Asm. Lou Greenwald

Maddy summaryThis bill removes restrictions on the number of plenary retail distribution licenses (for selling alcohol) that businesses can hold, specifically for two types of stores. It allows up to four licenses for stores where groceries are the primary business (accounting for at least 65% of annual sales) or where alcohol sales are primary (at least 90% of annual sales), increasing to six licenses after 73 months. Licensees must prove these sales percentages during renewal applications. The change applies only to existing stores meeting these criteria, does not create new licenses in municipalities with existing limits, and excludes stores in urban food deserts from these rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to submit an annual financial report by March 1 each year, detailing the status of special funding accounts under its control. The report must cover both "appropriated balances" (funds available for reuse) and "unappropriated balances" (funds available for future allocation) across accounts funded by sources like federal grants, dedicated taxes, fees, bond proceeds, and one-time appropriations. It also mandates an immediate interim report within 30 days of the bill's enactment, using the most recent available data. The goal is to increase transparency around these "special revenue" accounts, which often operate outside regular budget scrutiny.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to create standardized protocols for hospitals and licensed birthing centers to collect and report detailed, de-identified data on maternity care. The data must cover specific metrics like maternal health conditions (e.g., hypertension, hemorrhage), delivery methods (e.g., induction timing, cesarean rates), and infant outcomes (e.g., birth weight, complications). The DOH will annually evaluate this data to set statewide benchmarks, identify quality improvement opportunities, and compare hospital performance. Results and recommendations must be reported to the Governor and Legislature yearly, aiming to enhance maternal and infant health outcomes through data-driven care.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3597) establishes annual state funding to support New Jersey's Direct Support Professional Career Development Program. It requires the state to appropriate annual funds starting in Fiscal Year 2026 to cover living expenses for new program participants and education costs for existing direct support professionals working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The funds, managed through the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, will be distributed to the New Jersey Community College Consortium, with no more than 10% allocated for administrative costs. This amends prior law (P.L.2021, c.421) that provided only a one-time $1 million appropriation for the program's initial setup.

Maddy summaryACR 101 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit annual property tax increases for primary residences (homestead property) in New Jersey. If approved by voters, it would require the state legislature to cap annual assessment increases at the lower of 3% or the Consumer Price Index (CPI) change, whichever is lower. This applies to properties used as the owner's principal residence, resetting to current market value upon ownership change. The amendment must be approved by voters before taking effect, as it requires constitutional change.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires construction entities working on residential projects (like townhouses, single-family homes, or small apartment buildings) that receive financial assistance from state or local governments to pay workers the federal prevailing wage rate, as set by the Davis-Bacon Act. It applies when the entity would otherwise not be required to pay the state's prevailing wage under existing law. Financial assistance includes tax incentives, grants, loans, or other public funding. The bill ensures these projects follow federal wage standards, aligning with the Davis-Bacon Act, even when using state/local funds. The requirement takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 3568) requires food delivery companies (like Uber Eats or DoorDash) to ensure drivers using personal vehicles have specific insurance coverage. Drivers must maintain: $50,000 bodily injury coverage when logged into the app but not delivering, and $1.5 million coverage during actual food deliveries. If a driver’s insurance lapses, the company must provide the required coverage starting from the first dollar of a claim. The law directly affects food delivery drivers and companies operating in New Jersey, ensuring consistent insurance levels for safety and liability during delivery services.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A-1522 reduces mandatory parking requirements for new residential developments based on their distance to public transportation. The bill requires a 20% reduction in parking spaces for developments within 0.5-1 mile of transit, 30% for 0.25-0.5 miles, and 50% within 0.25 miles of rail stations, bus routes (with five or more regular routes), or bus stops (with 15+ stops). This directly affects residential developers building near qualifying transit infrastructure across the state. The policy aims to encourage transit-oriented development by lowering construction costs for projects close to public transportation. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly State and Local Government Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey municipalities to revise zoning rules within four months of enactment to increase housing options. It mandates that each town adopt one of three specific changes: allow single-family homes on lots as small as 0.25 acres, permit two-unit homes in single-family zones, or allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - small secondary homes with full living facilities on the same lot as a primary residence. Municipalities failing to comply will automatically adopt the 0.25-acre minimum lot size requirement. The rules do not apply to historic districts or properties with pre-existing development restrictions. This aims to expand housing choices in existing residential areas without altering historic protections or prior agreements.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds $10 million from the off-budget Universal Service Fund to the NJSHARES-S.M.A.R.T. Program for utility payment assistance in New Jersey's fiscal year 2026. It directly helps low-income homeowners and renters facing financial hardship by providing grants to cover past-due utility bills (arrearages) and ongoing payments. The program requires applicants not to receive duplicate benefits from private insurance or other existing aid programs. The funding supplements a prior $5 million General Fund appropriation for the same program, directing the Commissioner of Community Affairs to establish quick-processing guidelines for eligible residents.