Asm. Lisa Swain

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 4439 allows student-athletes at four-year colleges offering athletic scholarships to earn compensation for the use of their name, image, or likeness (NIL), while prohibiting schools from blocking such deals. It specifically bans under-21 student-athletes from NIL agreements involving alcohol, tobacco, or cannabis products. The bill requires institutions to provide annual NIL education on financial literacy and brand management, and ensures NIL contracts remain private under public records law. It also prohibits athletic associations like the NCAA from penalizing schools or athletes for engaging in permitted NIL activities. The bill repeals New Jersey's previous "Fair Play Act" to align with updated national standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to update driver education, testing, and the driver's manual to include specific information about safely interacting with pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-motorized road users. It mandates that driver's education courses, the written knowledge examination, and the official driver's manual must cover a driver's responsibilities when approaching and passing pedestrians and cyclists, including the penalties for failing to comply with these responsibilities as outlined in existing law (P.L.2021, c.194). The changes will affect all new drivers going through the state's licensing process, including teenagers and adults seeking their first license. The bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to incorporate these provisions into all relevant educational materials and testing.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Rutgers University (including University Hospital) to provide resident and fellow physicians who are eligible for the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) with immediate health insurance enrollment on their first day of employment. Current employees eligible for SHBP will gain coverage immediately upon the bill's effective date. The law applies to these physicians and their dependents, eliminating previous delays in access to health coverage for this group.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A4194 prohibits public works contractors from bidding on state projects if any member of their cooperative entity failed to pay prevailing wages. Specifically, it extends the existing three-year ban on wage violators to entire cooperatives (defined as collective ownership structures where members control operations), preventing them from securing public contracts if one member is listed for nonpayment. The law requires public bodies to verify contractors against a commissioner's list of wage violators before awarding contracts, with broad definitions covering ownership ties, shared resources, or business relationships. This directly affects cooperative businesses in construction and related fields bidding on state-funded projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows student-athletes at New Jersey's four-year colleges offering athletic scholarships to earn compensation for the use of their name, image, or likeness (NIL), while prohibiting schools from blocking such deals. It permits schools or affiliated entities to directly contract with athletes for NIL compensation, though under-21 athletes cannot receive NIL payments from alcohol, tobacco, or cannabis companies. The bill also requires schools to provide NIL-related education (financial literacy, brand management) to athletes annually and protects schools from NCAA penalties for allowing NIL activities. It repeals New Jersey’s previous NIL law (the "Fair Play Act") and ensures NIL contracts are exempt from public disclosure under state open records law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers and contractors working on projects for New Jersey public bodies (such as state agencies, local governments, schools, or publicly funded projects) to register with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) and submit certified payroll records. It expands current requirements by applying to all work for public bodies - not just projects subject to prevailing wage laws - covering construction, maintenance, repairs, and other work paid for with public funds or financial assistance. Employers must provide these records within 10 days of a request; failure to comply allows DOLWD to direct public bodies to withhold up to 25% of payment (capped at $100,000) until records are submitted. The bill directly affects contractors and employers performing work for public entities, ensuring transparency in wage reporting.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public schools to follow the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2012 nutrition standards for school meals, which limit calories, fat, and sodium while increasing whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and nonfat milk. It directly affects public schools serving federally subsidized breakfasts and lunches to roughly 32 million students nationwide. The standards aim to combat childhood obesity - New Jersey's child obesity rate is 14.8%, the 28th highest nationally - by maintaining stricter dietary requirements than USDA's recent proposed relaxations. The bill mandates compliance with these 2012 standards or any stricter future standards, effective immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a three-year pilot program to support new school supervisors in New Jersey. It directly affects first-year certified supervisors (called "novice supervisors" in the bill) who guide teaching staff, requiring them to participate in a mentorship program. The program mandates 15+ hours of annual mentoring with trained mentors, plus additional professional development, administered by a nonprofit partner under the Commissioner of Education's oversight. The state appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund to cover program costs. A final report on the program's effectiveness will be submitted to the Governor and Legislature after the pilot ends.

Maddy summaryAJR 216 is a joint resolution directing New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to investigate whether PJM Interconnection's Reliability Pricing Model (capacity market) effectively provides reliable electricity at the lowest cost. The bill requires the BPU to report its findings within 12 months and directs the state to collaborate with neighboring PJM states to promote affordable energy practices, prioritize carbon-free sources, and urge PJM to implement market reforms. It specifically addresses rising capacity costs in PJM's auctions - contributing to higher electricity bills - and delays in approving new generation projects that prevent lower-cost resources from entering the market. The resolution aims to protect ratepayers, particularly low-income households, from price increases while supporting grid reliability.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $107,999,000 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues and Green Acres funds to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for local government open space and park projects. The funds will support $22.4 million for land acquisition, $80.3 million for park development (including inclusive playgrounds), and $3 million for a new planning grant program. It prioritizes projects in densely populated areas (defined as municipalities with at least 5,000 people per square mile or 35,000 people total) and requires Joint Budget Oversight Committee approval for fund distribution. The bill specifies eligible projects across 30+ municipalities and counties for recreation, conservation, and park improvements. Local governments will use these funds to develop recreational spaces, conserve natural areas, and enhance existing parks.