Asm. Bill Moen

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the fee for filing an eviction action in New Jersey from $50 to $150. Landlords who initiate eviction cases will pay this new fee, and all revenue will fund the Office of Eviction Prevention. The office will use these funds to provide direct services like resource navigators who help tenants access rental assistance, homelessness prevention programs, legal support, and rapid rehousing options. The goal is to reduce evictions by addressing root causes and preventing long-term housing instability for tenants.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses New Jersey's support for federal legislation that would establish a commission to study creating a National Museum of Irish-American History. It urges Congress and the President to enact such legislation and directs copies of the resolution to all New Jersey members of Congress and federal leaders. The resolution does not create any new programs or requirements but formally endorses the study of a museum to preserve and educate about Irish-American contributions to U.S. history and culture. It specifically references New Jersey's recognition of Irish-American Heritage Month and the state's large Irish-American population (over 1 million residents). As a non-binding legislative expression, it has no direct effect on individuals or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5438, "Public Utility Fair Profit Act") requires New Jersey electric, gas, and water utilities to annually review their actual revenues against the revenue amount approved by the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). If a utility collects "excess profits" (revenue exceeding the approved amount), it must redistribute those profits to customers within 45 days through bill credits, direct payments to customers with unpaid bills, or payments to those in utility assistance programs. Utilities failing to comply face fines (up to 5% of approved revenue or 105% of excess profits), with all fines directed to fund existing utility assistance programs. The bill aims to ensure excess profits benefit customers directly rather than utility shareholders.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens protections for individuals with expunged criminal records by imposing new requirements on background check providers and licensing boards. Background check companies must delete expunged records immediately upon knowing they are expunged, report only records received within the last 30 days, and provide free corrections within 30 days. It also allows individuals to sue for $5,000 per violation or actual damages if their expunged record is wrongfully disclosed. Additionally, professional licensing boards must redact references to expunged convictions in their records while keeping the fact of disciplinary action visible.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Eviction and Homelessness Prevention Program to provide rental assistance to New Jersey tenants who can't pay rent due to pandemic-related circumstances. The program offers different assistance levels based on income: deep subsidies for very low-income households to limit rent to 40% of income, shallow subsidies up to $800 per month for low-income households, and $250 flat grants for moderate-income households paying more than 50% of income on rent. Eligible households can receive assistance for up to two years, with income reevaluations every six months to adjust support as needed. The program is funded by $300 million in CARES Act funds, with the goal of preventing evictions and homelessness while protecting public health.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have New Jersey join the Social Work Licensure Compact, allowing social workers licensed in New Jersey to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. The compact establishes a system where social workers must meet specific requirements (including passing national exams, holding appropriate degrees, and completing supervised practice) to qualify for a multistate license. It creates a commission to manage the compact, handle data sharing among states, and address disciplinary actions. The compact aims to increase access to social work services, reduce duplicate licensing requirements, and support workforce mobility for social workers across member states. This would directly affect social workers seeking to practice in multiple states and the states' licensing authorities.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $22,431,294 from the 2003 Dam, Lake and Stream Project Revolving Loan Fund and $6,239,630 from the 1992 Dam Restoration and Clean Water Trust Fund - totaling $28,670,924 - to provide loans for dam restoration and inland waters projects. The funds, drawn from unused monies due to project cancellations and repayments, directly support 17 specific projects, including repairs for private dams (like High Crest Lake Dam and Mountain Creek Lake Dam) and lake associations, as well as local government-owned dams. These loans finance restoration costs for dam owners, private lake associations, or local governments working together. The bill specifies that unexpended funds will return to the respective bond funds for future projects.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3620 requires electric and gas utilities using smart meters to establish an "Energy Bill Watch" program for smart meter customers. The program mandates utilities to notify customers when their daily usage exceeds the previous billing cycle's average (on the 10th and 20th days of each cycle), offer customizable dollar-value alerts, and include average monthly usage costs and kilowatt/therm amounts in notifications. Utilities must automatically enroll smart meter customers, provide opt-out options, advertise the program through multiple channels, and include specific billing details in all customer bills (previous cycle amount, current cycle amount, and the difference between them). This bill directly affects smart meter customers of New Jersey's electric and gas utilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $28.67 million in unused funds from New Jersey's 2003 and 1992 bond acts to provide low-interest loans for dam restoration and inland waters projects. The funds specifically support 13 projects under the 2003 bond act (e.g., $3 million for Mountain Creek Lake Dam repairs) and 4 projects under the 1992 bond act (e.g., $2.85 million for Lake Garrison Dam). These loans are available to private dam owners, lake associations, or local governments for repairing aging infrastructure and maintaining water systems. The funding comes from existing bond program savings, cancellations, and loan repayments - no new taxes or spending are required. The bill directs the Department of Environmental Protection to disburse these funds for the listed projects only.

Maddy summaryThis bill would provide property tax rebates to New Jersey veterans with service-connected disabilities. Eligible veterans would receive a rebate equal to their disability percentage of the property taxes paid on their primary residence, with the rebate capped at $5,000 annually. The program is limited to veterans with gross income under $200,000 and does not apply to veterans already exempt from property taxes due to 100% disability ratings. Veterans would need to apply annually for the rebate, and funding would depend on annual legislative appropriations. The bill specifically targets veterans with less than 100% service-connected disability ratings who currently pay property taxes on their primary residence.