Asm. Clinton Calabrese

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a New Jersey gross income tax credit for licensed child care staff and registered family day care providers. Eligible workers must have been employed for six continuous months in their current role, with credit amounts varying by income level ($25,000-$45,000) and the age group of children they serve (birth-30 months or 30+ months). For those earning under $45,000, the credit is refundable - if it eliminates tax liability, they receive the remaining amount as a cash payment. The credit does not count as income for other state benefit programs and requires at least 50% of work time to be spent directly providing child care services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's electric utilities to submit new tariffs for commercial customers to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) for approval within 180 days of enactment. It specifically targets fees charged to operators of direct current (DC) fast charging stations (50kW+), prohibiting demand charges, subscription fees, or other non-volumetric rates until BPU approves the new tariff. The required tariffs must use alternatives to traditional demand-based pricing, ensure cost fairness between commercial and residential EV rates, remain neutral across charging technologies, and encourage investment in EV infrastructure for all vehicle types. The BPU must review and approve these tariffs expeditiously under existing law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to create and annually update a public awareness campaign focused on motorcycle safety. The campaign must include educational materials about motorcycle safety, information on distracted driving risks, and variable message signs promoting safe road-sharing practices between drivers and motorcyclists. It directly affects all New Jersey drivers and motorcyclists by aiming to reduce motorcycle-related accidents on state roads. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill renames the "Blue Star Memorial Highway Council" to the "Blue and Gold Star Memorial Highway Council" and the "Blue Star Memorial Highway system" to the "Blue and Gold Star Memorial Highway system." The change acknowledges Gold Star families - immediate relatives of New Jersey military personnel who died in service - by adding "Gold Star" to the names. The bill requires the New Jersey Department of Transportation to update all highway signage to reflect the new names within 90 days of the law taking effect. This is a naming change only, with no alteration to the highway system's purpose, management, or funding.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Senate Bill S 2607 requires private bus companies operating regular routes to give advance notice and hold public meetings before making significant service cuts. Specifically, operators must provide 4 months' written notice to the state Motor Vehicle Commission and NJ Transit, 3 months' notice to riders, and host a public meeting near the busiest stop within 15 days of notifying riders. The bill also mandates that companies notify local officials, including mayors and county commissioners, before holding these meetings. Private operators who fail to comply face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. This bill directly affects private bus operators and their riders in New Jersey communities experiencing service changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's MVC to check the federal drug and alcohol clearinghouse before issuing or renewing commercial driver licenses (CDLs) or commercial learner's permits (CLPs). If the clearinghouse indicates a person is prohibited from operating commercial vehicles due to drug or alcohol violations, the MVC cannot issue, renew, transfer, or upgrade the license. The MVC must downgrade CDLs/CLPs for license holders who are prohibited from operating commercial vehicles, completing the downgrade within 60 days of notification. The MVC may reinstate privileges once the driver completes the return-to-duty process, ensuring New Jersey complies with federal requirements for commercial drivers.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends annual $20 million funding for horse racing purse subsidies through New Jersey's fiscal year 2029, replacing the prior expiration at fiscal year 2023. The funds will be split equally between thoroughbred (all to Monmouth Park overnight races) and standardbred industries (with specific allocations like 60% to Meadowlands overnight purses). Recipients must submit annual reports to the Legislature and Governor detailing how funds were used, including impacts on betting handle, horse participation, and New Jersey-bred race outcomes.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A4534 (A4534) expands the types of projects eligible for funding under the Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) program. It revises the definition of "qualified assistance fund expenses" to explicitly include transportation infrastructure projects (like roads, bridges, and public transit facilities) and related loan payments, regardless of whether they occur in designated commercial corridors. This change allows qualifying municipalities to use UEZ program funds for broader transportation improvements - such as repairing public roads or financing transit infrastructure - rather than being limited to corridor-specific projects. The bill directly affects UEZ-designated areas in economically distressed New Jersey communities seeking to revitalize their infrastructure through state-funded incentives.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's lead-based paint hazard inspection requirements for residential rental properties. It mandates that municipalities inspect rental units and common areas at tenant turnover or every three years (whichever is earlier), with properties having valid lead-safe certifications (now valid for three years instead of two) exempt from frequent inspections. Landlords must provide lead-safe certification to new tenants and maintain records, while municipalities must report lead hazard findings to the Department of Community Affairs, which will provide annual reports to the legislature. The bill also repeals a provision requiring the Department of Community Affairs to inspect properties as part of the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's law prohibiting feeding black bears by replacing the previous "unintentional feeding" exemption with specific, allowed activities. It permits certain actions without penalty, including agricultural operations (with food stored properly), bird feeders maintained under strict conditions (e.g., 10-foot height, nightly emptying), animal shelters feeding pets (with uneaten food removed nightly), and government wildlife management. The law also changes where civil penalties for violations go, directing collected fines to the local municipality instead of the Division of Fish and Wildlife. It directly affects residents, farmers, and pet owners in bear-prone areas by clarifying permitted feeding practices.