Bills in the 2026–2027 Session, Senate.
James W. Holzapfel
Sponsored
Passed both houses1
Concerns enrollment of twins or higher order multiples in public preschool programs.
Out of committee1
Authorizes creation of "250th Anniversary Revolutionary War" license plates.
In committee115
Establishes NJ Animal Abuser Registry.
Increases criminal penalties if leaving loaded firearm within easy access of minor results in injury or death.
Extends to 90 days statute of limitations for unlawful use of cell phone while driving; increases penalties for texting while driving.
Enhances penalties imposed on drivers who have never been issued a driver's license.
Prevents State school aid reduction in school districts that experienced decrease in equalized valuation and are located in certain counties.
Includes value of certain properties exempt from taxation in valuation used to calculate State school aid.
Increases penalties for unlawfully manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing fentanyl.
Exempts certain transactions of residential property involving senior, blind, and disabled citizens from general purpose fee under realty transfer fee and one percent assessment on real property selling for more than $1,000,000.
Eliminates supplemental realty transfer fee.
Requires public utility to reimburse business customer during period when business ceases operations due to utility repairing or replacing its equipment on business customer's property.
Prohibits utility from billing customer for costs incurred for certain upgrades to utility infrastructure; allows costs for certain upgrades to utility infrastructure be recovered in utility's rate base.
Establishes mandatory penalties for committing burglary and theft during a state of emergency.
Increases fines for failing to report suspected abuse or exploitation of institutionalized elderly person.
Provides that school districts spending below adequacy will not be subject to certain State school aid reductions.
Requires mortgage lenders to maintain vacant, age-restricted dwelling units during foreclosure.
Requires DOE to release to school district upon request data and software program algorithms used to calculate State school aid.
Requires school districts to provide instruction on the dangers of texting while driving as part of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.
Requires registered voters to present photo ID when voting at polling place.
Prohibits discrimination against individuals who have not received COVID-19 vaccine.
Prohibits requiring students to wear face masks in schools and on school buses.
Permits religious services during state of emergency or public health emergency declarations by Governor.
Prohibits NJT from making major alterations to rail yards located near certain environmentally sensitive areas.
Eliminates remarriage prohibition for PFRS death benefits; provides retirement allowance to certain survivors of PFRS members.
Permits any member of PERS to receive accidental disability retirement allowance for disability resulting from participation in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations.
Requires State agencies to review operations and to implement use of Internet to conduct public business when cost savings may be realized, with certain exceptions.
Restricts phosphorus content and requires labelling thereof for household cleansing products.
Expands statute authorizing temporary restraining orders for certain alleged stalking victims to include victims of any age or mental capacity.
Revises distribution of monies from Alcohol Education, Rehabilitation and Enforcement Fund to municipalities.
Requires Director of Division of Taxation to include sales of properties in age-restricted developments by third parties in table of equalized valuations.
Requires explosive gas detectors to be installed in certain residential properties.
Concerns valuation of property condemned for dune construction or beach replenishment.
Provides State income tax credit for removal of lawns near Barnegat Bay.
Prohibits sale, distribution, and use of urea as an ice melt.
"Barnegat Bay Protection Act"; establishes Barnegat Bay Protection Fund, dedicates portion of sales tax on fertilizer, authorizes special license plates, and provides for donations.
Changes law regulating size limits of lobsters.
Waives certain pet adoption fees for veterans.
Clarifies that fishing license is not required to fish at private community lake.
Allows shore municipalities to provide spouse and dependent children of veterans free or reduced cost access to beaches.
Permits short-term tax exemption for certain improvements to dwellings damaged by natural disasters.
Excludes passenger and freight rail projects from purposes for which revenue from increase in petroleum products gross receipts tax revenue may be used.
"Homestead School Property Tax Reimbursement Act"; provides State reimbursement for 50% of school property taxes paid by seniors, 65 years and older.
Requires newly-constructed grocery stores to have generators.
Requires electric distribution lines to be located underground in areas affected by severe weather or natural disasters.
Provides for court dismissal, with prejudice, of civil actions for which lis pendens notices are filed under certain circumstances.
Clarifies crime of unlawful access concerning certain password protected communications in electronic storage.
Requires State to lower compensation rate of civilly committed sexually violent predators to same level as State inmates for institutional work.
Criminalizes fourth or subsequent drunk driving offenses.
Authorizes court to impose rescue operation costs of public entity under certain circumstances.
