September 2026 New Jersey GRAC Update
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YOUTH WATER SAFETY AND DROWNING PREVENTION LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN THE NEW JERSEY ASSEMBLY
State Street worked with NESPA to engage with the newly introduced A5405, the “New Jersey Youth Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Act,” sponsored by Assemblywoman Maureen Rowan. The bill was introduced on the final day before the Legislature passed the FY2027 budget and adjourned for its summer break. A5405, which is modeled in part on legislation enacted in Florida, would establish a statewide swimming lesson voucher program for eligible children, along with standardized water safety and drowning prevention education. The legislation would provide vouchers for up to ten group swimming lessons through participating providers and direct the Department of Health to distribute educational materials to hospitals, birthing centers, and healthcare providers. State Street helped facilitate a meeting between Assemblywoman Rowan, NESPA Executive Director Dom Mondi, and Rowan’s Chief of Staff Zach Dougherty to discuss the legislation and identify opportunities for NESPA and the Assemblywoman to work together as the bill moves forward.
EXECUTIVE STAFF CHANGES IN THE NEW JERSEY ASSEMBLY MAJORITY OFFICE
Assembly Majority Office (AMO) Executive Director, Seth Hahn, announced in August that he would be departing the AMO after six years in the top staff position. Prior to serving as the AMO Executive Director, Hahn served as Deputy Executive Director. Seth was a political organizer for public employee unions prior to joining the AMO staff.
“I wish him the best of luck as he enters the next phase of his career, and I know he will be successful,” NJ Assembly Speaker Coughlin said.
NJ Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin later named Dan Harris, the office’s Deputy Executive Director and a longtime aide and top advisor, to Coughlin, as Executive Director, replacing the departing Hahn. Harris has worked for Speaker Coughlin throughout the speaker’s seventeen-year legislative tenure, holding positions in both the AMO and the Speaker’s legislative district office. He is also an at-large member of the Woodbridge Township Council and previously served on the Woodbridge Board of Education.
“I’m honored to be selected by Speaker Coughlin to lead the day-to-day operations of the Assembly Democratic Caucus,” Harris said. “I’m blessed to be surrounded by an incredible team of committed professionals and to have learned under my predecessors Seth Hahn and Skip Cimino.”
Speaker Coughlin also named his Deputy Chief of Staff, Stephan Lally, to fill the recently vacant Deputy Executive Director position. Lally, joined the Speaker’s District Office staff in 2020, and has held several different staff positions, including director of appointments. He currently serves on the Woodbridge Board of Education and the Ramapo College Board of Trustees.
“I am deeply grateful to Speaker Coughlin for his confidence in me and for the opportunity to serve in this new capacity,” Lally said. “I look forward to strengthening our partnership with the caucus, supporting our district offices and helping advance an agenda that responds directly to the needs of New Jersey’s families.”
“I’m thrilled to announce these new roles for Dan and Stephan, who I’ve worked closely with for many years,” Coughlin said. “Under Dan’s leadership, we will continue our work on a legislative agenda that puts New Jerseyans first, with a focus on kitchen table issues, including making New Jersey more affordable.”
State Street Associates staff have a great working relationship with both Dan Harris and Stephan Lally.
Legislature Returns from Summer Break
The New Jersey Legislature is beginning to return from its summer break, providing NESPA with an important window to advance its legislative priorities before the end of the year. The Assembly returns to quorum on September 10, with fifteen scheduled quorum or session days between September 10 and December 17. The Senate begins its fall schedule with a quorum on September 28, followed by regular committee activity beginning October 1, and has twelve scheduled quorum or session days through December 17. State Street will continue working with NESPA to monitor relevant legislation, engage with legislators and staff, and identify opportunities to move the association’s priorities forward during the fall legislative session.