First committee meetings of the new session center on lowering costs for New Jersey residents
(TRENTON) — In their first opportunity to consider legislation in the new legislative session, Assembly Democrats are making good on their promises by today advancing a series of bills through committees aimed at lowering costs for everyday New Jerseyans. From insurance reforms to rein in health care costs to addressing rising utility bills and increasing the state’s housing supply to lower costs, the bills reflect a comprehensive effort to ease financial pressure and make New Jersey more affordable.
“For too many families, affordability is not a single issue but an ongoing daily challenge that touches every household decision,” said Speaker Craig J. Coughlin (D-Middlesex). “As we begin the 222nd Legislative Session, our focus remains squarely on lowering costs where we can, and making it easier for New Jerseyans to afford medical care, keep the lights on, and find a place to call home. Today’s committee meetings reflect that commitment, setting the tone for a session centered on the working families across our state.”
In an effort to address the shortage of housing in New Jersey, the Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee today advanced bill A3877, sponsored by Speaker Coughlin. The legislation would provide broad incentives for municipalities that take steps to encourage additional housing within their municipality. Communities that allow for additional housing units would be eligible for State incentives to assist with transportation projects, school construction, and other community development activities. Most importantly, this bill provides municipalities with options and flexibility to choose the zoning changes that work best for their communities. Only by creating more housing supply can we put downward pressure on prices and help young professionals get their own place, a senior successfully downsize, and a family find their forever home.
Democratic lawmakers also began the new session with continued focus on lowering utility costs. The Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee approved A796 to address the rapid expansion of large data centers, which represent a significant threat to New Jersey’s energy affordability. The bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Dave Bailey, Jr., would require electric utilities to develop and apply special rules for data centers to protect non-data center customers from increased costs. The committee also passed bill A3969, sponsored by Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak, would ensure that New Jersey continues its efforts to increase community solar projects to generate new affordable clean energy.
During the previous legislative session, Assembly Democrats passed a dozen bills to address energy affordability in New Jersey, such as holding electric utilities and grid operators accountable for generation costs and providing direct financial relief during last summer’s price spike.
Assembly members also passed legislation today designed to lower health insurance costs. The bills passed by the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee include A434, sponsored by Assemblyman Michael Venezia, which would protect access to maintenance medications for chronic conditions when health benefits plans change due to corporate disputes, and A1142, sponsored by Assemblyman Joe Danielsen, which would expand requirements for health insurance carriers concerning prostate cancer screenings in order to catch cancer before it becomes deadly and more expensive to treat.
Also advanced in the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee, Bill A2550, sponsored by Assemblywoman Rosy Bagolie,would continue dependent coverage for certain adults with disabilities over age 26, and A3242, sponsored by Assemblyman Dan Hutchison, which would require coverage of continuous glucose monitoring systems for individuals with glycogen storage disease.