Exempts police from jury duty.
Establishes "Distracted Driver Enforcement and Education Fund."
Increases fines for failing to have required markings on commercial vehicles.
Requires police notification when driver's license is suspended.
Establishes new offenses concerning unlawful possession and use of credit card scanners.
Establishes New Jersey Internet Criminal Information Registry.
Establishes training for law enforcement officers interacting with pregnant women.
Exempts certain essential individuals and businesses from certain requirements in state of emergencies or public health emergencies.
Prohibits the imposition of affordable housing need and related fees upon the local transfer or move of a business.
Permits minors to work until 11 p.m. between Memorial Day and October 1 of each year in certain circumstances.
Revises polysomnography license fees.
Establishes immunity for businesses against damage claims for COVID-19 exposure; excludes reckless or intentional conduct.
Upgrades unlawful taking thefts in certain instances.
Prohibits default approvals of certain municipal land use applications, and permits municipal agencies to not hold certain required meetings, under emergency circumstances.
Establishes Jersey Shore Safety and Economy Task Force.
Provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for employing immediate family members of members of the Armed Forces of the United States who were killed in action.
Establishes three-year nonpublic school pupil transportation pilot program in Ocean County to provide funding to county consortium of nonpublic schools that will assume responsibility for mandated nonpublic school busing.
Requires State aid reduction to municipalities and school districts by amount of accumulated absences paid to employees upon their retirement.
Requires municipalities to reimburse qualified private communities for street paving costs.
Requires installation of emergency power supply systems to certain common areas of new planned real estate developments; provides related tax incentives.
Authorizes payment of just compensation to businesses for losses due to public health emergency closures.
Requires electric public utility to reimburse residential customer for cost of food and prescription medicine spoiled or compromised as a result of sustained electric service outage.
Establishes $40 daily pay rate for jurors.
Concerns installation, modification, and sale of certain mufflers and exhaust systems; requires inspection of mufflers and exhaust systems.
Requires each public school to post on website comprehensive list of all resources available in school library.
Eliminates weekly COVID-19 testing requirement for unvaccinated State employees.
Prohibits download or use of TikTok application on any State-issued electronic device.
Appropriates $4 million to DEP for local cost share of certain beach replenishment project in Ocean County.
Requires members of State Board of Education to attend meetings in person to be recorded as present.
Upgrades offense of criminal mischief if person interrupts or impairs power supply.
Creates toll relief program; appropriates $250 million to NJTA and $250 million to SJTA.
Increases automobile liability insurance coverage amounts for persons convicted of DWI.
Extends pension eligibility for survivors of certain emergency services volunteers who contracted COVID-19 during 2020 public health emergency declared by Governor.
Prohibits imposition of civil penalties on State agencies by State agencies.
Requires Division of Consumer Affairs display list of all registered ticket brokers on division's website.
Prohibits sale of tickets not in reseller's possession.
Provides gross income tax deduction for certain E-ZPass tolls paid.
Increases annual income limit for eligibility to receive homestead property tax reimbursement.
Increases income eligibility limit for homestead property tax reimbursement program.
Provides gross income tax deduction for home office expenses incurred during COVID-19 pandemic.
Permits county board of chosen freeholders to appoint interim member of county tax board under certain circumstances.
Requires suspension without pay and health care benefits if public officer or employee formally charged with crime involving or touching office, position, or employment.
Establishes loan program for first-time homebuyers who move to areas with most abandoned properties; appropriates $5 million.
Establishes immunity for senior planned real estate development associations relating to COVID-19.
Prohibits public utility from filing rate increase petition under certain circumstances.
Exempts certain motor vehicles that are owned by certain nutrition programs and certain nonprofit organizations that offer social services from motor vehicle registration fees.
Provides gross income tax deduction for senior citizens for certain medical expenses for in-home care or care in assisted living and long-term care facilities and funeral expenses.
Modifies requirements for associations to protect structural integrity of certain buildings; expands timeframes for associations to establish adequate reserves.
Extends Wounded Warrior Caregivers Relief Act to caregivers of certain veterans.
Authorizes creation of temporary Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary commemorative license plate.
Requires driver's licenses and identification cards issued to non-citizens to bear distinct color and include statement providing document cannot be used to vote; requires identification to vote.
Prohibits certain financial institutions from requiring certain disabled veterans to include anticipated property tax obligations as part of mortgage applications.
