New Jersey Senate advances a package of bills — early voting, privacy, energy and safety measures pass

The New Jersey State Senate convened for its routine session and moved a broad slate of third‑reading bills and nominations, confirming executive appointments and adopting multiple resolutions and statutory changes.

A cluster of bills on the consent calendar passed on recorded votes. Doctor Raynard Washington was confirmed as commissioner of the Department of Health (27‑7). The chamber approved bills including an extension of early voting for May municipal elections (as substituted by A‑4745), a privacy protection act (S‑35/ A‑4070), changes to transmission‑scale energy storage procurement under the Board of Public Utilities incentive program, and a suite of smaller technical and policy measures affecting tenant protections, memorial roadway designations and student excused absences. Several health and safety bills passed unanimously after brief sponsor remarks, including S‑601 on Coast Guard‑approved personal flotation devices and S‑2551 permitting law enforcement agencies to distribute epinephrine to officers with training.

Votes at a glance: S‑420/A‑4745 (early voting extension) — moved and passed after substitution (vote recorded in session); S‑1107 (Camden appropriations reallocation) — passed 36‑2; S‑2996 (advanced practice nurses) — passed (reported 32‑6); S‑3870 (CAFRA permit review) — passed 38‑0; S‑3945 (hemp product sales restrictions) — passed (36‑1); S‑229 (graduation placement reporting) — passed 38‑0; S‑413 (tenant protections extension) — passed (37‑0); S‑497 (roadway designation) — passed 37‑0; S‑601 (PFDs) — passed 38‑0; S‑712 (reproductive health travel advisory) — passed (23‑14); S‑1281 (PFAS apparel ban) — passed 38‑0; S‑1395 (LLC trade name) — passed 38‑0; S‑1773 (graduate placement) — passed 38‑0; S‑2368 (portable solar) — passed 38‑0; S‑2457 (excused absences for college visits) — passed (37‑0); S‑2551 (epinephrine distribution) — passed 38‑0; S‑3023 (long‑term care protections) — passed (29‑8); S‑3142 (PIP primary selection prohibition) — passed (21‑14).

Sponsor remarks gave context for several measures. Senator Beach, sponsor of the flotation device bill, described the bill as prompted by a drowning of a Rowan University student and urged unanimous passage “to honor his memory” and to support epilepsy safety advocacy. The presiding officer repeatedly called recorded tallies and declared bills passed as votes were returned.

Why it matters: The session moved a mix of high‑profile policy changes (privacy, energy reporting, earlier voting access) together with technical and ceremonial actions. Many measures passed on wide bipartisan margins, while a subset drew closer votes and extended floor discussion.

The Senate proceeded to additional substitutions and routine business after the votes; several items were sent back to second reading for amendment under rule 17 and substitutions of assembly bills were announced. The presiding officer then moved the session into routine business.