Asm. Balvir Singh

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill exempts small, portable solar generators from standard utility rules like interconnection agreements and net metering programs. It specifically affects homeowners who want to use these devices, which are defined as having a maximum output of 1,200 watts and plugging into standard 120-volt outlets. Under the new law, utility companies cannot require approval, fees, or extra equipment for these devices, and they are also shielded from liability for any damage caused by their use. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Community Affairs update building codes to provide clear guidelines for safely wiring homes to accommodate these portable power systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies protections for patients and providers accessing or offering legally permitted reproductive and gender-affirming health care in New Jersey. It prohibits obstructing or intimidating individuals at facilities providing these services - including blocking entrances, causing reasonable fear of harm, or threatening violence. The law defines "legally protected health care activity" to cover all such services lawful in New Jersey, regardless of a patient’s location, and applies to both in-state residents and out-of-state patients seeking care here. It expands existing safeguards by explicitly banning physical obstructions and threats at facilities offering these services.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to coordinate transportation planning and infrastructure across southern New Jersey counties, including Burlington County. The SJTA replaces the New Jersey Expressway Authority and Atlantic County Transportation Authority, managing highway systems, aviation facilities, and related economic development projects in the region. It explicitly encompasses Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem counties as part of its jurisdiction. The authority does not replace the Transportation Trust Fund or New Jersey Transit Corporation's public transit services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in New Jersey to continue covering adult children with disabilities who are 26 or older, provided they cannot work due to a physical or intellectual disability and are financially dependent on their parent. It amends existing law to extend coverage beyond the standard age limit of 26 for this specific group, ensuring they maintain health insurance through their parent's plan. The bill prohibits denial of coverage based on factors like marriage, having a child, or school status, which commonly affected young adults with disabilities. This change directly impacts young adults with disabilities in New Jersey who would otherwise lose coverage at age 26 but meet the eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides educational support professionals (non-teaching school staff) with up to four years of seniority credit for active military service they completed, including service before starting their school job. To qualify, a professional must be declared eligible for federal veterans' benefits by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The credit counts as if the professional were employed full-time during their military service, directly affecting their seniority calculations for school district benefits and job protections. The bill aligns seniority treatment for these staff with existing provisions for teaching staff.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 2962) gives educational support professionals (like cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and administrative staff) who served in the U.S. military and qualify for VA benefits up to four years of seniority credit. The credit counts military service completed before or during their school district employment, treating it as equivalent to actual work time for seniority purposes. It expands an existing benefit currently only available to teaching staff. The policy takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts small portable solar devices (under 1,200 watts) from standard utility requirements. It directly affects homeowners using these devices, which connect via standard 120V outlets and meet electrical safety standards. Key provisions remove the need for interconnection agreements, net metering program rules, utility approval, or fees. Utilities cannot charge for these devices or require additional equipment beyond what’s built-in. The bill also shields utilities from liability for customer use of these devices.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill introduces a 9 percent surtax on income generated by prediction markets, affecting both the companies that run these platforms and the individuals who earn money from them. The law defines prediction markets as systems where people bet on the outcomes of future events, such as elections, sports games, or entertainment releases, and applies to operators starting July 1, 2025, while taxing individual earnings beginning January 1, 2026. Under the new rules, these taxes are calculated on net income for businesses and gross income for individuals, with very limited options for tax credits available to offset the liability.

Maddy summaryThe Climate Superfund Act (A 3735) holds fossil fuel companies liable for climate change damages by requiring them to pay compensatory payments into a state fund. Companies that extracted or refined fossil fuels during 1995-2026 and emitted over one billion metric tons of greenhouse gases must pay based on their proportional liability, with joint liability for companies in a "controlled group." Funds collected will be distributed to implement climate adaptation projects, such as flood protection, infrastructure upgrades, and health programs in overburdened communities. The Department of Environmental Protection will administer the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program to manage payments and fund these projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's existing requirement for health insurance plans to cover prostate cancer screenings without any out-of-pocket costs. It specifically requires coverage for annual screenings - including digital rectal exams and PSA tests - for men aged 50 and older (asymptomatic) and men aged 40 and older with a family history of prostate cancer or other risk factors. The law applies to most health insurance plans, including high-deductible plans where permitted by federal law, and mandates coverage "to the same extent as for any other medical condition." It does not alter existing coverage for other preventive services but ensures no cost-sharing (like deductibles or copays) applies to these specific screenings.