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 PFAS. Beginning in 2028, manufacturers of diaper products will have to certify that products do not contain intentionally added PFAS. Studies suggest PFAS are linked to cancer, developmental issues, and other adverse human effects and harms the environment. This law amends Bill A2033, the “Protecting Against Forever Chemicals Act,” which was signed into law earlier this year by former governor Phil Murphy. Bill S1281 adds diaper products to a list of regulated common household items such as carpets, cookware, cosmetics, and food packaging to reduce PFAS exposure.
Economics
Governor Sherrill Signs Law Mandating Data Centers Report Energy and Water Usage – On August 27th, Governor Mikie Sherrill signed Bill S3379/A4096 as P.L.2026, c.75. This legislation requires that data centers submit biannual reports on water and electricity usage to the New Jersey Board of Public Utility, establishes a new utility rate for data centers, and provides municipalities with resources to negotiate with developers. Additionally, the bill mandates energy and water usage reporting to assist officials in planning for effective grid capacity to offset increased electricity usage with new clean energy sources and incentivize investment in the grid infrastructure. Bill S3379/A4096 aims to provide resources to local governments to plan for data center development, while allowing municipalities local controls on data centers, such as implementing an outright ban, which 38 municipalities have enacted across New Jersey.
New Jersey Makes Permanent Pandemic-Era “Cocktails To-Go” Law – On August 28th, Governor Mikie Sherrill signed Senate Bill S4384 as P.L.2026, c.81, allowing restaurants and bars to sell or deliver alcoholic beverages that are consumed outside of the establishment. The bipartisan legislation makes permanent COVID-era policies related to the sale of alcoholic drinks which were intended to support small businesses during the pandemic. The prior legislation was expected to expire on September 1, 2026, but the now permanent law allows establishments with certain licenses to sell alcoholic beverages in original containers and mixed drinks in 16-ounce, closed, and sealed containers for customers to take off-premises. Additionally, this legislation allows craft distillery license holders to sell distilled alcoholic beverages for on or off-site consumption.
Public Administration
Meta Platforms, Inc. and New Jersey Reach $525 Million Settlement Agreement – On August 26th, a multistate coalition including the state of New Jersey entered a $17.1 billion settlement agreement with Meta Platforms, Inc. The agreement concludes a multiyear landmark legal case against the social media giant, which alleged the company knowingly harmed children’s mental health, purposefully designed addictive platforms, and misled the public about the dangers of these products. As part of the settlement, New Jersey will receive at least $525 million from Meta in damages to be paid over 10 years. Additionally, Meta has agreed to implement safety tools designed to limit overuse of social media platforms such as restricting youth access between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m., limiting access during school hours, removing beauty filters, and hiding visible “like” counts. Meta Platforms Inc. denies wrongdoing and hopes to establish industry standards for addressing youth access across different social media platforms.
NJ Attorney General Files Lawsuit Challenging New USPS Mail-In Ballot Rules – On August 26th, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and a coalition of 25 states filed a lawsuit challenging President Trump’s executive order restricting mail-in ballots. The lawsuit alleges that the president infringed upon state authority to regulate elections by imposing burdensome bureaucratic measures to disrupt access to vote-by-mail ballots. In Executive Order 14399, issued on March 31st, 2026, the Trump Administration laid a new framework governing mail-in-ballots which became effective immediately, though some officials remain concerned the rules will be difficult to implement before the November midterm elections. Along with the ongoing litigation and court orders, the new rules requiring states to meet ballot design guidelines, share mail-in ballot voter records with USPS, and obtain approval before registering mail voters could delay implementation. The coalition has requested a temporary restraining order to block the rules while the case proceeds.