Asm. Craig Coughlin

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates a $15 fee for special license plates designated for firefighters and members of first aid or rescue squads in New Jersey. It directly affects compensated, partially compensated, and volunteer members of fire departments or first aid/rescue squads who currently pay this fee in addition to standard vehicle registration costs. The bill amends existing law (P.L.1977, c.369) to remove the $15 charge, meaning applicants will only pay standard vehicle registration fees. The special plates (featuring a Maltese Cross with "F.D." for firefighters or a similar design for first aid/rescue members) remain available under the same eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a system where municipalities that update their zoning regulations to allow for more housing options receive priority for state funding. Municipalities that adopt specific housing strategies - such as permitting accessory dwelling units, reducing parking requirements, or allowing multi-unit developments in commercial zones - can qualify for preference in state grants, including the Main Street New Jersey Program and Neighborhood Preservation Program. School districts in these municipalities may also receive up to a 10% increase in state aid for school construction projects. The bill requires municipalities to review and potentially amend their master plans and zoning regulations to incorporate these housing strategies, with planning boards required to report findings and recommend changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates two key programs in New Jersey. First, it establishes an Air Traffic Controller Loan Redemption Program, allowing eligible NJ-resident controllers employed at approved airports to have up to $100,000 of their student loans redeemed over four years of service (16% after year one, 26% after year two, etc.). Second, it appropriates $2.5 million to fund a grant program for public colleges to join the federal Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative, support a Center for Unidentified Aerial Phenomena studies, and develop non-engineering aviation degrees with air traffic control coursework. The bill requires participating colleges to already be in the federal Unmanned Aircraft Systems program and prioritizes institutions in counties of the first class. Total funding is $3.5 million ($1 million for loan redemptions, $2.5 million for college grants).

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $615,000 from the General Fund to the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) for a grant to the NJ 2-1-1 Partnership. The funding directly supports the NJ 2-1-1 Partnership, which operates New Jersey’s statewide 2-1-1 service providing free information and referrals to health, social, and emergency services. The bill adds this amount to the existing fiscal year 2026 budget for DHS’s Behavioral Health Services division. The 2-1-1 service, designated by New Jersey in 2002 as the sole state administrator for the nationwide 2-1-1 dialing code, connects residents to community resources through a single phone number.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds $250,000 in supplemental funding to New Jersey's 2026 budget for gubernatorial transition expenses, bringing the total to $650,000 (supplementing the existing $400,000 allocation). It directly affects the Governor-Elect and the Department of Treasury, which will use the funds for costs like office setup, staff hiring, and administrative operations during the transition period. The funding is part of the state's fiscal year 2026 appropriations and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require New Jersey motor vehicle insurance policies to cover at least $35,000 per person for bodily injury in single-accident cases (rising to $70,000 for multiple victims) without limiting how much victims can recover. It sets minimum uninsured motorist coverage at $250,000 per person for bodily injury and prohibits insurers from restricting recovery amounts or allowing "stacking" of multiple policies to exceed the policy’s limits. The law applies to standard liability policies for vehicles registered in New Jersey, excluding basic insurance plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Education to provide school districts with annual preliminary State aid notices by December 1st, detailing the minimum State aid amount they'll receive for the following school year. It also creates a New Jersey Education Funding Portal on the Department of Education website that will make transparent how school funding is calculated, allowing districts and the public to adjust data inputs like enrollment and property values to estimate potential funding impacts. The bill modifies school funding calculations by changing how districts determine their local share based on property values and income, and it gives districts facing potential aid reductions the ability to submit and revise their budgets within the first six months of the budget year. These changes aim to increase transparency and provide more flexibility for school districts in budget planning.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services to create a web-based tool and mobile app to help NJ FamilyCare (healthcare) and SNAP (food assistance) recipients find and report volunteer work that meets new federal work requirements. Specifically, it mandates a searchable database of approved volunteer opportunities, a mobile app for submitting hours, and links to these tools on official NJ FamilyCare and SNAP websites. The state must also establish a system for organizations to register volunteer opportunities and conduct annual audits to verify submitted hours. The bill aims to simplify compliance for beneficiaries affected by expanded work rules under federal law, while providing state immunity from liability for volunteer injuries related to the tool.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires all public schools to prominently display a link to the online application for free or reduced-price school meals on their websites. It directly affects public schools by mandating this visible placement, making it easier for families to access the application. The application determines eligibility for federal programs like the National School Lunch Program and state meal supplements, which parents must submit annually. The bill aims to improve access to meal benefits by ensuring the application link is easily found online.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for New Jersey school districts to complete their annual financial audits for the 2024-2025 school year. Specifically, it moves the audit completion date from the standard five months after the school year ends to January 10, 2026, and requires submission of the audit summary to the Commissioner of Education by January 1, 2026. These deadlines apply only to the 2024-2025 school year, reverting to the standard timeline for future years. The change directly affects all New Jersey public school districts required to conduct annual financial audits under state law.