New Jersey Bills

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 4119: Requires water purveyors to inspect and repair underground water distribution infrastructure; establishes certain liability of water purveyors.

This New Jersey bill mandates that water providers regularly inspect and repair underground pipes, valves, and fire hydrants to prevent leaks and infrastructure failures. It requires specific maintenance schedules, such as testing valves every four to eight years and inspecting underground lines every five years, with more frequent checks for older iron pipes or those in sinkhole-prone areas. The legislation also obligates companies to mark hydrants, map infrastructure locations using GPS, and keep detailed records of all maintenance for at least 12 years. Finally, the bill establishes penalties for water providers that fail to comply with these new inspection and repair requirements.

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 5064: Requires NJT to publish certain performance-related information.

This bill requires New Jersey Transit to publish monthly performance data on its website for rail, light rail, and bus services. The new reporting mandates include details on service cancellations and their specific causes, such as staffing shortages or equipment failures, alongside metrics for on-time performance and vehicle reliability. By making this information publicly available, the legislation aims to provide commuters with clearer insights into how the transit system is operating. The act does not alter existing annual reporting requirements but adds a more frequent, detailed layer of transparency to the agency's operational updates.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SCR 136: Determines that DEP rules and regulations known as " New Jersey Protecting Against Climate Change - Resilient Environment and Landscapes" are inconsistent with legislative intent.

This bill is a procedural resolution that declares the Department of Environmental Protection's proposed climate change rules inconsistent with the Legislature's intent. It directly affects the DEP by formally notifying the agency and the Governor that the proposed regulations exceed the department's constitutional authority to create new laws. The key mechanism involves transmitting this finding to the agency, which then has 30 days to amend or withdraw the rules, or face potential invalidation by the Legislature. The bill does not change any existing laws but instead initiates a constitutional review process to halt the proposed regulatory changes.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 4379: Extends from October 31 to December 31 deadline to file combined application for ANCHOR, homestead property tax reimbursement, and Stay NJ property tax benefits.

This bill extends the annual deadline for New Jersey residents to apply for three property tax relief programs from October 31 to December 31. The programs affected are ANCHOR, the homestead property tax reimbursement, and Stay NJ, which help homeowners and renters manage property tax costs. The change applies to the single combined application form that residents must submit to the Division of Taxation each year. By moving the filing date, the legislation provides taxpayers with additional time to complete and submit their requests for financial assistance.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 5173: "Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Driver Communication and Disability Protection Act"; revises and establishes process for designating certain disorders through MVC.

This bill, known as the "Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Driver Communication and Disability Protection Act," allows New Jersey drivers diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, communication disorders like stuttering, or Tourette Syndrome to have these conditions noted on their driver's license and vehicle registration. To qualify, individuals must provide medical documentation, and the Motor Vehicle Commission will also collect emergency contact information for them. This data is shared with law enforcement during traffic stops to assist officers in communicating effectively with drivers who have these specific disabilities. The legislation ensures that this information is used solely for communication purposes and does not require the issuance of any secondary documents.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 5171: Establishes certain water and wastewater utility shutoff protections for tenants.

This bill establishes protections for tenants in New Jersey against the disconnection of water and wastewater services when the property owner is the utility customer. It requires utility companies to provide a 30-day written notice before shutting off service and prohibits disconnection if the tenant informs the provider they are not the customer of record or lives in a multi-unit building with a single service connection. Under these rules, any unpaid bills must be collected from the property owner rather than the tenant, and the owner cannot later seek reimbursement from the tenant for those costs. The Department of Community Affairs and the Board of Public Utilities are tasked with notifying utilities of these new requirements and creating regulations to enforce them.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 5161: Revises certain portions of law related to criminal history record check for school employees.

This bill updates New Jersey laws to require criminal history record checks for all paid school employees and volunteers who have regular contact with students. It mandates that schools verify these records through state and federal databases before hiring or utilizing individuals in positions involving student interaction. The legislation specifies that candidates are permanently disqualified if their records show convictions for serious crimes, including violent offenses, drug-related crimes, and certain lesser felonies or crimes involving minor victims. Additionally, the bill ensures that individuals have the right to challenge the accuracy of any disqualifying information found in their criminal history checks.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 4371: Establishes State Seal of Civic Engagement Pilot Program.

This bill creates a two-year pilot program in New Jersey to award a "State Seal of Civic Engagement" to high school seniors who demonstrate strong civic knowledge and community involvement. To qualify, students must complete a government course with a B- or higher, pass a state-approved civic literacy exam, and complete at least 10 hours of verified community service or civic activities. The Department of Education will select five school districts from different regions to participate, providing them with grants to cover program costs while they verify student eligibility and issue official certificates. At the end of the pilot, the Commissioner of Education will submit a report to the Governor and Legislature detailing the program's impact and recommending whether to expand it statewide.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SJR 147: Designates May of each year as "Mothers' Grief Awareness Month."

Senate Joint Resolution 147 designates the month of May each year as "Mothers' Grief Awareness Month" in New Jersey to honor mothers who have lost children. The bill requests that the Governor issue an annual proclamation to encourage public officials and citizens to observe the month with awareness activities and programs. This symbolic designation aims to raise visibility about the mental health challenges associated with child loss and to promote support for grieving mothers.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 4387: "Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Provider Transparency and Financial Accountability Act."

This bill requires organizations in New Jersey that provide care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to submit detailed financial reports and disclose any business deals involving their own executives or family members. To achieve this, the law mandates that these providers track and report specific costs, such as staff wages, executive salaries, and expenses for marketing or lobbying, using a uniform reporting system developed by the state. Facilities receiving more than $250,000 in public funding must also send quarterly updates to the Department of Human Services, with penalties including withheld payments for failure to comply. Additionally, the State Comptroller will perform annual financial audits to ensure the accuracy of these disclosures and reports.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SJR 148: Respectfully urges Congress to pass "Guarding Ratepayers from Imposed EV Charging Directives Act" to repeal certain federal standards tied to electric vehicle charging programs.

This New Jersey legislative resolution urges Congress to pass the "Guarding Ratepayers from Imposed EV Charging Directives Act," which would remove specific federal rules related to electric vehicle charging programs. The bill aims to prevent the costs associated with upgrading infrastructure for these programs from being added to residential electricity bills. By repealing portions of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, the proposed federal law seeks to stop utilities from passing these expenses onto ratepayers through delivery charges. This measure directly affects New Jersey residents who currently see rising utility costs linked to state-mandated clean energy and electric vehicle initiatives. The resolution does not change state law but serves as a formal request to the federal government to alter existing regulations.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 4389: Establishes alternative pathway for victims of domestic violence to obtain certain identification cards and licenses from MVC.

This bill creates a special process for victims of domestic violence in New Jersey to get driver's licenses and identification cards even if they lack standard proof of address or identity. Instead of requiring normal documents, applicants can submit medical records, court papers, police reports, or letters from social workers to prove their situation. The Motor Vehicle Commission must verify these documents and may issue temporary licenses while checking them, but the sensitive information cannot be shared with the public except under specific legal exceptions. The law also mandates that MVC staff receive training on how to interact with trauma victims and requires the commission to report annually on how many licenses are issued through this new pathway.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill results