New Jersey Bills

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 205: Revises penalties for certain violations of limousine laws.

S 205 revises New Jersey's penalties for limousine violations, directly affecting limousine operators and drivers who break state regulations. It increases fines for operating without a license or proper insurance to $2,500 for a first offense, $5,000 for a second, and $7,500 plus a six-month driver's license suspension and vehicle impoundment for third offenses. For missing special registration plates or failing safety inspections, penalties rise to $1,250 for a first offense and $7,500 with impoundment for third offenses. The bill also specifies that limousines must have safety equipment like two-way communication systems and fire extinguishers, with $50 fines for first offenses on missing equipment.

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 3116: Extends deadline for submission of temporary certificate of occupancy for certain qualified residential projects or mixed-use parking projects under Economic Redevelopment and Growth Grant program to June 30, 2032.

This bill extends the deadline for developers to submit a temporary certificate of occupancy for certain projects under New Jersey's Economic Redevelopment and Growth Grant program from December 31, 2024, to June 30, 2032. It specifically affects developers of qualified residential projects or mixed-use parking projects that have applied for incentives under this program. The change modifies existing requirements in the grant program's rules without altering eligibility criteria, funding levels, or other program provisions. The extension provides additional time for project completion and compliance with the program's requirements.

Topics ✓ Housing

passed both · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 3183: Modifies various provisions of State's renewable energy incentive programs; requires electric public utilities to consider interconnection applications for certain solar projects.*

This bill modifies New Jersey's renewable energy incentive programs to support solar development on specific sites. It allows multiple solar projects to co-locate on the same or adjacent properties (without size limits) for community solar and remote net metering programs, and removes size restrictions for solar projects on landfills, brownfields, contaminated sites, or mining sites. Electric utilities must process interconnection applications for community solar or remote net metering projects on 34.5kV or lower voltage lines. Projects on designated sites must achieve commercial operation within 33 months (automatically extended for utility-caused delays), with the timeline starting from program registration.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 282: Establishes "John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey." **

This bill establishes New Jersey's "John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act," which sets new standards to protect voting rights. It requires courts to interpret election laws liberally in favor of voters, particularly protecting racial, color, and language-minority groups (defined as "protected classes"), ensuring their equal access to voting and registration. The Attorney General is designated as the chief enforcer to investigate violations, issue guidance, and litigate cases related to voting rights under this law. Key provisions include prohibiting unnecessary voting barriers and mandating that election policies be narrowly tailored to serve compelling government interests.

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 2960: Establishes certain State funding preferences for municipalities that enhance opportunities to develop housing.

This bill (S 2960) creates state funding preferences for New Jersey municipalities that adopt zoning changes to encourage denser residential development. It requires municipalities to review and update their master plans and development regulations to include specific housing strategies - such as allowing accessory dwelling units, reducing parking requirements, permitting multi-unit buildings in commercial zones, or increasing density near transit - before qualifying for preferential treatment. Municipalities that implement these changes will receive priority consideration for state grants and competitive financial assistance programs (like the Main Street New Jersey Program), as determined by the Department of Community Affairs. The bill applies to all municipalities that amend their regulations to increase permitted housing units, with funding preferences taking effect once the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 1673: Requires transmission owners to join regional transmission organizations approved by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. **

This bill (S 1673) requires all electric transmission owners in New Jersey (including utility companies that operate power lines) to join and transfer control of their transmission facilities to approved regional transmission entities. These entities must be FERC-approved, separate transmission control from power generation, minimize duplicate charges ("rate pancaking"), improve grid reliability, and maintain independent governance. The law aims to create a more competitive electricity market by preventing multiple fees for the same power delivery and ensuring fair access to transmission infrastructure. The bill is pending before the New Jersey Senate and would take effect immediately if enacted.

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 1322: Requires consumer reporting agencies to provide a consumer with a free credit report three times during any 12-month period upon request.

This New Jersey bill would require consumer reporting agencies to provide consumers with three free credit reports annually upon request, replacing the current one free report per year. It directly affects New Jersey residents who regularly check their credit history, allowing them to monitor their financial information more frequently without cost. The key provision amends state law to increase the annual free report limit from one to three, with no charge for each request within a 12-month period. This change would give consumers greater access to their credit data for financial planning and error detection.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 451: Establishes "Forbidding the Algorithmic Inflation of Rent (FAIR) Act." *

This bill (S 451) prohibits landlords and property management software from using algorithmic systems to coordinate rental pricing and supply, which the legislature states has contributed to New Jersey's housing affordability crisis. It defines a "coordinator" as any service (including software) that collects pricing data from multiple landlords, analyzes it with algorithms, and recommends rental prices or lease terms - effectively enabling price-fixing. Landlords are banned from subscribing to such services, and coordinators are prohibited from facilitating agreements that restrict competition among rental property owners. The law directly affects landlords, property management companies, and software providers operating in New Jersey's rental market, aiming to increase price competition and reduce rent burdens for renters.

Topics ✓ Housing ✗ Technology

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 2565: Permits victims and witnesses of human trafficking to testify in criminal proceedings via closed circuit television; permits judge to make motion to seek closed circuit testimony.

This bill (S 2565) expands access to closed-circuit television testimony for victims and witnesses specifically in human trafficking cases. It allows courts to order such testimony after finding clear evidence that testifying in person would cause severe emotional distress, with safeguards ensuring the victim/witness testifies under oath, faces cross-examination, and their demeanor remains observable. The law permits victims, prosecutors, defendants, or judges to request this testimony, and includes special confidentiality rules for minors (under 18) regarding audio recordings of their testimony. This directly affects human trafficking victims and witnesses in New Jersey criminal trials, making it easier for them to participate without facing traumatic in-person courtroom settings.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 1423: Concerns facilities used by applicants for new motor vehicle dealer licenses.*

This bill establishes a temporary "provisional" license for new motor vehicle dealers in New Jersey, allowing them to operate while meeting full licensing requirements. It directly affects new dealers who are setting up their businesses, giving them a short-term license before they must comply with all standard rules (like maintaining an established business location and selling a minimum of four new vehicles annually). The key mechanism creates a new license category under existing law, enabling provisional operation while dealers fulfill requirements such as having proper documentation and business infrastructure. This change streamlines entry for new dealers without altering the core standards for full licensure.

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 2141: Prohibits cryptocurrency automatic teller machines.

New Jersey's S 2141 bans businesses from owning, operating, or selling cryptocurrency ATMs within the state. The bill defines a cryptocurrency ATM as a physical kiosk that allows users to buy, sell, or exchange digital currency using cash, debit, or credit cards. Violations would result in fines up to $20,000 per offense, with enforcement under the state's consumer fraud laws. This action responds to Federal Trade Commission data showing crypto ATM scams caused over $65 million in fraud losses in the first half of 2024, disproportionately affecting older adults.

Topics ✗ Technology

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 1270: Eliminates statute of limitations for human trafficking and criminal sexual contact prosecutions and eliminates statute of limitations for civil cases arising from human trafficking.*

This New Jersey bill eliminates time limits for prosecuting human trafficking crimes, allowing criminal charges to be filed at any time. For civil cases where victims sue traffickers, it extends the filing deadline to 10 years after the crime occurred, or until the victim turns 18 if they were a minor at the time, or two years after discovering the harm. The bill directly affects victims of human trafficking (who gain extended legal options) and individuals accused of trafficking offenses (who face no time limit for prosecution). It modifies existing laws to remove fixed time periods for both criminal prosecutions and civil lawsuits related to human trafficking.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill results