News Flash

Substantial Expansion of Power for Public Sector Labor Unions

With the lame-duck session fast approaching and the Legislature is likely to reconsider the Responsible Collective Negotiations Act (S-3810/A-5862). It would substantially expand the power and influence of public sector labor unions to negotiate previousl...

Governor Signs Legislation Dedicating Annual Funds to Special Needs Housing Trust Fund

On June 29, Governor Murphy signed into law S-1255, which requires that $20 million of certain realty transfer fee revenues are to be credited each year to the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund, beginning with the first fiscal year next f...

Governor Murphy Signs Exempt Firefighter Certificate Bill

On Thursday, June 24, Governor Murphy signed A-4745, which raises the eligibility for exempt firefighter certificates and membership in New Jersey State Fireman’s Association maximum age from 45 to 57. Under previous regulations, firefighters we...

Senate Holds Preemptive Small Cell/5G Deployment Bill

After being added late on Tuesday to Wednesday’s Senate Voting session, the Senate held and did not consider S-2674/A-1116. This legislation seeks to preempt and supersede local regulation of small cell (5G) deployment within the municipal rights-of-way.T...

Senate to Consider Bill Preempting Local Control Over Small Cell/5G Deployment in Municipal ROW

Just added to tomorrow’s Senate voting session is S-2674/A-1116, legislation which seeks to preempt and supersede local regulation of small cell (5G) deployment within the municipal rights-of-way. The League opposes S-2674/A-1116 becaus...

2022 Budget on Gov. Murphy's Desk

On Thursday both the Assembly and Senate passed A-5870/S-2022, which appropriates $46.3 billion in state funds and $6 billion in federal funds for New Jersey’s FY22 state budget. The budget will now be sent to Governor Murphy desk for his signat...

Assembly Approves Bill Preempting Local Control Over Small Cell/5G Deployment in Municipal ROW

The Assembly voted yesterday to approve A-1116(R3), legislation that seeks to preempt and supersede local regulation of small cell (5G) deployment within the municipal rights-of-way. The League opposes A-1116 because it provides broadband telecommunicatio...

Assembly Approves Bill Preempting Local Control Over Small Cell/5G Deployment in Municipal ROW

The Assembly voted yesterday to approve A-1116(R3), legislation that seeks to preempt and supersede local regulation of small cell (5G) deployment within the municipal rights-of-way. The League opposes A-1116 because it provides broadband telecommunicatio...

Contact Governor's Office on Offshore Wind Projects Bill Preemptions

S-3926/A-5894, fast-tracked legislation preempting local say over offshore wind projects, passed in both houses. This legislation would give the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) authority to preempt and supersede all necessary local approval of projects ne...

Legislators Approve Conditional Veto Recommendations of Bill Exempting Certain Housing from Zoning

In March, legislators passed S-1676/A-3326, which would allow hospitals to construct housing and provide wrap-around services for individuals who are homeless or housing insecure. While we support efforts aimed at providing health care and housing to thos...

Responsible Collective Negotiations Held in Both Houses

Many thanks to all of you who reached out to your Legislators and raised objections to the “Responsible Collective Negotiations” bill (S-3810/A-5862). The legislation was held in both houses.The League is by joined and also thank the New Jersey A...

Act Now! Responsible Collective Negotiations Before Assembly and Senate

Later today (Thursday) both the full Senate and Assembly are scheduled to consider the amended “Responsible Collective Negotiations” bill (S-3810/A-5862). The League has joined the New Jersey Association of Counties, New Jersey Conference of Mayors, New J...

State FY 22 Budget Introduced

On Tuesday June 22, the Assembly and Senate Budget Committees released A-5870/S-2022, which appropriates $46.3 billion in state funds and $21 billion in federal funds for New Jersey’s FY22 state budget. The Governor’s original proposed budget allocated $4...

Please Take Action: Fast-Tracked Bill Removing Management Prerogatives

Action is needed to oppose legislation that would remove important management prerogatives and drive up costs for local governments. On Wednesday the Assembly Appropriations Committee will be considering A-5862, which expands the subjects that would becom...

