Education
Legislature Approves Bills and Budget to Target Literacy in Young Children – On June 28, the NJ legislature passed two bills and allocated funding in the state budget to target low literacy rates in school-age children due to the COVID-19 pandemic. S2644 would establish a working group within the Department of Education (DOE) to provide the Department with evidence-based recommendations and guidance to improve literacy rates. It would also require universal literacy screenings for students in kindergarten through third grade as well as literacy-focused professional development opportunities for educators. A2288 would establish an Office of Learning Equity and Academic Recovery within the DOE to conduct research, coordinate resources, and inform decision-making to improve literacy rates. In the recently approved budget for the 2025 fiscal year, legislators allocated $5.25 million to fund literacy initiatives. Both bills now await Gov. Murphy’s final approval.
60,000 More Families to Qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch in Coming School Year – The Working Class Families Anti-Hunger Act goes into effect at the start of the 2024-2025 school year, making 60,000 more families eligible for free or reduced lunch. The legislation, approved by Gov. Murphy in January, raises the upper limit for qualifying family income to 224% of the federal poverty guideline. Over 500,000 students will be eligible, approximately one- third of NJ public school students. Many families will remain ineligible for free lunch during the summer. State officials estimate the initiative will cost $30 million to implement in the first year and $7 million to maintain in the following years.
Housing
Gov. Murphy Signs Bill to Allow Homeowners Facing Foreclosure to Retain Equity – On July 10, Gov. Murphy signed into law legislation which allows homeowners facing foreclosure or tax sales to retain any home equity not required to cover their debts. The law brings the state into alignment with a U.S. Supreme Court decision, Tyler v. Hennepin County, which prevents the government from keeping home equity in excess of a homeowner’s debts. The new law goes into effect immediately. Though it is not retroactive, many NJ homeowners have sued to reclaim equity based on the Supreme Court ruling.
Legislation to Address Discrimination in Housing Appraisal Awaits Governor’s Signature – A bill to address discrimination in housing appraisals currently awaits Gov. Murphy’s signature. The legislation would prohibit discrimination in housing appraisals and require appraisers to undergo anti-bias training. The Senate and Assembly passed S1311/A2280 on May 20 and June 28, respectively. The proposal builds off of a NJ Attorney General initiative and a federal plan to address discrimination in housing valuation. These efforts respond to recent studies showing that houses bought and sold by people of color are valued at lower rates than those bought and sold by white people, exacerbating the racial wealth gap.
Public Administration
Possible Senate Convening May Force Murphy to Act on Some Bills over the Summer – A rule which automatically converts bills into law without the governor’s signature may force Gov. Murphy to take action on legislation over the summer. Under the rule, if the governor takes no action on a bill passed by the legislature within 45 days of its approval, and the chamber in which the bill originated convenes for a quorum, the bill becomes law without his signature on noon that day. Ahead of the summer recess, the legislature approved 58 bills which now await the Governor’s signature. The Senate may convene in August to consider the appointment of former NJ Attorney General John Jay Hoffman to the state Supreme Court. This pressures the governor to review 33 bills that originated in the Senate; otherwise, this legislation would become law without his approval.
Court Holds Public Cannot Challenge Non-Profits’ Tax Exempt Status in Admin Courts – On July 10, a NJ appeals court ruled that residents cannot challenge the tax-exempt status of non-profit organizations in administrative court. The decision clarifies a 2021 law which establishes that non-profit hospitals may remain exempt regardless of whether they also host for-profit activities. Plaintiffs argued in their appeal that residents should be able to challenge non-profit organizations’ tax-exempt status in administrative courts. The three-judge panel denied their claim, noting that residents can still make such challenges in tax court. Counsel for the plaintiffs stated they would not appeal the case further; instead, they will negotiate to have the Office of the Attorney General release guidance affirming residents’ rights to challenge tax-exempt statuses in administrative courts.
Advocates Call on Legislators to Advance Standards to Protect Workers in Heat Waves – Amid regional heat waves, advocates have called for legislators to reconvene to pass S2422. The bill would establish an occupational heat stress standard and an Occupational Heat-Related Illness and Injury Prevention Program within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to protect outdoor laborers from heat-related medical emergencies. The labor committees of both legislative bodies advanced the legislation despite opposition from business groups, but the bill remains pending in committee. Advocates from immigrants’ rights groups, labor unions, and other worker advocacy groups signed a letter in June urging lawmakers to pass the bill before the start of the summer.