News Flash

League Conference Early Bird Discount Ends Sept. 30

Online registration for the 107th Annual League Conference is open and the Early Bird registration discounts expire on September 30.  

Nominations Sought for Mayors' Hall of Fame

We need your help to identify some very special mayors for the Mayors’ Hall of Fame. Once again, the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Executive Board wants to pay tribute to you at the Annual League Conference in November, if you are cu...

MS4 Tier A Permit Renewal Comment Period Closed, Advocacy Efforts Continue

The comment period for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s (NJDEP) Draft Tier A Permit renewal closed on September 20. The League in partnership with the New Jersey Conference of Mayors submitted comments focusing on...

SHBP Rate Increase Adopted

Last week, the State Health Benefits Commission adopted the rate increase as proposed in the AON Rate Renewal Report Local Government Employee/Retiree Group and State Employee/Retiree Group. Municipalities in the State Health Benefits Plan will s...

Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Increasing Offshore Wind Goal by 2040

Yesterday, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 307, increasing New Jersey’s offshore wind goal by nearly 50% to 11,000 megawatts (MW) by 2040. The Executive Order, which increases the state’s current goal of 7,500 ...

Bill Authorizing Special Occasion Events on Preserved Farmland is Conditionally Vetoed

On Thursday, Governor Murphy issued a conditional veto of S-757. The legislation sought to expand authorization of special occasion events at commercial farms and wineries on preserved farmland. The League opposed S-757 as passed by the legislatu...

Duct Cleaning Subject to Prevailing Wage Law

On September 22 Governor Murphy signed into law S-1027/A2208, which makes duct cleaning as public work subject to the prevailing wage law. P.L. 2022, c. 113 took effect immediately.  Contact: Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Dire...

Legislation Will Add Local Representation to State Health Benefits Commission

Senators Ruiz and Sarlo have introduced legislation that would expand the State Health Benefits Commission from five members to nine members and add local representation to Commission. S-3033 would add two local government management members, a m...

NJ Governor's Office - IIJA Water Webinar

In partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), the Governor’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Office is hosting a webinar on how IIJA funding is being d...

Blog Post: Available Federal Grants

Please read the League’s recent blog post for newly announced and application instructions for various competitive federal grants that are available to municipalities.  Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ...

Financial Data Transparency Act of 2022: A Costly Unfunded Mandate for Municipalities

As Congress prepares to pass the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), municipalities should be aware of a provision that may have a negative impact on their operations through the imposition of a new unfunded mandate. Senators Mark Warner (D-...

Please Complete NJDEP Survey on Clean Energy Funding

New Jersey will compete for billions of dollars in Federal funding for publicly accessible electric vehicle (EV) charging stations later this year through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.   This is a national competit...

Lunch & Learn: Municipal Climate Resilience Planning & CCRHVA

 In 2021, Governor Murphy signed a law amending the Municipal Land Use Law to require municipalities to incorporate a climate change-related hazard vulnerability assessment (CCRHVA) into any Master Plan Land Use Element adopted after the signing....

Lunch & Learn: Exploring Alternatives to the SHBP within Existing Labor Contracts

As municipalities explore alternatives to the State Health Benefits Plan (SHBP) it is important to ensure that any new plan conforms to existing labor contracts and meets the “equal to or better” clause found in some labor contracts. O...

Applications for the Innovation in Governance Program Sought

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and the New Jersey State League of Municipalities will again acknowledge and promote Innovation in Governance through our annual recognition program. This is a great opportunity to showcase innovative solutio...

State Health Benefits Commission Approves 2023 Rate Increase

Today, during the Annual Rate Renewal meeting of the State Health Benefits Commission (SHBC), the trustees voted to approve a nearly 23% local government health insurance rate increase and a 21% increase in state employee health insurance rates. The three...

ABC Special Ruling on Delivery of Alcoholic Beverages

The Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) announced a special ruling that would allow for third-party delivery services of alcoholic beverages to customers. Please see our blog post for an in-depth review of the special ruling. &a...

USDA Grant Money Available for Biofuel-Related Infrastructure Upgrades

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the availability of $100 million in grants with the goal of helping to increase the sale and use of biofuels derived from U.S. agricultural products. The program will market higher blends of...

LIHWAP Application Process Open

As we have previously shared, the Department of Community Affairs’ Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) application process is open. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-funded program will provide benefits directly...

Register and Reserve Your Conference Space

The 2022 League Conference at the Atlantic City Convention Center November 15-17 is a must-attend event that provides educational and networking opportunities at a cost-conscious registration rate. The earlier you register, the better pricing you get and ...

