Asm. Lou Greenwald

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to submit an annual financial report by March 1 each year. The report must detail the status of special funding accounts under DEP's control - including funds from federal sources, dedicated fees, bond proceeds, and one-time appropriations - that are not typically part of the regular operating budget. The report will include statutory authority for each account, total funds used in the prior fiscal year, and year-end balances. This transparency measure ensures the Governor and Legislature can review how these specific funds are managed annually.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures that a person's organ donor designation remains active when renewing a New Jersey driver's license, permit, or identification card. Currently, individuals must reconfirm their donor status each time they renew these documents. The bill automatically retains the designation upon renewal and new issuance unless the person actively removes it, with the Motor Vehicle Commission required to provide an option to opt out during the renewal process. It directly affects New Jersey residents who have selected organ donation on their driver's or ID documents.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts sales and use taxes for fuel cell devices, systems, and certain products powered by fuel cells in New Jersey. It directly affects businesses selling fuel cell technology (like residential power systems or vehicles) and consumers purchasing these products. The key provision expands existing tax exemptions for clean energy by adding: (1) fuel cell devices generating power through electrochemical processes, (2) tangible property (e.g., vehicles or equipment) powered exclusively by embedded fuel cells, and (3) natural gas used as fuel in these systems. The exemption applies to sales, use, and electricity generated by qualifying fuel cells, effective four months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale, distribution, and import of products marketed as recyclable unless New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) determines they are widely recycled in the state. It requires the DEP to conduct a material characterization study by January 2024 to identify which products and packaging materials are actually recyclable based on collection and processing data. Products displaying the "chasing arrows" recycling symbol must meet specific criteria, including being collected through curbside programs serving 60% of New Jersey's population and sorted through facilities serving 60% of recycling programs statewide. The bill includes exceptions for products manufactured within 18 months of DEP studies, packaging required by federal law, and products with clear non-recyclability markings.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the unemployment tax rate calculation for New Jersey employers for fiscal year 2024. It specifies that employers will pay taxes based on column "D" of the experience rating table instead of column "E," which would have been the default. This adjustment lowers the tax rate for most employers, reducing their unemployment insurance contribution costs. The change affects all employers subject to New Jersey's unemployment compensation system. The bill implements this by modifying the existing law to override the standard calculation method for FY2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a zero-interest loan program administered by New Jersey's Department of Health to help community health centers integrate behavioral health services (like mental health or substance use treatment) with existing primary care. Eligible centers - such as federally qualified health centers, behavioral health clinics, and substance use facilities - can apply for short-term loans to cover costs like staff training, licensure fees, and infrastructure upgrades needed to offer integrated care. The program requires centers to demonstrate financial need and submit detailed budgets, with priority given to facilities serving high Medicaid populations. Loans will be funded through state General Fund monies and other sources, managed as a revolving fund by the Department of Health.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2815) establishes a program where groups of nonpublic schools (consortia) take over transportation responsibilities for students who are legally required to receive school bus service from public school districts. Under the program, participating school districts would pay consortia the current aid-in-lieu transportation rate ($1,022 per student) for mandated transportation, and the consortia would assume all transportation duties for those students. Consortia may also offer optional transportation for other students at parental cost (capped at $1,022), and must refund unused funds to districts based on actual student usage. The program requires annual audits, an oversight committee, and takes effect immediately for the 2023-2024 school year.

Maddy summaryBill A2774 requires New Jersey's general hospitals to create private bereavement areas for individuals receiving upsetting news about family members in care, including death notifications. Licensed hospitals must designate at least one private room for this purpose, as directed by the Commissioner of Health. The policy applies to all general hospitals operating under New Jersey law and takes effect 180 days after enactment. This is a concrete policy change mandating physical space for grief support during critical hospital moments.

Maddy summaryBill A2820 requires New Jersey's Division of Purchase and Property (within the Department of the Treasury) to create an annual report identifying all state-owned properties and assessing their potential for use as low- and moderate-income housing. The division must consult with housing authorities like the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency to analyze feasibility for development, redevelopment, or renovation. The initial report must be submitted to the Governor and Legislature within 13 months of enactment, with annual updates thereafter, and posted online. This directly affects state agencies managing property and housing authorities, focusing on identifying underutilized state land for affordable housing solutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the Medicaid reimbursement rate for adult medical day care providers in New Jersey from $89.55 to $93.10 per day, funded by a $3.6 million supplemental appropriation. It directly affects community-based medical day care centers that provide medically necessary services to non-resident adults with physical or cognitive impairments, enabling them to remain open. The rate change amends the existing annual appropriations act to adjust the per diem reimbursement for these providers, following previous rate increases since 2021. The goal is to stabilize these essential services amid financial pressures from the pandemic, ensuring vulnerable residents can access community care.