Appropriations Committee releases broad package of bills — summary and outcomes

At its March 20 meeting the New Jersey General Assembly Appropriations Committee favorably released a broad set of bills spanning health care mandates, environmental protections, election worker rules, infrastructure bond appropriations and additional program designations. Below is a concise summary of bills acted on in committee with the committee’s outcome as recorded in the transcript.

Votes at a glance (committee action — outcome): - A2998 (ACS) & A567 (1R) — counseling for children in domestic violence cases — favorably released. - A913 (1R) — authorizes medical cannabis for treatment of sickle cell anemia — favorably released (several abstentions recorded). - A1825 (ACS) — step therapy guidelines for insurers — amended and favorably released. - A1973 (2R) — endometriosis screening for pregnant/postpartum people — amended and favorably released (several abstentions recorded). - A3025 (ACS) — exempts poll workers’ wages from affecting unemployment compensation — favorably released. - A3732 (1R) — establishes third-degree penalties for certain trespasses involving victims of domestic violence — amended and favorably released. - A3856 (1R) & S1439 (1R) — orthotic and prosthetic coverage — amended and favorably released. - A3951 (ACS) & S2594 (2R) — appropriates bond act monies for dam restoration and inland water projects — favorably released. - A4222 (1R) & A4944 — public awareness campaigns on doulas and midwifery — favorably released. - A4362 (1R) — designates New Jersey Public Health Institute — amended and favorably released (no votes noted and several no votes recorded during roll call sequence). - A4543 (1R) & S3153 (1R) — limits on using child federal benefits to reimburse state for out‑of‑home placement costs — amended and favorably released. - A4767 (1R) — limits PFAS in menstrual products — amended and favorably released. - A4974 (1R) — criminal penalties for sale/possession of machine‑gun conversion devices — amended and favorably released. - A4975 (1R) — criminalizes possession of digital instructions to illegally manufacture firearms — amended and favorably released. - A4976 (1R) — establishes reckless discharge offense — amended and favorably released. - A4981 (1R) — permits courts additional time for pretrial decisions when firearm offense is involved — amended and favorably released. - A5049 (1R) — removes certain PFRS limitations on retirement/death benefits — amended and favorably released. - A5217 (Assembly 52-17) — prohibits co‑pay accumulator adjusters (requires third‑party discounts to count toward out‑of‑pocket maxima) — favorably released. - A5323 (1R) — requires State Police to inform local law enforcement when prohibited persons attempt to purchase a firearm or ammunition — favorably released. - A5357/53 57 (first reprint) — farm pesticide/herbicide/fertilizer collection program — favorably released. - A5467/54 67 (first reprint) — designates State House Complex Welcome Center as Governor Richard J. Cody Welcome Center — favorably released. - A5345 (53 45, first reprint) — merchant category codes for firearm and ammunition purchases — amended and favorably released.

Many of these measures were amended in committee before release. Where recorded, committee members asked for clarifying amendments or noted possible budgetary or legal consequences; for some bills (notably those affecting insurance markets and firearms law), members urged continued consultation with stakeholders to clarify drafting and to avoid unintended consequences or litigation. All bills listed above were reported favorably out of committee to the Assembly floor for further consideration.