Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase the gross income tax rate for individuals in New Jersey whose taxable income exceeds $2,000,000. It directly affects high-income earners by amending the state tax code to apply a higher percentage to income above this specific threshold. The legislation would modify the existing tax tables to ensure that only the portion of income surpassing $2 million is taxed at the new, elevated rate. This change aims to generate additional revenue from the wealthiest taxpayers while leaving tax rates for lower and middle-income earners unchanged.

Maddy summaryThis bill regulates pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and insurance carriers to increase transparency and fairness in prescription drug coverage. It requires carriers and PBMs to establish pharmacy and therapeutics committees with strict conflict-of-interest rules, prohibits commission-based PBM compensation (mandating flat fees instead), and mandates detailed reporting of PBM fees for insurance filings. The law directly affects insurers, PBMs, and pharmacies by changing how drug formularies (approved drug lists) are managed and how PBM costs are calculated and disclosed. Key provisions include banning preferential formulary placement for higher-cost drugs over lower-cost generics/biosimilars and requiring actuarial documentation for PBM compensation. The bill aims to reduce patient cost-sharing and ensure PBM compensation aligns with administrative costs.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A 3108 requires the Department of Agriculture to promote community supported agriculture (CSA) programs. Within 180 days of enactment, the Department must create a public website listing all CSA farms and enabling online subscriptions, run statewide advertising campaigns highlighting CSA benefits, and develop promotional labels for CSA-marketed products (using "Jersey Fresh" branding where appropriate). The bill also establishes an annual "Community Supported Agriculture Week" in February to showcase local farm-to-table connections through events in schools, markets, and community venues. This directly affects New Jersey farms participating in CSAs and consumers seeking locally sourced seasonal food through subscription programs.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A3256) requires restaurants to clearly disclose any mandatory gratuity fee to customers. It mandates that the fee be visible on menus, at the restaurant entrance, on the customer's bill, and on the restaurant's website. Restaurants that fail to disclose the fee face fines of $1,000 for the first violation, $2,500 for the second, and $5,000 for the third or subsequent offenses, with each day of violation counted separately. The law directly affects restaurants operating in New Jersey and ensures customers are informed about mandatory service charges before paying.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey colleges and universities to collect and publicly report employment outcomes and earnings data for recent graduates using the state's statewide data system. It directly affects all public and private post-secondary institutions in New Jersey by mandating they post this information on their websites, disaggregated by factors like race, income, and gender. Key provisions include annual updates to a "student consumer information report" covering employment data for the three most recent graduation years, alongside other metrics like graduation rates and costs. Institutions must also provide physical copies with admission applications and link to a state-maintained comparative profile. The goal is to give prospective students and families transparent, data-driven insights about post-graduation outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A3997) prohibits landlords from including class action waivers in rental agreements for claims related to rent control law violations. If passed, such waivers would be void, making it illegal for landlords to prevent tenants from joining class-action lawsuits over rent control issues. Landlords violating this would face a $1,000 penalty per affected unit and could be liable for tenant damages, attorney fees, and other remedies. The law would apply immediately to all current and future rental agreements, including past rent control violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires corporations in New Jersey that file combined tax returns to calculate their total income on a worldwide basis rather than limiting calculations to income generated within the state. The law mandates that companies include the full net income of all their foreign branches and subsidiaries, adjusting these figures to align with U.S. accounting standards and converting them into U.S. dollars. It also updates how partnership income is counted within these groups and clarifies rules for foreign corporations with existing tax treaties to ensure consistent reporting across all entities in the group.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires organizations that provide services to homeless individuals in New Jersey to join the Homeless Management Information System to track shelter bed occupancy. It establishes an Office of Homelessness Prevention within the Department of Community Affairs to coordinate services and manage data from state, county, and municipal agencies. The legislation also allows for the transfer of the Homeless Management Information System from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency to the new office and provides funding to help organizations cover the costs of participation.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Oral Health Equity Act to expand access to dental care for uninsured and underinsured residents in New Jersey's medically underserved areas. It directs the Department of Human Services to partner with specific community health centers to provide a package of services, including comprehensive exams, restorative treatment, and two annual visits per patient. To support these efforts, the bill mandates that the state reimburse participating centers at rates equal to or higher than those paid to federally qualified health centers. Additionally, the legislation requires the state to seek necessary Medicaid waivers to secure federal funding for these new programs.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill increases fines for retailers selling tobacco or vaping products to people under 21. Retailers face $750 for a first violation, $1,500 for a second, and $3,000 for third or subsequent violations. It also allows license suspension after a second violation and requires retailers to post warning signs at point-of-sale. Five percent of collected fines fund public education about vaping risks and illegal sales. The law directly affects stores selling tobacco or vaping products, aiming to reduce underage access through stricter penalties.