Asm. Craig Coughlin

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state-chartered banks, credit unions, and similar financial institutions to maintain reserve funds equal to five times the total value of their previous year's reported fraud, theft, cyber theft, or robbery losses plus related damages. These institutions must annually audit their losses and report the findings to the Banking Commissioner to verify sufficient reserves. The goal is to ensure institutions have adequate funds to refund customers' lost or stolen money during investigations and recovery efforts. The requirement applies only to state-supervised institutions, not federally chartered banks, and takes effect one year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises financing rules for school facilities projects in New Jersey's non-SDA school districts (regular operating districts). It modifies two key provisions: for projects built via county improvement authorities, it removes requirements for nominal leases to districts and mandates lease payments to cover all debt service after state aid is applied; for bonds issued without voter approval, it ensures municipal payments (in lieu of taxes) cover only the debt portion not supported by state aid, while confirming such bonds remain eligible for state debt service aid. These changes provide more flexibility in financing while maintaining state aid's role in covering costs. The bill directly affects school districts and municipalities managing school facility funding.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A4534 (A4534) expands the types of projects eligible for funding under the Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) program. It revises the definition of "qualified assistance fund expenses" to explicitly include transportation infrastructure projects (like roads, bridges, and public transit facilities) and related loan payments, regardless of whether they occur in designated commercial corridors. This change allows qualifying municipalities to use UEZ program funds for broader transportation improvements - such as repairing public roads or financing transit infrastructure - rather than being limited to corridor-specific projects. The bill directly affects UEZ-designated areas in economically distressed New Jersey communities seeking to revitalize their infrastructure through state-funded incentives.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the requirement for teacher candidates in New Jersey to pass a basic skills test (such as the Praxis Core) to obtain certain teaching certificates. Specifically, it eliminates the need for candidates seeking a certificate of eligibility, certificate of eligibility with advanced standing, provisional certificate, or standard instructional certificate to complete a Commissioner-approved test of basic reading, writing, and math skills. The change directly affects individuals pursuing teaching certification in the state by streamlining the certification process. It repeals the existing law requiring these tests, making certification more accessible for educators meeting other standard qualifications. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that tax credit awards for certain residential redevelopment projects under New Jersey's Aspire Program will not be reduced ("prorated") based on partial years of occupancy during the project's eligibility period. It directly affects developers of projects approved before July 6, 2023 (the effective date of related legislation), specifically those that submitted applications on or before that date or were approved under the November 2021 program rules. The key mechanism ensures these projects follow the November 2021 rules - which did not require proration - rather than the December 2023 rules that added proration. The change applies retroactively to all eligible projects previously approved under the Aspire Program.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey health insurers, including commercial plans, health maintenance organizations, and state programs, to cover mammograms starting at age 35 rather than 40 for routine screening. It mandates annual mammograms for women 35 and older, while also requiring coverage for women under 35 with family history of breast cancer or other risk factors. The bill also requires coverage for additional breast imaging tests like ultrasounds or MRIs when mammograms show dense breast tissue or abnormalities. This applies to all health insurance plans in New Jersey, including the State Health Benefits Program and School Employees' Health Benefits Program. The policy change lowers the age threshold for routine screening to improve early breast cancer detection.

Maddy summaryThe bill would broaden veterans' benefits eligibility by removing specific war or conflict service requirements. Instead of needing to have served during designated wars (like World War II or Vietnam), veterans would only need at least 90 days of active duty service (excluding basic training), or Reserve members would need to serve the full period called to active duty. Veterans discharged due to service-connected disabilities would qualify regardless of service duration. This change would expand access to benefits including civil service hiring preference, retirement allowances, and the ability to purchase military service credit for retirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill abolishes New Jersey's Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) and replaces its system with a new municipal framework for meeting affordable housing obligations. Municipalities must now determine their own "fair share" of low- and moderate-income housing through binding resolutions, using state-published calculations, while allowing advocates to contest these determinations. The law appropriates $16 million for housing programs to support new construction and rehabilitation of substandard housing, particularly in urban areas. It directly affects all New Jersey municipalities and low-to-moderate-income residents seeking housing, ending regional contribution agreements and establishing clearer deadlines to prevent previous compliance gaps.

Maddy summaryThis bill would expand privileges for craft alcoholic beverage manufacturers (including those with limited brewery, cidery, meadery, and craft distillery licenses) by allowing them to hold up to 25 off-premises special events annually, unlimited on-premises special events and private parties, and serve alcohol tableside with certified staff. It removes the current requirement that these manufacturers must offer tours to serve alcohol on-premises, and increases the annual production limit for restricted brewery licenses from 10,000 to 300,000 barrels. The bill also permits these manufacturers to offer limited food items, coordinate with food vendors (with restrictions), and show televised events without special permits. Additionally, it allows for outdoor consumption with approved tap systems and provides flexibility for promotional discounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Student Teacher Scholarship Program to help reduce financial barriers for future teachers. It provides eligible students up to $7,200 per semester for full-time clinical practice in teacher preparation programs, covering a maximum of two academic semesters. To qualify, students must be New Jersey residents enrolled full-time in approved education programs and complete required steps for clinical practice. The program requires participants to maintain good academic standing, and scholarships terminate if students are dismissed or withdraw due to illness (without requiring repayment). The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority will manage applications and collect annual data on program participants.