Technology in New Jersey

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

A 1111: Requires Department of Treasury to review and approve digital payment platform.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Treasury to review and approve a blockchain-based digital payment platform designed for legal, licensed businesses without access to traditional banking services (often operating cash-only). The platform would enable cashless transactions with a 1:1 virtual currency-to-dollar exchange, managed through an immutable blockchain ledger that records all business transactions. Businesses must obtain state approval to use the platform, which would also handle sales tax payments to municipalities and support regulatory compliance and audits. The law aims to expand digital commerce access for underserved businesses while ensuring security and transparency.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology

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

A 4253: Requires MVC to establish centralized license plate search system.

This bill requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to create a centralized online system allowing vehicle owners to view and pay for outstanding parking or traffic violations using their license plate number. The system must let users check unpaid tickets and pay fines electronically, while meeting strict cybersecurity standards to protect user data through encryption. It directly affects all New Jersey drivers who own vehicles registered in the state. The MVC must establish this system within seven months of the bill's enactment, with implementation coordinated with courts.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity

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

A 2941: Requires owners or operators of certain solar energy facilities to inspect facility's infrastructure for presence of remote-access devices.

This bill requires owners or operators of solar energy facilities 1 megawatt or larger to inspect power inverters and related infrastructure within six months for remote-access devices that could allow unauthorized disruption of operations. Affected components must be replaced with secure alternatives. New facilities of this size cannot begin operations without completing this inspection. The law aims to address security risks identified by experts, where unlisted devices in inverters could potentially enable grid disruptions by hostile actors.

Topics ✓ Technology

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

A 4102: Requires SNAP retailers to take measures to help prevent card skimming.

This bill requires New Jersey SNAP retailers (stores that accept SNAP benefits) to install technology on all checkout terminals to prevent card skimming - where criminals illegally steal payment card details. Starting January 31, 2027, retailers must equip terminals with anti-skimming features approved by the Department of Human Services. The department can inspect stores, impose fines up to $5,000 per violation, and exclude repeat offenders from the SNAP program after four violations. The law directly affects SNAP retailers and aims to protect customers' payment information.

Topics ✓ Technology

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

A 2433: Upgrades crime of stalking when stalking activity is carried out or assisted by installation or use of communication or location monitoring program or device on cellular phone or wireless mobile device.

This bill amends New Jersey's stalking law to increase penalties when a perpetrator uses a device or program on the victim's phone to monitor communications or location. Normally, stalking is a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months in prison and $10,000 fine), but if the stalking involves installing or using a monitoring tool on the victim's cellular or wireless device to intercept calls, messages, or track location, it becomes a third-degree crime (3-5 years in prison and up to $15,000 fine). The law specifically targets the misuse of common apps or preinstalled software, which are widely available but often used without consent in stalking cases. This change directly affects victims of tech-assisted stalking and those who exploit phone monitoring tools to harass others.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Telecommunications

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

A 3053: Requires Director of Division of Housing and Community Resources in DCA to establish grant program to encourage local governments to promote New Jersey as innovation hub in certain fields; appropriates $100,000.

This bill creates a $100,000 grant program for New Jersey municipalities to promote local innovation achievements through street pole banners. Local governments must apply with specific plans for banners highlighting bioscience, telecommunications, clean energy, or other tech fields in their area. The state will select nine municipalities (three per region, with urban/suburban/rural representation) to receive grants for developing and installing these banners. Participating towns must report on banner installations and impacts within a year, and the state will compile results to assess potential statewide expansion.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Telecommunications

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

A 2148: Establishes Emerging Technology Urban Grant Program in EDA.

This bill establishes a grant program through New Jersey's Economic Development Authority to attract emerging technology businesses to designated urban areas. It provides grants covering cloud computing service costs for qualifying businesses that locate or maintain headquarters in specific "urban technology zones" (like Newark, Trenton, or certain cities meeting population criteria). To qualify, businesses must have 100 or fewer full-time employees, show 20% growth in staff or revenue, and commit to keeping their U.S. headquarters in the zone for five years total (two years during the grant period plus three additional years). The program aims to boost job creation and economic growth in New Jersey's urban cores by incentivizing tech companies to use cloud-based services.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology Tags Economic Development

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

A 3454: "Digital Asset and Blockchain Technology Act."

This bill establishes a licensing framework for businesses operating with digital assets (like cryptocurrencies) in New Jersey. It requires companies engaging in activities such as storing, trading, or issuing digital assets to obtain a license from the Bureau of Securities, unless exempt. Key exemptions include digital consumer assets used solely within online gaming platforms that don’t convert to cash or other currencies. The law explicitly excludes traditional securities from its scope and applies to activities occurring within New Jersey or targeting New Jersey residents.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology

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

A 711: Requires public institution of higher education to establish plans concerning cyber security and prevention of cyber attacks.

New Jersey bill A 711 requires public colleges and universities to create and maintain cyber security plans to protect student and staff data. The plans must cover monitoring for threats, assessing risks, preventing breaches, and responding to incidents. Institutions must regularly update these plans and consult with the state’s Cybersecurity Center for best practices. The bill defines a "cyber attack" as unauthorized access to personal information (like Social Security numbers or financial data) without proper security, but excludes phishing attempts and legitimate employee data use. It also mandates reporting actual cyber attacks to the state office while clarifying what does not count as an attack.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity Data Privacy

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

A 897: Exempts personal identifying information of minor from disclosure in public record; requires information to be redacted.

This bill requires New Jersey government agencies to redact personal identifying information of minors from public records. It specifically mandates the removal of details like names, addresses, Social Security numbers, phone numbers, email addresses, and driver's license numbers when such information appears in records maintained by state agencies (e.g., child protective services, wildlife licensing). The law applies to all government records covered under New Jersey's Open Public Records Act, ensuring minors' sensitive data is not publicly accessible. This directly affects minors whose personal details are documented in state records, such as in child welfare cases or licensing applications. The policy change shifts the burden to agencies to proactively redact this information upon record creation or release.

Topics ✓ Technology

Tags Government Transparency

All technology bills