Bill Decriminalizing Small Amounts of Marijuana

Yesterday, the Assembly passed A-1897 which aims to decriminalize marijuana and promote awareness of the expungement process. The bill would replace arrests for possessing up to two ounces of marijuana or hashish with a civil fine of $50. A-1897 would als...

NJLM Delivers COVID_19 Requests to Congressional Delegation

On Wednesday, the New Jersey League of Municipalities delivered letters to Senators Menendez and Booker and all Members of New Jersey’s delegation in the House of Representatives. We thanked them for the steps they have already taken to address ...

Legislature Focuses on State Three-Month Budget Plan

Yesterday in Trenton, the Assembly Budget Committee heard testimony from the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services’ Budget and Finance Officer, Frank Haines, and State Treasurer, Elizabeth Maher Muoio, regarding Governor Murphy’s ...

Gov. Signs Legislation Setting 2020 Tax Appeal Date

Yesterday Governor Murphy signed into law A-4157, which extends the statutory deadline to file a property tax appeal from May 1, 2020 to July 1, 2020 and provides the County Board of Taxation until September 30, 2020 to render a decision on a tax...

Your Action Needed on COVID-19 Bonding

On Thursday the Assembly passed by a vote of 57-20 A-3971 which authorizes the issuance of “coronavirus relief bonds” by municipalities and counties. Specifically, A-3971 permits municipalities to issue bonds for the loss of revenue an...

Gov. Signs States of Emergency Law Addressing Timeframes & Deadlines

On May 15 Governor Murphy signed A-3969/S-2392 into law. P.L. 2020, c. 34 provides for local government flexibility with regard to various timeframes, deadlines, and other statutory requirements in order to help them continue to function and meet their ob...

Call to Action: Assembly Passes A-3971

Yesterday the Assembly passed by a vote of 57-20 A-3971 which authorizes the issuance of “coronavirus relief bonds” by municipalities and counties. Specifically, A-3971 permits municipalities to issue bonds for the loss of rev...

2020 Tax Appeal Date Bill Awaits Gov's Signature

Yesterday both the Assembly and Senate unanimously approved A-4157/S-2387, which extends the statutory deadline to file a property tax appeal from May 1, 2020 to July 1, 2020 and provides the County Board of Taxation until September 30, 2020 to render a d...

Senate OKs Civil Service Transfers During States of Emergency Bill

Yesterday the Senate unanimously approved S-2477, which would permit State and local government employees in civil service to be transferred under certain circumstances. The legislation, which the League supports, awaits consideration by the Assembly.

S-24...

Timeline, Deadline Bills on Governor's Desk

Yesterday both the Assembly, by a vote of 70-6, and the Senate, by a vote of 37-1, passed A-3969/S-2392, which provides for local government flexibility with regard to various timeframes, deadlines, and other statutory requirements in order to help them c...

Senate Budget Committee Releases S-2387

Yesterday the Senate Budget Committee released S-2387, which extends the statutory deadline to file a property tax appeal from May 1 to July 1 and provides the County Board of Taxation until September 30 to render a decision on a tax appeal. The deadline ...

Urging Support for A-3971/S-2475 Permissive COVID-19 Reflief Bills

Yesterday the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee released A-3971 which authorizes the issuance of “coronavirus relief bonds” by municipalities and counties. Specifically, A-3971 permits municipalities to issu...

Upcoming Legislative Briefings on A-3971 for Coronavirus Relief Bonds

Mayors Keith Kazmark of Woodland Park, Colleen Mahr of Fanwood, and Matt Moench of Bridgewater invite you, your business administrators, and your chief financial officers to a panel discussion on prospective legislation (A-3971) that would permit counties...

Week of April 12 Bills Signed Into Law

Earlier this week both Houses of the State Legislature met virtually and sent a number of bills to the Governor. The Governor took action a number of these bills.

Please see the League’s April 17 Town Crier blog post for a breakdown of these new ...

Resolution & Options for Changing Delinquent Property Taxes Interest

As we approach the May 1 property tax deadline, we would like to advise you of options currently available to you to assist property owners facing fiscal challenges. 

N.J.S.A. 54:4-67 permits municipal governing bodies to establish the rate of int...

COVID-19 Response Legislation for First Responders and Local Governments

Yesterday, the Legislature acted on a number of COVID-19 response bills, including these.

S-2351/A-3924 – Protects paid and volunteer members of first aid, rescue, and ambulance squads from termination, dismissal, or suspension by an employer for...

