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 provisions, starting in State fiscal year 2026, the revenue from 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Additionally, the bill updates current law by removing references to an outdated provision that imposed a 4.25 percent tax on complimentary services provided by casino licensees, which was previously repealed. This change reflects a shift in focus towards enhancing funding for the CRDA while streamlining the legal framework governing casino-related revenues. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

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