State Health Benefits Program Plan Design Committee Meets

Yesterday, the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) Plan Design Committee met, and the members were given an Overview of the Rate Setting Environment by AON, a risk management firm assisting the SHBP. AON’s overview offered a number of reasons f...

Governor Signs Law Requiring Municipalities to Create Business Insurance Registry

Last Friday, Governor Murphy signed into law S-1368 requiring all business owners and owners of multifamily rental units to maintain certain levels of liability insurance. In addition, the new law requires that all business owners and owners of m...

DEP Issues Statewide Drought Watch

After weeks of very little precipitation, New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn LaTourette issued a statewide drought watch as of August 9. The administration is urging residents and businesses to conserve water as persistent dry and h...

County and Municipal Airport Financial Law Changes

On August 5, Governor Murphy signed into law legislation that authorizes a county that acquires, establishes, and operates an airport to maintain, operate, and manage the airport as a public utility. In addition, the new law clarifies that counties and mu...

ARP Project & Expenditure Reporting to DLGS

If you are among the municipalities that have yet to file your American Rescue Plan State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Project and Expenditure Report that was due on April 30, please be advised that the Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) has ...

President Signs CHIPS and Science Act

On Tuesday, August 9, President Joe Biden signed H.R. 4346, the CHIPS and Science Act, into law. In addition to authorizing funding for research and innovation programs, the law appropriates a total of $54.2 billion to support domestic semiconduc...

U.S. Treasury Releases ARPA SLFRF Affordable Housing Guidance

The U.S. Department of the Treasury recently announced How-to Guidance on increasing the ability of state, local, and tribal governments to use American Rescue Plan (ARP) State and Local Recovery Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) payments to boost the...

Governor Signs Law Requiring Municipalities to Create Business Insurance Registry

Friday afternoon, Governor Murphy signed into law S-1368 requiring all business owners and owners of multifamily rental units to maintain certain levels of liability insurance. In addition, the new law requires that all business owners and owners...

NJ CRC Proposes New and Amended Personal Use Cannabis Rules

On Monday, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ CRC) published proposed new rules and amendments of previously adopted rules. Amendments to the previously adopted rules include clarification of certain application processes and other...

Governor Appoints Director of the Office of the Food Security Advocate

This week, Governor Murphy announced the appointment of Mark Dinglasan as Director of the Office of the Food Security Advocate, a position created last year through a comprehensive legislative package aimed at combatting food insecurity. The Office of Foo...

2022 Annual League Conference Registration Now Open

Registration for the 2022 Annual League Conference is now open with an early bird discount rate for delegates available through Sept. 30. We invite you to register and take your place at the nation’s largest gathering of municipal officials for ...

Ground Broken on Portal North Bridge

Earlier this week, Governor Murphy, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, and other officials broke ground on the Portal North Bridge, a critical link in the congested territory between New Jersey and New York. Replacement of the 111-year-old b...

Proposed Increase to State Health Benefits Rates Update

Earlier this week we advised you that the State Health Benefits Commission (SHBC) was scheduled to meet Monday, July 25, via conference call for its Annual Rate Renewal meeting. The SHBC has removed the rate hike proposal from the July 25 agenda for consi...

Governor Murphy Signs Police Licensing Program Into Law

On Thursday, July 21, Governor Murphy signed into law S2742/A4194, establishing a statewide police licensing program and appropriating $6 million to establish the program. Governor Murphy highlighted that with this new law New Jersey would join t...

New Lead-Based Paint Inspections Requirements Now Law – Resources and Training Available

As a reminder, the new lead-based paint inspection requirements, pursuant to P.L.2021, c.182, take effect today, July 22, 2022. The law, signed by Governor Murphy last year, imposes an obligation on municipalities to perform or hire a certified l...

NJEDA Expanding Electric Vehicle Voucher Program

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) announced a $45 million expansion of the New Jersey Zero Emission Incentive Program (NJ ZIP), doubling the amount of funding dedicated to the program. NJ ZIP provides vouchers to businesses an...

DLGS Issues State Aid Payment Schedule

The Division of Local Government Services has issued Local Finance Notice 2022-14, CY 2022/FY 2023 State Aid payment schedule. Consolidated Municipal Property Tax Relief (CMPTRA), Energy Tax Receipts (ERT), and the Municipal Relief Fund aid ACH d...

Energy Tax Receipt Funding Update

The FY 2023 Budget legislation was favorably released from both the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and the Assembly Budget Committee along a party-line vote in both committees on the evening of June 27. The Budget legislation includes an alloc...

