Asm. Cody Miller

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public utilities to include a clear, bilingual (English/Spanish) bill insert for customers affected by any rate increase approved by the Board of Public Utilities. The insert must itemize specific rate changes and explain the reasoning behind them, using 12-point plain language. It applies directly to all customers receiving utility bills with new or adjusted rates. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to establish two new energy programs. First, it creates an incentive program that would provide monthly payments to owners of geothermal energy systems based on their environmental benefits and peak demand reduction, funded by the societal benefits charge. Second, it establishes a grant program to help counties and municipalities join or maintain government energy aggregation programs, which negotiate better energy rates for residents. The bill also increases the annual target for new community solar projects from 150 to 200 megawatts per year.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits annual rate increases for residential electricity and gas utility customers in New Jersey to no more than 5% unless "extraordinary circumstances" occur. It directly affects residential customers by preventing most utility rate hikes, with exceptions for major disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, or widespread grid failures declared by state or federal authorities. The law prohibits utilities from raising rates above this 5% cap during any single year without such approval. The bill takes immediate effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A5513 (introduced March 2025) requires the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a public information campaign about utility meter inspections and calibration. The campaign must inform electric, gas, and water utility customers - directly affecting all residential and business customers - about meter testing requirements, how often meters must be checked, and procedures for disputing billing errors. It mandates clear details on independent meter accuracy verification, dispute timelines, and available resources, delivered through BPU and utility websites, multilingual printed materials (English/Spanish), and a toll-free hotline. The bill focuses on transparency in billing processes without altering utility rates or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a 30% surtax on electric public utilities in New Jersey that earn "windfall income" - defined as taxable net income exceeding 20% above their five-year average. The surtax applies to the excess income amount, in addition to the utility’s regular corporate business tax. All revenue collected (excluding funds constitutionally reserved for open space/farmland) must be distributed proportionally to all ratepayers of the affected utility via the Board of Public Utilities. It targets utilities that see unusually high profits compared to their historical performance, directing the tax revenue back to consumers.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A567) requires courts to order counseling for children who have witnessed or been exposed to domestic violence in households where abuse has occurred. It establishes a legal presumption that custody of minor children should be awarded to the non-abusive parent when a final restraining order is issued in domestic violence cases. The bill also permits courts to order the abusive parent to pay for the child's counseling and requires them to provide proof of payment to the court. Additionally, it mandates that courts consider the child's exposure to domestic violence when making custody decisions, prioritizing the child's safety and well-being.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A861) makes it illegal for crisis pregnancy centers to use deceptive advertising about pregnancy-related services under New Jersey's Consumer Fraud Act. It targets nonprofit centers that provide non-medical counseling (like adoption referrals or parenting resources) but do not offer abortion or medical care, prohibiting them from making untrue or misleading claims about their services - such as falsely implying they provide medical exams or pregnancy testing. Violations could lead to penalties under the Consumer Fraud Act, and the Attorney General can seek court orders to stop deceptive ads or require corrective actions. The law directly affects crisis pregnancy centers and aims to ensure transparency for people seeking pregnancy-related information.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes New Jersey's property tax exemption for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability retroactive to the date the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs determined their total disability. It directly affects veterans who qualify under the law (e.g., those with paraplegia, blindness, or amputations) by requiring municipalities to refund property taxes paid since that determination date. The state must reimburse municipalities 102% of the refunded taxes to cover the cost of returning payments to veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5446) prohibits New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) from approving electric or gas utility rate increases that would raise the average residential customer's annual bill by more than 2%. It directly affects residential utility customers across New Jersey by capping annual rate hikes. The key mechanism requires the BPU to reject any proposed rate increase projected to exceed this 2% annual limit on average residential bills. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryACR 157 is a symbolic resolution condemning Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry, directly affirming support for Hindu Americans in New Jersey. It formally declares the state's stance against prejudice toward Hinduism ("Sanatana Dharma") and Hindus, citing documented hate crimes and Hindu contributions to U.S. society. The resolution requires transmission to the Governor, New Jersey’s congressional delegation, and the Hindu American Foundation in Washington, DC. As a concurrent resolution, it does not create legal obligations but serves as a public statement of the state’s position. It recognizes Hinduism’s global significance and the community’s economic and cultural contributions to New Jersey and the U.S.