Requires issuance of tourniquets to law enforcement officers; requires emergency service vehicles be equipped with tourniquets.
Requires Attorney General to compile and publicly report certain statistics pertaining to permits to carry for handguns and firearm purchaser identification cards.
Requires DEP to establish resident-only priority registration period for sale of permits at Island Beach State Park before opening sales to non-residents.
"Flood Zone Clarification Act"; modifies procedure for delineation of State flood hazard areas.
Exempts persons with disabilities from parking meter fees under certain circumstances.
Prohibits the employment of unauthorized aliens and requires employers to use E-Verify program.
Prohibits DEP from limiting number of mobile sport fishing permits issued annually; requires valid registration with New Jersey Saltwater Recreational Registry Program.
Requires principals and teachers of public schools to conduct two sentence oral recitation from Declaration of Independence before opening of school each day in grades three through 12; appropriates $10,000.
Expands crime of human trafficking to include individuals who benefit financially.
Provides for driver's license suspension for any crime or offense occurring at pop-up party.
Permits protective order to be issued against unemancipated minor.
Prohibits modification of mufflers and exhaust systems to produce audible sounds; increases penalties for violations.
Provides gross income tax deduction for homeowner's payments of certain homeowners association assessments.
"Jackson's Law"; requires mandatory minimum term of imprisonment for leaving scene of accident resulting in death and makes certain juveniles eligible for waiver for this offense.
Establishes annual sales tax holiday during week of Thanksgiving.
Filed2
Requires electric public utilities to submit report to BPU following major outage events.
Provides for practice of dental hygiene without supervision pursuant to collaborative practice agreement with licensed dentist.
Carried from the General Assembly
Became law1
Authorizes creation of "250th Anniversary Revolutionary War" license plates.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 3
Eliminates certain practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses.
Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2027.
Appropriates $77,406,208 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and various Green Acres funds to DEP for local government open space acquisition and park development projects, and for certain administrative expenses.
Passed the Senate · 5
Increases penalties for identity theft when victim is a senior citizen or veteran.
Requires school bus drivers and school bus aides to call 911 emergency line in potential life-threatening emergencies; requires certain school buses transporting students with disabilities to be equipped with certain safety features.*
Allows law enforcement agencies to distribute epinephrine to officers; requires training.
Authorizes Director of Board of County Commissioners to appoint designee to serve on county planning board.
Expands criminal and civil penalties for human trafficking, and expands human trafficking training requirements for law enforcement. *
Out of committee · 10
Requires MVC to issue special windshield stickers marking electric vehicles exempt from emission inspections.
Requires DEP to provide time period during which mobile sport fishing permits may be purchased only by NJ residents.
Establishes minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to beneficiary eligible for brain injury services.
Increases amount of cigarette and other tobacco products tax revenues provided to New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research to $10 million; establishes dedicated, non-lapsing Cancer Research Fund.
Creates offense of financial exploitation of the elderly.
Allows each county to create central registry and provide emergency supply kits to distribute to senior residents during emergencies; appropriates funds.*
Authorizes creation of registered nurse license plates.
Supplements FY2026 Appropriations Act; makes $10 million off-budget appropriation to NJSHARES - S.M.A.R.T. Program.
Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for transportation infrastructure projects for FY2027; makes appropriation.
Requires certain tolling entities and NJT to provide 50 percent discount to service members, veterans, auxiliary members, and Gold Star Family members.*
In committee · 98
Updates scope of practice of optometrists.
Permits certain motor vehicles to display both amber and green warning lights.
Permits certain transportation research contracts to be awarded to private research institutions of higher education and other entities.
Reinstates automatic COLA for retirement benefits of members of the State-administered retirement systems.
Requires creation of license plates that allow disabled veterans to park in parking spots reserved for persons with disabilities.
Criminalizes unlawful occupancy of dwellings.
Establishes expedited ejectment proceeding to remove certain unauthorized real property occupants.
"Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Prevention Act"; requires Internet-connected devices to have blocking capability in certain circumstances.
Modifies eligibility requirements for other retirement income exclusion concerning other sources of income.
Requires certain law enforcement entities and courts to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
Prohibits sale of cats, dogs, or rabbits by pet shops; repeals "Pet Purchase Protection Act."
"S2 Appropriations Rescue Act"; appropriates $106.5 million to provide Emergency Supplemental Aid to certain school districts, including districts negatively impacted by effects of P.L.2018, c.67.