FY2023 Budget Update

With the FY2023 budget deadline of June 30 fast approaching, Governor Murphy and the State Legislature continue to consider how to use the $6.9 in surplus revenue. Governor Murphy and majority leadership continue to follow their affordability agenda for N...

Reminder: New Lead-Based Paint Inspection Requirements Become Effective July 22

Please remember, the new lead-based paint inspection requirements pursuant to P.L.2021, c.182, are becoming effective July 22, 2022. The law, signed by Governor Murphy last year, imposes an obligation on municipalities to perform or hire a certified lead ...

Assembly Committee Advances Firefighter Cancer Screening Mandate

On Thursday, the Assembly Appropriations Committee favorably reported A-4127, which mandates access to periodic cancer screening examinations for firefighters who are not enrolled in the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP). This provides for the approxim...

NJLM Lunch and Learn: Lead-Paint Guidance Materials Available

NJLM’s Lunch and Learn series continued on June 3 with a briefing featuring Kia King, Director of Policy & External Affairs for the Department of Community Affairs, and Marie Daniels, Program Specialist 2, Regulatory Program, Code Developmen...

Second Tranche of ARP SLRF Expected

According to statute, the second tranche payment for local governments in areas defined as Metropolitan Cities by U.S. Treasury will be made available no earlier than 12 months after the first tranche. The second tranche payment for localities will occur ...

NJDEP Issues Compliance Advisory on MS4 Permits

On June 1 the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) issued a Compliance Advisory noting that MS4 Permit Compliance Submissions are past due. DEP’s Division of Water Enforcement is conducting compliance evaluation inspections ...

Acting Governor Scutari Signs Pedicab Alcoholic Beverage Consumption Legislation

The weekend of June 4 while Governor Murphy and Lieutenant Governor Oliver were out of the state on personal business, acting Governor Scutari signed P.L 2022, c.16 allowing for the consumption of alcoholic beverages in pedicabs under the following circum...

Local Finance Board Announces Fines for Delinquent Financial Disclosure Statements

At the Local Finance Board Meeting this past Wednesday, June 8, Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) Director Jacquelyn Suarez announced that the Division was beginning to issue fines to the 2,171 delinquent Annual Financial Disclosure Statement f...

Action Needed to Advance ETR Fund Restoration

A-3804/S-330, which would restore distributions to municipalities from the Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Municipal Distribution Program (ETR) over two years and require additional funding to be subtracted from the municipal property tax levy, is the fi...

Conference Housing System Open

The Conference Housing system is now open! All participants can book their hotels through the 107^th Annual League website. Reservations can only be made in the official League housing blocks by using the form or via the booking system. They&n...

988 Suicide & Crisi Lifeline

988 Suicide & Crisi Lifeline

On July 16, 2022, 9-8-8 will become the nationwide 3-digit dialing code for crisis and suicide prevention, replacing the 1-800 number currently used by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. When dialed, 9-8-8 connects t...

Update on Legislation Undermining Local Planning and Zoning

Update on Legislation Undermining Local Planning and Zoning

The League is continuing to monitor and advocate against A-1294/S-2103. This legislation would authorize the conversion of certain office parks and retail centers to mixed-use development...

Law Increases Municipal Contributions Allowed for Volunteer First Aid Squads

On Monday, May 9, Governor Murphy signed into law legislation that increases the contribution limits by counties and municipalities to volunteer first aid, ambulances, and rescue squads. P.L. 2022, c. 12 increases the maximum amount that municipa...

Governor Conditionally Vetoes Political Bribery Bill

On Monday, May 9, Governor Phil Murphy conditionally vetoed legislation aimed at addressing a perceived judicial misinterpretation of the law concerning political bribery. A-2472 was introduced after federal and state trial courts both interprete...

Assembly Oversight Committee Held Hearing on Liquor License Reform

On Monday, May 9, the Assembly Oversight, Reform, and Federal Relations Committee heard testimony from key stakeholders of the New Jersey alcoholic beverage industry on the current state of the industry and discussed ways to improve the manufacturing, dis...

ARP & BIL Presentation

This past Wednesday, May 11, at the New Jersey Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting in Atlantic City, League Senior Legislative Analyst Paul Penna participated in a panel: American Rescue Plan and Infrastructure Program Funds: Leveraging Federal, ...

NTIA Announces Municipal Broadband Funding Opportunity

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) featuring Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure, which is direct competitive funding. Municipalities are among the e...

