New Jersey Bills

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

A 4720: Requires certain motor vehicles to install rear-seat detection systems.

This bill requires all passenger automobiles manufactured in New Jersey after its effective date to be equipped with rear-seat detection systems that alert drivers when children or pets are left unattended in the vehicle. The system must use auditory, visual, and haptic warnings to notify people inside and outside the car, and it cannot be disabled or overridden by the driver. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission will establish the specific design specifications for these systems, which may also include features to notify emergency services of the vehicle's location. This legislation aims to prevent heatstroke deaths by ensuring vehicles automatically warn owners when someone is left inside after the engine is turned off.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

A 4684: Establishes "Affordable Housing Obligation Study Commission" to assist municipalities in addressing affordable housing obligations.

This bill creates a temporary study commission to help New Jersey municipalities better understand and address their affordable housing obligations. The commission would consist of six members appointed by various state officials and the League of Municipalities, and it would operate independently within the Department of Community Affairs. Its main tasks include reviewing the history of affordable housing in the state, analyzing past guidance given to local governments, estimating future housing needs based on population growth, and holding public hearings to gather input. Within one year of starting, the commission must publish a report with recommendations for both municipalities and state agencies on how to meet housing obligations, after which the commission will automatically dissolve.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

A 4716: Prohibits BPU approval of electric or gas public utility rate increases resulting in total increase to average residential customer bill in excess of two percent within five-year period.

This bill prevents the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities from approving electric or gas rate hikes that would raise average residential customer bills by more than two percent over a five-year period. It directly affects utility companies and residential customers by setting a cap on cumulative rate increases within a specific timeframe. The law requires the Board to review projected bill increases before approval and denies any requests that exceed the two percent threshold during the five-year window. This measure aims to limit utility cost growth for home energy consumers without changing how utilities operate or generating revenue.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

A 4682: Establishes certain annual certification compliance requirements for school bus contractors; requires Office of School Bus Safety to establish certification compliance pilot program.

This bill requires school bus contractors in New Jersey to submit annual certifications for each driver, including background checks and license verification, by August 15 before the school year begins. It mandates the Office of School Bus Safety to create an automated system that sends weekly electronic alerts to contractors who miss deadlines and notifies school districts if they remain noncompliant after 10 days. The bill also establishes a two-year pilot program offering incentives like priority in bidding or reduced fees to contractors who meet certification requirements on time, while allowing the commissioner to impose penalties or bar noncompliant contractors from future contracts.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

A 4726: Prohibits fee for keeping emotional support animal in residential rental property.

This bill prohibits landlords in New Jersey from charging tenants additional fees, rent increases, or security deposits related to keeping an emotional support animal in residential rental properties. It applies to most rental situations but excludes owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units, and requires tenants to provide health provider documentation about their emotional support animal at lease signing. The law also establishes legal penalties for landlords who violate these rules, allowing tenants to seek $1,000 per violation plus attorney fees in court.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

A 4709: Establishes survivor support liaison in Department of Treasury to assist beneficiaries of emergency responders who die in line of duty; designated as "Captain Augusto Acabou's, Wayne Brooks', and Plainfield Firefighter Marques Hudson's act"; appropriates $1,000,000.

This bill creates a new Office of Emergency Responder Survivor Support and Navigation within the New Jersey Department of Treasury to help families of emergency responders who die in the line of duty. The office will be staffed by individuals who have personally experienced the loss of a first responder and will assist beneficiaries with applying for government and private benefits, provide summaries of eligible benefits, and offer ongoing support during the application process. The legislation appropriates $1,000,000 annually from the General Fund to support these operations and is named in honor of three emergency responders who died in the line of duty.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 16, 2026

S 3951: Prohibits electric public utilities from charging public entities fees for relocating utility poles.

This bill prohibits electric public utilities in New Jersey from charging fees to public entities when relocating utility poles. It directly affects counties, municipalities, and other public agencies that may need to move poles for infrastructure projects. The law defines utility poles to include the poles themselves, attached wires or cables, and similar replacements, ensuring the fee ban covers all related components. The measure takes effect immediately upon passage, removing potential costs that public entities might otherwise face during pole relocation efforts.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

A 4717: Requires BPU to prohibit electric and gas public utilities from charging residential customers certain types of payments based on certain billing practices.

This bill requires the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to mandate that electric and gas utilities offer equal payment plans to residential customers, which spread utility costs into consistent monthly installments. It prohibits utilities from charging lump-sum payments when actual usage exceeds forecasts and bans the practice of underbilling, which occurs when bills are based on estimates rather than actual meter readings. The legislation also prevents utilities from adding outstanding balance differences from estimated bills to future charges and restricts monthly bill adjustments to annual updates based solely on usage data. These changes aim to provide more predictable and stable utility billing for home and business energy consumers.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 16, 2026

S 3788: Creates Task Force on Higher Education Governance and Funding; appropriates $200,000.

This bill establishes a 13-member Task Force on Higher Education Governance and Funding to study New Jersey's higher education system, including its organizational structure, oversight mechanisms, and financial support. The task force will include representatives from state agencies, universities, colleges, and labor organizations, with appointments made within 60 days of the bill's effective date. The group is required to hold at least one public hearing, examine how current funding affects tuition and student outcomes, and submit data-driven recommendations to the Legislature on how to adequately and equitably fund public higher education institutions. The bill appropriates $200,000 to cover the task force's operational costs and member reimbursement for necessary expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

AJR 161: Establishes New Jersey Pancreatic Cancer Commission.

This bill creates the New Jersey Pancreatic Cancer Commission to study and address pancreatic cancer issues across the state. The commission will examine prevention, early detection, treatment, patient outcomes, and access to care, including reviewing incidence rates, screening practices, barriers to treatment, research efforts, and education needs. It will consist of 13 members appointed by the Governor, Senate President, Assembly Speaker, and minority leaders, including representatives from health departments, medical institutions, advocacy groups, and patient families. The commission will operate without compensation but receive expense reimbursement, and must submit a final report with findings and recommendations within 12 months of organization before expiring. The Department of Health will provide staff support, and the commission can access state employees as needed for its work.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

A 4708: Requires DOH to provide grants for women's health research and innovations.

This bill directs the New Jersey Department of Health to distribute grants to organizations, including community-based groups and small businesses, for women's health research and innovation projects. The Office on Women's Health would use these funds to support studies on conditions specific to women across their lifespans, address health disparities, develop data standards, and apply new technologies like artificial intelligence to improve health outcomes. Additionally, the office would establish public-private partnerships for health awareness campaigns, serve as a resource center for women's health information, and review other state departments to improve coordination on women's health initiatives.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 16, 2026

S 3717: Establishes "Fair Price Protection Act."

This bill, known as the Fair Price Protection Act, prohibits retail food stores and third-party grocery delivery platforms in New Jersey from charging different prices to different consumers for the same product based on surveillance data collected through cameras, sensors, or other tracking technologies. The law directly affects grocery retailers, delivery services, and consumers by making it illegal to use personal information about shopping habits, location, or biometrics to set individualized prices. Exceptions are allowed for legitimate cost differences, bona fide discounts for groups like seniors or students, and loyalty programs, provided that pricing criteria are clearly disclosed to customers and surveillance data is not used for other purposes like targeted advertising. The bill aims to prevent discriminatory pricing while permitting standard business practices such as loyalty rewards and group discounts when properly communicated.

Topics ✓ Technology

Bill results