Asm. Jessica Ramirez

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to provide up to $2.4 billion in loans for environmental infrastructure projects during fiscal year 2026. The loans would be available to local governments and public water utilities to fund projects that improve water quality, treatment systems, and drinking water infrastructure. The bill specifies eligibility for 151 clean water projects (totaling $1.28 billion in estimated loan amounts) and 59 drinking water projects (totaling $488.8 million in estimated loan amounts). Loan terms would require repayment within 30-45 years, with the bank authorized to adjust loan amounts based on actual project costs.

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 establishes the "New Jersey Universal Preschool and Kindergarten Act" requiring all school districts to provide full-day kindergarten by the 2029-2030 school year. It creates a Universal Preschool Implementation Steering Committee to oversee preschool expansion and establishes preschool expansion grants for districts not currently providing State-funded preschool. The bill revises preschool education aid formulas to prioritize districts with higher concentrations of at-risk students and requires districts receiving preschool aid to partner with licensed childcare providers and Head Start programs. School districts must submit annual implementation plans and participate in quality improvement assessments. The legislation aims to expand access to high-quality preschool for all three- and four-year-olds in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases tax credits for investors who fund New Jersey emerging technology businesses, raising the credit rate from 20% to 60% of qualified investments, with an additional 5% available for investments in opportunity zones, low-income communities, or certified minority/women-owned businesses. It also lowers the maximum employee count for qualifying businesses from 225 to 150 employees. The bill repeals the "New Jersey Ignite Act" while updating definitions and mechanisms for the tax credit program to better support technology startups across fields like biotechnology, renewable energy, and advanced computing. This change directly affects individual investors and venture funds making qualifying investments in New Jersey-based technology businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5376) creates two new state entities: the Health Care Cost Containment and Price Transparency Commission (18 members) and the Office of Healthcare Affordability and Transparency within the Department of Health. It requires hospitals to publicly disclose pricing data for inpatient, outpatient, emergency, and physician services (using standard billing codes) and sets annual benchmarks for health care cost growth and hospital prices. Health care entities exceeding these benchmarks must submit improvement plans, and hospitals failing to comply with transparency rules face civil penalties of $10 per bed per day. The bill directly affects all hospitals, health care providers, and payers in New Jersey, with $5 million appropriated for implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill caps annual increases in homeowners' association dues for unit owners in planned real estate developments at 10% per year, with limited exceptions. Unit owners can request investigations by the Division of Consumer Affairs, file lawsuits seeking $1,000 penalties per violation, or use alternative dispute resolution if dues exceed the limit. Associations must refund overcharged amounts if violations are confirmed. Associations may also petition the Commissioner of Community Affairs for exceptions to the 10% cap, though the commissioner must act within 90 days.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits annual increases for recurring fees charged to residential tenants in New Jersey to 10% over the previous 12 months. It defines "recurring fees" as costs not included in base rent - such as pet fees, parking, amenities, or credit card processing charges - applied repeatedly under a lease. Landlords violating this cap must revert to the prior fee level, face $1,000 penalties per unit, and may be sued by tenants for damages plus attorney fees. The bill also specifies that violations constitute "unconscionable rent increases," blocking eviction actions based on such violations under existing law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5746) imposes civil penalties for frivolous lawsuits in domestic violence cases under New Jersey's Prevention of Domestic Violence Act. It requires courts to award $5,000 for a first violation, $10,000 for a second, and $15,000 for subsequent violations when litigation is found to be filed in bad faith - such as for harassment, delay, or as part of coercive control tactics against victims. Penalties are paid into the Domestic Violence Victims' Fund, not to the opposing party. The law specifically targets baseless legal actions that exploit the court system to further abuse, aligning with existing standards for frivolous litigation but adding clear monetary consequences for repeat offenders in domestic violence cases.