Additional COVID-19 Executive Orders Issued

Governor Murphy has issued two new Executive Orders. The first Executive Order 107 ordering all New Jersey residents to remain at their place of residence unless they are obtaining goods or services from retail businesses; obtaining takeout food or bevera...

Senate to Consider COVID-19 Bill Package

On Thursday the Senate will consider the COVID-19 bill package passed by the Assembly earlier this week. The bill package includes legislation addressing budgetary, election, Open Public Meetings Act, Open Public Records Act, and employee leave i...

COVID-19 Bill Package Released from Assembly

On Monday under emergency voting rules, the Assembly considered a bill package related to COVID-19. At this time the bill text is unavailable but we will provide a more detailed update once the bill text becomes available. The Senate voting session is sch...

Action Needed: Senate Advancing PFRS 20 & Out Legislation

Please contact your Senator and urge them to oppose S-1017.

On Monday, the Senate Budget Committee is scheduled to consider S-1017 which permits a PFRS employee who is enrolled before or after the bill’s effective date to retire, regardless of ag...

Senate Committee Unanimously Releases PFRS 20 and Out Legislation

On Thursday, the Senate State Government Committee unanimously released S-1017, which permits a PFRS employee who is enrolled before or after the bill’s effective date to retire, regardless of age, upon attaining 20 or more years of service cred...

Support for Common Sense Telecommunications Bills Sought

The League strongly supports common-sense legislation that has been reintroduced for consideration in the current Legislation session. A-2991/S-421 are companion bills that will clarify telecommunications industry corporate tax responsibilities and shield...

Call to Action: Oppose Zoning Training & Certification Bill

The Assembly State and Local Government Committee, this week, approved an amended A-678, which would mandate additional training and certification of zoning officers and land use board administrators. The League opposes this bill.

While the League endorses...

Training & Certification Mandate Hearing Scheduled for Committee Hearing

Scheduled for a hearing before the Assembly State and Local Government Committee on Monday, February 3 is A-678, a bill opposed by the League.  A-678 would mandate training and certification requirements for zoning officers and ...

Plastic Bag Ban Bill Advances

On Jan. 30 in Trenton, the Senate Energy and Environment Committee amended and released a bill that would phase in a ban on non-reusable plastic bags and other food and drink containers.As you may recall, the State Senate and General Assembly failed to ag...

OPRA Study Commission Legislation Introduced

Senator Corrado has introduced S-180, which establishes a 14-member Open Public Records Act Study Commission. The bill has been referenced to Senate State Government Committee. The League strongly supports S-180 and we thank Senator Corrado and Assemblyma...

Governor Signs Legislation: January 15, 2020

On Monday, January 13, 2020, Governor Murphy signed into law numerous pieces of legislation. The following laws are of municipal interest:

P.L. 2019, c. 335 allows local voters to authorize, through a referendum, an increase of the municipal tax l...

Governor Delivers State of the State

Following the swearing-in of the new Legislature, Governor Phil Murphy delivered his second State of the State Address to both houses of the new Legislature. The Governor’s remarks, as prepared, are posted online as is the video of the address.

S...

Bill Requiring Electronic Review of Construction Permits Set for Vote

On Monday, January 13, the State Senate is scheduled to vote on S-3927/A-4463, which the League opposes. S-3927/A-4463 would establish an electronic permit processing review system requiring electronic submission of applications for construction permits, ...

Assembly Appropriations Committee Advances Preserved Farmlands Events Bill

Yesterday, the Assembly Appropriations Committee approved legislation, opposed by the League that greatly expands the number and type of events that can be held on preserved farmland. The Assembly Committee Substitute for A-5384/A-5157 allows the owners o...

Eleventh Hour Senate Action on Plastic Bag Bill Slated

On Monday, according to reports and despite the continued objections of special interest groups, the Senate will vote on S-2776. The bill would ban the commercial use of single-use foam, paper, and plastic food and grocery containers. The bill, including ...

Gov. Approves Lead Service Line Bill

Yesterday, Governor Murphy, signed S-4110 into law, a bill which the League supported, that provides clear authority for municipalities and municipal water systems to enter onto private property to perform lead service line replacement. The new l...

Governor Signs Legislation

On Thursday Governor Murphy signed into law the following bills:

S-1242, which requires that whenever public water systems issue boil water notices. A notice must also be given to the mayor and municipal clerk of each affected municipality as soon as possi...

