Technology in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2938: Ease of Doing Government Business Act; requires State and local government entities to simplify procedures and expedite government transactions.

This bill, the "Ease of Doing Government Business Act," requires all New Jersey state and local government entities that provide public services (like issuing licenses, permits, or certifications) to simplify and speed up their processes. Within 180 days of enactment, these entities must review their operations to eliminate redundancies, reduce wait times, and increase efficiency, with annual reviews mandated thereafter. The law also mandates implementing user-friendly online tools and automated services using plain language, with options for language preference and a system for public feedback that must be reviewed within 30 days. It directly affects every government office handling public transactions, aiming to make interactions with government more efficient and accessible.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1664: Requires New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology to establish matching grant program for public research universities that receive certain federal research grants; appropriates $5 million.

New Jersey's S 1664 establishes a matching grant program for public research universities that receive federal research grants. The bill requires the Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology to distribute $5 million in state funds to help these universities match federal grants, prioritizing projects aligned with state economic development goals and priority industries. Universities must apply for funding, with selections based on criteria like economic impact potential and student research opportunities. The commission must annually report on grant recipients and the program's effectiveness in advancing economic development.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Technology

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SCR 63: Declares Division of State Lottery's new rule concerning online lottery sales inconsistent with legislative intent.

This bill (SCR 63) declares the Division of State Lottery's rule allowing direct online sales of lottery tickets inconsistent with the State Lottery Act. It directly affects the Division of State Lottery (within the Department of Treasury), which proposed this rule in 2022 and adopted it in 2023. The Legislature states the rule violates the Act's prohibition on state agencies acting as "exclusive lottery sales agents" (N.J.S.A. 5:9-11). The resolution requires the Division to amend or withdraw the rule within 30 days or face potential future invalidation by the Legislature.

Topics ✗ Technology

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1633: Requires State blanks, forms, documents, and applications to incorporate new standards for collection of information about sex, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

New Jersey's S 1633 requires all state agencies to update public forms, applications, and documents to collect optional demographic data on sex, gender identity, gender, and sexual orientation. The bill mandates that these questions be clearly marked as voluntary, use sensitive language that accommodates non-binary identities, and avoid conflating sex with gender. Individuals (or their parents/guardians for minors) retain full control over whether to provide this information, with no state employee or third party allowed to deny services based on non-disclosure. This applies to all state forms currently used for official business, aiming to modernize data collection practices that previously lacked inclusivity for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 997: Allows law enforcement officers to receive one-time emergency alerts on personal wireless communication devices.

This bill allows New Jersey law enforcement officers to voluntarily receive one-time emergency alerts on their personal cell phones or laptops during public safety threats. The alerts - defined as messages about emergencies endangering public health or safety - must be stored externally (not on the device) and expire automatically, with no access permitted afterward. Crucially, the alert content cannot be used as evidence in court or considered a public record under New Jersey's Open Public Records Act.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Telecommunications Tags Public Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 321: Prohibits government entities from procuring and using technology products and services from companies owned by, controlled by, or domiciled in certain foreign countries.

New Jersey's S 321 prohibits state agencies, local governments, and political subdivisions from purchasing or using information technology products or services from companies owned, controlled, or based in foreign countries identified as significant cybersecurity threats by U.S. or New Jersey government agencies. The bill relies on threat designations from entities like the U.S. Director of National Intelligence, Homeland Security, and New Jersey's Office of Homeland Security. It requires government entities to avoid technology from these specified countries to address cyber espionage risks. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 192: Establishes certain protections for drivers and holders of non-driver identification cards diagnosed with certain disabilities.*

This bill allows individuals with traumatic or acquired brain injuries to voluntarily add a notation to their New Jersey driver's license, ID card, and the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) registry. It creates a secure registry where users can provide emergency contact information and vehicle details to help law enforcement communicate more effectively during traffic stops. The registry is accessible only to law enforcement during vehicle-related interactions, and users can remove or update their information at any time. The bill also requires training for officers on interacting with people who have brain injuries, ensuring the system prioritizes safety and clear communication without compromising privacy.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Driver Licensing

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2956: Exempts certain personal information and entities from certain requirments concerning notification and disclosure of personal data.

This bill (S 2956) exempts specific entities and types of personal data from New Jersey's privacy law requirements regarding notification and disclosure of personal data. It directly affects covered entities like healthcare providers under HIPAA, financial institutions under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, insurance companies, state agencies, consumer reporting agencies, and research organizations conducting federally compliant studies. Key provisions remove obligations for these entities to notify consumers or disclose data when handling information already regulated by federal law (e.g., health data under HIPAA, financial data under Gramm-Leach-Bliley, or credit data under FCRA). The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was already enacted as P.L.2025, c.367.

Topics ✗ Technology

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 861: Establishes certain requirements for social media websites concerning content moderation practices; establishes cause of action against social media websites for violation of content moderation practices.

This New Jersey bill requires large social media platforms (defined as those with at least $100 million in annual revenue and 100 million global monthly users) to publicly explain their content moderation rules and apply them consistently. It mandates that platforms notify users before removing content or imposing long-term account bans, provide data on how many people viewed a user's posts, and allow users to opt out of algorithm-driven content sorting. The bill also prohibits platforms from using algorithms to censor or ban candidates for public office during election periods and protects news organizations from content-based censorship. Violations would allow affected users or entities to pursue legal action under New Jersey's consumer fraud law.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Social Media

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1882: Requires State Board of Education meetings to be accessible virtually and in person.

This bill requires all public meetings of New Jersey's State Board of Education to be accessible both in person and virtually. It mandates that the Board provide a publicly available virtual meeting link on its website and allows members of the public to submit comments remotely during sessions that accept public input. The law directly affects the State Board of Education in how it conducts meetings and the public who attend or comment on education policy discussions. These changes ensure broader public participation by removing physical attendance barriers for meetings about education policy.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

All technology bills