Asm. Alixon Collazos-Gill

Maddy summaryThis bill removes an exemption in New Jersey's Smoke-Free Air Act that previously allowed smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities. Currently, these venues could permit smoking in areas used for gambling (like slot machine rooms or table games), but the bill would eliminate that exception. After passage, all indoor areas of casinos and simulcasting facilities open to the public for gambling would be required to be smoke-free. This change aligns these venues with the state's general indoor smoking ban, which applies to most public workplaces and spaces.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey solid waste management districts (including counties and the Hackensack Meadowlands District) to create a strategy reducing food waste by 50% by 2035 compared to 2022 levels. Districts must submit these strategies as amendments to their waste management plans, counting food donations, composting, and anaerobic digestion toward the goal. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) must publish a list of actionable measures for districts (like donation programs, composting infrastructure, and public campaigns) and establish tiered regulations for composting facilities. The policy directly affects local waste management systems and aims to divert food waste from landfills, reducing methane emissions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 760) eliminates a 5% down payment requirement for local governments issuing bonds to fund hazard mitigation and resilience projects. It directly affects municipalities and counties when financing projects like flood protection, storm recovery, or climate adaptation infrastructure. The key change exempts these projects from needing to set aside 5% of bond proceeds as a down payment and removes the requirement to apply to the Local Finance Board for maturity adjustments on related bonds. This simplifies financing for communities addressing climate risks without changing bond maturity rules for other projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits all commercial uses of trichloroethylene (TCE) and bans consumer and commercial uses of perchloroethylene (PCE), while requiring facilities using PCE to implement worker exposure protections. It directs New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to adopt rules mirroring federal EPA regulations (effective December 2024) that address health risks linked to these chemicals, including cancer and organ damage. The rules will apply to industries using PCE in dry cleaning, adhesives, and brake cleaners, and TCE in industrial degreasers and cleaning products. Federal preemption under the Toxic Substances Control Act exempts certain uses. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-2540, "Cancer Patient Care and Compassion Act") requires health insurance plans and Medicaid in New Jersey to cover specific cancer treatments without cost-sharing for patients with Stage III, IV, or terminal cancer. It mandates coverage for parenteral treatments (like IV medications), survivorship care plans, and other services determined by regulators. The bill also adds protections: mortgage lenders must pause foreclosure during active treatment, creditors cannot initiate collections, and tenants facing eviction can request a 45-day stay with physician certification. These provisions directly affect cancer patients and their families by removing financial barriers to care and preventing housing/financial instability during treatment. The bill is pending before the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires county boards and municipal clerks to display voting-by-mail information and application forms at all polling places, including posters prepared by the Secretary of State. It mandates that mail-in ballots received by county boards within 48 hours of an election are considered valid, and that certain mail-in ballots must be retained for record-keeping. Additionally, county clerks must include printed instructions with each mail-in ballot, explaining how to prepare, send, and check the ballot's status online. These changes aim to improve transparency and accessibility for voters using mail-in ballots.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill revises the process for filling vacancies in the U.S. House of Representatives. It requires the governor to issue a special election writ within 10 days of a vacancy, unless the remaining term is less than 135 days. The bill also specifies that special primaries must occur 70-76 days before the special election, with the general election held 64-70 days after the primary. This affects New Jersey voters in the affected congressional district and the governor’s office, as it standardizes timing for special elections. (Note: The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was covered by existing law, P.L.2025, c.275.)

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill prohibits most food service businesses (like restaurants, food trucks, and cafeterias) from automatically giving customers single-use utensils or condiments (like ketchup packets). Instead, businesses must provide these items only if a customer specifically requests them. Larger dine-in establishments (with 50+ seats) must offer reusable utensils for on-site use and require customers to return them after meals. Exemptions include schools (for 5 years), healthcare facilities during outbreaks, and food courts (for 2 years). Violations incur fines starting at $2,500 for repeat offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey swimming pools to offer deep water swimming tests to children 12 and younger upon request by the child or their guardian. To pass the test, a child must swim 50 meters (two laps) and tread water for 30 seconds, demonstrating ability to enter water deeper than chest level. Until passing this test, unaccompanied children under 12 must be within arm’s length of an adult while swimming, with swim team members exempt. Pool inspections and the Department of Health's checklist must confirm this testing requirement is available.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax credit for New Jersey businesses that develop and construct anaerobic digestion facilities processing food waste. Taxpayers can claim a credit equal to 50% of facility development costs, capped at $250,000 per facility, for six years. The total tax credits awarded statewide cannot exceed $15 million, and the credit applies against the corporation business tax. The bill defines "food waste" to include processing residues and used cooking oils but excludes donated food or consumer waste.