Asm. Cody Miller

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 150) formally recognizes Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey, as one of only two surviving Negro League stadiums in the U.S. and highlights its historical significance as a landmark honoring African American athletes. It specifically acknowledges the annual football rivalry game between Montclair State University and William Paterson University held at the stadium, calling it a cultural event that preserves the site's legacy. The resolution has no legal effect but serves to publicly affirm the stadium's importance through formal recognition. It directs copies to university leaders, the Governor, relevant legislators, and the New Jersey Historical Society. The resolution does not alter any laws or funding but aims to promote awareness of the stadium's role in sports history.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits real estate appraisers in New Jersey from considering protected characteristics - including race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or national origin - when valuing properties. It directly affects licensed and certified real estate appraisers by banning these discriminatory factors from appraisal analysis. The key mechanism requires appraisers to complete a mandatory fair housing and appraisal bias training course (approved by the Appraisal Qualifications Board) as part of their continuing education for license renewal. The law codifies existing anti-discrimination protections and aligns with national standards for appraisal practice.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows members of New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) to purchase retirement credit for prior service as a class two special law enforcement officer with a public employer in the state. To qualify, the member must have worked in that role and then started a PFRS-covered position within 120 days of ending that service. Members can purchase up to 10 years of credit by paying the cost, calculated based on their salary and an actuarial factor, with current members having one year from the bill's effective date to apply. This change aligns the process for purchasing such credit with existing rules for federal or military service.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to provide reading intervention programs for kindergarten through third-grade students who show reading deficiencies, as identified by approved assessments. The programs must use a data-driven, multi-tiered system of supports to deliver explicit instruction in phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension while monitoring student progress throughout the year. School districts must adopt scientifically based instructional materials, and the Department of Education must provide age-appropriate resources and develop an evaluation process for the program. The law takes effect immediately for the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes civil penalties on New Jersey employers who threaten or disclose an employee's immigration status to prevent them from reporting violations of state labor, wage, or tax laws. Employers face escalating fines: up to $1,000 for a first violation, $5,000 for a second, and $10,000 for subsequent violations, with each affected employee counted as a separate violation. It directly affects employers who use immigration status as coercion - such as threatening to report an undocumented worker to hide unpaid wages or benefits - to avoid accountability under laws like the State Wage and Hour Law or Gross Income Tax Act. The penalties apply in addition to any existing penalties for the underlying labor violation.

Maddy summaryS 3432 establishes the "Next New Jersey Program Act," creating tax credits for businesses investing in artificial intelligence (AI) data centers within New Jersey. The program directly affects eligible businesses (including corporations, LLCs, and cooperatives) that build or upgrade facilities specifically for AI workloads, such as machine learning and data processing. Key mechanisms include tax credits based on qualifying capital investments (like construction and equipment) and requirements for hiring full-time employees earning at least 120% of the county median salary with health benefits. Businesses must meet these criteria during a five-year eligibility period to claim credits, with the program administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. The bill passed both legislative chambers in June 2024 and was signed into law as P.L.2024, c.49.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $10,067,905 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues to fund conservation and recreation projects through New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection. The funds will be distributed as grants to 11 nonprofit organizations for land acquisition, 4 for park development, and 2 for stewardship activities across multiple counties. The $9,588,905 allocated for projects supports the acquisition, development, and maintenance of lands for public recreation and conservation purposes, while $479,000 covers administrative costs for the DEP. The funding comes from the Preserve New Jersey Green Acres Fund, which constitutionally sets aside CBT revenues for open space preservation.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey school districts to enter into lease and purchase agreements for electric school buses with terms extending to the vehicles' service life (rather than the current 10-year maximum for fossil fuel buses). It authorizes the New Jersey School Boards Association to serve as a government aggregator to help school districts obtain electric school buses, charging infrastructure, and related maintenance services through competitive contracting. The bill specifically permits competitive contracting for electric school buses, on-site charging infrastructure, and related services, which were not previously explicitly included in the list of allowable specialized procurement. School districts can now use this approach for electric buses while maintaining the existing 10-year limit for fossil fuel buses.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to provide up to $2.73 billion in loans to local governments and public water utilities for environmental infrastructure projects during fiscal year 2025. It specifically funds 156 clean water projects (totaling $1.9 billion) and 72 drinking water projects (totaling $715 million) through designated eligibility lists. Loans can cover a portion of construction costs with repayment terms up to 30 years, and interest rates tied to the bank's bond rates. The bill also authorizes an additional $1.5 billion for short-term loans through the Interim Environmental Financing Program for priority projects.

Maddy summaryS 3384 appropriates funds to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to provide zero-interest loans and principal forgiveness for environmental infrastructure projects. The bill authorizes the DEP to make loans to local governments and public water utilities for clean water and drinking water projects, with specific funding limits including $20 million for combined sewer overflow projects and $10 million for water quality restoration. Funds will come from state revolving funds, federal grants from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and unexpended balances from previous programs, with projects requiring repayment within 30-45 years. The bill's funding authorization expires on July 1, 2025.