Asm. Shavonda Sumter

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a mandatory low-carbon transportation fuel standard program under New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). It requires fuel refiners, importers, and alternative fuel producers to ensure their fuels meet annual carbon intensity limits - aiming for a 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from gasoline and diesel by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. The program creates a credit-trading system where entities exceeding standards earn tradable credits to offset deficits from fuels that fall short of requirements. It also mandates that 40% of credits generated by utilities and state agencies must fund electric vehicle programs in overburdened communities, such as school bus electrification and charging infrastructure. The DEP must implement the program within one year of the bill’s effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Council for Community Recovery and Family Success, a new 25-member body within New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (though independent of it), to develop a statewide initiative focused on preventing family crises and promoting well-being for infants, children, youth, and families. The Council will identify gaps in current services, recommend policies to shift focus from crisis response to prevention, and coordinate with state departments and community organizations across New Jersey. It will create county-level councils to assess local needs and develop preventive services, and will receive $4 million in state funding to implement these efforts over three years. The initiative aims to improve outcomes through four pillars: positive family relationships, financial security, quality education, and health. The Council must submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature with recommendations for improving family support services.

Maddy summaryThe "Climate Superfund Act" would hold fossil fuel companies liable for climate change damages by requiring them to pay compensatory payments based on their historical greenhouse gas emissions. It targets companies that extracted or refined fossil fuels and are responsible for over one billion metric tons of emissions between 1995 and the bill's effective date. The bill establishes a program through New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to collect these payments and distribute funds for climate adaptation projects, such as flood protection, infrastructure upgrades, and health programs. Companies would pay their proportional share of damages over nine years, with options for installment payments, and the collected funds would specifically support projects that help communities prepare for climate impacts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education to establish statewide standards for public colleges and universities to assess and award college credit for prior learning experiences, such as job training, military service, or industry certifications. The standards must cover assessment methods (including exams, portfolios, and industry credentials), minimum credit acceptance requirements, credit transfer between institutions, dispute resolution processes, and annual data collection to track student success. Public institutions must adopt policies meeting these standards - potentially through partnerships with Thomas Edison State University or approved third parties - and may charge a small fee for assessment (not full tuition). The bill also mandates annual reports to the Governor and Legislature on compliance and the system's impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the New Jersey State Treasurer to appoint an acting executive director for the Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT) when the permanent position has been vacant for one year or longer. The appointment requires consultation with the Environmental Protection Commissioner and Agriculture Secretary, and the acting director serves a minimum one-year term at an annual cost capped at $150,000. The GSPT retains full oversight authority over the acting director, consistent with existing laws governing the trust. The bill directly affects the GSPT’s operations, which manage state conservation funds and report on open space, farmland, and historic preservation progress.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mental health services in New Jersey to be provided in a culturally affirming and linguistically appropriate manner for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. It mandates that services be delivered in the client's primary method of communication, as determined by the client's preference or a communication assessment, and that mental health professionals be certified as fluent in that method. The bill establishes a deaf services coordinator position within the Department of Human Services to oversee implementation, develop certification standards for professionals, and ensure access to services statewide, including through telemedicine in underserved areas. It also requires the development of a statewide system of care with specific standards for communication accessibility and cultural competence in mental health services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 17-member Task Force on Aging within New Jersey's Department of Health. The task force will study state resources and services for older residents, review policies affecting seniors, examine support for family caregivers, and evaluate long-term care quality. It must issue an initial report with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 18 months, followed by biennial updates. The task force includes government officials, aging advocacy representatives, senior citizens (including those in care facilities), and healthcare professionals specializing in geriatrics. Its work aims to improve services supporting aging residents' dignity and independence, without creating new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the lists of environmental infrastructure projects approved for long-term funding under New Jersey's FY2025 environmental infrastructure funding program. It updates the specific clean water and drinking water projects that will receive funding, including detailed information about project sponsors, project numbers, and estimated loan amounts. The bill does not create new funding mechanisms but rather modifies the approved project lists for the existing program. This update ensures eligible municipalities and water systems can access funding for infrastructure improvements like stormwater management, combined sewer overflow abatement, and drinking water system upgrades.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's FY2025 Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program (CHAMP) to add three new hazard mitigation projects to the list eligible for funding: Brick Township's reservoir improvements, Rochelle Park's sewer pump station reconstruction and elevation work, and Highlands Borough's flood mitigation and green infrastructure. It increases the total authorized funding from $7.2 million to $13.8 million to cover these nine approved projects. The New Jersey Infrastructure Bank will provide low-interest loans to local governments for these resilience initiatives, which aim to protect communities from flooding and climate-related risks. These projects directly affect Bergen County municipalities and other local governments receiving CHAMP loans.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $49.5 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues to fund land acquisition for recreation and conservation purposes across New Jersey. The funding supports specific projects including Blue Acres projects (which protect lands from flood and storm damage) and the Green Acres Program. The bill allocates $23.7 million for land acquisition in 14 designated project areas across multiple counties, with $23.7 million specifically for Blue Acres projects and $2.05 million for program administrative costs. This funding comes from a constitutional fund approved by voters in 2014 that's dedicated to open space and conservation initiatives.