Asm. Mitchelle Drulis

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create rules for small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), defined as reactors under 300 megawatts capacity requiring U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing. It authorizes the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to use 60% of funds from the Global Warming Solutions Fund to provide grants and financial incentives for the construction and operation of SMRs. The policy directly affects commercial entities building or operating these reactors, with funding prioritizing projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or energy demand. The bill establishes a concrete mechanism for state support of SMR development through EDA’s grant programs, without specifying project outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-2540, "Cancer Patient Care and Compassion Act") requires health insurance plans and Medicaid in New Jersey to cover specific cancer treatments without cost-sharing for patients with Stage III, IV, or terminal cancer. It mandates coverage for parenteral treatments (like IV medications), survivorship care plans, and other services determined by regulators. The bill also adds protections: mortgage lenders must pause foreclosure during active treatment, creditors cannot initiate collections, and tenants facing eviction can request a 45-day stay with physician certification. These provisions directly affect cancer patients and their families by removing financial barriers to care and preventing housing/financial instability during treatment. The bill is pending before the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a voluntary contribution option on New Jersey's gross income tax returns, allowing taxpayers to direct part of their refund or add a contribution to the "New Jersey Reproductive Health Care Equitable Access Fund." Funds collected would be distributed equally each year to the three largest providers of reproductive health care services for Medicaid patients, to cover costs for low-income individuals seeking services. The bill defines "reproductive health care services" to include medical, surgical, counseling, and referral services related to pregnancy or pregnancy termination. It applies to tax returns for years beginning after enactment, with no requirement for taxpayer participation.

Maddy summaryACR 61 is a New Jersey legislative resolution urging Congress to provide emergency funds to modernize air traffic control infrastructure and increase staffing at facilities supporting Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). It directly addresses EWR's operational challenges, including system disruptions from outdated infrastructure (like aging copper lines), insufficient controller staffing at Philadelphia TRACON (only 22 certified controllers), and resulting flight delays, cancellations, and ground stops. The resolution emphasizes that EWR serves 50 million passengers annually and is vital to New Jersey's economy, with immediate action needed before a planned long-term FAA system upgrade completes. It does not create new law but formally requests federal funding and staffing adjustments to improve safety and efficiency.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill revises the process for filling vacancies in the U.S. House of Representatives. It requires the governor to issue a special election writ within 10 days of a vacancy, unless the remaining term is less than 135 days. The bill also specifies that special primaries must occur 70-76 days before the special election, with the general election held 64-70 days after the primary. This affects New Jersey voters in the affected congressional district and the governor’s office, as it standardizes timing for special elections. (Note: The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was covered by existing law, P.L.2025, c.275.)

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how New Jersey school districts calculate their local share for state school funding. It requires using a five-year average of each district's equalized property valuation (instead of just the previous year's value) in the formula that determines state aid. This directly affects all public school districts and county vocational school districts when calculating their state funding. The change takes effect for the 2024-2025 school year, making the funding calculation more stable by smoothing out annual property value fluctuations.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $3 million from the General Fund to provide one-time bonus awards to members of Local 195 of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers who worked as frontline state employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be distributed by state agencies to eligible union members who provided essential emergency workplace service. The bonus amount is determined per agency through consultation between the Division of Budget and Accounting and the union president. This supplemental appropriation directly affects approximately 3,000 Local 195 members across state departments, as specified in the bill text. It does not create new policy but provides targeted financial recognition for pandemic-era service.

Maddy summaryBill A-1658 establishes the Veterans State Government Fellowship program at Rutgers' Eagleton Institute of Politics, creating a paid fellowship for eligible New Jersey veterans. The program selects up to eight veterans (within 10 years of honorable discharge, at or below E-9/O-5 rank) to work for one year - four in legislative offices (Senate/Assembly majority/minority offices) and four in state departments or agencies. Each fellow receives a stipend comparable to other Rutgers fellowships, funded by an annual $600,000 state appropriation. The program aims to provide veterans with hands-on training in legislative and executive government processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires social media companies with at least five million global users to establish a 24-hour toll-free phone number for New Jersey residents to report account fraud, such as unauthorized access. Social media companies must display this number in security email alerts sent to New Jersey account holders and on their platform's homepage or help page. Failure to comply would violate New Jersey's Consumer Fraud Act, resulting in fines up to $20,000 per offense and potential additional penalties like cease-and-desist orders. The law directly affects large social media platforms operating in New Jersey, aiming to provide residents with a direct, accessible channel for security concerns.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers (NACVSO) to a list of organizations whose representatives in New Jersey state or local government jobs may take paid leave to attend state or national conventions. It directly affects NACVSO representatives working for the state, counties, or municipalities. The policy allows up to five total days of paid leave per calendar year (non-cumulative), including travel time, with a certificate of attendance required. The change modifies an existing law that already provides similar paid leave for representatives of other veteran service organizations.