S 3889 New Jersey Senate · 2024-2025 Regular Session

Requires each public institution of higher education to develop food waste reduction program on campus.

This bill requires all New Jersey public colleges and universities to create campus food waste reduction programs. It mandates redirecting unused food from dining halls, events, and facilities to local food security programs like soup kitchens and pantries, while ensuring all food safety standards are met during handling and transfer. Each institution must also submit annual reports on their food donations to the Governor and Legislature, posting them publicly online. The law applies directly to every public higher education campus in New Jersey and takes effect immediately.
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2024
Committee Review
Dec 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
General Assembly Passage
Jan 2026
Governor
Introduced Nov 18, 2024 Last action Jan 12, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Feb 25, 2025

How they voted

380
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 40
Feb 25, 2025
D Democratic25
23 Yea 2
92% Yea
R Republican15
15 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
8
Key actions
4
Committee
4
Jan 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed Assembly (Passed Both Houses) (71-0-1)
lower
Dec 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading
lower
May 5, 2025
Committee
Reported and Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Committee
Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (38-0)
upper
Feb 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported out of Senate Committee, 2nd Reading
upper
Nov 18, 2024
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Higher Education Committee
upper
4 primary · 7 co-sponsors

Sponsors