Asm. Avi Schnall

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state standard to protect New Jersey workers from heat-related illnesses and injuries by requiring employers to implement specific safety measures. It directly affects all employers and employees in New Jersey, including those in high-risk outdoor jobs (like construction and agriculture) and indoor settings without climate control. Key provisions mandate written prevention plans that include providing cool water (under 59°F), paid rest breaks in shaded or cooled areas, monitoring heat exposure, and activating a heat alert system during forecasted heat waves - requiring adjustments like shifting work schedules or increasing rest breaks. Employers must develop these plans within 30 days of the law's effective date, with the Department of Labor setting the heat stress standard by June 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill replaces two existing property tax relief funds (Energy Tax Receipts and Consolidated Municipal Property Tax Relief Aid) with a new "Municipal Property Tax Relief Fund" starting in 2026. The fund will receive annual revenue from energy-related sales taxes, utility corporation business taxes, and other specified utility tax payments, plus potential General Fund contributions to meet a target amount. Municipalities will receive annual payments based on a formula that guarantees each gets at least what they received in 2024/2025, with additional funds distributed using factors like population, median income, property valuation, and municipal distress levels. The bill eliminates prior funding mechanisms and establishes a new, indexed distribution system for state aid to local governments.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3592) would allow NJ FamilyCare to reimburse for multiple specialty medical visits at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) on the same day for enrollees, under specific conditions. It requires the referring provider to document medical necessity for each visit and mandates that each visit be with a different specialty provider. The change would directly affect NJ FamilyCare enrollees needing multiple same-day specialty appointments and the FQHCs serving them. The bill explicitly states it cannot override federal Medicaid rules, and currently, NJ FamilyCare typically limits coverage to one FQHC visit per day unless special circumstances apply.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1196) clarifies that New Jersey residents can register to vote when applying for a driver's license or license renewal at a Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) office. It amends voter registration law to explicitly include MVC transactions as a valid registration method (under subsection b of R.S.19:31-6), directly affecting anyone visiting an MVC office for driver's license services. The bill also updates procedures for processing registration forms and notifications, ensuring consistency with existing electronic systems. Note: This bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as its provisions were approved through P.L.2025, c.204.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new pathway for certain long-term incarcerated individuals in New Jersey to seek release. It allows inmates who have served at least 20 years (or 30 years for murder convictions) and are age 60 (or 62 for murder) to receive a "Certificate of Eligibility for Rehabilitative Release" from the Corrections Commissioner. The process requires a court hearing where the individual must demonstrate they are not a danger to the community, have engaged in rehabilitation while incarcerated, and that justice warrants release - considering factors like victim input, their crime's severity, and a reentry plan. If approved, the individual receives a modified sentence and five years of parole supervision.

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 creates a 3-year provisional license allowing international medical graduates (IMGs) trained outside the U.S. to practice medicine in New Jersey under supervision. It directly affects IMGs who meet specific criteria: graduated within 7 years, hold current home-country licensure, completed residency or 5+ years of practice, and speak English fluently. The license requires employment at a licensed New Jersey healthcare provider and direct supervision by a fully licensed physician. After three years of compliant practice without misconduct, the provisional license automatically converts to a full license, with no obligation to stay with the original employer. The board retains authority to revoke licenses for safety or conduct violations.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A-1037 allows utility lines for approved solar energy facilities to cross municipally-owned preserved open space (like parks or conservation areas funded by Green Acres programs) under strict conditions. It requires lines to be underground, not interfere with land use, and be approved by the local government after developers prove no alternative routes exist. Solar developers must also compensate landowners and provide documentation showing compliance with the bill’s requirements. This directly affects solar project developers, local municipalities managing preserved land, and the Board of Public Utilities overseeing solar approvals. The bill aims to support solar infrastructure development while protecting designated conservation areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program allowing New Jersey's State Agriculture Development Committee to acquire development easements on privately-owned woodlands. It directly affects woodland owners (minimum 20 acres) who manage their land for agriculture, forestry, or horticulture under approved stewardship plans. The program permanently restricts development on these lands through easements funded by existing farmland preservation funds, requiring landowners to maintain agricultural or forest production. The committee coordinates with federal programs like the Forest Legacy Program to secure additional funding for this conservation effort.