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November 12, 2021

I. State Issues
II. Federal Issues
III. COVID-19 Weekly Update

Municipal Clerks: Please forward to your Mayor, Governing Body, and Department Heads.

To assist in providing guidance and information we have created a COVID-19 resource page. We will continue to update the page as we get pertinent information and include announcements in our Daily Updates.

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I. State Issues

a. Governor Murphy Signs Bills with Municipal Interest into Law

On Monday, November 8, 2021, Governor Murphy took action on various pieces of legislation. Please see our recent blog post for a review of municipal interest bills signed by the Governor.

Contact: Lori Buckelew, Assistant Executive Director, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.

b. State to Begin Accepting Applications for Cannabis Operator Licenses Next Month

Earlier this week the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) announced it will begin accepting applications for cannabis growers, processors, and testing labs on December 15. Applications for dispensaries will be open March 15, 2022. Applications will be accepted by the CRC on a rolling basis. By law, the number of cultivation licenses is limited to 37 that can be issued between February 2021 and February 2023.

The CRC will hold an informational webinar on November 30 for those interested in applying for licenses.

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

c. Utility COVID Relief Notice Requirements Announced

On November 10, the Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) announced that P.L, 2021 c. 97, will require all investor-owned and local government-owned water, wastewater, and electric utilities to provide monthly ratepayer notices of COVID-19 related relief measures, and to post the notices prominently on their websites. The requirement for notices will remain in effect until 18 months after the termination of Executive Order 103.

Local Finance Notice 2021-22 explains how municipalities can comply with the requirement. We recommend you review LFN 2021-22 for all the guidelines of P.L, 2021-c.97.

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

d. Local Finance Notice 2021-21 Covers Relief Spending

Last week, the Division of Local Government Services published Local Finance Notice 2021-21, which reviews recent guidance from the State Comptroller regarding optimal uses of American Rescue Plan (ARP) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) for Effective Planning; Equity & Evidence Requirements.

U.S. Treasury encourages all local units to focus on evidence and equity as may be applicable to one or more of a local unit’s programs or projects. These topics apply to Recovery Plan Performance Reports filed by municipalities with populations equal to or greater than 250,000 residents as of the date the local unit certifies the funding.

We encourage you to review the Local Finance Notice with your municipal manager to incorporate these guidelines and suggestions into your ARP spending plans.

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

e. Local Finance Board Approves Extension of 2022 Calendar Year Budget Deadlines

At the meeting of the Local Finance Board on November 10, the Board proposed and approved an extension of Budget Calendar Year 2022, as followed:

Mayor/Council Faulkner Act forms of government have an extended deadline from January 15, 2022, to February 25, 2022.
Extension of budget introduction from February 10, 2022, to March 31, 2022.
Extension of municipal budget adoption from March 20, 2022, to April 29, 2022.

The director noted there is no need to call an emergency meeting if the meeting date falls within a few weeks of the deadline. We will advise you once the Division of Local Government Services issues a Local Finance Notice.

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

II. Federal Issues

a. House of Representatives Passes Infrastructure Bill

On the morning of November 6, the House of Representatives passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), a 10-year, $1.2 trillion package of traditional infrastructure with $550 billion in new funding. The Senate passed the bill last summer and it now heads to President Joe Biden for his signature. For full details of what is included in the package, please read the League’s recent blog post.

The League, along with our partners at the National League of Cities (NLC) strongly advocated for this measure and wishes to thank the entire New Jersey congressional delegation for their support for the IIJA.

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

III. COVID-19 Weekly Update

Earlier this week the Governor Phil Murphy noted that the COVID briefings will now be held once a week with daily updates on the COVID-19 dashboard. In response to a reporter’s question, the Governor noted that the Executive Order on facemasks in schools will expire on January 11, 2022. At that time the Governor could issue an extension. However, the Governor noted that the lifting of the mask mandates in schools could be a phased approach if the number of 12- to 17- year-olds vaccinated gets into an acceptable zone. The phase in could be based on the age of the kids, high school vs. middle school vs. grammar school.

COVID Data for Friday, November 12, 2021:

1,524 new positive cases for a total of 1,055,659 confirmed cases
6 new confirmed deaths for a total of 25,334 confirmed deaths
The rate of transmission is at 0.98
12 new outbreaks linked within the school setting. This brings the statewide total number of outbreaks directly related to in-school activity since mid-August 2020 to 160 outbreaks linked to 860 school outbreaks.
12,953,374 vaccine doses have been administered, including 7,520,302 who have received at least one dose, and 5,898,473 who are fully vaccinated. 58% are Pfizer, 38% Moderna, and 4% J&J. In addition, the following additional doses have been administered: 505,984 of Pfizer, 339,634 of Moderna, and 13,337 of J&J.

Vaccine Information

As a reminder, 5 to 11-year-olds in New Jersey are eligible to receive the pediatric Pfizer vaccine. The vaccine is administered in two doses, three weeks apart and is a lower dose than the dosage for those ages 12 and older. Parents are encouraged to read the fact sheet, and discuss any questions with their pediatrician, family physician, or healthcare provider.

Boosters are available for all Pfizer and Moderna recipients who completed their initial two-shot course at least six months ago and who are ages 65 and over, individuals ages 18 and older who have underlying medical conditions which may make them more susceptible to the virus, or whose employment situation may also put them at higher risk, including first responders and healthcare workers, educators and daycare employees, correctional facility workers, those whose jobs are along our public transit system, food and agricultural workers including grocery store employees, manufacturing workers, and correction workers.

The Department of Health is providing access to individuals COVID vaccination records through NJ Docket, a secure and free smartphone app, which is CDC approved.

Homebound residents who have not yet connected with their local health department, or a home health agency, and who need an in-home vaccination should visit www.covid19.nj.gov/homeboundvax or contact the call center at 855-568-0545.

To find a vaccine site visit, including booster information, www.covid19.nj.gov/vaccine. Pediatric Pfizer vaccine sites should be listed by next Wednesday.

Mental Health Resources

As a reminder, the Department of Children and Families has put together a new page on their COVID information hub with a wealth of mental health support resources for youth, for parents, and for educators. This all can be found at the website, www.covid19.nj.gov/youthhelp.