Asm. Joe Danielsen

Maddy summaryAR 53 is a New Jersey Assembly Resolution expressing opposition to the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) Project, a proposed natural gas pipeline expansion. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents in Franklin Township (where the project would build a compressor station near an active quarry), local emergency responders, and the environment. Key provisions cite concerns including potential pipeline safety risks from aging infrastructure, lack of emergency preparedness plans, carcinogen emissions during operations, and environmental harm to Raritan Bay. The resolution urges the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to consider alternative energy projects that meet New York's needs without these risks. This is a non-binding resolution, not a law, intended to influence FERC's review of the project.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's property tax exemption for veterans with service-connected disabilities. It directly affects honorably discharged veterans who have a permanent service-connected disability, including mental illness (previously excluded), and their surviving partners. The key change adds mental illness as a qualifying condition for a proportional property tax exemption based on the veteran's disability percentage (up to 100%). It also extends eligibility to surviving partners if the veteran developed a service-connected disability after death, allowing them to claim the exemption as if the veteran were still living. The exemption applies to the veteran's or surviving partner's primary residence, in addition to other existing property tax exemptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 3-year pilot program requiring counties to create "Code Red" alert systems for extreme heat or poor air quality events. It directly affects at-risk individuals (defined as those living outdoors or in poorly insulated settings) by mandating counties to coordinate cooling centers, outreach plans, and transportation through municipal and social service partners. Alerts trigger when the National Weather Service issues a heat advisory or air quality index reaches 151, with counties reporting program outcomes to the State Office of Emergency Management by the 30th month. The program expires after three years, with counties eligible for reimbursement of administrative costs. (Note: Bill was withdrawn January 13, 2026, as it was incorporated into P.L.2025, c.297.)

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) to include annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) in contracts with organizations providing child, youth, and family services. The COLA would be calculated using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the previous year (October 1-September 30) and announced by DCF each October 1. It directly affects contracted social service organizations - including those receiving Medicaid funding - by ensuring their fixed service rates (which cover staff wages and operational costs) adjust annually for inflation. This mechanism aims to sustain funding for essential services and maintain competitive staff compensation as living costs rise. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A-1149) allows full-service restaurants with specific alcohol licenses to deliver both food and pre-ordered alcoholic beverages in company-owned or leased vehicles. It requires deliveries to always include a food order, mandates orders be placed via mobile app, website, or phone (with payment processed upfront), and prohibits cash payments at delivery. Restaurants must employ delivery staff as W-2 employees (not contractors), provide healthcare benefits, and ensure staff are trained to verify customers are 21+. The bill also requires delivery vehicles to display special signage and maintains strict record-keeping for inspections. It applies only to restaurants that serve food at tables and are open to the public.

Maddy summaryThis bill redirects 50% of existing revenue from two specific taxes on high-value real estate transactions to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. It applies to sellers of residential, commercial, farm, or cooperative properties sold for over $1 million, as well as certain commercial property transfers involving controlling interests exceeding $1 million. Currently, these revenues go to the General Fund; this bill mandates that half be instead deposited annually into the housing trust fund to support affordable housing programs. The change would take effect July 1 following enactment.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A 1965 prohibits insurers (including auto, home, and health insurance companies) and state health benefit programs (State Health Benefits Program and School Employees’ Health Benefits Program) from charging policyholders a fee for receiving paper bills or notices. The law requires insurers to provide physical mailings at no extra cost, while still allowing them to offer discounts for digital billing options. It applies to all standard insurance policies and state health plans, with penalties of up to $1,000 per violation for insurers that violate this rule. The bill aims to eliminate hidden costs for consumers choosing paper communications.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey telecommunications companies to automatically provide prorated bill credits or refunds to customers experiencing service outages lasting more than 72 hours. It directly affects all telecom providers regulated by the state board, including traditional phone services and VoIP providers, and their customers. The key mechanism mandates that companies adjust bills proportionally for the outage duration without requiring customers to request the refund. The law specifies that refunds must be applied automatically to the next billing cycle, with no customer action needed. This applies to both local exchange carriers and interexchange telecommunications companies providing regulated services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an annual two-month sales tax holiday in New Jersey, running from August 1 to September 30 each year. During this period, individual shoppers (not businesses) can purchase certain items tax-free, including computers under $3,000, school computer supplies under $1,000, and defined school supplies (like pens and notebooks), school art supplies (paints and clay), and school instructional materials (textbooks and reference books). The exemption applies only to non-business purchases made by consumers for personal educational use. The bill requires the state tax authority to implement the holiday with minimal administrative changes, effective 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the monthly personal needs allowance (PNA) from $50 to $100 for low-income residents of nursing homes, state psychiatric hospitals, and state developmental centers who receive Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The allowance allows residents to spend money on personal items like phone calls, meals, clothing, or hobbies, separate from facility-provided care. The change directly affects approximately 30,000 New Jersey residents in these facilities who currently receive the $50 allowance. This doubles the existing amount, aligning New Jersey with states like Florida and Massachusetts that offer higher PNAs.