Asm. Shama Haider

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program to reward employees who report tax law violations by employers in New Jersey's construction industry. Whistleblowers who provide specific, credible information leading to an administrative or judicial action against an employer can receive 15% to 30% of recovered taxes, penalties, and interest, or up to 10% if the tip came from media or government sources. It excludes employees who obtained information through their official duties or planned the violations themselves, and includes protections against retaliation under New Jersey's Conscientious Employee Protection Act. The program applies specifically to employers engaged in building, construction, repair, or maintenance work as defined in the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2060) amends New Jersey law to explicitly include the Palisades Interstate Park Commission as an eligible recipient for funding through the New Jersey Transportation Infrastructure Financing Program. It updates the definition of "local government unit" to specifically list the Commission under categories covering transportation and park-related infrastructure projects. This change allows the Commission - which manages parks and recreational areas along the Hudson River - to access state infrastructure bank funds for projects like road maintenance, visitor facilities, or environmental improvements within its jurisdiction. The bill does not create new funding but expands existing program eligibility. (Bill A 2060, introduced January 13, 2026)

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's bill A 2052 adds creating false public alarms (like fake bomb threats) to the list of acts that qualify as bias intimidation. This means intentionally causing false alarms to intimidate people based on race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics is now a separate offense. The bill removes a previously struck-down section of the law that focused on victims' perceptions rather than the perpetrator's intent. Convictions carry enhanced penalties compared to the underlying false alarm crime, with separate sentencing required for both the false alarm and bias intimidation.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates New Jersey's "Enhanced Transit Village Program" to encourage higher-density, mixed-use development near public transit hubs. It directly affects municipalities already designated as "transit villages" (those with existing transit infrastructure), requiring them to update zoning to meet specific density standards: at least 50 residential units per acre within 1/4 mile of transit, and 25 units per acre beyond that radius. The program provides technical assistance and financial support for municipalities to improve walkability, bike infrastructure, housing variety, and transit connections, while coordinating between the Office of Planning Advocacy (for land use) and the Department of Transportation (for infrastructure). The Office of Planning Advocacy will administer the program, including reviewing applications and approving village plans, with implementation pending legislative approval. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs to track and publicly report natural disaster-related spending by state agencies, counties, municipalities, school districts, and other local governments. It mandates organizing spending into four clear categories: preparedness (like training and planning), mitigation (reducing future damage), response (immediate actions after a disaster), and recovery (restoring communities). The department must publish simple, annual summaries online showing funding sources and whether reimbursements are expected, including data from local budget reports. This applies to all units of government that already submit budget summaries under existing laws.

Maddy summaryAJR 71 designates June of each year as "Immigrant Heritage Month" in New Jersey. This symbolic resolution, introduced by the legislature, does not create new laws or funding but asks the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public recognition of immigrants' contributions. It highlights New Jersey's large immigrant population (over 22% of residents) and their economic impact, such as owning 47% of "main street" businesses and contributing $54.6 billion in annual spending power. The resolution takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that contracts between certain New Jersey governmental units (including counties, municipalities, and specific authorities) and online parking payment service providers include a provision prohibiting the service provider from charging users during certain times. It amends the Local Public Contracts Law to mandate this contractual requirement for such agreements. The bill directly affects local governments that contract for online parking services and the payment service providers they work with. The key mechanism is a stipulation in the contract that prevents service providers from imposing fees during designated periods, ensuring users are not charged during those times.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's pretrial risk assessment tool (PSA) to require courts to explicitly consider firearms as a public safety risk. It directly affects defendants charged with firearm offenses by changing how courts evaluate their risk level during pretrial hearings. The key provision adds firearm-related factors to the PSA's assessment criteria, ensuring cases involving firearms - especially modified weapons or "ghost guns" - are properly weighted as violent risks. This change responds to a 2024 report highlighting gaps in how current assessments handle firearm dangers. The bill does not alter sentencing or create new penalties but adjusts the risk evaluation process used by courts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and Department of Environmental Protection to conduct a study on wave and tidal energy potential within 12 months of a pilot project. The study must evaluate environmental impacts, economic benefits, grid reliability, and potential incentive programs (like renewable energy credits) to support ocean energy development. It directs the BPU to establish goals for wave and tidal energy as part of the state's clean energy strategy, aiming to position New Jersey as a national leader. The findings will be reported to the Governor and Legislature within 15 months, with recommendations for future policy actions. This affects state energy planning and future development of ocean-based renewable energy infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey acute care hospitals to adopt and submit an environmental sustainability plan to the Department of Health every four years, with newly licensed hospitals needing to submit within six months of licensure. The plan must set goals for sustainable operations, including reducing waste, conserving water and energy, using renewable power, sustainable purchasing, and promoting less toxic materials. Hospitals must also issue annual progress reports on implementing these plans, which will be published online. The legislation directly affects all licensed hospitals in New Jersey by mandating concrete sustainability measures to reduce environmental impact and operational costs.