Asm. Tennille McCoy

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Bill A 2463 allocates $100 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for grants to local governments. The DEP must create a transparent grant program to fund drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure projects, with at least 10% reserved for projects targeting harmful algal blooms in Lake Hopatcong and Greenwood Lake. Grants must be distributed statewide, and the DEP must report all funded projects to the Governor and Legislature within three years, after which the program expires. This directly affects counties, municipalities, and regional entities needing water system upgrades.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to promote state-produced aquaculture products (farmed fish and shellfish raised in New Jersey waters) through the existing Jersey Fresh Program. It mandates the department to create a specific quality grading system for these products - distinct from wild-caught seafood - and allocate $25,000 annually from the General Fund to fund advertising and promotion. The program will apply only to aquaculture products meeting state quality standards, expanding Jersey Fresh's current focus on locally grown produce. This change directly affects New Jersey aquaculture producers seeking to market their products under the state's agricultural branding initiative.

Maddy summaryBill A-1658 establishes the Veterans State Government Fellowship program at Rutgers' Eagleton Institute of Politics, creating a paid fellowship for eligible New Jersey veterans. The program selects up to eight veterans (within 10 years of honorable discharge, at or below E-9/O-5 rank) to work for one year - four in legislative offices (Senate/Assembly majority/minority offices) and four in state departments or agencies. Each fellow receives a stipend comparable to other Rutgers fellowships, funded by an annual $600,000 state appropriation. The program aims to provide veterans with hands-on training in legislative and executive government processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "New Jersey Motorcycle Awareness and Safety Act" (A-2476), requires the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) to create and annually update a public awareness campaign focused on motorcycle safety. The campaign must include educational materials on motorcycle safety, information about distracted driving risks, and variable message signs promoting safe road sharing between motorists and motorcyclists. It directly affects all drivers and motorcyclists in New Jersey by aiming to reduce motorcycle-related accidents through improved road awareness. The bill mandates these specific provisions to encourage vigilant driving and safer interactions on New Jersey roads.

Maddy summaryAJR 95 designates October 12 of each year as "Jump4Jerry Day" in New Jersey to honor Jeremiah "Jerry" Grant, a young community leader and champion Double Dutch jumper who died at age 8 in 2017. The resolution recognizes Jerry’s legacy through the nonprofit Jump4Jerry, which helps youth develop life skills, confidence, and leadership through Double Dutch. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging community observance of the day. This is a symbolic resolution with no new policy or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1103) exempts volunteer firefighters with five or more years of experience in fire suppression, firefighting, or fire rescue from being barred by fire departments solely due to lacking certification or not meeting non-statutory requirements. It directly affects experienced volunteer firefighters in New Jersey, ensuring they can continue active duty without exclusion based on uncertification. The key provision requires fire departments (both part-paid and volunteer) to allow these veterans to engage in frontline duties if they meet the experience threshold, regardless of unmet non-legal requirements. The law takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 619) creates a new criminal offense for "doxxing," defined as knowingly sharing someone's personal details (like address or phone number) online without consent to cause fear of harm, violence, or stalking. It specifically targets disclosures that create a serious risk of bodily injury, stalking, or severe emotional distress (mental anguish) to the person or their close relations - such as family, household members, or close associates. Exceptions apply for good-faith disclosures to the public about suspected unlawful conduct, to law enforcement, or during official investigations. Violations are a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fine), escalating to a third-degree crime if serious harm occurs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2470) makes permanent a requirement that New Jersey public high schools and charter schools require students (and their parents or guardians) to complete a financial aid application as a condition for receiving a high school diploma. Students may qualify for an exemption by submitting a waiver form signed by a parent/guardian (or the student if 18+), or through school counselor authorization if a parent signature cannot be obtained. The state will provide resources like webinars and guides to help families complete the application, and schools must annually notify families about the requirement. The bill does not require school staff to assist students with the application and prohibits adverse action against students who receive waivers.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans landlords from using credit scores or credit reports to screen applicants for affordable housing programs. It directly affects low- and moderate-income renters applying for subsidized housing or units restricted to income-eligible households. The law requires landlords to conduct individualized assessments of applicants' ability to pay rent, rather than relying on credit scores, which often unfairly reject tenants facing financial hardship. It also defines key terms like "affordable housing applicant" and specifies income thresholds based on rent share, not total rent.

Maddy summaryThis bill standardizes pension benefits for New Jersey teachers by moving all current non-retired members of the Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) into a single benefit tier (previously called "Tier 1"), granting them the same retirement benefits as members who joined before July 1, 2007. It requires public employers to enroll teachers earning above minimum salary but not meeting work-hour requirements into TAPF within 60 days of enactment. Teachers in the separate Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) can automatically transfer their service credit to TAPF for retirement eligibility (but not pension amount calculations), with contributions staying in DCRP; they may opt out within six months of notification. The bill also allows TAPF members with long-term disability insurance to apply for disability retirement within two years of enactment.