Asm. Luanne Peterpaul

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to study how data centers impact electricity rates for residential customers. The BPU must determine if non-data center customers unfairly subsidize data center costs, whether infrastructure for data centers causes unreasonable rate hikes, and project the future portion of residential rates attributable to data centers over the next 20 years. The study will also evaluate policy options to prevent rate increases from data center growth. The BPU must complete the study within one year and submit a report to the governor and legislature within 15 months.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits public institutions of higher education in New Jersey from entering into sports wagering partnerships that involve advertising or marketing in stadiums, digital/broadcast sports content, or other campus-related channels. It specifically bans agreements between universities (including athletic departments or booster clubs) and sports wagering operators for student or campus audience access. Exceptions exist for academic partnerships with casinos/sports wagering licensees that provide student learning opportunities, and for related foundations that avoid direct student advertising (e.g., no on-campus marketing or targeted digital ads to enrolled students). The law takes effect immediately upon approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the prohibition on medical cannabis dispensaries establishing satellite locations in New Jersey. It allows dispensaries to open one satellite location after obtaining approval from the Cannabis Regulatory Commission. The bill specifically permits alternative treatment centers that received permits before or after the effective date of P.L.2019, c.153 to maintain up to two satellite locations, while other dispensaries can establish only one satellite location. This change aims to expand access to medical cannabis services while maintaining regulatory oversight through commission approval.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A4915 requires the state Department of State to create a public "Reproductive Health Travel Advisory" for New Jersey residents traveling while pregnant. The advisory categorizes all U.S. states into three color-coded tiers based on reproductive healthcare access: "Blue" (full access without legal risk), "Yellow" (restricted access with potential legal consequences), and "Red" (extreme restrictions risking denial of emergency care). It provides detailed state-specific information on abortion bans, funding, and legal protections, and must be updated on the state website whenever another state changes its reproductive health laws. This helps residents make informed travel decisions regarding pregnancy-related medical needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to revise community solar program targets to add 3,000 megawatts of solar capacity, to be registered by December 31, 2029. The BPU must open registration for this capacity by August 1, 2025, and accept applications until the target is met or the deadline passes. The bill also removes the previous annual goal of 150 megawatts for the program. It maintains existing requirements for low and moderate income customer participation and project standards, including access to solar energy and monthly reporting.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes permanent an annual $500,000 allocation from the Clean Communities Program Fund for public outreach about New Jersey's single-use plastics reduction program. The fund is financed by fees from businesses that produce litter-generating products, penalties, and voluntary donations. The funds will continue to support public education campaigns and the distribution of reusable bags, as established under current law. This change removes the temporary three-year limit that previously applied to this specific allocation.

Maddy summaryThe bill appropriates state and federal funds to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for environmental infrastructure projects in fiscal year 2026. It authorizes the DEP to provide zero-interest and principal-forgiveness loans to local governments and public water utilities for clean water and drinking water projects, including 151 clean water projects totaling $1.7 billion and 59 drinking water projects totaling $651.7 million. The bill specifies different funding mechanisms, including full principal forgiveness for qualifying projects and blended interest rates for larger projects, with all funding expiring on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey school boards to award preschool education contracts directly to licensed childcare providers or Head Start programs without public bidding, through a board resolution. It extends the maximum contract term for these services from two years to three years. Boards must still document their reasons for using this exception and make contracts available for public inspection. The bill specifically applies to preschool services supported by state preschool education aid.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $107,999,000 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues and Green Acres funds to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for local government open space and park projects. The funds will support $22.4 million for land acquisition, $80.3 million for park development (including inclusive playgrounds), and $3 million for a new planning grant program. It prioritizes projects in densely populated areas (defined as municipalities with at least 5,000 people per square mile or 35,000 people total) and requires Joint Budget Oversight Committee approval for fund distribution. The bill specifies eligible projects across 30+ municipalities and counties for recreation, conservation, and park improvements. Local governments will use these funds to develop recreational spaces, conserve natural areas, and enhance existing parks.

Maddy summary# Summary of New Jersey Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Bill This bill significantly modifies New Jersey's film and digital media tax credit program (the "Garden State Film and Digital Media Jobs Act") with several key changes: ## Key Changes 1. **Program Extension**: Extends the program's availability until July 1, 2049 (10 years longer than current law). 2. **Increased Tax Credits**: - Raises the tax credit rate for New Jersey studio partners from 35% to 40% of qualified film production expenses when expenses are incurred within a 30-mile radius of a specific NYC location. - Adds a new 4.5% promotional credit for qualifying film productions. 3. **New Promotion Credit**: - Requires a plan with at least 2 of 8 specific criteria to qualify for a 4.5% promotional credit (up to 9% if meeting 4 criteria). - Criteria include: - Creating promotional videos about NJ filming locations - Social media posts about positive NJ experiences - Placing NJ promotional logos - Setting films partially in NJ - Supporting workforce development programs - Providing internships for residents of disadvantaged areas - Engaging vendors in economically disadvantaged areas 4. **Definition Changes**: - Replaces "independent post-production company" with "qualified post-production company" - Modifies "highly compensated individual" definition to $750,000 threshold for all taxpayers (removing previous distinction for studio partners) - Expands "film" definition to include ongoing TV productions that relocated to NJ and feature news/current events 5. **Deferred Compensation**: - Extends supplemental report deadline from 2 to 4 years after production concludes - Allows deferred compensation payments to labor unions to be included in qualified expenses 6. **Maximum Credit Availability**: - Increases maximum cumulative award for studio partners to $300 million (from $150 million) beginning in fiscal year 2026 - Reduces additional discretionary awards from $400 million to $250 million 7. **Recapture Provisions**: - Limits recapture of tax credits to the initial recipient (not purchasers/assignees) - Adds exceptions for failure to occupy facilities due to circumstances outside the taxpayer's control 8. **Diversity Plan Credit**: - Replaces diversity plan requirements (focused on hiring minority persons and women) with requirements focused on hiring from economically disadvantaged areas, distressed municipalities, or federal land. 9. **Tax Credit Purchase**: - Requires the director to purchase unused tax credits at 95% of value (up from 75%) if certain conditions are met. This bill represents a significant expansion of incentives for film and digital media production in New Jersey, with increased financial incentives, new promotional requirements, and extended program availability.