New Jersey Bills

passed both · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 12, 2026

A 6307: Modifies certain requirements of film and digital media content production tax credit program; modifies criteria for purchase of certain tax credit transfer certificates administered by Division of Taxation.

This bill modifies New Jersey's film and digital media tax credit program. For film productions, it reduces the tax credit rate from 35% to 30% for eligible expenses incurred outside a specific New York City area (within 30 miles of 8th Ave/Central Park West), while maintaining the 60% New Jersey spending requirement. For digital media, it increases the credit rate to 35% for producers using vendors primarily located in seven specified counties (Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, or Salem), with unchanged requirements for $2 million in New Jersey spending and 50% NJ wages. The changes directly affect film and digital media producers seeking tax credits under the program.

passed both · New Jersey · Senate Jan 12, 2026

S 5026: Allocates certain portion of appropriations made to New Jersey Schools Development Authority from "New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund"; appropriates $3.25 million for certain high cost special education services.

This bill allocates $10 million from existing school funding to build parking facilities at Colin Powell Elementary School in Union City, New Jersey, for staff and students. It also appropriates $3.25 million from the General Fund specifically for high-cost special education services in the Union City School District. Both provisions directly benefit Union City School District students and staff by funding infrastructure improvements and specialized educational support. The funds are directed through the Department of Education with required grant agreements for oversight. The bill makes no changes to existing education programs beyond these targeted allocations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

passed both · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 12, 2026

A 6298: Modifies provisions concerning net positive benefits test and special economic importance for certain transformative projects under New Jersey Aspire Program.

This bill modifies New Jersey's Aspire Program requirements for major development projects. It adjusts the "net positive benefits test" by adding new criteria that automatically qualify projects as "of special economic importance," such as brownfield remediation with $15 million+ cleanup costs, healthcare facilities near universities or trauma centers, or projects near transportation hubs. Projects must meet specific size thresholds (e.g., 200,000+ sq. ft. in restricted areas, 500,000+ sq. ft. elsewhere) and include housing/commercial space requirements (e.g., 700+ residential units or 30,000+ sq. ft. commercial space). It also mandates 20% of new housing units be affordable for low-to-moderate-income households, with exceptions for historic tax credit projects. These changes apply to projects applying after specified effective dates.

passed both · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 12, 2026

A 6201: Amends Fiscal Year 2026 annual appropriations act concerning language requiring achievement of cost savings for SHBP.*

Bill A6201 removes a requirement from New Jersey's Fiscal Year 2026 state budget that mandated the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) to achieve $100 million in cost savings during the first six months of 2026. The removed language previously required the State and public employees' representatives on the SHBP Design Committee (SHBPDC) to submit cost-saving proposals by July 31, 2025, for actuarial review, with voting deadlines by September 30, 2025, and fallback steps like mediation if targets weren't met. By eliminating this requirement, the bill removes the $100 million savings target and associated deadlines for the SHBP budget process. This directly affects the SHBP's administration, removing obligations tied to cost-saving negotiations and verifications.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jan 12, 2026

S 5031: Authorizes tax credits for certain sports and entertainment projects; authorizes additional tax credits for New Jersey Aspire Program and Emerge Program.

S 5031 authorizes tax credits for developers of sports and entertainment facilities with at least 15,000 seating capacity and for the New Jersey Aspire Program and Emerge Program. The credits would cover the "project financing gap" (the uncovered portion of project costs after other funding, requiring at least 20% of total costs to remain uncovered) and be available for a minimum five-year period. The bill defines key terms like "eligible facility" and "eligibility period" to establish the program's framework. This legislation aims to support economic development through investment in these projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed both · New Jersey · Senate Jan 12, 2026

S 3455: Provides for automatic renewal of off-track wagering licenses.*

This bill would automatically renew off-track wagering licenses without requiring commission approval, as long as licensees file renewal forms and pay applicable fees. It reduces the minimum required number of annual thoroughbred races from 50 to 25 at Meadowlands Racetrack and Monmouth Park, with consent from the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. The bill also shortens the timeframe for unclaimed cash vouchers from three years to one year, with the value split equally between the facility and the purse account. These changes primarily affect off-track wagering licensees, horse racing facilities, and the New Jersey Racing Commission.

