Asm. Heather Simmons

Maddy summaryThis bill adds $500,000 in supplemental funding from New Jersey's General Fund to the Department of Agriculture for the Jersey Fresh program, increasing its total FY2026 budget to $600,000. It directly supports New Jersey farmers by expanding marketing and promotion efforts for locally grown produce through the Jersey Fresh brand, which has been limited to $100,000 annually in recent years. The funding replaces the state's use of USDA Specialty Crops Block Grant funds for this program, freeing up federal resources to benefit more farmers. The program, launched in 1984, helps connect consumers with local farms through advertising and promotion.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents New Jersey's State Health Benefits Program (SHBP), School Employees' Health Benefits Program (SEHBP), and Medicaid from denying coverage for maintenance medications treating chronic conditions when a person's health plan or pharmacy provider changes. It requires coverage continuity if a patient was taking the medication before the plan change and the new plan covers that specific drug class. The law applies to state employees, school staff, and Medicaid recipients who rely on ongoing medication for conditions like diabetes or hypertension. It ensures these individuals won't lose access to essential medications due solely to administrative shifts in their health coverage plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover continuous glucose monitoring systems prescribed for treating glycogen storage disease, a rare metabolic condition. It applies to hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, individual health insurance policies, group health plans, and health benefits plans. The coverage must be provided at the same level as for other medical conditions, eliminating insurance denials for this specific treatment. This directly affects patients with glycogen storage disease and their insurers, ensuring access to necessary monitoring technology without extra cost barriers.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey to expedite the procurement of pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) services, automated reverse auction services, and claims adjudication for the State Health Benefits Program and School Employees’ Health Benefits Program. It requires the Division of Purchase and Property to use a streamlined process - soliciting proposals from qualified vendors without formal advertising and conducting an automated reverse auction to secure competitive pricing. The bill modifies standard procurement rules to shorten timelines, such as limiting the Comptroller’s review to 10 business days and waiving certain advertising requirements. Within 60 days of awarding the contract, the state must report savings and procurement details to the Governor, Legislature, and the public.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Division of Energy Resource and Development within the Department of the Treasury, transferring key energy policy responsibilities from the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to the new division. It specifically moves BPU's energy efficiency programs, clean energy initiatives, electric vehicle incentives, and energy generation planning to the division. The division will focus on advancing New Jersey's clean energy goals through unified strategy development, public education on sustainable energy, and supporting state agencies in meeting greenhouse gas reduction targets. The division will be led by a governor-appointed director who will oversee the transition of BPU functions and develop crisis response plans for energy systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the requirement for remote sellers and out-of-state corporations to meet a 200-transaction threshold to be subject to New Jersey's sales/use tax and corporation business tax. Instead, it retains only the $100,000 revenue threshold for both tax types. Remote sellers must now collect and remit sales tax if their taxable revenue delivered into New Jersey exceeds $100,000 in a calendar year. Similarly, corporations must pay corporation business tax if their receipts from New Jersey sources exceed $100,000 in a fiscal year. The change simplifies tax obligations for businesses operating remotely in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "Restricted brewery license" for breweries that must be owned by the same entity operating a restaurant with a plenary retail consumption license. The license allows breweries to sell beer directly to the qualifying restaurant and offer samples at events, but prohibits breweries from selling food or operating restaurants themselves. This change directly affects breweries in New Jersey seeking to partner with restaurants, requiring a specific ownership tie to a restaurant holding the required license.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3407) prohibits New Jersey colleges and universities from requiring student parents - those with full or partial custody of a child - to purchase meal plans, live in on-campus housing (except for specific residential programs or scholarship conditions), or pay fees for campus gym or fitness center access. Institutions cannot mandate these costs but may deny facility access if fees aren’t paid. The law applies to all students with custody of children and takes effect immediately for the first full academic year after enactment. It directly affects student parents by removing financial and housing barriers tied to childcare responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThe "Transparency in Government Act" (A-3147) would require New Jersey's State Treasurer to create and maintain a public website showing detailed state financial data. The website must display annual spending (like salaries, vendor payments, and bond debt), revenues (taxes, grants, and fees), and bond information starting from fiscal year 2000, all in a searchable format. State agencies must provide this data from existing financial systems within 45 days after each fiscal year ends, and the site must be updated annually without removing historical data. This bill directly affects all state agencies, which must supply the data, and benefits the public by making government finances accessible online.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 946), now law as P.L.2025, c.177, requires mental health services to be provided in the communication method preferred by each deaf or hard of hearing individual - such as sign language or oral communication - based on their assessment. It mandates that mental health professionals be fluent in that method, trained in cultural needs, and able to collaborate with interpreters. The law also requires a state resource guide listing specialized mental health services and ensures individuals can help shape their own care plans. It directly affects all deaf or hard of hearing residents seeking mental health support in New Jersey, addressing long-standing barriers in access and care quality.