Asm. Nancy Muñoz

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A988) prohibits payday lenders from making deferred deposit loans, which are short-term cash advances repaid via a post-dated check due on the borrower's next payday. It directly affects lenders (including those operating online or outside New Jersey) who target New Jersey residents, and protects consumers from these high-cost loans. The bill adds payday lending to the list of unlawful practices under the state's Consumer Fraud Act, making it subject to existing penalties like fines up to $20,000 per violation, cease-and-desist orders, and potential triple damages for affected borrowers. The law applies to all loan solicitation methods (online, phone, in-person, etc.) and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires third-party payment services that contract with local governments or school boards to post a bond with those entities. The bond amount and sureties must be approved by the Local Finance Board, and it is forfeited if the service fails to make payments or handle financial transactions, including tax deposits. It directly affects local governments, school boards, and the third-party payment organizations they work with. The legislation aims to protect public funds by ensuring these services meet their financial obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a free "Local Unit Audit Teams" program within New Jersey's Department of the Treasury. It provides school districts, counties, and municipalities with no-cost management reviews to identify efficiency improvements and cost-saving opportunities. Local governments must formally request the service via resolution, agreeing to share records and host a public meeting for findings. Audit teams - composed of state staff and municipal/school management experts - review operations, interview officials, and produce annual reports containing best practices, recommendations to reduce property tax reliance, and suggestions for changing state laws. These reports are shared with local officials and filed annually with the Governor and Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Auditor to analyze the costs and benefits of certain state-funded programs and initiatives. It applies to any program or tax credit initiative receiving $1 million or more annually in state funding, including those run by accounting agencies or economic development authorities. The auditor must assess direct/indirect costs, tangible/intangible benefits, compare feasible alternatives, and conduct sensitivity testing. The findings must be reported to the Governor, Legislature, and made publicly available online. This provides lawmakers with data to evaluate program effectiveness and make informed budget decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill would change New Jersey's rules for limited brewery licensees by removing the requirement that beer for on-premises consumption must be sold only "in connection with a tour" of the brewery. Currently, limited breweries can sell beer for on-site consumption only if customers take a brewery tour. Under this bill, breweries could sell beer for on-site consumption without requiring a tour, though they would still need to offer tours during business hours when the brewery is open to the public and operations allow for tours. The bill affects only limited brewery licensees, who are permitted to brew up to 300,000 barrels of beer annually. This change would provide more flexibility for limited breweries to serve customers on their premises without the tour requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey to distribute a portion of federal ESSER II funds (specifically the state reserve) exclusively to school districts that met specific in-person instruction thresholds during the 2020-2021 school year. It defines "in-person districts" as those offering in-person instruction on 75%+ of days (receiving 1.5x the per-pupil funding) and "hybrid districts" as those offering it on 25%-74% of days (receiving standard per-pupil funding). Districts not meeting either definition are excluded from this distribution. Superintendents must certify compliance under penalty of perjury to qualify.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires the state health department to create a public awareness campaign about the Period of PURPLE Crying (a normal phase of infant crying that peaks at 2 months) and shaken baby syndrome. The campaign will provide information in English and Spanish on state health websites and distribute materials through hospitals, clinics, child care centers, pharmacies, and community organizations to help parents and caregivers understand normal infant crying patterns and prevent abusive head trauma. It specifically aims to reduce incidents of shaken baby syndrome by educating caregivers that unsoothable crying is developmentally normal and should not lead to shaking an infant. The Commissioner of Health must report on the campaign's progress to the governor and legislature within two years.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires males under age 26 applying for a New Jersey driver's license, learner's permit, or nondriver ID to consent to registering with the U.S. Selective Service System as part of the application process. It directs the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to forward applicants' personal information to Selective Service if they haven't registered, with the application submission serving as their consent. The MVC must print a clear notice on all relevant forms stating that submitting the application means consenting to Selective Service registration if required by federal law (or upon turning 18 for applicants under 18). The bill aims to ensure compliance with federal registration requirements, which carry penalties including fines, imprisonment, and loss of federal benefits like student aid.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a "gold level" standard for health benefits coverage for New Jersey public employees and retirees, based on federal Affordable Care Act guidelines. It requires public employees to contribute to health benefits costs (with specific percentage thresholds based on income), prohibits reimbursement of Medicare Part B premiums for active employees and certain retirees, and mandates that retirees purchase coverage through health insurance marketplaces. The bill also requires public employers to consider specific cost-saving health care practices in plan design, submit annual reports on their implementation, and provides subsidies for out-of-pocket health care costs. These provisions apply to all state and local government entities, including school boards, county colleges, and public retirement systems, with a three-year transition period for current retirees.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to publicly post on its website quarterly details of federal safety violations it received (including fines paid) for the previous three months, plus all violations from the prior five years. All published violation data must remain online for five years. Additionally, NJT must create a confidential toll-free hotline and email system for the public to report safety concerns affecting transit users. The bill directly affects NJT's transparency practices and aims to improve public awareness of safety issues on New Jersey's transit system.