Asm. Will Sampson

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers and contractors working on projects for New Jersey public bodies (such as state agencies, local governments, schools, or publicly funded projects) to register with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) and submit certified payroll records. It expands current requirements by applying to all work for public bodies - not just projects subject to prevailing wage laws - covering construction, maintenance, repairs, and other work paid for with public funds or financial assistance. Employers must provide these records within 10 days of a request; failure to comply allows DOLWD to direct public bodies to withhold up to 25% of payment (capped at $100,000) until records are submitted. The bill directly affects contractors and employers performing work for public entities, ensuring transparency in wage reporting.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to provide $6,813,000 in loans for three specific hazard mitigation and resilience projects in fiscal year 2026. The loans will fund projects including McGovern Park Resilience in Jersey City, Highlands Borough flood mitigation, and Brick Township reservoir improvements, directly benefiting local governments. Borrowing entities must repay loans with interest over up to 30 years, and the bank may use accrued interest and fees to cover program costs and operating expenses. The program expires on July 1, 2026, with all loans subject to federal and state compliance requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires secondhand dealers (like pawn shops or phone buyback stores) to verify the identity and ownership of sellers when purchasing used cell phones or wireless devices. Dealers must document device identifiers (such as serial numbers), collect two forms of ID (including photo ID), and confirm sellers are legally authorized owners. They must maintain records for one year, make them available to law enforcement, and cannot alter device markings. Violations carry civil penalties up to $1,000 per offense. The law directly affects secondhand dealers and sellers of used wireless devices in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3871) requires New Jersey public school districts to include instruction on the history and contributions of Latino and Hispanic Americans in social studies and English language arts lessons for all students in kindergarten through 12th grade. It mandates the State Board of Education to adopt specific learning standards on this topic and directs school boards to integrate these standards into their existing curriculum. The Commissioner of Education must also provide sample lesson plans and resources to support implementation, working with the Commission on Latino and Hispanic Heritage. This affects all New Jersey public schools and their K-12 students by making this content a required part of standard curriculum, not optional.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4926) requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Department of Transportation (DOT) to create a "Wildlife Corridor Action Plan" within 24 months. The plan must identify wildlife corridors, road collision hotspots, and barriers to animal movement, then prioritize safe crossings to improve driver safety and wildlife connectivity. It mandates the plan be updated every 10 years and coordinates with conservation groups, federal agencies, and other state departments. The bill appropriates $90,000 from the General Fund to fund this work, directly affecting DEP, DOT, wildlife populations, and drivers on New Jersey roads.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a policy bill. It honors the late Congressman William J. Pascrell, Jr. (who served in Congress from 1997 until his death in 2024), specifically recognizing his founding role in the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force. The resolution urges New Jersey's current and future U.S. Congress members to join and support this bipartisan task force, which focuses on advancing brain injury awareness, research, and policy. It has no effect on laws or funding - it is purely a commemorative statement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires contractors bidding on New Jersey public works projects (funded by public funds) to certify that each employee meets one of three minimum qualifications: a high school or GED diploma, enrollment in an equivalent apprenticeship program, or four years of verifiable work experience as a tradesperson. Contractors must provide documentation to verify these qualifications during electronic registration with the state. The law directly affects construction and labor contractors working on public projects, ensuring workers meet basic education or experience standards. It amends existing registration requirements under P.L.1999, c.238, with enforcement tied to contractor registration status.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act" to improve transparency around vehicle recalls and provide fair compensation for dealers. It requires motor vehicle dealers to check for open recalls on used vehicles using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website before sale, inform prospective buyers about any recalls found, and not sell vehicles subject to stop-sale or do-not-drive notices. Dealers must also provide the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission with lists of vehicles with long-unfixed recalls (six months or more), triggering the Commission to send official notices to vehicle owners. The bill also establishes compensation requirements for dealers when parts are unavailable for recalled vehicles, requiring 1.75 percent of the vehicle's value per month for used vehicles or the manufacturer's suggested retail price for new vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Department of Transportation (DOT) to create a "Wildlife Corridor Action Plan" within 24 months. The plan must identify natural wildlife movement pathways, areas with frequent animal-vehicle collisions, and barriers like roads, then prioritize safety projects to protect both wildlife and drivers. It mandates the plan be updated every 10 years and coordinated with conservation groups, existing projects like NJ CHANJ, and road construction. The state appropriates $90,000 to fund the DEP and DOT's work on this plan. The bill directly affects wildlife habitats, driver safety, and state agency planning processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a New Jersey state program reserving certain government contracts exclusively for "union business enterprises" - businesses with union workforces, based in New Jersey, that hire apprentices and maintain diverse hiring practices. It requires state agencies to award at least 22% of their contracts to these businesses through designated set-asides, administered by the Department of the Treasury. Businesses must provide documentation proving they meet the definition, and agencies must develop annual plans to meet the 22% goal. The program includes procedures for verifying eligibility, challenging designations, and penalties for false claims, with annual reporting to track progress.