Asm. Dan Hutchison

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 summaryS 3587 upgrades retail theft offenses in New Jersey, including elevating "leader of organized retail theft enterprise" to a first-degree crime punishable by 10-20 years in prison. The bill creates a new offense for "fostering the sale of stolen property" (including online sales), which is a disorderly persons offense punishable by up to six months in jail. It establishes a retail theft unit within the Department of Law and Public Safety to investigate and prosecute organized retail theft, appropriating $1 million for this purpose. The bill also includes new requirements for gift card sales to prevent fraud, such as mandatory notices for retailers and packaging restrictions for both open- and closed-loop gift cards.

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.

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.