NJ State Policy Updates

Economics Governor Sherril Signs Law Banning Restaurant Reservation Scalping – On May 7th, Governor Mikie Sherrill signed legislation (A3318/SCS for S1193 and 1197) banning the practice of “restaurant reservation scalping,” a policy aimed at protecting both consumers and small businesses ahead of major tourism events such as the FIFA World Cup. The law (P.L.2026, c.12.) […]

Education Bill to Improve Access to School Meal Assistance Programs Advances – On March 23rd, the date of the most recent legislative digest, the New Jersey General Assembly approved Bill A3882 by a unanimous 73-0 vote. Sponsored by Assemblymembers Craig Coughlin (D-19), Annette Quijano (D-20) and Dan Hutchison (D-4), the bill would require public schools […]

Economics Legislature Advances Five Bills to Regulate AI Data Centers – New Jersey state lawmakers are advancing bills to limit the data center industry’s impact on ratepayers, the grid, and the environment. First, Bill S731/A796, approved by the Assembly, would mainly require large data centers using 100 megawatts or more to pay for at least […]

Education NJ’s School Funding Formula Faces Scrutiny at Budget Hearing – On April 15th, Education Commissioner Lily Laux testified before the Assembly Budget Committee in defense the proposed $22.5 billion education budget, which includes a record $12.4 billion in school aid. Commissioner Laux acknowledged that the funding formula, nearly 20 years old, was groundbreaking when […]

Economics Governor Sherrill Signs Law to Lift Nuclear Moratorium and Expand Energy Supply – On April 8th, Governor Sherrill signed legislation S3870/A4528 (P.L.2026, c.9.) into law, removing a key regulatory barrier that imposed a de facto moratorium on new nuclear power for decades and thereby blocked any new nuclear power development in New Jersey. The […]

Cannabis Gov. Sherrill Signs New Law Revising Restrictions for Hemp Products and Beverages – On March 30th, Governor Mikie Sherrill signed Bill S3945 into law, which revises restrictions on the sale of hemp products and intoxicating hemp beverages through November 2026. The law (P.L.2026, c.7.) allows licensed hemp producers to possess or transport intermediate hemp-derived […]

Cannabis Legislature Passes Hemp Regulation Extension Through November 2026 – On March 23rd, both chambers of the NJ Legislature passed Bill S3945, which temporarily revises restrictions on the sale of hemp products and intoxicating hemp beverages through November 2026. The bill was introduced on March 12th and extends restrictions on synthetic or high THC hemp-derived […]

Economics Senate Panel Advances Bill Banning Grocery Surveillance Pricing – On March 16th, the Senate Commerce Committee approved Bill S3612/S3717, the “Fair Price Protection Act,” sponsored by Senators Joseph P. Cryan (D-20) and Joseph A. Lagana (D-38), which would bar grocery stores and third-party delivery from using algorithms to adjust the prices paid by individual […]

Public Administration Governor Sherrill Proposes Record $60.7 Billion Spending in First Budget Address – On March 10th, Governor Sherrill delivered her first budget address to the Legislature, proposing a $60.7 billion spending plan for fiscal year 2027 that aims to cut the structural deficit from $3 billion to $1.7 billion. Concurrently, the budget introduces $3.3 […]

Education Senate Committee Advances High School Financial Literacy Course Requirement – On March 2nd, the Senate Education Committee unanimously approved Bill S3462, legislation sponsored by Senators Vin Gopal (D-11) and Angela McKnight (D-31) that would require New Jersey high school students to complete a one-semester standalone course in financial literacy as a condition of graduation. […]

Economics Assemblyman Announces Bill to Ban “Surveillance Pricing” – On February 24th, Assemblyman Chigozie Onyema (D-Newark) announced Bill A4523, the “Fair Price Protection Act,” which would prohibit grocery retailers from using surveillance technology and personal data to charge individualized prices to New Jersey consumers. Under the proposal, electronic surveillance technology includes sensors, cameras, device tracking, […]

Education Bill Introduced to Require Assistive Services for College Students with Disabilities – On February 19th, Assemblywoman Shanique Speight (D-29) introduced Bill A4354. The legislation would require New Jersey’s public colleges and universities to provide specific assistive services to students with disabilities for the purpose of recording course material, including note-taking software, provided that it […]