Assemblyman Dave Bailey, Jr.’s legislation designed to ensure that public utility customers are not burdened with subsidizing the energy costs of large data centers was signed into law on Tuesday. Governor Sherrill signed the bill at Assemblyman Bailey’s childhood home in Salem County, where his mother, Eileen, still resides. Assembly members Joe Danielsen, Clinton Calabrese and Eliana Pintor Marin also sponsored Bill A796.

“Data center growth will drive up the cost of electricity if we don’t create guardrails,” said Assemblyman Bailey (D-Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland). “We want to make sure data centers pay for the energy they use and the infrastructure they need, not our constituents. This bill is about protecting ratepayers and preventing households and small businesses from paying for data centers to connect to the grid.”

The Election Transparency Initiative (ETI) today expressed deep disappointment following New Jersey’s enactment of the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act, legislation that moves the state in a markedly different direction from the commonsense election integrity reforms advancing in Congress through the SAVE America Act.

“The SAVE America Act focuses on preventing problems before they occur through objective verification. This law focuses on resolving disputes afterward through litigation,” Cuccinelli said. “Prevention builds confidence. Litigation erodes it.”

Legislation to eliminate $250 million in uncommitted tax credits previously authorized for certain artificial intelligence and data center projects passed the New Jersey General Assembly last week. Assemblyman Andrew Macurdy, Assemblyman Balvir Singh, and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano sponsored Bill A5165.

Designated as the “End Data Center Tax Credits Act,” the legislation would reduce the amount of tax credits available under the Next New Jersey Program by the remaining uncommitted balance reserved for artificial intelligence (AI) and data center development projects.

Landmark voting rights legislation—known as the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act—was signed into law late today. The legislation was sponsored by Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson.
Bill A1715 will strengthen voting rights protections in New Jersey by expanding access to the ballot, increasing protections against voter suppression and discrimination, improving language accessibility, and creating stronger oversight of election practices.

“I’m proud that New Jersey has once again delivered a responsible budget for the hardworking families we serve, with meaningful property tax relief and the preservation of the Stay NJ program.

“At a time when dangerous, shortsighted federal cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and Affordable Care Act subsidies are shifting billions of dollars in costs onto states and pulling critical support away from families, New Jersey has stepped up to protect the services our residents rely on.”

The General Assembly on Tuesday passed a three-bill package sponsored by Assemblywoman Andrea Katz that addresses the growing youth mental health crisis and strengthens protections for minors online.

“Social media has become a central part of daily life for young people, but we are learning more and more about the risks that can come with excessive use, addictive platform features, and the collection of minors’ personal data,” said Assemblywoman Katz (D-Atlantic, Burlington). “As a mom of three teenagers, I know social media isn’t going anywhere. Our responsibility is to make sure the digital world is safer for kids. This package takes a thoughtful, comprehensive approach by strengthening privacy protections, investing in research, and giving policymakers the information they need to better protect children while helping families and educators support healthier online habits.”