Asm. Cody Miller

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A5078 prohibits the farming (aquaculture) of any octopus species for human consumption within the state. It also bans businesses from selling, possessing, or transporting octopus products resulting from aquaculture. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day, with each continuing day treated as a separate offense. The law specifically excludes wild-caught octopus and research-related activities. This directly affects commercial aquaculture operations and food businesses handling farmed octopus.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey local government agencies from hiring employees who are currently on paid leave from another local government agency in a different county or municipality. It directly affects local government employers and employees who might hold positions across multiple local governments. The law specifically bans full-time or part-time employment while an individual remains on paid leave from a comparable position elsewhere, aiming to prevent potential conflicts of interest under the Local Government Ethics Law.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's Family Leave Act and Temporary Disability Benefits Law to provide protected bereavement leave for employees experiencing the death of a child, miscarriage, stillbirth, unsuccessful adoption, or failed fertility treatments. It allows up to 21 days of leave for circumstances where employees wouldn't otherwise qualify for leave or benefits, or up to 7 days for circumstances where they would qualify for other leave. The leave is available to employees who are biological parents, adoptive parents, or parents through a gestational carrier agreement, as well as to their spouses, domestic partners, or civil union partners. Employers with 30 or more employees must provide this leave under the amended laws, which applies to all eligible employees in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey employers with 10+ employees to publicly disclose salary ranges and benefits details in all job postings for promotions, new roles, and transfers. It also mandates that employers announce promotion opportunities internally to all current employees in the relevant department before making decisions, unless promotions are based solely on experience or performance. Employers who fail to comply face escalating fines: $1,000 for the first violation, $5,000 for the second, and $10,000 for each subsequent violation. Temporary staffing firms are exempt from posting pay details for future openings but must provide this information at the time of interview or hire.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $3 million from the General Fund to provide one-time bonus awards to State workers in Local 195 of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers who provided essential frontline service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be distributed by State agencies in consultation with the union president, with each eligible employee receiving a direct bonus payment. It specifically targets workers who maintained critical state operations amid pandemic challenges. The appropriation is supplemental to existing 2024-2025 funding and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's process for health insurance carriers to credential physicians seeking to join their provider networks. It requires carriers to notify applicants within 30 days if an application is incomplete (or deem it complete if no notice is given) and to review complete applications within 30 days. The bill mandates carriers to use a standardized universal application form, post clear process details online - including required documents and timelines - and reimburse physicians for services provided during the credentialing wait period if approved. It also prohibits carriers from requiring physicians to resubmit applications solely due to changing employers within the state, and gives the Department of Banking and Insurance authority to enforce these rules and handle complaints.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Stay NJ property tax credit program, providing eligible senior citizens (65+ years old) with a property tax credit equal to 50% of their property tax bill, up to a maximum of $6,500 for tax year 2026 (with annual adjustments based on property tax increases). The program targets New Jersey residents with annual income under $500,000 who own or rent their principal residence as a homestead. Eligible claimants will receive the greater of the Stay NJ credit or the combined ANCHOR rebate and homestead property tax reimbursement, with a single application process to replace current multiple programs. The credit will be implemented starting in 2026, with applications accepted February 1 through October 31 each year.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits distributing intentionally deceptive audio or visual media (such as deepfakes) within 90 days of an election if the intent is to deceive voters about a candidate or election. It criminalizes such distribution as a disorderly person offense, punishable by up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. The prohibition does not apply if the media includes a clear, visible disclosure (e.g., "This advertisement contains manipulated images or sound") that remains readable throughout video or audible at the start of audio. Registered voters and candidates can seek court injunctions or sue for damages in violation cases. News organizations publishing such media for newsworthy purposes with the required disclosure are exempt from the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public institutions of higher education in New Jersey to pay prevailing wage rates for construction, repair, and maintenance work intended for their use. It expands the definition of "public work" to include projects under agreement to be purchased by public bodies and work paid for through "take-out financing." The bill ensures that workers on these projects, including those employed by entities associated with public institutions of higher education, receive the prevailing wage rate determined by the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development. This applies to construction, reconstruction, demolition, alteration, custom fabrication, and maintenance work done under contract with entities associated with public institutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts volunteer firefighters and members of emergency response squads from New Jersey's unemployment compensation law. It excludes stipends (including clothing allowances) they receive from gross income calculations for tax purposes. Volunteer first responders who receive these stipends will not be subject to unemployment insurance taxes or counted toward temporary disability benefits contributions. The legislation aims to support municipalities in recruiting and retaining volunteer emergency personnel by making stipends tax-exempt, addressing staffing challenges in emergency services.