This bill proposes amending New Jersey's constitution to explicitly grant public employees the right to engage in collective bargaining with state and local government employers. Currently, the constitution allows public employees to form unions and submit grievances, but this amendment would require the state to negotiate with employee representatives over wages, benefits, and working conditions. The change would apply directly to all public employees, including teachers, police, and municipal workers, by making collective bargaining a guaranteed constitutional right. The amendment must be approved by voters in the next general election after legislative passage.
This bill creates a program where New Jersey farmers can get reimbursed for costs related to developing business plans that improve their farm's long-term economic health. Specifically, it allows farmers to receive up to $7,500 (covering 75% of eligible costs) for creating or implementing plans focused on financial stability, diversification, expansion, or succession. Farmers must apply with receipts for costs paid within two years, prove they aren't double-reimbursing through other grants, and submit applications in order received. The program, funded by state appropriations, directly affects New Jersey commercial farmers who develop qualifying viability plans.
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Agriculture
This proposed constitutional amendment (SCR 31) would allow New Jersey's Legislature to establish slot machine gambling at horse racetracks without requiring voter approval. If approved, revenues from these slots would be dedicated to fund state retirement systems, support casinos, improve Atlantic City, and benefit horse racing operations. The amendment specifically targets existing constitutional barriers to gambling by creating an exception for racetrack slot machines under legislative authority. This change would directly affect horse racetracks, state retirement programs, Atlantic City economic development, and casino operators.
This bill (S 208) requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Community Affairs (with input from Corrections) to create specific standards for publicly-funded transitional housing programs helping formerly incarcerated people reenter communities. The standards mandate safety measures, emergency and long-term housing options, and comprehensive support services - including substance abuse treatment, job training, medical care, and assistance securing permanent housing. It directly affects returning residents in transitional housing programs by setting minimum quality requirements for their care and housing. The bill, introduced in January 2026 and referred to committee, would establish these rules immediately upon enactment.
New Jersey's S 1328 establishes a three-year phase-in for full state funding of extraordinary special education aid, which helps school districts cover high costs for students with disabilities. The bill gradually increases state reimbursement from 65% in the first year to 80% in the second year and 100% starting in the third year, based on costs exceeding $40,000 for public school placements or $55,000 for private school placements. School districts must apply for reimbursement, demonstrating that a student’s Individualized Education Plan requires intensive services and documenting expenses. This change directly affects districts serving students with severe disabilities who require costly specialized programs.
This bill allows New Jersey municipalities to establish dedicated "Municipal Homelessness Trust Funds" and adopt comprehensive "Homeless Housing Plans" to address homelessness. Municipalities would create these trust funds using a new fee (collected by the municipality) and other local funds, which must be spent within four years on housing homeless individuals, preventing homelessness, and related services like emergency shelter support. Each municipality must form a task force - including people experiencing homelessness, community organizations, and local officials - to guide fund usage, measure outcomes, and report annually. The funds cannot pay municipal debts, and unspent money after four years transfers to the state for community-based housing initiatives.
This bill creates a program to cover high school equivalency exam fees for low-income individuals in New Jersey. It requires the State Board of Education to establish the program within six months, defining "low-income" as household income at or below 185% of federal poverty guidelines. The program will pay for one exam per person, with applicants needing to verify income through specified documentation. It directs 5% of the Workforce Development Partnership Fund to support this initiative, but does not change existing fee structures or eligibility for other programs.
This bill creates a program to provide legal assistance for low-income renters in landlord-tenant disputes. It requires counties to establish a "County Tenant Legal Assistance Program Fund" by diverting $300 from each residential mortgage execution sale fee (over $3.00) collected by county sheriffs. The funds must be used exclusively for legal representation in civil landlord-tenant cases, not for general county budgets. Counties may choose to establish the program, and if they do not, they must promote existing legal aid services through public awareness campaigns. The bill is pending legislative action as of its introduction date.
This bill establishes a state grant program to provide thermal imaging body cameras, thermal imaging masks, and radio repeaters to fire departments serving municipalities with 100,000+ residents. Qualifying fire departments in cities with 100,000-299,000 residents receive $150,000 every three years (divided equally among departments), while those in cities with 300,000+ residents receive the same amount. The grant covers purchasing or reimbursing costs for equipment that helps firefighters see through smoke, communicate across obstacles, or record incidents. The Division of Fire Safety must review the program every five years to ensure departments use updated equipment and decide whether to continue it. The bill is pending legislative action and not yet law.
This bill requires mail-in ballot application forms sent to voters to include prepaid postage, paid for by the State of New Jersey. It directly affects voters who request mail-in ballots, eliminating the need for them to pay postage when returning the application. The key provision updates existing election law to mandate that the state covers the postage cost for these forms, streamlining the process for voters. The change applies to all mail-in ballot applications submitted by mail, as specified in the bill's amendments to election statutes.
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Elections
