Senate passes dozens of bills in one session, including college merger, PFAS rules and multiple appropriations

The Senate spent the bulk of the day moving dozens of bills on third reading and by substitution, approving measures on higher education mergers, public‑health rules, environmental appropriations and procedural changes.

Notable floor actions and outcomes recorded in the transcript include:
- S4881 (merger of New Jersey City University into Kean University; expands Kean's powers and appropriates $25,000,000) — recorded vote 27‑7, declared passed.
- Assembly bills A5195 and A5223 (restrictions and notice requirements for firefighting equipment containing PFAS) — passed by recorded vote, 37‑0.
- S3091 (maternal and infant health public awareness campaign for doula and midwife services) — 37‑0 recorded as passed.
- S4509 (regulatory scheme for certain hemp‑derived products) — recorded vote 33‑1, declared passed.
- A6275/A6274 and other appropriation and Green Acres related measures (examples in session record: Assembly bills authorizing state acquisitions and appropriations of tens of millions for conservation and park development) — several appropriation items passed by recorded votes with tallies shown in the transcript (for example, A6275/A6274 appropriations recorded with unanimous or large‑majority outcomes).

Why it matters: The session advanced a broad package of state policy changes and funding decisions, from authorizing mergers of public institutions and allocating capital to conservation and historic trusts to adopting consumer‑safety and public‑health regulations. Many bills passed with wide margins; a few drew split votes.

Votes at a glance (selected items from the transcript):
S4881 — NJCU/Kean merger, appropriation $25,000,000 — 27 yes, 7 no.
A5195 / A5223 — PFAS firefighting equipment restrictions/notice — 37 yes, 0 no.
S3091 / S3091 (maternal health public awareness) — 37 yes, 0 no.
S4509 — hemp regulatory adjustments — 33 yes, 1 no.
A6275 / A6274 / A6273 (Green Acres / conservation appropriations) — recorded as passed; appropriations and amounts appear in the transcript (44,400,000 and 55,000,000 cited for different measures).

What’s next: The president announced upcoming committee dates and a final voting session scheduled for January 12; several bills were placed back to second reading for amendment under rule 17 during the session and will return for future floor action as noted in the public calendar.