Asm. Jim Kennedy

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $70 million in federal pandemic recovery funds to New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to support arts and culture organizations negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The EDA, in consultation with the State Council on the Arts, will distribute $50 million in grants for financial recovery (including $10 million specifically for arts education programs in schools and after-school settings) and $20 million for placemaking projects like public art installations, park beautification, and educational signage. Qualifying organizations - covering both non-profits and for-profit businesses - can use funds to offset pandemic-related revenue losses or build cash reserves for future disruptions. The funding comes directly from New Jersey's allocation of the federal Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund established under the American Rescue Plan Act.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Transit Villages Act encourages municipalities to create compact, mixed-use communities centered around transit hubs within a half-mile radius. It requires municipalities to adopt transit village plan elements in their master plans, promoting higher density development, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and reduced parking for single-occupancy vehicles. The bill offers incentives like tax credits for developers, priority funding for transit projects, and expedited permitting to support these developments. This policy aims to reduce automobile dependency, increase transit ridership, and provide more affordable housing options in areas near transit. The bill codifies an existing transit village initiative by the state transportation agency and provides up to $10 million annually for implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires recycling centers processing glass, plastic, cardboard, or paper to annually report specific data to New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) by December 31. Centers must disclose details about recycling markets (including availability, location, and cost of markets for materials) and contamination levels in the recycling stream. The DEP must keep confidential any information that would reveal trade secrets or competitive business methods, as claimed by the recycling centers. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates rules for public utilities (such as electricity, gas, water, sewer, and telecommunications companies) when installing, repairing, or removing poles or underground facilities in public streets. It requires utilities to obtain municipal consent before placing poles in gas-lit areas and to notify local officials 24 hours in advance of work, removing the prior requirement for municipalities to adopt specific ordinances. Utilities must restore streets to their original condition after work (including repaving and hot patching) and pay workers at prevailing wage rates. Failure to meet these restoration requirements incurs daily fines up to $1,000 (increased from $100), which cannot be passed on to utility customers.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public high school students in New Jersey who observe Ramadan to opt out of required physical education classes and school sports programs during the holy month. Students must submit written notice to their principal before schedules are finalized, and can substitute physical education with an instructional course or study hall that provides equivalent graduation credits. Student-athletes may also be excused from sports, cheerleading, or intramural programs with written notice to their coach, and coaches cannot penalize them for this absence. The policy specifically accommodates Muslim students fasting during Ramadan, without exempting them from other required health education courses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) rail stations and bus/rail terminals to display historical markers about the surrounding area. NJT must identify and install plaques or tablets describing local historic sites, events, or figures that represent all eras and cultural aspects of New Jersey’s history, ensuring geographic diversity across the state. The markers must be designed, purchased, and maintained by NJT, with the option to collaborate with local historical groups or government entities. The bill does not change transit operations but mandates public historical education at transit hubs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a three-year pilot program to expand paratransit services for seniors and people with disabilities in New Jersey, focusing on areas not well served by the current Access Link program. It requires the state to designate three regions (southern, northern, central) and approve community-based organizations (prioritizing those serving seniors/disabled) to provide services under strict rules, including insurance coverage, vehicle standards (minimum four passengers plus driver), background checks, and a 15-minute pick-up commitment. Approved providers must maintain detailed service records (passenger logs, wait times, complaints) and complete staff training on serving people with disabilities. After the pilot, the state must report to the legislature on the program’s success and whether to make it permanent statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to include an environmental sustainability plan within their existing long-range facilities plans. The plan must detail specific actions like improving energy efficiency (reducing emissions, using renewable energy), committing to sustainable procurement of school supplies and electronics, and creating a strategy to transition school bus fleets to electric vehicles. School districts must incorporate this plan into their facilities plans by the end of the first full school year after the bill takes effect and make it publicly accessible online. Districts must also annually report on progress toward their sustainability goals.

Maddy summary# New Jersey Climate Change Mitigation and Resilience Financing Program - Summary This bill establishes the Climate Change Mitigation and Resilience Financing Program within the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (NJIB) to provide low-interest loans and financial assistance for climate-related projects. ## Key Elements: **Program Purpose:** - To finance climate change mitigation and resilience projects through the NJIB - Projects must eliminate, reduce, or sequester greenhouse gas emissions (mitigation) or protect against climate impacts (resilience) **Project Definitions:** - *Mitigation projects* include renewable energy (Class I/II), community solar, energy efficiency, zero-emission transportation, carbon capture, reforestation, and wetlands restoration - *Resilience projects* include flood protection, water storage systems, infrastructure redesign, and harmful algal bloom mitigation **Funding Mechanism:** - A non-bypassable, irrevocable charge on electric utility customers: - $0.0003 per kilowatt-hour initially - Decreases to $0.0002 when 50% of electricity comes from renewable sources - Decreases to $0.0001 when 75% of electricity comes from renewable sources - Phases out completely when 100% of electricity comes from renewable sources **Administration:** - NJIB will create a "State Climate Change Mitigation and Resilience Bank Fund" - NJIB will issue "New Jersey Climate Bonds" to finance the program - Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Board of Public Utilities (BPU) will develop: - Priority systems and ranking criteria - Annual project priority list - Project eligibility criteria **Project Prioritization:** DEP will prioritize projects that: 1. Protect human health, safety, environment, and critical infrastructure from climate impacts 2. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 3. Meet New Jersey's clean energy goals **Program Requirements:** - Annual submission of project priority lists to the Legislature - Legislative approval of annual appropriations - Reporting on financed projects, benefits, and economic impacts The bill creates a dedicated funding stream that directly links electricity consumers' payments to progress toward renewable energy targets, while financing projects to combat climate change impacts in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners and operators of certain sanitary landfills (those accepting waste or closing after its effective date) to control and monitor methane emissions. Key provisions include installing gas collection systems meeting specific standards, conducting quarterly methane monitoring, ensuring emissions stay below 500 ppm at any single location or 25 ppm average across the site, and submitting annual methane estimates to the Department of Environmental Protection. Landfills must obtain required permits and maintain records, with violations treated as offenses under New Jersey's Solid Waste Management Act, subject to civil penalties. The requirements take effect 24 months after enactment.