Asm. Lou Greenwald

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's existing toll regulations to prohibit free toll passage for South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) employees, officers, and members. It specifically restricts toll-free access to vehicles operated only during commuting to/from work or while performing official duties for the SJTA. Collective bargaining agreements covering these employees will not override this requirement. The change applies to all SJTA personnel covered under current or future labor agreements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 544) changes how organ donor designations are handled on New Jersey driver's licenses, permits, and ID cards. Currently, individuals must reconfirm their organ donor status each time they renew their license or ID. The bill automatically retains the designation upon renewal or when a new license/ID is issued, unless the person actively removes it. The Motor Vehicle Commission must provide an option to remove the designation during renewal. It directly affects all New Jersey residents who have previously marked themselves as organ donors on these documents.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans and Medicaid in New Jersey to cover medically necessary speech therapy for stuttering, including both habilitative (helping develop speech skills) and rehabilitative (helping regain lost skills) therapy. It applies to all health insurance policies sold in New Jersey, including individual, group, and hospital service contracts, and mandates coverage whether therapy is provided in-person or via telehealth. Insurers must cover these services at the same level as other medical treatments, without additional restrictions. The law directly affects residents with stuttering who rely on insurance for speech therapy, ensuring they receive consistent coverage for this specific treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school boards, municipalities, counties, and similar local government units to actively identify and implement cost-saving methods when purchasing goods and services. It mandates that these entities evaluate their procurement processes to find savings, without changing existing rules about when bids are required. The law specifically excludes real estate purchases, specialized "extraordinary services," and professional services (like legal or medical work) from this requirement. The bill is currently in its early stages, having been introduced and referred to committee in January 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism as an educational resource for New Jersey state agencies, schools, and law enforcement. It defines antisemitism as hatred toward Jews, including specific examples like Holocaust denial, harmful stereotypes (e.g., conspiracy theories about Jewish control), and double standards applied to Israel. The definition is explicitly non-binding and must be used while protecting constitutional rights like free speech. New Jersey lawmakers cite the state's high rate of antisemitic incidents - including ranking third nationally in 2023 - as the basis for this measure.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires contractors building large data centers in New Jersey to pay workers the local prevailing wage rate. It applies specifically to projects with electrical capacity of 250 kilowatts or greater, or designed for 500 kilowatt-hours average usage. Contractors must meet strict registration, insurance, safety, and training requirements - including OSHA-compliant worker training and detailed payroll reporting - to ensure compliance. The law directly affects construction companies working on qualifying data centers, aiming to standardize labor costs for these large-scale projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Saving Our Diners and Protecting Our Past (SODA POP) Act," provides tax incentives for historic diners and restaurants in New Jersey. To qualify, establishments must have operated continuously for at least 25 years (including pandemic closures), be family-owned small businesses, and comply with health/safety rules. Approved businesses gain a sales tax exemption on prepared food and beverages for on-site consumption and a tax credit certificate for corporate business/gross income taxes. The Division of Travel and Tourism maintains an annual registry, requiring operators to apply yearly for inclusion. This directly benefits qualifying historic eateries by reducing their tax burden.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations act to change how $1.5 million in state grant funding for Centenary University can be used. Currently restricted to capital improvements (like building repairs), the bill removes this limitation, allowing the university to use the funds for general operational purposes instead. The bill does not increase the total funding amount - it only expands the allowable uses of the existing appropriation. This change directly affects Centenary University's budget flexibility for the 2026 fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's Aspire Program requirements for major development projects. It adjusts the "net positive benefits test" by adding new criteria that automatically qualify projects as "of special economic importance," such as brownfield remediation with $15 million+ cleanup costs, healthcare facilities near universities or trauma centers, or projects near transportation hubs. Projects must meet specific size thresholds (e.g., 200,000+ sq. ft. in restricted areas, 500,000+ sq. ft. elsewhere) and include housing/commercial space requirements (e.g., 700+ residential units or 30,000+ sq. ft. commercial space). It also mandates 20% of new housing units be affordable for low-to-moderate-income households, with exceptions for historic tax credit projects. These changes apply to projects applying after specified effective dates.

Maddy summaryBill A6296 amends New Jersey's Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations act to change how $1.5 million in grant funding for Centenary University must be used. Currently restricted to capital improvements (like building projects), the bill removes this requirement, allowing the university to use the funds for general operational purposes instead. This change does not increase the total grant amount but expands flexibility in its allocation. The bill directly affects Centenary University by altering the permissible uses of its existing state grant.