Asm. Gabe Rodriguez

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric utilities to notify owners of attachments (like cable or phone lines) on "double utility poles" (an old pole still holding attachments after a replacement was installed). Attachment owners must remove their equipment within 10 business days and notify the pole owner. The pole owner must then remove the old pole within 5 business days of receiving that notice. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities will create rules to implement these requirements. The bill directly affects electric utilities, attachment owners, and pole owners.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new retirement plan within New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) specifically for emergency medical services (EMS) workers, including paramedics, EMTs, emergency medical supervisors, and other certified personnel who provide life support services. It requires these employees to join the "EMS Part" of PERS, pay a 10% salary contribution, and receive enhanced retirement benefits: 50% of their final salary for 20+ years of service, or a special option of 65% of final salary plus additional payments for 25+ years of service. Existing retirement credits will transfer to the new plan without extra cost to employees, and the bill also provides death benefits to beneficiaries equal to half the employee's final salary. The bill directly affects all eligible EMS employees in New Jersey state, county, and municipal roles.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires courts to mandate domestic violence counseling for offenders convicted of domestic violence crimes or placed on probation/sentence suspension for such offenses. It applies directly to defendants found guilty of domestic violence, replacing the previous discretionary court option with a mandatory requirement. The law specifies that counseling must be provided by experts in domestic violence and requires defendants to submit proof of attendance. Additionally, completing this counseling becomes a condition for dissolving restraining orders.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's ACR 79 is a resolution condemning a federal HUD rule proposal (84 F.R. 20589) that would force families with mixed immigration status - where some members are ineligible for housing assistance due to immigration status - out of federally-subsidized housing. The proposed rule would require immigration status screenings for residents under 62 and mandate eviction within 18 months for families with "ineligible" members, potentially affecting over 55,000 U.S. citizen children. It would also increase costs for housing authorities by requiring full subsidies instead of prorated shares for mixed-status families, potentially reducing housing quality and availability. The resolution urges federal leaders to invest in affordable housing access for all families regardless of immigration status, rather than implementing this rule.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public colleges and universities in New Jersey to provide free menstrual products (tampons and sanitary napkins) in all campus buildings, including women’s restrooms, all-gender restrooms, and at least one men’s restroom in locations like lecture halls, residence halls, and libraries. Institutions must offer a variety of products - regular to super-plus, ultra-thin to overnight, and allergy-friendly options - and install dispensers or maintain existing ones that provide free access. The bill also mandates educational materials about toxic shock syndrome and proper disposal, with the state covering all costs through an $85,000 appropriation to the Office of Higher Education. Public institutions must submit reimbursement requests for expenses incurred.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program to reward employees who report tax law violations by employers in New Jersey's construction industry. Whistleblowers who provide specific, credible information leading to an administrative or judicial action against an employer can receive 15% to 30% of recovered taxes, penalties, and interest, or up to 10% if the tip came from media or government sources. It excludes employees who obtained information through their official duties or planned the violations themselves, and includes protections against retaliation under New Jersey's Conscientious Employee Protection Act. The program applies specifically to employers engaged in building, construction, repair, or maintenance work as defined in the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a pilot program to help low-income tenants with poor credit histories avoid eviction for missed rent payments. It selects 1,000 randomly chosen households from New Jersey’s State Rental Assistance Program or Section 8 voucher program (after credit counseling) to participate. If a tenant misses rent, the program pays the landlord directly but requires the tenant to repay the amount within 90 days. The program tracks default rates by credit score and reports findings to the legislature, funded by $10 million in state appropriations.

Maddy summaryAR 101 is a non-binding resolution urging major generative AI and social media platforms to voluntarily commit to preventing and removing deepfakes (manipulated videos/images falsely depicting people) and cheapfakes (AI-altered content). It targets companies that host or distribute such content, asking them to proactively address harms like disinformation, blackmail, and reputational damage. The resolution does not create new legal requirements but encourages industry action, aligning with similar efforts by the federal government and 12 other states. It was introduced to the Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee on January 13, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill helps National Guard and Reserve members who passed police or firefighter civil service exams but couldn't start jobs due to military service. If they served 30+ consecutive days after September 11, 2001, during specified military operations (including Operation Enduring Freedom and Freedom’s Sentinel), their name moves to the next eligible hiring list for the same job type. It also extends age eligibility - those who met age requirements when the exam closed are considered eligible when their name is added to the new list. The bill applies only to those whose military service prevented completing employment requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey insurance companies selling homeowners, renters, personal liability, or excess liability policies to offer firearm liability coverage as an optional add-on. It directly affects insurers authorized to sell these policies in the state. The coverage must provide minimum limits of $100,000 per person for injury/death, $300,000 for multiple injuries/deaths, and $25,000 for property damage arising from firearm use in public. The policy must be available on all new, renewed, or existing policies delivered in New Jersey after the bill takes effect. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.