Modifies provisions concerning net positive benefits test and special economic importance for certain transformative projects under New Jersey Aspire Program.
This bill modifies New Jersey's Aspire Program requirements for major development projects. It adjusts the "net positive benefits test" by adding new criteria that automatically qualify projects as "of special economic importance," such as brownfield remediation with $15 million+ cleanup costs, healthcare facilities near universities or trauma centers, or projects near transportation hubs. Projects must meet specific size thresholds (e.g., 200,000+ sq. ft. in restricted areas, 500,000+ sq. ft. elsewhere) and include housing/commercial space requirements (e.g., 700+ residential units or 30,000+ sq. ft. commercial space). It also mandates 20% of new housing units be affordable for low-to-moderate-income households, with exceptions for historic tax credit projects. These changes apply to projects applying after specified effective dates.
Bill status
passed both
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Jan 2026
General Assembly Passage
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
Jan 2026
Governor
Introduced Dec 22, 2025
Last action Jan 12, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
7
Key actions
3
Committee
2
Jan 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (Passed Both Houses) (23-14)
upper
Jan 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed Assembly (48-25-0)
lower
Jan 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Assembly Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
lower
Jan 5, 2026
Committee
Reported and Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee
lower
Dec 22, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee
lower
4 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Heather Simmons
DDemocratic
P
Lou Greenwald
DDemocratic
P
Nilsa Cruz-Perez
DDemocratic
P
Patrick Diegnan
DDemocratic
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