Asm. Ellen Park

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4682) requires health insurance companies in New Jersey to cover nonopioid prescription drugs for acute pain on equal terms with opioid drugs when prescribed by a doctor. It prohibits insurers from denying coverage for nonopioid drugs in favor of opioids or requiring patients to try opioids first. For insurers with drug formularies (coverage lists), nonopioid pain medications approved by the FDA cannot face stricter rules, higher costs, or more barriers than opioid alternatives. The law applies to all private insurance plans, state employee health plans, school employee plans, and Medicaid, effective January 1, 2026. It does not prevent insurers from favoring one opioid over another or one nonopioid over another.

Maddy summaryThe "Louisa Carman Medical Debt Relief Act" prevents credit reporting agencies from including paid medical debt or medical debt under $500 in credit reports, regardless of when the debt was incurred. It prohibits medical creditors and debt collectors from reporting medical debt to credit agencies for services provided after the law takes effect. The bill requires a 180-day waiting period before collection actions can begin and mandates a 30-day notice with a clear payment deadline before starting collections. Additionally, it protects patients by prohibiting debt collection during pending insurance appeals and requiring credit bureaus to remove debt information if an appeal is pending or the debt is paid.

Maddy summaryS 2792 appropriates $500,000 from two state funds - $200,000 from constitutionally dedicated business tax revenues and $300,000 from the 2009 Farmland Preservation Fund - to the State Agriculture Development Committee. This funding provides a $500,000 grant to Washington Township in Warren County for municipal planning to preserve farmland. The grant is a direct allocation under existing farmland preservation programs, with Washington Township also potentially eligible for additional competitive grants from other funds. The bill specifically directs this $500,000 to Washington Township without requiring a separate application.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to provide up to $2.73 billion in loans to local governments and public water utilities for environmental infrastructure projects during fiscal year 2025. It specifically funds 156 clean water projects (totaling $1.9 billion) and 72 drinking water projects (totaling $715 million) through designated eligibility lists. Loans can cover a portion of construction costs with repayment terms up to 30 years, and interest rates tied to the bank's bond rates. The bill also authorizes an additional $1.5 billion for short-term loans through the Interim Environmental Financing Program for priority projects.

Maddy summaryS 3384 appropriates funds to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to provide zero-interest loans and principal forgiveness for environmental infrastructure projects. The bill authorizes the DEP to make loans to local governments and public water utilities for clean water and drinking water projects, with specific funding limits including $20 million for combined sewer overflow projects and $10 million for water quality restoration. Funds will come from state revolving funds, federal grants from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and unexpended balances from previous programs, with projects requiring repayment within 30-45 years. The bill's funding authorization expires on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's film and digital media tax credit program to include wages and salaries paid to workers not subject to New Jersey's gross income tax due to reciprocity agreements with other states. It expands the definitions of "qualified film production expenses" and "qualified digital media content production expenses" to cover these payments, including compensation paid to workers from states like Pennsylvania with which New Jersey has reciprocal tax agreements. The bill also updates the definition of "full-time or full-time equivalent employee" to include workers whose wages aren't subject to New Jersey tax due to reciprocity agreements. The changes apply retroactively to January 1, 2024, allowing taxpayers who haven't used their tax credit certificates to receive revised certificates under the new rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $65 million from the General Fund to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to purchase specific properties from New Jersey Transit (NJT). The EDA must buy these properties at appraised "highest and best use" value and can develop, lease, or sell them for commercial or residential use to maximize economic potential. NJT retains a 33% share of proceeds from any future sale or lease of these properties. The EDA must notify the Joint Budget Oversight Committee before purchasing or developing the properties, requiring a joint presentation with NJT about the transaction terms.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 138) symbolically designates June 2024 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in New Jersey. It urges public officials and citizens to commemorate the month with appropriate activities, recognizing the contributions and struggles of LGBTQIA+ individuals (including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, and non-binary people). The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the community's achievements and ongoing advocacy. It follows similar designations by federal and state governments, emphasizing visibility and equality.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $500,000 from existing state funds to provide a specific grant for farmland preservation in Washington Township, Warren County. The funds come from $200,000 in constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues and $300,000 from the 2009 Farmland Preservation Fund. The grant is for municipal planning purposes to support farmland preservation efforts, as authorized under New Jersey law. Washington Township is the direct recipient, with this allocation specified in the bill. The funds are sourced from established, dedicated programs for open space and farmland conservation.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's film and digital media content production tax credit program to expand eligibility for tax credits. It specifically modifies the definitions of "qualified film production expenses" and "qualified digital media content production expenses" to include wages paid to employees who are exempt from New Jersey income tax due to reciprocity agreements with other states, such as Pennsylvania residents. The bill also updates the definition of "full-time or full-time equivalent employee" to include these workers. These changes apply retroactively to January 1, 2024, allowing taxpayers who received tax credit certificates before this date to surrender them for new certificates under the revised terms. The changes directly affect film and digital media production companies operating in New Jersey that employ workers from states with income tax reciprocity agreements.