9 New Bills From Essex County Lawmakers: Housing, Taxes, Schools, Data Centers

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — State lawmakers from Essex County have been busy in the halls of Trenton over the past few months, with bills being introduced on issues such as rental housing, school funding, business tax cuts and more.

Catch up with some recent efforts from legislators who represent towns in Essex County:

RENTAL HOUSING

Earlier this month, a New Jersey Assembly committee advanced a proposed law that would fight back against landlord “collusion” that is allegedly driving up apartment prices in the Garden State.

Here’s the problem, according to the sponsors of S2624/A3497:

“New Jersey is in the midst of an affordable housing crisis, as demonstrated by rental housing industry data showing median rent for a three-bedroom apartment increasing by 35 percent in the State from 2021 through 2024 and a studio in a more urban environment such as Hoboken increasing by 61 percent in the same timeframe. Data from the United States Census Bureau indicates that over 50 percent of renters in New Jersey are deemed ‘rent burdened,’ which means an individual spends more than 30 percent of income on rent. Recent national data indicates that landlords of residential rental housing use property management software to collude and raise residential rental housing prices, which may have contributed to recent increases in the state.”

The bill’s sponsors said the legislation targets the use of third-party software platforms that collect nonpublic rental information from multiple landlords and use algorithms to recommend rent increases – artificially driving up costs for renters.

Primary sponsors of the proposed law in the Assembly include Assemblyman Chigozie Onyema, a Democrat who represents the 28^th district, including Irvington, Maplewood, Newark and South Orange.

The bill has been referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for further review.

• See Related: Cartel Of 10 Landlords Charge 'Unlivable' Rents, NJ Attorney General Says
• See Related: Here’s Why Rent Is ‘So Damned High’ In NJ, Rutgers Experts Say

TAX CUTS

Republican lawmakers recently reintroduced legislation that would lower business taxes in New Jersey.

Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips (NJ-40) is among the sponsors of two bills: A2654, which would gradually reduce the state’s corporate business tax rate from 11.5 to 2.5 percent, and A2703, which would repeal a 2.5 percent transit surcharge on businesses making over $10 million.

According to DePhillips, the state’s 5.4 percent unemployment rate is a sign that New Jersey is moving in the wrong direction – and the only way to correct course is to cut taxes.

“While neighboring states are realizing the benefits of lowering their corporate taxes, it’s imperative New Jersey does the same to support a competitive business climate and a healthy economy,” DePhillips said.

“Considering the additional regulatory hurdles, red tape and cost burdens for businesses in New Jersey, it is no surprise that the state is losing jobs,” he added.

The 40^th district includes Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell, Verona and West Caldwell, among other municipalities.

• See Related: NJ Faces Budget Crunch; Some Want 'Billionaire Tax' – Others Demand Cuts
• See Related: NJ Layoffs: See Where The Job Cuts Are Deepest

$10 BILLION IN SCHOOL UPGRADES

A Democratic state senator recently introduced a bill that she says would “renew New Jersey’s commitment to repairing and replacing aging school buildings across the state.”

According to Sen. Teresa Ruiz (NJ-29), the bill would ask voters to authorize new state bonds for school construction, expansion, and renovation projects in both School Development Authority districts and Regular Operating Districts.

The bill, S3382, proposes $10.5 billion in new bonds to finance “long-overdue” school construction projects. The bill’s provisions would be presented to voters at the state’s next general election following the governor’s signature and would take effect only upon voter approval.

“Inadequate funding for school facility upgrades has left students from one corner of the state to the other learning in outdated, crumbling buildings, some more than a century old,” said Ruiz, who represents municipalities including Newark.

“Year after year, leaky roofs, faulty heating and ventilation, mold, overcrowding and a lack of air conditioning disrupt valuable classroom time and jeopardize students’ health, safety and academic growth,” Ruiz added.

The bill has been referred to the Senate Education Committee.

• See Related: Sherrill Proposes Record Education Funding In NJ, Along With Consolidation

AI DATA CENTERS, CRYPTO MINING

Another proposed state law aims to address the rising energy demand – and potential pollution – created by artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and “crypto mining.”

If it crosses the finish line, S-680 would require new AI data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities to source all their electricity from new Class I renewable energy sources (such as solar, wind, hydropower, and geothermal technologies), new nuclear sources, or a combination of the two.

The proposed law would also require these facilities to submit a “clean energy” plan to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.

According to its primary sponsors, including Sen. John McKeon (NJ-27), artificial intelligence has exploded in popularity, leading to the widespread expansion of “energy-hungry” data centers across the world, including in New Jersey.

Data centers house the physical components required for AI tasks, including computers and cooling systems, which consume enormous amounts of energy. The spike in energy demand in turn cause electricity costs for everyone to skyrocket, McKeon said.

“New Jersey residents are already facing major increases to their energy bills, and with exploding demand for new data center development those increases are at risk of worsening,” said McKeon, a Democrat who represents towns including Livingston, Millburn, Montclair, Roseland and West Orange.

“Requiring data centers to source their own clean energy will help keep electricity demand, and prices, more stable while ensuring that communities do not face more pollution,” he said.

• See Related: Electric Bills Being Driven Up By AI Data Centers In NJ, Report Says

EXPUNGEMENTS FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS

Before leaving office, former Gov. Phil Murphy signed two pieces of legislation that ease penalties for domestic violence victims who were convicted of abuse-related crimes.

Primary sponsors of S4871/A5969 include two Essex County lawmakers: Sen. Teresa Ruiz and Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin – each Democrats from the 29^th district.

