Environment
Senate Committee Advances Bill to Cut Plastic Packaging – On February 10th, the Senate Environment and Energy Committee approved Bill S3398 in a 3 to 2 party-line vote, which would mandate producers implement plans to reduce plastic packaging by 50% over 10 years. The bill would additionally prohibit toxic chemicals in packaging and provide new revenue for local governments to promote recycling, among other provisions. Supporting organizations, including Environment New Jersey, highlighted the harms of rising microplastic pollution and environmental damages, as well as growing public support for reducing plastic waste. Opponents, including Republican lawmakers and the New Jersey Food Council, argued the measure would be burdensome for producers and lead to higher costs and increased food safety risks.
Public Administration
Electricity Bills to Rise Sharply After Auction Results – On February 7th, the Board of Public Utilities approved electricity auction results that will increase electric supply costs by between 33% and 35%. This will raise monthly utility bills by between 17% and 20%, depending on the utility provider, likely adding an extra $22.67 to $28.02 to the average customer’s monthly bill beginning in June 2025. Officials cited rising electricity demand and lower supply as key factors in the rate increase. Rate Counsel Brian Lipman, echoing concerns about the electricity bill spike raised during an October legislative hearing, urged lawmakers to expand electricity capacity and limit utility mandates that contribute to high customer bills.
Bill Limiting Ambiguous Terms of Service Contracts Advances – On February 10th, the Senate Commerce Committee voted unanimously to advance Bill S3928, which would restrict private companies from imposing all-encompassing or ambiguous contract terms on consumers. The bill would limit consumer contracts to the services explicitly offered and purchased. Proponents, including the New Jersey Association for Justice, supported the measure as necessary in countering opaque contracts and limiting deceptive practices. Opponents, including the New Jersey Civil Institute, argued the bill would restrict arbitration and may conflict with federal law.
Lawmakers Advanced Bill to Strengthen State Bribery Laws – On February 13th, the Assembly Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to advance Bill AA4947, which would strengthen the state’s bribery statute by criminalizing bribes regardless of whether the benefits occur before or after an official’s improper act. Following a 6-3 Supreme Court decision, this bill is intended to protect the state’s bribery law from a U.S. Supreme Court ruling issued last year, which found that a federal bribery statute does not criminalize bribes taken for past actions.
Education
Court Blocks School Districts from Adopting Policies to Out Transgender Students – On February 10th, a state appellate court blocked four New Jersey school districts from implementing policies requiring schools to inform parents if a student changed their gender identity or name. While the ruling upheld necessary protections for transgender students, it did not require districts to adopt state guidance, allowing districts to rewrite their policies. Transgender advocacy groups, including Garden State Equality, praised the decision as a victory for civil rights. The districts now must collaborate with the Division of Civil Rights to rewrite the policies.
Health
Committee Advances Bill Authorizing Out-of-State Health Care Professionals to Work in New Jersey Pending Licensure – On February 10th, the Senate Commerce Committee unanimously advanced Bill S3565, which would allow out-of-state health care professionals to practice in the state for up to one year while awaiting full licensure. The measure, intended to address workforce shortages, would apply to psychologists, social workers, physicians, other professionals, as well as recent graduates of health care training programs. Lawmakers’ push to advance the bill is part of efforts to address the increasing statewide shortage of health care workers, including in behavioral health care. Several advocacy groups, including the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies and The Arc of New Jersey, highlighted the growing workforce gap in the social services and behavioral health fields. They urged lawmakers to increase investment in Medicaid and the behavioral health care workforce and limit budget cuts to health care providers.