New Jersey Bills

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

A 4980: Establishes and requires coverage for routine opt-out HIV testing during provision of medical care in certain settings.

This bill requires health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover routine HIV testing for patients receiving care in primary care settings, emergency departments, and other appropriate health facilities. Under the new rules, HIV testing will be performed automatically unless a patient explicitly opts out, provided they have already given general consent for their medical visit. The legislation also mandates that insurance contracts cannot be issued or renewed without including these testing benefits, ensuring coverage is treated like any other medical condition.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

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

A 4986: Requires State Board of Education to establish program to pay high school equivalency exam fees for certain low-income individuals; provides gross income tax and corporation business tax deductions for donations made to support fees.

This bill directs the New Jersey State Board of Education to create a program that covers the fees for high school equivalency exams for low-income individuals, defined as those living in households earning 150 percent or less of the federal poverty guidelines. To fund these payments, the legislation establishes a dedicated, nonlapsing fund within the Department of Education that accepts public donations and state appropriations. The bill also provides tax deductions for both individual and corporate taxpayers who contribute to this fund, making it easier for donors to support the initiative.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Immigration

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

A 4991: Requires public institutions of higher education to report certain information concerning remedial course placement of Office of Secretary of Higher Education; requires secretary to produce report on course placements.

This bill requires public colleges and universities in New Jersey to annually report data on how many new students are placed into remedial courses, which are classes that do not count toward a degree. The legislation mandates that these reports include specific details such as the students' high schools and the subjects where they need extra help. Additionally, the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education must compile this information into a public report that tracks trends and identifies schools with unusually high rates of remedial placement. If a school district's remedial enrollment rises significantly above its average, the state may share this data with the State Auditor or the Department of Education for inclusion in school report cards.

Topics ✓ Education

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

A 4914: Expands Brownfields Redevelopment Incentive Program to provide tax credits to developers of residential redevelopment projects undertaken on remediated brownfield sites.

This bill expands New Jersey's Brownfields Redevelopment Incentive Program to offer tax credits specifically for developers creating residential projects on cleaned-up brownfield sites. The legislation amends existing state laws to formally define key terms such as 'affordable housing' and 'developer,' ensuring clarity for those seeking financial incentives. By clarifying these definitions and extending the program's scope, the bill aims to encourage the reuse of contaminated land for housing development.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

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

A 4950: Establishes State grant program fund to incentivize municipalities to create senior snow removal programs; appropriates $2 million.

This bill creates a $2 million grant program to help New Jersey municipalities establish snow removal services for seniors. Under the plan, local governments can apply for up to $100,000 to clear snow and ice from the driveways, entrance paths, and sidewalks of homes occupied by residents aged 62 or older with incomes below 65% of the area median. The funding is restricted to single-family homes and does not cover seniors living in rental units or communities where the landlord or association already provides equivalent snow removal services. The Department of Community Affairs will manage the fund and create necessary rules to oversee the distribution of these grants.

Topics ✓ Housing

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

A 4972: Revises BPU membership terms and requires BPU members to have certain experience.

This bill changes how members of New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities are appointed and what qualifications they must have. It requires the Governor to fill all board vacancies within 90 days of the law taking effect, setting initial terms of two to six years so that board seats are staggered. Going forward, every new member will serve a six-year term, and the board must include at least one person with experience in energy affordability and consumer protection, as well as at least one person with experience in grid engineering or utility operations.

Topics ✓ Energy

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

A 5010: Allows corporation business tax and gross income tax credits to businesses employing released nonviolent offenders.

This bill allows businesses in New Jersey to receive tax credits if they hire adults who have been released from incarceration for nonviolent crimes. The credits apply to both corporation business taxes and gross income taxes, offering a benefit equal to 15 percent of wages paid to each eligible employee, up to a maximum of $900 per person. To qualify, the offenders must not have committed violent acts or specific serious offenses, and the tax savings are limited to 50 percent of the total tax owed for the year. Any unused portion of the credit can be carried forward for up to seven years, and the law applies to wages paid after the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

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

A 4911: Establishes protections for immigrant students and their families.

This bill requires New Jersey public schools to adopt a policy that restricts their interaction with federal immigration authorities. Specifically, it prohibits schools from sharing student records regarding immigration status, allowing federal agents on school property, or assisting in civil immigration investigations. The law distinguishes between civil warrants, which schools must not honor, and judicial warrants issued by a judge, which schools may still comply with. School districts have 180 days to implement these rules, which aim to prevent the use of school resources for immigration enforcement.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Immigration

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

A 4979: Requires NJEDA to establish "Value-added Agriculture Loan Program" to assist farmers in developing value-added products.

This bill directs the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to create a loan program specifically designed to help local farmers develop and market value-added agricultural products. Eligible recipients, including individual farmers and farmer-owned groups, can apply for loans ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 to cover costs such as processing, marketing, and business planning. To qualify, applicants must reside in New Jersey, use the funds for a state-based farm operation, and actively participate in farming activities. The program aims to generate new products, expand market opportunities, and increase producer income while allowing the authority to set interest rates and require financial statements to ensure borrower viability.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

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

A 4978: Authorizes creation of vertical motorcycle license plates.

This bill authorizes the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to create and issue vertical motorcycle license plates. It amends existing state statutes to allow motorcycles to display their registration plates in either a horizontal or vertical orientation, provided they are clearly visible. The legislation applies directly to motorcycle owners and law enforcement officers who enforce vehicle registration rules. By adding this option, the bill gives the commission flexibility in plate design while maintaining the requirement that all plates remain legible and unobscured.

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

A 4891: Increases benefit amounts and expands eligibility under New Jersey earned income tax credit program.

This bill increases the percentage of the federal earned income tax credit that New Jersey residents receive, raising the state match to 45% for tax years starting in 2026. It also expands eligibility by allowing adults aged 18 and older who are ineligible for the federal credit due to age requirements to still qualify for the state program. Additionally, the legislation permits married individuals who are victims of domestic abuse to file separately while still receiving the credit, removing the usual requirement to file jointly.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

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

A 4952: Establishes registration requirement for mold inspection and remediation contractors.

This bill requires contractors who inspect or remove mold from buildings in New Jersey to register with the state. It defines these professionals as anyone performing mold inspection, cleanup, or abatement work and mandates their inclusion in the existing home improvement contractor registration system. The legislation clarifies specific terms such as "mold," "remediation," and "residential property" to ensure clear standards for who must comply. By updating the state's home improvement laws, the bill aims to create a formal registry for workers handling mold hazards in homes and other residential structures.

Topics ✓ Housing

Bill results