Bill Removing Management Prerogative Advances

Senate President Sweeney with Senators Addiego and Greenstein, recently introduced S-3810 known as the “Responsible Collective Negotiations Act” to provide additional worker safeguards in response to the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court Janus v...

Senate Committee Scheduled to Review Small Cell Regulation Bill

The Senate Economic Growth Committee is scheduled to review S-2674 on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at 10 a.m. The purpose of this legislation is to provide for uniform regulation of small wireless facility deployment in the state and mirrors, and in some cases...

Senate Committee Scheduled to Review Small Cell Regulation Bill

The Senate Economic Growth Committee is scheduled to review S-2674 on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at 10 a.m. The purpose of this legislation is to provide for uniform regulation of small wireless facility deployment in the state and mirrors, and in some cases...

S-1 Passes Senate

Last week S-1, which would encourage shared services, passed the full Senate. We thank Senate President Sweeney for the various amendments to the bill to address our concerns. We appreciate the civil service reforms and are optimistic they will make shari...

Expedited Construction Inspection Bill Heads to Governor

Yesterday, the Senate approved S-3095/A-4850, which the League opposes, sending the measure to Governor Murphy for his action. The legislation would establish an expedited construction inspection program that would allow able and willing property...

Assembly Approves EV Charging Station Bill

The Assembly, on Thursday, passed Assembly Committee Substitute for A-2108 & A-5032, which the League opposes.The bill would make an application for development submitted solely for the installation of electric vehicle supply equipment or make-ready s...

Cannabis Regulatory Commission Seeking Input from Municipalities

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) will be holding its next meeting on June 1, 2021, at 12 p.m. The CRC is seeking input from municipal representatives about the emerging cannabis industry. At this meeting, the CRC is asking for input from local off...

Senate Committee Advances Bill Requiring Regional Approval of Large Warehouse Developments

Yesterday, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee advanced a committee substitute for S-3688, legislation that would require a regional economic impact report and allow review by adjacent municipalities for certain proposed retail warehouse develo...

Gov. Takes Action on Legislation

Governor Conditionally Vetoes Hospital Housing Bill

Earlier this week Governor Murphy conditionally vetoed S-1676, a bill which the League opposed. S-1676 would allow hospitals to construct housing and provide wrap-around services for individuals who are h...

Assembly Committee Again Reviews EV Charging Station Bills

On Wednesday, the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee reported Assembly Committee Substitute for A-2108 & A-5032 out of committee. The League opposes. The legislation would establish numerical requirements and zoning standard...

League Testifies, Expresses Concerns on S-3688

On Thursday, the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee discussed a committee substitute for S-3688 that requires municipalities to take into account the potential effects of approving the construction and operation of retail warehouses on neighbori...

Governor Signs Law Allowing for Nonresident Municipal Emergency Management Coordinators

This week, Governor Murphy signed into law S-551 (now, P.L.2021, c.50). This new law permits the appointment of a non-resident municipal emergency management coordinator in municipalities with populations under 5,000 persons, if a qualified municipal resi...

NJLM President Kovach Testifies at Senate Hearing on Forest Stewardship Issues

This week, the Senate Environment and Energy Committee hosted a hearing to take testimony from experts and interested parties on the topics of forest stewardship and prescribed burning, and the roles humans should play in managing the State’s forests.Whil...

Senate Committee to Host Hearing on Forest Stewardship and Prescribed Burning Legislation

On Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., the Senate Environment and Energy Committee will host a remote hearing to take testimony from experts and interested parties on the topics of forest stewardship and prescribed burning, and the roles humans shou...

Local Part PERS Legislation Advances

Early this week legislation sponsored by Senate President Sweeney that would divide the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) into two parts: a State PERS for state employees and a Local PERS for all other employees (S-3522) was considered ...

Governor Signs Parental Notification Legislation

Earlier today, Governor Murphy signed S-5472/S-3565 requiring law enforcement to provide a parent, guardian or other person having legal custody of a person under the age of 18 with a written notification for any violation for underage consumption or poss...

Legislative Preview: Week of March 15

Various Assembly and Senate committees will be holding hearings and considering numerous pieces of legislation during the week. The municipal issues before the various committees include:Assembly Telecommunications & Utilities: Considering legislation...

