Asm. Bob Auth

Maddy summaryThe "Small Modular Nuclear Energy Incentive Act" (A5103) establishes a program for New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities to incentivize construction of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) through a competitive bidding process. The bill directs the BPU to develop a program within one year of enactment, offering financial incentives per megawatt hour of electricity produced, with preference given to projects at former nuclear or fossil fuel plant sites and those that retrain former plant workers. Incentives would be funded from the "Global Warming Solutions Fund," which collects revenue from New Jersey's Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative participation. Selected SMR projects would be required to pay an annual administrative fee to cover program costs and could not sell environmental benefits associated with their energy production. The program must begin its first solicitation within two years of the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey police departments (including municipal, county, and state agencies) and educational institutions with appointed police officers to adopt formal policies cooperating with federal immigration authorities. It mandates that these agencies comply with federal requests for information or assistance related to immigration enforcement. The bill also provides legal protections: the state must defend officers in civil lawsuits arising from cooperation (if no intentional misconduct occurred) and cover any settlements or judgments against them under the same conditions. It defines "law enforcement officer" as those with arrest powers under state law. The policy applies to all covered agencies without exception.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2652 revises laws to better protect children from sexual exploitation. It creates a civil right for victims (or their guardians/advocacy groups) to sue perpetrators for three times the profits gained from distributing child sexual abuse material, holding both individuals and corporate employees personally liable. The bill also expands sex offender registration requirements to include anyone working with children in schools or jobs for over 14 consecutive days, clarifies which offenses trigger registration (like creating or sharing exploitative material), and adds a limited exception for juvenile-created nude photos under strict conditions. These changes directly affect victims of child exploitation, perpetrators, and institutions that facilitate such abuse. The law passed unanimously in 2024 (P.L.2024, c.92).

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's legal terminology by replacing "child pornography" with "child sexual abuse or exploitation material" (CSAEM) throughout state statutes. The change affects multiple sections of law including those related to crimes, sex offender registration, employment disqualifications, and educational programs. The purpose is to use more accurate language that reflects the reality of these crimes and avoids implying consent from victims. The sponsor states this terminology update is not intended to change the substance of the law, but to make the language more consistent with current understanding and international standards. The bill corrects technical inconsistencies in existing statutes while maintaining the same legal protections and penalties.

Maddy summaryThis is an Assembly Resolution (not a law), expressing support for pregnancy resource centers in New Jersey. It specifically condemns Attorney General Matthew Platkin for issuing broad subpoenas to these centers, which require ten years of documents about their operations and donors. The resolution highlights that these centers provided over $3.6 million in free services and goods (like pregnancy tests, diapers, and baby supplies) to 23,000 people in 2022. It characterizes the subpoenas as an "overbroad" misuse of power targeting centers offering abortion alternatives. The resolution has no legal effect but serves as a symbolic statement from the Assembly.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts residential customers in New Jersey from paying state sales and use tax on natural gas and electricity purchases. It requires utilities to automatically deduct the tax amount from monthly residential bills instead of charging it upfront. The exemption applies only to home energy use (not businesses) and takes effect immediately upon enactment. The Division of Taxation must create rules to implement this change within the Administrative Procedure Act framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits foreign governments and certain foreign individuals or organizations (including non-U.S. citizens and entities controlled by them) from owning or acquiring land within 10 miles of military facilities in New Jersey. It bans new ownership after the bill’s effective date and requires current foreign owners to sell their land within five years to a U.S. citizen, trust, or non-foreign entity. Exceptions allow limited retention for land acquired through debt collection (requiring sale within two years) or inheritance, but all sales must transfer ownership to non-foreign parties. The law takes effect immediately with no application to U.S. treaty obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Social Media Fairness and Transparency Act," requires large social media companies operating in New Jersey (with $100M+ revenue or 25M+ U.S. monthly users) to publicly disclose their content moderation standards, apply them consistently, and notify users when content is censored or accounts are suspended. Key provisions include mandating detailed explanations for censorship, allowing users to opt out of algorithm-driven content prioritization, and prohibiting censorship of journalistic enterprises based on content. Users can sue companies for specific violations, seeking up to $100,000 per claim, while exempting trade secrets and preserving federal law supremacy. The bill directly affects major platforms, aiming to increase transparency in content moderation practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow expectant mothers in New Jersey who are in their third trimester of pregnancy to receive a temporary parking placard. The $4 placard, valid for up to three months, permits mothers to park longer at metered spots or use disability parking spaces without needing a separate disability permit. To qualify, a mother must provide written certification from a doctor, nurse practitioner, or other qualified healthcare provider confirming her third-trimester status. The placard must be displayed on the vehicle and clearly show an expiration date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to provide volunteer firefighters with free, periodic cancer screenings every three years, starting three years after they begin volunteering. The screenings cover 11 specific cancers (including colon, lung, breast, and prostate) and must be administered by physicians in the State Health Benefits Program network. The state will reimburse providers up to $1,250 per firefighter every three years, with no out-of-pocket costs for the firefighters. Fire districts must maintain records to support reimbursement claims, extending existing paid firefighter benefits to volunteer firefighters.