Asm. Julio Marenco

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts nonprofit ski area operators (defined as IRS 501(c)(3) organizations) from specific safety and informational requirements currently imposed on all ski area operators. It removes the need for these nonprofits to establish and post slope/trail difficulty systems, provide daily condition reports to skiers, or remove obvious man-made hazards as soon as practicable. The exemption applies only to the requirements outlined in Section 3.a. of the existing law, while maintaining liability for negligent tramway construction or operation under the "Ski Lift Safety Act." This change takes effect immediately for nonprofit organizations operating ski areas in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to create and maintain a free online website for each county, allowing local governments (like cities, towns, and counties) to post legal notices that would otherwise need newspaper publication. Local governments can submit these notices electronically via the county websites instead of using print newspapers, with no fees for submission or access. The bill appropriates $100,000 from the state General Fund to develop and maintain these websites. It directly affects all local government units required to publish legal notices under current law.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's exclusion from administrative parole release to include inmates with prior felony convictions and those serving sentences for specific serious crimes like vehicular homicide, human trafficking, sexual extortion, or weapons violations. It bars individuals with any prior felony conviction (repeat offenders) and adds new crime categories to the existing exclusions under the "No Early Release Act," Graves Act, Megan's Law, and Sexually Violent Predator Act. Inmates must still meet other criteria, such as avoiding serious disciplinary infractions during incarceration and completing rehabilitation programs when possible. The change means more inmates will require a parole hearing rather than automatic release at their first eligibility date. This amendment updates the "Earn Your Way Out Act" (P.L.2019, c.364) to tighten parole eligibility standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new grant program within New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to help municipalities address flood risks. It directly affects all New Jersey municipalities by providing funding for flood risk assessments, structural solutions (like dikes and permeable pavements), emergency planning, public education, and sustainable infrastructure projects. The program requires the DEP to develop application guidelines, set eligibility criteria, prioritize communities in greatest need, and designate acceptable grant uses. Municipalities receiving funds must report on their use of funds and progress, while the DEP must submit annual effectiveness reports to the Governor and Legislature. The program aims to reduce flood impacts through concrete tools like flood mapping, vulnerability assessments, and technical assistance for resilient land-use planning.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) in New Jersey to be enrolled in the Workers Compensation Judges Part of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) instead of the current Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP). ALJs currently enrolled in DCRP would be transferred to the Workers Compensation and Administrative Law Judges Part of PERS within 90 days of the bill's effective date, with their retirement accounts and service credit transferred as well. The State General Fund would cover the unfunded liability for benefits related to this transfer. This change would bring ALJs under the same retirement system as Workers Compensation Judges, who have been in this specific PERS part since 2001.

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies New Jersey's "Bringing Veterans Home Initiative" into law, directly affecting unhoused or homeless veterans across the state. It requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs (with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs) to establish six regional hubs, create a standardized referral form, use state data to target housing needs, and help veterans access existing housing benefits. The initiative aims to provide safe, stable housing for every unhoused veteran through coordinated state agency efforts. The bill takes immediate effect, formalizing a 2024 pilot program launched by Governor Way.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates three programs through New Jersey's Economic Development Authority to support AI adoption by local businesses, appropriating $175.5 million total. It provides grants up to $500,000 for AI innovation hubs, low-interest loans up to $1 million for business expansion, and targeted grants for research, expansion, and job creation purposes with specific minimum and maximum amounts. The programs require businesses to demonstrate job creation plans and submit annual reports on outcomes, including jobs created and economic impact. The bill also establishes a consultancy program to help businesses implement AI technologies, with $500,000 allocated for this service.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an 11-member Artificial Intelligence Initiative Funding Task Force within New Jersey's Department of the Treasury. The task force will study current public and private funding sources for AI initiatives and recommend tax incentives to support businesses most affected by AI adoption. It must issue a final report within 12 months, including specific recommendations on public-private partnerships, university collaborations, and aligning AI funding with workforce and economic goals. The report will be submitted to the Governor and Legislature for potential future legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense for stealing delivered packages from residential properties ("residential package theft"), separate from general theft laws. It sets penalties: a third-degree crime (under $75,000 stolen) with no standard presumption against jail time for first offenses, and a second-degree crime ($75,000+ stolen) requiring mandatory minimum prison time for repeat offenses, plus fines up to $250,000 or five times the package's value. The bill establishes a "Porch Theft Task Force" under the Attorney General to coordinate law enforcement, track theft data, and collaborate with delivery companies, and mandates a public awareness campaign to educate residents on prevention and reporting. It also appropriates state funds to implement these measures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey news media outlets to label all AI-generated content with a clear "generative AI" label, credit original sources, and include a disclaimer that the content may not reflect source accuracy. It prohibits news organizations from using artificial intelligence to replace human journalists in reporting, research, or investigative work. The bill establishes the "Artificial Intelligence In Communications Oversight Committee" to study AI's impact on journalism jobs, wages, and content accuracy, and submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature. Violations carry civil penalties of $10,000 for the first offense, increasing to $30,000 for repeat violations, enforceable by the Attorney General.