Asm. Dan Hutchison

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-1331) requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to conduct a full rate review before approving any electric rate increase requested by an electric public utility. It directly affects electric utilities seeking rate hikes and the ratepayers who pay those rates. The key provision mandates that the BPU cannot approve any increase to an electric rate component without completing this comprehensive review process. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill caps annual rate increases for residential electric and gas utility customers at 5% per year, preventing frequent or large hikes. Utilities may exceed this limit only during defined "extraordinary circumstances," such as major natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes, earthquakes) or state/federal emergencies. It directly affects households receiving residential utility service by limiting how much providers can raise bills annually. The law establishes a clear, enforceable rate limit with specific exceptions for unforeseen crises.

Maddy summaryBill A 2338 required public transportation employees, motorbus operators, hotel/motel staff, healthcare facility workers, and judicial personnel to complete one-time training on recognizing human trafficking signs and responding appropriately. The training, mandated as a condition for license renewals or employment, must include specific content about victim signals observed in public spaces and be reviewed biennially. It applied directly to licensed entities like hotels, healthcare facilities, and transit operators, with enforcement handled by the Department of Community Affairs and Department of Health. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, after being approved as P.L.2025, c.343.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 1308) requires landlords to provide tenants with a written explanation when increasing rent. It directly affects all residential tenants receiving rent increase notices, mandating that the notice must explain why the increase isn't "unconscionable," confirm compliance with local rent laws, and list relevant property expenses. Landlords who fail to provide this explanation face a $500 penalty per violation or potential tenant lawsuits for $500 plus legal fees. The law aims to give tenants clearer information to challenge rent hikes before disputes escalate to court.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits of members in New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). It directly affects current and future retirees who are members of this system, restoring annual benefit increases tied to inflation. The key provision amends existing law to allow the retirement system's board of trustees to reinstate these automatic COLAs without requiring additional contributions from members, provided actuarial certification confirms the change won't harm the fund's long-term stability. The bill does not create new benefits but returns a previously reduced feature of the retirement system.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-3233) adjusts the New Jersey veterans' income tax exemption amount annually for inflation. It directly affects veterans honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard, or New Jersey Reserve. The exemption amount, currently $6,000, will be updated each year based on the Chained Consumer Price Index (C-CPI-U) for the 12-month period ending August 31 of the prior year. If inflation is zero, the exemption amount remains unchanged. The change applies to tax years starting in 2023 and beyond.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric utilities in New Jersey to obtain approval from the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) before starting new transmission lines or major modifications to existing ones. Utilities must submit applications including necessary details and pay a fee, with the BPU required to review and decide within 150 days (extendable by 75 days). The BPU must approve only if the project is necessary, cost-effective for customers, promotes a competitive electricity market, and the utility can finance it without harming customers. Projects already approved by the regional grid operator (PJM) are exempt from this requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits pet shops in New Jersey from selling cats, dogs, or rabbits, directly affecting pet shops, breeders, brokers, and animal shelters/rescues. It requires pet shops to collaborate with shelters for adoption showcases (without payment), bans shelters from paying breeders for animals, and fines violators $1,000 per violation - with license revocation for three or more offenses. The law aims to disrupt the "puppy-mill-to-pet-store pipeline" by prioritizing adoption over commercial breeding sales. It does not affect pet shop sales of other animals or pet supplies.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill expands healthcare access by allowing general pediatricians (not specialists) to treat children with low-acuity behavioral or developmental issues like anxiety, as defined by the State Board of Medical Examiners. It also updates rules for advanced practice nurses, enabling them to prescribe medications and manage care in more settings under specific collaborative protocols with physicians, including annual protocol reviews and additional pharmacology training for controlled substances. Both changes aim to increase provider capacity for pediatric behavioral health while requiring physician collaboration and documentation. The bill directly affects pediatricians and advanced practice nurses in New Jersey, particularly in community and primary care settings.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as "Anthony's Legacy Act," modifies New Jersey's visitation rights law to provide special consideration for grandparents seeking visitation who are Gold Star family members (relatives of military service members who died in active duty). It requires courts to specifically weigh the grandparent's status as a Gold Star family member as part of the "best interests of the child" evaluation when reviewing visitation applications. The bill does not change the existing burden of proof or other factors courts consider, but adds this specific consideration to the list of factors under Section 1(b)(2). It directly affects grandparents in military-connected families seeking court-ordered visitation with their grandchildren. The policy change is limited to visitation proceedings and does not alter other aspects of family law.