Asm. Heather Simmons

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3422) limits electric utility rate increases for eligible low- and middle-income residential households in New Jersey. It prohibits utilities from raising rates for these households by more than the previous year’s inflation rate (based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index). Eligible households are defined as those earning ≤200% of the federal poverty level (low-income) or ≤400% (middle-income). Utilities must report program details to the Board of Public Utilities and face fines for non-compliance, with annual reports to the Legislature summarizing impacts.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1147) establishes a $1 million pilot program in New Jersey's Office of Planning Advocacy to reimburse municipalities for specific costs related to warehouse development planning. It directly affects local governments that update zoning ordinances or conduct studies to address warehouse impacts like traffic, infrastructure, or environmental concerns. Municipalities must adopt warehouse-specific zoning consistent with state guidance to qualify for reimbursement, with priority given to those needing financial assistance. The program requires the Office to develop model zoning ordinances directing warehouse development to suitable locations and report on program effectiveness after funds are used. The pilot expires upon submission of this report.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to determine and consider the lowest reasonable return on equity (ROE) when reviewing requests from electric, gas, and water utilities for rate increases. It directly affects these public utilities, as they must now justify rate changes based on the lowest reasonable ROE rather than higher profit margins. The BPU must develop or adopt analytic models reflecting state, federal, and industry standards to calculate this lowest reasonable ROE. The policy change applies to all future rate cases filed with the BPU after the law takes effect, ensuring rate adjustments are evaluated with this specific financial standard.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Transit Villages Act," which encourages municipalities to create designated "transit villages" centered around mass transit hubs. It requires local governments to amend their master plans to include specific provisions for compact, mixed-use development within half-mile zones of transit stops, featuring higher density housing, reduced parking for cars, improved bike/pedestrian access, and shared parking. The policy directly affects New Jersey municipalities by changing land-use planning requirements to prioritize transit-oriented development. Key mechanisms include mandating transit village plan elements as supplements to master plans and requiring updated official maps to reflect these zones. The goal is to increase transit ridership, reduce traffic congestion, and support smart growth principles outlined in state planning guidelines.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Bill A1696 updates optometrists' scope of practice by expanding their ability to provide eye care services. The bill allows optometrists to prescribe pharmaceutical agents (including controlled substances under specific conditions), administer immunizations for coronaviruses, flu, and shingles (for patients 18+), and perform minor procedures like removing superficial foreign bodies or treating chalazions. It also permits certain non-invasive laser/ultrasound treatments (e.g., trabeculoplasty) using only topical anesthesia, while explicitly prohibiting invasive eye surgery, orbital procedures, or general anesthesia. These changes apply to all optometrists practicing in New Jersey and require adherence to CDC guidelines for immunizations and reporting to the state immunization registry.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3705) modifies New Jersey's medical aid in dying law by waiving the standard 15-day waiting period between the patient's initial and second oral requests when a physician determines, with reasonable medical certainty, that the patient is not expected to survive 15 days. It directly affects qualified terminally ill patients with rapidly declining health who meet this medical criterion. The bill retains a 48-hour waiting period between the written request and prescription issuance, while requiring physicians to document the medical basis for waiving the 15-day period. All other requirements for medical aid in dying - such as written requests, physician consultations, and patient rights to rescind - remain unchanged.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have exempted minors under 16 from standard child labor restrictions when working as vloggers - defined as creating video content featuring minors for compensation on online platforms - provided they work under a caregiver or family member's supervision. It would have required caregivers to provide compensation for this work, as specified in pending sections of the bill. The exemption applied only to minors working as part of a family vlogging operation, not to minors creating their own vlogs. The bill was introduced in 2026 but withdrawn after being incorporated into another law (P.L.2025, c.355).

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes programs to support neurodiverse students at New Jersey's county colleges, appropriating $1.475 million. It creates a two-year pilot program to fund accessibility coordinators at three county colleges (one per region), who will provide academic advising, resource navigation, and career connections for neurodiverse students. The bill also mandates professional development for college staff on supporting neurodiverse students and creates a grant program for STEM facility modifications, such as sensory-friendly rooms and assistive technology. These provisions directly affect neurodiverse students enrolled in county colleges across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's bill A3424 requires colleges that already offer priority course registration to extend this benefit to student parents who are New Jersey residents and parents or legal guardians of children under 18. It directly affects student parents attending participating institutions of higher education by adding them to existing priority registration groups (like student-athletes or veterans). The bill mandates institutions to use their current priority registration procedures for eligible student parents and to notify them before each semester's registration period. This policy change expands existing institutional practices without creating new priority systems.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A3405 requires the Department of Transportation to adopt a complete streets policy for all new and rebuilt highway and public transit projects, ensuring safe access for all users including people with disabilities. It specifically mandates that projects consider the needs of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and those with intellectual or developmental disabilities to enable independent travel. The policy requires the DOT to develop universal design concepts and implementation guidance for these accessibility features in all planning, construction, and maintenance activities.