Asm. Dawn Fantasia

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A 3108 requires the Department of Agriculture to promote community supported agriculture (CSA) programs. Within 180 days of enactment, the Department must create a public website listing all CSA farms and enabling online subscriptions, run statewide advertising campaigns highlighting CSA benefits, and develop promotional labels for CSA-marketed products (using "Jersey Fresh" branding where appropriate). The bill also establishes an annual "Community Supported Agriculture Week" in February to showcase local farm-to-table connections through events in schools, markets, and community venues. This directly affects New Jersey farms participating in CSAs and consumers seeking locally sourced seasonal food through subscription programs.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill directs the Department of Human Services to create a public awareness campaign focused on Alzheimer's disease. The program would educate the general public on symptoms and early detection while providing specialized training for law enforcement, firefighters, and social workers to better assist affected individuals. Additionally, the department must publish easy-to-understand information about the disease in both English and Spanish on its website. The initiative relies on available state funds and may accept external grants or services to support its efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes permanent an additional $250 property tax benefit for senior citizens under New Jersey's ANCHOR Property Tax Relief Program. The change directly affects homeowners and tenants aged 65 or older who meet specific income limits, with a cap of $250,000 for homeowners and $150,000 for renters. By amending existing state law, the legislation ensures these seniors receive the extra relief annually rather than limiting it to fiscal years 2024 through 2026. The benefit is paid alongside other ANCHOR assistance and requires no new application process for eligible recipients.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a ten-year exemption from new state and local rules and regulations for specific manufacturing facilities in New Jersey. Under the law, agencies cannot apply new or amended regulations to these facilities unless federal law requires it, though facilities can choose to waive this protection on a case-by-case basis. The Department of Labor and Workforce Development is tasked with establishing the criteria for eligibility and the process for applying for this exemption. The measure directly affects existing and future manufacturing operations by shielding them from regulatory changes for a decade.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires School District Authority (SDA) districts in New Jersey to solicit at least three lease proposals from developers before signing a contract for new school building construction. To ensure fair competition, the school business administrator must create a standardized request for proposals that outlines evaluation criteria based on technical, management, and cost factors, with a 30-day public notice period for submissions. The legislation mandates that the final selection process be transparent, including a public report ranking the developers and detailing the chosen lease terms, while prohibiting negotiations on proposal terms after submission.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey laws to allow a portion of constitutionally dedicated Corporation Business Tax revenues to fund grants aimed at preventing and remediating harmful algal blooms. The legislation establishes a revolving fund within the Department of Environmental Protection that will receive annual contributions from the tax revenue specifically earmarked for water quality and pollution prevention. These funds can be used to support various water management activities, including monitoring programs, pollution source identification, and the creation of watershed management plans. A key provision authorizes the state to provide grants to local governments for sewer or stormwater infrastructure projects that reduce nonpoint pollution in lakes and reservoirs, with the money potentially serving as matching funds for other grants. The bill directly affects the state's environmental agencies and local municipalities by creating a new financial mechanism to address water quality issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the sale of unpasteurized raw milk in New Jersey by creating a new permit program for dairy farms. Under the proposed rules, farmers must obtain approval from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health, agree to specific health standards for their cattle, and pay a fee to cover inspection costs. The law requires that raw milk be sold only on the farm where it is produced, labeled with warnings about potential health risks, and kept at safe temperatures. Additionally, permit holders must sign an affidavit confirming they do not use growth hormones in their dairy production.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill mandates that all battlefield cross memorials within the state must include replicas of a vertical rifle, helmet, boots, and dog tags. The law applies to both existing monuments and any new ones erected after the bill takes effect, aiming to standardize these symbols of honor for fallen soldiers. Additionally, the legislation authorizes state veterans' agencies to seek external funding to help install these specific components on the memorials. By updating the design requirements, the bill seeks to align current memorials with the modern configuration that has been used since the Gulf War.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act to create exemptions and clarify zoning rules for specific development projects along commercial corridors in the Highlands Region. It primarily affects municipalities and developers by defining "commercial corridors" as areas fronting major roads that are necessary for local economic viability, allowing for more flexible planning in these zones. The legislation also updates legal definitions for terms such as agricultural use, construction materials facilities, and environmental permits to ensure clarity in future land-use decisions. By modifying these specific sections of existing law, the bill aims to streamline development processes while maintaining oversight within the protected region.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the New Jersey Division of Housing and Community Resources to create a state matching grant program that provides additional financial assistance to low-income households already receiving federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) support. To qualify, applicants must submit forms detailing their household size, income, and previous federal aid amounts, after which eligible recipients receive state grants equal to the federal assistance they received in the most recent fiscal year. The legislation appropriates $205.5 million from the General Fund to finance these grants and requires the agency to submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature on the program's implementation and impact.