Asm. Bill Spearman

Maddy summaryThis bill requires major solid waste incinerators in New Jersey to install fabric filter systems (baghouse filters) when making certain modifications or expansions to their facilities. It directly affects solid waste incinerators classified as "major facilities" under state air pollution law that do not already have adequate filtration systems. The key provision mandates these filters be installed before a facility receives a permit for modifications or expansions exceeding specific thresholds (like a 10% annual waste increase), with exemptions for facilities already using equivalent or better technology. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $750,000 from the General Fund to the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) within New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety. It funds a public awareness campaign to inform crime victims about their rights under the Crime Victim's Bill of Rights and available assistance through the VCCO. The campaign will provide clear information on how victims can access compensation and support services. This directly affects crime victims seeking resources, without changing existing laws or creating new obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require all security companies in New Jersey, including nonprofit organizations providing security services, to obtain a license from the Superintendent of State Police. It establishes specific qualifications for owners or operators, requiring either five years of law enforcement experience (with no current law enforcement employment) or five years of supervisory experience at a licensed security company. The bill mandates background checks for owners/operators, requires security companies to maintain employee statements, and requires reporting of employee terminations within 48 hours. Violations of these requirements could be punishable as a fourth-degree crime. The bill aims to strengthen oversight of security companies through licensing and verification requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey municipalities to revoke plenary retail consumption licenses (for on-premises alcohol sales) that have been inactive for five years and reissue them at public auction to new applicants. Currently, licensees could maintain inactive licenses by filing annual renewal requests for up to two years, but this extends the inactivity period before revocation. Exceptions let license holders affected by fire, eminent domain, or other casualty extend the inactivity period by filing an affidavit every two years and paying a $100 fee. The bill also repeals a prior law restricting such license sales to specific municipalities, now enabling all municipalities to sell inactive licenses at public auction.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program to improve sickle cell disease care in New Jersey, appropriating $10.2 million from the General Fund. The Department of Health will competitively select federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), prioritizing those in Jersey City, Newark, Paterson, Plainfield, Trenton, Camden, and other high-need areas, to develop comprehensive treatment programs. The program requires participating centers to provide coordinated care (including telehealth where permitted), build specialized medical workforce capacity, conduct outreach, promote awareness, and collect state-wide data on sickle cell disease incidence and healthcare use. Funds must be used for these purposes during the three-year pilot, with unspent funds reverting to the General Fund after expiration.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A3102) authorizes the state's courts to create a public online system allowing individuals to check if they have an outstanding arrest warrant. The system, accessible via the judiciary website, lets users voluntarily enter personal information to verify warrant status. If a warrant exists, it provides details about the charge, responsible law enforcement agency, and steps to resolve it (like paying fines or attending court). The bill aims to help people proactively address warrants they might not know about before being arrested.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Veterinary Medicine Loan Redemption Program to address veterinarian shortages in underserved areas. It provides eligible veterinarians who commit to five years of full-time or half-time service at approved sites in designated underserved areas with loan repayment benefits, covering up to 100% of qualifying student loans for full-time work (max $20,000 annually) or 50% for half-time work (max $10,000 annually). The program is funded by an annual $500,000 appropriation from the General Fund and requires participants to be New Jersey residents, licensed veterinarians, and work primarily on large animal health in areas designated by the Secretary of Agriculture.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Clean Energy Program (NJCEP) to make existing energy efficiency incentives available to commercial farms, which were previously excluded from the program's categories. It mandates the state energy agency to establish a program helping farm owners conduct energy audits to identify energy-saving opportunities and publish all relevant incentives online. Currently, farmhouses qualified under residential NJCEP categories, but commercial farm operations (like equipment and buildings) had no dedicated access to these incentives. The change directly affects commercial farm owners by enabling them to apply for and receive state-funded energy efficiency support.

Maddy summaryAR 61 is a symbolic resolution urging recreational programs, swim schools, and swim teams in New Jersey to increase participation by African-American youth in swimming. It cites higher drowning rates among Black children (five times higher for ages 5-19) and historical barriers like segregation that limited access to pools in Black communities. The resolution has no legal force but encourages these organizations to promote inclusive swim programs to address disparities. It specifically references the 1% African-American membership rate in USA Swimming as context for its call to action.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that when appointing members to state boards, commissions, or similar bodies established by law, the appointing official (such as the Governor, Senate President, or Assembly Speaker) must prioritize achieving racial and gender diversity that reflects New Jersey’s population. The goal of diversity becomes a primary consideration for all appointments made after the bill’s effective date, unless it conflicts with specific circumstances or the law creating the body. The bill defines "gender" to include gender identity and "race" as based on physical characteristics or shared ancestry. This policy change directly affects how officials select members for these state entities, aiming to improve representation without mandating specific quotas.