Asm. Clinton Calabrese

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates state funds to the Department of Environmental Protection to support environmental infrastructure projects during fiscal year 2027. The money will be used to provide zero-interest or principal forgiveness loans to help finance clean water and drinking water initiatives. Additionally, the legislation authorizes the department to transfer money between different state revolving funds to ensure there is enough capital for these projects. Ultimately, the act aims to expand funding availability for essential water systems without changing the underlying loan terms.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2757) requires electric transmission owners in New Jersey - such as utility companies - to join approved regional transmission entities (like independent system operators) and transfer control of their transmission facilities to these entities. It directly affects electric utilities operating transmission infrastructure within the state, mandating they comply with specific entity requirements. Key provisions include ensuring transmission entities are independent of power generators, minimizing duplicate fees ("rate pancaking"), improving grid reliability, and promoting competitive electricity markets. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A796 requires electric utilities to create special rate structures for large data centers (defined as facilities with at least 100 megawatts of monthly demand) to prevent these centers from raising costs for regular residential and business customers. Utilities must file these rate plans with the Board of Public Utilities within 180 days, ensuring non-data-center customers are protected from cost increases caused by data centers' high energy use while also encouraging energy efficiency through incentives like heat-capture technology. The Board of Public Utilities will review and approve these plans, and utilities must apply them to qualifying data centers one year after the law takes effect. The bill also mandates financial safeguards, such as requiring new data centers to commit to using at least 85% of their requested service for 10 years, to further shield ratepayers from unexpected cost spikes.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the "John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey," is a commemorative resolution naming a state initiative after civil rights leader John Lewis. It appropriates $2.5 million but does not establish new voting procedures or protections. The bill primarily includes recognition language affirming New Jersey’s commitment to voting rights for protected classes and defines terms like "covered entity" for future reference, though no specific implementation mechanisms are detailed. As it is pending technical review and lacks concrete policy changes, it functions as a symbolic gesture rather than a substantive legislative action.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's existing rules for plastic trash bags by lowering the required amount of recycled material they must contain. Manufacturers of thicker plastic bags, specifically those 1.00 mil thick or more, will no longer need to include 40 percent postconsumer recycled content, as the new requirement is reduced to 20 percent. The law also adjusts recycled content targets for thinner bags, increasing the minimums for 0.70 to 0.80 mil bags from five to 10 percent and for 0.80 to 1.00 mil bags from 10 to 20 percent. These changes apply to all plastic trash bags sold in the state, with the exception of bags designed for hazardous or regulated medical waste. The legislation takes effect immediately upon introduction.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill mandates that health insurance plans and Medicaid cover medically necessary tests and FDA-approved treatments designed to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. The law applies to hospital service, medical service, and health service corporation contracts, as well as individual and group health insurance policies issued or renewed in the state. A key provision ensures that these specific Alzheimer's treatments are not subject to step therapy requirements, meaning patients can access them without needing to try other medications first. Additionally, the coverage must be provided at the same level as benefits for other medical conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill streamlines the approval process for installing electric vehicle charging equipment at existing buildings like gas stations and retail stores by replacing complex land use reviews with a simpler administrative permit system. The key provision allows these installations to proceed through a non-discretionary permit process as long as they meet state construction codes and safety standards, eliminating the need for site plan board reviews or variance requests. Local governments retain the authority to review applications only for specific, demonstrable public health and safety concerns rather than general planning issues, while inspections remain required to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows dual-use solar facilities, such as those on landfills or brownfields, to join New Jersey's community solar program, enabling customers to receive bill credits from remotely located solar projects. It requires the Board of Public Utilities to establish rules for a pilot program that sets project size limits, geographic restrictions, minimum participant numbers, and standards for protecting low and moderate income customers. The legislation also mandates that utilities can recover implementation costs and outlines a path to convert the pilot into a permanent program with specific capacity goals by 2029.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill streamlines the approval process for installing electric vehicle charging equipment at existing buildings and service stations by replacing complex land use reviews with a faster administrative permit system. The legislation requires installations to meet existing safety and construction codes but removes the need for site plan board reviews or variance relief for most applications. Local governments retain limited authority to deny permits only when there is clear, evidence-based proof that the equipment would harm public health or safety, excluding general planning concerns. The bill also sets a 20-day timeline for jurisdictions to notify applicants if their applications are incomplete and clarifies that charging stations encroaching on setbacks do not automatically violate safety standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows for-profit movie theaters in New Jersey to obtain a license to sell alcoholic beverages on their premises. The license would permit the sale of alcohol during the two hours before a first-run movie screening and throughout the screening itself, subject to approval by the municipal governing board and the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Movie theaters must apply for this license annually and pay an initial fee of at least $210,000, which is reduced to $150,000 if 10 percent or more of the alcohol sold comes from local craft producers. The license is restricted to use only at the theater location and cannot be transferred to other premises.