Asm. Alex Sauickie

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey electric utilities to create service restoration plans for communities where at least 40% of residents rely on private well water or septic systems. These plans must include specific water resources like bottled water stations, water tanker trucks, and other community-specific supplies during prolonged power outages caused by major events (e.g., storms or disasters). Utilities must submit these plans to the Board of Public Utilities within one year of the bill's effective date, and the Board will post all plans online for public access. The goal is to ensure these vulnerable communities receive timely water access and power restoration, addressing health risks linked to extended outages.

Maddy summaryACR 164 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring New Jersey to limit annual increases in the value used to calculate property taxes to no more than 2% of the prior year's value for most real property. This would apply to all homeowners and businesses, with exceptions for properties that change ownership or for farmland switching from agricultural to non-agricultural use, which would trigger a reassessment. After such an exception event, the property would be reassessed as of October 1 of the following year, and the 2% limit would apply to future increases. The amendment would require the legislature to pass implementing laws, but does not take effect until approved by voters.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A5659 establishes the "New Jersey Commission to Reform the Assessment and Taxation of Residential Real Property" to study and propose changes to the state's property tax system. The commission, composed of 11 members including the State Treasurer and regionally appointed experts, will examine property tax assessment methods, funding for local services (like schools and fire districts), and identify ways to reduce the burden on residential property owners. It must issue a final report with specific recommendations within 18 months, including potential constitutional amendments or new revenue sources to replace reliance on property taxes. The bill directly affects all New Jersey homeowners and renters facing high property tax costs, as highlighted by the Legislature noting New Jersey's national ranking for the highest effective property tax rate in 2022.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends key climate and clean energy deadlines in New Jersey by five years. It postpones the target date for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 2006 levels from 2050 to 2055, delays the requirement for 35% of electricity to come from Class I renewable sources from 2030 to 2035, and extends the goal of achieving 2,000 megawatts of energy storage from 2030 to 2035. The bill directly affects New Jersey's energy providers, environmental planning, and climate policy implementation. The extension aims to provide more time for the state to meet these goals without causing harmful energy price increases or usage restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides tax credits to electricity generators in New Jersey who upgrade existing facilities to increase grid energy output by at least 5%. Specifically, it allows a credit against corporation business tax (CBT) and gross income tax equal to up to 75% of qualifying upgrade costs (capped at $5 million per taxpayer), covering expenses like efficiency improvements, renewable integration, or grid technology enhancements. To qualify, generators must document the 5% increase in energy production (measured in kilowatt hours) through a certification process with the Board of Public Utilities. The total tax credits across all taxpayers are limited to $100 million, and the program requires a five-year effectiveness report to the Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis is a legislative resolution (ACR 163), not a bill with regulatory effect. It declares natural gas a "clean fuel" for New Jersey's energy policy purposes and recognizes its role in reducing emissions compared to coal or oil. The resolution specifically cites natural gas's lower carbon dioxide emissions per unit of energy and its contribution to the state's greenhouse gas reduction targets. It will be sent to the Governor and the Board of Public Utilities but does not change any laws or regulations governing energy production or usage.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) from approving rate increases for electric and gas utilities that use "inclining block rates" for residential customers. Inclining block rates charge higher prices once a household's usage exceeds certain thresholds, regardless of when energy is used. The bill requires the BPU to deny rate hikes for such utilities, citing a 2024 report stating these rates are outdated and do not reflect actual energy costs. It directly affects residential electricity and gas customers, particularly those in summer months when usage thresholds are commonly exceeded.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5650) requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to publish clear, user-friendly information about third-party energy suppliers on its website and launch a public education campaign. It mandates the BPU to study other states' websites to create a model, then post supplier details quarterly in plain language explaining the benefits of choosing alternative electricity or gas providers. The bill directly affects all residential and commercial electric and gas public utility customers in New Jersey, who currently have limited awareness of their retail choice options (only 6.2% of residential electric and 2.5% of residential gas customers currently use third-party suppliers). The key mechanisms are the standardized website information and the ongoing awareness campaign to help customers make informed energy supplier decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1825) establishes guidelines for health insurance plans regarding "step therapy" protocols, which require patients to try lower-cost medications before coverage is provided for a preferred medication selected by their doctor. It requires insurers to base these protocols on clinical guidelines developed by expert panels with conflict-of-interest safeguards, and creates a clear process for patients to request exceptions when step therapy would be harmful or ineffective. Insurers must grant or deny exception requests within 72 hours (24 hours in emergencies), and must report on exception requests and outcomes to the state insurance commissioner. This affects all health insurance carriers in New Jersey, including those offering SHBP, SEHBP, and Medicaid plans, as well as the patients and healthcare providers who use these plans.

Maddy summaryAssembly Resolution 188 urges the Governor of New Jersey to declare an energy generation emergency. It cites New Jersey's loss of over 20% of its generating capacity in eight years and rising energy demands driven by data centers and industry growth as key reasons. The resolution calls for the Governor to prioritize expanding energy infrastructure and lowering electricity costs for consumers. This is a non-binding request to the Governor, not a law that would directly affect residents or businesses.