New Jersey Bill Tracking And State Guide
Everything you need to know to engage with the Senate and Assembly
How does a bill become law in New Jersey?
- Proposal of Bill: Any Senate or General Assembly member may propose or sponsor a new law. Ideas for new laws can come from citizens, interest groups, public officials, or the Governor.
- Writing the Bill: At the legislator's direction, the idea is written as a bill. The legislator may also ask other legislators to become co-sponsors.
- Introduction: The bill is introduced when the Senate Secretary or General Assembly Clerk reads the bill's number, sponsor, and title aloud during a legislative session.
- Committee Review: The bill is usually sent to a committee which studies it and may make changes known as amendments. Committees have open meetings where the public can speak about the bill.
- First Reading: If the committee approves the bill, it is reported back to the House where it began, and its title is read again. This is the bill's second reading.
- Debate and Vote: When scheduled by the Senate President or General Assembly Speaker, the bill's title is read for the third time, followed by debate and voting. A bill passes if it receives a majority of votes (at least 21 in the Senate or 41 in the General Assembly).
- Second House Consideration: The bill follows a similar path of first reading, committee consideration, second reading, third reading, and final passage in the second House.
- Governor Approval: After both Houses agree on the bill, it is sent to the Governor. In most cases, the bill becomes law when signed by the Governor.
- Veto Process: If the Governor rejects the bill, it is called a veto. The Governor may ask the Legislature to make changes to the bill. The Legislature can also override the veto with a 2/3 majority vote in both Houses.
How can a member of the public get involved in the legislative process in New Jersey?
A member of the public can get involved in the legislative process in New Jersey by following these steps:
1. Stay Informed: Read newspapers, watch the news, and engage in discussions with family, friends, neighbors, and community leaders to learn about current legislative issues and proposals.
2. Contact Legislators: Share your thoughts and ideas with your state legislators by reaching out to them directly. You can express your opinions on issues or legislation that matter to you.
3. Register to Vote: Once you turn 18, register to vote. This allows you to participate in elections and vote for candidates who you believe will represent your views and community interests effectively.
4. Attend Committee Meetings: Committees in the legislature hold open meetings where the public can speak about proposed bills. Attending these meetings provides an opportunity to voice your opinion on legislation.
How can FastDemocracy help me with that?
Tracking bills is hard, especially if you rely on state legislature websites, which are often hard to navigate. Thousands of bills get filed in New Jersey every year (and about 180,000 bills nationwide). If you want to be an effective advocate, you need to know where legislation of interest stands, and act quickly.
FastDemocracy's free version allows you to track an unlimited number of bills - no strings attached. We'll send you a daily or weekly email on your priority bills and give you tools to research bills and legislators.
FastDemocracy Professional is for anyone who tracks bills in a professional capacity. It features
- real-time bill, amendment and hearing alerts
- automated reporting
- team collaboration
- bill tagging for clients and stakeholders
- bill similarity detection
- ...and much more
How do I track bills in New Jersey?
1. Sign up here for a free FastDemocracy account.
2. Head to Tracked Topics to select issue areas you care about.
3. Use the search bar on top if you're looking for something specific.
4. Click "Track Bill" for any legislation you'd like to monitor a bit closer. That's how you add it to your Tracked Bills. You can also click on a bill to learn more, see the bill summary, most recent actions, votes, news and tweets. You can also contact legislators or share your bills on social media.
5. You can track an unlimited number of bills for free and we'll send you a daily or weekly email if your tracked legislation moves.
6. Do you need real-time alerts, outreach tools, bill lists, and professional functions? Then FastDemocracy Professional is the right fit for you.
7. Track bills on your smartphone using our free mobile app.
How do I find my local New Jersey Senator and Assembly Member?
You can use the Find Your Legislators tool to find them, see their voting records, and contact them.
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Most tracked bills in New Jersey, 2024-2025 Regular Session
Requires MVC to create mobile driver's licenses and identification cards.
Pou, Nellie- Diegnan, Patrick J., Jr.
Zwicker, Andrew
Last Action
Reported from Senate Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
Senate • Oct 07, 2024Latest Version
"Psilocybin Behavioral Health Access and Services Act"; authorizes production and use of psilocybin to promote health and wellness.*
Last Action
Reported from Senate Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
Senate • Oct 07, 2024Latest Version
Regulates production and sale of certain intoxicating hemp products.
Ruiz, M. Teresa
Moriarty, Paul D.- Conaway, Herb, Jr.
Last Action
Approved P.L.2024, c.73.
executive • Sep 12, 2024Latest Version
Regulates production and sale of certain intoxicating hemp products.
- Conaway, Herb, Jr.
Miller, Cody D.- Sampson, William B., IV
Last Action
Substituted by S3235 (3R)
Assembly • Jun 28, 2024Latest Version
Expands implied consent law to include blood testing; establishes per se standard for driving under influence of marijuana and certain controlled dangerous substances.
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee
Assembly • Jun 06, 2024Latest Version
Establishes NJ Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council.
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee
Senate • Jun 03, 2024Latest Version
Establishes Stabilized School Budget Aid Grant Program to restore certain portions of State school aid reductions; permits certain school districts to exceed tax levy growth limitation in 2024-2025 school year; appropriates $44.7 million.*
Last Action
Approved P.L.2024, c.13.
executive • May 14, 2024Latest Version
Legalizes growing or possessing up to six marijuana plants for personal recreational use, and up to 10 plants for personal medical use, by persons aged 21 or older.
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee
Assembly • Feb 27, 2024Latest Version
Concerns development of accessory dwelling units and related municipal land use regulations.
Last Action
Reported from Senate Committee as a Substitute, 2nd Reading
Senate • Feb 15, 2024Latest Version
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee
Senate • Jan 29, 2024Latest Version
Requires availability of accessible mail-in ballot for voters with disabilities.
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee
Senate • Jan 09, 2024Latest Version
Eliminates certain personal injury protection options available under standard automobile insurance policies; requires $250,000 of medical expense benefits under standard and basic automobile insurance policies.
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Commerce Committee
Senate • Jan 09, 2024Latest Version
Authorizes free admission to State parks and forests for certain veterans, military personnel, first responders, and police.
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee
Senate • Jan 09, 2024Latest Version
Proposes constitutional amendment to increase amount of annual veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $1,250.
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee
Senate • Jan 09, 2024Latest Version
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee
Senate • Jan 09, 2024Latest Version
Prohibits selection of health insurance coverage as primary under personal injury protection coverage.
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Commerce Committee
Senate • Jan 09, 2024Latest Version
Requires municipality to provide free beach access to certain veterans.
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee
Senate • Jan 09, 2024Latest Version
Legalizes growing or possessing up to six marijuana plants for personal recreational use, and up to 10 plants for personal medical use, by persons aged 21 or older.
Gopal, Vin
Singleton, Troy- Diegnan, Patrick J., Jr.
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
Senate • Jan 09, 2024Latest Version
Provides employer and employee protections pursuant to the use of legalized cannabis items.
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee
Assembly • Jan 09, 2024Latest Version
Requires availability of accessible mail-in ballot for voters with disabilities.
Greenwald, Louis D.
Park, Ellen J.- Conaway, Herb, Jr.
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee
Assembly • Jan 09, 2024Latest Version
All Legislators in New Jersey (Senator and Assembly Member)
