Asm. Chris Tully

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey automobile insurers to reimburse ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) at 300% of the Medicare Part B payment rate for services not listed in current fee schedules. It applies specifically to medical expenses covered under auto insurance policies for outpatient surgical services. Unlisted medical supplies used with these services must be reimbursed at invoice cost plus 20%. The policy standardizes payment rates for ASCs under auto insurance claims, aligning with Medicare guidelines for eligible services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an Office of Financial Assistance within New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to help small businesses access public financial assistance. It directly affects eligible entities - companies with under 225 NJ-based employees in tech or green energy sectors (like biotech, renewable energy, or IT) - by streamlining their access to state and federal grants, loans, and tax credits. The key mechanism is a new common online application platform that lets businesses identify all available programs, store required documents for reuse, apply to multiple programs simultaneously, and track application status. The EDA office will develop this platform and provide technical support to help businesses navigate the application process.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to add social media development services to its existing Small Business E-commerce Support Program. The program currently provides e-commerce and digital marketing consulting to eligible small businesses (like restaurants, retail stores, and personal care businesses in commercial locations), and this bill mandates that social media platform development assistance be included alongside current offerings like website and digital marketing support. It applies only to this specific pilot program under the Main Street Recovery Finance Program, established by the 2020 Economic Recovery Act. The change would take effect immediately upon enactment, but the requirement ends when the pilot program terminates.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3084) directs New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to study whether to ban paraquat dichloride, a toxic herbicide used commercially and by consumers. The study must evaluate its environmental and health impacts, review how other states regulate it, and recommend whether a ban should apply to all uses. The DEP must submit a report within two years, making findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature. This bill does not ban paraquat immediately but initiates a formal review of its safety and potential restrictions for all New Jersey residents and agricultural users.

Maddy summaryAR 101 is a non-binding resolution urging major generative AI and social media platforms to voluntarily commit to preventing and removing deepfakes (manipulated videos/images falsely depicting people) and cheapfakes (AI-altered content). It targets companies that host or distribute such content, asking them to proactively address harms like disinformation, blackmail, and reputational damage. The resolution does not create new legal requirements but encourages industry action, aligning with similar efforts by the federal government and 12 other states. It was introduced to the Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee on January 13, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new pathway for certain students to qualify for in-state tuition at New Jersey's four-year public colleges, bypassing the current requirement of attending NJ high school for three years. It directly affects students who earned an associate's degree from a county college in their home county (where they were treated as a county resident for tuition) but did not meet the standard high school attendance criteria. Key provisions require these students to provide proof of their associate's degree and, for those without lawful immigration status, file an affidavit confirming they've applied for or will apply for immigration status legalization. The bill does not change existing in-state tuition rules for students meeting the standard high school requirements. The legislation is currently pending in the Assembly Higher Education Committee and would take effect for the first full academic year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3048) creates a state-funded grant program to help municipalities provide free transportation services for senior citizens (55+ years old) in New Jersey. Municipalities can apply for grants of up to $25,000 to establish or expand programs covering medical appointments, shopping, recreation, and other essential trips, without requiring seniors to pay costs. The Department of Human Services will manage applications, determine award amounts based on need and available funds, and report to the legislature on program usage within 30 days of the six-month application period. The $2.5 million appropriation expires 180 days after the reporting deadline, with unspent funds reverting to the state general fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1857) prohibits the sale, purchase, use, and application of chlorpyrifos insecticide throughout New Jersey. It amends existing pesticide law (P.L.1971, c.176) to explicitly ban chlorpyrifos, replacing its current "restricted use" status. The prohibition would take effect seven months after the bill is enacted. The bill also requires pesticide applicator training on pesticide impacts on pollinating bees. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee.

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 automatic machine recounts within 48 hours if a non-primary, non-school election results in a tie between candidates. If the machine recount still produces a tie, an automatic hand recount occurs within 48 hours. If the hand recount remains tied, a special election between the tied candidates must be held within 60 days. The state covers all costs for these recounts and special elections, which will be conducted by local election boards. The bill applies to all statewide and local elected offices except primary elections and school board elections.