Asm. Mike Inganamort

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey hospitals and birthing facilities to show new parents (and any adult family members present at birth) a water safety video before discharge. The video covers drowning risks in bathtubs/pools, importance of swimming lessons, life jacket use, and pool safety features like anti-entrapment drains. Facilities must incorporate this viewing into standard discharge procedures. The video will be created and distributed by the state Department of Health via website or electronic means. It directly affects new parents and newborns in New Jersey hospitals.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from requiring certain municipalities to adopt rules controlling tree removal and replacement. It specifically applies to Tier A municipalities under the state's stormwater program - those meeting criteria like being in urban areas with high population density, specific stormwater systems, or designated discharge points. The law stops the DEP from enforcing this requirement, which was recently added to the stormwater permit program in 2023. The change affects only Tier A municipalities, not all local governments.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey state agencies (like the Department of Community Affairs, Environmental Protection, and the Board of Public Utilities) from requiring buildings to use electric heating or water heating systems as the sole or primary method until a specific report is issued. It directly affects building owners, developers, and utilities by delaying mandatory electric system requirements, though it does not stop voluntary adoption or private use of electric systems. The key mechanism requires the Department of Community Affairs to hold six public hearings across the state within 18 months (covering costs, environmental impacts, and worker effects) and submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within 24 months. After the report is published, the prohibition on mandates expires, allowing agencies to proceed with rules based on the findings.

Maddy summaryThis bill would temporarily exempt small retail businesses in areas affected by highway construction from paying state sales tax during active projects. To qualify, businesses must have 50 or fewer full-time employees, be independently owned, and operate within an "impacted construction zone" where highway work blocks traffic or access. Businesses must apply to the state tax director for approval, which would issue a certificate specifying eligible locations and the exemption period matching the project's duration (from start to completion). The exemption applies only to sales at the business during the construction phase, not to other tax obligations.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 93) urges New Jersey's Governor to declare an energy generation emergency due to the state's loss of 20% of its power capacity over eight years and increasing demand from data centers and AI growth. It does not create new laws but requests the Governor take action to prioritize faster development of energy infrastructure, including generation and transmission projects. The resolution aims to address New Jersey's shift from a net energy exporter to importer and reduce rising energy costs for residents and businesses.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 2265) requires all public school districts to include water safety instruction in health education for students in grades K-12 as part of existing curriculum standards. It mandates teaching specific topics: the dangers of rip tides, beach safety practices (especially for students not near coastlines), hand signals for swimmer distress, and lifeguard sightline limitations. The instruction must be integrated into the Comprehensive Health and Physical Education standards starting with the first full school year after enactment. The bill directly affects all New Jersey public school students and their health education curriculum.

Maddy summaryBill A 2029 would require New Jersey's Department of the Treasury to conduct a comprehensive financial stress test every three years. The analysis would examine how state revenue (from taxes and federal funds), spending patterns, and emergency reserves might change during economic downturns, including recession scenarios. It would also evaluate strategies to maintain essential services during financial crises and require the results to be published online and included in the Governor's annual budget proposal. This bill directly affects state budget planning processes, aiming to improve preparedness for economic shifts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a statewide program within New Jersey's Department of Transportation to address safety hazards from abandoned mines. It requires the DOT to create a reclamation plan mapping all abandoned mines, identifying the most dangerous sites (like those threatening infrastructure or causing subsidence), and prioritizing projects to stabilize or reclaim them. The program will use a dedicated fund (funded by federal grants, state appropriations, and donations) to finance reclamation work, which may include contracting with private firms or providing grants. Property owners near affected mines will be notified before DOT enters their land for reclamation, but the state cannot require them to pay for these projects. The bill directly affects DOT operations and property owners in areas with abandoned mining sites.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (AR 57) is a symbolic expression of disapproval by the New Jersey General Assembly regarding the People's Republic of China's treatment of the Uyghur ethnic group. It directly affects China's international standing by formally condemning reported repressive actions, including the internment of over one million Uyghurs. The key mechanism requires the Assembly Clerk to send copies of the resolution to the U.S. Secretary of State, the Chinese ambassador in Washington, and China's UN representative. As a non-binding resolution, it does not enact new policy but publicly aligns New Jersey with concerns about Uyghur rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 296) increases penalties for human trafficking involving children under 18 in New Jersey. It expands the definition of human trafficking to cover all forms of child exploitation (both sexual and labor), not just sexual activity. Offenders face mandatory life imprisonment without parole, a $25,000 fine (funded to a victim assistance program), and restitution based on the victim’s labor value. The law directly affects individuals convicted of trafficking children, replacing current penalties that allowed parole eligibility after 20 years. This change applies to all child trafficking offenses, regardless of whether the perpetrator mistakenly believed the child was 18 or older.