Asm. Avi Schnall

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the required affordability term for certain affordable housing units from 30-40 years to just 10 years. It specifically applies to housing created through "middle housing" construction (buildings with 2-4 units) or "middle housing conversion" (renovating existing buildings with up to 4 units to increase low- and moderate-income housing). The bill aims to encourage denser housing development by making it easier for developers to create affordable housing with shorter affordability requirements. This change directly affects developers building middle housing, municipalities that count these units toward their affordable housing obligations, and housing programs that finance such projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities to create and distribute a satisfaction survey to clients using support coordination agencies. The survey will rate agencies on a 1-5 star scale based on client feedback, with quarterly updates published online. It directly affects clients receiving developmental disability services and the support coordination agencies providing those services, aiming to improve transparency and service quality. The rating system will be publicly available on the Division's website, with implementation required 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's law to prohibit state agencies, school boards, and local governments from entering public contracts with entities providing *any* goods or services (even $1 or more) in Iran's energy sector - including oil, gas, or related infrastructure like pipelines. Currently, the threshold requires $20 million or more in transactions to trigger the prohibition. The change aligns state policy with federal sanctions aimed at limiting Iran's energy revenue, which the bill states supports U.S. efforts to counter terrorism and weapons development funding. It applies to all public contracts awarded 30 days after the law takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires NJ FamilyCare to reimburse for multiple medical visits with different specialty providers at a federally qualified health center (FQHC) on the same day. It directly affects NJ FamilyCare enrollees who need same-day specialist care at FQHCs, which serve medically underserved communities. The key provision mandates that the referring provider must document medical necessity for each visit, and each encounter must involve a different specialty provider. The bill explicitly states it cannot override federal Medicaid rules or existing state reimbursement policies. It aims to align NJ FamilyCare payment practices with current regulatory exceptions for multiple same-day visits under specific documented circumstances.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's law governing employment programs for people with disabilities, renaming the "Sheltered Workshop Act" to the "Extended Employment Act." It changes eligibility requirements by redefining disabilities from "severe" to "significant" and removes the need for participants to complete workshop programs or prove they can't compete in the regular labor market. The bill eliminates oversight by the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, revises funding mechanisms to adjust annually based on inflation, and repeals outdated provisions about product labeling and sales from these programs. The changes aim to modernize the program to better serve people with disabilities who may not have qualified under previous rules. The bill directly affects nonprofit extended employment providers and people with disabilities enrolled in these programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill delays New Jersey's implementation of Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulations until January 1, 2027 - pushing back the current 2025 deadline. It directly affects vehicle manufacturers of medium- and heavy-duty trucks, requiring them to sell increasing percentages of zero-emission vehicles (capping at 40-75% of annual sales by 2035). The bill modifies New Jersey’s adoption of California’s 2021 ACT regulations, which mandate phased EV sales targets, by prohibiting the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from enforcing these rules before 2027. The delay gives manufacturers more time to adapt to the requirements while maintaining the state’s alignment with California’s emissions program.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4626) requires construction permit applicants in New Jersey to disclose the anticipated funding sources and amounts for their projects. It directly affects developers and contractors applying for construction permits by mandating this financial transparency in their initial applications. The bill also requires applicants to certify or update this funding information before receiving a certificate of occupancy. The Commissioner of Community Affairs must develop implementing rules within 180 days of the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A5078 prohibits the farming (aquaculture) of any octopus species for human consumption within the state. It also bans businesses from selling, possessing, or transporting octopus products resulting from aquaculture. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day, with each continuing day treated as a separate offense. The law specifically excludes wild-caught octopus and research-related activities. This directly affects commercial aquaculture operations and food businesses handling farmed octopus.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act, prohibits state and local government agencies from collecting immigration status information unless strictly necessary for service eligibility and from assisting federal immigration authorities. It requires government entities to adopt policies protecting sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and shelters from immigration enforcement activities, ensuring immigrants can access public services without fear. The law mandates law enforcement training on these restrictions, prohibits detaining individuals based on immigration status, and requires annual reporting on interactions with federal immigration authorities. It also establishes a public awareness campaign to inform immigrants of their rights under the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill upgrades burglary of a residence (such as a home or dwelling) from a third-degree to a second-degree crime in New Jersey, increasing potential penalties to 5-10 years in prison. If the burglary occurs while the perpetrator is armed with a weapon or explosives, or is connected to another serious crime, it becomes a first-degree crime with a potential 10-20 year sentence. The bill also requires that offenders convicted of these upgraded residential burglaries serve at least 85% of their sentence without parole, as mandated by New Jersey's No Early Release Act. This change directly affects individuals convicted of residential burglary, making penalties more severe for crimes targeting homes.