Asm. Alex Sauickie

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Wine and Grape Institute within the Department of Agriculture to advance research, marketing, and education for the state's wine and grape industry. It appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund to the New Jersey Wine and Grape Fund, which will support the Institute's work - including 25-50% of funds dedicated to research on production, marketing, and industry promotion. The Institute, governed by a 7-member board with specific industry representation (including winery owners, grape product manufacturers, and agricultural educators), will develop marketing campaigns, organize educational events, and publish industry information. The bill requires annual reporting on funding use, research outcomes, and program effectiveness to the Governor and Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to discontinue the Infrastructure Investment Program (IIP), ending the BPU's ability to approve new infrastructure projects through this specific process. It prohibits the BPU from accepting new IIP petitions or approving pending ones without conducting a full rate review for the utility involved. Utilities with existing IIP petitions must either include their proposed investments in their next regular base rate case or provide all required information for a full review within 90 days (with possible extensions). Failure to meet the deadline results in the petition being withdrawn and no longer processed separately from standard rate reviews.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5061) requires the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to provide written responses to specific written concerns raised by the Division of Rate Counsel during rate proceedings for electric utilities. It directly affects the BPU and the Division of Rate Counsel, mandating that the BPU cannot take final action on such proceedings until all written concerns have been formally addressed in writing. The bill does not require the BPU to follow the Division's recommendations, only to respond to their concerns. This procedural change applies to all rate proceedings beginning after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5058) requires New Jersey electric public utilities to submit transmission project proposals to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) for approval before starting new transmission lines or modifying existing ones. Utilities must include details on environmental impacts, all project costs, how the project meets a public need (like improved reliability or lower consumer costs), and cheaper alternatives. The BPU has 90 days to review and decide if the project is reasonable, in the public interest, and cost-effective, requiring approval if it meets these criteria. The bill applies to all utilities that transmit electricity to end users within New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow restaurants and licensed alcoholic beverage retailers (including bars, wineries, breweries, and distilleries) to operate in designated outdoor spaces adjacent to their business premises, including on public sidewalks. It creates a "premises expansion permit" process requiring applications to either the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (for licensed businesses) or municipal zoning officers (for restaurants without alcohol licenses), with requirements for security plans and property descriptions. Municipalities may regulate hours of operation but must allow outdoor service outside specific hours (10pm-11am on Sundays-Wednesdays, and 12am-11am on Thurs-Sat), and cannot prohibit outdoor service for businesses already operating under legal or disciplinary restrictions. The bill specifies that State-owned rights-of-way require separate approval from the New Jersey Department of Transportation, with setback requirements for roads intersecting state highways.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for assaulting law enforcement officers, making it a second-degree crime when bodily injury occurs (previously a third-degree crime). It expands protection to include firefighters and emergency medical personnel who are assaulted while performing their duties. The bill requires offenders to provide a blood or biological sample for testing for communicable diseases, with any positive results shared with the victim. It also prohibits plea bargains for assault on law enforcement officers and prevents convictions from merging with other offenses. The bill takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Local Farm Roadway Improvement Fund" to provide financial assistance for road projects that address traffic disruptions caused by farm equipment. Counties and municipalities can apply to the Department of Transportation for grants or loans to fund improvements like expanded road shoulders or pull-off areas on roads frequently used by slow-moving farm vehicles. The fund, drawn from existing transportation appropriations, requires projects to relieve congestion in farm communities where farm equipment unduly disrupts traffic flow. It directly affects local governments seeking road upgrades and farmers operating slow-moving equipment on public roads.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires State Agricultural Development Committees (SADC) and local boards acquiring farmland for preservation to provide landowners with a 20% advance payment before final settlement. The payment amount is based on either the appraised fair market value or the final negotiated purchase price of the development easement or fee simple title. If the acquisition is completed, the advance payment is deducted from the final purchase price. If the deal falls through, landowners must repay the advance payment, which becomes a debt that can be secured by a lien on their property.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5013) creates a 90-day state tax amnesty period ending January 15, 2026, allowing taxpayers with unpaid New Jersey state taxes for returns due between September 2017 and January 2025 to pay the full tax amount plus half the accrued interest (as of November 1, 2025) without penalties, late fees, or the remaining interest. Taxpayers under criminal tax investigation are ineligible, and participants must relinquish all appeal rights. All funds collected during the amnesty period (excluding constitutionally dedicated revenues) are dedicated to a Stabilization Aid Account for school districts that experienced reduced state aid in the prior year. The bill appropriates up to $15 million from these funds to administer the program, including expedited advertising for the amnesty initiative.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey residents eligible for SNAP (food assistance) or WIC (nutrition program for mothers/children) to take family and consumer science courses at public colleges tuition-free. Public institutions must permit enrollment without tuition if classroom space is available and regular tuition-paying students meet the course minimum. The bill specifies no academic credit will be awarded for these courses, and it applies only to courses in family and consumer science. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.