Digital/Technology
Bills Introduced to Regulate A.I. Usage in Mortgages, Insurance, and Wage-Setting – On September 14th, three bills were introduced to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in certain mortgage lending tools, wage setting, and home, auto, and flood insurance pricing. Introduced by Assemblywoman Rowan (D-2), Bill A5496 aims to reduce discrimination by requiring disclosures of generative A.I. usage by mortgage loan originators and mortgage lenders and limiting certain uses in making home mortgage lending decisions. Introduced by Assemblyman Tully (D-38), Bill A5494 prohibits A.I. usage by insurers to make final decisions denying policyholder automobile, homeowners, and flood insurance claims. Finally, Bill A5502 was introduced by Assemblyman Onyema (D-28) to prohibit the use of A.I. algorithms by companies to set worker wages. Similar bills have progressed in California, Illinois, and Georgia targeting wage discrimination and privacy concerns as researchers say increasing prevalence of A.I. in managing employee benefits has caused wages to lag behind productivity gains.
Public Administration
Legislation Introduced to Eliminate Automatic Voter Registration – On September 14th, Assemblyman Azzariti Jr., M.D. (R-39) and Assemblywoman Fantasia (R-24) introduced Bill A5489 to create stricter rules for proof of citizenship and eliminate automatic voter registration at the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). In 2018, former Governor Phil Murphy signed into law P.L.2018, c.6, automatically registering eligible adults to vote at the MVC, creating a system in which individuals must choose to opt-out of registration. Bill A5489 would amend P.L.1994, c.182 to require applicants to provide proof of citizenship before opting-in to voter registration and repeal P.L.2018, c.6 automatic voter registration. This legislation pairs with Resolution AR156, introduced by Assemblymen Dimaio (R-23) and DePhillips (R-40) on September 17th to establish a 12-member bipartisan committee to investigate election integrity following reports that MVC software errors that led to 6,600 noncitizens being registered to vote between June 2023 and June 2024, of which 400 cast ballots. Studies have rejected concerns over voter fraud, noting the rarity of voter fraud with incident rates between 0.0003 percent and 0.0025 percent.
New Jersey, 39 States, and Federal Government Settle with Abbott Laboratories for $384 Million – On September 16th, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced that New Jersey, 39 other states, and the federal government reached a settlement with Abbott Laboratories over allegations that the company manufactured infant formula and nutritional therapy products at substandard facilities. The lawsuit alleged Abbott failed to disclose test results showing product contamination and that Abbott knowingly produced infant formula paid for using Medicaid and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children funds in inadequately maintained facilities. Under the settlement, the New Jersey Medicaid program is entitled to $904,569, of which $391,876 is allocated for the federal share of NJ Medicaid, $358,885 for state share of Medicaid costs, and $153,808 to be paid to relators who filed complaints. Abbott Laboratories recalled certain baby formula products in 2022 following reports of infant bacterial infections amid concerns alleging unsanitary conditions in manufacturing plants.
Environment & Health
Legislation Introduced to Prohibit Certain Products with Microplastics – The “Protecting Against Microplastics Act” was introduced by Assemblywoman Haider (D-37) on September 14th to restrict certain products with intentionally added microplastics from being sold in New Jersey. Bill A5452 would prohibit microplastics or synthetic substances that could shed microplastics from intentionally being added to cleaning, cosmetics, or potentially edible products such as chewing gum, tea grounds, or pet food. Additionally, household goods and products that come into contact with food or drinks must disclose the addition of microplastics or materials that may produce microplastics, though insufficient evidence exists to suggest plastics in packaging can be absorbed by food or beverages. The legislation would appropriate $3 million for the implementation of programs to reduce microplastic exposure, research the impacts of microplastics, monitor microplastic contamination in ecosystems, and enforce bans on certain products.