New Jersey Senate approves wide range of bills on third reading, including voting, health and energy measures

The New Jersey State Senate during its session moved and approved a large package of bills on third reading and confirmed several nominations, with most measures passing by wide margins and a small number recorded with divided votes or tallies not clearly stated in the transcript.

The measures approved included bills to add “fusion” as a type of Class I renewable energy for purposes of the state’s Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act (Senate Bill 3 64); changes to tax credit and angel investor provisions (Senate Bill 31 89); an extension of certain Medicaid coverage for eligible pregnant women (Senate Bill 39 34); and election-law changes including an extension of early voting for primaries (Senate Bill 39 90).

Why it matters: the bills address a range of policy areas that affect state energy policy, health coverage for pregnant people, election administration and local land-use and procurement matters. Several bills make technical or programmatic changes that agencies and municipalities will implement if the governor signs them.

Key outcomes and notable votes

- Nominations: The Senate confirmed nominations presented in three lists (List 1, List 2 and an emergency List 3). The transcript records Lists 1 and 2 confirmed with unanimous tallies reported; List 3 was moved as an emergency and the nominees were confirmed following the committee consideration earlier that morning.

- Ceremonial resolution: The chamber adopted a resolution commending Jack Witsick for raising awareness of Lewy body dementia (Senate resolution introduced by Senator Moriarty and others). The resolution was adopted by voice vote.

- Bills on third reading (selected highlights): - Senate Bill 3 64 (authors: Pinocchio, Johnson) — adds fusion as a Class I renewable energy type for the Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act; recorded vote: 39–0, declared passed. - Senate Bill 23 86 (authors: Gopal, Moriarty) — provides a gross income tax exclusion for active volunteer emergency organization members for use of a personal motor vehicle in active duty; transcript records the bill passed but the numeric tally is not clearly specified in the record. - Senate Bill 27 83 (sponsors: McKeon, Gopal) — related to bridal insurance (as listed in the transcript); recorded vote: 39–0, declared passed. - Senate Bill 29 48 (Singleton) — restricts installation/repair/inspection of fire escapes to registered or certified professionals/contractors; recorded vote: 31–8, declared passed. - Senate Bill 30 52 (Johnson, Space) — concerns grade options at public institutions for service members and dependents called to active duty; recorded vote: 39–0, declared passed. - Senate Bill 35 87 (Versacelli, Schappizzi; moved by Burzichelli) — increases certain penalties and creates initiatives addressing organized retail theft; recorded vote: 39–0, declared passed. - Senate Bill 37 35 (Hosefel, Scutari) — extends certain provisions of P.L. 2022, c.9; recorded vote: 34–2, declared passed. - Senate Bill 38 89 (Ruiz, Turner) — requires campus food-waste reduction programs at public institutions of higher education; recorded vote: 39–0, declared passed. - Senate Bill 39 90 (Stack) — extends the early voting period for primary elections; recorded vote: 25–13, declared passed. - Senate Bill 41 44 (Scutari) — clarifies ignition interlock device installation for certain DUI offenses; recorded vote: 27–10, declared passed.

Votes at a glance (bill — short description — outcome — tally as recorded in the transcript) - S3 64 — add fusion to Class I renewable energies — Passed — 39–0 - S23 86 — gross income tax exclusion for volunteer emergency vehicle use — Passed — tally not specified in transcript - S27 83 — (bridal insurance matter as listed) — Passed — 39–0 - S28 86 — pharmacist information about insulin manufacturer assistance programs — Passed — 39–0 - S29 48 — restrict fire-escape work to registered/certified professionals — Passed — 31–8 - S30 52 — grade options for service members/dependents called to duty — Passed — 39–0 - S31 89 — increases angel investor tax credit amounts — Passed — 39–0 - S31 90 — juvenile court appearance jurisdiction for certain complaints — Passed — 38–0 - S33 88 — allows pharmacist transfers for certain controlled-substance prescriptions — Passed — 38–0 - S34 18 — authorizes certain structures on preserved farmland for occasional events — Passed — 38–0 - S35 61 — permits procurement of medical countermeasure products/therapies — Passed — 39–0 - S35 87 — organized retail theft/crimes and penalties — Passed — 39–0 - S37 35 — extends portions of P.L. 2022 c.9 — Passed — 34–2 - S37 73 — reporting requirements under employee leasing agreements — Passed — 39–0 - S38 89 — campus food-waste reduction programs — Passed — 39–0 - S39 28 — limits certain consumer contract provisions — Passed — 39–0 - S39 34 — codifies 365-day postpartum Medicaid coverage — Passed — 39–0 - S39 44 — nonprofit theater beverage license provisions — Passed — 39–0 - S39 61 — requires no-fee school payment options and fee transparency — Passed — 38–0 - S39 90 — extends early voting for primary elections — Passed — 25–13 - S39 93 — changes inspection requirements for motor vehicle sale records — Passed — 38–0 - S41 36 — allows continued use of newspapers for public notices until a specified date — Passed — 37–0 - S41 44 — ignition interlock installation clarifications for DUI — Passed — 27–10 - SJR140 — designates March as Dilation awareness month (joint resolution listed as 1 40 in transcript) — Passed — 38–0 - Multiple assembly-to-senate substitutions and assembly bills listed on third reading were adopted (see actions list for specifics); several substitutions and assembly bills recorded tallies including 36–1, 28–10 and other tallies as listed in the transcript.

Process and next steps

The chamber also moved a number of substitution motions (substituting identical assembly bills for senate bills) and returned several bills to second reading to adopt amendments. The transcript records that the substitute for S2347 was adopted on a recorded vote (36–0) and that Assembly Bill 51 16 (revising primary ballot design and procedures) passed 36–1 on the recorded vote. Senate amendments provided on the secretary’s desk were adopted as noted on the floor. Following these actions the presiding officer declared the Senate in routine business and the session adjourned.

The measures will now proceed according to the regular legislative process (transmission to the governor for signature or further action where applicable) or follow the procedural routes specified in the laws adopted.