This bill mandates that all revenue generated from the casino hotel facility room occupancy fee be allocated to the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA). Currently, a $3.00 per day fee is imposed on each occupied hotel room in a casino hotel facility, with $1.00 of this fee already designated for the CRDA. The remaining $2.00 is deposited into the Casino Revenue Fund, which supports property tax reductions and utility charges for eligible senior citizens and disabled residents. Under the new legislation, starting in State fiscal year 2026, the entire $3.00 fee will be directed to a special fund for the exclusive use of the CRDA, effectively eliminating the deposit of the $2.00 portion into the Casino Revenue Fund.

Additionally, the bill updates current law by removing an outdated reference to a previously imposed tax on complimentary services provided by casino licensees, which was repealed in 2011. This change reflects the current structure of funding and ensures that all revenue from the casino hotel facility room occupancy fee is utilized to support the CRDA's initiatives. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 5:12-145, 5:12-145.8