This bill, titled the "Smart Planning Wireless and Water Public Utility Facilities Act," allows investor-owned water utilities in New Jersey to rent out space on their water towers to wireless service providers for installing communication equipment. The legislation mandates that these utilities grant non-discriminatory access to their towers unless there is insufficient space or safety concerns would be compromised. To financially benefit ratepayers and investors, the bill requires the state's Board of Public Utilities to classify half of the rental income from these leases as "above-the-line" income, which can be used to offset operating costs, while the remaining half is treated as "below-the-line" income.
This bill creates the New Jersey Technology Task Force to evaluate and recommend upgrades for state computer systems, networks, and hardware across all government agencies. The eleven-member group includes current state officials and public appointees with expertise in technology, cybersecurity, and emergency management, who will meet to assess which improvements are critical versus incremental. Within 180 days of its initial meeting, the task force must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature detailing upgrade recommendations, cost-benefit analyses, and any necessary draft legislation. The bill is designed to improve the efficiency and security of state operations by focusing on computer system interoperability.
This bill allows New Jersey municipalities to partner with public entities like school districts, universities, and transit authorities to build affordable housing on land owned by those organizations. Under the new provisions, local governments can enter into agreements to develop such properties to satisfy their legal obligations for creating affordable housing units. The legislation clarifies which public institutions are eligible partners and ensures that existing state laws regarding property transactions remain unchanged. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.
This New Jersey Assembly resolution urges the U.S. Congress to pass legislation creating a national infrastructure bank to address the need for repairing and modernizing critical systems like roads, bridges, and energy grids. The bill specifically recommends adopting House Resolution 5356, which would establish a government-owned entity that generates capital by trading U.S. Treasury bonds for preferred stock to fund large-scale infrastructure projects. While the resolution highlights the state's specific infrastructure challenges, its primary function is to formally request federal action rather than to enact new laws within New Jersey itself. Copies of the resolution are to be sent to federal leaders and representatives to advocate for the establishment of this funding mechanism.
This bill mandates that the New Jersey Transit Corporation create a written nondiscrimination policy that aligns with federal and state laws against employment discrimination and harassment. The policy must be distributed to all current employees within 60 days of the bill's effective date and to new hires within five days of starting their jobs. Each employee is required to sign a written acknowledgment of receiving the policy, and the corporation must provide annual training on these nondiscrimination standards to all staff.
This New Jersey bill expands civil rights protections by allowing individuals to sue if automated systems used in housing or lending unfairly discriminate against them. It defines "automated decision systems" broadly to include artificial intelligence and algorithms used for tasks like mortgage approvals, tenant screening, and rental pricing. Under the law, companies using these tools must prove their systems do not negatively impact protected groups, such as those defined by race, age, or disability, and they face liability if they cannot show a legitimate reason for the disparity or if a less discriminatory alternative exists. To ensure ongoing compliance, covered entities are required to conduct algorithmic impact assessments at least every two years and keep records available for review by state officials.
This New Jersey bill creates a new criminal offense for landlords who harass residential tenants with the goal of forcing them to leave their homes. It defines harassment to include actions such as cutting off essential services, threatening violence, repeatedly entering the property, and filing frivolous eviction cases. The law also expands liability for members of limited liability companies that own rental properties, ensuring they can be held personally responsible for such conduct. Additionally, the bill allows victims to seek civil penalties and damages, while offering prosecutors a brief window to let landlords fix minor violations before charges proceed.
This bill requires the New Jersey Department of Transportation to review and prioritize the creation of park-and-ride lots near large warehouse facilities, defined as buildings of at least 100,000 square feet used for storing goods. The legislation aims to reduce traffic congestion on local roads by ensuring these parking areas connect to public transit or carpooling options for workers. If a review finds no existing solutions to ease commuter traffic, the Commissioner of Transportation must establish new facilities. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Commissioner submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature every two years detailing the number and locations of available and newly created park-and-ride spots.
This New Jersey bill allows tenants facing eviction for non-payment of rent to use a federal interruption in their Social Security benefits as a legal defense. To qualify, tenants must prove that their benefits were stopped, delayed, or reduced by the federal government and that this loss directly prevented them from paying their rent. If a tenant provides this evidence, the court must pause the eviction process for up to six months or until benefits are restored, whichever comes first. Once benefits resume, the tenant must either pay all overdue rent or agree on a payment plan with the landlord, after which the eviction case should be dismissed. The law does not prevent courts from ruling that a tenant was already behind on rent before the Social Security issue occurred.
This bill establishes an automated "Clean Slate" expungement process in New Jersey to help individuals with criminal records clear their histories more easily. It allows people to petition for expungement even if they do not meet standard eligibility criteria, provided they have waited the required amount of time after their conviction and paid any associated court fines or fees. The law includes specific provisions for cases where financial obligations are delayed due to reasons other than intentional nonpayment, as well as exceptions for those who have substantially complied with payment plans despite facing difficult circumstances. By streamlining these procedures, the legislation aims to reduce the administrative burden on courts while offering a pathway for record clearance to eligible residents.
This bill requires casinos and sports betting operators in New Jersey to send push notifications to their customers about wins and losses. The measure directly affects gaming licensees and the patrons who use their services by mandating a specific method of communication. Under the new rules, the state would enforce this requirement through updated regulations governing how these businesses manage patron information. This change aims to provide players with immediate updates on their gambling activity without altering the underlying laws of the game.
This bill temporarily allows professional licensing boards in New Jersey to process certain licensure applications with a reduced quorum if they cannot meet standard attendance requirements. Specifically, if a board fails to achieve a regular quorum after 90 days, it may proceed with applications that do not require legal review due to adverse criminal history records as long as a majority of members are present, or just two members if one is the chair. The measure applies to entities overseen by the Division of Consumer Affairs and is designed to keep licensing processes moving during staffing shortages. After one year, any board still unable to meet standard quorum requirements must submit a report to the Legislature recommending a merger with another entity.
