Asm. Alixon Collazos-Gill

Maddy summaryThe "Climate Superfund Act" would hold fossil fuel companies liable for climate change damages by requiring them to pay compensatory payments based on their historical greenhouse gas emissions. It targets companies that extracted or refined fossil fuels and are responsible for over one billion metric tons of emissions between 1995 and the bill's effective date. The bill establishes a program through New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to collect these payments and distribute funds for climate adaptation projects, such as flood protection, infrastructure upgrades, and health programs. Companies would pay their proportional share of damages over nine years, with options for installment payments, and the collected funds would specifically support projects that help communities prepare for climate impacts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to make three versions of their budgets publicly accessible: the proposed budget submitted to the Commissioner, the commissioner-approved version (posted 48 hours before public hearings), and the final adopted budget. All versions must be available online (if a district has a website) and in print in "user-friendly" plain language, with additional copies provided upon request. The bill expands current transparency requirements by adding the commissioner-approved budget to the public inspection process and mandates plain-language summaries. It directly affects all New Jersey school districts preparing budgets for the 2026-2027 school year or later.

Maddy summaryThe "Municipal Volunteer Property Tax Reduction Act" would allow New Jersey municipalities to create programs enabling residents aged 60 or older - after owning and living in their primary residence in the municipality for at least 15 years - to volunteer for non-salaried municipal work in exchange for property tax credits. Volunteers would earn credits at the state minimum wage rate, capped at $1,000 annually, delivered as non-transferable vouchers to offset municipal property taxes on their primary residence in the same tax year. Credits cannot be carried over to future years, and vouchers cannot be applied to taxes due in subsequent years. Municipalities must report programs to the state within three business days and cannot use volunteers for positions with budgeted salaries.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires crisis pregnancy centers in New Jersey to clearly state in English and Spanish that they are not licensed health care facilities and whether they employ a physician to supervise pregnancy-related services. Centers must display this information in waiting areas, examination rooms, and all rooms used for client discussions, as well as in every advertisement (online, print, radio, or other media). Violations could result in penalties under the Consumer Fraud Act, and the Attorney General can seek court orders to stop deceptive practices. The law specifically targets centers offering non-medical counseling (like adoption referrals) but not abortion or prenatal care services.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the New Jersey State Treasurer to appoint an acting executive director for the Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT) when the permanent position has been vacant for one year or longer. The appointment requires consultation with the Environmental Protection Commissioner and Agriculture Secretary, and the acting director serves a minimum one-year term at an annual cost capped at $150,000. The GSPT retains full oversight authority over the acting director, consistent with existing laws governing the trust. The bill directly affects the GSPT’s operations, which manage state conservation funds and report on open space, farmland, and historic preservation progress.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey firearm retailers to provide customers with a written disclosure at the point of sale. The disclosure informs buyers they must report lost or stolen firearms within 36 hours to local law enforcement or the State Police, and warns that purchasing firearms with intent to resell to disqualified individuals is illegal. Retailers must have customers sign and receive a copy of this disclosure, keep signed copies for 15 years, and prominently post the notice at all sales counters. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for repeat offenses, with collected fines directed to gun violence prevention efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mental health services in New Jersey to be provided in a culturally affirming and linguistically appropriate manner for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. It mandates that services be delivered in the client's primary method of communication, as determined by the client's preference or a communication assessment, and that mental health professionals be certified as fluent in that method. The bill establishes a deaf services coordinator position within the Department of Human Services to oversee implementation, develop certification standards for professionals, and ensure access to services statewide, including through telemedicine in underserved areas. It also requires the development of a statewide system of care with specific standards for communication accessibility and cultural competence in mental health services.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for retail theft offenses based on the value of stolen goods, with shoplifting over $500 becoming a third-degree crime. It creates a new offense for "fostering the sale of stolen property" (including online sales) and upgrades penalties for "leader of organized retail theft enterprise" to a first-degree crime. The bill establishes a retail theft unit within the Attorney General's office to investigate and prosecute organized retail theft, and includes new requirements for gift card retailers to prevent fraud through packaging standards and third-party reseller record-keeping. It also creates extended prison terms for repeat retail theft offenders and increases penalties for tax evasion related to retail theft.

Maddy summaryACR 152 is a symbolic resolution passed by the New Jersey Assembly condemning President Trump's decision to revoke a federal policy that previously prohibited immigration enforcement actions in sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, places of worship, and healthcare facilities. It specifically references the Biden administration's 2021 policy expanding protections to these areas, which Trump's administration rescinded shortly after taking office. The resolution states this change creates fear among immigrant families, deterring them from accessing essential services like healthcare and education. As a concurrent resolution, it has no legal effect but formally expresses New Jersey's opposition to the policy change and reaffirms the state's support for equal access to services regardless of immigration status.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allocate $7.5 million annually from constitutionally dedicated Corporation Business Tax (CBT) revenue to preserve land in New Jersey's Highlands Region. It redirects $5 million from the existing Green Acres program (for recreation and conservation) and $2.5 million from the Farmland Preservation program into a new Highlands Preservation Fund managed by the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council. The fund will be used to acquire land for recreation, conservation, and farmland preservation through fee simple purchases, conservation easements, and development rights. The bill specifies that funds can't be used for contaminated land or land already preserved, and prioritizes areas identified in the Highlands regional master plan.