Asm. Reginald Atkins

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 prohibits public institutions of higher education in New Jersey from entering into sports wagering partnerships that involve advertising or marketing in stadiums, digital/broadcast sports content, or other campus-related channels. It specifically bans agreements between universities (including athletic departments or booster clubs) and sports wagering operators for student or campus audience access. Exceptions exist for academic partnerships with casinos/sports wagering licensees that provide student learning opportunities, and for related foundations that avoid direct student advertising (e.g., no on-campus marketing or targeted digital ads to enrolled students). The law takes effect immediately upon approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the prohibition on medical cannabis dispensaries establishing satellite locations in New Jersey. It allows dispensaries to open one satellite location after obtaining approval from the Cannabis Regulatory Commission. The bill specifically permits alternative treatment centers that received permits before or after the effective date of P.L.2019, c.153 to maintain up to two satellite locations, while other dispensaries can establish only one satellite location. This change aims to expand access to medical cannabis services while maintaining regulatory oversight through commission approval.

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 summaryS 1320 requires licensed public adjusters in New Jersey to include specific details in written contracts with insureds. The bill mandates that contracts must list the adjuster's license number, describe services and compensation, and include a clear notice of the insured's right to cancel the contract within three business days. It also requires public adjusters to hold any client funds in an interest-bearing escrow account and provides that insureds can terminate contracts later without penalty, though they remain liable for reasonable fees for services rendered. This law directly affects insureds seeking property damage claim assistance and public adjusters operating in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes permanent New Jersey's current rules for involuntary psychiatric commitments, extending beyond a temporary 24-month sunset period. It requires general hospitals and emergency departments to release patients within 72 hours of a screening certificate, unless they obtain a court order allowing up to 72 additional hours - based on proof that the hospital tried to place the patient in a less restrictive facility and two psychiatrists certified the patient's danger due to mental illness. Hospitals must also submit quarterly public reports with de-identified data on detentions beyond 72 hours, including reasons for extensions and placement outcomes. These provisions directly affect hospitals, patients in crisis, and court processes handling involuntary commitment requests.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4878) ensures service members and their dependents (spouses or children) enrolled at New Jersey public colleges can choose specific grade options if unexpected military duty prevents course completion. It raises the required course completion threshold from 8 weeks to 55% of the course duration before certain options apply, and adds "temporary grade" and "transfer to equivalent online course" (if available) as choices. Dependents are now explicitly included under the same protections previously only for service members themselves. The bill clarifies that faculty must determine if sufficient work was completed to justify grades like pass/fail or letter grades, with options like incomplete grades remaining valid for one year.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires secondhand dealers (like pawn shops or phone buyback stores) to verify the identity and ownership of sellers when purchasing used cell phones or wireless devices. Dealers must document device identifiers (such as serial numbers), collect two forms of ID (including photo ID), and confirm sellers are legally authorized owners. They must maintain records for one year, make them available to law enforcement, and cannot alter device markings. Violations carry civil penalties up to $1,000 per offense. The law directly affects secondhand dealers and sellers of used wireless devices in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases tax credits for investors who fund New Jersey emerging technology businesses by raising the credit rate from 20% to 60% of qualified investments (with an additional 5% available for investments in opportunity zones, low-income communities, or diverse entrepreneurs, making it 65% total). It lowers the employee threshold for qualifying businesses from 225 to 150 employees, expanding eligibility to more small technology companies. The bill also revises definitions of qualifying businesses and investments under the "New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act" while repealing the "New Jersey Ignite Act." These changes directly affect investors, emerging technology businesses, and qualified venture funds seeking tax benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act" to improve transparency around vehicle recalls and provide fair compensation for dealers. It requires motor vehicle dealers to check for open recalls on used vehicles using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website before sale, inform prospective buyers about any recalls found, and not sell vehicles subject to stop-sale or do-not-drive notices. Dealers must also provide the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission with lists of vehicles with long-unfixed recalls (six months or more), triggering the Commission to send official notices to vehicle owners. The bill also establishes compensation requirements for dealers when parts are unavailable for recalled vehicles, requiring 1.75 percent of the vehicle's value per month for used vehicles or the manufacturer's suggested retail price for new vehicles.