New Jersey Bills

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 4417: Requires jury, rather than court, to determine whether certain defendants are persistent offenders.

This New Jersey bill requires that a jury, instead of a judge, decide whether certain defendants qualify as persistent offenders eligible for extended prison sentences. The legislation specifically targets repeat offenders involved in persistent stolen motor vehicle crimes and organized retail theft, defining these individuals as those with at least two prior convictions for similar offenses committed within a ten-year window. By shifting this determination to a jury, the bill ensures that a group of peers evaluates the evidence regarding a defendant's criminal history before imposing stricter penalties. This change applies to cases where the current crime and prior convictions meet specific timing and severity criteria outlined in the statute.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

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

A 5293: Exempts repair and maintenance of residential septic systems from sales and use tax.

This bill proposes to remove sales and use taxes on the repair and maintenance of residential septic systems in New Jersey. Currently, services related to maintaining personal property are generally subject to state tax, but this legislation would create a specific exemption for septic system work. The change would directly benefit homeowners and contractors who perform these essential repairs, reducing the cost of keeping these systems functional. By amending existing tax statutes, the bill clarifies that septic services are no longer taxable, distinguishing them from other maintenance tasks like heating system repairs which remain taxed.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 4219: Revises continuing education requirements for real estate licensees and regulation of certain real estate continuing education providers, instructors, and courses.

This bill updates the rules for continuing education that real estate licensees in New Jersey must complete to maintain their licenses. It also introduces stricter oversight for the companies and instructors that provide this training. The legislation requires brokers and salespeople to finish specific educational hours and ensures that training providers meet new standards set by the state commission.

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 4308: Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for transportation infrastructure projects for FY2027; makes appropriation.

This bill authorizes the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to use $65.55 million in state funds to provide loans for transportation infrastructure projects during the 2027 fiscal year. The legislation specifically allows the bank to lend money to local government units for construction costs and includes a provision for up to $1 million in loans that may be forgiven for planning and design work if certain construction milestones are met. Additionally, the act permits the bank to increase its available funds to cover specific operational expenses, such as bond issuance costs and reserve requirements, ensuring the bank has the necessary resources to manage these loans. Ultimately, the measure directly affects local governments seeking financing for road, bridge, and transit improvements by establishing the legal framework and funding source for these loans.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 4309: Allows online news publication to use municipal, county, or State-wide circulation requirements to meet eligibility standards; extends grace period for qualifying newspapers.

This New Jersey bill allows online news websites to publish required legal notices by meeting specific traffic thresholds instead of relying solely on traditional print circulation numbers. To qualify, an online publication must demonstrate a certain number of monthly unique visits based on its geographic reach, such as 4,000 visits for a municipality, 50,000 for a county, or 350,000 for the entire state. The legislation also mandates that these sites remain free to access, archive notices for at least one year, and display their traffic statistics clearly to the public. Additionally, the bill extends a grace period for newspapers that are currently eligible to continue meeting these standards during the transition.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SR 97: Condemns federal efforts aimed at restricting voting and urges federal government to protect Americans' voting rights.*

This Senate resolution from New Jersey condemns federal actions it claims restrict voting rights and urges the federal government to protect those rights. The measure specifically criticizes a 2026 executive order on mail-in voting and the SAVE America Act, arguing they could disenfranchise eligible citizens by requiring strict documentation and federal oversight of state elections. It highlights concerns that these policies might disproportionately affect groups such as women who have changed their names, elderly citizens, and military members, while asserting that states retain constitutional authority over election administration. The resolution formally transmits its text to federal officials, including the President and Congress, to express New Jersey's opposition to these initiatives.

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

A 5162: Establishes "LGBTQIA+ Pride Month" in New Jersey.

This bill designates June each year as "LGBTQIA+ Pride Month" in New Jersey to recognize members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and nonbinary communities. The legislation formally establishes this observance in state law and requests that the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to participate in related activities. The bill also includes a statement explaining the context for the legislation, noting recent federal actions that have paused certain diversity-related observances and removed inclusive language from government resources.

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 4373: Expands memorandum of understanding requirements for purpose of consolidated application for residential utility assistance programs.

This bill requires the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs to create formal agreements with state agencies and nonprofit energy groups that offer their own utility assistance programs. The goal is to integrate these separate programs into a single, user-friendly online application portal for residents seeking help with utility bills or energy efficiency measures. Under the new rules, these partner organizations must work with the department to update the consolidated form and report any temporary assistance programs so they can also be included. This change aims to simplify the process for households applying for financial aid by centralizing multiple options into one digital system.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Housing ✓ Technology

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 3740: Specifies electric vehicle parking space calculation is rounded up if it includes fraction of a whole number and rounded-up parking spaces cannot reduce overall parking supply by more than 10 percent.

This bill clarifies how New Jersey calculates the number of electric vehicle parking spaces required for new developments, specifically rounding up any fractional amounts to ensure developers meet the mandated percentage. It also establishes a limit preventing these rounded-up spaces from reducing the overall parking supply by more than 10 percent. The legislation directly affects developers, property owners, and local land use boards by modifying how parking requirements are determined for multi-unit dwellings and other parking facilities.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 3738: Establishes alternative compliance standards for development of electric vehicle supply equipment and Make-Ready parking spaces based on charging capacity.

This bill allows developers in New Jersey to meet electric vehicle charging infrastructure requirements by demonstrating total charging capacity rather than strictly counting the number of equipped parking spaces. It affects construction projects requiring EV supply equipment or Make-Ready parking spaces by offering an alternative compliance method based on kilowatt output. The legislation directs the Site Improvement Advisory Board to create statewide standards within 12 months that specify minimum capacity requirements for different building types and establish equivalency rules for various charging equipment. Developers can choose between the traditional parking space count method or the new capacity-based approach, with the latter requiring adherence to uniform regulations to be implemented.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Transportation

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 4107: Prohibits seller providing service or selling goods from charging surcharge to customer using debit card or gift card.*

This New Jersey bill prohibits businesses that provide services from charging extra fees to customers who pay with a debit card. It amends existing consumer protection laws to explicitly ban surcharges for debit transactions while maintaining rules that allow small fees for credit card use if clearly disclosed. Sellers must inform customers before payment that debit cards cannot be surcharged, and violations are treated as unlawful practices subject to fines and penalties. The law applies to all service providers in the state and takes effect immediately upon passage.

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 3815: Establishes public awareness campaign concerning federal rules for US Postal Service postmark and its effect on mail-in ballots; directs Secretary of State to evaluate adequacy of mail-in ballot drop box placement and usage; appropriates $100,000.

This bill directs New Jersey's Secretary of State to launch a public awareness campaign explaining how federal postal rules define postmarks and how they could affect the validity of mail-in ballots. The campaign will inform voters that ballots postmarked after election day may not be counted, even if mailed earlier, and will educate them on options like requesting manual postmarks or using ballot drop boxes to avoid postmark issues. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of State to work with county election boards to assess the placement and usage of mail-in ballot drop boxes across the state and submit a report with recommendations for any needed changes. The legislation also appropriates $100,000 from the state's General Fund to support the development and implementation of the public awareness campaign.

Bill results