Asm. Wayne DeAngelo

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey's electric utilities to proactively manage "dangerous vegetation" (trees or plants near power lines) to prevent outages, following ANSI tree care standards. It requires utilities to notify property owners and local governments before trimming or removing vegetation, with specific timing (7-45 days for property owners, 2 months for municipalities). The law overrides existing forestry protections like the Shade Tree Act to prioritize grid reliability after storms caused widespread power disruptions. It directly affects investor-owned electric utilities, property owners near utility rights-of-way, and local government entities through new management and notice requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands accidental death benefits under New Jersey's State Police Retirement System to cover recruits who die during required pre-service training at the academy or from related complications. It directly affects surviving spouses, children, or parents of such recruits by reclassifying these deaths as "in the line of duty" for benefit purposes. Key provisions set a minimum $50,000 benefit for surviving spouses, with calculated amounts for children or parents if no spouse exists (e.g., 70% of final compensation for children, 25-40% for parents). The law also allows retroactive payments for past deaths, with survivors having 12 months from enactment to apply. Current law previously excluded recruits since they weren't sworn officers during training.

Maddy summaryThis bill waives New Jersey's business formation and registration fees ($125 for for-profits, $75 for non-profits) for veterans establishing new businesses or non-profits. It applies to veterans who were honorably discharged after at least 90 days of service, including reserve members, and requires submission of a DD-214 or discharge certificate as proof. The fee exemption covers only the initial setup costs, not ongoing renewal fees. This policy directly affects veterans seeking to start businesses by reducing their immediate financial barriers to entrepreneurship. The bill mirrors similar legislation enacted in Pennsylvania in 2016.

Maddy summaryThis bill redirects 75% of annual unclaimed electric, gas, and water utility deposits from the Unclaimed Utility Deposits Trust Fund to designated statewide nonprofit public utility assistance organizations (like SHARES). It directly affects low-income residential customers who have exhausted other utility assistance resources and are facing temporary payment difficulties. The key mechanism requires the Board of Public Utilities to select an eligible nonprofit to receive these funds, which must be used exclusively to prevent utility service termination or restore service for qualifying households. Organizations must annually report recipient numbers, assistance amounts, and fund usage to the Board of Public Utilities. (Bill A-1048, introduced January 13, 2026)

Maddy summaryThis bill allows members of New Jersey's state retirement systems (PERS, TPAF, PFRS, and SPRS) who attended a military service academy (e.g., West Point, Annapolis) to purchase retirement credit for that period of enrollment. Members can buy up to 10 years of credit (with an additional 5 years for qualifying veteran service), paying into the retirement fund via installments or a lump sum. The bill specifies payment amounts based on salary or contributions, with no employer liability for these payments. It directly affects current or former state employees who served at military academies before joining a New Jersey public retirement system.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public employees (including elected officials and local government workers) to automatically lose their positions upon conviction for certain crimes, such as dishonesty, third-degree offenses, or crimes directly related to their job. It also permanently bans convicted individuals from holding any future public office, position, or employment in New Jersey. The law mandates courts to issue immediate forfeiture orders and creates a state registry tracking all disqualifications. Key triggers include convictions under New Jersey law for crimes like fraud or third-degree offenses, or similar crimes committed elsewhere. The registry ensures transparency by documenting all disqualifications, though courts may waive penalties for minor offenses like disorderly conduct.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health care providers in New Jersey to provide patients with clear, detailed bills within 30 days after insurance processes a claim. The bills must list specific services and expenses by date (not using vague codes like "miscellaneous charges"), include drug names (brand/generic), and display a contact for billing disputes - without charging patients for these summaries. Providers must also offer plain-language versions upon request and include information about financial assistance programs. Health care facilities must respond to billing questions within 10 business days, with sensitive services (e.g., sexual health care) excluded unless specifically requested by the patient.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new retirement plan within New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) specifically for emergency medical services (EMS) workers, including paramedics, EMTs, emergency medical supervisors, and other certified personnel who provide life support services. It requires these employees to join the "EMS Part" of PERS, pay a 10% salary contribution, and receive enhanced retirement benefits: 50% of their final salary for 20+ years of service, or a special option of 65% of final salary plus additional payments for 25+ years of service. Existing retirement credits will transfer to the new plan without extra cost to employees, and the bill also provides death benefits to beneficiaries equal to half the employee's final salary. The bill directly affects all eligible EMS employees in New Jersey state, county, and municipal roles.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies (including the Department of Community Affairs and Board of Public Utilities) to review and potentially raise income limits for residential customers seeking utility bill assistance or energy efficiency programs within one year of the bill's effective date. It directly affects low- and moderate-income households who currently qualify for these programs by expanding eligibility if income thresholds increase. Key provisions mandate agencies to consider program alignment, state median income, cost impacts, and public input before adjusting limits, while also requiring coordination to ensure customers aren’t eligible for multiple energy efficiency programs. The bill aims to simplify access and expand support without specifying exact income levels or outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require pool and spa service businesses in New Jersey to obtain a permit from a new advisory committee before operating. It mandates that at least one employee must hold a specific license (as a pool builder/installer or service contractor), and permits must be renewed every three years. Permitted businesses would be authorized to act as general contractors for all pool and spa building, installation, and service work, while subcontractors performing specialized tasks would not need separate licenses. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was incorporated into P.L.2025, c.381.