Governor Murphy Signs 18 New Bills into Law for New Jersey

New legislation focuses on farmland preservation, environmental infrastructure, consumer protection, and transportation projects.

TRENTON – July 10, 2024 – In a significant legislative session, Governor Phil Murphy signed 18 bills into law today, addressing a wide array of issues ranging from farmland preservation and environmental infrastructure to consumer protection and transportation. Key highlights include appropriations for farmland preservation, revisions to the film and digital media tax credit program, and the establishment of new consumer protections in real estate transactions.

S-2792/A-3697 (Cruz-Perez, Turner/Spearman, Park, Simmons)

Title: Appropriates Funds for Farmland Preservation

Details: Allocates $500,000 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and the "2009 Farmland Preservation Fund" to the State Agriculture Development Committee for municipal planning incentive grants for farmland preservation.

S-2793/A-3698 (Cruz-Perez, Turner/Reynolds-Jackson, Fantasia, Stanley)

Title: Appropriates Additional Funds for Farmland Preservation

Details: Allocates $1.723 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and the "2009 Farmland Preservation Fund" to the State Agriculture Development Committee for grants to certain nonprofit organizations for farmland preservation.

S-2825/A-3906 (Gopal/Peterpaul, Donlon, Flynn)

Title: Alcoholic Beverage License Time Limitation Removal

Details: Eliminates the time limitation on the issuance of additional alcoholic beverage licenses within the boundaries of former federal military installations.

S-3192/A-4454 (Diegnan, Moriarty/Freiman, Pintor Marin, DiMaio)

Title: Real Estate Consumer Protection Enhancement Act

Details: Enhances consumer protections in the real estate sector.

S-3275/A-4448 (Gopal, McKeon/Donlon, Pintor Marin, Wimberly)

Title: Film and Digital Media Content Production Tax Credit Program Revision

Details: Revises various provisions of the tax credit program for film and digital media content production.

S-3371/A-4457 (Pou, Singer/Freiman)

Title: Annuity Policies and Contracts Cash Value Revision

Details: Increases the limits for net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values for certain annuity policies and contracts from $100,000 to $250,000.

S-3384/A-4426 (Burzichelli, Schepisi/Katz, Atkins, Drulis)

Title: Appropriates Funds for Environmental Infrastructure Projects

Details: Allocates funds to the DEP for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2025.

S-3385/A-4602 (Singleton/Lopez)

Title: Municipal Non-Residential Development Fee Reporting Deadline

Details: Concerns the deadline for municipalities to report certain non-residential development fee information.

S-3474/A-4570 (Greenstein/Carter, Speight, Wimberly)

Title: Appropriates Funds for Recreation and Conservation Projects

Details: Allocates $10,067,905 to the DEP from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues for grants to certain nonprofit entities to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, and for certain administrative expenses.

A-1677/S-3263 (Lampitt, Bagolie, Stanley/Diegnan, Turner)

Title: Electric School Buses Lease and Purchase Contracts

Details: Authorizes extended terms for lease and purchase contracts for electric school buses; permits the New Jersey School Boards Association to serve as a government aggregator to obtain energy services for local units.

A-3772/S-2334 (McCann Stamato, Sampson, Lopez/Stack, McKnight)

Title: Property Tax Lien Foreclosure Process Revision

Details: Revises the process for property tax lien holders to foreclose on the right to redeem a property tax lien; allows property owners to protect remaining equity.

A-4046/S-3303 (Pintor Marin, Spearman/Pou, Mukherji)

Title: Economic Development Program Accommodations Extension

Details: Extends certain accommodations for businesses participating in state economic development programs.

A-4425/S-3383 (Ramirez, Spearman, Atkins/Gopal, Mukherji)

Title: Environmental Infrastructure Projects Loan Authorization

Details: Authorizes the NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2025.

A-4458/S-3342 (Sumter, Sampson/Greenstein, Sarlo)

Title: Fire Sprinkler System Requirement Exemptions and Timeline Revision

Details: Establishes exemptions and revises the implementation timeline for the requirement that newly constructed townhouses be installed with automatic fire sprinkler systems.

A-4478/S-3367 (Calabrese, Karabinchak, Wimberly/Burzichelli)

Title: Transportation Infrastructure Projects Loan Authorization

Details: Authorizes the NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for transportation infrastructure projects for FY2025; makes an appropriation.

A-4572/S-3473 (Donlon, Sumter, Drulis/McKeon, Space)

Title: Open Space Acquisition and Park Development Funds Appropriation

Details: Allocates $101,696,535 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to the DEP for local government open space acquisition and park development projects, and for certain administrative expenses.

A-4581/S-3471 (Haider, Sampson, Tully/Mukherji, O'Scanlon)

Title: Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program Loan Authorization

Details: Authorizes the NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program projects for FY2025.

A-4587/S-3451 (Stanley/Cryan, Pou)

Title: Licensure Hours Requirement for Cosmetology and Massage Therapy

Details: Increases the hours required for an individual to obtain licensure as a teacher in cosmetology and hairstyling or as a massage and bodywork therapist.

The enactment of these 18 bills marks a notable shift in legislative priorities within New Jersey, with potential long-term impacts on various sectors. By providing funds for environmental projects, supporting sustainable agriculture, and enhancing consumer protections, these laws are designed to address current challenges and promote future growth. As these measures are implemented, their effectiveness will be observed and evaluated, offering insights into their contribution to the state's development and the well-being of its residents.