Maddy summaryThis bill (A5852) would require New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to regulate scrap metal facilities as recycling centers rather than treating them as exempt from recycling center regulations. Scrap metal facility owners and operators would need to register with the DEP within one year of the bill's effective date, pay a $700 registration fee, and renew annually. Facilities operating shredders would require individual recycling center permits and must implement specific safety measures including fire prevention systems, stormwater controls, and dust management. The DEP would have 18 months to establish a regulatory program for these facilities, including hiring additional staff and requesting necessary funding in its annual budget.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates the New Jersey Innovation Authority, a new state entity within the Department of the Treasury that will serve as the primary hub for technology innovation across state government. The Authority will be led by a Chief Innovation Officer (initially appointed by the Governor, then by the Authority) and consist of 13 members with expertise in digital technology, data science, and public engagement. Its responsibilities include advising state agencies on modernizing services, promoting evidence-based approaches to technology implementation, and developing metrics to measure innovation progress. The Authority must submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature and can contract directly with technology experts and nonprofit organizations to advance its mission.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A6081) allows registered courier services to electronically sell and deliver physical instant lottery tickets within New Jersey, requiring couriers to undergo background checks, maintain secure databases, display gambling warnings, and not charge fees from winnings. It also creates a confidential self-exclusion list enabling problem gamblers to voluntarily ban themselves from lottery participation, with any winnings from excluded individuals forfeited to fund state gambling treatment programs. Couriers must verify customer age/location, protect personal data, and comply with exclusion list protocols to prevent targeted marketing or access to excluded users. The bill defines "instant lottery tickets" as physical tickets with peel-off symbols revealing prizes, and prohibits couriers from charging fees related to ticket purchases or redemptions.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A6275) appropriates $44.4 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The funds are specifically allocated for acquiring lands for recreation and conservation, including Blue Acres flood mitigation projects and administrative costs for the Green Acres Program. The bill directs funding toward 15 specific land acquisition projects across six counties (Monmouth, Ocean, Cape May, Atlantic, Bergen, and Burlington), as detailed in the bill text. It does not create new policy but redirects existing constitutionally protected tax revenues to support land conservation efforts.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1067) requires the state's Department of Human Services to conduct a landscape analysis of mental health services accessible to deaf and hard of hearing residents. It mandates that mental health services be provided in a client's primary communication method (like sign language or speech), delivered by professionals certified in that method and trained in culturally appropriate care for the deaf community. The bill also requires the creation of a resource guide listing providers meeting these standards and defines key terms like "culturally affirmative mental health services." It directly affects deaf and hard of hearing individuals seeking mental health care across New Jersey.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 17-member Chronic Absenteeism Task Force to study chronic absenteeism in New Jersey public schools. The task force, including the Commissioner of Education and members appointed by legislative leaders and education stakeholders, will analyze causes like barriers to attendance, mental health impacts, and pandemic-related absences. It must issue a final report with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year, after which the task force will expire. The bill does not change school policies or funding but creates a structured process to assess and address absenteeism trends.
Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey to issue special license plates to honorably discharged veterans. To qualify, applicants must provide proof of honorable discharge (such as a DD-214 form) and pay a $15 fee in addition to standard vehicle registration costs. The plates would display the word "Veteran" and the specific military branch served (e.g., Army, Navy). Surviving spouses of veterans can continue using these plates on their vehicles. The Motor Vehicle Commission would inform drivers about this option during registration renewals.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public school staff in New Jersey to complete training on caring for students with epilepsy or seizure disorders every two years. It directly affects school staff (including teachers, coaches, and support personnel) and students with these conditions. The training, provided through Department of Health-approved courses by nonprofit organizations, covers recognizing seizures, emergency response, and daily care. This update builds on existing law (P.L.2019, c.290) that already requires schools to develop individualized health plans for affected students but adds the mandatory biennial staff training requirement. The law applies to all school-sponsored activities, including those outside regular school hours.
Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $1.5 million from New Jersey's General Fund to fund two specific programs run by the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers. It provides $1 million to the Department of Health for the "Pledge to Connect Program," which helps hospital patients with behavioral health needs access community-based care to reduce future emergency visits. It also allocates $500,000 to the Department of Community Affairs for the "Housing First Program," which provides permanent housing and support services to chronically homeless individuals in Camden. The funding restores state support for these programs, which had not received dedicated funding in the current fiscal year.
Maddy summaryS 4569 appropriates $13.64 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues to fund conservation and recreation projects through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The bill allocates $8.35 million for nonprofit organizations to acquire land for open space (across 8 specific projects), $2.13 million for park development (across 2 projects), and $1.48 million for stewardship activities (across 4 projects). Additionally, $1 million establishes a new planning grant program to help nonprofits prepare conservation plans, and $681,000 covers administrative costs. All projects listed in the bill have been pre-approved by the DEP. The funding comes from a dedicated tax revenue stream established by the Preserve New Jersey Act.