Rep. Maureen Rowan

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to lend $13.093 million to local governments for specific hazard mitigation and resilience projects in fiscal year 2027. The funds are designated for four approved initiatives in Jersey City, Brigantine, Highlands, and Manasquan, which include park resilience, living shorelines, flood mitigation, and coastal protection. To receive these loans, project sponsors must certify that their plans comply with existing emergency management laws and regulations, and the loans must be repaid within 30 years of completion. Additionally, the bill allows the bank to grow its lending capacity by using interest earned on loans and other program fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a fourth-degree crime to knowingly install or use electronic tracking devices or applications to monitor another person's location when doing so is intended to start or help commit an illegal act. It directly affects individuals who use GPS trackers, spyware, or similar technology to surveil others without permission, with exceptions for parents tracking minors, employers monitoring work-related vehicles, and situations involving consent or health safety concerns. The law requires written consent for tracking and automatically revokes that consent if a divorce or restraining order is filed, while also excluding government agencies from these restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Bureau of Housing Inspection to create a 24/7 toll-free hotline and a statewide database for public housing residents to report health, safety, or living condition issues. The hotline must offer English and Spanish support, protect caller anonymity, and provide referrals. The database will track verified complaints by facility, complaint types, corrective actions taken, and response times, then publish this data online for public access. It directly affects residents in public housing covered under the federal Housing Act of 1937, aiming to improve transparency and accountability in addressing housing conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new online portal called the "digital democracy online portal" to allow members of the public to submit and track their own legislative proposals in New Jersey. Sponsored by Assemblymen Kenyatta Stewart and Maureen Rowan, the legislation directs the Office of Legislative Services to build this centralized system on the state's official website. The portal will require each submission to include details such as a proposal number, subject matter, and receipt date, while also offering an option for submitters to provide their contact information. Additionally, the bill updates existing laws to ensure this digital platform is free to access and integrates with other public legislative data.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires municipalities in New Jersey with more than 4,000 residents to create and maintain a public list of local community service organizations. The affected towns must publish this list of voluntary service groups and their contact information for free on their official websites or through an eligible online news outlet. To ensure the information remains current, the law mandates that these lists be updated at least once every year, though towns are not held liable if an organization listed is no longer operating. Additionally, the bill establishes a funding mechanism where the state reimburses municipalities for the actual costs they incur to comply with these new reporting requirements.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill prohibits companies from advertising generative artificial intelligence as capable of practicing regulated professions or occupations such as law, medicine, or accounting. The law applies to any person or entity developing or deploying AI systems in the state that generate text, audio, or visual outputs with minimal human oversight. Violations would be treated as consumer fraud offenses, subjecting violators to fines up to $10,000 for first offenses and $20,000 for subsequent ones, along with potential cease and desist orders. The legislation aims to prevent misleading public representations about AI capabilities while maintaining oversight of licensed professions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the 'Clean Oceanfronts, Amusements, Safety, and Tourism Act' to prepare New Jersey's coastal areas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It establishes a $2.5 million fund dedicated to a public awareness campaign that includes bilingual signage, additional lifeguard training, and educational materials on beach safety and environmental rules. The program specifically targets Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth, and Ocean counties to promote tourism, improve public health, and support local businesses while maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the Vodka Cranberry as the official state cocktail of New Jersey. The measure aims to recognize the state's agricultural heritage, particularly its cranberry production, and to promote local distilleries and tourism. By officially naming this drink, the bill seeks to highlight New Jersey's connection to cranberries and its hospitality industry. The resolution takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's film and digital media tax credit program to include certain websites and content created for internet gaming as eligible digital media projects. Under the new rules, companies producing this type of online content can receive tax credits based on the amount of money they spend on services and goods purchased from New Jersey vendors. To qualify, producers must meet specific spending thresholds, ensure a significant portion of their workforce is employed in the state, and submit verification reports from independent accountants. The legislation aims to expand the existing incentive structure to support the growth of the internet gaming sector within the state's entertainment industry.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Smoke-Free Air Act to allow designated smoking areas within specific casinos and casino simulcasting facilities. It requires that smoking be limited to no more than 25 percent of the floor space, located in unenclosed areas near slot machines or in enclosed sections with separate ventilation and solid walls. The law also mandates that employees assigned to these smoking areas must voluntarily choose to work there. These provisions directly affect casino operators and employees in facilities that meet specific size thresholds, such as having at least 150 slot machines or 10 table games.