Bill Text: NJ SCR55 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

New Jersey Senate Concurrent Resolution 55 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Proposes constitutional amendment requiring Legislature to enact statute authorizing $200 property tax credit for primary residence of volunteer fire fighter or first aid squad member.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 3-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-02-04 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee [SCR55 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2010-SCR55-Introduced.html

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 55

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

214th LEGISLATURE

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 4, 2010

Sponsored by:

Senator STEVEN V. OROHO

District 24 (Sussex, Hunterdon and Morris)

Senator CHRISTOPHER "KIP" BATEMAN

District 16 (Morris and Somerset)

SYNOPSIS

Proposes constitutional amendment requiring Legislature to enact statute authorizing $200 property tax credit for primary residence of volunteer fire fighter or first aid squad member.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

As introduced.

A Concurrent Resolution proposing to amend Article VIII, Section I of the Constitution of the State of New Jersey by adding a new paragraph 8 thereto.

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):

1. The following proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of New Jersey is agreed to:

PROPOSED AMENDMENT

Amend Article VIII, Section I by adding a new paragraph 8 to read as follows:

8. The Legislature shall adopt a statute entitling a resident of this State, who has been for the entire tax year an active member of a volunteer fire company or volunteer first aid or rescue squad or association, or an active, volunteer member of a part-paid fire department, incorporated pursuant to the laws of this State and serving one or more counties or municipalities in this State, to a property tax credit of $200 against a tax bill for taxes on residential real property owned and occupied by that person as his primary residence. Any statute so enacted shall require that the State shall annually reimburse municipalities for the total amount of property tax credits provided pursuant to this paragraph.

2. When this proposed amendment to the Constitution is finally agreed to pursuant to Article IX, paragraph 1 of the Constitution, it shall be submitted to the people at the next general election occurring more than three months after the final agreement and shall be published at least once in at least one newspaper of each county designated by the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the General Assembly and the Attorney General, not less than three months prior to the general election.

3. This proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be submitted to the people at that election in the following manner and form:

There shall be printed on each official ballot to be used at the general election, the following:

a. In every municipality in which voting machines are not used, a legend which shall immediately precede the question as follows:

If you favor the proposition printed below make a cross (X), plus (+), or check (a) in the square opposite the word "Yes." If you are opposed thereto make a cross (X), plus (+) or check (a) in the square opposite the word "No."

b. In every municipality the following question:

		CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO REQUIRE PROPERTY TAX CREDITS FOR PRIMARY RESIDENCES OF VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS AND VOLUNTEER FIRST AID RESCUE SQUAD MEMBERS
	YES	Shall the amendment to Article VIII, Section I of the New Jersey Constitution, agreed to by the Legislature, requiring the Legislature to adopt a statute that authorizes a $200 credit against property taxes on the primary residence of any State resident who is a homeowner, and has served for the entire tax year as a volunteer fire fighter or volunteer first aid or rescue squad member, and also requiring the State to annually reimburse municipalities for the total amount of tax credits provided, be approved?
		INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT
	NO	This constitutional amendment provides for a $200 property tax credit for the primary residence of a volunteer firefighter or volunteer first aid or rescue squad member who served for the entire year. The State would be required to reimburse municipalities for the cost of the tax credits.

STATEMENT

This proposed constitutional amendment would require the Legislature to enact a statute entitling State residents who have been for the entire tax year active members of a volunteer fire company or volunteer first aid or rescue squad or association, or active, volunteer members of a part-paid fire department, incorporated pursuant to State law and serving one or more counties or municipalities, to a credit of $200 against the property tax bill on their owner-occupied primary residence.

Any statute enacted pursuant to this proposed amendment would require the State to annually reimburse municipalities for the total amount of property tax credits provided pursuant to this amendment.