Rep. Kevin Egan

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires courts to inform victims and abusers about counseling services for children who were physically present during or witnessed domestic violence. It establishes a legal presumption that custody should be awarded to the domestic violence victim (the non-abusive parent) in appropriate cases. Courts can now order counseling for affected children as part of domestic violence protection orders. The bill also expands court authority to require psychological evaluations and other protective measures. These changes aim to better protect children and victims in domestic violence cases by addressing their specific needs.

Maddy summaryThe "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act" (S 3309) requires used car dealers to check for open recalls on vehicles before sale using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website and provide prospective buyers with printed recall information if any are found. Dealers cannot sell vehicles subject to stop-sale or do-not-drive notices issued by NHTSA. The bill mandates dealers to report vehicles with unresolved recalls (for which repairs remain uncompleted six months after initial notice) to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission every 180 days, prompting the Commission to send notices directly to vehicle owners. For vehicles with unavailable parts for recalls, dealers receive monthly compensation equal to 1.75% of the vehicle's value until repairs are completed.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey employers from requiring employees to attend or listen to workplace communications about political matters, including discussions about political parties, elections, labor organizations, or community activities. It expands existing law by explicitly adding labor organizations and activities to the definition of "political matters" and mandates employers to post a clear notice of these rights in visible workplace areas. Employees who face violations can sue within 90 days for remedies like reinstatement, back pay, or fines up to $5,000 for repeat offenses. The law directly affects all employers in New Jersey - such as businesses, state agencies, and local governments - and their employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to establish a program to incentivize the development of transmission-scale energy storage systems with a minimum capacity of 5 megawatts. The program will solicit applications for projects totaling at least 500 megawatts of capacity, with projects needing commercial operation by December 2030 and interconnection to the PJM grid. The BPU will provide incentive awards totaling at least $60 million annually for 15 years, based on a scoring system that evaluates price, project maturity, and community benefits. The program is designed to help New Jersey meet its 2030 energy storage target of 2,000 megawatts, with the BPU required to report on progress one year after the initial procurement.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A3558 bill establishes the state's official definition of antisemitism using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) standard, including specific examples of antisemitic conduct. State agencies and institutions must use this definition when reviewing, investigating, or deciding on cases involving discriminatory acts motivated by antisemitism. The bill appropriates $100,000 for a public awareness campaign by the Attorney General's office to educate residents on identifying and reporting bias crimes through community outreach and the existing bias crimes hotline. This campaign aims to improve reporting of antisemitic incidents without affecting First Amendment rights or conflicting with existing anti-discrimination laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes New Jersey's State Health Benefits Program governance by expanding the State Health Benefits Commission to 11 members and eliminating the previous Plan Design Committee. It requires the program to offer exactly five health plans for employees and non-Medicare-eligible retirees, including a new "NJ Gold" plan that doesn't require salary-based employee contributions. The bill establishes an escalator system to adjust employee contribution rates based on premium cost trends, increasing rates if premiums rise significantly above inflation and decreasing them if premiums fall. Additionally, it mandates that local government employers must decide within one year whether to join the SHBP, with a two-year commitment if they choose to participate.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases tax credits for investors who fund New Jersey emerging technology businesses by raising the credit rate from 20% to 60% of qualified investments (with an additional 5% available for investments in opportunity zones, low-income communities, or diverse entrepreneurs, making it 65% total). It lowers the employee threshold for qualifying businesses from 225 to 150 employees, expanding eligibility to more small technology companies. The bill also revises definitions of qualifying businesses and investments under the "New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act" while repealing the "New Jersey Ignite Act." These changes directly affect investors, emerging technology businesses, and qualified venture funds seeking tax benefits.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a policy bill. It honors the late Congressman William J. Pascrell, Jr. (who served in Congress from 1997 until his death in 2024), specifically recognizing his founding role in the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force. The resolution urges New Jersey's current and future U.S. Congress members to join and support this bipartisan task force, which focuses on advancing brain injury awareness, research, and policy. It has no effect on laws or funding - it is purely a commemorative statement.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how New Jersey allocates lottery proceeds to the Common Pension Fund L. Currently, at least 30% of lottery revenue must go to the pension fund. The bill reduces this minimum to 25% for the first fiscal year after it takes effect, and permanently maintains that 25% rate starting in the fourth fiscal year if lottery sales and revenue over three consecutive years equal or exceed the base year (the year the bill becomes law). If sales and revenue fall below the base year during that three-year period, the allocation reverts to 30% the following year. The change directly affects how lottery funds are distributed between pension contributions and other state uses.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act" to improve transparency around vehicle recalls and provide fair compensation for dealers. It requires motor vehicle dealers to check for open recalls on used vehicles using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website before sale, inform prospective buyers about any recalls found, and not sell vehicles subject to stop-sale or do-not-drive notices. Dealers must also provide the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission with lists of vehicles with long-unfixed recalls (six months or more), triggering the Commission to send official notices to vehicle owners. The bill also establishes compensation requirements for dealers when parts are unavailable for recalled vehicles, requiring 1.75 percent of the vehicle's value per month for used vehicles or the manufacturer's suggested retail price for new vehicles.