Asm. Eliana Pintor Marin

Maddy summaryThis bill requires data center owners or operators in New Jersey to annually submit detailed water and energy usage reports to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) starting one year after the law takes effect. The reports must include specific metrics like total energy consumption (in kilowatt hours), water usage (in cubic meters), and efficiency calculations such as "power usage effectiveness" and "renewable energy factor." Data centers must also disclose operational details (e.g., location, purpose, water sources) and notify the BPU 60 days in advance of major operational changes. The BPU will publish all submitted data online within 30 days, making it publicly accessible for transparency.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act" to improve transparency around vehicle recalls and provide fair compensation for dealers. It requires motor vehicle dealers to check for open recalls on used vehicles using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website before sale, inform prospective buyers about any recalls found, and not sell vehicles subject to stop-sale or do-not-drive notices. Dealers must also provide the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission with lists of vehicles with long-unfixed recalls (six months or more), triggering the Commission to send official notices to vehicle owners. The bill also establishes compensation requirements for dealers when parts are unavailable for recalled vehicles, requiring 1.75 percent of the vehicle's value per month for used vehicles or the manufacturer's suggested retail price for new vehicles.

Maddy summaryS 2026 is a budget bill that allocates $58.78 billion in state funds and $31.01 billion in federal funds for New Jersey's government operations during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). This bill provides the necessary funding for all state departments and programs to operate throughout the upcoming fiscal year. The bill does not create new policies or programs, but rather appropriates existing funding sources to support ongoing state government functions.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates a $25 application fee for patients or healthcare providers appealing health insurance denials, reductions, or terminations of benefits. It directly affects New Jersey residents covered by health insurance plans who dispute carrier decisions after completing their insurer's internal appeals process. The key provision removes the fee requirement from the existing Independent Health Care Appeals Program, making the process more accessible without altering the program's structure. The change applies to all appeals reviewed under this state program, streamlining access to independent review. (3 sentences)

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's Innovation Evergreen Program, which funds investments in high-growth businesses through tax credit auctions. It expands eligibility by adding headquarters location as a factor for determining "principal business operations," making it easier for businesses with New Jersey headquarters to qualify. The bill increases the maximum initial investment from $5 million to $10 million (and to $12.5 million for university spin-offs or minority/women-owned businesses), and raises the threshold for triggering a pause in tax credit auctions from $15 million to $50 million in available funds. These changes aim to strengthen support for innovation-driven businesses while streamlining reporting requirements for participating venture firms.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $142.6 million in supplemental funding for New Jersey's FY2025 budget, adding specific allocations to existing appropriations. It directly affects state departments and programs, including $15 million for a community opioid prevention program (focusing on education and harm mitigation like naloxone distribution), $75 million for University Hospital capital improvements, and $20 million to offset transit revenue losses from a recent fare holiday. The bill also adds language provisions directing $625 million from the Health Care Affordability Fund to support NJ FamilyCare and allocating $15 million for World Cup tourism events. These changes adjust funding streams without altering existing laws or creating new programs.

Maddy summary# Summary of New Jersey Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program Bill This bill significantly amends New Jersey's film and digital media tax credit program (the "Garden State Film and Digital Media Jobs Act") with several key changes: ## Program Extension - Extends the program's availability until July 1, 2049 (10 years longer than current law) ## Increased Tax Credit Rates - Increases tax credits for New Jersey studio partners from 35% to 40% of qualified film production expenses when incurred at specified locations - Adds a new 4.5% promotional credit for qualifying film productions ## New Incentives - Creates a new 4.5% tax credit for television series that relocated to New Jersey (defined as scripted series with at least 6 episodes, $2.5M average production budget per episode, with all prior seasons filmed outside NJ) - For qualifying TV series, the promotional credit can increase to 9% if four specific promotional criteria are met ## New Definitions and Requirements - Replaces "independent post-production company" with "qualified post-production company" - Expands definition of "film" to include certain ongoing TV productions that relocated to NJ - Amends definition of "highly compensated individual" to remove distinctions between studio partners and others (now $750,000 threshold for all taxpayers) - Adds script costs to qualified film production expenses for studio partners and film-lease production companies ## Enhanced Diversity and Promotion Requirements - Requires diversity plans to focus on hiring from economically disadvantaged areas, distressed municipalities, or federal land (instead of focusing on minority persons and women) - Creates a new promotional credit requiring at least 2 of 8 specific criteria (including social media posts, location videos, promotional logos, etc.) - For TV series that relocated to NJ, requires 4 promotional criteria to qualify for the higher 9% credit ## Credit Availability and Recapture - Increases maximum cumulative awards for New Jersey studio partners from $150 million to $300 million - Reduces additional discretionary awards from $400 million to $250 million - Limits recapture of tax credits to the initial recipient (not the purchaser/assignee of tax credit transfer certificates) - Allows exceptions to recapture when failure to occupy facility is outside the company's control ## Other Key Changes - Extends deadline for submitting supplemental reports on deferred compensation from 2 to 4 years after production concludes - Allows deferred compensation payments made directly to labor unions to be included in qualified film production expenses - Requires the director to purchase unused tax credits for the film program at 95% of value (previously not required) - Expands the applicability of transferred tax credits to include insurance premium tax liability The bill aims to strengthen New Jersey's film industry by providing more generous incentives for production, encouraging relocation of TV series, and promoting local economic development.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates New Jersey's sales tax on specific baby products and sunscreen. It exempts baby wash, shampoo, lotions, powders, car seats (child restraint systems), cribs (including bassinets), nursing bottles/nipples/funnels, and strollers from the state sales tax. Sunscreen is also exempt if it's FDA-regulated for UV protection (lotion, cream, spray, or gel), excluding cosmetic products. The tax change applies to retail sales starting October 1, 2025, directly benefiting parents and caregivers purchasing these items.

Maddy summaryAJR 221 designates August 10 of each year as "Ecuador Day" in New Jersey to honor Ecuador's independence and recognize the state's strong partnership with Ecuador. It directly affects New Jersey residents, particularly the state's second-largest Ecuadorian immigrant community (237,532 people, or nearly 3% of the state's population). The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of the day through community events and programs. This is a symbolic, commemorative resolution with no new policy requirements or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners to maintain written records of all meetings and public hearings. It mandates that they submit certified copies of these minutes to the Governor, who then has 15 days to approve or veto the minutes (or specific actions taken at the meeting). If the Governor vetoes the minutes, the actions taken at that meeting become invalid; if no veto occurs within 15 days, the actions take effect. The bill directly affects the Commissioners and the Governor, adding a review step for all decisions made by the sewerage agency.