Public Administration
Governor Phil Murphy Delivers Final State of the State Address – On January 13th, Governor Murphy delivered his final State of the State address to a joint session of the New Jersey Legislature, marking the close of his two-term administration. Murphy highlighted accomplishments in areas including economic recovery, public education, infrastructure, and health care access. He framed New Jersey as being on a firm fiscal footing and urged lawmakers to continue prioritizing affordability and equity. The address also acknowledged lingering policy challenges, including cost-of-living pressures and housing access.
Assorted Bills Stalled in Final Lame Duck Session for the Murphy Administration – While both the Senate and Assembly moved forward with passing a slate of bills during their last voting session, several did not make the cut. Legislators will need to reintroduce these bills at the start of the new legislative session which begins Tuesday, January 20th. The failed bills include: S-3545, which requires certain companies to make payments based on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions they create; A-3558/S-1292, which would codify the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism; S-4792, which would restore $45 million to the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund; A-4083, the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act; S4909/A6272, which would increase the fee for filing a tax property assessment appeal; A-6206, which would revise parole rules for some incarcerated people; and S-1411/A-1416, which would subject the state budget to “stress testing” to gauge the state’s ability to provide services.
Gov. Murphy Signs Legislation to Hasten Process for Filling Vacancies – On January 16, Gov. Murphy signed a new law which requires the governor to issue a writ of election within 10 days of a congressional vacancy. This legislation came about after two House members died in 2024, and one seat was unfilled for more than four months because state law didn’t provide for filling a vacancy within six months of its expiration. The new law now allows the governor to fill a seat that becomes vacant at least 135 days before the legislative term’s end. These legislative changes won’t affect the seat vacated by Gov.-elect Sherrill, as a special primary will be held on February 5th for the 11th District, followed by a general election on April 16th.
Digital/Technology
Gov. Murphy Signs Final AI Development Initiative with NVIDIA – On January 16th, Gov. Murphy held a signing ceremony alongside tech company NVIDIA and several university presidents to announce a memorandum of understanding for an AI development hub. This collaboration will align state government, NVIDIA, the New Jersey AI Hub, Rutgers University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Stevens Institute of Technology, and NJ Council of County Colleges. In addition, the Garden State will be making a $25 million investment to support a statewide AI supercomputer initiative, which would ensure students, faculty, and researchers have access to advanced computing infrastructures needed for hands-on learning, applied research, and workforce training.
Environment
Gov. Murphy Signs Bill to Expand Panel for Farmland Assessment Program – On January 14th, Gov. Murphy announced over his final radio appearance that he signed legislation S3446/A6278 in law, which expands the panel that oversees New Jersey’s farmland assessment tax deduction, first created in the Farmland Assessment Act of 1964. The new legislation directs New Jersey’s Farmland Evaluation Committee to prepare reforms, including more frequent reviews of income eligibility standards and higher penalties for intentional misrepresentation, and added two committee seats for the state forester and an appointed member of the public. The Farmland Assessment Act was originally created to assist farmers who were impacted by rising property values and local taxes. The act has gained criticism over the past six decades, as some detractors allege there is not sufficient oversight to weed out wealthy landowners who take advantage of the tax break.
Transportation
Gov. Murphy Signs Contentious E-Bike Bill in Law – On January 19th, Gov. Murphy signed new legislation which is intended to enact strict regulations on electronic bikes in the Garden State. The new law requires registration, licensing, and insurance for e-bikes, and removes the three-tier system that New Jersey previously used to classify the devices. Under the new law, “low speed electric bikes” will refer to bikes with an electric motor with a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour, “motorized bikes” will refer to bikes with a maximum speed of 28 miles per hour, and “electric motorized bicycles” will refer to two-wheeled vehicles that exceed 28 miles per hour. The legislation also bans online e-bike sales for one year and bans minors under the age of 15 from operating low-speed e-bikes or motorized bicycles, and 17-year-olds will be required to have a basic driver’s license to drive an e-bike. E-bike owners will have six months to meet the new licensing, registration, and insurance requirements, and licensing and registration fees will be waived for the first year. This bill was hotly contested by many transportation groups and bike advocates, who allege the legislation is too restrictive for everyday bike riders that use e-bikes to travel to and from work and school.
Women, Children, & Families
Gov. Murphy Signs Bill Expanding Paid Family Leave – On January 19th, Gov. Murphy signed new legislation into law which will expand family leave benefits for workers at companies with as few as 15 employees. The state’s prior family leave legislation only required protections for workers at businesses with 30 employees or more. Existing law permits workers to take up to 12 weeks of paid family leave, and workers can earn up to 85% of their weekly pay, to a cap of $1,119 in 2026. The new legislation also relaxes some eligibility requirements, requiring workers to have been with their employer for at least three months and have worked at least 250 hours.