Asm. Don Guardian

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A3700 establishes a voluntary, three-year pilot program to provide Medicaid coverage for remote maternal health services to eligible pregnant beneficiaries. The program covers remote patient monitoring (like tracking blood pressure or glucose), remote non-stress tests, and tele-ultrasound, using FDA-approved, HIPAA-compliant technology. It targets pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries who: (1) have high-risk pregnancies due to medical conditions, age, or lifestyle factors; (2) live in areas with few obstetric providers; or (3) face socioeconomic barriers like transportation issues. Participation requires a health care provider referral and is contingent on federal approval of Medicaid waivers. The program aims to expand access to maternal care in underserved communities.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A919 establishes standards for public service privatization contracts, requiring state and local agencies to demonstrate actual cost savings for taxpayers before outsourcing services. The bill mandates competitive bidding, ensures services maintain current quality and pricing for the public, and requires contractors to pay wages and benefits equal to those of displaced public employees. Agencies must provide detailed cost analyses, allow union input on cost estimates, and submit quarterly reports on contractor compliance. The Office of the State Comptroller reviews contracts for compliance, and the State Auditor conducts annual post-audits to verify savings and prevent service degradation or underpayment of workers.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds electronic sports events (competitive video gaming competitions) to the list of sports events eligible for wagering in New Jersey. It authorizes casinos, racetracks, and licensed operators to accept wagers on electronic sports events that meet specific integrity requirements, with approval from the Division of Gaming Enforcement. The bill requires third-party certification (such as from game publishers) to verify event integrity before wagers can be accepted. Sports wagering licensees may offer up to two additional websites or mobile applications dedicated solely to electronic sports betting. The bill maintains existing rules, including the 21+ age requirement for bettors, and clarifies that electronic sports wagering is distinct from traditional sports wagering.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A5289 establishes a voluntary registration and training program for commercial businesses that apply deicing substances for snow and ice removal on private property. It requires these applicators to complete certified training on water-protective methods, pass an exam, and register with the Environmental Protection Department. Registered businesses must maintain service records, submit annual reports, and follow approved techniques to qualify for liability protection against snow/ice hazard claims. The program aims to reduce water contamination from excessive deicer runoff while offering cost benefits to participating businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to prioritize principal forgiveness for environmental infrastructure loans to municipalities in coastal areas. It specifically targets wastewater and drinking water projects in regions defined as "coastal areas" under existing law. The legislation amends current law to ensure coastal municipalities receive preferential treatment for loan forgiveness when accessing financing through the state's Water Bank program. This change would make it easier for coastal communities to secure funding for critical infrastructure improvements without full repayment of the loan principal.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey electric utilities from raising rates specifically to cover smart meter installation costs. It requires utilities to publicly disclose rate increase details - including amount, reasons, and expected bill impact - 30 days before and after any increase, with fines up to $10,000 for noncompliance. For rate hikes causing a 5% or greater average bill increase, utilities must report to the federal Department of Energy 60 days in advance and cannot disconnect service or charge late fees for six months afterward. The bill directly affects electric utilities and ratepayers (homeowners and businesses paying electricity bills) by restricting certain rate increases and enhancing transparency.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows property owners to request notification before a quitclaim deed is recorded on their property. If requested, county recording offices must notify the owner within 10-12 business days of a deed submission and delay recording for that period. Owners can provide preferred contact details (mail/email) and will pay a fee to cover administrative costs. The law directly affects property owners seeking to prevent fraudulent transfers and county recording offices handling deed records. It amends existing laws to require this notification process for quitclaim deeds, which often lack title guarantees.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (ACR 153) states that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) 2021 rules implementing the "Advanced Clean Trucks" program are inconsistent with legislative intent. The rules require truck manufacturers to sell increasing percentages of zero-emission vehicles (e.g., 55% of certain trucks by 2035), but the DEP adopted them without following a 2003 law requiring notice to environmental committees before implementing new California program phases. The resolution cites that the 2003 law only authorized the DEP to adopt rules for California's *second phase* of low-emission vehicles, not the newer "Advanced Clean Trucks" program. It directs the DEP to amend or withdraw the rules within 30 days or risk further legislative action to invalidate them.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "Veteran's Service Organization License" allowing groups like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars to serve alcoholic beverages on their premises. It permits service only to verified members, their invited guests (up to nine per occasion), and affiliated members of other veteran organizations, but prohibits serving auxiliary members or selling alcohol off-premises. The license exempts these organizations from municipal limits on retail alcohol licenses and requires that private events (e.g., weddings) use alcohol purchased off-site, while allowing food and non-alcoholic sales on-premises. The license fee would range from $63 to $188, set by local municipalities.

Maddy summaryACR 150 is a New Jersey Assembly concurrent resolution declaring that the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) proposed "New Jersey Protecting Against Climate Change - Resilient Environment and Landscapes" (NJPACT-REAL) rules are inconsistent with legislative intent. The resolution argues the DEP overstepped its authority by proposing these rules without specific legislative authorization, citing outdated or repealed laws as justification. It gives the DEP 30 days to withdraw or amend the proposed rules, which would significantly expand flood hazard areas and impact coastal property owners through higher costs for building, renovation, and property taxes. This procedural resolution does not change laws but formally requests the DEP to align its rules with legislative intent.