News Flash

Vegetation Management Bill Advances

Yesterday, the Senate Economic Growth Committee approved S-434, known as the “Vegetation Management Response Act.” In the past, the League has opposed this and similar bills because they would give electric utility companies complete d...

Hospital Property Tax Bill Advances

Yesterday, the Assembly Appropriations Committee advanced with committee amendments A-1135, a bill which the League opposes. A-1135 seeks to address the ongoing issue of property tax exemptions for nonprofit hospitals with on-site for-profit medical provi...

Governor Takes Action on Bills

Earlier this week, Governor Phil Murphy signed two bills of interest into law – S-349 (P.L. 2020, c.80), which requires developers to offer electric vehicle charging stations as an option in certain new home construction, and S-2380 (P.L. 2020, ...

MIllioniares' Tax to Bolster State Budget

An agreement has been reached by Governor Phil Murphy and Legislative leaders on an income tax rate hike (from 8.97% to 10.75%) on earnings in excess of $1 million. The higher rate currently applies to income over $5 million. Announcing the agreement, Gov...

Governor Conditionally Vetoes CRB Bill

On July 31 Governor Murphy issued a conditional veto for A-3971, which authorizes the issuance of "coronavirus relief bonds" (CRBs) by municipalities and counties. In the conditional veto language the Governor acknowledge the need for local gove...

Governor Vetoes Bill Expanding Project Labor Agreements

On Monday Governor Murphy issued a conditional veto for S-1370, which expands the permissible use of project labor agreements for public works projects from building based public works projects to include highways, bridges, pumping stations, and water and...

Coronavirus Relief Bond Legislation Advances, Before Senate

Today the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee released S-2475/A-3971, which authorizes the issuance of “coronavirus relief bonds” (CRB) by municipalities and counties. The legislation permits municipalities to issue bonds for th...

Legislation Requiring Health Insurance Annual Assessment Advances

Legislation that would require certain entities authorized to issue health benefits plan to annually pay an assessment of 2.75% of the entity’s’ net written premiums was amended and released from committee and now await consideration b...

Murphy Ok's COVID-19 Borrowing Bill

Yesterday, both the Assembly, by a 46-26 vote, and the Senate, by a 22-15 vote, passed the amended State COVID-19 Borrowing bill. Late yesterday Governor Murphy signed it into law. P.L. 2020, c. 60 authorizes the borrowing of up to $9.9 billion in State g...

Governor Sighs Electronic Procurement Act

Yesterday Governor Murphy signed into law the Electronic Procurement Act. P.L.  2020, c. 59 permits local governments to use an electronic construction procurement process for public works construction contracts. Rulemaking authority has been giv...

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...