This bill increases tax credits for investors in New Jersey's emerging technology businesses. It raises the base credit rate from 20% to 30% of eligible investments, and boosts the enhanced rate from 25% to 35% for investments in qualified opportunity zones, low-income communities, or businesses certified as minority/women-owned. The credit is capped at $500,000 per investment annually, with a total annual limit of $35 million across all credits. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority will administer the program, requiring applicants to demonstrate compliance with diversity or location criteria for the higher credit rate.
This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to study how law enforcement agencies currently use facial recognition technology and issue a report with recommendations for statewide policy within six months. The report must assess the technology's accuracy, summarize existing law enforcement usage (including for police reports), and propose guidelines for its future use. It applies to all state and local police departments. The study does not create new laws but aims to inform potential future policy decisions.
This bill establishes the New Jersey Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council to study how state agencies use artificial intelligence and provide recommendations for ethical, safe implementation. The council, composed of the state's Chief Technology Officer, two legislative members (appointed by chamber leaders with party balance), and two public AI experts (appointed by the Governor), will assess AI's benefits and risks, develop guidelines to prevent biased decision-making and protect data privacy, and recommend best practices for state agencies. The council must submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature within one year of its first meeting and then dissolve. This directly affects state agencies that will use the council's guidance for AI procurement and implementation.
This bill creates the Blockchain Promotion and Integration Program under New Jersey's Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology, in partnership with the Economic Development Authority. It directly supports New Jersey businesses - especially small businesses - by increasing public awareness of blockchain technology, providing technical and financial assistance for adoption, and connecting firms with resources through partnerships with the New Jersey Blockchain Council and small business groups. Key provisions include analyzing the state's blockchain sector, recruiting capital investment, and requiring annual reports to the Governor and Legislature on progress and recommendations. The program is designed to foster growth in blockchain and decentralized digital technology industries within New Jersey. The bill was introduced on January 13, 2026, and is pending before the Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee.
This bill bans businesses in New Jersey from owning, controlling, installing, managing, selling, or offering for sale cryptocurrency ATMs. These are defined as physical, internet-connected kiosks that let users buy, sell, or exchange digital currency using cash, debit, or credit cards. The law directly affects businesses operating such kiosks, prohibiting them under the state's consumer fraud act with penalties up to $20,000 per violation. It targets a surge in fraud - citing FTC data showing $110 million in losses linked to these machines in 2023 - aimed at protecting consumers, especially older adults who face higher risks.
S 3268 prohibits stores, restaurants, and other public venues from using facial recognition technology on customers, except when needed for genuine safety reasons like preventing violence. It defines "facial recognition" as software that identifies people by face or tracks their movements/emotions, and "legitimate safety purpose" as actions that reduce risks to life or safety. Businesses violating this law face fines up to $20,000 per offense or court-ordered penalties. The bill applies to any public place selling goods or services, including entertainment venues.
New Jersey's S 2141 bans businesses from owning, operating, or selling cryptocurrency ATMs within the state. The bill defines a cryptocurrency ATM as a physical kiosk that allows users to buy, sell, or exchange digital currency using cash, debit, or credit cards. Violations would result in fines up to $20,000 per offense, with enforcement under the state's consumer fraud laws. This action responds to Federal Trade Commission data showing crypto ATM scams caused over $65 million in fraud losses in the first half of 2024, disproportionately affecting older adults.
This bill (S 2040) creates new criminal penalties for operating drones (unmanned aircraft systems) to assist in committing other offenses. It makes it a crime to use a drone to further a petty disorderly persons offense (4th degree) or any other crime (graded one level higher than the underlying offense). Key provisions include penalties for drones interfering with first responders, operating near correctional facilities without permission, taking wildlife, or violating restraining orders. Upon conviction, the drone, controller, or associated digital device must be forfeited to law enforcement. The bill directly affects anyone using drones to commit or aid in crimes, with specific penalties based on the type of offense involved.
S 1668 establishes the "Artificial Intelligence Innovation Partnership" in New Jersey, administered by the Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology. It provides funding to certified nonprofit organizations that collaborate with emerging AI technology businesses, universities, and research institutions to support AI innovation and commercialization within the state. The program specifically targets early-stage AI companies conducting research, pilot manufacturing, or technology commercialization in New Jersey, including those owned by underrepresented groups. Nonprofits must meet specific tax and incorporation requirements to qualify for funding under this initiative.
This bill creates the Emerging Technology Urban Grant Program, administered by New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA). It provides financial assistance to qualifying emerging technology businesses for cloud computing services if they locate or maintain headquarters in designated urban technology zones (including cities like Newark, Trenton, and others meeting specific population criteria). To qualify, businesses must commit to keeping headquarters in these zones for five years, have 100 or fewer full-time employees, and demonstrate recent growth (20% employee increase or revenue growth). The grant covers the actual cost of eligible cloud services, aiming to spur job creation and economic revitalization in targeted urban areas.
