Labor & Employment (Unemployment)

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3632: Allocates $50 million to Department of Labor and Workforce Development from federal government assistance to improve unemployment insurance benefit claims processing capacity.

This bill allocates $50 million in existing federal pandemic relief funds to New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The funds will directly improve the unemployment insurance (UI) program's ability to process claims faster, addressing delays caused by the pandemic-era surge in filings. Key mechanisms include using the money for technology upgrades and hiring temporary staff to handle the backlog. The department must submit an implementation plan to the Legislature within 20 days of the bill taking effect. The bill does not change UI eligibility or benefit amounts, only the processing capacity.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllocates $50M to speed UI claims processing, directly improving worker benefits access during unemployment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Workforce Development

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4389: Requires public institutions of higher education to enroll certain students impacted by automation in job training courses without payment of tuition.

This bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to provide tuition-free job training courses to workers who lost their jobs due to automation. To qualify, workers must have been in the workforce for at least two years, be unemployed or have a layoff notice from an automated workplace, and not receive other state or federal financial aid. Institutions may charge a $20 registration fee per term but cannot require tuition, and courses must have available space with a minimum number of paying students. The bill expands an existing program that previously covered job losses from factory or plant closings.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides tuition-free higher education job training for displaced workers, directly expanding educational access and removing financial barriers for a specific workforce group.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides tuition-free job training for automation-displaced workers, directly supporting workforce re-employment and skill development under Labor & Employment policies.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Unemployment Workforce Development

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1849: Requires PFRS enrollment to be retroactive to first date of employment for death benefit eligibility.

This bill (S 1849) changes death benefit eligibility for police and fire department employees in New Jersey. It requires the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) to treat employees who died before enrolling in the system as if they were enrolled from their first day of employment. This means surviving spouses, children, or parents of such employees can now receive death benefits they previously would not have qualified for. The change applies retroactively to deaths occurring before the bill's enactment, with beneficiaries having up to 12 months after the bill takes effect to apply for these benefits.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands death benefits eligibility retroactively for police/fire families, ensuring surviving spouses/children receive previously denied benefits under PFRS.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 257: Excludes certain unemployment compensation recipients from paying civil service open competitive examination application and appeal fees.

New Jersey bill S 257 would exempt individuals receiving unemployment compensation benefits or whose benefits ended within the past six months from paying application and appeal fees for civil service job exams. Specifically, it removes the $25 application fee for open competitive exams and the $20 appeal fee for these individuals, as outlined in amended Section 1 of P.L.1992, c.197. The bill directly affects unemployed New Jersey residents currently or recently receiving unemployment benefits, removing a financial barrier to applying for state government jobs. Fees collected under this exemption would continue to fund civil service operations as specified in the existing law. This is a policy change to improve access to state employment for unemployed residents, not a change to unemployment benefits themselves.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill removes financial barriers (application/fee costs) for unemployed New Jersey residents seeking civil service jobs, directly advancing employment access and supporting unemployment beneficiaries.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees Unemployment Workers' Compensation

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 174: Prohibits public disclosure of names and addresses in certain unemployment, temporary disability, and family leave claim appeals documents.

This bill (S 174) prohibits public disclosure of personal identifying information - such as names and addresses - in appeals documents related to unemployment, temporary disability, and family leave claims. It directly affects individuals who file these appeals by keeping their personal details confidential in public records. The key mechanism requires state agencies to redact or withhold such information from documents made available under open records laws. This amendment updates existing confidentiality protections under New Jersey law to specifically cover these types of benefit appeals. The bill does not change eligibility rules or benefit amounts, only how personal data is handled in appeal records.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects worker privacy in benefit claims, preventing potential harassment and enabling secure access to unemployment/temp disability/family leave benefits.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill prohibits public disclosure of personal data (names/addresses) in appeals documents, directly protecting individual privacy in digital records per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Unemployment Data Privacy

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 275: Requires cost analysis in certain cases when State department contracts out work.

