Asm. Jim Kennedy

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to provide up to $2.4 billion in loans for environmental infrastructure projects during fiscal year 2026. The loans would be available to local governments and public water utilities to fund projects that improve water quality, treatment systems, and drinking water infrastructure. The bill specifies eligibility for 151 clean water projects (totaling $1.28 billion in estimated loan amounts) and 59 drinking water projects (totaling $488.8 million in estimated loan amounts). Loan terms would require repayment within 30-45 years, with the bank authorized to adjust loan amounts based on actual project costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a 1995 law that restricted how New Jersey public colleges could charge students for fees related to legislative advocacy. The repealed law prohibited mandatory tuition fees for student groups engaging in legislative activity but allowed optional fees with specific disclosures (e.g., stating the fee isn’t mandatory and isn’t endorsed by the college). The repeal removes these disclosure requirements and restrictions, allowing public colleges to handle such fees without mandated statements. It directly affects public universities and student organizations seeking to fund nonpartisan legislative advocacy efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). It requires the DEP to develop a statewide plan mapping all abandoned mines, identifying the most dangerous sites (like those threatening structures or water quality), and creating a ranked list of reclamation projects. The program will use a new "Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program Fund" to finance projects - either through direct DEP action, grants to municipalities, or private landowners - without requiring property owners to pay. The fund will collect federal grants, state appropriations, and donations to address risks like mine subsidence and water degradation across the state.

Maddy summaryThe "Packaging Product Stewardship Act" requires producers of packaging products in New Jersey to reduce waste through specific targets: a 25% reduction in single-use packaging by 2032 (with at least 10% coming from reusable alternatives or plastic elimination), all packaging must be compostable or recyclable by 2034, and a 65% recycling rate by 2036. Producers can join a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) to collectively meet these requirements or comply individually, with PROs required to develop detailed stewardship plans funded through fees proportional to packaging volume and environmental impact. Annual surcharges on producers will fund a "Packaging Reduction and Recycling Fund" (up to $120 million total) to improve recycling infrastructure. The bill establishes an Office of Plastics and Packaging Management within the Department of Environmental Protection to oversee implementation and enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a program for building electrification and mandates electric public utilities to develop multi-year plans to replace fossil fuel systems with electric alternatives. The plans must meet specific greenhouse gas reduction targets and be cost-effective from a societal perspective, considering environmental benefits like reduced methane emissions. Key mechanisms include converting gas heating/water systems to electric heat pumps, replacing gas appliances with electric models (e.g., induction stoves), and funding contractor training programs. The bill directly affects electric utilities, building owners, and contractors by requiring systemic shifts toward electrified heating, cooking, and industrial processes.

Maddy summaryThe "Climate Superfund Act" would hold fossil fuel companies liable for climate change damages by requiring them to pay compensatory payments based on their historical greenhouse gas emissions. It targets companies that extracted or refined fossil fuels and are responsible for over one billion metric tons of emissions between 1995 and the bill's effective date. The bill establishes a program through New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to collect these payments and distribute funds for climate adaptation projects, such as flood protection, infrastructure upgrades, and health programs. Companies would pay their proportional share of damages over nine years, with options for installment payments, and the collected funds would specifically support projects that help communities prepare for climate impacts.

Maddy summaryACR 154 is a symbolic New Jersey legislative resolution condemning President Trump's 2025 decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord. It does not create new law or affect any specific group; instead, it formally expresses the state legislature's disapproval and urges the President to rejoin the agreement. The resolution was introduced by New Jersey Assembly members and will be sent to the President, Vice President, and New Jersey's congressional delegation. As a concurrent resolution, it has no legal effect but serves as a formal statement of the state's position.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's electric utilities to create and submit infrastructure improvement plans to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) within 120 days of enactment. The plans must address reopening distribution circuits closed to renewable energy installations (or restricted to 100 kW capacity) by enabling electricity flow between distribution and transmission systems, mandating smart inverter technology for solar and storage systems on those circuits, and including low-cost alternatives to avoid expensive upgrades. The BPU must review and approve these plans within 300 days, requiring utilities to report on increased renewable interconnections and schedule implementation as soon as possible. The bill directly affects all electric public utilities in New Jersey with constrained distribution circuits.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allocate $7.5 million annually from constitutionally dedicated Corporation Business Tax (CBT) revenue to preserve land in New Jersey's Highlands Region. It redirects $5 million from the existing Green Acres program (for recreation and conservation) and $2.5 million from the Farmland Preservation program into a new Highlands Preservation Fund managed by the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council. The fund will be used to acquire land for recreation, conservation, and farmland preservation through fee simple purchases, conservation easements, and development rights. The bill specifies that funds can't be used for contaminated land or land already preserved, and prioritizes areas identified in the Highlands regional master plan.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts community gardens from needing certain environmental permits when they manage organic waste through on-site composting systems. It applies to gardens using food waste collected separately from other trash, limiting weekly processing to 200 gallons (or scaled for properties over 5,000 sq ft). Gardens must use all compost on-site or distribute/sell it per New Jersey DEP rules for Class C recyclables. The exemption removes regulatory barriers under the state's Solid Waste Management and Recycling Acts.