Asm. Shanique Speight

Maddy summaryThis bill adds three new projects to New Jersey's FY2025 Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program (CHAMP), which provides low-interest loans for hazard mitigation and resilience projects. It increases the total funding authorization from $7,198,045 to $13,813,000, allowing the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to fund nine projects instead of six. The new projects include flood mitigation infrastructure in Brick Township, elevation improvements in Rochelle Park Township, and flood mitigation with green infrastructure in Highlands Borough. These projects will receive funding to help communities better withstand natural disasters through specific infrastructure improvements. The bill amends existing law to expand the list of approved projects eligible for CHAMP funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Equitable Outcomes in Child Support Collection Act," stops New Jersey from collecting past child support arrears for children in the care of the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP). It voids all current and past court judgments, liens, and warrants related to unpaid child support obligations for maintenance costs incurred while a child was in DCPP custody. The law aligns with a 2022 federal policy change that discourages states from pursuing such collections due to high costs, low collection rates, and negative impacts on families. This directly affects legally responsible parents (typically parents) who previously faced penalties for unpaid child support in DCPP cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's electric utilities to accept and process interconnection applications for grid supply solar facilities up to 20 megawatts in capacity. Utilities must approve applications unless they are incomplete (with feedback provided) or deemed unsafe (with modification recommendations), and facilities must pay interconnection costs while complying with utility tariffs. Approved facilities will be compensated in real-time for electricity supplied at the point of interconnection and remain eligible for state incentives with board approval. Utilities must also extend interconnection facilities at the applicant's cost to connect solar projects, following safety standards.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the New Jersey Department of Health to increase public awareness about xylazine, a veterinary drug not approved for human use that is being used recreationally and linked to overdose deaths. It requests the Department to provide educational resources informing residents about xylazine's health risks - including its incompatibility with naloxone (used for opioid overdoses) and its frequent combination with fentanyl - which can cause severe complications like skin ulcers and dangerous respiratory depression. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but calls on the Department to address this public health concern through targeted outreach. The resolution specifically highlights xylazine's role in rising overdose deaths in New Jersey and surrounding states.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Assembly Resolution 156 requests that the U.S. Congress pass federal legislation providing legal remedies for individuals harmed by exposure to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and funding research into PFAS health effects. PFAS, persistent "forever chemicals" found in drinking water, consumer products, and workplaces, are linked to cancer, reproductive harm, and immune system damage. The resolution specifically supports the proposed federal "PFAS Accountability Act of 2024" and urges Congress to establish a legal pathway for victims to seek redress from manufacturers. This resolution does not create new laws but advocates for federal action to address widespread PFAS exposure risks across communities.

Maddy summary# Summary of New Jersey Aspire Program Act Amendments This bill amends and supplements the "New Jersey Aspire Program Act" (Aspire Program) and makes related changes to New Jersey's Gross Income Tax and Corporation Business Tax. ## Key Changes to the Aspire Program ### Program Definitions - Revised definition of "commercial project" to include warehouse/distribution centers - Amended "incentive area" definition to include endorsed plans (removing transportation requirements) - Defined "mixed-use project" as having residential and nonresidential components - Clarified that "project cost" applies to "total project cost" (replacing current "total development cost" definition) ### Residential Projects - Housing affordability controls now align with Fair Housing Act (excluding bedroom distribution requirements) - Residential tenants exempt from prevailing wage requirements for building services work ### Occupancy Requirement - Commercial projects must maintain at least 60% occupancy during eligibility period (residential projects exempt) - Tax credits forfeited if occupancy falls below 60%, restored upon return to 60%+ occupancy ### Eligibility Period - Reduced maximum duration from 15 years (commercial/mixed-use) to 10 years for all project types - Authority may establish shorter eligibility periods to enhance tax credit monetization ### Tax Credit Enhancements - Up to 10% increase for redevelopment of "stranded assets" (abandoned/vacant buildings) - Up to 5% increase for residential projects meeting three-bedroom distribution requirements - Up to 3% increase for meeting local first source hiring requirements - Total tax credits (with other programs) limited to: - 90% of project cost for LIHTC projects - 80% of project cost for all other projects ### Tax Credit Usage - Allows tax credits to be applied within three successive tax periods after receiving certificate - Permits transfer of tax credits to transferees who can use them within three successive tax periods ### Transformative Projects - Reduced commercial space requirement from 50,000 to 20,000 sq. ft. for residential projects with <700 units - Permits parking component to count toward square footage (subject to local requirements) - Requires entire parking component to count if project is in government restricted municipality ### Program Administration - Requires fees proportional to tax credit amount allowed - Establishes "Redevelopment Project Bridge Financing Program" for loans/guarantees to developers with financing gaps - Requires Department of Treasury to redeem unused tax credits (up to 10% discount) - Amends tax code to exclude gains from tax credit transfers from "entire net income" and "gross income" The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution expresses the New Jersey General Assembly's support for the "Breakfast Bowl," an annual football game between Montclair State University and Rowan University designed to raise awareness about food insecurity in New Jersey. The resolution recognizes the universities' existing food insecurity initiatives, including Montclair's Red Hawk Pantry and Rowan's SHOP food pantry, which provide fresh produce and food assistance to students and community members. The winner of the game will also determine whether New Jersey's signature breakfast meat is called "Pork Roll" or "Taylor Ham" until the next year's event.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5138) expands midwives' authority in New Jersey by allowing certified midwives to independently prescribe medications without requiring collaboration with a physician. Currently, midwives must follow physician-approved protocols and practice agreements to prescribe drugs, but this bill removes that requirement. Midwives would still need to complete 30 hours of pharmacology training (including opioid safety education) to qualify. The change directly affects certified midwives in New Jersey, enabling them to prescribe medications independently while maintaining existing training standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to develop an enhanced training program for direct support professionals (DSPs) who work with individuals with developmental disabilities in community residences. Within 120 days of the bill taking effect, DHS must create a curriculum covering essential topics like abuse prevention, first aid, CPR, medication administration, and specialized care for health needs. New DSPs must complete the training within 90 days of starting their job, while current DSPs must finish it within 210 days of the bill's effective date. The law applies directly to all DSPs employed at community residences for people with developmental disabilities across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5137) establishes the Direct Care Worker Support Program within New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH). It directly affects certified direct care workers - including direct support professionals, certified homemaker-home health aides, and certified nurse aides - by providing financial assistance for childcare and transportation costs. The program requires the DOH to study wage gaps between different types of direct care workers and submit a report with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year. The bill appropriates necessary funds from the General Fund to implement these provisions.