Asm. Gerry Scharfenberger

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a grant program administered by New Jersey's Commissioner of Education to help school districts fund substance abuse prevention programs for eighth grade students. The programs must include two required components: training for school staff and parents on recognizing substance abuse risks, and a four-phase student program featuring real-life stories from rehabilitation residents, family members affected by substance abuse, correctional facility inmates, and positive role models. School districts must apply for grants and prove they have funding (from district budgets, private donations, or federal sources) to cover the program. Parents may opt their child out of the student program without academic penalty if it conflicts with their religious or moral beliefs.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits electric utility rate increases for residential customers in New Jersey during summer (June 1-August 31) and gas utility rate increases during winter (January 1-March 31). It directly affects homeowners who rely on electricity or natural gas for heating and cooling. The law prevents utility companies from implementing new rates during peak seasonal demand periods, requiring rate changes to occur outside these months. This policy change aims to avoid sudden bill spikes when energy usage and costs typically rise.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises how New Jersey municipalities receive funding from the Alcohol Education, Rehabilitation and Enforcement Fund (AEREF) for maintaining municipal courts. Starting January 15, 2023, each municipality must annually report its previous year's drunk driving arrest count to the Administrative Office of the Courts. Funding allocation is calculated using a two-part formula: 50% based on the current year's arrest rate and 50% based on the municipality's five-year average arrest rate, then combined to determine each municipality's share of available funds. The funds must be used specifically for municipal court operations, including overtime pay for judges, prosecutors, and court staff.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4501) requires New Jersey public utilities to notify customers directly when filing for rate increases. It mandates that utilities include specific details in the first bill sent after filing, such as the filing summary, reasoning for the increase, its impact on customers, hearing information, and how to submit testimony. Customers can also opt into email alerts about related public hearings. The law applies to all utilities filing rate change petitions with the Board of Public Utilities and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 125) is a symbolic statement expressing the New Jersey General Assembly's "no confidence" in the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), the agency responsible for regulating energy rates and services. It cites concerns that BPU policies have contributed to electricity prices 27% above the national average and a projected 17-20% increase in average monthly bills following a BPU-certified auction. The resolution states the Assembly no longer trusts the BPU to ensure affordable energy rates or effectively address rising costs for residents. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change policy but formally communicates legislative disapproval to the BPU and Governor.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires random drug testing for adults receiving benefits through New Jersey's Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) program, which assists low-income families. The state's Human Services Commissioner will administer the testing (costing the program), but passing or failing the test won't directly affect benefit eligibility. Instead, individuals who test positive may be required to complete an approved drug treatment program to continue receiving WFNJ benefits. The bill also mandates seeking federal waivers for implementation and takes effect seven months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to include a plain language summary in its final orders when approving or denying utility rate increase requests. The summary must clearly explain the utility's request, the BPU's reasoning for its decision, the specific rate changes (current vs. new rates and total increase), customer impact, and other key details like the utility's rate of return. It directly affects utility customers by making complex rate decisions easier to understand, especially during periods of rising costs. The BPU must include these summaries in all final rate decision orders, replacing technical jargon with accessible language. The bill does not change how rate decisions are made, only how they are communicated to the public.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds specific illicit fentanyl compounds - including Furanyl Fentanyl and other analogs - to Schedule I of New Jersey's Controlled Dangerous Substances Act. It directly affects anyone possessing, distributing, or manufacturing these substances within New Jersey, as they will now be classified under the highest restriction for illegal drugs. The key mechanism explicitly defines "illicit fentanyls" to include all salts, isomers, and analogs of listed fentanyl compounds, preventing evasion through minor chemical modifications. This update aligns New Jersey's law with federal efforts to address the fentanyl crisis by banning these dangerous synthetic opioids under the state's strictest drug control category.

Maddy summaryAJR 153 designates May of each year as "Apraxia Awareness Month" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging state agencies, organizations, and residents to hold awareness activities about apraxia. Apraxia is a neurological condition affecting motor planning, making it difficult to perform voluntary movements like speaking, walking, or using tools, which may occur at birth or result from brain injury or disease. This symbolic resolution aims to increase public awareness and support for individuals affected by apraxia.

Maddy summaryThis bill lowers the minimum age for surviving spouses to qualify for New Jersey's homestead property tax reimbursement program from 65 to 62 years old. It directly affects surviving spouses of eligible homeowners who were previously ineligible until age 65, allowing them to claim the benefit earlier. The change applies to any tax year for which reimbursement is sought, without altering other requirements like income limits or residency rules. The bill amends existing law (P.L.1997, c.348) to update the age eligibility threshold.