Asm. Alex Sauickie

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey state agencies to allocate $300 million from existing funds collected through the societal benefits charge and the Global Warming Solutions Fund to provide grants for building small modular nuclear reactors in the state. The legislation defines small modular reactors as nuclear power plants with a capacity of 300 megawatts or less that can operate alone or in groups and are licensed by the federal nuclear regulatory commission. The funding is intended to support construction projects starting in fiscal year 2026 and the program will expire on June 30, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities to create a program that offers incentives, such as tax credits, to artificial intelligence data centers that develop their own self-sufficient clean energy sources. It requires the board to establish responsible infrastructure standards that mandate data centers build their own energy generation facilities, maintain on-site power storage like fuel cells for grid emergencies, engage with local communities, and hire and train local workers. The bill also requires the board to publish these standards and maintain a public list of certified data centers that meet the requirements.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill updates protections for military personnel who are victims of sexual assault, child abuse, or neglect. It allows service members (including National Guard and Reserve members) to file for protective orders in any New Jersey court, regardless of where the incident occurred. The bill also removes fees for applicants, clarifies procedures for minors and victims with disabilities, and specifies that military protective orders can be used to initiate state court applications. It directly affects military victims and streamlines access to legal protections without requiring criminal charges first.

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies and extends temporary authorization for out-of-state health care professionals and recent graduates to provide remote care in New Jersey. It specifically allows licensed practitioners (such as nurses, physicians, and counselors) from other states, as well as recent graduates with temporary licenses, to offer telemedicine services without full New Jersey licensure. Key provisions require these providers to operate under existing "provisional authorization" or "temporary graduate license" frameworks, maintain valid liability insurance, and comply with New Jersey’s regulatory standards. The bill formalizes current practice for remote health care delivery via telemedicine, ensuring consistent rules for out-of-state providers offering virtual patient care.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state and local farmland preservation agencies to pay landowners an advance payment of 20 percent of the estimated sale price before the final settlement is completed. The advance payment is intended to demonstrate the agency's good faith commitment to proceed with the acquisition and is deducted from the final purchase price if the deal goes through. If the acquisition agreement is cancelled or abandoned before settlement, the landowner must repay the advance amount, which becomes a debt owed to the government and can be secured by a lien on the landowner's property. The legislation applies to both the State Agricultural Development Committee and any local boards acquiring farmland for preservation purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows solar energy facilities to be built on preserved farmland in New Jersey through lease agreements between landowners and solar developers. It permits these installations as long as they do not significantly interfere with farming activities and include specific requirements for lease terms, maintenance responsibilities, and land restoration after the lease ends. The legislation sets limits on how much energy can be generated and requires approval from a state committee before construction begins. Landowners must also ensure the solar equipment is used to power the farm or reduce energy costs through net metering programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes specific energy reduction and reporting rules that previously required electric and natural gas suppliers to disclose environmental information on customer bills. The legislation eliminates mandates for suppliers to show fuel mix details, emissions data, and emission reduction credits to help consumers compare energy providers. It also repeals requirements for the state board to establish interim disclosure standards and greenhouse gas emissions portfolio standards for electricity and gas providers. Directly affected parties include electric power suppliers, basic generation service providers, and New Jersey consumers who previously relied on these disclosures for informed energy choices. The changes simplify regulatory compliance for energy companies by removing these specific reporting obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to impose financial penalties on public utilities that fail to provide necessary information during audits. Under the new provisions, utilities would face a $500 daily penalty for each day after they are notified that they have not supplied sufficient data to complete an audit. The legislation also amends existing laws to increase penalties for non-compliance with BPU orders, raising the daily fine for general non-compliance to $100 and $250 for failures to resume discontinued service. These penalties would be collected by the BPU through a streamlined court process. The measure is designed to ensure utilities cooperate with audit procedures by providing timely access to required records.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric public utilities in New Jersey to create service restoration plans for communities that rely on private wells or septic systems. It defines these communities as areas where at least 40% of residential customers depend on private well water and mandates that utilities prioritize them during extended power outages lasting more than 24 hours. The plans must include provisions for at least one watering station with bottled water, a water tanker truck, and other resources needed for residents and livestock. Utilities must submit these plans to the Board of Public Utilities within one year of the bill's effective date, and the board will make the plans available on its website.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public utilities in New Jersey to offer rebates of at least 20 percent of the total cost for residential products and appliances that carry the federal Energy Star label. The requirement applies specifically to rebate programs administered as part of energy efficiency or peak demand reduction initiatives approved by the Board of Public Utilities. The measure directly affects utility companies that operate these rebate programs and consumers purchasing Energy Star-rated items through those programs. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.