Asm. Clinton Calabrese

Maddy summaryThis bill bans the farming (aquaculture) of any octopus species for human consumption in New Jersey, exempting wild-caught octopus. It prohibits businesses from selling, possessing, or transporting octopus products resulting from aquaculture. Violations carry civil penalties up to $1,000 per day, with each day of violation treated as a separate offense. The law takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism as an educational resource for New Jersey state agencies, schools, and law enforcement. It defines antisemitism as hatred toward Jews, including specific examples like Holocaust denial, harmful stereotypes (e.g., conspiracy theories about Jewish control), and double standards applied to Israel. The definition is explicitly non-binding and must be used while protecting constitutional rights like free speech. New Jersey lawmakers cite the state's high rate of antisemitic incidents - including ranking third nationally in 2023 - as the basis for this measure.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes procedures for handling animals in cruelty cases. It allows law enforcement to seize animals without a warrant if immediate danger is present (e.g., extreme pain or injury), and with a warrant otherwise. Animals must be placed in licensed shelters or care facilities, with costs for food, emergency veterinary care, and basic needs recoverable from the owner within 20 days via court claim. The bill excludes domestic livestock and specific dog-tethering laws from its scope, and prohibits charging for elective surgeries or non-essential care. The bill is pending before the Assembly Judiciary Committee after introduction on January 13, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to appoint a State Dementia Services Coordinator within the Department of Human Services. The coordinator will develop a master plan to address dementia care, coordinate existing state services (like the Alzheimer's Advisory Commission), prevent service duplication, identify gaps in care, and improve access to quality treatment for people with dementia. State agencies must cooperate with the coordinator by providing data and assistance upon request. The bill appropriates $150,000 from the General Fund to fund this position and its operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Rider Advocacy Commission (with three appointed members) and the New Jersey Transit Office of Customer Advocate to directly represent NJ Transit riders' interests. The Office must analyze and report on proposed fare increases, service cuts, expansions, or major spending to NJ Transit's board, the Governor, and Legislature. It requires NJ Transit to share relevant documents with the Office for independent review before major changes. The Office collects public feedback through its website and monthly customer meetings, ensuring rider concerns directly inform transit decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the per adjusted admission charge for hospitals from $10 to $12.50, effective July 1, 2025. The revenue funds health planning and creates a "Safety Net Graduate Medical Education" pool. Hospitals with a high Medicaid patient percentage (top third among acute care hospitals with residency programs) qualify for payments based on 2016 Medicaid cost reports. Payments split into Direct Medical Education (DME) and Indirect Medical Education (IME) allocations using specific 2016 data from hospital cost reports. The bill directly affects qualifying hospitals, not ambulatory care facilities as the title incorrectly states.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's FY2026 state budget to add $496,000 to the Supplemental Graduate Medical Education (GME) Subsidy, enabling funding for a 15th acute care hospital meeting specific Medicaid revenue criteria. The subsidy currently supports the 14 hospitals with the highest Relative Medicaid Percentage (RMP) - calculated from 2023 cost reports - based on revenue from Medicaid patients. The new funding allocates exactly $496,000 to the 15th hospital ranked by RMP, without changing payments to the existing 14 hospitals. This adjustment aligns the budget with a 2018 law requiring subsidies to cover hospitals in the top third of all acute care hospitals with residency programs, now applicable to 15 hospitals out of 45 total.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the per hospital admission fee from $10 to $12.50, effective July 1, 2025, for specific hospitals including general acute care, rehabilitation, long-term acute care, and non-public psychiatric facilities. The revenue funds health planning activities and creates a supplemental "Safety Net Graduate Medical Education" fund. Eligible hospitals receive payments based on their Medicaid patient mix, calculated using 2016 cost report data to determine their share of graduate medical education funding. The bill updates existing assessment rules under P.L.1992, c.160, without altering hospital services or patient care requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill would automatically renew off-track wagering licenses without requiring commission approval, as long as licensees file renewal forms and pay applicable fees. It reduces the minimum required number of annual thoroughbred races from 50 to 25 at Meadowlands Racetrack and Monmouth Park, with consent from the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. The bill also shortens the timeframe for unclaimed cash vouchers from three years to one year, with the value split equally between the facility and the purse account. These changes primarily affect off-track wagering licensees, horse racing facilities, and the New Jersey Racing Commission.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4860) allows seasonal retail consumption alcohol license holders in New Jersey to exchange their limited-season licenses for full-year licenses. Currently, seasonal licenses permit alcohol sales only during summer (May 1-November 14) or winter (November 15-April 30) seasons, but this bill would enable businesses to sell alcohol year-round on the same terms as full-year license holders. The conversion requires paying a fee based on the average price of full-year licenses in the municipality, with a maximum of $250,000, plus the regular annual license fee. The bill does not create new licenses but allows existing seasonal license holders to convert to full-year status without changing municipal license limits.