Establishes Animal Cruelty Offender Registry; prohibits purchase, adoption, and breeding of animals by animal cruelty offenders.
Broadens offenses of riot and disorderly conduct; enhances penalties for public monument destruction; addresses riot victim assaults; creates crime of promotion of violent, disorderly assembly.
Clarifies court's discretion in imposing monetary conditions of bail; establishes rebuttable presumption that person charged with violent crime be detained prior to trial.
Requires adult day care centers to provide reasonable accommodations for certain persons.
Establishes "New Jersey No Patient Left Alone Act"; requires certain facilities to establish policies guaranteeing visitation rights for facility residents.
Establishes program in SADC for acquisition of development easements on privately-owned woodlands.
"CJ's Law"; Criminalizes manufacture, sale, and possession of substances containing kratom.
Prohibits release of illegal immigrants from correctional facilities.
"Fairness in Women's Sports Act."
Prohibits municipal ordinance to create sanctuary city; establishes State and local employee ethics violation upon noncompliance with federal immigration enforcement request.
Concerning noncitizens voting in local elections and conduct in office by local government officers.
Directs AG to enter into agreement with U.S. Attorney General to empower certain corrections officers to investigate immigration status of inmates.
Requires chief law enforcement officer or Superintendent of State Police to notify federal immigration authorities when non-citizen applies for firearms purchaser identification card or handgun purchase permit.
Prohibits State funding to assist immigrants facing detention or deportation.
Establishes rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention for child sexual abuse and child endangerment.
Establishes crime of gang shoplifting.
"New Jersey Laken Riley Act"; establishes law enforcement procedures for arrests of aliens unlawfully present in the U.S. charged with certain crimes.
Authorizes proportional property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected disability and proclaims that the State shall reimburse municipalities for cost of exemptions.
Upgrades burglary of a residence to a crime of the second degree; requires mandatory period of parole ineligibility if residence was occupied at time of offense.
Requires commissioner of registration to move voters with undeliverable mail-in ballots to inactive file; removes such inactive voters from Statewide voter registration system following failure to vote in two consecutive federal general elections.
Requires AG to create voting fraud task force.
Requires Secretary of State create website for voters to report irregularities regarding mail-in ballots; establishes "Vote by Mail Study Commission."
Establishes Office of Inspector General for Veterans' Facilities.
Requires Secretary of State to establish voter list maintenance and crosscheck program and to include certain voter registration data in annual report to Governor and Legislature.
Requires revocation of parole for assaulting or threatening law enforcement officers.
Allows certain volunteer firefighters, rescue and first aid squad members to claim $5,000 income tax deduction.
Establishes "Parents Bill of Rights Act"; prohibits school district from interfering with fundamental right of parent or guardian to engage in and direct student's education; permits opt-out of school district curriculum.
Requires MVC to provide certain services at each MVC agency location.
Prohibits mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 as condition of attending public K-12 schools.
Requires certain group homes to install electronic monitoring devices in common areas, upon request and with uniform resident consent.
Establishes special license plates for honorably discharged veterans.
Requires public schools to develop policy for administration of nasal seizure rescue medication and use of manual vagas nerve stimulators for students with seizure disorder on emergent basis.
"Children's Vaccination Bill of Rights"; provides children in State with certain protections concerning vaccines.
Broadens riot; enhances penalties for certain crimes committed during riot; creates new crimes of mob intimidation and cyber-intimidation by publication; establishes duty in municipality to permit law enforcement to respond appropriately.
Requires public schools to post curriculum plans online; requires school districts to make textbooks or other materials used in implementing curriculum plans available for inspection by parents and legal guardians.
Prohibits adoption of State and local rules that prohibit use of fossil fuel-powered kitchen appliances.
Requires Division of Developmental Disabilities to develop guidelines for tiered group home placements and transfers.
Authorizes use of school bus monitoring systems.
Allows property tax rebate for disabled veterans.
Permits certain portion of municipal development trust funds to be spent on housing affordability assistance to veterans.
"Breann's Law" requires health insurers, SHBP and NJ FamilyCare to provide "out-of-network" coverage for children with catastrophic illnesses.
Provides gross income tax deduction for New Jersey fuel taxes paid through purchases of motor fuel for personal use of motor vehicles.
Establishes State aid reduction cap of one percent for calculation of State school aid.
Increases personal needs allowance to $140 for low-income persons residing in certain facilities.
Permits school districts to receive loans from State to support operating budget under certain circumstances.
