Labor & Employment (Minimum Wage)

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 15, 2026

A 5276: Clarifies overtime compensation requirements for certain public employees engaged in law enforcement and fire protection activities.

This bill clarifies overtime compensation rules for public employees working in law enforcement and fire protection in New Jersey. It achieves this by amending existing state labor laws to update definitions of key terms such as "wages," "regular hourly wage," and "employer." The text specifically expands the definition of an employer to include various government entities and agencies, ensuring these public workers are covered under the updated compensation standards. By refining these legal definitions, the legislation aims to provide clearer guidance on how overtime pay should be calculated for these specific public sector roles.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill clarifies and expands overtime compensation rules for public law enforcement and fire protection workers, strengthening their wage protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage Public Employees

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 28, 2026

S 4443: Clarifies overtime compensation requirements for certain public employees engaged in law enforcement and fire protection activities.

This bill clarifies overtime compensation rules for public employees in law enforcement and fire protection roles in New Jersey. It achieves this by amending existing state labor laws to update definitions of key terms such as wages, regular hourly wage, and employer. The text also establishes specific definitions for seasonal employment and small employers to ensure consistent application of these compensation standards.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill clarifies overtime compensation rules, strengthening wage protections for public law enforcement and fire protection employees.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 5179: Prohibits payment of subminimum wage due to age, disability, injury, or status as apprentice, learner, or student through special license issued by DOLWD.

This bill prohibits employers in New Jersey from paying subminimum wages to workers based on age, disability, injury, or status as an apprentice, learner, or student. It directly affects individuals who previously could be hired under special licenses issued by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to work for less than the state minimum wage. The key mechanism is the removal of the legal authority for the Wage and Hour Division to issue these special permits, ensuring all covered workers receive at least the standard minimum wage. Additionally, the bill amends existing tax credit provisions related to sheltered workshops by removing references to special licenses that authorize below-minimum pay.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill prohibits subminimum wages, protecting workers' rights and ensuring fair pay standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards Minimum Wage Tags People with Disabilities

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4876: Increases certain compensation for poll workers; provides for overtime pay when polls stay open late.

This bill increases the base pay for election officials in New Jersey from $300 to $300 per election, while also raising specific task-based fees for handling signature registers from a maximum of $25 to $50 per person. It mandates that poll workers receive hourly pay equal to the state minimum wage if they must stay late to accommodate voters still in line when polls are scheduled to close. Additionally, the legislation allows counties to offer optional extra compensation to their election boards and requires the state to reimburse counties for these new costs. These changes directly affect district board members and other poll workers across the state who serve during primary, general, and special elections.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill increases compensation for poll workers and mandates overtime pay, directly strengthening worker wages and benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 19, 2026

S 3968: Increases certain compensation for poll workers; provides for overtime pay when polls stay open late.

This bill increases compensation for poll workers in New Jersey elections and provides overtime pay when polling places stay open late. It raises the standard fee for district board members from $300 per election to $300 plus additional payments, increasing specific responsibilities like handling signature registers from $25 to $50 per person. The legislation also mandates hourly pay at the state minimum wage for workers who remain on duty after polls close to serve voters still in line. Counties that incur these additional costs will be reimbursed by the state.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill increases compensation and mandates overtime pay for poll workers, directly improving worker wages and benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2494: "New Jersey Works Act"; concerns businesses and pre-employment training programs; provides tax credit to businesses supporting pre-employment training programs; appropriates $1 million.

The New Jersey Works Act creates a tax credit for businesses that fund pre-employment training programs targeting low- and moderate-income individuals for jobs in high-demand occupations. These programs must provide at least 12 weeks of paid training at minimum wage, covering skills like communication, job readiness, and career-specific instruction. The bill appropriates $1 million to support the initiative and requires training programs to be approved by the state, partner with schools or nonprofits, and exclude construction businesses. It directly affects qualifying businesses, educational institutions, and job seekers in targeted regions seeking career advancement opportunities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit to businesses for training programs targeting low-income individuals and appropriates $1M, directly advancing fiscal support for workforce initiatives.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides paid pre-employment training at minimum wage for low/moderate-income workers via tax credit, advancing employment opportunities and job readiness skills.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Apprenticeships Minimum Wage Workforce Development

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3254: Requires election workers to be paid hourly rate for mandatory training programs.

This bill (A 3254) requires New Jersey election workers to be paid an hourly rate equal to the state minimum wage for mandatory training programs they must attend. Currently, counties decide whether to compensate workers for training time, but this bill makes payment mandatory. The law amends existing election compensation rules to specify that workers must receive minimum wage pay for training hours, with counties eligible to seek state reimbursement for these costs. It directly affects all election workers required to complete annual training under state law.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates minimum wage pay for election worker training, protecting workers' rights and ensuring fair compensation for mandatory hours per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Minimum Wage

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 584: Requires employers within construction industry to notify employees of certain rights.

This bill requires construction employers in New Jersey to clearly display and provide written notice to all employees about their workplace rights, including unemployment benefits, minimum wage, overtime pay, and protections against retaliation under the existing Construction Industry Independent Contractor Act (P.L.2007, c.114). Employers must post the notice in accessible locations and provide written copies at hiring or upon request, in English, Spanish, and other languages needed based on the workforce. Employers who fail to comply face civil penalties of up to $1,500 for a first violation and $5,000 for repeat violations within five years. The notice must also include contact details for filing complaints with the Labor Department about rights violations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates clear notice of existing rights including minimum wage, overtime, and anti-retaliation protections, strengthening worker awareness and enforcement of labor standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2216: Requires several State agencies to review and increase, if authorized, income eligibility standards for certain public assistance, school nutrition, and higher education student financial assistance programs; makes an appropriation.

This bill (A2216) requires New Jersey's Department of Agriculture, Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, and Department of Human Services to review and update income eligibility limits for specific public assistance, school nutrition, and student financial aid programs. It mandates that if agencies have the authority and funding, they must increase income thresholds by the total percentage rise in the state minimum wage since 2019 (from $8.85 to $15.13) plus a cost-of-living adjustment based on Social Security benefits. The change directly affects low-income residents qualifying for programs like the National School Lunch Program, Community College Opportunity Grants, and public assistance benefits. The bill ensures these eligibility limits better reflect rising costs of living and minimum wage increases, without creating new programs or altering existing funding structures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates new appropriations to expand eligibility for public assistance and education programs by increasing income thresholds based on minimum wage hikes and COLA, directly funding essential services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases income eligibility for school nutrition and higher education financial aid, expanding access to educational support programs by aligning thresholds with minimum wage and cost-of-living adjustments.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdjusts public assistance eligibility thresholds to match minimum wage increases since 2019, expanding access to benefits for low-income workers as wages rise.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Higher Education Student Financial Aid Minimum Wage

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1278: Allows gross income tax deduction for income earned in form of tips.

This bill allows New Jersey taxpayers who earn tips to deduct those tips from their gross income for state tax purposes. It directly affects service industry workers (like servers, bartenders, or hairdressers) who receive tips reported to their employers. To claim the deduction, workers must report tip income through the same documentation required by federal tax law (e.g., employer tip statements). The Division of Taxation will create rules to implement this change, and it applies to tax years starting after the next January following enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllows tip income deduction, reducing tax burden for service workers (middle/lower income), providing direct tax relief under state tax code.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllows tax deduction on tips, increasing net income for service workers by reducing taxable income on reported tips, directly benefiting laborers in tipped occupations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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