State Assembly chambers

A view of the state Assembly chambers at the Statehouse in Trenton.

(Amanda Marzullo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

TRENTON -- Thursday was a busy day at the Statehouse, with both the state Senate and Assembly passing a number of bills. Here is a look at the key ones that moved ahead:

BAN ON BEACH SMOKING

Both houses passed a bill that would ban smoking and vaping in New Jersey's parks and beaches.

MINIMUM WAGE HIKE

The Assembly passed a bill that would increase New Jersey's minimum wage to $15 -- though Gov. Chris Christie is expected to veto it.

ATLANTIC CITY DEAL

Both houses ended months of arguments by passing compromise legislation to help rescue Atlantic City from financial collapse.

A NEW LAWMAKER

The Assembly swore in a new member: Robert Karabinchak, a Democrat who was picked to fill a vacant seat in the 18th District.

TRANSPORTATION FIX WITHOUT GAS HIKE

State Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth) announced she is introducing two bills to free up billions of dollars in the state budget to fund the near-broke Transportation Trust Fund for seven years without raising the gas tax.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.