Asm. Rosy Bagolie

Maddy summaryThis bill makes permanent a temporary law that allows certain licensed retailers and manufacturers in New Jersey to sell and deliver alcoholic beverages directly to consumers. It expands privileges for holders of retail and brewery licenses, permitting them to ship sealed alcohol to residents aged 21 and older for off-premises consumption. The legislation also sets specific rules for packaging, such as requiring tamper-evident seals and limiting mixed drink containers to 16 fluid ounces, while clarifying the delivery and sampling rights for brewery license holders.

Maddy summaryThis bill permanently extends pay parity for telemedicine and telehealth services in New Jersey, requiring health insurance carriers to reimburse providers at the same rates as in-person care. It directly affects insurance companies, healthcare providers, and patients by mandating that out-of-pocket costs like deductibles and copayments for virtual visits cannot exceed those for in-person appointments. The legislation also prohibits insurers from restricting telehealth platforms, limiting service locations, or denying coverage for routine remote monitoring if the same care would be covered in person. Additionally, carriers must continue to allow patients to choose between in-person and virtual care rather than forcing telehealth as a substitute.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows dual-use solar facilities, such as those on landfills or brownfields, to join New Jersey's community solar program, enabling customers to receive bill credits from remotely located solar projects. It requires the Board of Public Utilities to establish rules for a pilot program that sets project size limits, geographic restrictions, minimum participant numbers, and standards for protecting low and moderate income customers. The legislation also mandates that utilities can recover implementation costs and outlines a path to convert the pilot into a permanent program with specific capacity goals by 2029.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows for-profit movie theaters in New Jersey to obtain a license to sell alcoholic beverages on their premises. The license would permit the sale of alcohol during the two hours before a first-run movie screening and throughout the screening itself, subject to approval by the municipal governing board and the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Movie theaters must apply for this license annually and pay an initial fee of at least $210,000, which is reduced to $150,000 if 10 percent or more of the alcohol sold comes from local craft producers. The license is restricted to use only at the theater location and cannot be transferred to other premises.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill exempts small, portable solar generators from standard utility rules like interconnection agreements and net metering programs. It specifically affects homeowners who want to use these devices, which are defined as having a maximum output of 1,200 watts and plugging into standard 120-volt outlets. Under the new law, utility companies cannot require approval, fees, or extra equipment for these devices, and they are also shielded from liability for any damage caused by their use. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Community Affairs update building codes to provide clear guidelines for safely wiring homes to accommodate these portable power systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies protections for patients and providers accessing or offering legally permitted reproductive and gender-affirming health care in New Jersey. It prohibits obstructing or intimidating individuals at facilities providing these services - including blocking entrances, causing reasonable fear of harm, or threatening violence. The law defines "legally protected health care activity" to cover all such services lawful in New Jersey, regardless of a patient’s location, and applies to both in-state residents and out-of-state patients seeking care here. It expands existing safeguards by explicitly banning physical obstructions and threats at facilities offering these services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to issue special license plates for veterans certified by the VA as having service-connected disabilities. The plates, displaying "Disabled Veteran" and a wheelchair symbol, allow these veterans to park in disability-reserved spaces without needing additional permits or placards. The plates are free, non-transferable, and must be displayed on the vehicle while parked. Misuse of the plates can result in revocation and forfeiture of the plate. The bill directly affects disabled veterans who meet federal VA certification criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-funded internship program allowing New Jersey legislators to hire students as interns. It requires the program to be open to undergraduate and graduate students (excluding law and PhD candidates) from accredited colleges, with priority for New Jersey residents or students attending New Jersey institutions. Interns must complete a work period at a legislator's district office, set by the legislator, and may extend their internship with mutual agreement. The program will seek federal grants (such as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act's "On-the-Job Training" program) and state funding to support these internships.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's community solar program to allow "dual-use" solar facilities - those combining solar panels with ongoing agricultural production on farmland - to participate. It sets a 5-megawatt maximum per project, requires at least two participating customers, and mandates access for low- and moderate-income residents. The law also establishes phased registration goals (225 MW by 2024, then 3,000 MW total by 2029) and requires monthly reporting on energy generation and bill credits. This directly affects electric utility customers in New Jersey who can now access community solar projects on farmland, with specific protections for low-income participants.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a mandatory licensing system for general contractors in New Jersey, requiring all individuals or businesses classified under trades 006, 007, 008, or 009 (as defined by the state Treasury Department) to obtain a license. It creates the New Jersey State Board of General Contractors to set licensure standards, review applications, administer exams, and manage renewals, with six board members required to have at least 10 years of contracting experience. To qualify, applicants must meet one of three pathways: complete a construction degree with field experience, complete a state-approved apprenticeship with four years of supervised work, or demonstrate five years of field experience under a licensed contractor. The law prohibits unlicensed practice, mandates license display at job sites, and includes grandfathering for contractors with 10+ years of experience prior to the law's effective date.