Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to establish a program to incentivize the development of transmission-scale energy storage systems with a minimum capacity of 5 megawatts. The program will solicit applications for projects totaling at least 500 megawatts of capacity, with projects needing commercial operation by December 2030 and interconnection to the PJM grid. The BPU will provide incentive awards totaling at least $60 million annually for 15 years, based on a scoring system that evaluates price, project maturity, and community benefits. The program is designed to help New Jersey meet its 2030 energy storage target of 2,000 megawatts, with the BPU required to report on progress one year after the initial procurement.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to revise community solar program targets, replacing the previous annual goal of 150 megawatts with a new target of 3,000 megawatts to be registered by December 31, 2029. The BPU must open registration for these projects by August 1, 2025, and accept applications until the target is met or the deadline passes. The bill also mandates the BPU to establish appropriate solar credit levels and bill discounts to support this new target. This change directly affects solar energy developers, electric utilities, and community solar participants, including low- and moderate-income residents who must be provided access to the program.
Maddy summarySJR 154 directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to investigate PJM Interconnection's capacity market pricing model to determine if it ensures reliable electricity at the lowest cost, requiring a report within 12 months. It also mandates the state to collaborate with neighboring PJM states to promote affordable energy practices, urge PJM to implement market reforms protecting ratepayers from rising prices, and accelerate reviews of new power generation projects. The resolution addresses concerns about increasing electricity costs for New Jersey customers, linked to PJM's current pricing structure and delays in new energy resources entering the grid. This action aims to align PJM's operations with New Jersey's energy affordability goals under the Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's electric public utilities (and their affiliates) to submit an annual report by February 1st to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). The report must list every recorded vote cast by the utility or its affiliates at PJM Interconnection meetings (including votes not publicly disclosed by PJM), describe the meeting context, and explain how each vote supports New Jersey's energy goals of affordability, reliability, and sustainability. The BPU must then summarize these reports for the Governor and Legislature. This aims to increase transparency about how utilities influence regional electricity decisions using ratepayer funds.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Next New Jersey Manufacturing Program, which provides tax credits to businesses that make significant investments in New Jersey manufacturing facilities. To qualify, businesses must invest at least $10 million in capital and create at least 20 new full-time jobs with median salaries at least 120% of local manufacturing averages. The tax credit amount is calculated as the lesser of 0.1% of capital investment multiplied by new jobs, 25% of capital investment, or $150 million, with $100 million reserved for clean energy manufacturers in the first two years. Businesses must maintain the jobs and investment for a specified period, and may forfeit credits if they fail to meet requirements.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A3558 bill establishes the state's official definition of antisemitism using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) standard, including specific examples of antisemitic conduct. State agencies and institutions must use this definition when reviewing, investigating, or deciding on cases involving discriminatory acts motivated by antisemitism. The bill appropriates $100,000 for a public awareness campaign by the Attorney General's office to educate residents on identifying and reporting bias crimes through community outreach and the existing bias crimes hotline. This campaign aims to improve reporting of antisemitic incidents without affecting First Amendment rights or conflicting with existing anti-discrimination laws.
Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes New Jersey's State Health Benefits Program governance by expanding the State Health Benefits Commission to 11 members and eliminating the previous Plan Design Committee. It requires the program to offer exactly five health plans for employees and non-Medicare-eligible retirees, including a new "NJ Gold" plan that doesn't require salary-based employee contributions. The bill establishes an escalator system to adjust employee contribution rates based on premium cost trends, increasing rates if premiums rise significantly above inflation and decreasing them if premiums fall. Additionally, it mandates that local government employers must decide within one year whether to join the SHBP, with a two-year commitment if they choose to participate.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to create secure mobile driver's licenses and digital non-driver ID cards for residents who voluntarily request them. The digital versions will include all the same information as physical licenses, be accessible on smartphones or tablets, and allow users to update their motor vehicle records (like address changes) in real time, with updates overriding physical copies. The MVC must implement security features to prevent fraud and will be permitted to charge a reasonable fee for the service. The bill also explicitly allows drivers to display these digital IDs to police officers instead of physical cards, while protecting the privacy of other device contents.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to update driver education, testing, and the driver's manual to include specific information about safely interacting with pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-motorized road users. It mandates that driver's education courses, the written knowledge examination, and the official driver's manual must cover a driver's responsibilities when approaching and passing pedestrians and cyclists, including the penalties for failing to comply with these responsibilities as outlined in existing law (P.L.2021, c.194). The changes will affect all new drivers going through the state's licensing process, including teenagers and adults seeking their first license. The bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to incorporate these provisions into all relevant educational materials and testing.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates notification requirements for New Jersey's "Energy Bill Watch" program, which affects residential customers using smart meters for electricity or gas. It clarifies that utilities must notify these customers on the 10th and 20th days of each billing cycle via text or email (with email as backup if phone numbers are unavailable), showing both usage cost in dollars and consumption in kilowatt hours or therms. Notifications must now reflect data up to two days before sending, and customers gain options to set spending thresholds or compare current usage to prior cycles. The bill ensures utilities automatically enroll smart meter customers while providing clear opt-out instructions and advertising the program through multiple channels like websites and bills.