State Issues

FY2024 Budget & ETR Update

The FY2024 Budget proposal includes $150 million in Municipal Relief Funding in addition to Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Funding.

Read more: FY2024 Budget & ETR Update

Contact: Mike Cerra, Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x120 or Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director & Director of Government Affairs, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.

NJ Supreme Court Releases Opinion Impacting Police Investigations

A ruling from the Supreme Court of New Jersey this week confirmed that investigators seeking prospective electronic communications must first obtain a wiretap order, and that a Communications Data Warrant was not sufficient.  

Read more: NJ Supreme Court Releases Opinion Impacting Police Investigations

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

SHBP Plan Design Committee June Meeting Report

On Wednesday, the State Health Benefits Program Plan Design Committee met for its monthly meeting.

Read more: SHBP Plan Design Committee June Meeting Report

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

Boardwalk Preservation Fund 

The Assembly Budget Committee and the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee released on Tuesday S-3989/A-5675 which establishes the "Boardwalk Preservation Fund." The Boardwalk Preservation grant is part of the Governor’s budget proposal. 

Read more: Boardwalk Preservation Fund 

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

Federal Issues

President Announces BEAD Broadband Funding Program       

On Monday, President Biden announced the state top-level allocations for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD) broadband program. New Jersey is expected to receive $263 million.

Read more: President Announces BEAD Broadband Funding Program      

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

Congress Moves to Reauthorize National Flood Insurance Program 

The National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization (NFIP-RE) Act of 2023 (H.R.4349/S.2142) has been introduced in both the House and Senate with bipartisan support in both chambers. 

Read more: Congress Moves to Reauthorize National Flood Insurance Program 

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

Tell Congress to Include Municipal Liability Shields in PFAS Bill

The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee has released draft bipartisan legislation to improve the mitigation and remediation of PFAS contamination by providing new resources. It does not include liability protections for local governments.

Read more: Tell Congress to Include Municipal Liability Shields in PFAS Bill

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

Also of Interest 

Lunch & Learn: DEP - Extreme Heat Resilience Action Plan

On Wednesday, July 26, at noon, the League will be holding a Lunch and Learn with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on its Extreme Heat Resilience Action Plan.

DEP’s Office of Climate Resilience (OCR) supports the NJ Interagency Council on Climate Resilience’s (IAC) action plan. The New Jersey IAC is currently developing an Extreme Heat Resilience Action Plan and would like to increase engagement of elected officials in the process. The session will focus on priorities and needs of heat-impacted, at-risk communities. Guest speaker is Nathaly Agosto Filion, Deputy Chief Climate Resilience Officer. Please RSVP if you are interested in attending. 

DOL Changes in Law Lunch & Learn Posted Online

On Wednesday, the League hosted a Lunch and Learn with the New Jersey Department of Labor (DOL), Wage and Hour Division, on the latest updates regarding Labor Laws. Topics included an introduction to the new online certified payroll for public works projects, minimum wage, compliance regarding child labor, and earned sick leave. 

DOL Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo discussed the increase in minimum wage, the abundance of New Jersey employers and employees, and the 26% growth of small businesses. This Lunch and Learn session and slide deck can be viewed on the League’s website.

Contact: Ciara Bradley, Legislative Administrator, cbradley@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x128.

NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission Municipal Town Hall Meetings

The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) is hosting Virtual Town Halls to provide updates on the cannabis industry and the NJ-CRC’s activities. NJ-CRC staff will be available to answer any questions. These town hall meetings are exclusively for municipal officials. 

• July 10, 11:00 AM   Cumberland, Salem, Gloucester
• July 10,   2:00 PM   Cape May, Atlantic, Ocean
• July 12, 11:00 AM   Camden, Burlington, Mercer
• July 12,   2:00 PM   Monmouth, Middlesex, Somerset
• July 13,   1:30 PM   Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren
• July 19, 11:00 AM   Morris, Union, Essex
• July 19,   2:00 PM   Passaic, Hudson, Bergen 

Register to attend: Email Jesus Alcazar:  jesus.alcazar@crc.nj.gov