New Jersey Bills

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

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

A 5003: Establishes 90-day State tax amnesty period ending no later than January 15, 2027; dedicates revenues collected during tax amnesty period for Stabilization Aid to school districts; appropriates up to $15 million.

This bill creates a 90-day tax amnesty period in New Jersey that must conclude by January 15, 2027, allowing taxpayers to pay overdue state taxes from 2017 to 2026 with reduced interest and waived penalties. To participate, individuals must pay the full tax amount plus half of the accrued interest while agreeing to give up the right to appeal the tax assessment. Any money collected during this amnesty window will be placed into a dedicated account to provide stabilization funding for school districts, with an initial appropriation of up to $15 million. The program excludes taxpayers currently under criminal investigation for tax matters and requires them to file any missing tax returns by the end of the amnesty period.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

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

A 4899: Regulates smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities.

This bill amends New Jersey's Smoke-Free Air Act to allow designated smoking areas within specific casinos and casino simulcasting facilities. It requires that smoking be limited to no more than 25 percent of the floor space, located in unenclosed areas near slot machines or in enclosed sections with separate ventilation and solid walls. The law also mandates that employees assigned to these smoking areas must voluntarily choose to work there. These provisions directly affect casino operators and employees in facilities that meet specific size thresholds, such as having at least 150 slot machines or 10 table games.

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

A 5001: Requires converting portion of Paramus and Menlo Park veterans' memorial homes into single occupancy rooms; requires upgrades to ventilation systems; provides Adjutant General discretion for additional room considerations.

This bill directs the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs to convert at least one ward each in the Paramus and Menlo Park veterans' memorial homes into single-occupancy rooms. It also mandates upgrades to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems at both facilities to meet infection control standards, including the potential use of negative pressure ventilation. The legislation allows the state's Adjutant General to decide on additional room modifications and authorizes funding from federal grants or state general funds to cover these costs.

Topics ✓ Veterans

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

A 5011: Establishes "Fiscal Integrity for Future Attractions (FIFA) Act"; establishes commission to review and approve agreements to host certain major events in this State.

This bill creates a new independent commission called the Commission on the Fiscal Integrity for Future Attractions to oversee agreements involving major events or attractions in New Jersey. The commission, which includes top state leaders like the Governor and legislative chairs, must review and approve any contracts where the state commits public resources such as transportation, security, or park facilities. Its decisions require a majority vote, and any agreements made without this approval are considered invalid. The commission will operate with public meetings and online access to its records, while being staffed by the Office of Legislative Services.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

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

A 5006: Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.

This bill expands eligibility for certain veterans' benefits in New Jersey by removing specific requirements for service during particular dates or in designated locations. It directly affects military personnel who served in conflicts such as World War I, World War II, the Korean conflict, the Lebanon crisis, and the Vietnam conflict but may not have met previous strict service duration or location criteria. The key provision redefines who qualifies as a "veteran" under state law, allowing individuals with at least 90 days of active service or those injured during service to access benefits regardless of whether their service occurred within the originally specified timeframes or areas. This change aims to ensure that more service members receive compensation for disabilities incurred during their military duty.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Bill results