Housing
Senate Committee Advances Bill Codifying Framework to ‘Stay NJ’ Property Tax Relief Program Amid Financial Concerns – On October 7th, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee voted unanimously to advance Bill S3693, which would codify recommendations from the Stay NJ Task Force’s report this May on the Stay NJ property tax relief program. Governor Murphy signed Bill A1 (P.L.2023, c.75) into law in May 2023 to establish the Stay NJ program, which provides a maximum of $6,500 in property tax relief to eligible claimants. Lawmakers, experts, and community groups raised concerns about the Stay NJ program on Monday, questioning the program’s fairness and the long-term financial sustainability. The first round of Stay NJ relief payments is planned for early 2026.
Public Administration
Energy Usage Alert for Residents Under Consideration – On October 10th, the Senate Economic Growth Committee advanced Bill S3620, which mandates utility companies to regularly notify consumers about their energy usage during the billing cycle. Utilities would notify customers when their energy consumption exceeds average usage from prior months. Utilities will alert customers with notifications sent via phone, text, or email. This bill follows public criticism from residents over spiking energy prices this summer. Because of public concerns, experts and utility representatives gathered at an Assembly hearing two weeks ago to discuss factors contributing to these rising costs. Last June was the second hottest June on record in New Jersey in more than 100 years.
Potential Ban on Plastic Utensils in Restaurants and Schools – On October 10th, the Senate Environment and Energy Committee advanced Bill S3195 with a 3-2 vote. This legislation would mandate restaurants provide washable, reusable utensils for on-site customers. Schools would also be required to supply reusable utensils to students. Business advocates expressed concerns about the potential increased costs for restaurants under the requirement. Additionally, including schools in the mandate drew opposition, with the New Jersey School Boards Association arguing that the requirement could pose safety risks for children. Conversely, environmental advocates praised the bill as a step towards reducing plastic waste in the state. The federal appellate court remains uncertain, and it is likely the case will eventually reach the Supreme Court.
Assembly Launches Bipartisan Committee to Review Ballot Design – On October 11th, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Minority Speaker John DiMaio announced the formation of the Assembly Select Committee on Ballot Design, a bipartisan committee devoted to examining the state’s ballot design. The 12-member committee will hold public hearings and gather information from advocates, experts, and concerned citizens on the state’s ballot design. It will also analyze legislative changes which could bring state ballots into compliance with court orders. This committee follows a lawsuit challenging the legality of New Jersey’s party-line ballot design, which research has shown provides an unfair advantage to endorsed candidates. A federal judge previously ruled in March against using “county-line” ballots in the June primary elections.
New Jersey Joins as a Defendant in Federal DACA Case – On October 10th, New Jersey spoke in defense of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program at a federal appeals court hearing. The ongoing court battle began with a lawsuit filed in 2018, arguing DACA was a presidential overreach that put a burden on states. New Jersey argued that the state would be negatively impacted if Dreamers were deported, given their integration into local communities. There are currently around 14,000 ‘Dreamers’ living in New Jersey. In addition, Gretel Rodriguez, a former NJSPL summer intern and DACA recipient, provided personal testimony in support of the program.
New Jersey Minimum Wage to Rise to $15.49 in January 2025 – New Jersey’s minimum wage will increase by $0.36 to $15.49 per hour for most workers starting January 1, 2025, as a result of the state’s annual cost-of-living adjustments to keep pace with inflation. For employees of seasonal and small employers, the minimum wage will rise from $13.73 to $14.53, with further increases scheduled until 2028. Agricultural workers will follow a different timeline, with gradual raises continuing until 2030. These adjustments are required by the state constitution and are based on changes in the federal government’s consumer price index.
Cannabis
Federal Judge Rules on New Jersey Hemp Law – On October 10th, a federal judge ruled that certain portions of a recently enacted hemp law signed by Governor Murphy last month were unconstitutional. The judge argued the bill unfairly discriminated against out-of-state hemp producers and violated the dormant commerce clause. However, the judge upheld New Jersey’s ultimate power to regulate the hemp industry and most of the law’s other provisions, notably banning the sale of hemp products to those under 21 years of age. Hemp businesses filed a lawsuit in late September, claiming the law’s vague provisions were difficult to follow and would cause irreparable harm to the industry. In light of the ruling, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission paused requirements for businesses to remove hemp products from their shelves but is still enforcing the age restriction.
Health
Senate Committee Moves Forward with Legalizing Psilocybin for Therapeutic Use – On October 7th, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee advanced Bill S2283, which would legalize the production and supervised use of psilocybin, the drug found in hallucinogenic mushrooms, for behavioral and therapeutic treatment for adults in the state. The bill would also create a 15-member advisory board consisting of Department of Health Officials and governor appointees to issue recommendations guiding the implementation of the bill. Studies have found small doses of psilocybin effective at easing emotional distress in cancer patients and treating a number of behavioral or mental ailments, such as symptoms of major depressive disorder. Psilocybin is currently illegal federally and statewide.
Senate Committee Advances Bill Requiring Coverage for Home Births – On October 7th, the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee unanimously voted to advance Bill S0197, which would require insurance carriers and Medicaid to cover the full cost of home births. Birthing advocates supported the measures as a means to both improve maternal health outcomes and tackle the racial disparities within the state. In a September Assembly hearing, advocates, including midwives, doulas, and policy experts, raised concerns about the difficulty of giving birth outside of hospital settings, arguing this lack of accessibility contributes to high C-section rates and poorer maternal outcomes for racial minorities. According to a state analysis, Black women are nearly seven times more likely and Hispanic women three times more likely to die during pregnancy, childbirth, or the postpartum period compared to White women.