It’s Law, Latest Legislation Signed

The following is condensed from releases from First District legislators Sen. Jeff Van Drew, Assemblyman Robert Andrzejczak, and Assemblyman Bruce Land.
Signed into Law
Jan. 22: Legislation Andrzejczak sponsored to allow state residents enlisted in any branch of the U.S. armed forces to qualify for the deferment of any property tax amount that becomes due during the period of deployment for active duty in a time of war is now law. Under the law (A-2935), a resident qualified for the deferment, or a person acting on behalf of the resident, may file an application for deferment with the municipal tax collector in which the property is located and submit documentation required to ascertain that the applicant qualifies for the deferment.
Jan. 21: Legislation sponsored by Andrzejczak to allow the children of reservists or National Guard members called to active duty to remain in the same school district, regardless of active duty relocations, has been signed into law. Under the law (A-1667), the child of a member of the N.J. National Guard or the armed forces Reserve who has been called into active military service may remain enrolled in the school district where the family lived prior to being called up, regardless of where the family resides during active service. Affected school districts will not be responsible for providing transportation for a child who lives outside of the district.
Jan. 21: Legislation Andrzejczak and four others to allow taxpayers to voluntarily contribute money to help New Jersey military personnel and families in need was signed into law.
The law (A-2943) establishes the ‘New Jersey Yellow Ribbon Fund” and would allow voluntary contributions on gross income tax returns to charitable organizations that support active duty members of the New Jersey National Guard and Reserve and their families.
Jan. 21: A legislative package sponsored by Assembly Democrats including Andrzejczak, to boost assistance for “wounded warriors” and their caregivers has been signed into law.
The first law (A-3552) requires the N.J. Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs to provide a financial planning assistance program for disabled veterans and their caregivers in order to assist them with the financial burdens that may arise when a veteran is disabled and needs assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, assistance with mobility, housekeeping, shopping, and driving or transportation.
The second law (A-3554) increases income eligibility cap to receive respite care for certain veterans.  Current regulations provide that maximum income level to qualify for the Statewide Respite Care Program is 300 percent of the Federal Supplemental Security Income standard for an individual living alone, and that the person’s maximum liquid resources may not exceed $40,000 for a single person or $60,000 for a couple who are both dependent on a caregiver. Under the law, those income limits will increase to $60,000 for a single person and $80,000 for a couple.
Jan. 20: Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats including Andrzejczak to help protect farmers was signed into law.
The law (A-1812) extends the protections of the state’s vehicle lemon law to new motor vehicle farm equipment purchased or leased in New Jersey.
“Tractors are costly investments. If a tractor turns out to be defective, it can have serious financial implications for its owner,” said Andrzejczak (D-Cape May/Atlantic/Cumberland). “Farmers should have the same protection afforded to regular consumers when they end up with a lemon.”
The law extends protections of the “lemon law” to new motor vehicle farm tractors purchased or leased in-state if nonconformity is reported by the consumer within a period of two years following the date of original delivery to the consumer, regardless of mileage.
Jan. 20: Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats including Andrzejczak, to help the state’s women veterans obtain help and services needed was signed into law.
Specifically, the law (A-3750) requires the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to create a public webpage with vital information specifically tailored for female veterans.
Jan. 20: Legislation Assembly Democrats including Andrzejczak, sponsored to require the state Employment and Training Commission to prepare an annual report on the state’s workforce has been signed into law.
The law (A-3019) requires the state Employment and Training Commission to prepare, at least annually, a report that evaluates and projects the state’s workforce needs. It also directs the commission to use the resources and data of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education in preparing the report.
Jan. 20: Legislation sponsored by Andrzejczak to encourage students to honor and assist veterans and active duty military members was signed into law.
The new law (formerly A-4148) provides an excused absence on Veterans Day for any student who participates in activities for veterans or active duty members. Activities include attending a ceremony honoring a veteran or active member returning from overseas deployment, or assisting a veteran at a hospital or food shelter.
The law also stipulates that when a school district is making a determination on whether or not a student has a perfect attendance record for the school year, the district may not count as an absence the excused absence that is authorized under this bill.    
Jan. 19: Legislation sponsored by Van Drew to exempt disabled veterans, or their caretakers, from having to pay fees for the construction or improvement of structures to promote accessibility to their homes is law.
Municipalities currently have the option of exempting all disabled persons from the fees by ordinance. The law (S-239) makes it a requirement that a municipality exempt 100 percent disabled veterans, or their caretakers, from the payment of any construction permit surcharge fee or enforcing agency fee for any construction, reconstruction, alteration, or improvement designed and undertaken solely to promote accessibility by the disabled veteran to his own living unit. 
Jan. 19: Responding to a recent court ruling that threatens public access to the state’s beaches and other waterfront areas, Van Drew and Robert Smith sponsored legislation to establish the state’s authority to set rules for public access to land along the ocean, rivers and bays. The bill became law.
The bill (S-3321) was introduced in response to the Appellate Division decision issued Dec. 22, 2015 in Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc. and NY/NJ Baykeeper v. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection that invalidated the DEP’s public access rules. 
Jan. 19: A bill sponsored by Van Drew and Nilsa Cruz-Perez to create a program designed to assist and mentor veterans who enter the criminal justice system is law.
The law (S2972) will require the Adjutant General of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs to assist and mentor veterans who enter the criminal justice system, while the case is pending and afterward, to ensure that the veteran receives assistance and mentoring to resolve the underlying problems that led the veteran into the criminal justice system. Andrzejczak sponsored a similar bill in the lower house.
Jan. 19: Legislation sponsored by Van Drew to permit Tuckahoe Turf Farm to host youth soccer tournaments, as well as games and practices, on its grounds, was been signed into law
The legislation (S-2125/A-3257) provides that field sports, including but not limited to soccer and soccer tournaments, conducted or occurring in an agricultural production area within the Pinelands area, shall constitute a low-intensity recreational use under the comprehensive management plan adopted pursuant to the “Pinelands Protection Act,” provided that no permanent structure is established to accommodate its use.
Jan. 19: Legislation sponsored by Andrzejczak and two others to improve roadway safety for farmers and rural motorists is law.
The law (formerly A-3927) requires drivers to slow down before passing slow moving vehicles; establishes a statewide educational campaign on rural roadway safety; and updates agriculture-related motor vehicle laws to reflect current industry practices.
Jan. 19: Legislation Andrzejczak and Daniel Benson sponsored to exempt veterans with disabilities from certain fees for home adaptations that would facilitate mobility in their residences has been signed into law.
The law (A-2299) requires municipalities to exempt veterans with service-related disabilities from the entire cost of construction permit surcharge fees or enforcing agency fees for any construction, reconstruction, alteration or improvement done in an effort to increase the home’s accessibility.
Other Matters
Jan. 25: Van Drew asked Gov. Chris Christie to request the federal government make a disaster declaration for Cape May and Cumberland counties. The declaration would make available federal resources to areas affected by extreme flooding related to the Jan. 22-24 storm that impacted the region.
Jan. 22: Land has been appointed by Speaker Vincent Prieto to serve on three Assembly committees as he begins his first term. He will serve on the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness; Military and Veterans’ Affairs; and Tourism, Gaming and the Arts committees.