Recap: Week of March 8 Legislative Committees

During the week various Assembly and Senate committees held hearings and considered numerous pieces of legislation. The following legislation of municipal impact was considered: 

• A-5231 permits a county or municipality to enter into a revenue-shar...

Legislative Preview: Week of March 8

Legislative front:

 Various Assembly and Senate committees will be holding hearings and considering numerous pieces of legislation during the week. The municipal issues before the various committees include: 

• Assembly Oversight, Reform &am...

Early Voting Legislation

On Monday, the full Assembly will be considering A-4830/S-3203, which would require the addition of in-person early voting for certain elections. In-person early voting for the May non-partisan election is permitted upon adoption of an ordinance....

Monday Vote: Urge Assemly to Vote No on A-4850 Third-Party Inspection Bill

A-4850, a bill the League opposes, is scheduled for an Assembly vote on Monday, March 1. The legislation would establish an alternate inspection process for property owners willing to pay a premium fee to expedite inspections performed b...

Your Action Needed: PFRS 20 & Out in Assembly on Monday

On Monday, the full Assembly will consider A-2562/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 credit and would allow that employee...

Feb. 26, 2022 Cannabis Update

On Monday Governor Murphy signed into law legislation legalizing and regulating cannabis use and possession for adults 21 years and older (A-21 – The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act) and decriminal...

Legislature Preview: Week of February 22

Today As of this writing, it has been announced that the Governor has signed the legislation legalizing adult recreational use of cannabis, the decriminalization of cannabis, and the clean-up legislation that addresses possession by those under 2...

Update on S-1

Since 2011, Senate President Sweeney has been advancing legislation (S-1) to encourage shared services by making various civil service reforms, but would permit the state to withhold state aid from municipalities that did not implement a shared service ag...

Legislative Alert: Help Stop Legislation With Potential Chilling Effect on Redevelopment & Affordabl

As we have previously reported, ACS A1571 & A-1576 would make any public work done on a property or premises for which a public body provides, approves or authorizes a tax abatement or tax exemption for the property or premises subject to the Prevaili...

Amended Shared Service Bill S-1 Advances

Yesterday, the Senate Budget Committee unanimously passed the Senate Committee Substitute S-1, Senate President Steve Sweeney’s Shared Service legislation. S-1 amends the “Uniformed Shared Services and Consolidation Act&rd...

Governor Murphy Signs Senate Bill 3220 Into Law

On Thursday, February 4, Governor Phil Murphy signed Senate Bill 3220 into law. This legislation allows the Civil Service Commission to exempt entry law enforcement position applicants who have successfully completed a full basic course for police officer...

Governor Murphy Announces Paycheck Protection Loan Program

On Tuesday, February 9, Governor Murphy announced that his administration will follow the lead of the Federal Government in creating a Paycheck Protection Loan Program (PPP) to be tax exempt at the state level and enable recipients to deduct business expe...

Assembly Committee Reivews Water Systems and Authorities Bill

This week, A-3142 and S-922/A-5043 were before the Assembly Special Committee on Infrastructure and Natural Resources. While S-922/A-5043 was only discussed, the committee voted to approve A-3142, sending it to second reading in the Assembly. The League o...

Assembly Committee Reivews Water Systems and Authorities Bill

This week, A-3142 and S-922/A-5043 were before the Assembly Special Committee on Infrastructure and Natural Resources. While S-922/A-5043 was only discussed, the committee voted to approve A-3142, sending it to second reading in the Assembly. The League o...

Legislation Subjecting PILOT to Prevailing Wage Advances

The Assembly Labor Committee has advanced an Assembly Committee Substitute A-1571 & A-1576.  ACS A1571 & A-1576 would make any public work done on a property or premises for which a public body provides, approves, or authorizes a tax abat...

Bill Limiting Municipal Regulation of Electric Fences Now Law

Governor Murphy, on Thursday, signed into law S-2419, which prohibits municipal regulation of “perimeter fence intrusion protection systems” (electric fence) and the regulation of locksmith and alarm businesses, among other things. Eff...

