New Jersey Bills

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 18, 2026

A 5290: Requires primary and general election candidates to use nominating petition forms made available by Secretary of State, county clerk, or municipal clerk.

This bill requires political candidates in New Jersey to use the official nominating petition forms provided by the Secretary of State, county clerk, or municipal clerk for both primary and general elections. It applies to all individuals seeking office who wish to gather voter signatures to appear on the ballot, ensuring they utilize the standardized documents available through these government offices. By mandating the use of these specific forms, the legislation aims to streamline the candidate qualification process and maintain consistency across different election types.

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 4473: Requires employing board of education or contractor to notify DOE regarding termination of employee disqualified from employment.

This bill requires school boards and their contractors to notify the New Jersey Department of Education when they terminate an employee who has been disqualified from working in schools due to criminal history. The law mandates that the Commissioner of Education inform school districts immediately upon learning of pending charges or convictions against current staff members, ensuring that employees accused of specific offenses are removed from contact with students while their cases are pending. Additionally, the bill establishes a formal process for school bus drivers to undergo criminal and driving record checks, permanently disqualifying them if they have certain criminal convictions or multiple serious traffic violations. To enforce compliance, the legislation imposes fines on school districts or contractors that fail to provide written confirmation to the state that disqualified employees have been terminated.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 4425: Appropriates $64,787,327 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and other farmland preservation funds to State Agriculture Development Committee for farmland preservation purposes.

This bill appropriates approximately $64.8 million from various constitutionally dedicated funds to the State Agriculture Development Committee in New Jersey to support farmland preservation. The money will be used to purchase development easements or full ownership of farmland, provide grants to counties and municipalities for up to 80 percent of acquisition costs, and offer grants to non-profit organizations for up to 50 percent of such costs. Additionally, the legislation allocates $2.7 million specifically for stewardship activities like soil and water conservation and deer fencing on preserved lands. Any farmland bought with these funds must be resold or leased with agricultural restrictions to ensure it remains used for farming purposes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 18, 2026

A 5291: Requires DEP to notify certain property owners of change in property's status as wetlands area; establishes process to appeal certain wetlands designations.

This bill requires the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to inform property owners whenever the state reevaluates or remaps wetlands boundaries on their land. The notifications must clearly explain if a property has gained or lost its wetlands designation and provide a detailed comparison of how the size of the wetlands area has changed. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the department create an appeals process for owners who disagree with a wetlands designation, ensuring that information about how to appeal is included in all notices and on the department's website. These changes directly affect landowners in New Jersey by increasing transparency regarding environmental designations and offering a formal path to challenge those decisions.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 4475: Requires law enforcement to notify State Parole Board when parolee violates domestic violence restraining order.

This bill requires law enforcement officers in New Jersey to immediately notify the State Parole Board if a person charged with violating a domestic violence restraining order is currently on parole. The legislation mandates that officers check a new central registry to identify parolees and ensures the Parole Board Chairman is informed whenever a contempt charge is filed against someone under supervision. Additionally, the bill establishes procedures for setting bail and handling contempt proceedings, including a requirement that second or subsequent nonindictable domestic violence contempt offenses result in a minimum 30-day jail sentence. These changes aim to improve communication between law enforcement and the parole system to address domestic violence violations more effectively.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 4427: Appropriates $3,479,032 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for grants to certain nonprofit organizations for farmland preservation purposes.

This bill appropriates $3,479,032 from dedicated corporation business tax revenues to the State Agriculture Development Committee to fund farmland preservation projects. The funds are designated for grants to specific nonprofit organizations, primarily the Land Conservancy of New Jersey, to help purchase development easements or farm titles in Warren County. A key provision of the bill is that it increases the maximum grant coverage from 50 percent to 80 percent of the acquisition costs for these preservation efforts. The legislation specifically targets four farms in Blairstown and Harmony townships, with total grant amounts not to exceed the appropriated sum.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 18, 2026

A 5289: Establishes certain protections against deed theft.

