Asm. Gerry Scharfenberger

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 requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs to calculate affordable housing obligations using a statewide growth-share method instead of individual municipal calculations. It treats the entire state as a single housing region, determining housing needs over a 10-year period based on residential and non-residential development growth across the state. The calculation method includes foreclosed and abandoned properties, excludes new housing starts during administrative rule gaps, and caps new obligations at five percent of the existing statewide housing stock. Additionally, the bill directs the Commissioner of Community Affairs to update existing deadlines to ensure prompt implementation and repeals two previous sections related to municipal housing obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's affordable housing requirements by excluding flood-prone and environmentally sensitive land from vacant land calculations used to determine housing obligations. It directly affects municipalities by allowing them to disregard certain land types - such as conservation areas, historic sites, and lands below flood elevation - when assessing available resources for affordable housing projects. The legislation also establishes a cap on housing obligations for municipalities that lack sufficient vacant land and removes the Council on Affordable Housing, shifting responsibility to local governments to calculate their housing needs. Additionally, the bill provides municipalities with immunity from exclusionary zoning lawsuits if they meet specific deadlines for determining housing obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires nursing homes in New Jersey to provide detailed financial and ownership information to the Department of Health before a sale or transfer of ownership occurs. The new requirements include submitting a transfer fee, a cover letter identifying the facility, a description of the transaction with full details on current and proposed owners, and copies of sales and management agreements. The Department of Health must post these applications on its website within 30 days while redacting personal and proprietary information, and the public will have an opportunity to comment on each transfer. Additionally, ownership transfer approval depends on the Department reviewing the new owners' disciplinary history and ensuring all outstanding Medicaid claims and penalties are resolved or assumed by the new owners.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to study how large data centers affect water resources. The study must examine short-term (3-year) and long-term (7-year) water use impacts on drinking water systems, wastewater systems, and the environment, including costs, operational effects, and potential future projects. DEP must report findings within 15 months of the bill's effective date, analyzing water usage patterns, cost impacts on public systems, and possible conservation strategies. The study directly affects data center operators and state water infrastructure, but does not impose new restrictions or requirements.

Maddy summaryBill A 1368 requires all New Jersey State employees with access to state agency computers - including legislators and executive branch staff - to complete annual cybersecurity training. The training, developed by the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC), covers practical skills like updating passwords, detecting phishing scams, preventing ransomware, and responding to data breaches. The Director of Homeland Security must create implementation guidelines for the program. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases annual cigarette and tobacco tax revenue allocated to the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research from $1 million to $10 million and creates a dedicated, non-lapsing Cancer Research Fund within the state treasury. The fund will be managed by the State Treasurer and used exclusively for grants and contracts supporting general cancer research and pediatric cancer research, with at least $5 million each year designated for each category. By establishing a revolving fund, the bill ensures that money and any earned interest remain available for future research projects rather than being transferred to the general budget each year.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments for retirement benefits of certain members of the State Police Retirement System in New Jersey. The legislation amends existing state laws to restore COLA provisions that were previously removed, ensuring that eligible retirees receive annual benefit increases tied to inflation. The bill directly affects current and former state police officers who are part of the SPRS and whose retirement benefits would otherwise remain fixed without automatic adjustments. No new funding mechanisms or changes to the retirement board structure are included in this measure.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates November 2026 as Veterans Month in New Jersey to honor the service and sacrifices of military veterans. The resolution allows the Governor to issue a proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs. It does not create new funding or policy changes but serves as a symbolic recognition of the approximately 350,000 veterans residing in the state. The measure takes effect immediately upon passage and focuses on acknowledging the contributions of those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public school boards in New Jersey to create and adopt suicide prevention policies for their districts. It directs the state Department of Education to develop a model policy that schools can use as a guide when crafting their own plans. Each school district must consult with mental health professionals and community stakeholders when developing their policy, which must cover prevention, intervention, and postvention procedures. The final policies must be posted on each school district's website and made known to students, parents, and guardians.