New Jersey Bills

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 731: Requires electric public utilities to develop and apply special rules for large load customers to protect non-large load customers from increased costs.*

S 731 requires New Jersey electric utilities to create special pricing plans for large data centers (defined as facilities with 100+ megawatts monthly demand) to protect regular electricity customers from cost increases. The bill mandates that these plans must prevent non-data center ratepayers from bearing costs from data centers' high energy use and incentivize data centers to improve energy efficiency, including using waste heat. Utilities must submit these plans to the Board of Public Utilities within 180 days, and the rules will take effect one year after the bill passes. Key requirements include data centers committing to 85% service levels for 10 years, proving project uniqueness, and providing financial guarantees to cover potential cost overruns if they reduce service.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 552: Requires Division of Travel and Tourism develop and maintain Internet website on historic sites, districts, and roadside markers.

S 552 requires New Jersey's Division of Travel and Tourism to create and maintain a public website featuring all state historic sites, districts, and roadside markers. The website must include searchable maps, driving directions from all compass points, tour details, photos, contact information for site owners, and links to local historical programs. This directly affects travelers seeking historical sites, local historical organizations, and state agencies managing historic properties. The bill mandates regular updates whenever new sites are added by state entities like the Department of Environmental Protection or Department of Transportation.

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 1312: Requires MVC to accept emergency medical technician and paramedic certification cards as two points of documentation for purposes of MVC identification verification program.

This bill (S 1312) allows emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics to use their state-issued certification cards as two points of identification when applying for New Jersey driver’s licenses, permits, or other MVC services. It directly affects EMTs and paramedics who need to verify their identity under the MVC’s Six-Point Identification Verification Program. The key provision modifies the program to count a valid EMT/paramedic certification card as two points (instead of one), streamlining the verification process. The bill requires the MVC to update its rules to implement this change, though it remains pending in the Senate.

passed both · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 2368: "Garden State Balcony Solar Act"; exempts portable solar generation devices from certain requirements, and requires certain entities to allow use and installation of portable solar generation devices.**

This bill exempts small portable solar devices (under 1,200 watts) from standard utility requirements. It directly affects homeowners using these devices, which connect via standard 120V outlets and meet electrical safety standards. Key provisions remove the need for interconnection agreements, net metering program rules, utility approval, or fees. Utilities cannot charge for these devices or require additional equipment beyond what’s built-in. The bill also shields utilities from liability for customer use of these devices.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 2316: Regulates data brokers, data collectors, and collection and dissemination of certain sensitive information.**

This bill requires data brokers operating in New Jersey to register with the Division of Consumer Affairs annually ($100 fee) and submit detailed information about their data collection, privacy policies, opt-out options, and data breach history. It directly affects businesses that collect and sell personal identifying information without a direct relationship to the individual, such as those selling health data. The key provision bans data brokers from selling, sharing, or transmitting physical health records (covering treatments for physical conditions) or behavioral health records (covering mental health, substance use, or emotional disorder care). The law establishes a public registry of registered brokers to increase transparency about how sensitive health data is handled.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 1116: Exempts poll workers wages from affecting unemployment compensation.

This bill exempts wages earned by poll workers during elections from being counted when calculating unemployment benefits in New Jersey. It amends the state's unemployment law (R.S.43:21-19) to exclude these wages from "annual payroll" calculations that determine benefit eligibility. This directly affects election workers who may later qualify for unemployment benefits, ensuring their temporary election work does not reduce their compensation. The policy change prevents poll workers' election wages from impacting their unemployment benefit amount under current law.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 30, 2026

A 4013: Requires Social Media Research Center to research and make recommendations concerning addictive social media behaviors.*

This bill requires social media platforms with significant user activity in New Jersey to display prominent warning labels about mental health risks during account sign-up and when users access certain features. It specifically targets platforms that allow social interaction (like profile creation and content sharing) and directly affects minors under 18, as defined by the bill. The warnings must highlight risks identified by the U.S. Surgeon General, including links between heavy social media use and increased depression, anxiety, and sleep disruption in youth. Platforms must comply with these labeling requirements to inform users and families about potential harms. The bill does not impose additional restrictions beyond the warning labels.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 3245: Revises high school student financial aid application requirements.

This bill makes permanent a requirement that New Jersey high school students (and their parents or guardians) complete a financial aid application as a prerequisite for earning a high school diploma. Currently, this requirement was temporary, applying only to the 2023-2024 grade 11 class and the following school year, but the bill removes the expiration date. Students may be exempt through a waiver signed by a parent/guardian (or by the student if 18+), or with a school counselor’s authorization if a parent signature cannot be obtained. The bill also mandates that the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority provide resources like webinars and guides to schools, students, and families to help complete the application, and requires schools to annually notify students and parents about the requirement.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 28, 2026

A 5341: Establishes Age-Friendly State Advisory Council and New Jersey Age-Friendly Grants Program in DHS.

This bill creates a new Age-Friendly State Advisory Council within the Department of Human Services to coordinate efforts for older adults across the state. The council will consist of 15 members, including various state agency commissioners, representatives from local aging organizations, and public members appointed by legislative leaders and the Governor to ensure diverse perspectives. Its primary role is to oversee the implementation of the 2024 Age-Friendly Blueprint, which aims to make New Jersey communities more inclusive, affordable, and accessible for people aged 65 and older. Additionally, the legislation establishes a grants program to support age-friendly initiatives, though specific funding details are not outlined in the provided text. The council is tasked with bringing together government, businesses, and nonprofits to improve environmental, economic, and social factors affecting the well-being of older residents.

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 28, 2026

A 5340: Provides gross income tax credit to qualified family caregivers for care and support expenses incurred for qualifying family members.

This bill creates a New Jersey gross income tax credit for qualified family caregivers who pay for care and support expenses for qualifying family members. The credit allows caregivers to reduce their tax liability by up to $3,000 annually, or $5,000 if the person they care for is a veteran or has a disability, with the remaining amount potentially refunded if taxes are fully offset. To claim the benefit, caregivers must submit detailed documentation, such as receipts, proof of payment, and medical certifications, to the Division of Taxation. The legislation also clarifies that caregivers can claim this credit alongside existing dependent deductions or other credits, while ensuring the total credit for a single care recipient does not exceed the annual limits even if multiple family members provide care.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 28, 2026

A 5332: Regulates data brokers and collection and dissemination of certain sensitive information.

This bill updates New Jersey's data privacy laws to impose stricter rules on companies that collect and sell personal information. It requires businesses to limit data collection to what is necessary, obtain explicit consent before processing sensitive information or using data for targeted advertising, and provide an easy way for people to revoke that consent. The legislation also mandates that organizations conducting high-risk processing activities must perform confidential data protection assessments to weigh potential benefits against consumer risks. Additionally, the law prohibits the sale of sensitive data by any entity and bans the processing of personal data in ways that violate state or federal anti-discrimination laws.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 28, 2026

S 4443: Clarifies overtime compensation requirements for certain public employees engaged in law enforcement and fire protection activities.

This bill clarifies overtime compensation rules for public employees in law enforcement and fire protection roles in New Jersey. It achieves this by amending existing state labor laws to update definitions of key terms such as wages, regular hourly wage, and employer. The text also establishes specific definitions for seasonal employment and small employers to ensure consistent application of these compensation standards.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results