Asm. Clinton Calabrese

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 3537) requires high school students to receive instruction on tuition assistance programs and student loan debt as part of their financial literacy graduation requirement, starting with the 2018-2019 ninth grade class. It mandates that students meet with a guidance counselor during 10th or 11th grade to discuss available grants, scholarships, loans, and dual enrollment options that can reduce college costs. The law specifies that instruction must cover student loan repayment requirements and consequences of default. These provisions directly affect all New Jersey high school students and school districts, aiming to improve informed decision-making about post-high school education financing.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric utilities in New Jersey to charge residential electricity rates for service used by residential customers at electric vehicle (EV) charging stations located in designated parking spaces reserved for their exclusive use. It directly affects residential utility customers living in homes or planned developments (like condos or HOAs) who use EV chargers in their own designated parking spots. The key provision prevents utilities from charging higher commercial rates for this specific EV charging service, ensuring residential billing applies. It does not affect the ability of property developments to set their own prices for electricity sold through their EV charging equipment.

Maddy summaryAJR 16 designates March 16 as "Paws Healing Heroes Day" in New Jersey to recognize service dogs' role in assisting veterans with conditions like PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), military sexual trauma, and seizure disorders. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to promote public awareness, highlighting that service dog training costs $3,000-$5,000 (not covered by veterans' benefits) and relies on nonprofit organizations like Paws Healing Heroes. This ceremonial resolution does not create new funding or legal requirements but aims to honor the support service dogs provide to veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1529) prohibits the sale, distribution, import, export, or propagation of specific invasive plant species in New Jersey without a permit from the Department of Agriculture. It directly affects nurseries, gardeners, landscapers, and importers who handle the listed species, including common invasive plants like Japanese barberry, English ivy, and purple loosestrife. Key provisions establish a phased ban: propagation becomes restricted 13 months after the law takes effect, and sales/distribution restrictions begin 49 months later, with permits required for exceptions. The bill also creates the NJ Invasive Species Council to advise on species listings and includes exemptions for certain cultivars like NCMS1 silvergrass, which must still carry educational labels. Note: This bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, after being approved as P.L.2025, c.290, meaning it has become law under a different bill number.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A 1851 prohibits retailers and service providers from using paper receipts containing bisphenol-A (BPA) or bisphenol-S (BPS) starting immediately, with a full phase-out of all paper receipts required within 13 months. The bill mandates that businesses switch to electronic receipts (via email or text) for all transactions, with violations subject to $250-$500 civil penalties per offense. It directly affects all retail and service businesses in New Jersey, aiming to eliminate exposure to toxic chemicals linked to health issues and reduce environmental harm from receipt production. The law focuses on concrete policy changes: banning specific chemicals, setting clear deadlines, and enabling digital alternatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all subscription service providers in New Jersey (like streaming services, gym memberships, or software subscriptions) to give consumers a clear, easy way to cancel their subscriptions using the same method they signed up with - such as online, by phone, or in person. It specifically bans "negative option features" where silence or inaction is treated as agreement, mandating providers to get explicit consent before charging and to clearly disclose terms upfront. Providers must also place a prominent cancellation link on websites or in emails, making it simple for consumers to stop automatic renewals. The law expands existing rules (previously limited to health clubs) to cover all subscription services and prohibits misleading marketing or hidden cancellation processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the minimum annual requirement for thoroughbred races at Monmouth Park and Meadowlands Racetrack from 50 to 25, effective with written consent from the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. It also modifies simulcasting rules to allow facilities to accept advance wagers on races without live broadcast access when open to the public, and shortens the timeframe for unclaimed cash vouchers from three years to one year (with 50% value split between the racetrack and purse account). These changes directly affect racetrack operators and wagering facilities in New Jersey. The bill focuses on operational flexibility for horse racing venues while maintaining industry stakeholder input for the race schedule reduction.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey municipalities and counties to require new police officers and firefighters to reside in the community for five years after being hired. It gives new employees six months after starting work (post-training) to move into the area, with exceptions if an officer faces threats or harm related to their job - such as intimidation, investigation manipulation, or coercion. Currently, such residency requirements are prohibited under state law, but this bill would update that rule to permit local governments to adopt them. The policy directly affects new hires in municipal, county, and regional fire and police departments.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to provide public boat access at state-owned lakes where boating is permitted, within two years of enactment. The DEP must either build access points or contract with private marinas via public bidding to ensure the public can launch boats with or without motors. It appropriates $1 million from the state General Fund specifically to fund this access. The law directly affects public boaters seeking access to lakes like Greenwood Lake, which currently lacks public boat launches as private marinas restrict or eliminate day-use access.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two new entities in New Jersey: the Office of Healthcare Affordability and Transparency (within the Department of Health) and the Health Care Cost Containment and Price Transparency Commission. It requires hospitals, health insurers, and other healthcare providers to publicly report detailed pricing data for services like inpatient care, emergency visits, and physician services. The Commission will set annual benchmarks for healthcare cost growth and hospital pricing, monitor entities exceeding these benchmarks, and may impose public transparency requirements or civil penalties for noncompliance. These provisions directly affect all New Jersey hospitals, health insurers, and healthcare providers by mandating transparency in pricing and cost reporting to promote affordability.