Asm. Yvonne Lopez

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to study how data centers impact electricity rates for residential customers. The BPU must determine if non-data center customers unfairly subsidize data center costs, whether infrastructure for data centers causes unreasonable rate hikes, and project the future portion of residential rates attributable to data centers over the next 20 years. The study will also evaluate policy options to prevent rate increases from data center growth. The BPU must complete the study within one year and submit a report to the governor and legislature within 15 months.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 2.5% annual limit on rent increases for tenants living in modular or manufactured homes used as their primary residence. It directly affects renters in these specific housing types, excluding owner-occupied properties with three or fewer units and affordable housing units with income restrictions. Landlords cannot raise rents more than 2.5% over any 12-month period for covered units, and violations require reverting to the previous rent amount. The law supplements existing rent protections but does not override stricter local rent control ordinances.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's requirements for condo and cooperative associations' capital reserve funds. It defines "adequate" funding as reserves sufficient to avoid falling below zero in a 30-year plan, and requires associations (not building owners) to conduct reserve studies every five years. Associations may fund reserves at 85% of recommended levels for up to five years, but must disclose the projected special assessment amount to unit owners and new buyers. The bill removes previous restrictions on special assessments and mandates clear notice about reduced funding. It applies to all associations of planned real estate developments with common interest communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public schools to provide parents of special education students with a written summary of topics to be discussed at annual IEP meetings at least two business days in advance. The summary must include the student’s current academic/functional performance, a list of any excused IEP team members with their input, and an invitation for parent feedback. It also establishes an IEP Improvement Working Group within the New Jersey Department of Education, composed of educators, administrators, parents, and disability experts. The group must research best practices, examine disparities between school districts, and submit recommendations to improve IEP development and parental involvement within four months of organizing.

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 requires members of New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to meet specific experience and training standards. At least two members must have three years of professional experience in energy policy, infrastructure, or utility regulation, while at least one must have three years in consumer advocacy or ratepayer representation. All members must complete 12 hours of annual training on topics like energy market trends, grid modernization, and renewable energy policies from accredited sources. The bill also mandates that appointments consider geographic diversity across urban, suburban, and rural areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes clear standards for New Jersey courts to determine if a rent increase is "unconscionable" (extremely unfair) when challenged by tenants. Courts must consider factors like the rent amount, landlord expenses (including maintenance and insurance), local market rates, tenant bargaining power, and property condition. Landlords must prove increases are fair, and court records from tenant victories in eviction cases are kept private unless landlords win at trial. The bill excludes rent-controlled properties and affordable housing programs from these rules and takes effect immediately, except for the record confidentiality provision which starts six months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a $30,000 annual fee on institutional investors owning residential properties that are unproductive (abandoned or vacant for 12+ months without continuous or seasonal occupancy). Exemptions apply to nonprofits providing affordable housing, small institutional investors (owning 20 or fewer properties), and properties acquired through foreclosure. Institutional investors must submit annual reports detailing their properties to the Commissioner of Community Affairs, with penalties of $500 for first offenses and $1,000 for subsequent failures. The fee revenue will fund housing initiatives as New Jersey faces a housing shortage with 10% fewer single-family homes available compared to the previous year. The bill aims to incentivize productive use of residential properties and increase housing availability.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5572) establishes new quorum rules for New Jersey professional licensing boards and committees that process license applications without requiring legal review due to criminal background checks. It allows a quorum to be formed with just the chair present if the entity cannot achieve a regular quorum after 90 days due to vacancies or needing all members present at every meeting. The change specifically applies to entities overseen by the Division of Consumer Affairs or other state agencies handling licensure applications. This streamlines processing for certain applications while maintaining oversight requirements. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3363) creates a centralized online directory for affordable housing and senior citizen housing units across New Jersey. It requires each county to submit monthly data to the Department of Community Affairs, including building addresses, management contacts, application status, and online application links for all qualifying housing units. The information must be published on the websites of the Department of Community Affairs, New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, and New Jersey Housing Resource Center. This system aims to make it easier for residents to find available housing options by consolidating location-specific details in one public online resource.