Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Food Desert Elimination Act" to incentivize supermarkets and grocery stores (18,000+ sq ft) to open in designated "food desert communities" - areas with limited access to fresh food, identified using USDA and CDC data. It provides property tax-based tax credits to businesses that open their *first* supermarket or grocery store in a designated food desert community, covering the full property tax assessed by the municipality for three years after opening. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority will designate up to 75 initial food desert communities, prioritizing areas with high poverty and limited healthy food access. This directly affects low-income residents in these communities by aiming to improve access to nutritious food through new retail options.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill allows municipalities, counties, school districts, and fire districts in New Jersey to use project labor agreements (pre-hire union agreements for construction projects) on public works projects costing less than $5 million - previously requiring a $5 million minimum. It directly affects local governments and construction contractors by expanding their ability to negotiate such agreements for smaller projects. Key provisions let these entities choose to include project labor agreements for projects below the $5 million threshold, while still requiring adherence to prevailing wage laws and labor standards. The change applies only to the specified local entities and does not alter the existing $5 million threshold for other public works projects. The bill was withdrawn after being incorporated into a previously approved law (P.L.2025, c.327).
Maddy summaryThis bill extends accidental death benefits to survivors of retired New Jersey State Police officers who died from health conditions related to 9/11 rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations. It modifies eligibility rules by removing the requirement for a "written and sworn statement" that was previously needed to prove the retiree qualified for an accidental disability benefit. Surviving spouses, children, or legal guardians may now receive a lump-sum benefit equal to 3.5 times the retiree’s final compensation, provided they submit documentation showing the retiree would have qualified for such a benefit. The change applies to deaths occurring before July 8, 2019, and simplifies the process for survivors seeking these benefits.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a program promoting women-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, and LGBTQ-owned energy businesses. The program must set annual targets for energy purchased by businesses and public entities through licensed energy agents, starting at 5% in the first year and rising to 25% by the fourth year. To qualify, businesses must be certified by state or national organizations, registered in New Jersey, and file annual reports. The BPU must track progress toward these targets and publicly post approved businesses and updates on its website.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to add "Vietnam Veterans of America" to the list of organizations whose authorized representatives can receive paid leave to attend state or national conventions. It directly affects state, county, and municipal employees who serve as official representatives of Vietnam Veterans of America. The law specifies that such employees may take up to five total paid days per year for convention attendance (including travel time), with unused leave not carrying over to the next year. The bill also removes two outdated organizations from the existing list.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1070) provides a $3 million supplemental appropriation to the New Jersey Division of State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. The funds are designated to cover specific operational costs including advanced training, equipment, vehicle purchases, software licenses, and staff mental health initiatives for the unit. The bill also requires any unspent funds from the previous fiscal year to carry forward for the same purpose. Note: This bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was already approved under P.L.2025, c.331.
Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies New Jersey's tax rules for telecommunications companies' business personal property, specifically targeting companies that held regional landline monopolies before the 1996 federal Telecommunications Act or their successors. It corrects a court misinterpretation by removing the requirement for these companies to meet a 51% dial tone access threshold annually; instead, they only need to have met it as of April 1, 1997, to remain subject to municipal property taxes. The bill also mandates that municipalities wining tax disputes against these companies recover attorney fees from the companies. This aims to end costly annual litigation and stabilize municipal tax bases, directly affecting telecom carriers like Verizon and the municipalities collecting these taxes.
Maddy summaryACR 44 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing the 138th anniversary of the Knights of Columbus' founding. It commemorates the organization's history, charitable work, and values of charity and patriotism, specifically honoring the New Jersey State Council's contributions. The resolution directs copies to the Knights of Columbus New Jersey State Council and takes effect immediately. As a non-binding recognition, it does not create new laws or policies.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends existing school funding law (P.L.2007, c.260) by adding new definitions for school finance calculations, such as "at-risk pupils" and "base per pupil amount." It does not create new school aid for housing conversions, as suggested by the title; the bill text contains no provisions related to age-restricted housing developments. The bill focuses solely on revising technical definitions used in the state's school funding formula. It was introduced to the Assembly Education Committee on January 13, 2026.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes an independent Office of Inspector General (IG) specifically for state veterans' facilities. The IG, appointed by the Governor with Senate approval, investigates complaints about facility policies and conducts inspections to ensure resident safety and care quality. Key mechanisms include the authority to subpoena witnesses and documents, refer criminal matters to prosecutors, and maintain confidential complaint channels for residents, families, and staff. The office directly affects veterans' facilities, their residents, and staff by creating a dedicated oversight body with formal investigative powers. The bill aims to strengthen accountability within state-run veterans' care settings through structured, independent review.