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2024 NEW LAWS:
MOVING PRIMARY ELECTION TO JUNE 10TH
PUBLIC NOTICE REQUIREMENTS - STAR LEDGER
OUTDOOR DINING
OPRA REFORM - S2930
Special occasion events on preserved farmland (Last Updated March 2023)
The Governor signed PL 2023 c. 16 (Bill s3595/A5177). This law takes effect immediately.
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https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2022/S4000/3595_R1.PDF
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Please take note of this section, which is now due on March 28th this year: 19:12-6. All municipal clerks, not later than the [57th] 71st day preceding the primary election for the general election, shall make and certify under their hands and seals of office and forward to the clerk of the county in which the municipality is located a statement designating the public offices to be filled at such election, and the number of persons to be voted for each office. In counties of the first class such statement shall also be forwarded to the county 6 board.
OPRA DECISIONS:
STATE OF NEW JERSEY:
State Health Benefits Program Plan Design Committee Meets
Yesterday, the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) Plan Design Committee met and the members were given an Overview of the Rate Setting Environment by AON, a risk management firm assisting the SHBP. AON’s overview offered a number of reasons for the 21.6% projected 2023 premium increase, including utilization/COVID-19, inflation, and lack of anticipated program savings. Specific cost drivers for local government are:
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8.1%: Actual 2021 claims experience was higher compared to expected 2021 claims.
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While significant increases to member utilization in 2021 were anticipated because of COVID-19’s impact on 2020, actual utilization appears to be even higher, with utilization trends of 26.5% for Outpatient visits, 18.2% for Professional visits, 16.4% for Specialist visits, 17.0% for Emergency Room, and 38.0% for Urgent Care.
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The 2022 rate setting analysis included estimated vendor reported savings in 2021 for Horizon’s Navigation Advocacy program as well as third-party vendor point solutions. Savings for these programs are now assumed to be in the underlying 2021 claims experience.
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Actual 2021 prescription drug claims experience trend was 3.7%, lower than expected.
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3.5%: The 2022 rate setting analysis included an additional 3.0% medical claims savings in Plan Year 2022, as well as additional projected savings for the third-party vendor point solutions. The savings attributable to these programs have been mostly removed in the updated projections.
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7.6%: Annual medical and Rx trend projection assumptions have increased from the prior renewal analysis as a result of wide economic inflationary pressures on medical trends, expected increases in specialty drug trend costs and utilization, and an additional year of trend to 2023.
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-1.5%: Impact of increases in projected rebates.
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0.5%: Impact of other changes including changes in plan migration assumptions, and changes in administrative fees.
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2.0%: Additional 2023 premium margin.
As of this writing, the SHBP has not rescheduled the Rate Renewal Meeting that was canceled on July 25.
In addition, at the request of several municipalities, we have prepared a sample resolution opposing the proposed increases to the State Health Benefits Program and calling for the SHBC membership to include representatives from both local and county government.
We encourage you to review the presentation and reach out to the Governor’s office and your legislators to share your concerns about this large increase and its effects on municipal budgets.
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director & Director of Government Affairs, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.
Governor Signs Law Requiring Municipalities to Create Business Insurance Registry
Last Friday, Governor Murphy signed into law S-1368 requiring all business owners and owners of multifamily rental units to maintain certain levels of liability insurance. In addition, the new law requires that all business owners and owners of multifamily rental units annually register a certificate of insurance with the municipality where the business or rental unit is located.
The State does not make an appropriation for the cost municipalities are sure to incur to enforce its policy. A municipality is, however, authorized to charge a reasonable administrative fee for the certificate of registration. The law also does not provide any additional details or guidance to municipalities on what a certificate of insurance should contain.
When initially introduced, this legislation required the State Department of Community Affairs to act as the enforcement agent for this measure. However, last-minute amendments made shortly before both houses voted on the measure placed the onus on individual municipalities to enforce this state-mandated policy. The League did notify the sponsors and the Governor’s Office of our concerns.
The requirement for business owners and multifamily unit owners to register with the municipality becomes effective in 90 days. Please review this new law with your municipal attorney, business administrator, and clerk for more information. Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.
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