June 9, 2023

State Issues

Ask Your Legislator to Join Energy Tax Receipt Budget Resolutions

Senator Greenstein and Assemblyman DeAngelo are sponsoring budget resolutions to fully restore the over $330 million in Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund.

Contacts: Mike Cerra, Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x120 or Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director & Director of Government Affairs, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.

Amendments Expand Public Works Registration to PILOTs Projects

S-1439/A-5085, which requires employers or contractors engaged in government work for a public body to register with and submit payroll records to the Department of Labor Workforce Development, was recently amended to include PILOT projects.

Contact: Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director & Director of Government Affairs, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.

Bill Limiting Review of Wireless Facilities Approved by Committee

On Monday, the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee amended and favorably reported A-4376, a bill that would further weaken already sparse local oversight of the collocation of wireless equipment in the local right of way.

Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.

Comment Period for Police Licensing Rules Closing Soon

The comment period for rules proposed by the New Jersey Police Training Commission to implement the new statewide police licensing program ends on June 16. The League intends to submit comments and is interested in hearing feedback from our members.

Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.

Christmas Tree Bonfire Bill Advances

On Thursday, the Assembly State and Local Government Committee advanced A-5460, legislation that would allow municipalities to conduct an annual event for the open burning of Christmas trees.

Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.

Inland Flood Protection Rules to Take Effect in July

Governor Murphy announced this week that the NJDEP is set to adopt Inland Flood Protection Rules. After much comment and public debate, the rules will be published in the New Jersey Register in July and become effective upon their publication.

Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.

“Give It Back” Property Tax Relief Plan

Senators O’Scanlon & Testa have introduced the “Give It Back” property tax relief plan appropriating $3 billion to municipalities.

Contact: Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director & Director of Government Affairs, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.

Local Leaders and Climate Resilience Roundtable

The NJLM Educational Foundation is hosting a Climate Resilience Roundtable on June 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Warren County Community College.

Contact: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.

Speaker Coughlin Testifies on Stay NJ Bill Package

On June 8, Assembly Speaker Coughlin testified before the Assembly Aging and Senior Services Committee about the "Stay NJ" property tax relief plan. The initiative focuses on senior property taxes, healthcare insurance, and prescription drugs.

Contact: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.

Also of Interest

Lunch and Learn: Department of Labor- (Wage and Hour) Updates for Public Entities

On Wednesday, June 28, at noon, the League will be holding a Lunch and Learn with the Department of Labor (DOL) concerning (Wage and Hour) Updates for Public Entities.

The DOL’s Wage and Hour Division will cover a range of recent law updates. Topics include an introduction to the new online certified payroll for public works projects in addition to seasonal employees, Minimum wage, comp time/overtime, child labor, and earned sick leave. Please RSVP if you are interested in attending.

Lunch and Learn: Department of Environmental Protection - Extreme Heat Resilience Action Plan

On Thursday, June 29, at noon, the League will be holding a Lunch and Learn with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on its Extreme Heat Resilience Action Plan.

DEP’s Office of Climate Resilience (OCR) supports the NJ Interagency Council on Climate Resilience’s (IAC) action plan. The New Jersey IAC is currently developing an Extreme Heat Resilience Action Plan and would like to increase engagement of elected officials in the process. The session will focus on priorities and needs of heat-impacted, at-risk communities. Guest speaker is Nathaly Agosto Filion, Deputy Chief Climate Resilience Officer. Please RSVP if you are interested in attending.

Brownfields Job Training (JT) Grants

The United State Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a Brownfields Job Training (JT) Grant. EPA’s Brownfields Job Training Grant Program is refocusing on training activities that support assessment, cleanup, and preparation of brownfield sites for reuse. As a result, the Program will now be called the Brownfields Job Training Program. The grant allows nonprofits, local governments, and other organizations to recruit, train, and place unemployed and under-employed residents in areas affected by the presence of brownfield sites. Graduates of the program will develop the skills needed to secure full-time and maintainable employment in various aspects of hazardous working areas while maintaining safety.

Check the EPA's website for the application process and more information on this grant.

Contact: Ciara Bradley, League Research Associate, Cbradley@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x128.

Human Services Department Hosts Opioid Settlement Funds Webinar

Opioid settlement funds are being distributed to municipalities. With these funds come opportunities for unique and innovative programs and spending methods to help curb the impact of opioid addiction on our families and in our communities.

Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.

NJ Brownfields Assistance Center Hosts Webinar

On Monday June 26 at 11:00 a.m., the NJ Brownfields Assistance Center at NJIT is hosting a webinar on available funding in the NJEDA’s Brownfields Planning and Assessment Services Program.

Community Wildfire Protection Plan Grants

The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) announced a Community Firewise Grant funded through the USDA‘s Forest Service. The funding provides municipalities and communities a cost-share incentive to implement wildfire hazard mitigation practices as prescribed in a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). The aim is to meet the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy goals for Wildfire Risk Reduction (WRR) and to provide the municipalities with incentives to:

Obtain Firewise Community/USA designation.
Implement hazard mitigation activities.
Train community Firewise liaisons.
Conduct outreach and awareness activities in the community.

Funding is limited to half the project cost and up to $5,000 per community. All municipalities and communities must have an approved and adopted Wildfire Protection Plan to qualify. Applications are accepted through the NJDEP's SAGE System, and applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis per federal funding availability. If you have any questions, contact Joseph.Battersby@dep.nj.gov.

Contact: Ciara Bradley, League Research Associate, CBradley@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x128.