Here’s what it does, Ruiz said:

“The first bill allows individuals who were victims of domestic violence or substantial abuse to petition the Superior Court to expunge certain convictions, findings of guilt, or juvenile adjudications if the abuse substantially contributed to the offense. Eligible individuals can apply for expungement after fulfilling the requirements of their most recent case, including completing incarceration, probation, or parole, or paying court-ordered fines. Eligible cases may also include older cases, regardless of where they were adjudicated.”

Both lawmakers are also among the primary sponsors of S4870/A5968, which establishes a new mitigating factor in sentencing for defendants who were victims of physical, sexual, or psychological abuse when a court finds that the abuse contributed to the offense.

The law also sets reduced sentencing ranges for eligible offenses and creates a process for certain individuals already incarcerated to apply for resentencing if they meet specific criteria, including having exhausted appeals and demonstrating that abuse was a contributing factor in their conviction.

“Expungement for convictions rooted in abuse is about recognizing the lasting harm survivors endure and giving them a real and fair chance to move forward,” Ruiz said.

HOSPITAL PATIENT PROTECTIONS

Earlier in March, the Assembly Health Committee advanced a bill that would ensure patients with developmental disabilities can be accompanied by a parent, guardian, direct support professional or other caregiver during hospital stays.

The bill, A2259, would allow a patient with developmental disabilities or their parent to designate a caregiver to be in the same room as the patient for the duration of their stay.

There would be an exception for surgical procedures.

Under the state’s current law, hospitals must protect general patient rights, but there is no statutory requirement guaranteeing that people with developmental disabilities may have a designated support person present during hospital stays.

“People with developmental disabilities often require assistance understanding complex medical information and may have very limited communication abilities, which raises concerns about informed consent for treatment or even receiving a proper diagnosis,” said Assemblyman Al Barlas, a Republican who represents the 40^th district.

“This bill will ensure all New Jersey hospital policies explicitly permit patients with developmental disabilities to have a support person present who can advocate on behalf of their best interests,” Barlas said.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE FOR PREGNANCY LOSS, FAILED ADOPTIONS

Legislation that would provide New Jersey workers with protected leave to grieve the loss of a child or pregnancy cleared the Assembly Labor Committee earlier this week.

The bill would also cover leave following an unsuccessful adoption or fertility treatment, including procedures such as intrauterine insemination or assisted reproductive technology.

Under the legislation, S2046/A2198, employees could take up to 21 days of leave immediately following a qualifying loss when the circumstance would not otherwise qualify for other forms of leave, or up to seven days when the employee is otherwise eligible for disability or family leave benefits.

The legislation would also allow employees to access family temporary disability leave benefits to cover bereavement following qualifying losses. Employers would be able to request reasonable documentation to validate the leave, but the bill clarifies that they would not be required to request documentation when an employee seeks bereavement leave.

“Many families experience heartbreaking setbacks on the path to parenthood, whether through miscarriage, unsuccessful fertility treatments, or a planned adoption that does not come to fruition,” said Assemblywoman Shanique Speight, a Democrat from the 29^th district.

“By recognizing these experiences in our leave policies, we acknowledge the emotional toll they take and ensure workers have the support they need during incredibly difficult moments,” Speight said.

The bill has been referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

VETERAN ADVOCATE OFFICE

Legislation signed into law in December 2025 will increase support and protections for military veterans and their families by creating an “Office of the Veteran Advocate” in New Jersey.

The new law, S3504/A4712, authorizes the chief executive officer of the office to act as an ombudsman for veterans in the state, ensuring that they receive appropriate services and care.

“Our veterans and their families deserve the full support of the government they have served, and this legislation would provide that,” said Democratic Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker (NJ-28), a primary sponsor of the bill.

“The new Office of Veteran Advocate will ensure that services, treatments, and care veterans receive is delivered with the utmost personal dignity and respect to privacy,” Tucker said.

According to a fiscal estimate, the new office is expected to increase annual state expenditures by $1 million to $2 million.

IMMIGRANT TENANT PROTECTIONS

Earlier this month, the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee advanced the “Immigrant Tenant Protection Act.”

If it crosses the finish line, the proposed law would add legal protections for tenants against landlords who attempt to use immigration status to intimidate them when they exercise their housing rights.

The bill would also prohibit landlords from evicting tenants on the basis of their citizenship status.

Here’s what to know about the proposed law, according to one of its primary sponsors, Sen. Teresa Ruiz:

“Under S-3530, landlords are prohibited from using a tenant's immigration status, whether actual or perceived, to intimidate, retaliate against, or evict a tenant. Landlords are barred from threatening to disclose immigration information, filing eviction actions based on status, or forcing tenants to vacate for failing to provide documents that prove citizenship after tenancy has begun. Tenants whose rights are violated may seek damages, penalties, court costs, and attorneys’ fees against a landlord that engages in prohibited conduct. The bill also clarifies that a person's immigration or citizenship status is irrelevant to any issues of liability or remedy in a civil action involving a tenant’s housing rights.”

According to Ruiz, the legislation would preserve a landlord’s rights to comply with federal programs and legal obligations, verify the financial qualifications and identity of prospective tenants, and enforce lease violations.

The bill would not expand or reduce landlords’ existing rights to terminate a tenancy, nor would it limit municipal authority to address landlord harassment, she said.

Additionally, the legislation would codify the long-recognized implied warranty of habitability under New Jersey law, affirming that all tenants—regardless of immigration status—are entitled to “safe, sanitary and habitable housing,” Ruiz said.

The measure would also ensure that landlords cannot exploit needed repairs as a means of “constructive eviction,” she added.

The bill would take effect immediately upon enactment.

>> READ MORE: 5 Bipartisan Bills From GOP, Democrat Lawmakers In Essex County

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