New Jersey Bills

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 12, 2026

A 5758: Authorizes creation of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. license plates.

This bill authorizes New Jersey to issue special license plates featuring Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. (Lambda Theta Alpha) branding. Vehicle owners who apply pay a $50 one-time fee and a $10 annual fee, with the extra funds deposited into a dedicated "Lambda Theta Alpha License Plate Fund." The fund's money is annually appropriated to the sorority to support its mission and programs, after covering administrative costs. The program requires 500 initial applications and private funding (up to $25,000) to cover setup costs before implementation, and expires if these conditions aren't met within 12 months.

Topics ✓ Transportation

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

A 4899: Limits amount of residential rental property application fee; establishes penalty.

This bill limits residential rental application fees to the actual cost of a credit check or related service, with a maximum cap of $30. Landlords cannot charge tenants more than this amount for application fees, even if the credit check costs more than $30. Violating this rule results in a $250 penalty per violation, enforceable by the state or through a tenant lawsuit seeking the penalty plus attorney fees. The law directly affects landlords and tenants in New Jersey rental housing by restricting excessive fees and providing enforcement mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Housing

passed both · New Jersey · Senate Jan 12, 2026

S 699: Establishes program in SADC for acquisition of development easements on privately-owned woodlands.*

This bill creates a state program to permanently restrict development on qualifying privately-owned woodlands through easement acquisitions. Landowners with woodlands meeting specific criteria (minimum 20 acres, used for agriculture/forest products, or managed under approved stewardship plans) can participate. The State Agriculture Development Committee will administer the program using existing farmland preservation funds and seek federal programs like the Forest Legacy Program, with easements recorded similarly to property deeds. The goal is to preserve forested lands for agricultural, silvicultural, and conservation purposes.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed both · New Jersey · Senate Jan 12, 2026

S 3446: "Farmland and Woodland Tax Assessment Integrity and Investment Act."*

This bill establishes a Farmland Assessment Review Commission within New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to annually review and recommend changes to the state's farmland assessment program. The commission would evaluate the program's application, eligibility requirements, funding mechanisms, and interactions with other land preservation programs to ensure fair, equitable, and uniform statewide implementation. It would assess factors such as the number of properties under assessment, potential inspection fees for landowners, income-based eligibility considerations, and how other land preservation programs affect farmland assessment. The commission, consisting of nine members including state officials and representatives from farmland owners and local tax assessors, would submit annual reports with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature for potential legislative action.

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

A 4978: Requires AG to report data regarding shootings that did not result in bodily injury.

This bill (A4978) requires New Jersey county prosecutors to collect and report specific data about firearm-related incidents that did not cause bodily injury. Prosecutors must submit quarterly data - including incident details, location, charges, and whether the firearm was used lawfully - to the Attorney General for three years. The Attorney General will compile this data into a public report for the Governor and Legislature, to be published online. It directly affects county prosecutors (who collect the data) and the Attorney General (who compiles and publishes the report), with no changes to criminal penalties or gun laws. The bill focuses solely on gathering standardized data for transparency and analysis.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

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

A 5851: Directs DEP to establish scrap tire hauler license and scrap tire storage, collection, and disposal site permit.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create two new regulatory systems: a license for scrap tire haulers (who collect and transport tires) and a permit for scrap tire storage/disposal sites. It directly affects businesses handling scrap tires, including haulers (who must get licensed, maintain $150,000 financial assurance, and use electronic tracking) and storage facilities (which must obtain permits unless exempt, like small operations storing under 500 tires). Key provisions include mandatory licensing for haulers within 180 days of enactment, an electronic tracking system for tire movement, and tiered penalties of up to $25,000 per violation for noncompliance. Exemptions apply for tire retreaders, auto businesses, and retailers storing under 500 tires, or up to 1,000 tires in secure containers.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed both · New Jersey · Senate Jan 12, 2026

S 3754: Establishes "Disability Mortality and Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee" in DHS; makes appropriation.

S 3754 establishes a "Disability Mortality and Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee" within New Jersey's Department of Human Services. The committee will review cases of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have died or survived abuse, neglect, or exploitation, and assess how government systems respond to these cases. Composed of 12 members including medical professionals, disability advocates, and service providers, the committee will identify system improvements and recommend changes to strengthen prevention and reporting processes. The committee must submit findings and recommendations to state agencies within 27 months, and the state will appropriate funds to support this effort.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

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

A 3036: "Swift Access For Emergency Response Actions Preservation Program (SAFER APP)"; authorizes Attorney General to order turn-by-turn navigation systems to reroute vehicular traffic under certain conditions.

New Jersey's Assembly Bill A3036, the "SAFER APP" program, authorizes the Attorney General to order navigation app providers (like Google Maps or Waze) to reroute traffic during declared emergency conditions. Municipalities can request an investigation into traffic emergencies - such as highway congestion, emergency vehicle delays, or accident hotspots - by adopting a resolution approved by the Transportation Commissioner within 90 days. If an emergency is confirmed, the Attorney General can mandate navigation systems to divert traffic, with non-compliant providers facing daily fines up to $5,000 payable to the affected municipality. The bill directly affects navigation service companies and aims to improve emergency response by reducing traffic barriers.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 12, 2026

A 5684: Establishes safety measures for scrap metal businesses.

This bill requires all New Jersey scrap metal businesses to implement new safety measures. Specifically, businesses must conduct quarterly record audits to ensure prohibited items aren't present and reduce fire risks by either employing fire suppression-trained staff or installing a remotely operable on-site fire suppression system. The fire suppression system requirement gives businesses five years to comply, while the quarterly audits begin immediately. These changes directly affect all scrap metal businesses operating in the state, focusing on preventing fires and ensuring proper record-keeping.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 12, 2026

A 5756: Authorizes creation of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. license plates.

This bill authorizes New Jersey to issue special license plates for the Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. Motor vehicle owners can apply for these plates by paying a $50 one-time fee and a $10 annual fee (in addition to standard registration costs). The fees collected, after covering administrative expenses, will fund a dedicated account that annually provides grants to support the fraternity's mission and programs. The program requires the fraternity to raise up to $25,000 from private sources and secure 500 applications before implementation, and it expires if these conditions aren't met within 12 months.

Topics ✓ Transportation

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

A 5798: Requires automatic enrollment into utility bill payment assistance programs for certain individuals and households.*

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services to share eligibility data for certain low-income assistance programs (like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, SNAP, and Supplemental Security Income) with agencies managing energy assistance programs. It mandates that those agencies automatically enroll eligible households into utility bill payment assistance or energy efficiency programs without requiring separate applications. The policy directly affects households already receiving federal or state needs-based aid, streamlining access to energy help. Key provisions include data-sharing agreements between state departments and automatic enrollment for qualifying individuals, as permitted by federal law. The bill takes effect six months after enactment.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 12, 2026

A 5751: Directs DHS to establish Children's Partial Hospitalization Pilot Program.

This bill establishes a 36-month pilot program allowing New Jersey's Medicaid program (NJ FamilyCare) to reimburse partial hospitalization services for children aged 5-14 at non-hospital locations, rather than requiring services to be provided in a hospital setting. It directly affects children with mental health needs who currently cannot access these intensive outpatient services outside hospitals due to reimbursement rules. The program requires one selected provider to exclusively serve children 5-14, meet all other Medicaid requirements except the hospital location rule, and apply for approval through the Children's System of Care. After 36 months, the Department of Human Services must report on the program's outcomes and recommend whether to continue or expand it.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results