Asm. Tennille McCoy

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Bill A2478 establishes the Artificial Intelligence Ethics Board within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The board will oversee the sale and use of AI technology in the state, requiring vendors to conduct mandatory "AI Impact Assessments" before selling AI products. These assessments must evaluate privacy risks and potential job displacement, with the board setting minimum standards for them. The bill also directs the board to recommend worker protections, including advance notice, retraining, and severance for employees displaced by AI adoption by employers.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's local payroll tax law to require employers in municipalities with a local tax to submit quarterly payroll reports by specific deadlines (April, July, October, January) and provide additional information requested by the municipality. It prohibits employers from deducting the tax from employee pay, mandates confidentiality for reported data, and sets interest rates for late payments (8% on the first $1,500 overdue, 18% above that). The bill also prevents double taxation by exempting employees from New Jersey local tax if their out-of-state employer already pays a similar tax, requiring employers to submit documentation to resolve such cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates county-level educational service agencies (ESAs) that school districts must use to procure custodial and food services. It requires all school districts in a county to join the local ESA, which will negotiate master contracts for these services - replacing direct contracts between schools and private vendors. The bill specifically protects service employees (like cafeteria workers and custodians) by guaranteeing "recall rights," ensuring they can return to their previous jobs in seniority order if their former contractor is replaced by the ESA. This affects school districts, private service contractors, and approximately 10,000+ food/custodial workers across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how veterans prove their status when applying for New Jersey state civil service jobs. It allows applicants to submit a personal statement claiming veteran status instead of a formal determination from the state's Veterans Affairs office before being placed on an eligibility list. However, applicants must still provide the official determination of veteran status before being hired. The change affects all veterans eligible under New Jersey law, including those who served in major conflicts from World War I onward.

Maddy summaryThis bill redirects unspent animal control funds that municipalities and the state have held for over three years. Instead of returning to general funds, excess municipal funds are sent to county prosecutors (40%) and redistributed to municipalities (60%). Excess state funds go to the State Police (40%), county humane law enforcement officers (50%), and the Police Training Commission (10%). These funds must be used exclusively for enforcing animal cruelty laws and training law enforcement officers.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a certification process for nonprofits that help low- and moderate-income residents build or rehabilitate homes through sweat equity (where future occupants contribute labor instead of money). It waives certain regulatory requirements for these certified nonprofits, including adaptability rules for housing units and marketing mandates for municipalities to count sweat equity homes toward affordable housing obligations. The bill also allows certified nonprofits to use their own affordability controls instead of state-mandated standards and directs state offices to expedite assistance for these projects. It directly affects low- and moderate-income households seeking affordable housing and the nonprofits facilitating their home construction.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires cable television (CATV) companies to establish and maintain a toll-free phone number for customers to report service outages, receive real-time updates on outage status, and get estimated restoration times. It directly affects cable providers and their subscribers by mandating clear communication channels during service disruptions. Companies must publish the toll-free number with a purpose explanation on every customer bill and prominently on their website homepage. The bill focuses on improving customer transparency during outages without altering service standards or costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $10 million "Manufacturing Reboot Program" through New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to provide financial assistance to qualified manufacturing businesses affected by the pandemic. It targets businesses meeting specific criteria (e.g., paying above-average wages, providing health benefits, operating facilities with >50% manufacturing equipment) and prioritizes those retooling for healthcare products like PPE, medical devices, or vaccines. Grants of $25,000-$150,000 per business cover equipment, payroll, training, or expansion costs, with $5 million allocated specifically for vaccine production and $5 million for other healthcare products. Recipients must report quarterly on employment and spending, and the EDA must annually report program outcomes to the Governor and Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires vehicle manufacturers to disclose in the owner's manual when a car has a data recording device (like an event data recorder). It gives vehicle owners control over access to recorded data - such as speed, location, and crash information - and restricts others from accessing it without consent, except in specific cases like emergencies, repairs, court orders, or safety research. Insurers cannot penalize owners for refusing to share this data, and the bill prohibits altering crash data after serious incidents. It directly affects vehicle owners, manufacturers, insurers, and emergency responders.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A-484 allows local sewer and water authorities to create programs reducing monthly fees for low-income residents. It directly affects households with incomes at or below federal poverty guidelines (capped at existing state assistance thresholds), requiring applicants to own or rent a dwelling unit and meet specific residency criteria. Authorities must establish eligibility procedures, verify income documentation, and ensure sufficient budget funds to cover reduced revenue before implementing these fee cuts. The bill also requires authorities to advertise available reductions to residents and prohibits overlapping discounts with existing programs.