Assembly Democrats Advance Sweeping Affordability Legislation

From addressing high utility bills to working to create more housing supply, New Jersey Democrats are listening to the kitchen table conversations across the state and passing bills to help families

We get it. Your electric bill is going up. Your adult kid is looking to move out but can’t find anything affordable. You’re feeling squeezed at a time when you think you should be putting some money aside to save for retirement.

Don’t worry, that’s where we come in.

During the May 2025 Assembly Voting Session, Democrats passed the most comprehensive affordability-focused bills of the current legislative session. These are real solutions to real problems—designed to bring relief where it’s needed most.

Bills to control utility costs? Check.

Bills to increase housing supply? Check.

Bills to forbid excessive rent increases? Check.

And yes, we even passed a bill to make saving for retirement easier.

“These aren’t abstract problems. These are kitchen table conversations happening every night in homes across New Jersey,” said Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin. “It's parents lying awake, figuring out which bill to pay when the budget is tight. It's seniors choosing between groceries and medicine. That’s who we’re fighting for.”

Let’s start with your electric bill.

Many residents may not know there are assistance programs available in they are having trouble making ends meet.

The truth is, you shouldn’t need a PhD in paperwork to get help with your utility bill. A5435 cuts through the chaos by creating one simple application for all residential energy assistance programs. No more guesswork, no more giving up halfway through the fifth form, all of the benefits.

Another bill (A5733) would also modernize outdated income eligibility thresholds so more families can qualify. Because no one should miss out on help because they earn $50 too much.

Additional utility reforms seek to bring greater transparency and accountability to the industry. These include:

- A5463, which would require the disclosure of electric utility board votes.

- A5466, which would require the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to study how data centers are impacting electricity prices.

- A5442, which would ensure BPU members are trained and equipped to serve ratepayers’ needs.

“Too often, we hear from constituents who fall through the cracks because they earn just a few dollars too much to qualify for assistance, or because the application process is so confusing they give up,” said Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald. “That’s not a system that serves the public, and it’s certainly not a system we’re willing to settle for.”

Everyone knows New Jersey needs more housing and A4913 would address that by offering incentives to municipalities that modernize their zoning laws. Under the bill, towns that take steps to encourage smart housing development could jump to the front of the line for things like transportation funding, school construction, and community improvement projects—recognizing that more growth requires more support.

Additionally, A5424 would impose fees on large institutional investors who buy homes and just… sit on them. The goal? To encourage timely improvements, rentals, or sales—so these homes can return to the market and actually serve the communities they’re in.

And for renters—don’t worry, we didn’t forget about you. Bill A4899 would limit the application fees to apply for a rental property. These fees, often an overlooked or hidden expense, might discourage prospective tenants from applying even when they may have the ability to pay through rental assistance or a housing voucher.

“We’re continuing our work to make housing less expensive for both homeowners and renters,” added Speaker Coughlin. “We don’t have enough supply in this state, and these bills will move us in the right direction.”

And yes, retirement is part of affordability too.

Because let’s face it: not everyone has a 401(k), and for a lot of people, “retirement plan” just means working forever and hoping Social Security still exists when it’s time to collect.

That’s where A5358 comes in. A bill that would update RetireReady NJ, a state program that helps workers without employer-sponsored plans actually start saving for the future. The bill expands eligibility and helps more people build toward something better than just scraping by.

“Affordability isn’t just about what you’re paying today—it’s about whether you’ll be able to retire with peace of mind tomorrow,” said Majority Leader Greenwald. “Not everyone has access to a 401(k), but everyone deserves the chance to save.”

Bottom line: Whether you’re 25 or 65, saving shouldn’t feel impossible and this bill helps make sure it isn’t.

From slashing red tape on utility help to cracking down on housing hoarders and giving your future self a shot at retirement, these bills are about making life a little less stressful and a lot more livable.