New Jersey is kicking off 2026 with a stack of fresh laws that will touch just about every resident in some way. Whether you’re punching a clock, hopping on the Turnpike, or just trying to keep up with what your town is doing, these changes start hitting on January 1 (and a couple a little later). Here’s the no-fluff rundown of what’s actually changing and how it affects your day-to-day life.
Minimum Wage Gets Another Bump – Here Are the New Numbers.
Come January 1, almost every low-wage job in the state pays more.
- Regular workers at companies with 6+ employees: $15.92 per hour (up 43 cents)
- Seasonal and small-business workers (under 6 employees): $15.23 per hour (up 70 cents)
- Hourly farm workers: $14.20 per hour (up from $13.40)
- Long-term care direct care staff: $18.92 per hour (up 43 cents)
- Tipped employees’ cash wage: $6.05 per hour (up from $5.62) – tips still have to get them to at least the full minimum or the employer makes up the difference
The Labor Commissioner said the raises keep moving the state closer to wages people can actually live on.
Tolls Are Going Up
Yes, again, if you drive in New Jersey, your wallet is about to notice.
- New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway: 3% increase starting January 1, 2026
- Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission bridges (NJ to PA): $2 with E-ZPass, $5 without – exact date coming mid-December
- Port Authority bridges and tunnels (GWB, Lincoln & Holland): another 25-cent hike expected the first week of January (final vote December 18)
New Standalone Department for Veterans
Around the middle of January, the state officially creates a Department of Veterans Affairs that handles only veteran issues – no more sharing staff and budget with active-duty military matters. The goal is faster, clearer help with benefits, medical care, housing, and mental health services.
Governor Murphy signed the bill back in September and said veterans and their families have earned direct access to the resources they need without red tape.
Legal Notices Ditch Newspapers for Good
Starting March 2026, you won’t find foreclosure notices, zoning hearings, or town council agendas buried in the back of a printed newspaper anymore. Every town, county, and public agency has to post them on their own website and link everything to one free statewide online hub that keeps an archive.
The switch got fast-tracked after major papers like the Star-Ledger stopped daily print runs – lawmakers decided the internet is now the best way to make sure people actually see the notices.
Bottom line, workers: making minimum wage will see a few extra bucks every shift. Daily commuters could easily drop an extra $50–$200 a month, depending on how many toll roads they use. And veterans finally get an agency laser-focused on them.
Mark your calendar, check your E-ZPass balance, and get ready – the Garden State just turned the page to 2026.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.