Asm. Alex Sauickie

Maddy summaryThis bill requires facilities that produce, store, or recycle electric vehicle batteries (such as manufacturing plants or recycling centers) to display a standardized warning sign at every entrance. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) must develop the sign within one year - including a symbol, the warning "WARNING - ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY," and hazard information - and distribute it to all affected facilities. Facilities must install the sign at all entrances 18 months after the bill takes effect, with violations carrying fines of $100-$250 per offense. The sign aims to immediately alert first responders, like firefighters and police, to potential hazards when entering these sites.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's rural microenterprise permit law by expanding the definition of "qualifying land" to include properties covered by certain types of easement deeds. It specifically excludes portions of farms from preservation requirements when these easements are in place. The change allows farmers with such easements to apply for special permits for small-scale rural businesses (like bed-and-breakfasts or equipment repair) on their land, subject to limits like a one-acre area cap and no interference with farming. This directly affects farmers holding specific easements who seek to operate permitted microenterprises without triggering full farmland preservation rules on excluded portions.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill 4038 establishes a 17-member Commission on College and School Safety and Security within the Executive Branch (though independent of the Department of Education). The commission will assess security vulnerabilities at all public and nonpublic K-12 schools and colleges across the state, reviewing emergency plans, response times, campus technology, physical infrastructure, mental health services, and accessibility for students with disabilities. It will develop recommendations for best practices to improve safety, including guidelines for emergency planning and security technology. The bill creates a structured process for the commission’s formation, membership appointments, and annual operations, but does not mandate specific security measures or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to create a Veterans Outdoor Recovery Task Force. The task force, led by DVA and Environmental Protection commissioners, will identify barriers to using public outdoor spaces for veteran mental health treatment and develop recommendations to improve access. It must hold public hearings statewide, coordinate with land agencies, and submit findings to the legislature and governor within 18 months. The policy directly affects veterans - particularly those with PTSD, as cited by the bill - by aiming to expand outdoor therapy options as part of their recovery.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Energy Generation Ombudsman within the New Jersey Department of Treasury. The ombudsman will help energy companies navigate permitting rules, resolve disputes with agencies, and monitor approval processes. It requires state agencies to prioritize permit reviews for projects that increase electricity production, such as solar or wind facilities. The office will provide information, assist with applications, and identify bottlenecks in the permitting system to speed up clean energy development.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4060) prevents local governments from approving new warehouse construction on active farmland unless developers commit to preserving an equivalent amount of farmland. It requires that no "speculative" warehouse development (construction without a tenant or buyer) can proceed until the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) confirms 500,000 acres of farmland are preserved under state programs. Developers may still move forward by pledging to preserve farmland equal to the proposed warehouse site size. The bill expires once the SADC reports reaching the 500,000-acre preservation target, which currently stands at 248,009 acres as of January 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4035) requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to assess the cumulative stormwater impact of warehouse and high-density development projects during permit reviews. It directly affects developers seeking approval for such projects and the DEP, which must now evaluate how stormwater from these developments affects not just the applicant municipality but also neighboring municipalities and the broader watershed. Key provisions mandate the DEP to ensure stormwater management minimizes offsite runoff, protects stream channels, promotes groundwater recharge, and prevents increased pollution in the watershed. The law aims to address regional environmental impacts often overlooked in traditional permit reviews for large-scale developments.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides tax credits to electricity generators (companies operating power plants) who increase their energy output by at least 5% through qualifying infrastructure upgrades. Generators can claim credits covering up to 75% of upgrade costs or $5 million per company, whichever is lower, to offset Corporate Business Tax and gross income tax. To qualify, generators must apply for certification showing the 5% production increase, documenting specific upgrades like efficiency improvements, grid technology, or renewable energy integration. The total credits across all generators are capped at $100 million statewide, and unused credits may be carried forward for up to four tax years. The program requires documentation of actual energy production changes and prohibits double-counting with other tax benefits.

Maddy summaryAssembly Bill A4061 requires developers to obtain a "certificate of need" from the Office of Local Planning Services (DCA) before municipal agencies can approve construction or expansion of warehouses over 100,000 square feet. This applies to facilities storing goods for distribution, including distribution centers and flex-warehouses. The bill mandates developers prove at least 90% of space is pre-leased (for multi-tenant) or 100% (for single-tenant) before submitting development applications. Municipalities cannot approve such projects without this certificate, aiming to prevent vacant warehouse development by ensuring tenant commitment. The bill directly affects developers, municipalities, and businesses planning large warehouse projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Office of Planning Advocacy to publish a bi-annual list online of all warehouses exceeding 100,000 square feet. The list must include specific details like location, occupancy rates (rented/leased/purchased space), employee counts, traffic volume, whether the warehouse was built on farmland, environmental features, and if it's in an overburdened community. This directly affects warehouse operators (who must provide data) and provides local governments and the public with accessible information for planning decisions. The mandate applies to all such warehouses statewide, with no exemptions mentioned. The bill amends existing law to add this transparency requirement to the office's duties.