Local Finance Notice Addresses Municipal Levy Cap Referendum Procedures

NJ Appeals Court Upholds 21-Day Voter Registration Deadline

New Jersey citizens planning to vote for the next President will need to make sure that they are registered three weeks prior to the election. In Rutgers University Student Association v. Middlesex County Board of Elections, the Appellate Division rejected a legal challenge to the state’s 21-day pre-election registration requirement. 

FAA Drone Rules Do Not Preempt Local Regulation

FAA Drone Rules Do Not Preempt Local Regulation

The Federal Aviation Administration recently finalized its rules governing non-hobbyist unmanned aviation systems (UAS), commonly known as drones. The new rules cover a broad spectrum of commercial uses for drones weighing less than 55 pounds and, of particular interest to New Jersey municipalities, do not include a federal preemption provision.

NJ Appeals Court Disability Retirees Exempted from Health Insurance Premium Contributions

NJ Appeals Court Disability Retirees Exempted from Health Insurance Premium Contributions

In Brick Township PBA Local 230 v. Township of Brick, the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court held that that N.J.S.A. 40A:10-21.1, L. 2011, c. 78, § 42 (“Chapter 78”) does not require ordinary or accidental disability retirees to make premium payments for health insurance benefits. In reaching

NJ Supreme Court Upholds COLA Suspension for Public Employees

The Supreme Court of New Jersey recently upheld the cost of living adjustments (COLA) freeze implemented by the Christie Administration under a 2011 pension reform law. In reaching its decision in Richard W. Berg v. Hon. Christopher J. Christie, the state’s highest court rejected arguments that the COLA adjustments were just

Gov. Christie Vetoes Airbnb Bill to Tax Short-Term Rentals

Proposed Bill Eliminates Municipal Oversight Over Ride-Sharing Companies

New Jersey lawmakers are currently debating legislation that will determine how to regulate ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft. Of particular interest to municipalities, a provision of the proposed bill removes the industry from local oversight. As we have previously discussed on the Scarinci Hollenbeck Business Law News Blog, so-called transportation

NJ Appeals Court Addresses When Public Employees Must Forfeit Pensions

NJ Appeals Court Addresses When Public Employees Must Forfeit Pensions

The Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court recently addressed when public employees can be required to forfeit their pensions due to dishonorable service. In Hollander v. Bd. of Trustees of the Police & Firemen’s Ret. Sys., the appeals court held that a former corrections officer should not be

Proposed Bill Applies Local Bid Threshold to Pay to Play and Prevailing Wage Laws

New Jersey lawmakers are currently considering a bill that would coordinate the threshold dollar amounts under the state’s local public contract bid, pay to play, and prevailing wage laws. The legislation aims to make it easier for small, local businesses to contract with New Jersey municipalities and counties.  Under current

Public bidding

Urban Enterprise Zone Bills Advancing in NJ Assembly

Two bills intended to strengthen the Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) are advancing in the New Jersey Assembly. One measure addresses urban enterprise zone sales tax revenues, while the other extends the UEZ designation in all qualifying municipalities for additional 10 years. New Jersey’s Urban Enterprise (UEZ) Program, which dates back