5 New NJ Law Proposals That Could Change Your Life

NEW JERSEY - Garden State legislators are considering several bills that could change the lives of many state residents, from gas price tax credits to changing school start times.

Here are five potentially life-changing proposals that are still being considered.

Affordable housing (S2352)

Up to $600 million in tax credit will become available to developers to construct affordable housing projects in “distressed” neighborhoods, if bill S2352 is passed.

Sponsored by Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-5th District), the bill defines a distressed neighborhood as a neighborhood in a municipality in which “the median family income does not exceed 80 percent of the statewide or metropolitan median family income designated by the U.S. Census.

It was introduced in the Senate in March, as well as referred to the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.

To qualify for the tax credit, developers must construct a residential project with at least 20 percent of units reserved for low- to moderate-income housing, and another 20 percent of units reserved for workforce housing.

“This bill will incentivize development of affordable and market-rate housing in distressed neighborhoods around the state,” the legislation reads. “The bill is expected to create balanced redevelopment in municipalities experiencing financial trouble and a more comprehensive urban development strategy. The bill is designed to transform the state’s urban centers from areas with just offices to 24-hours per day, seven-days per week communities with robust residential populations.”

Gas price, inflation tax credit (S-2290/A-3704)

Legislation sponsored by senate and assembly Republicans proposes that New Jersey residents shouldn't have to pay for soaring gas prices and inflation. The "Gas Price and Inflation Tax Credit Act," introduced in March, would provide a $500 refundable income tax credit to families with an income less than $250,000 when they file their 2021 New Jersey tax returns.

If a taxpayer eligible for the rebate has already filed their 2021 taxes, they would automatically receive a $500 payment from the State when the legislation is enacted.

Gov. Phil Murphy has called (which would in total provide $1.5 billion of immediate tax relief to Garden State residents) "not a crazy idea," adding that he's "not against a rebate."

"New Jersey families are getting hit by the double whammy of high gas prices and the worst inflation in 40 years," said Sen. Ed Durr, the prime sponsor of the proposal in the Senate. "At the same time, Governor Murphy has taken billions more in taxes from New Jerseyans than he budgeted. That's the people's money, they need it to pay their bills, and we should give it back. There shouldn't be a single Democrat in New Jersey who opposes putting $500 back in people's pockets right away." Read more: State $500 Gas Rebate Proposal Demands Action Now: Republicans

School start times (Bill S2462)

A couple of hours of extra sleep may be coming for New Jersey teens if the Legislature goes forward with a new bill that would move high school start times to no earlier than 8:30 a.m.

Sponsored by Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex) and Sen. Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth), the legislation would go into effect at the start of the 2024-25 school year. It would not impact elementary and middle school students.

"When students are well-rested and eat nutritious meals, they're better prepared to succeed in school," said Coughlin. "Overwhelmingly the research and success stories out of other states' school districts show that the benefits of later start times to students' holistic well-being, in terms of both mental health and academic performance, easily outweigh the costs."

According to a study conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics, insufficient sleep in adolescents has an impact on the health and safety as well as the academic success of high school students. Other organizations, such as the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suggest that delaying school start times could prove beneficial to teen health.

New school state aid formula (Bill A3686)

A new School Funding Commission to study school funding formula is sought by bill A3686, sponsored by Ronald S. Dancer (R-12th District).

The 26-member commission, some of whose members would be appointed by the governor, would prepare a report no later than one year after its establishment that would serve as the basis of the new school aid formula. Other members would be appointed by the Senate president and Speaker of the general assembly, as well as the minority leaders of the state Senate and general assembly.

The commission would study the current school funding model, the School Funding Reform Act of 2008, which establishes aid categories like preschool aid, transportation aid, security aid and special education aid “with a focus on the effects of census-based funding under the current formula and the feasibility of utilizing a tiered funding system.”

The group would also study the effects of the current formula on the education of at-risk students and those with limited English proficiency, similar state formulas, municipal tax rates as it relates to public school support, property taxes allocation for school purposes and tax incentive programs.

The bill was introduced in March and referred to the Assembly Education Committee.

Voting age changes (Bill A3690)

Under a new bill introduced in March, 17-year-olds would be permitted to vote in New Jersey primary elections if they are set to turn 18 before the next general election. The bill was introduced in March and referred to the Assembly State and Local Government Committee.

Sponsored by William F. Moen, Jr. (D-5th District), the New Voter Empowerment Act would add to the existing legislation that permits 17-year-olds to register to vote, even though they may only do so once they turn 18 years old. The bill would permit these individuals to vote in a primary election notwithstanding that the person is not yet 18 years old.

Over a dozen other states, including Connecticut, Delaware and Maryland, already permit voting in primaries at 17 years old.

A similar bill was introduced by then-Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker (D-16) in 2020.