New Jersey Bills

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4290: Makes supplemental appropriation of $5 million from General Fund to entity authorized to operate public broadcasting system to support public broadcasting.

This bill appropriates an additional $5 million from the state's General Fund to support public broadcasting in New Jersey. The funds are designated for the non-profit entity authorized to operate the public broadcasting system, specifically to help cover programming costs. Before the money is released, the Public Broadcasting Authority and the operating entity must sign a memorandum of understanding that ensures the funds are used solely for public broadcasting purposes. This supplemental appropriation is intended to provide extra financial resources for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 14, 2026

A 5066: Transfers administration of certain nutrition programs to Department of Agriculture.

This bill transfers the administration of three specific nutrition programs - the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, the Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children - from the Department of Health to the Department of Agriculture. The change moves the responsibility for managing these programs, along with their associated grants and funding, to the state agency that oversees agriculture. Additionally, any employees currently working in the Department of Health who are essential to running these programs will be reassigned to the Department of Agriculture. The legislation takes effect immediately upon passage.

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4271: "Utility Rate Recovery Fairness Act"; prohibits electric public utilities and gas public utilities from recovering certain costs.

The Utility Rate Recovery Fairness Act prevents electric and gas public utilities in New Jersey from passing specific operational costs onto their customers through utility rates. This legislation explicitly bans the recovery of expenses related to legal fees, expert witnesses, employee time spent on rate hearings, and lobbying activities. It also prohibits utilities from including costs for trade association memberships, executive travel, and entertainment in the bills charged to consumers. By disallowing these charges, the bill aims to ensure that only essential service costs are reflected in the rates paid by the public.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 14, 2026

A 5088: "AI Likeness Protection Act"; concerns distributing realistic representation of individual's image, likeness, or voice created using generative artificial intelligence.

The AI Likeness Protection Act requires anyone distributing realistic images, videos, or audio created by artificial intelligence to obtain consent from the person depicted or their guardian. This rule applies to content that looks like a real person but was generated by a computer rather than captured from actual footage. The law allows people to sue for damages if their likeness is used without permission, unless the creator clearly labels the content as AI-generated or the use is satire involving a public figure. By mandating consent and labeling, the bill aims to protect individuals from having their identity misused in deceptive or harmful ways.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4295: Allows certain parties to sue construction company for commission of or alleged commission of various actions.

This bill allows construction companies, contractors, and subcontractors in New Jersey to sue other firms in the industry for specific wrongful acts such as wage theft, employee misclassification, tax or insurance fraud, and bid manipulation. The law requires the company filing the lawsuit to provide at least 30 days' notice to the accused party and to notify the Department of Labor and Workforce Development before initiating legal action. If a company wins the lawsuit, the court must award them reasonable attorney fees and costs, including expenses for expert witnesses. These provisions aim to create a legal mechanism for private enforcement of construction industry standards while ensuring transparency through mandatory notifications.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 14, 2026

A 5055: Establishes solar energy grant program in BPU to provide grants to public schools for solar energy projects; appropriates $15 million.

This bill creates a $15 million grant program within the Board of Public Utilities to help New Jersey public schools and colleges install solar energy systems. The program allows eligible institutions to receive up to 50 percent of the costs for purchasing and installing solar panels, energy storage, and related equipment without needing to provide matching funds. To ensure long-term value, the legislation requires that if a school facility is sold within 20 years, the new owner must reimburse a portion of the grant based on how long the project has been in place. The Board of Public Utilities will develop application guidelines and monitor how the funds are used to meet the state's climate and energy goals.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 14, 2026

A 5073: Exempts Purple Heart recipients from payment of motor vehicle registration, driver's license, and identification card fees.

This bill exempts Purple Heart recipients in New Jersey from paying fees for motor vehicle registration, driver's licenses, and identification cards. The change directly affects veterans who have received the Purple Heart medal for being wounded or killed in action. The bill amends existing state statutes to remove the requirement for these specific recipients to pay standard administrative fees. No other provisions or mechanisms are included in this legislation.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4257: Establishes Housing Placement for Survivors Program to assist domestic violence survivors with temporary housing and provide tax credits to certain housing unit owners offering reduced rate to domestic violence survivors.

This bill creates the Housing Placement for Survivors Program within the Department of Children and Families to help domestic violence survivors find temporary housing. It encourages landlords and hotel owners to offer reduced rental rates to survivors by allowing them to claim a state tax credit for the portion of costs they waive. The program defines specific terms for eligible housing, such as requiring a discount of at least 30 percent for stays between 30 and 180 days, and limits the total annual tax credits to $15 million. By providing financial incentives, the legislation aims to increase the availability of safe, short-term accommodations for individuals fleeing domestic violence.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4233: Concerns health care services provided to incarcerated individuals.

This New Jersey bill ensures that incarcerated individuals do not have to pay for medical care, surgery, dental services, or prescription drugs provided while in state or county custody. It also requires courts to notify health insurance plans when sentencing someone to prison or detention if that person is covered by such a plan. Under the new rules, the state and counties can seek reimbursement from these insurance plans for the costs of medical treatment provided to inmates, rather than charging the inmates themselves. The legislation clarifies that these reimbursement efforts do not interfere with the existing responsibilities of correctional officials to provide care.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4255: Establishes five-year youth workforce readiness grant pilot program; appropriates $5 million.

This bill creates a five-year pilot program to help young people aged 12 to 19 prepare for jobs through grants totaling $5 million. The funds will be given to nonprofit community groups that partner with local businesses and schools to offer training and career guidance during after-school and summer hours. These programs aim to teach youth the skills needed by employers while connecting them to future job opportunities. The initiative is designed to improve workforce quality and support economic mobility for young people in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 14, 2026

A 5056: Authorizes any member of the Legislature to perform all functions of notary public.

This bill authorizes any member of the New Jersey Legislature to perform all functions of a notary public, including taking acknowledgments and proofs in addition to their existing authority to administer oaths. Under the new rules, legislators would validate documents using a raised seal provided by the State Treasurer, which features the State Seal and must be returned when the legislator leaves office. The law ensures that any validation performed by a legislator carries the same legal weight as one performed by a standard notary public.

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4222: Improves access to lower-cost generic and biosimilar drugs.

This bill requires New Jersey Medicaid managed care organizations to prioritize lower-cost generic and biosimilar drugs over their brand-name counterparts. Specifically, it mandates that patients prescribed a brand drug for the first time receive a biosimilar if one is available, unless a healthcare provider appeals this decision. Additionally, the law forces insurers to place cheaper generics and biosimilars on their drug formularies with better pricing and fewer access restrictions, such as prior authorizations, whenever these alternatives are less expensive than the original products. The bill also improves transparency by requiring these organizations to publish their drug lists online in an easy-to-find format that does not require users to create an account.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results