Assembly Committee to Hear Bill Limiting Appeals of Land Use Decisions

On Monday, the Assembly State and Local Government Committee will review A-4881, a bill which the League supports. A-4881 would prohibit the appeal of land use decisions on grounds attributable to convening the meeting by virtual means, provided that reas...

Governor Signs Tax Incentive Legislation

Yesterday, Governor Murphy signed into law A-4, the "New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020." The new law provides for the administration of programs and policies related to; jobs, property development, food deserts, community partner...

Cannabis Clean Up Legislation Held

Initially, both the Assembly and Senate were scheduled to consider legislation to clarify the recent cannabis legislation, A-5211/S-3320, on Monday. However, as of this afternoon, it appears the deal to legalize and decriminalize cannabis collapsed report...

Governor signs PFRS Enhanced Benefits for Surviving Spouses Act

Yesterday, Governor Murphy signed S487, the “Dominick Marino PFRS Enhanced Benefits for Surviving Spouses Act”. This legislation expands accidental death benefits provided to widow of a PFRS member. The benefit paid will now be either ...

Right to Farm Act Amended to Allow Employees to Live on Horse Farms

Governor Murphy, yesterday, signed A-2768/S-1245, which amends the “Right to Farm Act” to allow housing for equine-related farm employees.The new law requires that, notwithstanding any local health code or zoning ordinance to the contrary, the rules and r...

Police Body Camera Funding Legislation Passed

On Wednesday, December 23, Governor Murphy signed A-4907 into law, which appropriates $58 million in funding to support police departments when purchasing body cameras. While P.L. 2020, c. 142 goes a long way to help purchase body cameras, the issue of on...

Hospital Property Tax Subsidy Bill Headed to Governor

After advancing through Senate and Assembly committee hearings, yesterday both houses voted to approve A-1135/S-624 & S-357, sending the measure to the Governor’s office for his action. While the League is supportive of a legislative solutio...

Senate Passes PFRS 20 and Out Legislation

On Thursday, the Senate unanimously passed 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 credit and would allow that employee to rec...

Tax Incentive Legislation Moving Quickly

Late on Wednesday, it was announced that Governor Murphy, Senate President Sweeney, and Assembly Speaker Coughlin reached an agreement on reforms to the tax incentive programs.According to the announcement  the agreement “includes annua...

Your Action Needed: Full Senate to Consider PFRS 20 & Out Legislation

On Thursday, the full Senate will be considering 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 credit and would allow that ...

Hospital Property Tax Subsidy Bill Headed for Vote

Hospital Property Tax Subsidy Bill Headed for Vote After advancing through Senate and Assembly committee hearings, A-1135/S-624 & S-357 have been scheduled for a vote in both houses on Thursday, December 17, 2020. A-1135 was previously approved by the...

Small Cell Regulation Bill Advances

Yesterday, the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee advanced with amendments, A-1116. The purpose of this legislation is to provide for uniform regulation of small wireless facility deployment in the State and attempts to mirror and in some...

Disabled Veterans Property Tax with Reimbursement Advances

Earlier this week the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee advanced S-220, which extends the totally disabled veterans property tax exemption to be retroactive to the effective date of the determination of the veteran’s total disability ...

Actions on Law Enforcement Body Worn Cameras

Last week, Governor Murphy signed S1163 legislation regarding the use of Body Worn Cameras for Law Enforcement and issued Executive Order 201 Establishing an Interagency Working Group on Law Enforcement Body Worn Cameras Task Force. Please see the League’...

AG Issues Marijuana Charge Guidance

Last week, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal issued additional guidance to prosecutors concerning the prosecution of low-level marijuana cases, supplementing his August 29, 2018 and November 4, 2020 guidance.The Attorney General’s guidance directs ...

Gov. Murphy Signs Plastic Ban into Law

On November 4, Governor Murphy signed into law the strictest plastic ban legislation in the United States. For more information on P.L. 2020, c.117 see our blog post. Also, we will be hosting a League Conference Session on the plastic bag ban so don’t for...

Electronic Review of Construction Permits Up for Hearing

On Monday, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee is scheduled to consider A-1145/S-1739, which the League opposes. A-1145/S-1739 would establish an electronic permit processing review system requiring electronic submission of applications for con...