New Jersey Bills

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

AJR 175: Designates February 22 of each year as "Peter Still Day" in New Jersey.

This bill designates February 22 of each year as "Peter Still Day" in New Jersey to honor the life of Peter Still, a formerly enslaved man who became a prominent figure in the abolitionist movement. The resolution requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials, organizations, and citizens to observe the day with appropriate events and activities. By establishing this commemorative day, the bill aims to recognize Peter Still's contributions to ending slavery and his significant role in New Jersey's history.

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4884: Establishes "Veterans Helping Veterans" program in DVA.

This bill creates a new housing assistance initiative called the "Veterans Helping Veterans" program within the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs. The program aims to connect homeless veterans with other veterans who volunteer to provide them with housing, using a vetting and incentive system similar to the state's foster care program. Key provisions require the department to establish clear application processes, eligibility criteria for both those seeking and providing housing, and rules for monitoring participant compliance. Additionally, the bill authorizes the department to seek external funding and mandates that implementing regulations be adopted within 90 days of enactment.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4963: Authorizes Secretary of Agriculture to declare agricultural emergency; establishes sales tax holiday on sale of fertilizer during agricultural emergency.

This bill authorizes New Jersey's Secretary of Agriculture to declare an agricultural emergency for up to six months if events like rising fertilizer costs impact farming. During such an emergency, the state would temporarily suspend sales taxes on the retail purchase of fertilizer to help reduce costs for farmers and gardeners. The Secretary has the power to set the specific criteria for declaring an emergency, limit the relief to certain areas of the state, and end the emergency when conditions improve. Additionally, the bill allows tax officials to create necessary rules quickly to implement this tax break while staying compliant with federal agreements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4907: Provides that unexpended nonpublic textbook aid or aid for Nonpublic Technology Initiative may be used to support services provided under other program.

This bill allows New Jersey school districts to use leftover state funding from one nonpublic school program to pay for services in the other program. Specifically, it permits unspent money from the nonpublic textbook aid or the Nonpublic Technology Initiative to be redirected to the alternative program if the district does not spend the full amount originally allocated. Under current rules, districts must return any unused funds to the state by December 1 after the school year ends, but this legislation changes that requirement by enabling the transfer of funds between the two specific aid categories. The change applies directly to school districts that receive state assistance for nonpublic schools and aims to provide more flexibility in how they utilize available financial resources.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4900: Requires CRDA board membership to include at least three voting members who are Atlantic County residents.

This bill amends the law governing the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) to require that at least three of the six members appointed by the Governor be residents of Atlantic County. The CRDA is the state agency responsible for overseeing investment and development in Atlantic City, and this change directly affects the composition of its board of directors. Under the new provision, these county residents would serve as voting members alongside other appointed officials and industry representatives. The requirement applies only to appointments made after the bill becomes effective, meaning current board members are not immediately impacted.

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 5014: Prohibits credit and debit card interchange fees from being applied to sales tax and gratuity.

This bill prohibits payment card networks from charging interchange fees on sales tax and gratuity amounts included in credit and debit card transactions. It requires merchants to transmit tax and tip data separately during the payment process to ensure these fees are not applied. If a merchant fails to do so initially, they can submit the necessary data within 180 days to receive a refund for any incorrectly charged fees. Violations of this rule could result in a civil penalty of $1,000 per transaction and an order to refund the affected fees to the merchant.

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4975: Requires creation of central registry of residents with special needs for use during emergencies.

This bill requires New Jersey to create a central registry for residents with special needs to help emergency responders provide necessary assistance during crises. The Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services, working with the Division of Developmental Disabilities, will maintain this list using information voluntarily submitted by individuals or their legal guardians, which includes contact details and specific care requirements. Registered data will be shared with local police, fire, and emergency services to aid in 9-1-1 responses, while also remaining confidential and excluded from public records. Additionally, the state will launch a public awareness campaign to encourage people to register themselves or their dependents before an emergency occurs.

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4906: Permits use of unexpended State aid for specific nonpublic school programs may be used to support certain other nonpublic school programs rather than being refunded.

This bill allows New Jersey school districts to use leftover state funding from one nonpublic school program to pay for services in another program instead of returning the unused money to the state. Specifically, it permits funds originally designated for nursing services or security services to be redirected to the other category if a district spends less than the allocated amount. Under current rules, districts must refund any unspent aid after the school year ends, but this legislation creates flexibility by letting districts apply those funds to the alternative program's needs. The change directly affects public school districts that manage state aid for private school nursing and security services, enabling them to utilize available resources more efficiently.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4945: Requires BPU to conduct study on environmental, infrastructural, and financial impacts of data center development in State.

This bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities to conduct a comprehensive study on the environmental, infrastructural, and financial effects of data center development within the state. The Board must complete this research within twelve months and submit a detailed report to the Governor and the Legislature covering specific areas such as energy and water usage, impacts on the electric grid, air quality, land use, and potential public health concerns. The study is required to include public input and at least one public hearing before offering recommendations on how to mitigate negative impacts on the environment, local infrastructure, and utility rates.

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4897: Establishes "New Jersey Holistic Representation Model" in Office of Public Defender.

This bill establishes the "New Jersey Holistic Representation Model" statewide within the Office of the Public Defender to expand a pilot program that previously operated in three counties. The law requires each regional office to form teams for eligible clients that pair a public defender attorney with a non-attorney client services specialist. These specialists are tasked with connecting individuals to resources for mental health, substance abuse, housing, employment, and other life challenges while attorneys focus on legal defense. The act also mandates the creation of databases to track community resources and requires all team members to maintain client confidentiality.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4993: Deems farming permitted and inherently beneficial use in all municipal zoning districts under MLUL.

This bill makes farming a legally allowed activity in every zoning district across New Jersey, ensuring that local governments cannot ban it. By classifying farming as an "inherently beneficial use," the law overrides any existing local rules that might restrict or prohibit agricultural production on any parcel of land. The legislation defines farming broadly as the production of agricultural or horticultural products and takes effect immediately upon passage.

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4895: Requires Medicaid coverage for community violence prevention services; establishes training and certification program for violence prevention professionals.

This bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to cover community violence prevention services, directly affecting eligible residents who need such support. It also creates a formal training and certification program to standardize the qualifications of professionals working in violence prevention. By adding these specific services to Medicaid benefits and establishing a credentialing system, the legislation aims to expand access to prevention resources while ensuring providers meet defined standards.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Bill results