The Zita Group’s 2025-2026 NJ Legislative End-of-Session Wins

In the final weeks of Governor Phil Murphy’s administration, more than 120 bills crossed the finish line and were signed into law. This lame duck session was especially busy, as both Governor Murphy and lawmakers were tying up last-minute priorities and moving initiatives forward before a new administration and legislative session began.

During this time, our team continued to closely engage with legislators and administration officials to advance our clients’ priorities. Many of these outcomes required sustained consultation and collaboration that would not have been possible without our clients’ trust and partnership. Below are several notable successes as the 2025–2026 New Jersey legislative session came to a close and Governor Murphy’s tenure concluded.

Critical Funding Achieved for Clients

• P.L.2025, c.394.
  • TZG’s Ken Murphy helped secure a $615,000 supplemental appropriation to the Department of Human Services for the purpose of awarding a grant to our client, NJ 2-1-1 Partnership, a critical statewide resource that connects residents to essential services like housing assistance, food access, mental health support and emergency resources. Learn more: https://nj211.org/
  • Sponsored by Asw. Eliana Pintor Marin (D), Asw. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D), Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Senators Gordon Johnson (D) and Britnee Timberlake (D).
• P.L.2025, c.220.
  • TZG’s Karlito Almeda and Trish Zita led efforts to obtain an additional $1.5 million from the State’s General Fund through the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to support two programs operated by our client, the Camden Coalition. Pledge to Connect, which links people leaving emergency rooms to timely, ongoing outpatient mental health care, and Housing First, which provides permanent supportive housing and wraparound services for individuals with complex health and social needs. Learn more: https://camdenhealth.org/
  • Sponsored by Assembly Majority Leader Louis D. Greenwald (D), Asm. William F. Moen Jr. (D) and Asm. William W. Spearman (D); Senator Nilsa I. Cruz-Perez (D).

Amended Legislation

• P.L.2025, c.297.
  • This law establishes a three-year, county-led CODE RED pilot program, modeled after CODE BLUE, that provides funding and clear triggers to protect at-risk individuals during extreme heat and unhealthy air quality events through coordinated outreach, cooling centers and transportation. TZG’s Ken Murphy successfully lobbied for an amendment to add our client NJ 211 to the CODE RED bill since they serve as the central hub during CODE BLUE alerts for connecting people with emergency shelter and warming centers when temperatures drop below freezing.
  • Sponsored by Asw. Yvonne Lopez (D) and Asw. Tennille R. McCoy (D); Senator Shirley K. Turner (D) and Angela V. McKnight (D).
• P.L.2025, c.228.
  • This law sets a statewide requirement for solid waste management districts to reduce food waste by 50 percent by 2035, with districts given two years to develop and carry out reduction strategies subject to Department of Environmental Protection approval.
    • As originally drafted, the bill posed operational risks for clients that use food waste to generate renewable energy. Nationally, food waste is a significant source of methane emissions, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide. Rather than allowing methane to escape into the atmosphere, landfill-generated methane can be captured and used as an energy resource, reducing emissions while strengthening energy independence. TZG’s Eric Orlando, Matt McDermott, Karlito Almeda and Beth Dohm worked to secure targeted amendments to preserve the bill’s original intent while maintaining pathways for converting waste byproducts into clean, renewable energy.
  • Sponsored by Asm. James J. Kennedy (D), Asm. Sterley S. Stanley (D), Asm. Anthony S. Verrelli (D); Senator Bob Smith (D) and Senator John F. McKeon (D).

Appointments to State Boards

• On behalf of the NJ Society of Optometric Physicians (NJSOP), TZG’s Beth Dohm and Matt McDermott facilitated the direct appointment of Dr. Jesus Barrios, an NJSOP member and former Board President to the New Jersey State Board of Optometrists by Governor Murphy. Dr. Barrios is a licensed optometrist with over 18 years of experience providing comprehensive eye care to diverse patient populations. His appointment ensures the Board has highly qualified individuals who understand the profession with a strong commitment to serving the health, safety and welfare of the people of New Jersey. Learn more: https://www.njsop.org/
• In support of the Athletic Trainers’ Society of New Jersey (ATSNJ), TZG’s Eric Orlando helped guide the appointment of Christina Emrich, past President of ATSNJ, to the New Jersey Athletic Training Advisory Committee. In addition, she serves as District Two Director for the National Athletic Trainers Association and as Head Athletic Trainer and Assistant Athletic Director at Red Bank Regional High School. As the Committee oversees statewide licensing and regulation, Emrich’s expertise will help implement the recently expanded Athletic Training Act, which now extends care beyond athletes. Learn more: https://atsnj.org/
• Through direct coordination with the Governor’s office, TZG’s Christopher Hughes secured the renomination of all 11 New Jersey Institute of Technology board members, then worked closely with various senators and leadership to confirm another term as Board of Trustee members.

Blocked Fee Hikes

• Advocating for the Brewers Guild of New Jersey, TZG’s Eric Orlando pushed back against proposed permit fee increases, ranging from 30% to 50%, by the NJ Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The increases were ultimately not included in the final adopted regulation, published under 58 N.J.R. 824(a), following stakeholder feedback. This outcome avoided added cost pressures for New Jersey craft breweries during an already challenging economic period.

About The Zita Group

The Zita Group is a woman-owned government and public affairs firm, both founded and led by Patrizia “Trish” Zita. Our bipartisan, experienced team of strategic consultants is widely respected by elected, appointed and government officials of both parties across New Jersey’s political landscape. We provide our clients unique insights into the decision-making process at the highest levels. We bring to bear credible working relationships with executive branch officials, legislators, and staff. Our team’s effectiveness has been demonstrated again and again by the results we achieve for our clients.