Public Administration
New Jersey Early Voting Period Begins – Starting October 26th through November 3rd, New Jersey voters will be able to vote early in-person for the upcoming presidential election. Polls will be open from 10 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday, and from 10 AM to 6 PM on Sundays. Voters can also vote by mail or cast a ballot on Election Day, when polls will be open from 6 AM to 8 PM. State officials held a press conference on October 24th to announce new measures for election security and integrity, and to encourage New Jerseyans to vote in the election.
Assembly Advances Bill Mandating Review of State’s Use-of-Force Policy – On October 21st, the Assembly Judiciary Committee unanimously advanced Bill A4175, which mandates the Attorney General’s Office to review its use-of-force policy every two years and adhere to certain principles, such as de-escalation, proportional and necessary force, and the sanctity of human life. Additionally, the bill requires the Attorney General to hold three public hearings in different sections of the state to receive feedback on potential changes. Supporters and advocates argue the bill would provide greater law enforcement oversight and protect both law enforcement officers as well as individuals affected by police use of force.
Senate Moves Forward with Bill Addressing Background Check Releases Amid Expungement Backlog – On October 21st, the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee unanimously advanced Bill S2513, which would prohibit the New Jersey State Police from disclosing soon-to-be-expunged offenses during criminal background checks. The bill aims to address a significant expungement backlog which has delayed the removal process and led to the release of convictions to prospective employers which should have legally been expunged, prompting an Office of the Public Defender lawsuit in 2023. The Office of the Attorney General expressed concerns that requiring manual checking for pending expungements on each background check would further delay the process. The backlog has been largely driven by marijuana legalization and recent eligibility expansions, with annual expungement applications increasing from around 13,000 to approximately 50,000.
Digital/Tech
Senate Advances Bill Combatting Deepfakes and Other Deceptive Election Content – On October 24th, the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee unanimously advanced Bill S2543, which would prohibit knowingly distributing deceptive visual or audio forgeries, known as a ‘deepfakes,’ within 90 days of an election. Under the proposed legislation, individuals distributing deepfakes could face up to a $1,000 fine and six months in prison. This advancement comes amid heightened concerns about the impact of AI and misinformation across social media, with the Department of Homeland Security warning state officials of AI’s potential to confuse voters and undermine election security earlier this year. At least 19 other states have enacted laws addressing similar concerns about deepfakes or other deceptive media content. Bill S2543’s Assembly companion bill (Bill A2818) passed by a vote of 60 to 13 at the end of June 2024.
Housing
Assembly Progresses on Legislation Banning Rent-Setting Software and Coordination Among Landlords – On October 24th, the Assembly Housing Committee advanced Bill A4872 by a 4 to 2 vote, which seeks to prohibit landlords from using algorithmic software or collaborating with other rental property owners to set rent prices and limit competition. Assemblywoman and bill sponsor Yvonne Lopex introduced the bill in response to the U.S. Department of Justice suing RealPage Inc., a property management software company, over its own rental pricing algorithm. Advocates testified for over an hour on Thursday, with bill proponents, including New Jersey residents and former Governor Jim McGreevy, voicing concerns over increasing rent and unfair business practices by property owners statewide. In contrast, the New Jersey Apartment Association and, notably, RealPage Inc. opposed the bill. They argued that they are not violating antitrust laws and suggesting the state wait until federal courts navigate through pending lawsuits before proceeding with the bill. The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee introduced a companion bill in late September.
Economy
Senate and Assembly Hold Joint Hearing on Effects of Legalized Sports Gambling – On October 24th, the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism, and Historic Preservation committee held a joint hearing with the Assembly Tourism, Gaming, and the Arts Committee to examine the impacts of sports gambling in the state since its legalization in 2018. Representatives from the Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey and the Sports Betting Alliance highlighted the job-creation benefits of sports gambling, crediting around 4,000 Atlantic City jobs to the legalization of sports betting. They commended the state for its regulatory leadership in the legal sports betting industry. However, some advocates, such as the Council on Compulsive Gambling, raised concerns about the lack of barriers around sports betting and the risks of addiction among New Jerseyans, noting a 277% increase in hotline calls since 2018. New Jerseyans wagered about $1 billion in September, and state revenue from legalized sports betting neared $6 million in 2023.
Cannabis Regulatory Commission Discusses Social Equity Fee Amid Calls for Increases – The Cannabis Regulatory Commission is scheduled to meet on October 30th to discuss a potential increase in the social equity excise fee for marijuana sales, amid calls by activists for an increase to $30 per ounce. Progressive activists and organizations, including New Jersey Policy Perspective and the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, contend that New Jersey’s current tax is among the lowest in the country. They argue that raising the tax rate would help the state achieve social justice goals by allowing greater investment in underserved communities, particularly those adversely affected by the war on drugs. However, the New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association and some small businesses warn that a significant tax increase could dramatically raise consumer prices and negatively impact the industry. Currently, the social equity excise fee stands at $1.24 per ounce, generating about $2.6 million in fiscal year 2024.