Rep. Kevin Egan

Maddy summaryThis bill reaffirms the continuation of the Rutgers Institute of Management and Labor Relations for its 77th anniversary and appropriates $750,000 annually from the General Fund to support its operations. It requires the Institute to offer affordable educational programs (free for New Jersey residents when possible) on labor-management relations, including classes, webinars, and forums, while conducting applied research on workplace issues. The bill mandates an advisory council with six members - representing labor, management, and the public - to guide program development and budgeting. These funds are intended to supplement, not replace, existing state funding for the Institute.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3349) amends New Jersey law to explicitly include "emergency, transitional, and permanent housing" as a funded service for domestic violence victims through the existing "Domestic Violence Victims' Fund." The Fund, managed by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, is financed by civil penalties ($50-$500) from domestic violence convictions and other designated moneys. It directly affects victims of domestic violence by ensuring these housing needs are covered alongside existing services like shelter, food, utilities, and legal assistance. The change clarifies that housing must be funded from this dedicated account, not other general funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill would permit registered medical cannabis patients in New Jersey to grow their own cannabis at home for personal medical use. It directly affects qualifying patients enrolled in the state's medical cannabis program and their designated caregivers who have been approved by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission. The law defines home cultivation as growing cannabis exclusively in a patient's or caregiver's residence, separate from commercial operations by licensed dispensaries or cultivators. This change would add home growing as an additional access option alongside existing distribution through state-licensed dispensaries.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A3352) requires courts to provide counseling services for children in domestic violence cases and establishes that custody must generally be awarded to the domestic violence victim in appropriate cases. It mandates courts to advise victims and children about counseling services, allows emergency protective orders including firearm restrictions, and ensures temporary orders can be issued quickly without the victim's physical presence. The bill directly affects domestic violence victims, their children, and courts handling family cases, focusing on immediate safety and long-term support. It amends existing law to prioritize victim safety and child welfare in custody determinations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3978) updates budget deadlines and procedures for New Jersey municipalities and counties. It requires mayors to submit budgets with detailed spending and income analysis by February 28 (or March 31 for councils), clarifies municipal manager responsibilities, and sets specific adoption deadlines (April 30 for most local units, September 20 for those using the State fiscal year). The bill also mandates that budgets include certification of compliance with federal employment guidelines regarding arrest and conviction records. The bill was withdrawn after becoming law as P.L.2025, c.185.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies (including the Department of Community Affairs and Board of Public Utilities) to review and potentially raise income limits for residential customers seeking utility bill assistance or energy efficiency programs within one year of the bill's effective date. It directly affects low- and moderate-income households who currently qualify for these programs by expanding eligibility if income thresholds increase. Key provisions mandate agencies to consider program alignment, state median income, cost impacts, and public input before adjusting limits, while also requiring coordination to ensure customers aren’t eligible for multiple energy efficiency programs. The bill aims to simplify access and expand support without specifying exact income levels or outcomes.

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 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 establishes a program within New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to support the development of advanced nuclear energy projects. It defines "advanced nuclear reactors" as those with specific improvements over current technology, including enhanced safety, reduced waste, better integration with renewable energy, and modular design. The program requires projects to be approved by the BPU and includes a new "advanced nuclear development charge" to cover eligible construction costs, with rules for managing unforeseen cost increases. It also creates a certification system for electricity generated, ensuring it meets environmental and reliability standards for qualified projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill restructures the governance of New Jersey's State Health Benefits Program (SHBP), which provides health coverage to state employees. It creates a new 11-member State Health Benefits Commission (replacing the previous structure) and a separate 12-member Plan Design Committee. The Commission includes the Treasurer, agency heads, and members appointed by labor unions representing state employees, while the Plan Design Committee focuses specifically on designing health plan benefits like medical, dental, and prescription coverage. These changes affect all state employees enrolled in the SHBP by altering who oversees their health plan offerings and administration. The bill does not change the actual benefits provided, only the decision-making bodies managing the program.