4 New NJ Laws That Could Impact You In 2026

The new year is here, and 2026 is bringing some changes to the Garden State that could impact you.

The laws range from increasing minimum wage to allowing teen voting to increasing gas and hotel prices.

Here are some of the laws to keep an eye on:

Minimum Wage Increase - Jan. 1

New Jersey's minimum wage is jumping up by .43 cents to $15.92 per hour as part of an ongoing push and 2019 law signed by Governor Phil Murphy to help struggling workers.

Certain employers, like seasonal and smaller-scale businesses will also see an increase. The minimum will grow from $14.53 to $15.23.

Wages will then increase gradually through 2028.

"Eight years ago, Governor Murphy pledges a stronger, fairer economy, and we're delivering on this commitment by raising New Jersey's minimum wage again," said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo.

Gas Prices To Increase - Jan. 1

Starting Jan. 1, gas prices will increase by 4.2 cents per gallon, state officials said.

When including motor fuels tax, this increase will make the total tax rates that motorists pay 49.1 cents per gallon for gasoline and 56.1 cents per gallon for diesel fuel.

This comes after the price was just increased by 2.6 cents at the beginning of 2025. Between 2017 and 2021, gas prices either remained the same or increased, according to state data.

Officials said the increase is to support transportation infrastructure across the state. Specifically, the additional revenue will go towards the state’s Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) program.

17-Year-Olds Allowed To Vote - Jan. 1

The bill sponsored by Sen. Andrew Zwicker of South Brunswick (NJ-16) and Sen. James Beach, allows registered 17-year-old voters to cast ballots in the primaries if they turn 18 before the general election.

Previously, a person who is at least 17 could register to vote only if they turned 18 years old or by the date of the general election. This bill allows such teens to vote in a primary, provided they turn 18 on or before the date of the next general election.

Eighteen states as well as the District of Columbia have already enacted such a change.

Hotel Taxes To Fund Local Fire Departments - Jan. 1

The bill, S-4475, imposes a daily, $3 per room surcharge on the occupancy of a room in a municipality classified as a first-class city and in which an international airport is located. Under New Jersey statute, a ‘city of the first class’ is defined as a municipality with more than 150,000 residents.

There are two international airports in New Jersey, including Newark Liberty International Airport and Atlantic City International Airport.

The bill requires the Director of the Division of Taxation to collect the surcharge and deposit all surcharge revenues into a dedicated fire service trust fund. Surcharge revenues would be remitted to the municipality monthly, and revenues could be expended to support the hiring, retention, and training of fire service employees, the acquisition of fire service equipment, and the undertaking of capital improvements that would improve the municipality’s fire service capabilities.

— With reporting by Eddie Callahan, Jack Slocum, Sarah Salvadore, and Eric Kiefer