New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a flurry of significant legislation during a lame-duck session on Monday, Jan. 12, as he prepared for his final State of the State address on Tuesday, Jan. 13.
Capping off eight years in office, the 56th state governor will hand over his seat to governor-elect Mikie Sherrill on Tuesday, Jan. 20. The inauguration takes place at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. The inaugural ball follows at the American Dream entertainment mall in the Meadowlands, East Rutherford.
One bill local to the Meadowlands — S-4737/A-6074 — authorizes the State Treasurer to sell surplus real property and improvements in the Borough of Lodi in Bergen County. Sponsored by Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-36) and Clinton Calabrese (D-36), the legislation authorizes the State Treasurer, on behalf of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, to sell the Lodi Armory to Bergen County for $4.1 million.
The 4-acre property on Essex Street has been declared surplus to the state’s needs. Bergen County purchased all state rights, including title, interest, and improvements in the armory. As a condition of the sale, Bergen County must lease back to the state approximately 6,000 square feet and up to 45 parking spaces. The property will be purchased through a county bond ordinance.
Gov. Murphy also signed four bills to further strengthen access to services and supports for New Jersey’s moms and babies.
- Adoption of a policy addressing job-related issues of pregnant firefighters.
- Requirement that health care professionals perform lead screening on pregnant persons under certain circumstances.
- Extension of the time period to enroll newborn infants in health benefits coverage from 60 days to 90 days.
- Requiring the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority to establish a public awareness campaign on the benefits of doula and midwife services.
The governor also signed a law that ensures that cannabis employees are now fully protected under New Jersey labor statutes. This legislative action, along with existing state law, establishes comprehensive rights for workers in cultivation, processing, and dispensing roles. The law also provides strong enforcement authority and meaningful penalties to hold cannabis employers accountable.
Also passed:
- Legislation is opening up an additional pathway to Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure.
- “Protecting Against Forever Chemicals Act” establishes new rules for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
- Safe Communities Act required state agencies to create policies for interactions between federal civil law enforcement and sensitive locations (schools, hospitals, etc.) to build trust.
- Murphy signed off on three bills to protect immigrant communities from ICE. New Jersey has the second-largest immigrant population of any state in the nation; California is first.
- Aquaculture: Promotes state aquaculture products via Jersey Fresh
- Firearms: Expands penalties for firearm trafficking
- Voter Registration: Changes MVC procedures for voter registration.
- Education: Mandates training on epilepsy/seizure disorders for school staff.
Other laws passed earlier, effective Jan 1:
- Minimum Wage: Increased to $15.92/hour for most, with adjustments for small employers, seasonal workers, farmworkers, and long-term care staff.
- Tolls: Increases on NJ Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and Delaware River bridges.
- Consumer Protection: New rules for travel insurance and utility billing for nursing home residents.
- Legislation requiring K-12 districts to adopt policies prohibiting the use of cellphones and other internet-enabled devices during the school day.
- A law authorizing the merger of New Jersey City University into Kean University, to be completed by July 1, 2026, with $25 million in state funding.
- New law expands culpability requirements for firearms trafficking offenses.
- Expansion of family leave job protections to companies with 15 or more employees (up from 30), and expanded eligibility for the state’s child and dependent care tax credit.
