Asm. Tennille McCoy

Maddy summaryThis bill allows winery license holders who produce up to 250,000 gallons of wine annually to sell their wine to other wineries in New Jersey for sale on the buyer's premises, or to sell wine to wineries outside New Jersey in accordance with those states' laws. It establishes a new "supplemental wine production facility sublicense" that permits winery license holders to produce wine at a separate facility they own or lease, with wine sold to other wineries counting toward the buyer's production volume but not the seller's. The bill requires that at least 50% of a winery's annual wine sales must be produced on its own premises. Winery license holders with this sublicense pay a $750 fee and cannot sell wine directly to consumers at the supplemental facility. This change provides wineries with more flexibility in production and distribution while maintaining certain local production requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Business Action Center (within the Department of State) to study vacant commercial properties and their impact on small businesses. The study must be completed within one year and include: existing local tracking efforts, progress on rehabilitating abandoned properties, current financial/technical assistance programs, business owner surveys about finding space, and recommendations. It does not change existing laws but aims to inform future policy by gathering data on how local governments address vacant commercial real estate. The report will be submitted to the Governor and Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4589) allows organizations licensed to operate bingo, raffles, and penny auctions in New Jersey to accept credit cards, debit cards, or other electronic payments for ticket or share purchases. It directly affects licensed venues (like community centers or nonprofits) that host these games and their participants. The bill requires the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission to create new regulations enabling electronic payments, updating current law which only permitted cash transactions. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the hazelnut as New Jersey's official state nut. It recognizes Rutgers University's research in developing blight-resistant hazelnut varieties (named "Raritan," "Somerset," "Monmouth," and "Hunterdon") that enable commercial growing in New Jersey, where over 30 growers have planted more than 100 acres. The designation is symbolic - no new policies, funding, or regulations are created. It does not directly affect any residents, businesses, or agricultural practices, as it solely establishes a state symbol.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4941) provides educational support professionals in New Jersey school districts - non-teaching staff like paraprofessionals or administrative workers - with seniority credit for military service. It allows them to count up to four years of active U.S. military service toward seniority, as if they were continuously employed, if they qualify for federal veterans' benefits. The credit applies to all military service, including time served before their current school district employment. This extends an existing benefit currently available to teaching staff to support staff.

Maddy summaryAJR 126 designates April 18 of each year as "Worker Safety Day" in New Jersey. The bill encourages employers, workers, government agencies, and communities to promote workplace safety through public awareness. It requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation urging New Jersey residents to observe the day with activities supporting safe work environments. This resolution has no regulatory effect but aims to highlight the importance of preventing workplace injuries and deaths.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for retailers who sell tobacco or vapor products to people under 21. First violations now carry $500 fines (up from $250), second violations $1,000 (up from $500), and third or subsequent violations $2,000 (up from $1,000). Small businesses with clear compliance policies pay only $100 for the first violation. Five percent of collected fines will fund public education on vapor product dangers and illegal sales. Retailers must also post new signs at points of sale and vending machines warning that selling to minors is prohibited.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to post specific information on their websites. Four-year public institutions must display the average time-to-degree completion (time from enrollment to graduation) for each bachelor's degree program. County colleges must post approved student outcome measures for associate degrees. All institutions must also make annual fiscal reports and audits publicly accessible online, with clear summaries for the public. The requirement applies starting the first full academic year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program and Plan First program to cover fertility preservation services for individuals whose fertility may be impaired by medically necessary treatments like cancer therapy. It defines "iatrogenic infertility" as fertility loss caused by medical treatments affecting reproductive organs, and specifies that covered services include storage of sperm, eggs, embryos, and cryopreserved ovarian tissue. The coverage must be provided without discrimination based on age, gender, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics, making these often-expensive services accessible to low-to-moderate income patients who would otherwise be unable to afford them.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans the use of regulated perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in all menstrual products sold in New Jersey. It directly affects manufacturers and sellers of products like tampons, pads, menstrual cups, and underwear (both disposable and reusable). The law requires products to be tested for PFAS at or above 10 parts per million, with results shared with the Department of Health, and violations would be enforced under the Consumer Fraud Act with fines up to $20,000. The ban takes effect 18 months after enactment.