ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — State lawmakers from Essex County have been busy in the halls of Trenton over the past few months, with bills being introduced on issues such as pollution, homelessness, the economy, energy, taxes, housing and jobs.
Here are some recently proposed laws from legislators who represent towns in Essex County:
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
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The Senate Environment and Energy Committee recently advanced the “Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act,” which would require companies doing business in New Jersey with total annual revenues in excess of $1 billion to publicize annual greenhouse gas emissions data.
The bill’s sponsors include Sen. John McKeon, a Democrat from the 27th district (Livingston, Millburn, Montclair, Roseland and West Orange in Essex County).
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“Large corporations ought to have a duty to be transparent with the public about the impact their businesses have on our environment,” McKeon said.
“By requiring these disclosures, consumers will be more empowered to make their own decisions and we can better identify how to drive down harmful emissions,” McKeon added.
The bill was referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee in March. Learn more about S-4117 here.
HOMELESS BILL OF RIGHTS
A legislator from the 34th district continues to push for a proposed law that she has dubbed the “Homeless Bill of Rights.”
“Homelessness is not a crime – it is a crisis,” said Sen. Britnee Timberlake, a Democrat from the 34th district (Belleville, Bloomfield, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Nutley and Orange).
The legislation affirms that every person has the right to move freely in public spaces, access emergency medical care, seek employment without discrimination, and receive protection from unjust treatment.
“Now, more than ever, we must stand firm in our commitment to protect the rights of the homeless and ensure that no person is denied their fundamental freedoms due to their housing status,” Timberlake said.
Learn more about S-1083 here.
JOB PROGRAMS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
A proposed state law in New Jersey would open more job opportunities to people with disabilities, its sponsors say.
If it becomes law, the bill would expand eligibility for participation in the state’s extended employment programs. Among other stipulations, the bill relaxes the specifications regarding which individuals can be served under the programs by permitting them to have “significant” rather than “severe” disabilities.
The proposed law cleared a vote in the Senate Labor Committee and has been referred to the Budget and Appropriations Committee. A companion bill has been introduced in the Assembly.
The bill’s sponsors include Sen. Kristin Corrado, a Republican from the 40th district (Caldwell, Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell, Verona and West Caldwell in Essex County).
“This bill is about modernizing and expanding real job opportunities for people with disabilities,” Corrado said.
“By removing unnecessary restrictions and updating our approach, we’re helping more people with disabilities find meaningful, fulfilling work in a supportive environment,” she added.
Learn more about S-4004 here.
ENERGY OVERSIGHT
Legislation that would tighten up requirements for members of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) cleared the General Assembly in May.
Under the bill, at least two members of the BPU would be required to have a minimum of three years of professional experience in one of several qualifying categories. Additionally, at least one member of the BPU would be required to have a minimum of three years of professional experience in: consumer advocacy, ratepayer representation or public interest regulation.
The bill would also require BPU members to complete a minimum of 12 hours of training every year on subjects such as emerging technologies concerning public utilities, energy market trends and grid modernization.
The bill’s sponsors include Assemblywoman Alixon Collazos-Gill, a Democrat from the 27th district (Livingston, Millburn, Montclair, Roseland and West Orange in Essex County).
“New Jersey families are feeling the impact of rising utility costs, and they deserve to know the people overseeing our energy future are qualified and accountable,” Collazos-Gill said. “This legislation brings transparency to a process that touches every household in the state.”
A companion bill was received in the Senate and referred to that chamber’s Environment and Energy Committee in May. Learn more about A-5442 here.
CREDIT INQUIRIES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee recently advanced legislation that would prohibit hard credit checks for applicants seeking affordable housing in New Jersey.
The bill would prohibit landlords from performing or requesting hard credit inquiries on prospective tenants applying for low—to moderate-income housing. Instead, landlords would be permitted to conduct soft credit inquiries, which do not negatively affect a tenant’s credit score.
Landlords who do not comply could face a penalty of up to $100 for a first offense within one year and up to $200 for each subsequent offense during the same period.
The bill’s sponsors include Sen. Renee Burgess, a Democrat from the 28th district (Irvington, Maplewood, Newark and South Orange in Essex County).