New Jersey's S 275 requires state departments to conduct a cost analysis before contracting out work usually performed by state employees for amounts over $100,000. This analysis must compare the cost of using private contractors versus state workers, including labor, benefits, equipment, and potential unemployment costs for displaced workers. Departments must also provide a resource analysis showing if the state can perform the work internally and file both analyses with the Office of Management and Budget for public review. The bill aims to ensure contracting only occurs if it saves significant state funds without harming public interest, while prohibiting contracts with firms whose leaders previously worked for the relevant state department. This directly affects state agencies, their employees, and union bargaining units when considering outsourcing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires cost analysis for contracting to prevent overspending, promoting fiscal responsibility in state budget management.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires cost analysis including unemployment costs for displaced workers, protecting state employees from job loss via contracting out.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Collective Bargaining Unemployment

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 910: Establishes "Bring Veterans to New Jersey Program."

S 910 establishes the "Bring Veterans to New Jersey Program" to help New Jersey employers recruit veterans by covering relocation costs. The program reimburses participating employers up to $5,000 per veteran for eligible expenses (like moving costs), provided veterans accept a job with the employer and work there for at least 12 months. Veterans must create profiles through a contracted nonprofit to connect with employers, and employers must pay relocation costs upfront before seeking state reimbursement. If a veteran leaves before 12 months due to circumstances beyond their control (e.g., layoff or family emergency), the state may forgive part or all of the repayment. This directly affects New Jersey employers who join the program and veterans relocating to work in the state.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentReimburses employers for veteran relocation costs to facilitate job placement, directly supporting veteran employment opportunities within labor & employment framework.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill funds employer relocation reimbursements ($5k/vet) to boost veteran employment, directly supporting workforce integration per program purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SR 36: Urges Congress to exempt unemployment insurance and certain leave benefits from federal taxation.

This New Jersey Senate resolution (SR 36) urges Congress to exempt unemployment insurance benefits and two types of disability leave benefits (family temporary disability leave and temporary disability leave) from federal taxation. It directly affects individuals receiving these benefits during unemployment, illness, injury, or caregiving for a family member, who currently face federal tax burdens on income they rely on during financial hardship. The resolution argues taxing these benefits worsens financial strain on vulnerable people already managing limited incomes. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change tax law but calls on federal lawmakers to act.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts unemployment/disability benefits from federal tax, providing relief to lower-income recipients during hardship, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExempting unemployment and disability leave benefits from federal tax directly expands net income for workers during financial hardship, strengthening existing employment benefits as per Labor & Employment policy indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1853: Provides corporation business tax credits and gross income tax credits to small business employers and farm employers for increases in certain mandatory employer contributions.

This New Jersey bill (S 1853) provides tax credits to small business employers (fewer than 25 employees, under $1 million annual revenue) and farm employers for increased mandatory insurance costs. It allows a credit equal to the difference between current-year costs for workers' compensation, disability, and unemployment insurance versus the prior year’s costs for the same employees/wages, capped at $12,000 annually. The credit applies to corporation business tax and gross income tax filings for tax periods starting January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2029. Businesses cannot use the same costs for other tax credits or incentives during overlapping periods.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credits to small businesses/farms for increased insurance costs, reducing their tax burden per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides tax credits to maintain mandatory insurance costs (workers' comp, disability, unemployment), supporting employer compliance with existing labor protection requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Unemployment Tags Small Business

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2734: Provides gross income tax exclusion for capital gains from sale of certain employer securities by qualified businesses that result in net positive benefit to State.

This bill allows business owners in New Jersey to exclude capital gains tax from selling company shares to employee ownership structures, specifically benefiting small businesses (under 500 employees, not publicly traded, with NJ headquarters). To qualify, the sale must transfer ownership to an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), a NJ S-corp owned by an ESOP, or a worker-owned cooperative, with employees gaining at least 30% ownership after the transaction. The tax exclusion requires pre-approval from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), which verifies the deal will retain full-time NJ jobs and yield a net economic benefit to the state (measured by retained tax revenue and reduced unemployment claims). It aims to incentivize small business owners to sell to employees instead of outside buyers, preserving local jobs and state tax revenue.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill provides tax exclusion for business capital gains, reducing state tax revenue and weakening budget through tax cut.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill incentivizes employee ownership (ESOPs/co-ops) via tax exclusion, requiring 30%+ employee ownership - a direct mechanism to advance worker control and economic rights within labor policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Revenue Unemployment

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