Cannabis Use by Off-Duty Law Enforcement

Acting Attorney General Matt Platkin sent a memo to law enforcement chief executives regarding compliance with P.L. 2021, c. 16, the Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance and Marketplace Modernization Act. In the memo, Acting Attorney Gener...

FY 2023 Budget Hearings Continue

Budget hearings continued this week with the Senate Budget and Appropriations meeting on Thursday, April 21. A number of individuals testified including some who reaffirmed the League's requests to restore fund...

DEP Announces Two New Grant Opportunities

As earth week kicked off, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection launched a $10 million public lakes grant program to help improve water quality, and a $15 million investment through Blue and Green Carbon Grants to help enhance New...

SCOTUS Issues Decision of Municipal Interest

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has released its decision in City of Austin, Texas v. Reagan National Advertising of Austin, LLC, Et al. This case examined the City of Austin’s sign ordinance, which regulates “...

Rural Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Guidebook

The White House released a new resource to help identify and apply for funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Rural Playbook. The League has created a spreadsheet to help communities navig...

Departments of Education, Agriculture Give Budget Testimony

On April 14, both the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) gave testimony before the Assembly Budget Committee. DOE Acting Commissioner Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillian's testimony high...

New Law Permits Existing Police and Fire Chiefs to Serve Longer

On April 12, Governor Murphy signed into law A-2158, which took effect immediately. P.L. 2022, c. 9 permits an existing police chief or fire chief who attains the age of 65 within the next two years to continue serving as chief until the end of t...

Executive Order Clarifies Vaccine Requirements

On April 13, Governor Murphy issued Executive Order 294 clarifying that vaccination requirements for covered workers at health care and high-risk congregate settings under Executive Order No. 283 include only one booster dose of the COVID-19 vacc...

Scam Targeting ARPA SLFRF NEUs

We want to share correspondence from the U.S. Treasury that was sent to the League’s federal partner, the National League of Cities, regarding a SAM.gov registration scam targeting Non-Entitlement Units (NEUs) as classified by the federal government.&...

May 4: Single-Use Plastic Ban Takes Effect

Starting on Wednesday, May 4, New Jersey will implement P.L 2020, C.117, which bans single-use plastic bags, straws, and polystyrene foam foodservice products. The law states that New Jersey businesses are banned from providing or selling single-use plast...

Office of Legislative Services and Department of Treasury Give Testimony on FY2023 Budget

On Monday, April 4, the legislative hearings on Governor Murphy’s proposed $48.9 billion FY2023 budget began. The Assembly Budget committee heard testimony from the New Jersey Office of Legislative Services (OLS) and the New Jersey Department of Treasury....

Proposed Rule Change Would Eliminate Tool Available to Municipalities to Control Flooding

Yesterday, the Site Improvement Advisory Board (SIAB) considered advancing a proposal to amend the Residential Site Improvement Standards (RSIS). However, the SIAB tabled the proposal for further review by their Stormwater subcommittee. The proposed rule ...

DCA Issues Local Finance Notice on State Aid Certification

On Tuesday, March 15, the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) issued Local Finance Notice 2022-10 (LFN 2022-10), outlining the 2023 State Aid Certification process. The Calendar Year (CY) 2022)/State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023 Aid Certification for each mun...

NJ Supreme Court Issues Ruling in Case Involving Disclosure of Police Internal Affairs Reports

Earlier this week, the Supreme Court of New Jersey issued its decision in Rivera v. Union County Prosecutor’s Office. This case dealt with a request made under the Open Public Records Act and the common law for a police internal affairs...

Cybersecurity Update

With the uncertainty in the world because of the conflict involving Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we want to remind you to take steps to protect municipal assets from a cyber-attack. Once malware is deployed, it has the potential to infect syste...

Governor Delivers FY 2023 Budget Address

Governor Murphy delivered his Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Address. The proposed budget is $48.93 billion, which is a 5.3% increase over FY 2022 state budget. The budget does not include any new taxes or fees.  The overall state aid ...

Act Now: Impact of Diversion of Energy Tax Receipts

As the State begins to consider its FY 22-23 budget, it is critical for municipalities to advocate for S-330, which will increase distribution to municipalities from the Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over five years, restore munici...

CRC Hosting Hearings on Using Tax Revenue for Social Equity

The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) will be hosting three virtual regional hearings on the use of tax revenue for social equity purposes on March 7 for northern New Jersey, March 9 for central New Jersey, and 16 for southern New Jersey. Al...

