Technology in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 15, 2026

S 4460: "Smart Planning Wireless and Water Public Utility Facilities Act"; incentivizes placement of wireless communications equipment on water public utility towers.

This bill, known as the Smart Planning Wireless and Water Public Utility Facilities Act, allows investor-owned water companies in New Jersey to rent out space on their water towers to wireless service providers. The law requires these utilities to offer non-discriminatory access to their towers unless there are safety concerns or insufficient space. To encourage this arrangement, the bill directs the state's Board of Public Utilities to treat half of the rental income from these leases as "above-the-line" revenue, which can help lower costs for water customers, while the remaining half is treated as standard operating income.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Telecommunications

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 11, 2026

S 4416: Expands role of New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute and transfers $3 million from DCF to DHS for establishment of dashboard and associated implementation.

This bill expands the role of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute to oversee the implementation of a new children's mental health data dashboard and related improvements. It transfers $3 million from the Department of Children and Families to the Department of Human Services to fund this initiative, which involves creating a visual map of how families access care and analyzing eligibility rules and barriers. The Institute will coordinate with various state agencies to study current services, identify disparities based on factors like race and payer type, and develop policy recommendations to improve the system. Additionally, the Institute will serve as the central entity for implementing the findings from this study to make pediatric mental health care more efficient and accessible across the state.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Children's Health Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 23, 2026

A 5312: Concerns New Jersey 2-1-1 information and referral system; makes appropriation.

This bill updates New Jersey's 2-1-1 information and referral system to require operators to actively connect callers with service providers rather than just giving them phone numbers. It mandates that specialists use "warm handoffs," such as direct phone transfers or appointment scheduling, to link individuals needing help with health, housing, and food resources when possible. To support these changes, the legislation requires the state to invest in technology that allows for real-time availability checks and tracks whether referrals successfully lead to service connections. Service providers are asked to participate in this coordinated system and keep their availability information current, while the Department of Human Services must submit annual reports on the program's effectiveness. The bill also authorizes the necessary funding and gives the department power to create rules for implementing these new operational standards.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Appropriations

signed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 4538: Makes FY2026 supplemental appropriations of $358,811,000; adds and amends various language provisions to FY2026 Appropriations Act.

This bill provides an additional $358.8 million in funding for New Jersey state agencies and local governments for fiscal year 2026. The money is allocated to various departments, including support for domestic violence housing, prison consolidation savings, school infrastructure, and mosquito control. Specific provisions also authorize a supplemental appropriation for the Cannabis Regulatory Fund and allow nonprofit organizations to host the state's AI supercomputer. Overall, the legislation amends the existing FY2026 Appropriations Act to distribute these funds across education, health, public safety, and other state services.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education ✓ Housing ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Corrections Domestic Violence Drug Policy Artificial Intelligence

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 30, 2026

A 5328: Regulates data brokers, data collectors, and collection and dissemination of certain sensitive information.

This bill regulates how data brokers and collectors handle personal information in New Jersey by requiring them to limit data collection to what is necessary and obtain explicit consent before processing sensitive data or selling personal information. It mandates that companies implement strong security measures to protect data and provides consumers with an easy way to revoke their consent, which must be processed within 15 days. Additionally, the law requires organizations to conduct confidential data protection assessments for activities that pose a heightened risk of harm, such as targeted advertising or selling personal data, and prohibits processing personal data of children between the ages of 13 and 17 for advertising or profiling without consent.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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

A 5272: Establishes safety requirements for artificial intelligence companion operators.

This bill establishes safety rules for companies operating artificial intelligence companions in New Jersey, which are defined as systems designed to simulate sustained human-like relationships. It requires operators to prevent their AI from claiming to be sentient, simulating romantic or sexual relationships with minors, or creating emotional dependence in young users. Additionally, the law mandates that operators clearly disclose when a user is interacting with an AI system and must program the companion to refer users to crisis services if they express suicidal thoughts. These measures aim to ensure transparency and user safety while allowing the technology to function within defined ethical boundaries.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 11, 2026

S 4446: Requires certain artificial intelligence developers to make certain disclosures to Attorney General.

This bill requires large artificial intelligence developers with users in New Jersey to submit annual safety reports to the state Attorney General. Specifically, companies that use massive computing power to train advanced AI models and generate over $100 million in revenue must disclose their protocols for preventing catastrophic harm, such as the creation of illegal weapons or the loss of control over the system. The legislation defines "catastrophic harm" as incidents causing significant injury, death, or property damage, and mandates that developers implement specific technical and organizational measures to assess and reduce these risks. By enforcing these disclosure requirements, the bill aims to increase transparency regarding how major AI providers manage safety and potential dangers within the state.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 18, 2026

A 5294: "Responsible Data Center Development and Resource Protection Act"; establishes Statewide framework concerning siting, land use approval, energy sourcing, water use, and environmental impacts of large load data center development.

This bill creates a statewide framework to regulate the development of large data centers in New Jersey, specifically targeting facilities that require at least 25 megawatts of electricity. It mandates that developers submit detailed impact statements to state agencies before seeking local approval, requiring them to outline plans for energy use, water consumption, environmental effects, and traffic impacts. The legislation encourages locating these facilities in industrial corridors or on brownfields to protect sensitive lands and existing communities while ensuring the state's power grid and water supplies remain reliable. By establishing a formal review process involving multiple state departments, the bill aims to balance economic growth with the protection of natural resources and public infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Electric Grid

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 15, 2026

S 4458: Establishes five-year "New Jersey Artificial Intelligence Workforce Transition Act."

This bill creates a five-year program called the New Jersey Artificial Intelligence Workforce Transition Act to help workers affected by artificial intelligence. It defines an "AI-displaced worker" as someone who lost their job because an employer adopted or expanded AI systems and establishes a dedicated funding account to support them. The law requires the state to create an index that measures how vulnerable different workers are to job loss based on factors like age, savings, and location, ensuring aid targets those most at risk. Additionally, the act aims to encourage companies to use AI to help employees rather than replace them and mandates that public funding be tied to actual job outcomes instead of just enrollment numbers.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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

A 5197: Establishes digital democracy online portal for submission of legislative proposals by public.

This bill creates a new online portal called the "digital democracy online portal" to allow members of the public to submit and track their own legislative proposals in New Jersey. Sponsored by Assemblymen Kenyatta Stewart and Maureen Rowan, the legislation directs the Office of Legislative Services to build this centralized system on the state's official website. The portal will require each submission to include details such as a proposal number, subject matter, and receipt date, while also offering an option for submitters to provide their contact information. Additionally, the bill updates existing laws to ensure this digital platform is free to access and integrates with other public legislative data.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Digital Government

All technology bills