Asm. Carmen Morales

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A4935) creates an Artificial Intelligence Apprenticeship Program within the Department of Labor to connect employers in the AI industry with apprentices focused on AI technology, data analytics, and automation. It also establishes a tax credit allowing employers to claim up to $5,000 per qualified apprentice (half of their wages, capped annually) against New Jersey’s gross income tax and corporation business tax. To qualify, apprentices must work at least 20 weeks per year in a compliant AI apprenticeship program (max four years), covering roles like AI software development or generative AI content creation. The program requires collaboration between employers, educational institutions, and the state to develop training pathways. This directly affects AI industry employers and unskilled/semi-skilled workers entering AI careers in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the AI and Labor Market Study Commission to examine how artificial intelligence affects New Jersey's workforce. The commission, composed of 11 members including state officials and private experts (with at least four having AI expertise), will identify jobs at risk of displacement, develop worker transition programs, and recommend policies. It creates a Job Transition Fund - initially funded by existing state job training money - to support displaced workers through education, training, and job placement services. The commission must report findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature at least twice yearly.

Maddy summaryThis bill A4266 requires that only structural engineers or employees of certified fire escape inspection companies can install, service, repair, inspect, and maintain fire escapes and exterior stairways. It amends existing law to specify that compliance inspections for fire escapes must be conducted by these qualified professionals, and adds fire escapes to the definition of "fire protection equipment." The bill creates a new "Fire Escape Contractor" certification classification for contractors working on fire escapes, with specific requirements for certification. This requirement applies to both contractors performing fire escape work and construction officials responsible for enforcing fire code related to fire escapes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to study urban vehicle parking challenges and propose solutions for communities where parking is scarce. The study must examine current state, local, and federal parking laws, signage rules, and street regulations to identify opportunities for increasing available parking - such as updating or removing unnecessary signs. DCA must complete the study and submit a public report to the Governor and Legislature within two years of the bill's enactment. The bill directly affects urban residents and businesses in New Jersey cities facing parking shortages, but does not change existing parking rules itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) to provide current non-retired members and those applying for retirement after the bill's effective date with the same benefits as members enrolled before July 1, 2007. It eliminates tiered membership by moving all current TPAF members to Tier 1, requires public employers to enroll eligible employees (earning above minimum salary but not meeting hour requirements) in TPAF, and allows Defined Contribution Retirement Program participants to transfer service credit to TPAF without transferring contributions. Participants in the Defined Contribution Retirement Program have six months to opt out of the transfer after receiving notice. These changes apply only to retirement applications processed after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey financial institutions (including banks, credit unions, and mortgage servicers) to allow mortgage borrowers to choose biweekly payments (every two weeks), bimonthly payments (twice monthly), and extra payments toward their mortgage principal without penalties. It directly affects homeowners with mortgages secured by residential properties (1-6 units) in New Jersey. The key provision mandates that any overpayment in biweekly plans must reduce the principal balance, while bimonthly payments must equal half the monthly amount. The law applies to all new mortgage agreements signed six months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the lists of environmental infrastructure projects eligible for loans from New Jersey's Infrastructure Bank for fiscal year 2025. It modifies the project eligibility lists by adding new projects, removing some projects, and adjusting the priority rankings and loan amounts for certain projects. The bill reduces the total funding authorization from $2.73 billion to $2.47 billion and changes the total number of eligible projects from 240 to 227, including 152 clean water projects and 67 drinking water projects. These changes affect local governments, public water utilities, and other project sponsors seeking funding for environmental infrastructure improvements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires telecom, cable, and internet providers in New Jersey to let customers cancel service contracts without early fees when moving to a long-term care facility for at least 90 days. It applies to individuals receiving a physician's referral or care plan for relocation to licensed facilities like nursing homes, assisted living, or dementia care homes. Customers must typically provide 45 days' notice (or 48 hours if a physician orders immediate relocation), and providers may request a physician's letter as proof. The bill does not relieve customers of equipment return fees or payments for equipment they already purchased.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution expresses the New Jersey General Assembly's support for the "Breakfast Bowl," an annual football game between Montclair State University and Rowan University designed to raise awareness about food insecurity in New Jersey. The resolution recognizes the universities' existing food insecurity initiatives, including Montclair's Red Hawk Pantry and Rowan's SHOP food pantry, which provide fresh produce and food assistance to students and community members. The winner of the game will also determine whether New Jersey's signature breakfast meat is called "Pork Roll" or "Taylor Ham" until the next year's event.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's law governing employment programs for people with disabilities, renaming the "Sheltered Workshop Act" to the "Extended Employment Act." It changes eligibility requirements by redefining disabilities from "severe" to "significant" and removes the need for participants to complete workshop programs or prove they can't compete in the regular labor market. The bill eliminates oversight by the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, revises funding mechanisms to adjust annually based on inflation, and repeals outdated provisions about product labeling and sales from these programs. The changes aim to modernize the program to better serve people with disabilities who may not have qualified under previous rules. The bill directly affects nonprofit extended employment providers and people with disabilities enrolled in these programs.