The Thursday Convergence: School Deficits, Flood Money, and the Tech Crackdown

John’s Notes on this Weeks Legislative Calendar….

On Education

Assembly Education Committee will hear testimony on school budget deficits on 2/19 – framing the problem as statewide. As a result, there’s a greater chance for quick action, more reporting requirements, policies that tighten budgeting practices, increased pressure for relief on mandates and even more debates on state aid.

A3882 schools participating in the subsidized meals program would be required to post a link to the application in a prominent spot on their websites.

A3887 would authorize school bus monitoring systems that would collect evidence of cars illegally passing them while they’re stopped. If you’re caught then it’s going to mean a $300 fine- no points.

On Flood Mitigation

The Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee agenda includes A1873 which would require DEP to prioritize funding for certain projects when they include flood mitigation.

This can be more powerful than it looks since towns and cities chase state dollars – so this might lead to project redesigns, application rewrites and a shuffling of capital plans.

For folks living in flood-prone areas this can influence the what and where of development and which communities are first in line for funding.

Kids and Tech

The Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee is carrying a cluster of bills that, as a whole, looks like an early attempt at building statewide tech governance focused on minors, platform responsibility and surveillance in schools.

A4015 adopts age-appropriate design code and requires certain online services to implement measures concerning minors’ use- regulating design choices up front.

A4013 would require certain social media platforms to take actions concerning user mental health- big questions will revolve around how this will be operationalized and enforced.

A4014 creates a Social Media Research Center at a college probably in hopes it turns into a policy engine.

A1323 requires boards of education to adopt policy on the use of video surveillance systems with artificial intelligence capabilities and requires that parents get a copy.

Legislative Calendar for this Week

Bill links  

Education
A3882 (School website must prominently post subsidized meals application link)
https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A3882

A3887 (School bus monitoring systems)
https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A3887

Flood mitigation
A1873 (DEP prioritization for projects that include or allow flood mitigation)
https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A1873

Kids online and AI in schools
A4015 (New Jersey Kids Code Act / Age-Appropriate Design Code)
https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A4015

A4013 (Social media platform actions concerning user mental health)
https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A4013

A4014 (Social Media Research Center)
https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A4014

A1323 (BOE policy for AI-enabled video surveillance)
https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A1323