Lame Duck Update: PFRS Retirement, Lead Service Line Replacement

The 218th New Jersey State Legislature will end at midnight, January 13. The 219th Legislature will begin its work on January 14, including the State of the State Address by Governor Murphy. Between now and then, we expect significant legislative activity...

20 & Out Expansion Poised for Senate Action

On Monday, the General Assembly approved A-6024. This bill, along with its Senate companion S-4297 would create an additional category of service retirement for Police Fire Retirement System (PFRS) employees. Under the bill, a PFRS employee who is enrolle...

Expungement Expansion Approved and Signed into Law

Also on Monday, S-4154 was approved by both houses. The Governor, in turn, signed the new law in Newark on Wednesday. The new law establishes a process for individuals who have not committed any crimes for 10 years and have only been con...

Looking Ahead to Lame Duck: Path to Progress' Pension Hybrid Plan

As noted in the Path to Progress Report, “the State’s combined pension and retiree health benefit liabilities of $151.5 billion are four times the size of the State’s annual budget; and more than three times the size of the State’s bonded debt. That publi...

Recap of September PFRS Board Meeting

At the September 9 Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS) board meeting, as a matter of routine business, the Board considered the creditable compensation of three Atlantic City police officers. The three officers, with various ranks, honorably retired ...

Lame Duck Preview: Supporting Telecommunications Legislation

The League fully supports A-5450/S-3827, which will clarify telecommunications industry corporate tax responsibilities, and shield local taxpayers from the costs of endless tax court litigation. We thank the sponsors for their attention to this problem.

Wh...

Looking Forward: NJ Legislature

We expect that time between Labor Day and the election to be a relatively slow period for legislative activity. The Assembly, with all 80 seats on the ballot in November, is not expected to quorum again until after the election.

We do expect, however, the ...

Murphy Returns Tax Incentive Bills With Suggestions

Governor Phil Murphy has issued a conditional veto of S-3901, returning the bill to the Legislature with recommended changes to reform the state’s tax incentive programs. S-3901 would have extended the Economic Opportunity Act in its entirety to January 3...

Gov. Vetoes Digital Parking Meter Monitoring

On Monday Governor Murphy vetoed A-4135, which would have authorized the State or a local government to use a digital parking meter or other electronic parking compliance device to monitor parking compliance within its jurisdiction. The ...

NJ Violence Intervention Program Bill Conditionally Vetoed

On August 23 Governor Murphy conditionally vetoed S-3309, which would have established the New Jersey Violence Intervention Program (NJVIP). Furthermore, the bill would have required the Attorney General to award funds on a competitive basis to municipali...

Contaminated Site Remediation Bill Signed

Governor Murphy on Friday signed into law A-5293 (now, P.L.2019, c.263) which makes various changes to laws governing the remediation of contaminated sites. The new law, which the League supported, expands the functions of the Site Remediation Reform Act ...

New Law Requires Property Tax Relief Info on Tax Bills

On Monday, Governor Murphy signed into law P.L. 2019, c.186, which requires property tax bills printed on or after September 17, 2019, include a statement indicating that State property tax relief program information is available on the New Jersey Divisio...

Municipal Liability Standard Law Correction Signed

Today, Governor Murphy signed into law A-5392, which establishes new liability standards in sexual abuse lawsuits filed against public entities and public employees. The League supported this bill, which is a technical amendment to P.L. 2019, c. 120 neces...

New Requirements to Change from Non-Partisan to Partisan Form of Governments

On Monday, Acting Governor Oliver signed into law P.L. 2019, c. 161, which modifies the provisions of the Optional Municipal Charter Law procedure to change the manner of holding certain municipal elections. The new law increased the number of pe...

Acting Gov. Oliver Signs Law Prohibiting Worker’s Wages Inquiries

Yesterday, Acting Governor Oliver signed into law A-1094, which prohibits all employers from asking about workers’ wage and salary history. Specifically, the new law makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer to screen a job applicant based ...

New Requirements to Change from Non-Partisan to Partisan Form of Governments

On Monday, Acting Governor Oliver signed into law P.L. 2019, c. 161, which modifies the provisions of the Optional Municipal Charter Law procedure to change the manner of holding certain municipal elections. The new law increased the number of pe...

Land Banking Legislation Gets Gov. Murphy OK

On Wednesday, Governor Murphy signed into law S-1214, which would authorize a municipality to enter into an agreement with a non-profit or a redevelopment entity to serve as the municipality's land banking entity. The League supported this permissive legi...