Asm. Jim Kennedy

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public colleges and universities in New Jersey to include fees on student tuition bills that fund legislative advocacy groups (organizations attempting to influence legislation). Currently, such fees require a student referendum to be added as "optional" fees; this bill eliminates that requirement, making them "waivable" fees instead. Students would see these fees listed separately on their bills but could choose to have them removed without penalty. The bill requires clear disclosures explaining the fee is optional, not endorsed by the school, and how to waive it. It directly affects students at public higher education institutions and the legislative advocacy organizations receiving these funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a four-year "New Jersey STEM Scholars Grant Pilot Program" within the Department of Education to provide funding for schools. It directly affects public school districts, charter schools, and "renaissance schools" (a New Jersey term for publicly funded alternative schools) seeking to expand STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education. The program awards competitive grants for three specific areas: project-based learning (student-led STEM projects), afterschool STEM (after-class programs like clubs), and out-of-school STEM (non-classroom activities like workshops). Grants must supplement, not replace, existing STEM funding, and schools must submit detailed plans for program design, student recruitment, teacher support, and long-term sustainability. Funding comes from annual state appropriations and private donations, administered through a new "STEM Scholars Grant Fund."

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers administration of all school meal programs in New Jersey from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Education. It covers programs including the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Summer Food Service Program, and emergency meal distributions, which provide nutritious meals to students and children in childcare settings. The transfer includes all related functions, funding, staff, records, and existing rules (which remain in effect until replaced by the Department of Education). The change aims to align program management with the Department of Education’s mission of supporting student academic success through school-based services.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits businesses from using receipt paper containing bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical added during manufacturing to improve paper properties, for transaction records like receipts, credit/debit card transactions, or banking records. Violators face civil penalties of $250 to $500 per offense, with each day of ongoing violation treated as a separate offense. The law would take effect 18 months after enactment, giving businesses time to switch to BPA-free alternatives. It directly affects retailers, restaurants, banks, and any business issuing transaction receipts.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the treatment, discharge, disposal, application to roadways, or storage of wastewater, sludge, drill cuttings, or other byproducts from hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for natural gas exploration or production within New Jersey. It applies to all such materials regardless of where the fracking occurred, targeting contaminants like heavy metals, radioactive materials, and chemicals that risk contaminating water supplies and overwhelming wastewater treatment systems. The law bans these activities immediately upon enactment, aiming to prevent environmental harm and health risks associated with fracking waste. It directly affects natural gas companies and waste handlers operating in New Jersey who manage fracking byproducts.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases financial aid to New Jersey municipalities from the Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over two years, restoring approximately $331 million in reduced aid payments that municipalities received during fiscal years 2009-2011. In fiscal year 2023, municipalities will receive 50% of the difference between their 2008 and 2012 aid distributions, with full restoration beginning in 2024. Municipalities must subtract any additional aid received from their property tax levy calculations and cannot anticipate this aid when creating annual budgets. The bill requires municipalities to amend their budgets to properly reflect the total aid amount, ensuring the aid directly reduces the amount they need to raise through property taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey retailers and service providers from using paper receipts containing bisphenol-A (BPA) or bisphenol-S (BPS) starting upon the bill's effective date, and bans all paper receipts 13 months later. It requires businesses to offer electronic receipts via email or text instead, with violations subject to $250-$500 civil penalties. The bill targets health and environmental concerns: 93% of paper receipts contain these toxic chemicals linked to reproductive issues and cancer, while receipt production consumes 3 million trees and 5 billion pounds of CO2 annually (equivalent to 400,000 cars). The law aims to eliminate exposure risks for consumers and workers while reducing environmental harm from paper waste.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2080) requires New Jersey colleges and universities to place automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in every athletic facility and student center. The AEDs must be in unlocked, accessible locations with clear signage during normal operating hours, near athletic fields. Institutions must ensure at least two staff members are trained in CPR and AED use during operations, and regularly maintain the devices while notifying emergency services of their location and type. The bill also grants legal immunity to institutions and staff using the AEDs.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a tax credit under New Jersey's corporation business tax for businesses that retrofit existing warehouses (100,000+ sq ft used for storage) with a "solar-ready zone" and then install solar panels. The credit covers up to 50% of retrofit costs or $250,000 per warehouse, with a maximum of eight warehouses per business per tax period. Businesses must prove solar panels are installed before claiming the credit, and the total credits across all businesses cannot exceed $25 million. The credit applies only to warehouses meeting specific size and solar-ready zone requirements defined in the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates an exception in New Jersey's Smoke-Free Air Act that previously allowed smoking in casinos and simulcasting facilities. It would require these venues to become smoke-free, meaning no smoking would be permitted inside for employees, patrons, or visitors. The change directly affects casino operators, staff, and customers at all New Jersey casinos and simulcasting facilities (such as those with slot machines, table games, or dedicated seating for betting). This policy shift extends the existing indoor smoking ban to these locations, removing a long-standing exemption.