Asm. Avi Schnall

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to determine and consider the lowest reasonable rate of return on a utility's investment when approving rate increases for electric, gas, and water utilities. The BPU must develop or adopt an analytic model based on state, federal, and industry standards to identify this lowest rate. The bill affects all electric, gas, and water public utilities in New Jersey and their customers by changing how rate cases are evaluated. It mandates that the lowest reasonable return be a key factor in determining if rate increases are fair, without setting a specific rate or guaranteeing outcomes.

Maddy summaryBill A4163 requires health insurers in New Jersey to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, management, or ongoing monitoring of diseases when supported by medical evidence such as FDA approvals, drug labels, or clinical guidelines. The bill applies to all health insurance plans including individual, group, Medicaid, and health maintenance organization contracts. Insurers must provide coverage without causing unnecessary disruption (like multiple biopsies) and must make prior authorization decisions within 24 hours for urgent requests or 72 hours for non-urgent requests. This ensures patients can access precision medical testing that's clinically supported without excessive administrative barriers.

Maddy summaryS 2236 exempts nursing mothers of children one year old or younger from jury duty in New Jersey. This change adds to existing hardship exemptions under N.J.S.2B:20-10(c)(3)(b), allowing mothers who are nursing or expressing milk to claim exemption without needing to prove additional financial or medical hardship. The policy directly affects nursing mothers summoned for jury service during their infant's first year. The law took effect immediately upon approval (P.L.2025, c.43) and applies to all jury summonses issued after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Midwifery Licensing Act, establishing a new State Board of Midwifery to regulate midwifery practice in New Jersey, replacing the current system where midwifery was regulated by the State Board of Medical Examiners. The new board, consisting of 11 members including seven midwives, will handle licensure, set qualifications, and oversee continuing education requirements, including mandatory training on implicit and explicit bias. The bill authorizes certified midwives to prescribe medications after completing pharmacology training and requires health insurance providers to cover home births when approved. Existing midwives licensed under previous regulations will transition to the new system without needing to reapply.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1992) would amend New Jersey's jury duty law to explicitly exempt nursing mothers from service. Specifically, it adds a new category allowing mothers of children under one year old who are nursing or expressing milk to claim an exemption without needing to prove broader hardship. Currently, such mothers might rely on general "care of a dependent" exemptions, but this bill clarifies and streamlines the process. The exemption applies during the first year of a child's life and aligns with state health initiatives supporting breastfeeding.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises the solar alternative compliance payment (SACP) value that electric power suppliers can pay instead of purchasing solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) to meet solar renewable portfolio standards. The bill reduces the SACP amount for Energy Years 2026 through 2033, setting it at $50 for 2026, $40 for 2027, $30 for 2028, $20 for 2029, and $10 for 2030 through 2033. The bill clarifies that these SACP values are fixed by statute rather than determined by the Board of Public Utilities, and requires any cost savings from this reduction to be reflected in utility rates. This change directly affects electric power suppliers and basic generation service providers who must meet New Jersey's solar energy requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the requirement that health care sharing ministries (HCSMs) must have been continuously operating since December 31, 1999, allowing new HCSMs to be created without this historical barrier. It exempts HCSM members from New Jersey's minimum essential coverage mandate, meaning they no longer need health insurance or pay a tax for coverage. The bill establishes new transparency rules requiring HCSMs operating in New Jersey to post detailed annual reports on their websites, including participant numbers, financial data, and operational information. Non-compliance may result in penalties or legal action from the state's Consumer Affairs Director.

Maddy summaryThe "Climate Superfund Act" would hold fossil fuel companies liable for climate change damages by requiring them to pay compensatory payments based on their historical greenhouse gas emissions. It targets companies that extracted or refined fossil fuels and are responsible for over one billion metric tons of emissions between 1995 and the bill's effective date. The bill establishes a program through New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to collect these payments and distribute funds for climate adaptation projects, such as flood protection, infrastructure upgrades, and health programs. Companies would pay their proportional share of damages over nine years, with options for installment payments, and the collected funds would specifically support projects that help communities prepare for climate impacts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mental health services in New Jersey to be provided in a culturally affirming and linguistically appropriate manner for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. It mandates that services be delivered in the client's primary method of communication, as determined by the client's preference or a communication assessment, and that mental health professionals be certified as fluent in that method. The bill establishes a deaf services coordinator position within the Department of Human Services to oversee implementation, develop certification standards for professionals, and ensure access to services statewide, including through telemedicine in underserved areas. It also requires the development of a statewide system of care with specific standards for communication accessibility and cultural competence in mental health services.

Maddy summaryThis symbolic resolution (AR 178) condemns the U.S. House of Representatives for passing a budget resolution that would cut $1.5 trillion from the federal budget over ten years, specifically targeting healthcare (Medicaid/Medicare), education, and SNAP benefits. It urges the U.S. Senate to reject the House resolution, citing potential severe impacts on New Jersey residents who rely on these programs: approximately 1.8 million low- and moderate-income people use NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid/CHIP), and 830,000 receive SNAP food assistance. The resolution states that funding cuts could reduce federal Medicaid support by up to $5.2 billion and threaten SNAP benefits through eligibility restrictions or benefit limits. As a procedural resolution, it does not change laws but expresses New Jersey's opposition to the proposed cuts.