This New Jersey bill establishes legal protections to pause property recovery proceedings when there is evidence of deed theft or fraud. It requires courts to issue temporary stays on evictions and title disputes if a government agency is investigating the matter or if a criminal complaint has been filed against a party involved in the property transaction. Additionally, the law creates a rebuttable presumption that a genuine dispute over ownership exists if the person challenging the title owned or had an interest in the property within the last three years. These measures aim to prevent the loss of residential homes while investigations into title fraud or financing schemes are ongoing, without limiting a party's ability to seek relief in other courts.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 4476: Revises tax lien foreclosure process to require return of surplus equity in all circumstances, requires appointment of guardian ad litem for certain persons during foreclosure proceeding.

This bill updates New Jersey's tax lien foreclosure rules to ensure that any leftover money, known as surplus equity, is returned to property owners in all situations. It also mandates that a court-appointed guardian be assigned to protect the interests of minors, individuals with intellectual disabilities, or those legally declared incapacitated who live in homes facing foreclosure. Additionally, the legislation requires tax lien holders to sell properties through a judicial process similar to mortgage foreclosures to preserve owner equity, rather than using internet auctions where surplus funds might be lost. These changes directly affect tax collectors, lienholders, and vulnerable residents involved in tax sale proceedings.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 18, 2026

A 5294: "Responsible Data Center Development and Resource Protection Act"; establishes Statewide framework concerning siting, land use approval, energy sourcing, water use, and environmental impacts of large load data center development.

This bill creates a statewide framework to regulate the development of large data centers in New Jersey, specifically targeting facilities that require at least 25 megawatts of electricity. It mandates that developers submit detailed impact statements to state agencies before seeking local approval, requiring them to outline plans for energy use, water consumption, environmental effects, and traffic impacts. The legislation encourages locating these facilities in industrial corridors or on brownfields to protect sensitive lands and existing communities while ensuring the state's power grid and water supplies remain reliable. By establishing a formal review process involving multiple state departments, the bill aims to balance economic growth with the protection of natural resources and public infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 18, 2026

A 5292: Requires guidelines on use of instructional technology to be developed by DOE and policy to be adopted by governing body of public school.

This bill requires the New Jersey Department of Education to create guidelines for the use of instructional technology in public schools, which local school boards must then adopt. The proposed rules aim to ensure that digital tools are used intentionally to support learning rather than replace direct teacher instruction or encourage passive screen time. Specifically, the guidelines must address how technology impacts student well-being and focus on age-appropriate integration that prioritizes active engagement over convenience. By defining terms like "instructional technology" and "passive screen use," the law seeks to provide a framework for balancing digital resources with traditional educational practices.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 4426: Appropriates $10,000,000 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for municipal planning incentive grants for farmland preservation purposes.

This bill appropriates $10 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues to the State Agriculture Development Committee for farmland preservation efforts. The funds are designated to provide municipal planning incentive grants to a specific list of 46 townships and boroughs across New Jersey counties. Each eligible municipality may receive a maximum grant of $2 million to support local planning initiatives aimed at preserving farmland. The legislation takes effect immediately and operates under existing state laws governing the "Preserve New Jersey" program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 18, 2026

A 5288: Expands employer provided commuter transportation benefit to include micromobility-sharing arrangements and transportation network company services.

This bill expands New Jersey's existing commuter transportation benefit program to include micromobility-sharing services, such as bike and scooter rentals, and transportation network company rides like those from ride-hailing apps. By updating the legal definition of "alternative means of commuting," the legislation allows employers to offer these specific services as pre-tax benefits to their employees without increasing their taxable income. The law includes specific conditions for ride-hailing services, permitting them as benefits only during late-night hours, for individuals with disabilities, or when shared rides are unavailable. This change directly affects employers in the state who wish to provide modern transportation options and employees who may utilize these services for their daily commute.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Bill results