Rep. Bill Spearman

Maddy summaryThe Hotel Franchisee Fairness and Market Access Act aims to protect hotel operators in New Jersey from restrictive practices imposed by brand owners. It requires franchisors to stop forcing franchisees to buy unrelated goods, ensures they receive full rebates from vendors, and mandates compensation for guests who use loyalty points. The bill also prevents brand owners from opening competing hotels in a franchisee's exclusive area without consent and restricts unilateral changes to contracts unless they involve health or safety. These rules are designed to increase transparency and fairness in franchise agreements while preserving essential brand standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Clean Energy Equity within New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities to oversee clean energy programs specifically for overburdened communities. It mandates the establishment of onsite or community solar projects benefiting low-income households and requires the installation of energy storage systems in public facilities and low-income areas to improve grid resilience. The legislation also directs a minimum of 10 percent of the board's annual clean energy budget to this office, while requiring the integration of workforce training and community outreach into all related programs.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill prohibits payment card networks from charging interchange fees based on a percentage of transaction amounts for both credit and debit cards. The law specifically targets fees that include taxes or tips, preventing networks from calculating charges on the total gross amount rather than just the base purchase price. Additionally, the bill sets strict limits on fees charged for charitable donations, allowing only very small fixed percentages for such transactions. These rules directly affect payment processors, banks, and merchants by restricting how interchange fees can be structured and calculated.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A-1728) prohibits public school districts from denying students admittance due to tardiness or violations of dress code or uniform policies. It specifically allows denial only for clothing indicating gang affiliation with criminal activity. Schools may still enforce other conduct policies not covered by this law. The bill directly affects all public school students and districts in New Jersey, ensuring students cannot be barred from school for these specific infractions.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires licensed healthcare providers (including doctors, nurses, and midwives) to conduct regular, private screenings for intimate partner violence during patient visits, using evidence-based guidelines. If a provider identifies potential abuse, they must document findings, provide immediate resources for victims (like local support services), and ensure patients can revoke access to their medical records for alleged abusers under federal privacy laws. The bill mandates that healthcare professionals advise victims during the same visit about removing perpetrators from their authorized medical record access list. The state departments of Children and Families and Health must maintain and update a biennial resource list for providers on victim support services. It directly affects healthcare providers and patients experiencing abuse by current or former intimate partners.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to prioritize funding for two types of projects: (1) land acquisition for recreation and conservation, and (2) environmental infrastructure projects that include or enable flood mitigation. It directly affects local governments, nonprofits, and communities seeking DEP grants under the Green Acres program, which uses constitutionally dedicated funds. Key provisions mandate that DEP establish criteria prioritizing projects that protect floodplains, reduce flood risk, conserve natural resources, and support recreational access. The bill amends existing laws to ensure these factors are explicitly considered when ranking eligible projects for funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 2996, eliminates physician collaboration requirements for advanced practice nurses (APNs) in New Jersey, allowing them to practice independently without supervision or joint protocols. It directly affects APNs - registered nurses with specialized training in primary and specialty care - and aims to improve healthcare access, particularly in underserved communities and for populations facing barriers like low income or transportation challenges. The key provision removes statutory restrictions that previously limited APNs' scope of practice, aligning New Jersey with 24 states that grant full practice authority. The bill cites pandemic-era waivers (Executive Order No. 112) that allowed similar independent practice without adverse incidents, and notes APNs could reduce healthcare access disparities by over 38% if restrictions are lifted.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates mandatory collaboration requirements between advanced practice nurses (APNs) and physicians in New Jersey. It directly affects APNs - registered nurses with advanced certifications who provide primary and specialty care - by allowing them to practice independently without physician supervision or joint protocols. The key provision removes statutory restrictions that previously limited APNs' scope of practice, aligning New Jersey with 24 other states that grant full practice authority. This change aims to expand healthcare access, particularly in underserved areas, by enabling APNs to work to the full extent of their training.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $2.25 million grant program through New Jersey's Department of Education to support STEM education for low-income students in grades 6-8. It requires selected school districts (with existing STEM programs meeting specific criteria) to provide hands-on project-based learning, offer accelerated options for students behind grade level (allowing them to complete two years of material in one year), and include staff training and classroom resources. The program targets at-risk pupils defined as those from households earning at or below 1.85 times the federal poverty level. Funds will be administered by the Department of Education in partnership with the nonprofit Engaged Learning Strategies to expand existing STEM initiatives, not create new ones.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4049) creates a $3 million annual grant program administered by New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to help local governments (cities, counties, and towns) control harmful invasive species. The program provides grants covering up to 50% of project costs for specific activities like inspections, early detection, eradication services, surveys, and treatment contracts targeting species threatening ecosystems or infrastructure. Local governments must apply with a management plan detailing how they’ll address infestations, and the Division of Plant Industry will prioritize funding for areas with severe damage, widespread infestations, or high biodiversity risk. The bill also requires the department to publish a public clearinghouse of invasive species information and best practices.