Asm. Shanique Speight

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts community gardens from needing certain environmental permits when they manage organic waste through on-site composting systems. It applies to gardens using food waste collected separately from other trash, limiting weekly processing to 200 gallons (or scaled for properties over 5,000 sq ft). Gardens must use all compost on-site or distribute/sell it per New Jersey DEP rules for Class C recyclables. The exemption removes regulatory barriers under the state's Solid Waste Management and Recycling Acts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) to create a loan program helping beginning farmers purchase essential farming capital like land, farm buildings, and equipment. Beginning farmers are defined as New Jersey residents with low or moderate net worth who are actively farming or planning to start farming. To qualify, applicants must meet specific criteria including New Jersey residency, property location within the state, relevant farming experience, and plans for active farm operation. Loans would be issued by NJEDA with terms and interest rates set by the agency, and borrowers may need to provide financial statements to ensure business viability.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to prioritize projects that include or allow for flood mitigation when funding land acquisition for recreation and conservation (known as "Blue Acres" projects) and certain environmental infrastructure projects. It mandates that these projects receive additional priority points in the ranking system used to determine which projects get funded through the Green Acres Program and environmental infrastructure programs. The change affects local governments, nonprofit organizations, and others applying for DEP funding for projects that protect against flooding while serving recreation, conservation, or infrastructure needs. The bill implements this by amending existing laws to require the DEP to factor flood mitigation into its evaluation criteria for funding applications.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to include potential impacts on natural resources when classifying dams by hazard level. Currently, dams are classified based on risk of loss of life and property damage; this bill adds impacts to wildlife, fish, aquatic life, habitats, plants, and historic/archaeological resources as a required factor. The DEP must consider these natural resource impacts alongside existing criteria when adopting its dam hazard classification system. This change applies to all dams subject to the state's dam safety inspection program, directly affecting how the DEP evaluates and regulates dam safety.

Maddy summaryACR 114 is a concurrent resolution urging New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Economic Development Authority (EDA) to establish a plastics recycling marketplace. It directs the DEP to use funds from the State Recycling Fund for research on developing this marketplace and asks the EDA to provide funding and support for its creation. The resolution aims to increase recycling of single-use plastics - such as bottles, bags, and food containers - which currently have low recycling rates in New Jersey (6-13%) and contribute to environmental harm like microplastic pollution. This effort does not create new law but requests specific actions from state agencies to reduce plastic waste entering landfills and waterways.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes funding to protect the safety of cooperating witnesses - individuals who testify for the government to help prosecute crimes, including confidential informants. It expands New Jersey's Crime Victim's Bill of Rights to guarantee these witnesses assistance with psychological and practical challenges of testifying, protective measures before, during, and after trials, and court procedures ensuring their safety. The bill amends existing laws to allow the Victims of Crime Compensation Office to cover relocation and safety expenses, and authorizes the Victim and Witness Advocacy Fund to provide grants to organizations offering services like emergency shelter, medical advocacy, and safety planning for these witnesses and their families. These changes directly affect witnesses who cooperate with law enforcement in criminal cases, ensuring they receive concrete support and protection while navigating the justice system.

Maddy summaryAJR 89 is a symbolic joint resolution passed by the New Jersey legislature that unconditionally condemns all forms of hate, hate-based violence, and bias crimes targeting individuals based on race, religion, ethnicity, disability, age, marital status, gender, or sexual orientation. It does not create new laws or allocate funds but urges the Governor and Attorney General to continue existing efforts like supporting victims, improving hate crime reporting, enhancing security at vulnerable sites, and researching solutions. The resolution emphasizes New Jersey’s commitment to protecting citizens from hatred and promoting an inclusive community, reflecting the state’s ongoing stance against bias-motivated incidents. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct legal effect on individuals or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits real estate appraisers from considering protected characteristics like race, religion, or sexual orientation in appraisals and establishes penalties for violations. Appraisers found discriminating face escalating consequences: first violations require restitution, an anti-bias seminar, and fines up to $10,000; second violations lead to license suspension (minimum 30 days) and higher fines; third violations result in license revocation and fines up to $50,000. Real estate brokers and mortgage professionals must provide free, written information to property owners and prospective buyers within three days of key interactions (e.g., mortgage applications), explaining how to report suspected discrimination to the Division on Civil Rights. The Division on Civil Rights must collect voluntary demographic data from complainants and report aggregated findings to the Governor and Legislature by July 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense for stealing delivered packages from residential properties ("residential package theft"), separate from general theft laws. It sets penalties: a third-degree crime (under $75,000 stolen) with no standard presumption against jail time for first offenses, and a second-degree crime ($75,000+ stolen) requiring mandatory minimum prison time for repeat offenses, plus fines up to $250,000 or five times the package's value. The bill establishes a "Porch Theft Task Force" under the Attorney General to coordinate law enforcement, track theft data, and collaborate with delivery companies, and mandates a public awareness campaign to educate residents on prevention and reporting. It also appropriates state funds to implement these measures.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public hospitals and healthcare entities to transfer certain state General Fund dollars to New Jersey's Medicaid agency (Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services). The goal is to maximize federal Medicaid reimbursements for faculty physicians and non-physician healthcare providers working at public medical schools. Transfers require approval from the state budget director and must follow federal Medicaid guidelines. This modifies the 2025 budget law to support the existing MAPS program, which provides higher Medicaid payment rates for these providers.