Asm. Roy Freiman

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey municipalities to submit quarterly data on affordable housing and senior citizen housing units to the Department of Community Affairs. The information includes building addresses, management contacts, application status, and online application links. This data will be published on state government websites (Community Affairs, Housing Finance Agency, and Housing Resource Center) and linked from municipal websites. The bill directly affects local governments by mandating data reporting and aims to make housing availability information more accessible to the public. It does not change housing eligibility or funding but creates a centralized public resource.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a regulatory framework for selling hemp-derived cannabinoid products in New Jersey that aligns with federal law, repealing a previous law about "intoxicating hemp." It sets a 0.3% THC limit (by dry weight) for hemp products and prohibits sales of final products containing more than 0.4 milligrams of THC per container or synthetic cannabinoids. The law directly affects hemp producers, retailers, and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, which will enforce these rules. This creates a clear system for legal sales while ensuring compliance with federal standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to include aquaculture products (fish and shellfish raised through farming in the state or state waters) in the existing Jersey Fresh Program, which currently promotes locally grown produce. It mandates the department to develop a specific quality grading system for these aquaculture products and allocate $100,000 annually from the General Fund for advertising and promotion. The funding supports marketing efforts to help New Jersey aquaculture producers compete in the marketplace, with the program expanding the Jersey Fresh Program's scope beyond traditional agricultural commodities. The bill directly affects state aquaculture businesses by creating a dedicated marketing channel for their products.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits certification requirements for career and technical education (CTE) teachers seeking a "Certificate of Eligibility" through the alternate route program. It prohibits the State Board of Education from requiring these teachers to complete educator preparation programs exceeding 200 hours or one academic year (currently 350 hours). The bill also removes the requirement to pass basic skills tests like the Praxis Core if candidates demonstrate proficiency through approved alternatives (e.g., occupational licenses, portfolios). These changes aim to streamline certification for CTE teachers, addressing concerns about program length and cost that have impacted recruitment.

Maddy summaryACR 169 is a New Jersey legislative resolution urging Congress to provide emergency funds for Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). It specifically requests immediate action to modernize EWR's aging air traffic control infrastructure and increase staffing at facilities supporting the airport. The resolution cites recent disruptions - including radar outages, flight delays, and cancellations - stemming from outdated FAA systems (like aging copper lines) and staffing shortages (only 22 certified controllers at Philadelphia TRACON managing EWR airspace). This resolution directly affects EWR passengers (nearly 50 million annually), airport operations, and regional economic activity, emphasizing the urgent need for federal intervention before a long-term FAA system upgrade becomes operational.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public school staff in New Jersey to complete training on caring for students with epilepsy or seizure disorders every two years. It directly affects school staff (including teachers, coaches, and support personnel) and students with these conditions. The training, provided through Department of Health-approved courses by nonprofit organizations, covers recognizing seizures, emergency response, and daily care. This update builds on existing law (P.L.2019, c.290) that already requires schools to develop individualized health plans for affected students but adds the mandatory biennial staff training requirement. The law applies to all school-sponsored activities, including those outside regular school hours.

Maddy summaryThe Protecting Against Forever Chemicals Act prohibits the sale of certain products containing intentionally added PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances), including cosmetics, carpets, fabric treatments, and food packaging, beginning two years after the act's effective date. Manufacturers must notify the Department of Environmental Protection about PFAS in their products within one year of the act's effective date and pay a $1,000 fee per notification. The act requires cookware containing PFAS in contact with food to display a clear label stating "This product contains PFAS" in both English and Spanish. The Department of Environmental Protection must establish a source reduction program and conduct PFAS research, funded by a $5 million appropriation from the General Fund. The bill allows products with trace amounts of PFAS from unavoidable impurities to continue being sold, focusing on prohibiting the intentional addition of PFAS rather than trace amounts.

Maddy summaryS 4569 appropriates $13.64 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues to fund conservation and recreation projects through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The bill allocates $8.35 million for nonprofit organizations to acquire land for open space (across 8 specific projects), $2.13 million for park development (across 2 projects), and $1.48 million for stewardship activities (across 4 projects). Additionally, $1 million establishes a new planning grant program to help nonprofits prepare conservation plans, and $681,000 covers administrative costs. All projects listed in the bill have been pre-approved by the DEP. The funding comes from a dedicated tax revenue stream established by the Preserve New Jersey Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $52,798,268 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and existing farmland preservation funds to New Jersey's State Agriculture Development Committee. It funds the protection of farmland through purchase or easements, providing grants to counties (up to 80% of acquisition costs) and nonprofits (up to 50% of costs), plus $3.45 million for stewardship activities like soil conservation and deer fencing. The funds also cover administrative costs ($28.3 million) for program management and enforcement. This directly supports landowners selling easements, local governments acquiring farmland, and farm operators maintaining preserved land.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $34 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues to fund farmland preservation. It provides counties with base grants ($500,000-$1 million) and eligibility for competitive grants (up to $7.5 million per county) to cover up to 80% of costs for acquiring development easements - conservation agreements that permanently protect farmland from development. The funds target specific counties and municipalities approved for farmland preservation projects under existing state law. The bill redirects existing constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues (approved by voters in 2014) to the Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund, with no new tax revenue required.