Legislation Restoring Energy Tax Receipts Advancing

On Thursday the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee unanimously approved S-330, which increases distribution to municipalities from the Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over five years to restore municipal aid reductions and requires ...

Recently Adopted Changes to Daniel's Law

In November of 2020, Governor Murphy signed Daniel’s Law, amending the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) and other statutes intending to protect certain people in public service.  Despite its laudable goals Daniel’s Law, as initi...

DEP Accepting Applications for Stormwater Grants

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is seeking applicants for its latest round of grant funding, which prioritizes projects that will restore and protect New Jersey’s watersheds while better managing stormwater runoff and...

Week of January 24,2022 COVID-19 update

At this week’s briefing Governor Murphy announced the new emergency rescue mortgage assistance program and the opening of new vaccination megasites in Passaic and Bergen counties. The Governor noted that COVID-19 cases are down by roughly two-thirds from ...

Public Health Emergency Reinstated

On Tuesday, Governor Murphy issued two Executive Orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic: Executive Order No. 280, reinstating the state’s Public Health Emergency, and Executive Order No. 281 allowing certain prior executive orders to remain in effect. Th...

Governor Delivers State of the State Address

Governor Phil Murphy delivered his 2022 State of State address in a pre-recorded video. Illustrating the theme of the Governor’s address, “Resilient and Moving Forward,” he reviewed New Jersey’s response to...

U.S. Treasury ARP Reporting & Compliance Portal for NEUs of Government

This week, Treasury released the Treasury Portal that Non-Entitlement Units of government (NEUs) that have requested American Rescue Plan funding from their state will use for reporting and compliance. Your municipality should have received an email to us...

Winter Sewer and Water Termination Legislation Advances

The League opposes A-6115/S-4081, which seeks to prohibit certain sewer and water utility service discontinuances; would establish the Winter Sewer and Water Termination Program; and would require the BPU to include electric, gas, sewer, and wate...

Legislation to Address Implementation Challenges to Daniel’s Law

Last year Governor signed P.L. 2020, c. 125, which prohibits disclosure of active, formerly active, and retired judicial officers, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers’ home addresses, both primary and secondary. The well-intended law is fraught with...

Legislation Permitting Certain Municipalities to Opt-Out of Civil Service Advancing

On Thursday, the Assembly State and Local Government Committee unanimously approved A-1335/S-2667, which would permit municipalities with a population under 2,500 to withdraw from Civil Service by ordinance. 

The League testified in support of thi...

Senate Panel Approves Bill Restricting Farmland Assessed Properties from Redevelopment Law

Earlier this week the Senate Economic Growth Committee reviewed and approved S-4067, a bill the League opposes. S-4067 would exclude any farmland assessed land from being designated as a redevelopment area or rehabilitation area under the Local R...

Municipal Vaccine Mandate Authority Affirmed

Earlier this month, we alerted you to an interim relief order issued by the Public Employment Relation Commission (PERC) regarding a municipality implementing a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for municipal employees. The PERC ruling determined that a public...

2021 Municipal Best Practices Inventory Issued

Today the Division of Local Government Services issued the 2021 Municipal Best Practices Inventory. Local Finance Notice 2021-17 provides guidance on this year’s process. All municipalities, including State Fiscal Year, must submit their Best Pr...

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...

Week of March 8: COVID Update

March 10 was the one-year anniversary of New Jersey’s first COVID-19 confirmed death. Governor Phil Murphy noted that “the toll of this virus has been staggering. It exceeds the numbers of New Jerseyans lost in any war. In one year, we have lost an averag...

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...

FY 2021 State Budget-Municipal Interest

On Tuesday, February 23, Governor Murphy delivered the annual budget address. The Governor’s proposed $44.8 billion budget will guide the State’s spending through the next (FY 2022) fiscal year. While the full details of the Governor’s budget will be rele...

Thank You For Attenting the 105th Annual Conference

Dear Elected and Appointed Officials:We would like to take a moment to thank you for attending the League’s 105^th Annual Conference, presented virtually in 2020. When the ball dropped last New Year’s Eve, little did we know what lay ahead in 2020, and now...

AG Issues Police Well-Being Program Directive

Earlier this week NJ Attorney General Gurbir Grewal issued a Directive seeking to promote emotional and mental well-being of New Jersey law enforcement officers. The Directive creates the New Jersey Resiliency Program for Law Enforcement (“NJRP-...

July 2019 Interest Arbitration Update

In June, mediators appointed by the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) issued three interest arbitration awards. The first interest arbitration awards to be issued since the expiration of the 2% cap. Each of these awards arose out of an impasse...