New Jersey Bills

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

AR 139: Recognizes use of turfgrass for 2026 FIFA World Cup.

This bill is a non-binding resolution that formally recognizes the use of turfgrass at MetLife Stadium for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It highlights the environmental, health, and practical benefits of turfgrass, such as air purification, stormwater management, and injury reduction for athletes. The resolution also acknowledges the various professions supported by the turfgrass industry. Ultimately, it applauds the stadium's decision to replace artificial turf with turfgrass in preparation for the upcoming matches.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4291: Establishes process to judicially appoint receiver to administer closed hospital.

This bill creates a legal process in New Jersey to quickly appoint a court-appointed receiver to take over a hospital that closes or stops essential services without following the required state approval rules. It directly affects the state Department of Health, city governments, and hospitals by giving them the authority to sue in court within three days to stop an unauthorized shutdown. If the court agrees that immediate action is needed, it can assign a neutral third party to manage the hospital's operations and ensure patient care continues while the situation is resolved. The law also requires that the person appointed to run the hospital cannot have any financial stake in the facility to prevent conflicts of interest.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4249: Requires certain State housing assistance offices to provide voter registration forms.

This bill requires New Jersey housing assistance offices to provide voter registration forms to eligible individuals. Specifically, it mandates that offices within the Department of Community Affairs and the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, which help people secure housing vouchers, rentals, or mortgages, make these forms available. The legislation updates existing state laws to include these housing agencies alongside public libraries and other government offices that already distribute registration materials. By adding these locations to the list of designated sites, the bill aims to expand opportunities for residents to register to vote while clarifying that the Secretary of State, rather than the Attorney General, oversees election administration.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Immigration

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

A 5076: "Smart Planning Wireless and Water Public Utility Facilities Act"; incentivizes placement of wireless communications equipment on water public utility towers.

This bill, titled the "Smart Planning Wireless and Water Public Utility Facilities Act," allows investor-owned water utilities in New Jersey to rent out space on their water towers to wireless service providers for installing communication equipment. The legislation mandates that these utilities grant non-discriminatory access to their towers unless there is insufficient space or safety concerns would be compromised. To financially benefit ratepayers and investors, the bill requires the state's Board of Public Utilities to classify half of the rental income from these leases as "above-the-line" income, which can be used to offset operating costs, while the remaining half is treated as "below-the-line" income.

Topics ✓ Technology

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

AJR 184: Establishes "New Jersey Technology Task Force."

This bill creates the New Jersey Technology Task Force to evaluate and recommend upgrades for state computer systems, networks, and hardware across all government agencies. The eleven-member group includes current state officials and public appointees with expertise in technology, cybersecurity, and emergency management, who will meet to assess which improvements are critical versus incremental. Within 180 days of its initial meeting, the task force must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature detailing upgrade recommendations, cost-benefit analyses, and any necessary draft legislation. The bill is designed to improve the efficiency and security of state operations by focusing on computer system interoperability.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4252: Authorizes municipality to meet affordable housing municipal obligations by developing property owned by certain public entities.

This bill allows New Jersey municipalities to partner with public entities like school districts, universities, and transit authorities to build affordable housing on land owned by those organizations. Under the new provisions, local governments can enter into agreements to develop such properties to satisfy their legal obligations for creating affordable housing units. The legislation clarifies which public institutions are eligible partners and ensures that existing state laws regarding property transactions remain unchanged. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Housing

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

AR 138: Urges Congress to establish national infrastructure bank.

This New Jersey Assembly resolution urges the U.S. Congress to pass legislation creating a national infrastructure bank to address the need for repairing and modernizing critical systems like roads, bridges, and energy grids. The bill specifically recommends adopting House Resolution 5356, which would establish a government-owned entity that generates capital by trading U.S. Treasury bonds for preferred stock to fund large-scale infrastructure projects. While the resolution highlights the state's specific infrastructure challenges, its primary function is to formally request federal action rather than to enact new laws within New Jersey itself. Copies of the resolution are to be sent to federal leaders and representatives to advocate for the establishment of this funding mechanism.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Transportation

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

A 5069: Requires NJT to adopt nondiscrimination policy and requires annual training on nondiscrimination policy.

This bill mandates that the New Jersey Transit Corporation create a written nondiscrimination policy that aligns with federal and state laws against employment discrimination and harassment. The policy must be distributed to all current employees within 60 days of the bill's effective date and to new hires within five days of starting their jobs. Each employee is required to sign a written acknowledgment of receiving the policy, and the corporation must provide annual training on these nondiscrimination standards to all staff.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4279: Provides disparate impact based on automated decision system as cause of action for certain consumers.

This New Jersey bill expands civil rights protections by allowing individuals to sue if automated systems used in housing or lending unfairly discriminate against them. It defines "automated decision systems" broadly to include artificial intelligence and algorithms used for tasks like mortgage approvals, tenant screening, and rental pricing. Under the law, companies using these tools must prove their systems do not negatively impact protected groups, such as those defined by race, age, or disability, and they face liability if they cannot show a legitimate reason for the disparity or if a less discriminatory alternative exists. To ensure ongoing compliance, covered entities are required to conduct algorithmic impact assessments at least every two years and keep records available for review by state officials.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing ✓ Technology

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4231: Establishes offense of harassment of residential tenant; expands liability of certain members of limited liability company that own residential rental properties.

This New Jersey bill creates a new criminal offense for landlords who harass residential tenants with the goal of forcing them to leave their homes. It defines harassment to include actions such as cutting off essential services, threatening violence, repeatedly entering the property, and filing frivolous eviction cases. The law also expands liability for members of limited liability companies that own rental properties, ensuring they can be held personally responsible for such conduct. Additionally, the bill allows victims to seek civil penalties and damages, while offering prosecutors a brief window to let landlords fix minor violations before charges proceed.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

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

A 5074: Requires DOT to confirm availability and prioritize establishment of park-and-ride options near major warehouse facilities.

This bill requires the New Jersey Department of Transportation to review and prioritize the creation of park-and-ride lots near large warehouse facilities, defined as buildings of at least 100,000 square feet used for storing goods. The legislation aims to reduce traffic congestion on local roads by ensuring these parking areas connect to public transit or carpooling options for workers. If a review finds no existing solutions to ease commuter traffic, the Commissioner of Transportation must establish new facilities. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Commissioner submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature every two years detailing the number and locations of available and newly created park-and-ride spots.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4245: Establishes affirmative defense of Social Security hardship in certain eviction actions.

This New Jersey bill allows tenants facing eviction for non-payment of rent to use a federal interruption in their Social Security benefits as a legal defense. To qualify, tenants must prove that their benefits were stopped, delayed, or reduced by the federal government and that this loss directly prevented them from paying their rent. If a tenant provides this evidence, the court must pause the eviction process for up to six months or until benefits are restored, whichever comes first. Once benefits resume, the tenant must either pay all overdue rent or agree on a payment plan with the landlord, after which the eviction case should be dismissed. The law does not prevent courts from ruling that a tenant was already behind on rent before the Social Security issue occurred.

Topics ✓ Housing

Bill results