Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryThis bill would exempt sales of books at school book fairs from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It directly affects elementary and secondary schools holding book fairs, as well as vendors selling books at these events. The exemption applies only to book fairs held at schools where books are sold exclusively to students and their parents or guardians. The bill defines "school book fair" to ensure the exemption covers only school-organized events meeting these specific criteria. The tax exemption would take effect four months after the bill is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 101) urges President Biden to use executive authority to cancel up to $50,000 in federal student loan debt per eligible borrower. It directly addresses the 43 million Americans holding approximately $1.6 trillion in federal student loans, with particular focus on borrowers disproportionately impacted by debt burdens (including women, minorities, and low-income households). The resolution cites Section 432(a) of the Higher Education Act as the legal basis for administrative debt cancellation, referencing prior pandemic-era relief under this authority. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but formally requests the President take action.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs to cover specific nutrition services for enrollees with certain diet-related health conditions. It mandates coverage for up to 10 ready-to-eat meals per week for conditions like heart failure, type 2 diabetes, COPD, or kidney disease; enough grocery items for 14 meals per week for type 2 diabetes or obesity; $25+ weekly food vouchers for pre-diabetes, overweight, or high blood pressure; and medical nutrition counseling for diabetes or kidney disease. All services must be prescribed by a healthcare provider and designed by a dietitian or nutritionist as part of a treatment plan, with the state seeking federal approval to implement these changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases protections for New Jersey residents facing debt collection. It raises the homestead exemption (protecting primary homes from forced sale) to the greater of $300,000 or a county-specific median home value (capped at $600,000), doubling to $1.2 million for seniors/disabled residents. Household goods exempt from seizure rise from $1,000 to $15,000, and bank account exemptions increase to $10,000 (single) or $15,000 (joint). All exemption amounts will automatically adjust every three years based on regional inflation data.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires every New Jersey county to install at least one drive-up ballot drop box at a location designed for accessibility (with features like turning radius, curb cuts, and handicap parking). It mandates that all ballot drop boxes be clearly marked as "Official Ballot Drop Box" and display specific information in required languages, including tampering penalties, a voter hotline, "no postage needed" notice, county-specific ballot acceptance rules, and the 8:00 p.m. Election Day deadline. The bill also requires counties to post electioneering restrictions (no political activity within 100 feet) and ensures compliance with accessibility standards. These changes apply directly to county election boards, affecting how voters deposit mail-in ballots statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September of each year as "Menopause Awareness Month" in New Jersey. It directly affects women in New Jersey aged 40-59 (approximately 1.2 million residents in 2019), raising awareness about menopause - a natural stage marked by permanent cessation of menstrual periods after 12 months without them. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public awareness activities during September to address symptoms like hot flashes and emotional changes, while promoting open discussion about menopause. It aligns with a national observance but does not create new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public agencies receiving state funds for public work to publicly post on their websites a monthly breakdown of how much of those funds was used for contracts with minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses versus other businesses. If an agency lacks a website, it must submit the data to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, which will post and update it monthly. The Department of Labor must also annually summarize this information in a report to the Governor and Legislature. The requirement applies to all state and local government entities, including departments, boards, and public institutions, but excludes contracts for goods or products.

Maddy summaryAJR 115 designates May of each year as Military Spouse Appreciation Month in New Jersey, symbolically recognizing military spouses for their support during deployments and relocations. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with activities honoring these spouses. It directly affects military spouses in New Jersey by formally acknowledging their contributions, though it does not create new benefits or funding. The bill is purely ceremonial, focusing on recognition rather than policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires developers to include sufficient onsite parking spaces for tractor trailers at new "large warehouses" (defined as facilities over 100,000 square feet used for storage/loading/unloading) as a condition of preliminary site plan approval. The parking must prevent overnight overflow onto neighboring properties or public roads between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Municipalities may create zoning ordinances that allow reduced parking requirements if they address overflow issues. It amends New Jersey’s zoning law to mandate this provision for large warehouse developments.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires natural gas utilities and other heating fuel suppliers in New Jersey to annually purchase "clean heat credits" representing greenhouse gas emissions reductions from qualifying clean heating measures. Suppliers must cover 5% of emissions in the first year after implementation, increasing to 20% by 2030, 50% by 2040, and 80% by 2050. Property owners who install eligible measures - such as heat pumps, energy efficiency upgrades, or renewable energy systems - generate credits for each ton of avoided emissions, which they sell to suppliers. Suppliers may also pay an alternative compliance fee into the Global Warming Solutions Fund instead of buying credits.