Asm. Joe Danielsen

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Community Affairs to create and maintain an annual online list of all state and federal mandates imposed on municipalities and counties that lack full funding. The list must include a cost estimate for local governments to comply with each mandate. It directly affects local governments (counties and municipalities) and ultimately property taxpayers, as unfunded mandates increase local budget pressures. The commissioner must update and post this list annually by July 1st, providing transparency about financial obligations.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill allows school districts to count virtual or remote instruction days toward meeting the state's 180-day school year requirement when schools close for more than three consecutive days due to declared emergencies (like severe weather or public health crises). It requires districts to submit approved virtual programs to the education commissioner, ensuring equal access for all students - including those with disabilities - and that virtual days count for attendance, graduation credits, and course completion. The bill also mandates guidance on addressing technology access gaps, impacts on school meals and standardized testing, and ensures teachers covered by collective bargaining agreements receive full compensation during closures. It directly affects public school districts, charter schools, and their staff during emergency closures.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a public database managed by New Jersey's Business Action Center (within the Department of State) listing vacant commercial properties available for small businesses to lease or purchase. The database must include specific details like square footage, included equipment, and building systems (e.g., HVAC, security). Commercial property owners are required to report vacancies or occupancy changes to the center, which will update the database monthly using input from owners, realtors, and municipalities. The database will be accessible online and promoted to business associations and local chambers to help small businesses find suitable space more efficiently.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1103) exempts volunteer firefighters with five or more years of experience in fire suppression, firefighting, or fire rescue from being barred by fire departments solely due to lacking certification or not meeting non-statutory requirements. It directly affects experienced volunteer firefighters in New Jersey, ensuring they can continue active duty without exclusion based on uncertification. The key provision requires fire departments (both part-paid and volunteer) to allow these veterans to engage in frontline duties if they meet the experience threshold, regardless of unmet non-legal requirements. The law takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a two-year pilot program in New Jersey to integrate 24-hour behavioral health services into hospital urgent care facilities. It requires managed care organizations to contract with six hospitals (two per region) to provide integrated care, including staffing with behavioral health clinicians, telehealth partnerships, and smooth care transitions like "warm hand-offs" for patients experiencing mental health crises. The program would be funded through Medicaid using a payment system tied to outcomes, aiming to reduce unnecessary emergency department visits and inpatient admissions for behavioral health issues. The pilot directly affects hospitals participating in the program, Medicaid beneficiaries seeking urgent behavioral health care, and the providers delivering these integrated services.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1173) allows permanent law enforcement officers in New Jersey with active basic police training certification to receive a temporary 120-day appointment as State or county investigators. During this period, they may perform full investigator duties while completing required training to become certified. After successful completion, they can apply to the Police Training Commission for permanent investigator licensure, with the temporary appointment remaining valid until the commission reviews their application. The bill directly affects current officers seeking to transition into investigative roles without requiring immediate permanent licensure.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1131) amends New Jersey's medical cannabis regulations to allow cannabis cultivation on land that qualifies for farmland assessment under state tax law. It directly affects existing and future medical cannabis cultivators who wish to operate on agricultural land with special tax status. The key provision modifies permit rules (specifically Section 7 of P.L.2009, c.307) to include farmland-assessed properties as eligible locations for cultivation, while maintaining existing caps on the number of permits. This change enables cultivators to use land already designated for agricultural purposes under the state's farmland assessment program without requiring new land-use designations.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises foreclosure sale procedures for residential properties in New Jersey, directly affecting sheriffs, lenders, homeowners, and nonprofit community development corporations (CDCs). Key changes include requiring sheriffs to sell foreclosed properties within 150 days, mandating specific notice rules (including Fair Debt Collection Act compliance), and establishing a 3.5% deposit requirement for nonprofits or residents who plan to occupy the property for 84+ months. It also prohibits lenders from delaying sales if a nonprofit or homeowner intends to bid, and requires disclosure of property occupancy status before sale. The bill amends existing law (P.L.1995, c.244) and is currently pending in committee (introduced Jan. 2026).

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a licensing framework for businesses operating with digital assets (like cryptocurrencies) in New Jersey. It requires companies engaging in activities such as storing, trading, or issuing digital assets to obtain a license from the Bureau of Securities, unless exempt. Key exemptions include digital consumer assets used solely within online gaming platforms that don’t convert to cash or other currencies. The law explicitly excludes traditional securities from its scope and applies to activities occurring within New Jersey or targeting New Jersey residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that mayors elected at-large (by all voters, not just a district) in municipalities using a council-manager form of government retain the authority to appoint members to school boards and public library trustees, as required by state law. It amends two sections of New Jersey law to explicitly state that these appointments remain the mayor's responsibility, even in council-manager municipalities. The change ensures consistency with existing legal provisions and prevents confusion about who holds this appointing power. (Procedural bill; summary limited to 2 sentences as requested.)