January 5, 2024

State Issues

Bill Overhauling Affordable Housing Held

A bill overhauling the State’s Fair Housing Act and affordable housing policy that was moving quickly through the legislature was held in Committee and is unlikely to be voted on in lame duck but will be taken up early in the new legislative session.

Contacts: Mike Cerra, Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x120 and Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.

Craft Brewery Bill Passes Committees

On Thursday, January 3, both the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and Assembly Appropriations Committee advanced legislation (S-4265/A-5912) revising laws around craft breweries and retail licenses.

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

Court Blocks Enforcement of Russia-Belarus Law

After a U.S. District Court ruling, state officials continue to temporarily halt the enforcement of the law prohibiting government dealings with businesses associated with Russia and Belarus.

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

Lame Duck Activities

Shared Services Filing Requirements Bill Advances

Yesterday, the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee favorably reported S-4264, which concerns filing requirements for shared services agreements. The bill is before the full Senate on Monday.

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

Bill Expanding Lease Term for Certain Municipal Property Advances

Legislation advances that would permit municipalities along the Atlantic Ocean to lease their properties not located directly on the waterfront for up to 25 years instead of 10.

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

Community Crisis Response Pilot Legislation Advances

Legislation establishing a Community Crisis Response Advisory Council and Community Response Teams pilot program was favorably released from Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee. The full Senate will consider the bill on January 8.

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

Bill Increasing Maximum P3 Terms Advances

The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee unanimously released S-4114, which increases the maximum term for certain public-private partnerships. The bill, which the League supports, awaits consideration by the full Senate.

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

Assembly Committee Advances UEZ Legislation

On Thursday, the Assembly Appropriations Committee favorably reported A-5438, which would clarify the process for appropriating revenue under the State Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) Program for use within UEZs. ?

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

Bills Revising Workers’ Compensation Coverage Advances

On Thursday, committees favorably reported A-5909 and S-4267. The identical legislation revises workers’ compensation coverage for certain injuries to volunteer and professional public safety and law enforcement personnel.

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

Bill That Could Increase Utility Costs Advances

Yesterday, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee favorably released S-3184, establishing the Resiliency and Environmental System Investment Charge Program. The bill is scheduled for a vote in the Senate on Monday, January 8.

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

Bill Requiring Removal of Abandoned Lines Advances

Legislation supported by the League that would require telecommunication and utility service providers and other entities to remove abandoned lines from poles has advanced through committee and is scheduled for a vote in the Senate on Monday, January 8.

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

Bill Providing Grants to Assist Homeless Veterans Advancing

Legislation supported by the League to expand an existing pilot program to authorize grants to purchase and rehabilitate abandoned homes for homeless veterans is set for a Senate vote on Monday, January 8.

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

Senate to Consider Bill Extending Useful Life of Fire Trucks

On Monday, January 8, the full Senate will consider S-3807/A-5567, which extends the useful life of fire trucks. The League supports this commonsense measure.

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

Regional Court Bill Advances

A-5881, which clarifies the jurisdiction of regional municipal courts was favorably reported from the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Thursday. The full Assembly considers it on Monday, January 8.

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

Governor Signs New Voter Empowerment Act

On Thursday, Governor Murphy signed A-3690/S-1888, the “New Voter Empowerment Act,” which allows any registered voter who is 17 years of age by the time of the primary election to vote in that primary if they turn 18 on or before the next general election.

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

New Main Street New Jersey Applications Announced

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has announced the opening of a new application round for Main Street New Jersey (MSNJ) designations, set to begin on February 1, 2024. The deadline to apply is March 15.

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

Also of Interest

Show Off Your City Contest Deadline Feb. 9

The Annual Show Off Your City Contest is accepting entries through February 9. Municipalities are invited to send in photos of their tourist attractions, downtown areas, economic development initiatives, parks, city halls, community groups, and new projects.

Entries will be posted on the League’s Facebook page, website, and some will be featured in the April issue of NJ Municipalities, and possibly other issues. The winner will also receive a free League publication of their choice!

Photos can be submitted via the form on the League website, email to aspiezio@njlm.org, or mailed on a flash drive to 222 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608. For full details, visit the Show Off Your City Contest webpage.

League President Featured in January NJ Municipalities

Read a Q&A with new League President Mayor Bill Chegwidden and more in the January 2024 issue of NJ Municipalities magazine out now in print and on the digital bookshelf.

League Contact(s): Amy Spiezio, Managing Editor, ext. 123, Tasneem Kapadia, Advertising Manager, ext. 121

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