Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryThe Climate Superfund Act (A 3735) holds fossil fuel companies liable for climate change damages by requiring them to pay compensatory payments into a state fund. Companies that extracted or refined fossil fuels during 1995-2026 and emitted over one billion metric tons of greenhouse gases must pay based on their proportional liability, with joint liability for companies in a "controlled group." Funds collected will be distributed to implement climate adaptation projects, such as flood protection, infrastructure upgrades, and health programs in overburdened communities. The Department of Environmental Protection will administer the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program to manage payments and fund these projects.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes legal protections to pause property recovery proceedings when there is evidence of deed theft or fraud. It requires courts to issue temporary stays on evictions and title disputes if a government agency is investigating the matter or if a criminal complaint has been filed against a party involved in the property transaction. Additionally, the law creates a rebuttable presumption that a genuine dispute over ownership exists if the person challenging the title owned or had an interest in the property within the last three years. These measures aim to prevent the loss of residential homes while investigations into title fraud or financing schemes are ongoing, without limiting a party's ability to seek relief in other courts.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's existing requirement for health insurance plans to cover prostate cancer screenings without any out-of-pocket costs. It specifically requires coverage for annual screenings - including digital rectal exams and PSA tests - for men aged 50 and older (asymptomatic) and men aged 40 and older with a family history of prostate cancer or other risk factors. The law applies to most health insurance plans, including high-deductible plans where permitted by federal law, and mandates coverage "to the same extent as for any other medical condition." It does not alter existing coverage for other preventive services but ensures no cost-sharing (like deductibles or copays) applies to these specific screenings.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public schools to prominently display a direct link to the subsidized school meals application on their official websites. It directly affects public schools by adding this website posting requirement to existing rules about meal applications. The key provision mandates that schools place the link in a visible location on their internet sites, making it easier for families to access the application. This change aims to improve accessibility to school meal programs without altering eligibility rules or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to help small retail businesses cover increased operating costs caused by temporary bridge closures. To qualify, businesses must be located in areas where traffic is restricted due to an emergency bridge project and must apply with documentation showing their expenses rose during the closure period. The program provides funding equal to the difference between the business's normal expenses and the higher costs incurred during the closure, with a total appropriation of $1 million available. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Transportation to notify the authority when emergency bridge projects begin or end to facilitate the application process.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the "Jack Reid Law: Protect All Students Act," aims to stop harassment and bullying in nonpublic schools by requiring these institutions to create and share clear anti-bullying policies. It defines bullying to include cyberbullying and covers incidents that happen on school grounds, during school events, or online if they threaten a student's safety or well-being. Under the new rules, schools must investigate any reported incidents within five days, document their findings, and take immediate steps to protect victims, while staff members are required to report witnessed or heard bullying promptly. The legislation also ensures that anyone who reports bullying in good faith is kept safe and clarifies that these protections do not limit rights to free speech or religious expression.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Truth, Reconciliation, and Repair Act of New Jersey" to formally acknowledge the state's historical role in slavery and systemic racial discrimination. It directly affects the state government and its residents by mandating a comprehensive educational initiative to inform the public about the history of over 12,000 enslaved people in New Jersey. The legislation also requires the state to create a reparations council to develop policies addressing ongoing racial inequities, such as the wealth gap and segregated schools. By moving beyond a previous symbolic apology, the bill aims to provide accountability and guide future investments in Black communities.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill authorizes school districts to issue an alternate high school diploma to students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who participate in the state's Alternate Assessment Program. Starting in the 2027-2028 school year, these diplomas will be standards-based and require students to complete specific curriculum units in subjects like English, mathematics, and science using alternate academic achievement standards. The legislation ensures that receiving an alternate diploma does not end a student's right to special education services until they turn 21 and allows these students to be included in state graduation rate calculations. Additionally, the bill permits students to attempt to meet the requirements for a standard State-endorsed diploma and clarifies that participation in the alternate program does not determine their educational placement under federal law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Commissioner of Education to provide school districts with two key notices annually: a preliminary notice of the minimum state aid amount due for the next school year (by the end of the first week in December, starting 2026) and a maximum aid notice within two days of the Governor's budget message. It mandates the creation of a New Jersey Education Funding Portal to centralize these notices, along with district-specific adequacy budgets and projected local funding rates. The bill also modifies how state aid is calculated, requiring the use of budget year pupil counts with adjustments for actual counts in the following school year. These changes directly affect all New Jersey public school districts by improving the transparency and timing of funding information for budget planning.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's brewery licensing rules to create a new "supplemental wine production facility license" (though the text focuses on malt beverages, not wine, indicating a title discrepancy). It allows licensed breweries to sell products made by other licensed breweries under specific conditions, such as when the selling brewery holds a supplemental license. Key provisions include new fee structures for brewery licenses (e.g., $1,250 for up to 1,000 barrels annually) and restrictions on direct retail sales (capped at 50% of annual production). The bill directly affects breweries seeking expanded sales flexibility but does not address wine producers as implied in the title. It was introduced on January 13, 2026, and referred to committee.