New Jersey 2026-2027 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A2444

Introduced
1/13/26  

Caption

Increases distribution to municipalities from Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over two years; prohibits anticipation of certain revenue in municipal budget; requires additional aid be subtracted from municipal property tax levy.

Impact

The bill specifies that municipalities will receive an additional aid amount correlating to 50% of the difference between what they received in CMPTRA and ETR Aid from fiscal year 2008 and fiscal year 2012. Following this adjustment, the complete restoration of funding is set to take place by fiscal year 2024 and to be sustained annually thereafter. This redirection of funds is designed to augment municipalities' financial resource base, indirectly influencing local property tax levies by allowing for reduced taxation aims under municipal budget calculations.

Summary

Assembly Bill A2444 aims to enhance the distribution of State aid to municipalities through the Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund. Over a two-year period, this bill proposes to restore approximately $331 million in funding that was previously reduced for the Consolidated Municipal Property Tax Relief Aid (CMPTRA) and the Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Aid (ETR Aid) due to budget constraints experienced in fiscal years 2009, 2010, and 2011. The bill outlines a structured plan for financial aid increases starting in fiscal year 2023, offering investments that correspond to historic funding levels from earlier years.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding A2444 may arise from the bill's requirements that municipalities cannot anticipate these additional state aid payments when drafting their annual budgets. This stipulation might lead to challenges if municipalities find themselves needing to adjust budget expectations based on uncertain future state funding. Moreover, there's a possibility that mixed sentiments could surface from local leaders who are uncertain about reliance on state aid versus local revenue-generating measures, creating debates on how to best support municipal fiscal independence.

Companion Bills

NJ S1387

Carry Over Increases distribution to municipalities from Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over two years; prohibits anticipation of certain revenue in municipal budget; requires additional aid be subtracted from municipal property tax levy.

NJ A2991

Carry Over Increases distribution to municipalities from Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over two years; prohibits anticipation of certain revenue in municipal budget; requires additional aid be subtracted from municipal property tax levy.

NJ S1754

Same As Increases distribution to municipalities from Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over two years; prohibits anticipation of certain revenue in municipal budget; requires additional aid be subtracted from municipal property tax levy.

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