Economics
New Bill Proposes Tax Credits to Boost Apprenticeships and Internships – On January 28th, Senator Troy Singleton introduced Bill S3214, which establishes the “New Jersey Earn and Learn Program” to incentivize employers to hire individuals into structured apprenticeships and paid internships. The bill offers businesses a base tax credit of $3,000 per enrollee, with additional $1,000 bonuses for small businesses, minority-owned businesses, enrollees from underrepresented groups, and successful conversion of apprentices or interns to full-time permanent employment. Credits are capped at $500,000 per taxpayer annually and limited to three years per individual participant. The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development would administer the program in coordination with the Department of Education and Economic Development Authority, with annual reporting requirements to evaluate program. If passed, the bill would take effect January 1, 2027.
Public Administration
Early Voting Begins for Gov. Sherrill’s 11th District Replacement – Starting January 29th, early voting began for the special primary election to replace Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s seat in Congress. This election is limited to voters in the 11th District, which encompasses all or part of 14 municipalities in Essex County, 28 in Morris, and four in Passaic. Early voting for the general election for D-11 will begin on April 6th, with election day held on April 16th.
Gov. Sherril Order Directs to Accelerate Solar, Storage and Grid Projects – On January 20th, Governor Mikie Sherrill issued Executive Order No. 2 directing state agencies to accelerate electricity generation, grid upgrades, and regulatory actions aimed at addressing rising power costs and reliability concerns. The Board of Public Utilities (BPU) is ordered to expand the development of both utility-scale and distributed solar projects through competitive solicitations. The order advances the Garden State Energy Storage Program to increase large-scale battery storage and bolster grid stability and directs BPU to create a “virtual power plant” program within 180 days to aggregate distributed energy resources. The order also establishes an interagency Nuclear Power Task Force to coordinate the development of new nuclear generation facilities in the state.
Education
New Jersey Passes First Major Charter School Reforms in Three Decades – On January 16th, outgoing Governor Phil Murphy signed two bills (A5935 and A5936) establishing a regulatory framework for New Jersey’s 84 charter schools since the Charter School Program Act of 1995. The legislation emerged from investigative reports uncovering financial misconduct, and nepotism in some charter schools. The reforms ban for-profit charter schools, and mandates stricter governance standards as well as training and residency requirements for trustees. The bills also establish 10-year charter renewals for high-performing schools and grant the education commissioner authority to place schools on probation or revoke licenses for non-compliance. The reforms would take effect in the 2027-28 school year.
Health
New Jersey Requires Insurance Coverage for Menopause-Related Care – On January 13th, outgoing Governor Phil Murphy signed the New Jersey Menopause Coverage Act (P.L.2025, c.200), a law requiring health insurance plans in the state to cover medically necessary perimenopause and menopause treatments. The law stems from legislation originally carried as Assembly Bill A5278 and covers medically necessary treatment including hormone replacement therapy, non-hormonal treatments, bone health treatments, pelvic floor physical therapy, among others.
Environment
New Law Strengthens Regulation of PFAS in New Jersey Products – On January 12, 2026, outgoing Governor Phil Murphy signed the “Protecting Against Forever Chemicals Act” (P.L.2025, c.202) – carried as Senate Bill S1221 – to establish one of the most comprehensive state frameworks in the nation for regulating perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the so-called synthetic “forever chemicals” linked to cancer, immune system effects, and other health risks. This new Law prohibits the sale of carpets, fabric treatments, cosmetics, and food packaging containing intentionally added PFAS, while excluding products in which PFAS are present only as unintended contaminants from the manufacturing process. The ban takes effect in January 2028.