The legislature has been on summer break after passing the budget on June 28. The first day back is September 12 with only quorum calls noted on the calendar. However, the Governor or Acting Governor have been signing bills that were passed prior to the summer break. These bills have been signed into law as of August 28:
Bill A4046: Extends certain accommodations for businesses participating in state economic development programs. This bill provides certain accommodations to businesses participating in the Business Employment Incentive Program, the Business Retention and Relocation Assistance Grant Program, the Grow New Jersey Assistance Program, and the Urban Transit Hub Program.
Bill A4081: Establishes penalties for employers who disclose or threaten to disclose employee’s immigration status for purpose of concealing violation of State wage, benefit or tax laws. Specifically, the bill imposes the following civil penalties:
(1) for the first violation, a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000;
(2) for the second violation, a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000; and
(3) for any subsequent violation, a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000.
Bill A4360: This bill directs the Commissioner of Community Affairs (commissioner) to establish a program through which the commissioner is required to certify an architect or engineer who satisfies certain criteria to be a qualified design professional. This certification enables the person to take responsibility for a construction project’s compliance with the State Uniform Construction Code (UCC), and to self-certify that an application for a construction permit, and the plans and specifications submitted therewith, comply with the UCC and other applicable laws. This should move project along faster. The bill requires an enforcing agency to: accept a self-certified permit application and accompanying documents; conduct a supervisory check acknowledging the enforcing agency’s receipt of all materials required under the UCC; and issue a permit within one to five calendar days following receipt of a submission, depending on the scope of the project.
Bill S3192: “Real Estate Consumer Protection Enhancement Act.” This bill incorporates certain protections for consumers regarding residential real estate transactions and certain aspects of commercial real estate transactions. Specifically, the bill incorporates into current law the responsibilities to a consumer of: a brokerage firm; a buyer’s agent; a seller’s agent; a dual agent; a designated agent; and a transaction broker. Additionally, the bill establishes the circumstances under which an individual is a buyer’s agent and under which an individual is a seller’s agent and delineates the terms of the broker agreement between the agent and a consumer.
Bill S3432: Establishes Next New Jersey Program for artificial intelligence investments. The purpose of the Next New Jersey Program would be to attract new investment to New Jersey in the artificial intelligence (or “AI”) industry and AI-related industries, create new jobs and economic opportunities, and to position New Jersey as a leader in the innovation economy.
Under the program, the EDA would provide tax credits to eligible businesses, following approval of an application by the EDA, to eligible AI businesses.
