A 5517 New Jersey General Assembly · 2024-2025 Regular Session

Directs BPU to study feasibility of developing advanced reactors Statewide.**

This bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to study whether small modular reactors (SMRs) - nuclear reactors under 300 megawatts - can be feasibly deployed statewide. The BPU must complete this 18-month study, using $5 million in state funds, and consult with environmental and economic agencies. The study will examine suitable locations (like retired power sites), regulatory requirements, economic costs, safety, environmental impacts, and public input through three hearings. It will also assess how SMRs could integrate with existing energy infrastructure and recommend a potential pilot program for future deployment.
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Dec 2025
General Assembly Passage
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
Jan 2026
Governor
Introduced Mar 24, 2025 Last action Jan 12, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Dec 22, 2025 · General Assembly Jun 30, 2025

How they voted

370
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 40
Dec 22, 2025
D Democratic25
25 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican15
12 Yea 3
80% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
17
Key actions
9
Committee
6
Amendments
1
Jan 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (Passed Both Houses) (39-0)
upper
Jan 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed Assembly (68-0-0)
lower
Dec 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed Assembly (Passed Both Houses) (71-1-0)
lower
Dec 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (37-0)
upper
Dec 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Amendment (Voice) (Ruiz)
upper
Dec 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported out of Senate Committee, 2nd Reading
upper
Dec 1, 2025
Committee
Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
upper
Dec 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported out of Senate Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
upper
Oct 20, 2025
Committee
Received in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee
upper
Jun 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed Assembly (79-1-0)
lower
Jun 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Assembly Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
lower
May 5, 2025
Committee
Reported out of Assembly Committee with Amendments and Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee
lower
5 primary · 10 co-sponsors

Sponsors