NJ State Policy Updates

Interested in staying in the know on the current policy and legislative updates taking place throughout the state of New Jersey? The NJSPL has curated weekly updates of the public policy-related news, rulings, and legislation affecting New Jerseyans today.

August 31, 2026
Health New Jersey Expands PFAS Prohibitions to Include Diaper Products – On August 27th, Bill S1281, sponsored by Senator Greenstein (D-14) and Senator Turner (D-15), was signed into law by Governor Mikie Sherrill as P.L.2026, c.76. The legislation prohibits the sale, manufacture, and distribution of diaper products that contain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as […]
August 24, 2026
Economics New Jersey Loses 25,600 Jobs as Unemployment Falls to 4.4 Percent, Per Latest DOL Report – On August 20th the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development released the July 2026 Employment Report showing New Jersey lost 25,600 jobs last month. Despite the loss in nonfarm jobs, the state’s unemployment rate ticked downward from 4.5 […]
August 17, 2026
Women, Children, & Families Gov. Sherrill Signs New Legislation to Protect Children Online – On August 11th, Governor Mikie Sherrill signed three bills that aim to advance research on the effects of social media on childhood development, strengthen online safety measures for minors, and explore warning labels for online content marketed at children. Bill A4015/S3413 requires […]
August 10, 2026
Transportation New Law Expands On-Demand Micro-Transit Options – Governor Mikie Sherrill signed Bill A4761 into law on August 7th, which authorizes counties to expand on-demand microtransit options for seniors and people with disabilities. This bill expands upon existing legislation to include county-run on-demand microtransit services, enabling transportation access for seniors and people with disabilities through ride-hailing […]
August 4, 2026
Public Administration Gov. Sherrill Denies Federal Request for Voter Registration Records – On July 21st, Governor Mikie Sherrill revealed that 6,600 noncitizens were registered to vote through a software malfunction in the Motor Vehicle Commission system between June 2023 and June 2024, though only approximately 400 of that number are believed to have voted. Following the […]
July 27, 2026
Transportation New E-Bike Registration and Insurance Requirements Now in Effect – Bill S4834, signed by then-Gov. Phil Murphy in January, took effect on July 20th, establishing New Jersey’s first registration, licensing, and insurance requirements for electric bikes. The law creates two classifications: e-bikes which top out at 20 mph must be registered with the NJ […]
July 20, 2026
Environment & Energy Gov. Sherill Signs Bill Directing State to Procure New Nuclear Power Plant – On July 13th, Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed Bill A4881, directing the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to begin soliciting proposals for construction of at least one new nuclear power plant, with the aim of adding 1,100 megawatts of generating […]
July 13, 2026
Environment & Energy Bill Reintroduced to Establish ‘Pollinator-Friendly’ Label for Plants, Implement Pesticide Regulations – On June 30th, New Jersey Assembly Bill A3094 was engrossed and filed for introduction into the 2026 legislative session. It is sponsored by Lisa Swain (D-38), Chris Tully (D-38), and Clinton Calabrese (D-36). This bill gives the commissioner of the New […]
July 6, 2026
Public Administration Gov. Sherrill Signs Off on FY2027 Budget – On June 30th, Governor Mikie Sherrill signed the fiscal year 2027 budget into law, marking it the largest budget in state history with nearly $61 billion earmarked in funding. Total appropriations are $60.7 billion, 3.7% higher than FY2026’s budget, with $7.3 billion in spending reserved […]
June 29, 2026
Public Administration Senate and Assembly Budget Committees Approve $60.7B Budget for Fiscal Year 2027 – On June 29th, several outlets reported that the New Jersey Senate and Assembly Budget Committees approved a $60.7 billion annual spending bill and additionally advanced hundreds of millions of dollars in additional spending for legislators’ priorities in a separate bill […]
June 22, 2026
Health Bill Advances to Add Vitamin B9 to Corn Masa Products – On June 15, Bill A5119 unanimously passed the bipartisan Assembly Agriculture Committee with amendments. The “Fortifying Corn Masa Act” would require manufacturers to add folic acid, otherwise known as folate or vitamin B9, to corn masa flour to increase the beneficial nutrients. Folate, which […]
June 16, 2026
Health Bill Introduced to Strengthen Pediatric Psychiatric Care – New Jersey Assembly Bill A5236, sponsored by Andrea Katz (D-8), Linda S. Carter (D-22), and James J. Kennedy (D-22), aims to strengthen pediatric psychiatric care and behavioral health care to children and their families who are served by the New Jersey Pediatric Psychiatry Collaborative (NJPCC). Introduced on […]