Asm. Erik Simonsen

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's existing small business loan program administered by the Economic Development Authority (EDA) to include certified broadband telecommunications service providers operating in rural areas. It specifically adds "broadband telecommunications service providers" to the list of eligible borrowers, defined as entities certified by the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to offer high-speed broadband (25 Mbps download/3 Mbps upload) in rural areas (population ≤30,000 and density <4,000/sq mile). The EDA will administer these loans with consultation from the BPU, following existing program rules for small business loans. This change allows rural broadband providers to access capital for infrastructure and operations under the same framework as other small businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey electric utilities to identify communities where at least 40% of residential customers rely on private wells for water. Utilities must develop service restoration plans for these communities during major outages (like storms) and provide watering stations with bottled water, water tankers, and resources for livestock. The law mandates annual customer surveys to confirm well-water reliance and prioritizes restoring power to these areas alongside other critical facilities. It directly affects utilities serving qualifying municipalities, ensuring residents and livestock have access to water during extended power disruptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill redirects 50% of fiscal year 2023 transportation and security aid currently allocated to "remote school districts" to "in-person school districts." Remote districts are defined as those certifying (under penalty of perjury) they offered in-person instruction on 50% or fewer school days during 2021-2022; in-person districts must certify 75% or more in-person days. The redistributed funds will be distributed equally per student to qualifying in-person districts. The bill applies to existing aid already allocated for the 2022-2023 school year, not new funding. It requires school superintendents to provide certification to determine district classifications.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of State to create and implement a marketing plan focused on attracting, expanding, and retaining manufacturing businesses in southern New Jersey counties (Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem). The plan must be developed within one year of the bill's enactment and updated every five years, with the goal of boosting job growth and capital investment in the region. The Secretary can request assistance from state agencies like the Economic Development Authority, Business Action Center, and workforce or transportation departments to gather data on funding, workforce needs, and infrastructure. The policy directly affects manufacturers in these counties and aims to strategically allocate state resources to support their growth.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's official definition of anti-Semitism based on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition adopted in 2016. It requires state agencies, educational institutions, and others reviewing discrimination complaints to use this definition when determining if an act was motivated by anti-Semitic intent. The definition explicitly states that criticism of Israel similar to criticism of any other country does not constitute anti-Semitism. The bill clarifies it does not override First Amendment rights or existing state/federal anti-discrimination laws.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill prohibits elected municipal officials (such as mayors, council members, or commissioners) from accepting any paid employment with the same municipality they serve. It amends the Local Government Ethics Law (P.L.1991, c.29) to add a clear, explicit ban - stating elected officers "shall not accept any other paid position or employment with the municipality." The rule applies immediately to all future employment opportunities within the municipality, eliminating ambiguity around existing ethics rules that previously addressed conflicts only indirectly. This change directly affects local elected leaders by preventing them from using their office to secure personal financial gain through municipal employment.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts sales of passenger automobiles to honorably discharged veterans with a service-connected disability from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It directly affects eligible veterans who purchased a passenger vehicle (defined as standard cars for passenger transport, excluding buses) after the law takes effect. The exemption applies to the sale price only if the veteran's disability was verified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as incurred during military service. The bill defines "service-connected disability" and clarifies that "passenger automobile" excludes commercial vehicles like school buses.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts New Jersey veterans who are permanently 100% disabled (as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) from paying motor vehicle registration fees for one passenger vehicle. It directly affects eligible disabled veterans who own a vehicle not used for hire. The law requires the Adjutant General and the Motor Vehicle Commission to notify these veterans about the fee exemption. The exemption applies to vehicles registered in the veteran's name and does not cover commercial vehicles. The bill amends existing law to update eligibility criteria and add the notification requirement.

Maddy summaryMichelle's Law requires New Jersey health insurance plans to cover mammograms when recommended by a healthcare provider, regardless of the patient's age. This expands current coverage, which only requires mammograms for women 40 and older or younger women with specific risk factors like family history of breast cancer. The bill also mandates coverage for additional testing like ultrasounds or MRIs after a mammogram if recommended by a provider. This affects health insurance companies, requiring them to cover these services without prior authorization when recommended by a healthcare provider.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill increases penalties for identity theft when the victim is a senior citizen (62 or older) or a veteran. For example, if a senior or veteran is the sole victim and the theft involves less than $500, a first offense becomes a third-degree crime (previously fourth-degree), and repeat offenses become second-degree crimes (previously third-degree). The bill also raises penalties for trafficking personal identifying information obtained from facilities serving seniors or veterans (like retirement communities or veterans' facilities), with higher quantities of stolen data leading to more severe charges. These changes make penalties stricter when vulnerable groups are targeted, without altering the core definition of identity theft.