Asm. Bill Moen

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that mail-in ballot application forms, which voters return by mail, include prepaid postage paid by the State. It directly affects voters who apply for mail-in ballots using the physical form (as opposed to the electronic option starting in 2026) by eliminating the need for them to purchase postage. The key mechanism mandates that the Secretary of State’s application forms must include prepaid postage, ensuring voters can return their applications without cost. This change streamlines the process for mail-in ballot applicants without altering eligibility or voting procedures.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A2178 requires all public school districts to provide information about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to students in grades 11 and 12. This applies directly to high school students, their parents or guardians, and school districts, which must incorporate FAFSA details into career readiness curriculum and encourage completion. The bill also mandates the state Education Commissioner to publish a resource list with step-by-step instructions for completing the FAFSA. These requirements aim to increase access to federal student aid by ensuring students receive clear guidance during critical college planning years. The law would take effect in the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A2224) creates a state income tax credit for residents who pay postage to send priority mail packages to active-duty military personnel or National Guard members stationed at any military location, both in the U.S. and abroad. The credit equals the exact postage cost paid for these packages during the taxable year, directly reducing the taxpayer's state income tax bill after other credits are applied. Excess credit amounts result in a refund to the taxpayer. The policy specifically targets postage expenses for sending care packages to service members, with no other eligibility requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey volunteer firefighters and first aid/rescue squad members to claim a $1,000 deduction from their state income tax. To qualify, volunteers must serve the entire tax year, meet specific participation thresholds (at least 60% of fire alarms/drills for firefighters or 10% of rescue alarms/drills for first aid/rescue members), and hold required certifications (Firefighter I or EMT training). Fire departments and first aid squads must submit annual lists of qualifying members to state agencies by March 31st. The deduction applies to taxable years starting after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2149) establishes the Office of Sustainability within New Jersey's Department of the Treasury to oversee environmental practices in state buildings. The office will develop and implement measures to improve energy efficiency, increase water conservation, reduce carbon footprints, and adopt green building standards across all state-owned and leased properties. Key mechanisms include requiring energy audits every three years for all state buildings and coordinating with agencies to procure sustainable products like energy-efficient equipment and recycled materials. The bill directly affects all New Jersey state agencies and buildings, mandating concrete sustainability actions for their operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the definition of "participating county" in New Jersey's County Option Hospital Fee Program by lowering the required Municipal Revitalization Index Distress score from 35 to 33 for municipalities with a population over 30,000. The change allows Gloucester County to qualify as a participating county, which it previously did not meet under the higher threshold. Participating counties can then impose a local fee to enhance Medicaid funding for hospitals, supporting healthcare access in high-need areas. The County Option Hospital Fee Program, established in 2018, currently includes 12 counties, and this amendment would expand participation to include Gloucester.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases fines for littering in New Jersey from $100-$500 to $200-$600 per offense and requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to create a public litter reporting program. The program would allow residents to report littering via phone, website, or mobile app, including submitting photos, and would direct DOT to notify alleged offenders about penalties and encourage cleanup. Fines collected will fund the program, with $100 from each penalty remitted to DOT. It directly affects anyone who discards trash on public or private property or throws debris from vehicles, including repeat offenders who face higher fines ($250-$1,000) and extended community service.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates a requirement that counties and municipalities set aside a 5% down payment from their budgets before finalizing most bond ordinances for local projects. Currently, local governments must appropriate this 5% sum (from existing budgets, prior funds, or emergency funds) to approve bond issuances. The change applies to general-purpose bond ordinances, freeing up immediate funds that would otherwise be reserved for the down payment. This policy shift directly affects New Jersey's counties and municipalities when financing infrastructure or capital projects through bonds, without altering existing exemptions for environmental, transportation, or state-funded projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how financial need is calculated for students at New Jersey public colleges and universities by removing the "expected family contribution" (a measure of what a family is expected to pay) from the formula. Previously, financial need was defined as cost of attendance minus expected family contribution, but the bill updates this to cost of attendance alone. As a result, public institutions can only reduce a student's institutional financial aid if total aid exceeds the full cost of attendance - rather than the previous lower threshold that included subtracting expected family contribution. This directly affects students receiving private scholarships, potentially allowing them to retain more institutional aid without reduction.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires presidents of New Jersey's public colleges and universities to report all on-campus crimes, fires, and emergencies to their school's governing board at every regular meeting. The report must include counts and types of recorded incidents (from campus security, police, or fire departments), campus alerts, and any prevention measures taken. Confidential details (like ongoing investigations) must be shared in private board sessions, ensuring they don't become public records under New Jersey's open records law. It directly affects public higher education institutions and their governing boards by mandating regular safety transparency.