Final States meeting for current crop of politicians

The last States sitting of the current political term starts today (24 March) and could last for eight days.

Politicians have got a lot to get through before the pause - not just for the Easter break, but for June's general election.

Nominations for candidates will close at 5pm on Wednesday 22 April 2026, and a full list of people standing for election will be published on 27 April.

Before that though, the current crop of States Members have a stack of business to complete.

They have agreed to take shorter lunch breaks and work until 6pm each evening to get through it.

Big ticket items on the agenda include an overhaul of Jersey's Animal Welfare Law which will create a range of new cruelty offences and establish an inspection and enforcement process overseen by the States Vet.

Staying with animal welfare, a scrutiny panel is proposing a change to the Dogs Law to widen the definition of 'worrying livestock'.

If agreed, it would apply to any dog not on a lead, or leashed but not within five metres of the owner or person in charge whilst on farmland.

Transgender guidance is schools is a topic set to dominate this week.  Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache wants the existing policy replaced with a document called 'Treating Children as Children'.

Read: Divide over approach to gender guidance in schools

The Education Minister is expected to push back, having called the proposed replacement document 'fundamentally at odds with Jersey’s statutory requirements, international conventions, and modern safeguarding practice'. 

Deputy Ian Gorst hopes an amendment that asks for a review of policy involving 'all interested parties' before the end of 2026 will strike a balance.

Legal limits on PFAS levels in Jersey's drinking water, and challenges to the proposed concentrations and timescales will be discussed.

Politicians will also be asked to agree a legal limit for driving under the influence of cannabis.

Read: New rules proposed to tackle drug driving

Jersey Police will have more powers to catch and prosecute drug drivers, with the introduction of roadside testing.

The Justice Minister will ask for a law change to allow a single retrial in cases where a jury at Jersey's Royal Court has failed to reach a verdict.

Read: 'Not finding guilt is a verdict' says Human Rights Group on retrial law

Then Jersey Human Rights Group does not support the idea.

Protecting the use of cash, prohibiting ground solar farms and prosecuting illegal taxi services will all be debated too.

There'll be questions about the intended sale of Philip Le Feuvre House  and long-delayed appointment of a tenant for Les Creux Pavilion.

The Chief Minister and Minister for Children and Minister for Education face the final period of  'Questions without notice' of the current Assembly.

Jersey's general election is being held on Sunday 7 June, when nine senators, 28 deputies and 12 parish constables will be chosen to make up the island's next parliament.