Asm. Joe Danielsen

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the State Capitol Joint Management Commission to create and implement an environmental sustainability plan for the New Jersey State House Complex. The plan must include specific measures like improving energy efficiency (using Energy Star products and alternative energy), water conservation, adopting green building standards, using sustainable food services (like locally sourced foods and compostable utensils), and reducing carbon emissions. The Commission must update the plan every four years, issue annual public progress reports online, and track performance metrics. This requirement directly affects all operations and management of the State House Complex, including maintenance, renovations, and contracting decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Class 5 Cannabis Retailer license holders in New Jersey to sell non-intoxicating food and beverage products (like snacks or drinks without THC) in their stores. It limits these sales to 30% of a store’s annual gross revenue, with an exception for coffee and water sales. The Cannabis Regulatory Commission can create rules to implement this law. The bill directly affects licensed cannabis retailers and takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds $10 million from the off-budget Universal Service Fund to the NJSHARES-S.M.A.R.T. Program for utility payment assistance in New Jersey's fiscal year 2026. It directly helps low-income homeowners and renters facing financial hardship by providing grants to cover past-due utility bills (arrearages) and ongoing payments. The program requires applicants not to receive duplicate benefits from private insurance or other existing aid programs. The funding supplements a prior $5 million General Fund appropriation for the same program, directing the Commissioner of Community Affairs to establish quick-processing guidelines for eligible residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1920) requires New Jersey media outlets participating in the Silver Alert System to broadcast alerts using the same protocol as Amber Alerts. Specifically, it mandates a distinctive sound tone and the phrase "This is a Missing Person Silver Alert" during broadcasts, with alerts repeated as frequently as possible for the first three hours. The alert must include a description of the missing person and contact information for law enforcement, updated as needed. Note: The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was superseded by P.L.2025, c.344.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program to reward employees who report tax law violations by employers in New Jersey's construction industry. Whistleblowers who provide specific, credible information leading to an administrative or judicial action against an employer can receive 15% to 30% of recovered taxes, penalties, and interest, or up to 10% if the tip came from media or government sources. It excludes employees who obtained information through their official duties or planned the violations themselves, and includes protections against retaliation under New Jersey's Conscientious Employee Protection Act. The program applies specifically to employers engaged in building, construction, repair, or maintenance work as defined in the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 13-member "School Finance Reform Commission" to study and recommend improvements to New Jersey's school funding system. The commission includes the Commissioner of Education and State Board President (ex officio), plus 11 public members appointed by legislative leaders and the Governor. It will specifically examine school district property tax levies and the calculation method for equalization aid, with a report due within one year. The commission's recommendations will inform potential changes to school budgeting and funding policies, directly affecting all public school districts in New Jersey. The bill expires 30 days after the report is issued.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires county election boards to retrieve mail-in ballots from secure drop boxes at least once weekly during fire district elections (local elections for fire district boards). It mandates at least 10 ballot drop boxes per county, located at specific sites like county government buildings, large municipalities, and colleges with over 5,000 students, all equipped with security cameras and meeting accessibility standards. The bill also prohibits police officers from standing within 100 feet of drop boxes during elections and bans political materials within that radius. It specifically applies to fire district elections, not general elections, and updates existing ballot drop box rules to include this weekly retrieval requirement for fire district voting.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows a surviving family member or estate representative to terminate a motor vehicle lease immediately upon the leaseholder's death, without requiring them to buy the vehicle or continue the lease. It prohibits dealers or lessors from charging any fee for this early termination (though reasonable fees for excessive wear/mileage specified in the lease are permitted). Dealers must disclose this termination right in the lease agreement, and failure to do so incurs a $500 penalty. The law applies to personal vehicle leases signed after enactment and does not affect commercial vehicles or surviving co-lessees who signed the lease.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases state funding for the Center for Great Expectations in Somerset by $1.5 million, raising its FY2024 appropriation from $500,000 to $2 million. The Center provides housing and services to over 1,000 vulnerable individuals annually, including homeless people, pregnant or parenting individuals, and those with mental health or substance use challenges. The additional funds will specifically support its adolescent residential program (the state's only such program), adult residential services for pregnant women, and outpatient mental health/substance abuse programs. This budget amendment directly addresses current funding shortfalls for these critical services.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits long-term care facilities (like nursing homes and assisted living residences) from having staff manage residents' financial affairs or serve as their legal representatives. It bans facility owners, administrators, or employees from acting as guardians or attorneys-in-fact for residents and invalidates any such agreements they attempt to create. The bill also requires facilities to use standardized admission forms developed by the Department of Health (available in multiple languages), prohibits forcing residents to sign arbitration agreements at admission, and ensures residents can sue for violations. These changes directly protect residents and their families by preventing conflicts of interest and ensuring clear, fair admission processes.