Asm. Mike Inganamort

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $60 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues - funds already set aside by voter-approved constitutional amendment - to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for specific improvements at state parks, forests, and conservation lands. The funds will directly support projects like repairing bridges and buildings, developing camping facilities, enhancing habitat access, and maintaining historic structures across state-managed recreation areas. It uses existing tax revenues (not new taxes) that were constitutionally earmarked for open space preservation under the Preserve New Jersey Act. The DEP can implement these projects without requiring separate budget committee approvals, as specified in the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the lists of environmental infrastructure projects approved for long-term funding under New Jersey's FY2025 environmental infrastructure funding program. It creates two specific eligibility lists: one for clean water projects (including 152 projects totaling $1.4 billion) and one for drinking water projects (including 67 projects totaling $536 million), detailing each project sponsor, project number, and estimated loan amounts. The bill authorizes the Department of Environmental Protection to make zero-interest and principal-forgiveness loans for these projects, with varying levels of principal forgiveness based on project type, community size, and affordability criteria. The loans are intended to finance infrastructure improvements for water quality and drinking water systems across the state, with specific repayment terms and priority rankings established for different project categories.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Assembly Resolution 156 requests that the U.S. Congress pass federal legislation providing legal remedies for individuals harmed by exposure to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and funding research into PFAS health effects. PFAS, persistent "forever chemicals" found in drinking water, consumer products, and workplaces, are linked to cancer, reproductive harm, and immune system damage. The resolution specifically supports the proposed federal "PFAS Accountability Act of 2024" and urges Congress to establish a legal pathway for victims to seek redress from manufacturers. This resolution does not create new laws but advocates for federal action to address widespread PFAS exposure risks across communities.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 173) is a non-binding request urging the federal government to investigate unidentified drone sightings reported across New Jersey. It directly addresses federal agencies (like the FAA, Defense, and Homeland Security departments) and asks them to conduct a thorough investigation into drone activity near critical infrastructure, military sites, and residential areas. The resolution cites over a dozen counties reporting nightly drone flights, including near President-elect Trump’s property, and emphasizes that local officials and residents feel these sightings pose security concerns despite federal claims of no verified threat. It does not create new laws or regulations but formally requests federal action to address public safety worries.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5140) increases penalties for businesses, public facilities, and transportation providers who deny access to service dogs and their handlers. Currently, violators face civil fines ($250-$1,000 for repeat offenses), but this bill makes first violations criminal offenses (petty disorderly persons, up to 30 days jail or $500 fine) and subsequent violations criminal (disorderly persons, up to 1 year jail or $1,000 fine). It applies to public facilities, New Jersey Transit (NJT), and transportation network companies (like ride-sharing services). Penalties collected fund law enforcement training on service dog rights, and the Attorney General must launch a public awareness campaign. The bill takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5148) allows 12th-grade students in New Jersey public schools to have excused absences for military enlistment activities without penalty. It directly affects students planning to join the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard, covering required activities like testing, medical evaluations, interviews, and fingerprinting. The absence is recorded as excused on attendance records, does not appear on transcripts or employment forms, and is excluded from perfect attendance calculations. Schools may require documentation to verify the student's eligibility under this provision. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summarySJR 103 is a symbolic resolution declaring New Jersey a "Purple Heart State" to honor veterans and active-duty service members from New Jersey who have received the Purple Heart Medal. The Purple Heart Medal is awarded by the President to those wounded or killed in combat, and this resolution recognizes their sacrifices without creating new benefits or programs. It builds on New Jersey's existing connections to the national "Purple Heart Trail" (a network of roads and monuments honoring recipients), which includes locations in the state and stems from a 1992 convention held in Cherry Hill. The resolution takes effect immediately and serves as a formal state acknowledgment of these veterans' service.

Maddy summaryThis bill delays New Jersey's implementation of Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulations until January 1, 2027 - pushing back the current 2025 deadline. It directly affects vehicle manufacturers of medium- and heavy-duty trucks, requiring them to sell increasing percentages of zero-emission vehicles (capping at 40-75% of annual sales by 2035). The bill modifies New Jersey’s adoption of California’s 2021 ACT regulations, which mandate phased EV sales targets, by prohibiting the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from enforcing these rules before 2027. The delay gives manufacturers more time to adapt to the requirements while maintaining the state’s alignment with California’s emissions program.

Maddy summaryThe "Small Modular Nuclear Energy Incentive Act" (A5103) establishes a program for New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities to incentivize construction of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) through a competitive bidding process. The bill directs the BPU to develop a program within one year of enactment, offering financial incentives per megawatt hour of electricity produced, with preference given to projects at former nuclear or fossil fuel plant sites and those that retrain former plant workers. Incentives would be funded from the "Global Warming Solutions Fund," which collects revenue from New Jersey's Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative participation. Selected SMR projects would be required to pay an annual administrative fee to cover program costs and could not sell environmental benefits associated with their energy production. The program must begin its first solicitation within two years of the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to review the electricity rates and revenues of all electric utilities using smart meters. Specifically, the BPU must compare each utility's rates and revenue amounts before and after installing smart meters. Within six months of the bill taking effect, the BPU must submit a written report summarizing its findings to the Governor and Legislature. The bill directly affects electric utilities that have deployed smart meters, focusing on transparency around billing impacts rather than changing rates themselves.