Reporting Error Clarified: S-2961 Has NOT Passed and Is NOT Law
Earlier reporting incorrectly stated that S-2961 advanced through the Legislature and became law during the final lame duck voting session. That information was incorrect due to a reporting error from the Office of Legislative Services (OLS).
Here are the facts:
- While S-2961 passed the Senate, the Assembly never took a final vote on the bill.
- Because the Assembly did not act before the close of the lame duck session, S-2961 has died and did NOT pass into law.
- As a result, S-2961 will NOT take effect, and no changes to apprenticeship or workforce eligibility standards are being implemented at this time.
Background on S-2961
S-2961 proposed significant changes to journeyperson qualification standards and workforce eligibility on public works projects in New Jersey. Although framed as a workforce quality measure, the bill would have:
- Narrowed workforce participation
- Favored a single labor model
- Created a two-tier system that privileged certain union workers while imposing burdensome documentation requirements on equally skilled non-union and other workers
Since June 2025, ABC New Jersey had actively engaged with the Governor’s Office, legislators, and coalition partners seeking a conditional veto and targeted amendments to address these inequities and preserve fair, inclusive workforce participation.
What This Means Now
- No new workforce eligibility restrictions are in effect
- Current apprenticeship and journeyperson standards remain unchanged
- ABC New Jersey will continue to monitor any reintroduction of this policy in the new legislative session and will engage early and aggressively if similar language resurfaces
We apologize for the confusion caused by the earlier reporting error and appreciate your patience as we worked to confirm the official legislative record.
If you have questions or would like to discuss implications going forward, please do not hesitate to reach out to Andrew LaFevre.
