Asm. Alixon Collazos-Gill

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a certification process for shampoo technicians in New Jersey, who provide basic hair washing services (like shampooing and conditioning) in licensed salons but do not pursue a full cosmetology license. To become certified, individuals must complete a 40-hour training program approved by the State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling (either through a licensed school or a licensed shop) and pass a practical exam. The State Board issues a biennial certification requiring reasonable fees for initial certification, renewal, and reactivation after expiration (with reactivation after 10+ years requiring retaking the exam). The bill also prohibits examiners affiliated with a school from grading students from that same school and sets standards for training providers and examiners.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners of seasonal rental units (like vacation homes rented for up to 125 days through platforms such as Airbnb) to inform prospective renters before booking if a pet is regularly present or will be present within two weeks of the stay. It directly protects renters with pet allergies or sensitivities by preventing unexpected exposure to pet-dander environments. If owners fail to disclose, renters can cancel their booking, leave within 12 hours of arrival, and receive a full refund of deposits or payments. The law takes effect January 1, 2025, and applies to all seasonal rentals excluding those for migrant or seasonal workers.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $49.5 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues to fund land acquisition for recreation and conservation purposes across New Jersey. The funding supports specific projects including Blue Acres projects (which protect lands from flood and storm damage) and the Green Acres Program. The bill allocates $23.7 million for land acquisition in 14 designated project areas across multiple counties, with $23.7 million specifically for Blue Acres projects and $2.05 million for program administrative costs. This funding comes from a constitutional fund approved by voters in 2014 that's dedicated to open space and conservation initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3 million in supplemental funding to New Jersey's Division on Civil Rights (DCR) for system upgrades to the New Jersey Bias Investigation Access System (NJ BIAS). The funds specifically support updating the NJ BIAS platform, which helps state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies consistently track and report bias crimes. The DCR, the state agency responsible for enforcing civil rights laws, will use this funding to improve how bias crime data is collected and managed across law enforcement. The appropriation is for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, with unspent funds carrying forward for the same purpose.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the special appraisal process for land acquisitions under New Jersey's Green Acres and farmland preservation programs from June 30, 2024 to June 30, 2029 for lands in the Highlands Region. It allocates $7.5 million annually from constitutionally dedicated Corporation Business Tax (CBT) revenue to the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council for land preservation in the Highlands Region. The funds will support two specific programs: the Highlands Open Space Partnership Funding program to acquire land for recreation and conservation, and the Highlands Development Credit Purchase Program to protect land with ecological or agricultural significance. The bill also requires distribution of State aid to municipalities within the Highlands Region that host watershed lands.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's requirements for monitoring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions. It directly affects fossil fuel companies (like refineries and pipelines), electricity generators (both in-state and imported), gas utilities, and any significant indirect emitters (such as hydrogen producers). Key provisions include requiring emissions reports to calculate global warming potential using a 20-year time horizon (not the standard 100-year), mandating annual reports published within six months of each year, and expanding reporting to include indirect greenhouse gases like nitrogen oxides. The Department of Environmental Protection must also contract with satellite technology for emissions monitoring and track progress toward the state's 2030 emissions reduction target set by Executive Order 274.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A4754 prohibits businesses from selling, manufacturing, distributing, or offering for sale personal flotation devices (PFDs) like lifejackets, water wings, or puddle jumpers that are not approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. The bill directly affects retailers and manufacturers operating in New Jersey, specifically targeting PFDs designed for children under 12 years old. Violators face escalating civil penalties: $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second, and $500 for third or subsequent offenses, enforced by the Division of Consumer Affairs. The law aims to ensure consumers can purchase Coast Guard-approved PFDs, reducing risks associated with unapproved devices that may deflate or slip off, as highlighted by drowning statistics.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to conduct a statewide assessment of packaging recycling, composting, and reuse systems by hiring a consultant and establishing a temporary advisory council. It appropriates $500,000 to fund the assessment, which must examine current recycling rates, infrastructure needs, environmental justice considerations, and strategies to achieve optimal recycling rates by 2035 for materials like paper, plastic, glass, and metal. The DEP will select a consultant by January 2026, with the consultant submitting a draft assessment to the advisory council by December 2026. The advisory council, representing diverse stakeholders including haulers, local governments, and environmental organizations, will provide input before the final assessment is submitted to the Governor and Legislature by May 2027. The final report will include recommendations for improving New Jersey's packaging recycling system.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey public school districts from denying students admittance due to tardiness or violations of dress code or school uniform policies. It directly affects all students in New Jersey public schools by ensuring they cannot be barred from entering school for these specific reasons. The law amends existing statute to explicitly state that such denials are not permitted, except as allowed under a school's adopted dress code policy (as outlined in prior law). Schools retain the ability to enforce other disciplinary measures under their standard student conduct policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits of certain retired police and firefighters in New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). It applies specifically to members who have been retired and receiving benefits for at least 10 years, excluding those hired after the bill's effective date, those in deferred retirement, and those with 20-24 years of service. The COLAs are tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners, with benefits up to $75,000 receiving full adjustment, while higher benefits are capped at a 1% annual increase. The $75,000 threshold will adjust annually based on inflation, and the bill requires the Legislature to appropriate funds to cover both state and local costs for these adjustments.