Technology in New Jersey

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

A 3283: Requires businesses in financial, essential infrastructure, and health care industries to develop cybersecurity plans.

This bill requires businesses in New Jersey's financial, essential infrastructure, and healthcare sectors (called "sensitive businesses") to develop and implement cybersecurity programs. These programs must include risk assessments, incident response plans, and alignment with recognized industry frameworks like NIST. Businesses must submit their plans to New Jersey's Cybersecurity Cell, provide annual compliance certifications, and undergo audits if they fail to comply. The law aims to protect critical systems from cyber threats while keeping submitted plans confidential, not public records.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3528: Establishes "New Jersey Elections Security Act."

This bill requires New Jersey counties to replace electronic voting machines with paper ballot systems when updating equipment. It mandates specific standards for these systems, including voter-marked ballots, certified equipment, cast vote records, and compliance with federal guidelines. Counties must retain all paper ballots for two years and conduct risk-limiting audits for election results verification. The law directly affects all New Jersey counties implementing the new system, focusing on enhancing election security through verifiable paper trails and statistical audits. Funding for equipment costs is authorized, with counties permitted to sell decommissioned machines to recoup expenses.

Topics ✓ Technology

Tags Elections

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

A 3003: Directs State Treasurer to establish State Government Electronic Payment Security Standards.

This bill requires New Jersey's State Treasurer to create and implement electronic payment security standards for all state government transactions using credit, debit, or charge cards at point-of-sale terminals. It directly affects state agencies, departments, and contractors handling public benefit payments or state financial transactions. Key provisions include establishing standards within six months of enactment (with full tech upgrades by 18 months), requiring EMV chip technology as the minimum security standard until new rules are issued, and mandating biennial reviews to address new fraud threats. The standards apply to all state electronic payment systems, including terminals for public benefits programs, to enhance transaction security for residents.

Topics ✓ Technology

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

A 1033: Requires certain CATV companies to provide Internet service at public libraries with business customer class Internet access bandwidth and circuit capacity proportional to public libraries' needs.

This bill requires CATV companies with system-wide franchises in New Jersey to provide free, business-class Internet service at public libraries. The Internet access must have bandwidth and circuit capacity proportional to each library's specific needs, not standard residential service. It applies only to new or renewed franchise applications for CATV companies serving municipalities. The requirement is part of a broader set of commitments CATV companies must make when applying for system-wide franchises, specifically outlined in Section 28(k) of the amended law. The bill does not mandate this service for existing franchises but applies to new applications.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3517: Concerns Statewide Longitudinal Data System for Education and Workforce Development.

This bill establishes a Statewide Longitudinal Data System Governing Body within New Jersey’s Department of Education to link education and workforce data. It requires collaboration between state agencies (including Education, Higher Education, Student Assistance, and Labor) to collect and share anonymized data, aiming to improve residents’ access to training, education, and employment opportunities. Key mechanisms include setting privacy standards compliant with federal law, enabling data sharing for identifying workforce gaps, and securing federal funding - while explicitly exempting the system from public records laws and open meeting requirements. The system directly affects state agencies managing education/workforce programs and New Jersey residents seeking better job outcomes through data-informed policy decisions.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

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

A 2620: Establishes task force to research and report on potential sources of funding for artificial intelligence initiatives and appropriate tax incentives to support businesses impacted by expansion of use of artificial intelligence.

New Jersey's A2620 establishes an 11-member Artificial Intelligence Initiative Funding Task Force within the Department of the Treasury. The task force will research and report on public/private funding sources and tax incentives for businesses impacted by AI expansion, including recommendations for public-private partnerships and university collaborations. It must submit a final report within 12 months to the Governor and Legislature, detailing specific legislative proposals and aligning AI funding with workforce needs. The task force includes state agency leaders and appointed experts in AI, economic development, and tax policy, but does not create new funding or tax changes itself.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 3635: Establishes "New Jersey Cybersecurity Grant Program"; appropriates $5 million from General Fund.

S 3635 establishes the "New Jersey Cybersecurity Grant Program" within the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, appropriating $5 million from the General Fund. The program provides grants to financial and healthcare businesses operating in New Jersey that are deemed high-risk for cybersecurity incidents, with a maximum award of $100,000 per business per fiscal year. Businesses must submit applications online and provide documentation like invoices for reimbursement after purchasing qualifying cybersecurity equipment. The bill defines "sensitive businesses" to include financial institutions and healthcare entities operating in the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Procurement State Budget Cybersecurity

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

A 2480: Establishes programs in EDA to support New Jersey-based start-up, small businesses, and medium-sized businesses adopting artificial intelligence capabilities; appropriates $175.5 million.

This bill establishes New Jersey's "AI Job Creation and Economic Development Fund Program" to provide financial support for local businesses adopting AI technology. It directly affects New Jersey-based start-ups (operating ≤7 years), small businesses (SBA-defined), and medium-sized businesses that develop AI capabilities, offering grants up to $500,000 for AI innovation hubs or low-interest loans up to $1 million for business expansion. To qualify, businesses must demonstrate AI intellectual property, a job-creation plan, and financial need for the assistance. The program appropriates $175.5 million from the state budget, with the Economic Development Authority administering the funds and requiring annual reports on job creation and loan repayments.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics State Budget Artificial Intelligence

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

A 1923: Prohibits providers of commercial mobile service and developers of mobile application from disclosing customer's global position system data to third parties under certain circumstances.

This bill prohibits mobile service providers and app developers from sharing customers' GPS location data with third parties without explicit consent. To obtain consent, app developers must provide a clear, bold notice requiring users to actively agree ("I agree to allow my location data to be disclosed"). Exceptions apply for legal requirements like law enforcement requests, and third parties accessing the data cannot sell it or share it beyond the purpose of the consent. Violations would violate New Jersey's consumer fraud law, potentially resulting in fines up to $20,000 per offense. The bill is pending in the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3303: Updates certain crimes to include nonconsensual pornographic deepfake threats and disclosure.

S 3303 (New Jersey) updates criminal laws to specifically address nonconsensual deepfake imagery. It creates new third-degree crimes for creating or sharing deepfakes depicting intimate acts without consent, and fourth-degree crimes for sharing non-deepfake intimate images or disclosing deepfakes created from such images. The bill directly affects individuals who produce or distribute nonconsensual deepfakes (defined as digitally altered media appearing authentic) of others in private situations, and victims of such acts. Key provisions include defining "deepfake" clearly, requiring consent for sharing intimate images (with limited exceptions for law enforcement), and establishing separate penalties for creation and disclosure. The bill does not yet have a final vote or become law.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Artificial Intelligence

All technology bills