Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's Fruit and Vegetable Incentives Program within the Department of Human Services, appropriating $3 million to increase access to fresh produce for SNAP participants. It directly affects food-insecure individuals (including 175,830 children) with limited incomes by providing financial incentives and cash-value vouchers to purchase approved fruits and vegetables at authorized retailers like farmers markets and grocery stores. Key mechanisms include SNAP-enrolled participants receiving discounts at participating stores, health professionals distributing vouchers to food-insecure individuals, and collaboration with agencies like the Department of Agriculture. The program aims to address low fruit/vegetable consumption among SNAP users while supporting local agriculture and retailers in high-need communities.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a law allowing New Jersey municipalities to charge up to $200 for applying to a public defender. It would eliminate the fee entirely, directly affecting individuals seeking public defense services who might otherwise face this financial barrier. Currently, courts could waive such fees, but this bill removes that authority by deleting the fee provision. The legislation aims to remove financial obstacles to accessing public defenders, aligning with the Sixth Amendment right to counsel.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Caregiver's Assistance Act creates a tax credit for residents who pay for care of elderly relatives. Caregivers with income under $100,000 (or $50,000 for certain filers) can get 22.5% back on up to $3,000 annually in qualified care costs. Eligible expenses include home health services, adult day care, home modifications, and personal care assistance for qualifying seniors aged 60+ (or 50+ with disability) who meet income requirements. The credit does not apply to costs covered by insurance or government programs, and it's in addition to existing dependent deductions.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires construction permit applicants in New Jersey to disclose the anticipated funding sources and amounts for their projects. It applies to most construction projects but excludes single-family homes, routine renovations or repairs of dwelling units, and small-scale alterations (like individual units in buildings with fewer than three units). Applicants must provide this funding information when applying for a permit, and before receiving a certificate of occupancy, they must certify the accuracy of that information or submit updated details. The Commissioner of Community Affairs will develop specific rules within 180 days to implement these requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Garden State Guarantee Program, providing last-dollar financial aid grants to cover the net cost of tuition and fees for eligible students in their third and fourth years at New Jersey's four-year public colleges. It directly affects students with family or personal annual adjusted gross income between $0 and $100,000 (with possible annual adjustments), requiring them to apply for all other federal, state, and institutional aid first. The program covers up to 18 credits per semester after other grants are applied, ensuring students pay only what remains after other financial aid is deducted. It codifies an existing program while expanding income-based eligibility for the third and fourth years of study.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A1410) establishes new rules for New Jersey state agencies when purchasing firearms, ammunition, or firearm accessories. It requires businesses bidding on state contracts to certify they don’t sell unserialized gun kits or firearm precursor parts, disclose past inspection violations, and provide annual documentation on trace requests, thefts, and compliance with firearm laws. State agencies must reject bids or cancel contracts from non-compliant businesses and develop processes to assess safety practices like preventing straw sales or prohibited transfers. The bill applies only to state procurement contracts and is pending legislative action (introduced January 2026).
Maddy summaryBill A 2571 establishes New Jersey’s "Food is Medicine NJ Pilot Program" within the Department of Human Services (DHS), appropriating $5 million to provide nutrition services to Medicaid recipients. The program directly affects up to 10,000 high-risk Medicaid recipients: 3,000 with complex chronic conditions (like diabetes or heart failure) receive medically tailored meals, while 7,000 others at risk of diet-related illness get produce prescriptions and nutrition education. Key provisions require DHS to partner with healthcare providers and nonprofits to deliver these services, with a third-party evaluator measuring impacts on hospitalizations, health metrics (e.g., A1C levels), and Medicaid cost savings over three years. The pilot expires after the final evaluation report is submitted.
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 restructures the governance of New Jersey's State Health Benefits Program (SHBP), which provides health coverage to state employees. It creates a new 11-member State Health Benefits Commission (replacing the previous structure) and a separate 12-member Plan Design Committee. The Commission includes the Treasurer, agency heads, and members appointed by labor unions representing state employees, while the Plan Design Committee focuses specifically on designing health plan benefits like medical, dental, and prescription coverage. These changes affect all state employees enrolled in the SHBP by altering who oversees their health plan offerings and administration. The bill does not change the actual benefits provided, only the decision-making bodies managing the program.
Maddy summaryThis bill, the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act (A-1400), prohibits state and local government agencies - including law enforcement, schools, and hospitals - from cooperating with federal immigration authorities on immigration detainer requests that lack judicial warrants. It directly affects immigrants and their families by ensuring they can access public services like healthcare and education without fear of deportation. Key provisions ban agencies from holding individuals beyond their release date based on federal immigration detainers (like I-247 forms) and require them to prioritize local safety over federal immigration enforcement. The law aims to prevent unconstitutional detentions and maintain community trust in public services, as federal detainers have been found to violate constitutional rights in multiple courts.