Asm. Craig Coughlin

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to submit an annual financial report by March 1 each year. The report must detail the status of special funding accounts under DEP's control - including funds from federal sources, dedicated fees, bond proceeds, and one-time appropriations - that are not typically part of the regular operating budget. The report will include statutory authority for each account, total funds used in the prior fiscal year, and year-end balances. This transparency measure ensures the Governor and Legislature can review how these specific funds are managed annually.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires certain local government construction projects to use either a design-bid-build or design-build delivery system. It applies to county improvement authorities and public redevelopment projects. Under design-bid-build, a licensed design professional creates the complete project plan before bids are solicited and awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. Under design-build, a single entity provides both design and construction services under one contract. The bill specifies that design-bid-build projects must follow the Local Public Contracts Law, while design-build projects must follow the Design Build Construction Services Procurement Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's state-funded emergency food organizations (like major food banks) to allocate their state funds according to specific rules. At least 60% must support local distribution agencies (such as food pantries and soup kitchens), up to 30% can cover administrative costs or infrastructure, and 10% must be spent on New Jersey agricultural products or related investments. Food banks must develop data-informed plans for equitable support of local agencies and submit monthly reports on fund usage to the Office of the Food Security Advocate. These requirements are tied to continued funding, ensuring accountability in how state resources reach communities facing food insecurity.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2814) provides a supplemental $1.5 million appropriation from the General Fund to New Jersey's Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) for enforcement and staffing activities. It directly affects ELEC, which administers state campaign finance laws, by funding its core operations to enforce the Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting Act (C.19:44A-1 et seq.). The funds are specifically designated for staffing needs and enforcement efforts related to campaign finance compliance. The bill does not create new policy but allocates existing funds to support ELEC's existing duties.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A1505) amends computer crime laws to specifically address disrupting online meetings or teleconferences ("bombing"). Currently, unauthorized disruption is a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months in prison or $10,000 fine). The bill increases penalties to a third-degree crime (3-5 years in prison or $15,000 fine) if the disruption involves posting obscene material (violating N.J.S.2C:34-3) viewed by minors under 18, or if the damage exceeds $5,000. For disruptions causing major public service interruptions (affecting 10+ structures for 2+ hours, or creating risk of death/injury) or damage over $250,000, it becomes a first-degree crime with mandatory minimum parole terms.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A3102) authorizes the state's courts to create a public online system allowing individuals to check if they have an outstanding arrest warrant. The system, accessible via the judiciary website, lets users voluntarily enter personal information to verify warrant status. If a warrant exists, it provides details about the charge, responsible law enforcement agency, and steps to resolve it (like paying fines or attending court). The bill aims to help people proactively address warrants they might not know about before being arrested.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A3104) creates a corporation business tax credit for manufacturing businesses that invest in specific activities within designated "Smart Growth Areas." It provides a 10% credit for costs related to new manufacturing equipment, facility renovations/modernization/expansion, or hiring and training new full-time manufacturing employees (retained for 365+ days). The credit applies only to qualified investments meeting defined criteria, such as facilities where over 50% of property is manufacturing equipment, and excludes non-resident employees without reciprocity agreements. Businesses must apply for the credit, and the state requires a report on its effectiveness by 2017.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey state agencies from granting new economic development subsidies to businesses that have a previously awarded state loan or loan guarantee with principal and interest payments overdue for more than 24 months. It directly affects businesses that received prior state economic development loans or guarantees but are significantly behind on repayments. The key change updates current law by setting a specific 24-month overdue threshold instead of relying on a general "default" definition. The policy applies to all state public bodies (like agencies or authorities) awarding subsidies exceeding $25,000 for economic development purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1098) exempts New Jersey disabled veterans from admission fees at state parks and forests, and also removes fees for motor vehicle access to park beaches for fishing. It directly affects disabled veterans who are New Jersey residents and have been honorably discharged with a service-connected disability certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill amends existing law to add "disabled veteran" as a qualifying category for free admission (currently covering residents 62+, totally disabled individuals, and National Guard members with training completion) and specifically exempts this group from beach access fees. The policy change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThe "Transparency in Government Act" (A2617) requires New Jersey to create a free, searchable public website displaying state financial data. It mandates the State Treasurer to include annual records of state agency spending (salaries, vendor payments, local aid), revenues (taxes, fees, grants), and bonded debt (principal, interest, repayment sources) starting from fiscal year 2000. Data must be updated within 45 days after each fiscal year ends and cannot be removed, while protecting private/confidential information. The website will be maintained with oversight from a 13-member Public Finance Transparency Committee, including state officials, agency representatives, and public members. This directly affects state agencies (which must provide data), the State Treasurer's office (which develops the site), and New Jersey residents (who gain access to financial information).