passed both · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 12, 2026

A 3451: Revises law concerning family leave to extend protection by reducing employee threshold from 30 employees to 15 employees in definition of employer.*

This bill phases in smaller employer coverage under New Jersey's family leave law by reducing the employee threshold from 30 to 5 employees over two years. Starting immediately, employers with 20+ employees must follow the law; one year later, the threshold drops to 10 employees; and after two years, all employers with 5+ employees must provide reinstatement rights after family leave. It directly affects workers at small businesses (5-20 employees) who previously had no legal right to return to their jobs after taking family leave. The law ensures these employees cannot be retaliated against for taking leave, aligning small business coverage with existing protections for larger employers.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed both · New Jersey · Senate Jan 12, 2026

S 3470: Upgrades cyber-harassment of public servant or family member to third degree crime; requires Attorney General to establish cyber-harassment prevention initiatives; appropriates funds.*

This bill upgrades penalties for cyber-harassment targeting public servants or their family members, making it a third-degree crime (up from fourth degree under current law). It establishes the Office of Cyber-Harassment Support within the Department of Law and Public Safety to provide victim assistance, develop educational programs, and coordinate with law enforcement and social media platforms. The office will create accessible reporting systems, offer counseling, promote cyber ethics in schools, and train law enforcement on investigating cyber-harassment cases. The bill appropriates state funds to implement these provisions, directly affecting public servants, their families, and victims of online harassment.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

passed both · New Jersey · Senate Jan 12, 2026

S 877: Exempts municipal electric utilities from regulation by BPU in certain circumstances.*

S 877 exempts municipal electric utilities from oversight by New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) regarding their rates and operations. Currently, if a municipality provides electricity beyond its city limits, it is treated as a public utility subject to BPU rate regulation; this bill removes that requirement. Municipal electric utilities would no longer need BPU approval for rates, charges, or operations, though the BPU would retain authority to resolve disputes over service territories. This directly affects cities operating electric utilities that serve customers outside their corporate boundaries. The bill amends existing laws (R.S.40:62-24 and P.L.1983, c.78) to create this exemption.

Topics ✗ Energy

passed both · New Jersey · Senate Jan 12, 2026

S 3517: Expands Division of State Police rank and grade titles.

This bill clarifies the authority of the New Jersey State Police Superintendent to change personnel ranks and grades. It specifies that rank changes for troopers, detectives, first-line supervisors, mid-level managers, and executives can be made without Attorney General approval. However, changes to command staff positions (majors and lieutenant colonels) still require Attorney General approval. All personnel adjustments must stay within existing budget limits, consistent with current law. The bill directly affects State Police staff and the Attorney General's oversight role.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed both · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 12, 2026

AJR 57: Designates March 30th of each year "Menstrual Toxic Shock Syndrome Awareness Day."

AJR 57 designates March 30th of each year as "Menstrual Toxic Shock Syndrome Awareness Day" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public awareness activities about MTSS, a rare but serious bacterial infection. This procedural resolution does not create new laws or policies, but formally establishes an annual day to highlight MTSS prevention and symptoms for New Jersey residents.

passed both · New Jersey · Senate Jan 12, 2026

S 1385: Establishes four-year pilot program in Ocean County for electronic monitoring of certain domestic violence offenders; appropriates $2.5 million.*

S 1385, known as "Lisa’s Law," establishes a four-year pilot program in Ocean County (or another county chosen by the Attorney General) requiring electronic monitoring for certain domestic violence offenders who violate restraining orders. The law mandates that courts obtain a victim’s informed consent before ordering monitoring, considering factors like the offender’s history of violence, weapon access, and mental health. It requires monitoring devices to meet federal tracking standards, allows courts to charge offenders a $250 fee (with waivers for hardship), and directs funds to a Domestic Violence Victim Notification Fund. The program applies only to defendants convicted of contempt for violating domestic violence orders under New Jersey’s Prevention of Domestic Violence Act.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill results