Asm. Greg McGuckin

Maddy summaryThis bill (A761) requires public utilities in New Jersey to reimburse business customers for lost income when a business must temporarily close due to utility repairs or replacements on the business's property. The Board of Public Utilities (BPU) determines the reimbursement amount based on documentation provided by the affected business. Utilities cannot recover these reimbursement costs from other ratepayers through higher rates. The requirement does not apply during declared emergencies (like hurricanes or floods) that cause widespread service interruptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey elementary and secondary schools larger than 12,000 square feet to install automatic fire suppression systems. It directly affects existing large public and private schools meeting the size threshold, extending a requirement previously only applied to new construction since the 1980s. The Commissioner of Education, with input from the Commissioner of Community Affairs, must create implementation rules - including prioritization for installation - and the State Treasurer can allocate existing state funds (including economic development bond proceeds) to help schools comply. The mandate takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's licensing fees for polysomnographic technologists, technicians, and trainees. Currently, technologists pay $500 for initial and renewal licenses (renewed biennially), while technicians pay $150 and trainees $50. The bill sets a new maximum fee of $150 for technologists/technicians and $50 for trainees. These changes aim to reduce costs for practitioners by aligning fees more closely with other licensed healthcare professionals. The bill directly affects individuals seeking or maintaining licensure in polysomnography within New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows courts to require individuals convicted of certain offenses to pay for public rescue operations they triggered. Specifically, it applies when someone commits criminal mischief (like damaging property) AND one of three driving violations: reckless driving, careless driving, or operating a vehicle unsafely. Courts can then charge the offender for costs incurred by public entities - such as police, emergency medical services, or rescue teams - during the recovery of the person, their pet, or property. The law aims to hold accountable those whose reckless actions directly cause public resources to be used for rescues.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases fines for commercial vehicle owners who fail to display required owner and location markings. The current $10 fine is raised to $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second, and $1,000 for third or subsequent offenses. Commercial vehicles must display the owner's name and principal business municipality in clear, 3-inch letters. Fines collected will fund road repairs across New Jersey, as specified in the existing law.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey colleges and universities from authorizing, funding, or supporting events or organizations that promote antisemitism or hate speech on campus. It directly affects all public and private higher education institutions in New Jersey, requiring them to comply with the definition of antisemitism established by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) in 2016. The law specifically bans institutional support for any activity that uses antisemitic rhetoric or glorifies violence against Jewish people, as outlined in the bill's findings about campus incidents following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. The measure would take effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides supplemental state school aid to New Jersey school districts that experienced reduced state funding between the 2018-2019 and 2021-2022 school years due to the state's school funding formula. It requires the state to restore the full amount of aid that was reduced during those years, to be paid in the 2022-2023 school year. The bill specifically applies to districts that had a positive State aid differential or met certain ratio thresholds under the School Funding Reform Act of 2008. This change directly affects eligible school districts by returning previously reduced funding without altering the underlying funding formula.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state employees, agencies, and contractors from downloading or using the TikTok app or visiting its website on any state-issued or state-leased electronic device (including phones, computers, and tablets). It exempts law enforcement officers using TikTok for investigations, requiring the Attorney General to create guidelines for such use. Violations carry fines up to $1,000 or up to six months in jail. The law takes immediate effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires explosive gas detectors in one- and two-family homes before initial occupancy or a change of occupancy, and in hotels, apartment buildings, and rooming/boarding houses for every residential unit. Detectors must meet safety standards for detecting methane and propane gas, or a combined device can be used. Property owners must ensure compliance or face a $100 fine, though the requirement can be waived if a hazard assessment by the Commissioner of Community Affairs confirms no explosive gas risk exists. The bill aligns with existing carbon monoxide detector requirements but specifically targets gas explosion risks.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases minimum auto insurance coverage requirements in New Jersey. It raises the minimum bodily injury coverage to $50,000 per person and $100,000 for multiple people injured in an accident. It also increases minimum property damage coverage to $25,000 per accident for standard automobile insurance policies. Basic auto insurance policies will see their property damage coverage raised from $5,000 to $15,000 per accident. These changes apply to all drivers purchasing standard or basic auto insurance policies in New Jersey.