Asm. Cody Miller

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3620 requires electric and gas utilities using smart meters to establish an "Energy Bill Watch" program for smart meter customers. The program mandates utilities to notify customers when their daily usage exceeds the previous billing cycle's average (on the 10th and 20th days of each cycle), offer customizable dollar-value alerts, and include average monthly usage costs and kilowatt/therm amounts in notifications. Utilities must automatically enroll smart meter customers, provide opt-out options, advertise the program through multiple channels, and include specific billing details in all customer bills (previous cycle amount, current cycle amount, and the difference between them). This bill directly affects smart meter customers of New Jersey's electric and gas utilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires counties to pay election workers an hourly rate equal to the state minimum wage for mandatory training sessions they must attend, rather than allowing counties to decide whether to compensate them for this time. It amends New Jersey law to mandate this payment for workers serving on district boards of elections, ensuring they are fairly compensated for training hours that were previously optional for counties to cover. Counties can then apply to the State for reimbursement of these training costs through the existing reimbursement process. The bill directly affects election workers in all New Jersey counties who participate in required training programs under current election laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require courts to order counseling for children who have witnessed or experienced domestic violence in their household when appropriate. It establishes a legal presumption that custody of children should be awarded to the non-abusive parent upon entry of a final restraining order in domestic violence cases. The bill permits courts to order the abusive parent to pay for the child's counseling services and requires documentation of payment. It also mandates that victim and child whereabouts be kept confidential in subsequent child support proceedings. The bill aims to provide additional protections for children affected by domestic violence while prioritizing the safety of domestic violence victims.

Maddy summaryThis bill lowers the cost threshold for public works projects that may include project labor agreements (PLAs) from $5 million to $3 million. It applies to projects requiring prevailing wages under New Jersey's Prevailing Wage Act, such as construction, renovation, or demolition work by public entities like state agencies, counties, or school districts. By reducing the threshold, more projects will be eligible to use PLAs - pre-hire agreements between labor organizations and contractors that set wages, benefits, and work rules for a specific project. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5536) changes how fire districts in New Jersey can request approval to exceed the annual property tax levy cap (currently limited to a 2% increase). Instead of requiring a public vote by residents, fire districts would submit requests directly to the Local Finance Board. The Board must consider changes in the district's budget or revenue when deciding, and its approval or denial would be final with no appeals allowed for that fiscal year. This applies specifically to fire districts (not other local governments) and affects their ability to raise funds without voter input.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans and Medicaid in New Jersey to cover treatment for stuttering, including habilitative and rehabilitative speech therapy as determined medically necessary by a patient's doctor. The coverage must be provided without prior authorization, utilization management requirements, or any cost-sharing such as deductibles, copays, or coinsurance. It applies to all insurance types including individual and group health plans, health maintenance organizations, and Medicaid, and covers both in-person and telehealth services. The bill defines habilitative speech therapy as therapy that helps a person keep, learn, or improve daily living skills, and rehabilitative speech therapy as therapy that helps restore or improve skills that have been lost or impaired. This legislation would directly affect individuals with stuttering who rely on insurance or Medicaid for speech therapy services.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A3540 establishes criminal penalties for creating or sharing deceptive audio or visual media (commonly called "deepfakes") that falsely depict someone doing something they didn't actually do. It makes it a crime to produce such media for unlawful purposes (like harassment, theft, or privacy violations) or to share it without clearly labeling it as fake. Individuals harmed by these deepfakes can sue for $1,000 per violation plus damages, attorney fees, and other remedies. The law exempts news media from penalties unless they knowingly share unmarked fake content created in violation of the bill.

Maddy summaryAJR 181 designates May 15 of each year as "Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Awareness Day" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance to increase awareness of this rare genetic condition. It does not create new laws, funding, or programs - it solely recognizes an existing global awareness date. The resolution aims to highlight Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, which affects organ systems (including brain, heart, and kidneys), causes seizures and developmental delays in many cases, and impacts approximately 50,000 people in the U.S.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey municipalities and counties to use cooperative purchasing systems for energy-related goods and services when a cost savings analysis shows it would be more economical. The purchasing agent must compare costs including service charges, materials, delivery, and traditional bidding expenses before deciding to use cooperative purchasing. The Division of Local Government Services must develop guidelines for these cooperative purchasing systems, including what energy-related goods and services can be procured, how to ensure contractor compliance with laws, and the benefits such as cost savings and reduced pre-bid costs. These guidelines and a cost savings analysis template must be distributed to all municipalities and counties.

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 directly affects residential electricity and gas customers in New Jersey. The key provisions require utilities to delay rate increases during these seasons and provide at least 30 days' written or electronic notice before any approved rate change takes effect. The law applies to all electric and gas public utilities serving residential customers.