Asm. Cody Miller

Maddy summaryThis bill bans businesses in New Jersey from owning, controlling, installing, managing, selling, or offering for sale cryptocurrency ATMs. These are defined as physical, internet-connected kiosks that let users buy, sell, or exchange digital currency using cash, debit, or credit cards. The law directly affects businesses operating such kiosks, prohibiting them under the state's consumer fraud act with penalties up to $20,000 per violation. It targets a surge in fraud - citing FTC data showing $110 million in losses linked to these machines in 2023 - aimed at protecting consumers, especially older adults who face higher risks.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits electric utilities from raising residential rates during summer (June 1-August 31) and gas utilities from raising rates during winter (January 1-March 31). It also requires utilities to send residential customers at least 30 days' advance notice via mail or email before any rate increase takes effect. The law directly affects New Jersey households that rely on electric or gas utilities for home energy. Key provisions include seasonal rate increase bans and mandatory notice requirements, aiming to protect consumers from unexpected cost spikes during peak usage periods. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey counties, municipalities, and certain public authorities (like tourism districts) to use cooperative purchasing systems when buying energy-related goods and services, such as electricity or equipment. It directs these "contracting units" to leverage shared purchasing agreements to achieve cost savings, rather than making individual purchases. The law amends existing procurement rules to specifically apply cooperative purchasing to energy-related contracts, excluding private firms or entities already under separate service agreements. This policy change aims to standardize cost-saving practices for local government energy spending. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly State and Local Government Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's Community College Opportunity Grant Program to cover career and technical education programs at county vocational schools, directly benefiting adult students pursuing industry-recognized certifications or licenses. It allows eligible students enrolled in approved career training programs (minimum four months) at county vocational school districts to receive grants covering tuition and approved fees not covered by other aid, with income eligibility capped at $65,000 annually. The program now includes vocational schools alongside county colleges, defining "approved fees" to include career program costs like nursing or culinary coursework. Grants are administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, with eligibility requiring residency, enrollment minimums, and completion of federal aid applications.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's "Resident Firefighter Grant Program" to provide funding for fire districts to create or expand programs where firefighters live at fire stations in exchange for free housing. The program, administered by the Division of Fire Safety, allocates grants for constructing dormitories (including kitchens), providing amenities, and offering incentives to resident firefighters. Fire districts must apply for grants, with funds distributed equitably across northern, central, and southern regions. The bill requires the state to request at least $5 million annually for these grants and pursue additional federal or private funding. (Bill introduced January 13, 2026; no votes recorded yet.)

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 3-year pilot program requiring counties to create "Code Red" alert systems for extreme heat or poor air quality events. It directly affects at-risk individuals (defined as those living outdoors or in poorly insulated settings) by mandating counties to coordinate cooling centers, outreach plans, and transportation through municipal and social service partners. Alerts trigger when the National Weather Service issues a heat advisory or air quality index reaches 151, with counties reporting program outcomes to the State Office of Emergency Management by the 30th month. The program expires after three years, with counties eligible for reimbursement of administrative costs. (Note: Bill was withdrawn January 13, 2026, as it was incorporated into P.L.2025, c.297.)

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program allowing New Jersey's State Agriculture Development Committee to acquire development easements on privately-owned woodlands. It directly affects woodland owners (minimum 20 acres) who manage their land for agriculture, forestry, or horticulture under approved stewardship plans. The program permanently restricts development on these lands through easements funded by existing farmland preservation funds, requiring landowners to maintain agricultural or forest production. The committee coordinates with federal programs like the Forest Legacy Program to secure additional funding for this conservation effort.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits operating drones below 250 feet over school property without permission. Specifically, it makes it a disorderly persons offense to use a drone for surveillance, hover over school grounds, or use school buildings as takeoff/landing areas without the superintendent's written authorization. The law applies to all public and nonpublic K-12 schools in New Jersey. Violations carry penalties of up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. The bill aims to protect student safety and privacy by restricting unauthorized drone activity near schools.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill modifies health care benefit rules for elected public officials. It removes part-time elected officials (those working fewer than 35 hours weekly) from eligibility for employer-paid health care coverage. The bill also prohibits all elected officials from receiving any payment from their employer for waiving health coverage, including those who had previously waived coverage. Additionally, it codifies the Pension Fraud and Abuse Unit as a permanent state entity.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a supplemental appropriation of $144.2 million in state funds to New Jersey's 13 public four-year universities, including Rutgers campuses, NJIT, Rowan, and others. It adds to existing "Outcomes-Based Allocation" funding by tying disbursements to specific measurable outcomes, such as degrees awarded, diversity metrics, STEM healthcare degrees, and enrollment from low-income students. The funds are distributed directly to each institution based on their performance against these state-defined metrics. This is a funding mechanism, not a policy change, and affects all 13 participating public universities in New Jersey.