Asm. Yvonne Lopez

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to issue special license plates for vehicles registered in the state that display "The Borinqueneers" along with imagery representing the 65th Infantry Regiment of the United States Army. Vehicle owners can apply for these plates by paying a $50 application fee and an additional $10 annual fee, which are deposited into a dedicated fund. The collected fees, after covering administrative costs, will be used to support programs benefiting veterans of the United States Army through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill also establishes procedures for designing the plates, managing the fund, and coordinating between relevant state agencies to implement the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows for-profit movie theaters in New Jersey to obtain a license to sell alcoholic beverages on their premises. The license would permit the sale of alcohol during the two hours before a first-run movie screening and throughout the screening itself, subject to approval by the municipal governing board and the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Movie theaters must apply for this license annually and pay an initial fee of at least $210,000, which is reduced to $150,000 if 10 percent or more of the alcohol sold comes from local craft producers. The license is restricted to use only at the theater location and cannot be transferred to other premises.

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies protections for patients and providers accessing or offering legally permitted reproductive and gender-affirming health care in New Jersey. It prohibits obstructing or intimidating individuals at facilities providing these services - including blocking entrances, causing reasonable fear of harm, or threatening violence. The law defines "legally protected health care activity" to cover all such services lawful in New Jersey, regardless of a patient’s location, and applies to both in-state residents and out-of-state patients seeking care here. It expands existing safeguards by explicitly banning physical obstructions and threats at facilities offering these services.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a new fee for landlords filing eviction actions related to unpaid rent in New Jersey. It targets renters facing imminent homelessness due to inability to pay rent, requiring them to be New Jersey residents with income under 80% of area median income and not hiding assets. The bill also changes how mortgage-related homelessness assistance is provided, requiring it as a secured loan (not direct cash) for owner-occupied homes. Eligibility includes prioritizing vulnerable groups like seniors, disabled individuals, domestic violence victims, and families with children facing separation.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a standardized "pollinator-friendly" label for plants sold in New Jersey, requiring the Environmental Protection Commissioner (with Agriculture Secretary) to establish specific standards. These standards must prohibit or limit pesticides harmful to pollinators and define "pollinator-friendly" plants as native, non-invasive species. Retailers and distributors could only use the label on plants meeting these standards, which cover bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. The bill does not ban pesticides but sets requirements for labeling to help consumers identify pollinator-safe plants. (Note: The bill is currently pending in committee and has not yet been enacted.)

Maddy summaryThe Climate Superfund Act (A 3735) holds fossil fuel companies liable for climate change damages by requiring them to pay compensatory payments into a state fund. Companies that extracted or refined fossil fuels during 1995-2026 and emitted over one billion metric tons of greenhouse gases must pay based on their proportional liability, with joint liability for companies in a "controlled group." Funds collected will be distributed to implement climate adaptation projects, such as flood protection, infrastructure upgrades, and health programs in overburdened communities. The Department of Environmental Protection will administer the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program to manage payments and fund these projects.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Bill A 3496 requires state agencies to make a good faith effort to increase contracts (procured without advertisement) awarded to certified minority-owned and women-owned businesses by 30 percent within five years. This applies to agencies using delegated purchasing authority for contracts under specific dollar thresholds (e.g., $150,000-$250,000). The State Treasurer must develop guidelines for agencies and submit six-month progress reports to the Governor and Legislature, while agencies must report their actions to the Treasurer every 30 days. The bill directly affects state agencies managing procurement and certified minority/women-owned businesses seeking government contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes that the Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police will hold the rank of Colonel and be authorized to wear the corresponding uniform. It requires the superintendent to be a graduate of the State Police Academy and to maintain an active law enforcement license if they do not already possess one. Additionally, the legislation allows retired state police officers to be appointed as superintendent without needing to rejoin the retirement system, regardless of their age or previous retirant status. These changes directly affect the leadership structure and hiring qualifications for the top position within the state police force.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the licensing rules for marriage and family therapists in New Jersey by adjusting education, experience, and testing requirements. It lowers the supervised experience needed from three years to two years and reduces the waiting period after failing a licensing exam from six months to 90 days. The legislation also clarifies that applicants can take the licensing exam before finishing their required supervised work hours. These changes directly affect individuals seeking to become licensed or associate marriage and family therapists in the state.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires chain restaurants to limit the calories, sodium, sugar, and fat in children's meals while mandating the inclusion of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. It applies specifically to establishments with 20 or more locations and sets strict nutritional caps, such as a maximum of 550 calories per serving and zero grams of trans fat. Additionally, the law mandates that restaurants display the nutritional information for these meals on their menus or signage unless the data is already available on their website. The legislation also restricts the default beverage served with children's meals to healthier options like milk or water.