Asm. Chris Tully

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public utilities (like gas, electric, or water companies) to provide daily status updates to municipal officials - such as mayors or clerks - about their service work occurring within a municipality's boundaries. This applies to all utility work, including emergency repairs affecting municipal buildings (like schools or fire stations), from the start until completion date. The Board of Public Utilities will create specific rules for how these updates must be delivered, including during emergencies. The law directly affects utilities performing work in New Jersey municipalities and aims to improve local transparency about service disruptions.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 3585) makes it a crime to knowingly share manipulated videos or audio that falsely depict a candidate or election issue within 90 days of an election, with penalties including up to a fourth-degree offense (or third-degree for repeat violations). It directly affects voters (by aiming to prevent deception), candidates (who can seek legal relief for false depictions), and content creators (who face criminal or civil liability). Key provisions require clear disclaimers for minor edits or news/satire content, and exempt social media platforms, traditional media, and news outlets under federal law. The law does not apply to accidental edits, news reporting, or content with prominent disclaimers identifying manipulation.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's State Board of Education to create a "general science" endorsement for teacher instructional certificates. It allows certified teachers to teach any high school science course (grades 9-12) with this endorsement. To qualify, teachers must hold a science-related bachelor's or master's degree, maintain a 3.0 GPA, pass basic skills and subject-specific tests, and meet other commissioner-set requirements. Current teachers with specific science endorsements (biology, chemistry, etc.) can apply for this broader endorsement if they meet these standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's official general election and primary sample ballots to include a clear watermark identifying them as non-voting samples. It mandates that sample ballots must be printed on differently colored paper, feature the exact wording "This ballot cannot be voted" in large type at the top, and state early voting details. The law directly affects voters receiving sample ballots and election officials responsible for printing them, ensuring voters cannot accidentally submit sample ballots. The key change is the mandatory watermark and standardized labeling to distinguish sample ballots from actual voting ballots.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes an exemption in New Jersey's Smoke-Free Air Act that previously allowed smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities. Currently, these venues could permit smoking in areas used for gambling (like slot machine rooms or table games), but the bill would eliminate that exception. After passage, all indoor areas of casinos and simulcasting facilities open to the public for gambling would be required to be smoke-free. This change aligns these venues with the state's general indoor smoking ban, which applies to most public workplaces and spaces.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases paid military leave for New Jersey public employees serving in U.S. military Reserves from 30 to 90 work days per year. It directly affects state, county, school district, and municipal employees who are members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps Reserves, or affiliated National Guard units. The key change allows these employees to take up to 90 paid work days for federal active duty, with any additional days provided without pay. Local employers can seek state reimbursement for costs incurred under this policy through the State Treasurer’s office. The change aligns benefits for out-of-state Reserve members with those already provided to New Jersey National Guard members.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to study how law enforcement agencies use artificial intelligence (AI) to generate police reports and issue a report to the Governor and Legislature within six months. The report must assess available AI technology, summarize current statewide usage by police departments, and recommend a statewide policy for AI use in reports. The policy must include a requirement for officers to review all AI-generated report content for accuracy and completeness before issuing it. The bill does not mandate AI use but sets a framework for evaluating its safety and effectiveness in law enforcement documentation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 760) eliminates a 5% down payment requirement for local governments issuing bonds to fund hazard mitigation and resilience projects. It directly affects municipalities and counties when financing projects like flood protection, storm recovery, or climate adaptation infrastructure. The key change exempts these projects from needing to set aside 5% of bond proceeds as a down payment and removes the requirement to apply to the Local Finance Board for maturity adjustments on related bonds. This simplifies financing for communities addressing climate risks without changing bond maturity rules for other projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create rules for small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), defined as reactors under 300 megawatts capacity requiring U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing. It authorizes the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to use 60% of funds from the Global Warming Solutions Fund to provide grants and financial incentives for the construction and operation of SMRs. The policy directly affects commercial entities building or operating these reactors, with funding prioritizing projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or energy demand. The bill establishes a concrete mechanism for state support of SMR development through EDA’s grant programs, without specifying project outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Train the Trainer Program within New Jersey's Department of Education to prepare educators to lead school-wide mental health training for teachers and staff. It appropriates $1 million to fund the program, which will teach evidence-based methods like trauma-informed approaches, recognizing mental health challenges, restorative practices, and crisis de-escalation. The program requires training on topics including fostering positive school climates, addressing bullying, and accessing mental health resources - though school districts may choose not to participate. The Commissioner of Education must annually evaluate the program and report on its effectiveness to the Governor and Legislature within three years.