Increases resource threshold for certain Medicaid eligibility groups.
Prohibits certain electric public utility rate increases and requires certain protections for ratepayers.
Broadens eligibility for certain civil service and pension benefits for veterans by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Establishes four-year pilot program in Ocean County for electronic monitoring of certain domestic violence offenders; appropriates $2.5 million.
Increases distribution to municipalities from Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over two years; prohibits anticipation of certain revenue in municipal budget; requires additional aid be subtracted from municipal property tax levy.
Upgrades offense of prostitution as patron; directs fines collected to "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund."
Requires State Board of Education meetings to be accessible virtually and in person.
"Energy Security and Affordability Act"; requires BPU to consider energy security, diversity, and affordability when preparing Energy Master Plan and perform economic and ratepayer impact analysis of energy generation projects and Energy Master Plan.
Requires certain public awareness campaigns to include information about duty of motorist to take certain action when approaching pedestrian, bicycle, or personal conveyance.
"Affordable Home Energy Protection Act"; prohibits adoption of State or local rules that restrict the use of certain fossil-fuel powered appliances or heating systems.
"Vehicle Choice Protection Act"; prohibits State agencies from adopting rules, regulations, or policies that restrict or prohibit sale, registration, or use of new internal combustion vehicles in State.
Revises emergency care services referral standards for providers of telemedicine and telehealth.
Directs State Board of Education to rescind New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education and directs boards of education to establish Parental Advisory Committees and adopt standards for health instruction.
Requires parental consent for student to participate in health, family life education, or sex education program and provides parents with access to certain public school curricula.
Makes various revisions to law pertaining to electronic medical records and recording certain minor patients' demographic information.
Requires temporary detention and notification to parent or guardian of underage person who unlawfully purchases or possesses alcoholic beverages or cannabis.
Reinstates automatic COLAs for retirement benefits of certain PFRS members.
Requires low-speed electric bicycles and low-speed electric scooters to be insured and registered with MVC; requires MVC to develop a safety training module for registration.
"CJ's Law"; Criminalizes manufacture and distribution of substances containing kratom under certain circumstances.
Indexes for inflation taxable income brackets under New Jersey gross income tax.
Requires suicide prevention training for mental health practitioners.
Upgrades burglary of a residence as a crime of the second degree; upgrades it to a crime of the first degree if committed while armed.
Broadens riot and disorderly conduct; enhances penalties for public monument destruction; addresses riot victim assaults; creates crime of promotion of violent, disorderly assembly.
Exempts law enforcement and certain other emergency personnel from liability for breaking into motor vehicle to rescue animal under certain circumstances.
Removes criminal liability for law enforcement officers who have investigative encounter with underage person for possession of alcohol or cannabis unless civil rights are violated.
Permits Legislature to terminate certain declarations by Governor for state of emergency or public health emergency and limits duration of such declarations unless Legislature approves extension.
Credits $2.35 billion to "New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund"; appropriates $4.32 billion to Department of Treasury to provide funds to municipalities and counties for debt retirement and avoidance.
Reinstates penalty for underage possession and consumption of alcohol and cannabis as disorderly person offense.
Requires certain animals used in testing to be offered for adoption; requires establishment of procedures for assessment and disposition of animals; establishes penalties for noncompliance.
Permits surviving spouse of retired member of PFRS to be enrolled in SHBP and to continue to receive pension benefit after remarriage in certain circumstances.
Requires instruction on cursive handwriting in public school curriculum.
Requires low-speed electric bicycles and low-speed electric scooters to be registered with MVC and to be insured.
Increases gross income tax deduction available to veterans from $6,000 to $12,000.
Establishes registration requirement for mold inspection and remediation contractors.
"Fair Funding for Vulnerable Residents Act"; establishes direct care ratio requirement for certain providers of services to adults or children with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Establishes "Justice for Vulnerable Residents Act"; creates Justice Center for the Protection of Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities.
Expands eligibility for pension and retirement income exclusion to taxpayers with incomes exceeding $150,000, and increases amount of exclusion that qualifying taxpayers may claim.
Requires NJTA and SJTA to automatically offer toll discounts to senior citizens.
Requires health insurance and Medicaid coverage for testing and treatments to slow progression of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.
Prohibits application of State aid growth limit to State school aid provided in 2026-2027 school year; appropriates $332.6 million.
Allows gross income tax deduction for sales and use tax and societal benefits charges paid on electric and gas utility bills.