“Limited supply forces tenants to apply to multiple properties at once, and with each landlord running a hard credit check, it can cause more harm than good,” Burgess said.
“Applicants should not be penalized in a competitive market with limited affordable units for simply trying to secure housing,” she added.
Learn more about S-3865 here.
ANGEL INVESTORS
A bill that would incentivize financial support for technology startups recently cleared the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
The legislation increases the tax credit to 35% from 20% of an investor’s qualified investment in an emerging technology business. If the early-stage company is located in a low-income community, or is minority or women owned, the tax credit increases to 40% from 25%.
The bill’s sponsors include Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips, a Republican from the 40th district (Caldwell, Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell, Verona and West Caldwell in Essex County).
“New Jersey’s venture capital funding currently lags behind neighboring states,” DePhillips said. “An enhanced tax credit will further reduce the financial risks assumed by investors, which makes New Jersey more attractive.”
“The goal here is to further incentivize investment in New Jersey’s early-stage startups, not just to grow the technology industry, but to support jobs and stimulate the economy,” the assemblyman added.
Learn more about A-2365 here.
DEFINING ‘ANTISEMITISM’
A proposed state law that attempts to define “antisemitism” recently took a step forward in New Jersey.
If it crosses the finish line, the bill would establish an official state definition of “antisemitism,” largely based on the International Holocaust Remembrance Association’s interpretation of the term. The proposed law would give police another way of determining if an incident has antisemitic roots – and may potentially be a bias crime.
The bill’s sponsors include Assemblywoman Rosy Bagolie, a Democrat from the 27th district (Livingston, Millburn, Montclair, Roseland and West Orange in Essex County).
“Every New Jerseyan deserves to live, learn, and worship without fear,” Bagolie said. “This legislation is about ensuring that hate has no safe harbor in our schools, communities or government.”
The bill advanced out of the Assembly State and Local Government Committee in July. Learn more about A-3558 here.
INCENTIVES FOR CREATING HOUSING
The New Jersey General Assembly recently advanced legislation that would incentivize municipalities for making efforts to update their zoning laws in order to encourage new housing in their communities.
Under the bill, municipalities that reexamine and revise their master plans and zoning regulations to support additional housing would receive a competitive advantage when applying for certain state grants and financial assistance programs. That could include permitting accessory dwelling units, eliminating or reducing parking minimums or lot size requirements, allowing multi-family development in commercial areas, and encouraging housing near transit hubs.
The bill’s sponsors include Assemblywoman Shanique Speight, a Democrat from the 29th district (Newark in Essex County).
“In the past, increasing housing often meant straining schools, infrastructure, and local services,” Speight said. “This legislation would change that by giving municipalities the resources they need to expand housing – ensuring that necessary investments follow.”
The bill was referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee in May. Learn more about A-4913 here.
HOTEL TAX WOULD FUND FIRE DEPARTMENTS
A proposed state law that would fund fire departments in large cities like Newark by adding an extra tax on hotels has made its way to the desk of Gov. Phil Murphy.
The bill imposes a daily, $3 per room surcharge on the occupancy of a room in a municipality classified as a first-class city and in which an international airport is located. Under New Jersey statute, a “city of the first class” is defined as a municipality with more than 150,000 residents.”
The bill requires the Director of the Division of Taxation to collect the surcharge and deposit all surcharge revenues into a dedicated fire service trust fund. Surcharge revenues would be remitted to the municipality monthly, and revenues could be expended to support the hiring, retention, and training of fire service employees, the acquisition of fire service equipment, and the undertaking of capital improvements that would improve the municipality’s fire service capabilities.
The bill’s sponsors include Sen. Teresa Ruiz and Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin of the 29th district (Newark in Essex County).
“As New Jersey’s largest city and a national gateway that is home to one of the country’s busiest airports, a major port, and the intersection of our two statewide highways, it’s critical that Newark’s firefighters have the equipment, staffing, and training they need to protect themselves, our communities, and the millions of visitors who pass through our area each year,” Ruiz and Pintor Marin said in a joint statement.
The bill – S-4475/A-5688 – passed votes in the New Jersey Senate and Assembly in June.
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