Senate Session [Source] Translate

The meeting commenced with the Senate President calling the session to order and the Secretary conducting a roll call, confirming a quorum with 40 members present. Members were reminded to mute themselves if they did not wish to be recorded. The first agenda item was the nomination of officials, including the Attorney General and State Treasurer, presented by Senator Stack. These nominations were approved with 38 votes in favor. Several bills were discussed and voted on: 1. **S685**: Establishes a fleet conversion task force in the DEP, passing with 27 votes in favor and 11 against. 2. **S687**: Creates a Blue Ribbon Task Force on climate change impacts on property tax and insurance, passing with 36 votes in favor and 2 against. 3. **S743**: Appropriates $111.6 million for habitat restoration and land acquisition, passing unanimously with 38 votes in favor. 4. **S1253**: Concerns eligibility for unemployment benefits, passing unanimously with 38 votes in favor. 5. **S1370**: Requires new flooring for schools and community centers to be certified mercury-free, passing unanimously with 38 votes in favor. 6. **S1388**: Prohibits health club service contracts from limiting liability for injuries caused by negligence, passing with 37 votes in favor and 0 against. 7. **S1533**: Permits municipalities to charge reduced or no beach fees for children and veterans, passing unanimously with 38 votes in favor. 8. **S1631**: Prohibits discrimination based on height or weight, passing with 23 votes in favor and 15 against. 9. **S2243**: Requires public institutions of higher education to develop menstrual equity plans, passing unanimously with 38 votes in favor. 10. **S3251**: Makes various changes to the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank Enabling Act, passing unanimously with 38 votes in favor. 11. **S3306**: Requires notification to health club members if the club is sold, passing unanimously with 38 votes in favor. Senator Ruiz moved to place several bills back on second reading for amendments, which was approved by voice vote, and the amendments were adopted. The meeting concluded with the reading and approval of **S3219**, which extends the deadline for the gubernatorial budget message to the legislature, passing unanimously with 38 votes in favor. Senator McCarthy initiated the meeting, confirming all senators' votes. Senate Bill 3219 received 38 votes in favor, leading to its passage. Senate Joint Resolution 84, introduced by Senator Deignan, designating March 10th, 2026, as South Plainfield Day in New Jersey, was also moved and passed with 38 votes in favor and none against. The meeting ended with acknowledgments of the staff's efforts, allowing them to take the rest of the week off.