New Jersey Bills

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4159: Provides earned time credits to reduce parole eligibility date for inmates who participate in substance abuse treatment program.

This bill allows inmates in New Jersey to earn additional time credits if they participate in full-time substance abuse treatment programs. Specifically, while in such a program, an inmate will receive 1.5 times the number of standard good time credits they would normally earn. These extra credits will be applied to reduce the date on which the inmate becomes eligible for parole. The law applies to inmates who are not serving mandatory minimum sentences and takes effect four months after it is signed into law.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4141: Allows certain third parties to bring suit against public works project bidders that violate certain laws.

This New Jersey bill allows unsuccessful bidders on public works projects to sue contractors who win contracts while breaking prevailing wage laws or failing to pay required taxes and benefits. The law specifically targets losing bidders whose offers were close to the winning bid, giving them the right to seek financial damages and attorney fees in court. To prevent multiple lawsuits over the same contract, the bill requires losing bidders to notify each other of their intent to sue, ensuring only one case proceeds per project. If a court finds the winning contractor violated the rules, it must pay the losing bidder for their lost costs and potential profits, with higher penalties for intentional violations.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4204: Requires combined groups to be determined on world-wide basis under corporation business tax.

This bill requires corporations in New Jersey to calculate their combined group tax liability based on worldwide income rather than just domestic earnings. It directly affects businesses that operate as combined groups, including those with foreign subsidiaries or partnerships, by mandating how their global profits are reported and taxed. The legislation updates existing tax laws to ensure that income from foreign branches is converted to U.S. dollars and adjusted for federal tax differences, while also clarifying how partnership income is included in the group's total. Additionally, it establishes specific rules for excluding certain treaty-based income and defines how limited partners in investment partnerships are treated within the combined group structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4175: Provides sales and use tax exemption for certain purchases made by certain common interest communities in UEZ.

This bill expands a sales and use tax exemption in New Jersey's urban enterprise zones to include large common interest communities. It directly affects condominiums, homeowner associations, and similar organizations with at least 1,000 units that own or control shared areas. Under the new provision, these communities can purchase up to $300,000 worth of materials, supplies, and services annually for building or maintaining their properties without paying sales tax, an increase from the previous $100,000 limit. The law applies to purchases made by the community itself or by contractors hired to perform improvements on the real property.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4130: Allows sale of ice cream and other frozen desserts infused with certain alcoholic beverages.

This New Jersey bill allows the sale of ice cream and other frozen desserts that contain up to five percent alcohol by volume without requiring a liquor license. The legislation permits manufacturers to infuse these products with distilled spirits, wine, beer, cider, or mead, provided the alcohol content remains at or below the five percent limit. To ensure safety and compliance, the bill mandates that such products be sold in sealed packages with specific warning labels regarding age restrictions, pregnancy risks, and impaired driving. Additionally, selling these alcoholic frozen desserts to anyone under the legal drinking age is classified as a disorderly persons offense.

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4188: Requires SHBP, SEHBP, and NJ FamilyCare to cover kidney disease education services; Requires DOH to develop policies and procedures regarding kidney disease education services.

This bill mandates that New Jersey's state health insurance programs, including SHBP, SEHBP, and NJ FamilyCare, cover specific education services for individuals with kidney disease who need dialysis or a transplant. Under the legislation, the Department of Health must first create detailed rules outlining how these services should be delivered, which will include verbal counseling on managing other health conditions, preventing complications, and understanding different treatment options. The covered education must be provided by a healthcare professional before a patient's appointment and must ensure the patient has the opportunity to actively participate in choosing their treatment path.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4114: Authorizes physician assistants in behavioral health care to provide procedures and services without supervision.

This bill allows physician assistants working in behavioral health care to provide procedures and services without the direct supervision of a physician. It directly affects licensed physician assistants in New Jersey who treat patients for mental illness, emotional disorders, or substance use issues. The key change removes the requirement for a supervising physician when these professionals deliver care in settings like hospitals, clinics, or veterans' homes. Additionally, the law mandates that physician assistants maintain medical malpractice insurance or a letter of credit and clearly identify themselves to patients during treatment.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4214: Codifies finding that greenhouse gas emissions contribute to climate change and endanger public health, safety, welfare, and environment; amends "Air Pollution Control Act (1954)" to define greenhouse gases as air pollutants subject to regulation.

This bill classifies greenhouse gases as air pollutants under New Jersey's existing Air Pollution Control Act, allowing the state to regulate their emissions. It formally recognizes scientific evidence that these gases contribute to climate change and pose risks to public health, safety, and the environment. By amending state law, the measure directs the Department of Environmental Protection to create specific emission standards for stationary sources like power plants and industrial facilities. The legislation also mandates rules to support broader state goals, such as establishing low-carbon fuel standards and increasing the sales of zero-emission vehicles.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4115: "Compassionate Spousal Visits for Veterans Act"; establishes transportation grant program for spouses of veterans; appropriates $500,000.

The "Compassionate Spousal Visits for Veterans Act" creates a transportation grant program in New Jersey to help spouses of veterans visit them at long-term care facilities or VA medical centers. This initiative allows eligible spouses to receive reimbursement for travel costs on public transit, county vehicles, or private rides when they cannot drive themselves and lack other funding options. The Department of Veterans Affairs will manage the program, which includes setting up rules for reimbursement, ensuring liability insurance for transport vehicles, and notifying the public about the new benefits. To fund these efforts, the bill appropriates $500,000 from the state's General Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Transportation ✓ Veterans

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4173: Establishes certain requirements concerning unconscionable rent increases for residential rental properties.

This bill establishes a legal framework for courts in New Jersey to evaluate whether rent increases on residential properties are unconscionable. It requires judges to consider multiple factors, such as the landlord's expenses, local market rates, the property's condition, and the relative bargaining power of the tenant and landlord. The legislation places the burden of proof on landlords to demonstrate that a rent increase is fair and not excessive. Additionally, if a court finds a violation, tenants may receive lease reformation, treble damages for overpayments, and a $2,000 civil penalty. The rules do not apply to properties already covered by local rent control ordinances or affordable housing programs.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4150: Allows students to use certain grant awards during summer session.

This bill allows students in New Jersey to use a portion of their tuition aid grants or opportunity grants to pay for summer courses that help them meet graduation requirements or earn major credits. To use these funds, students must notify their financial aid authorities before the academic year begins, which reduces the amount of grant money they receive during the regular semester. The legislation also requires annual reporting on how many students use these grants for summer classes and their subsequent graduation rates within normal timeframes. Finally, the bill clarifies that using grant funds for summer sessions does not count toward the total number of years a student is eligible to receive financial aid.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4198: Establishes Health Equity Access and Leadership Fund; appropriates $25 million from General Fund, and allocates portion of Health Care Subsidy Fund revenues, to fund.

This bill creates a new Health Equity Access and Leadership Fund within New Jersey's existing Health Care Subsidy Fund to support community health initiatives. The fund will be financed by an initial $25 million appropriation from the state's General Fund and by allocating at least 0.1 percent of annual revenues from the Health Care Subsidy Fund. Money in the fund will be distributed through a competitive grant process to community-based organizations and service providers that offer essential health care services. The Commissioner of Health is tasked with administering the fund and establishing rules to ensure its integrity.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Bill results