Asm. Carol Murphy

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public entities (including state agencies, counties, and municipalities) to publish required legal notices on their official websites starting March 1, 2026, instead of traditional newspapers. Public entities must maintain free, accessible websites with prominent links to legal notices and keep a one-year online archive of notices. Local governments may also publish notices in eligible online news publications that meet specific criteria, such as having minimum monthly visitor requirements (4,000 for municipal, 50,000 for county, and 350,000 for statewide circulation). The bill also establishes a centralized webpage by the Secretary of State linking to all public entities' legal notice pages and extends the period during which newspapers can be used for notices until March 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public entities (including counties, municipalities, and state agencies) to publish required legal notices on their official websites starting March 1, 2026, instead of relying solely on print newspapers. It establishes specific eligibility criteria for online news publications to be used for legal notices, including minimum monthly visit requirements (4,000 for municipal, 50,000 for county, and 350,000 for state-wide circulation) and requirements for accessibility and archiving. Public entities must maintain an online archive of legal notices for at least one year and display notices for at least one week before moving them to the archive. The Secretary of State must create a centralized webpage linking to all public entities' legal notice websites, with a direct link on the Secretary's homepage. The bill extends the transition period from print newspaper publication to digital publication until March 1, 2026, while allowing entities to continue using qualifying newspapers through that date.

Maddy summaryThe Healthcare Finance Enhancement Act modifies New Jersey's assessment system for healthcare facilities. It reduces the ambulatory care facility assessment rate from 2.95% to 2.5% beginning in Fiscal Year 2026, eliminates the exemption for surgical practices from this assessment starting in FY 2026, and extends the 2.5% rate to all ambulatory care facilities beginning in FY 2027. The bill also increases the hospital per adjusted admission charge from $10 to $12.50 effective July 1, 2025, and extends this charge to non-public psychiatric hospitals. These changes will affect ambulatory care facilities, hospitals, and the Department of Health, with assessment revenues continuing to fund the Health Care Subsidy Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a grant program through New Jersey's Department of Education to help public schools purchase and install filtered bottle-filling stations and filtered faucets. Schools with documented water quality issues - such as elevated lead levels - will receive priority, along with schools that haven’t already installed such systems. The program requires the Department to establish the grants within 90 days, provide application guidance, and report on usage and funding needs by 2026. All filtered equipment must meet NSF/ANSI standards for lead and contaminant removal. The bill directly affects all New Jersey public schools seeking safer drinking water infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases tax credits for investors who fund New Jersey emerging technology businesses, raising the credit rate from 20% to 60% of qualified investments, with an additional 5% available for investments in opportunity zones, low-income communities, or certified minority/women-owned businesses. It also lowers the maximum employee count for qualifying businesses from 225 to 150 employees. The bill repeals the "New Jersey Ignite Act" while updating definitions and mechanisms for the tax credit program to better support technology startups across fields like biotechnology, renewable energy, and advanced computing. This change directly affects individual investors and venture funds making qualifying investments in New Jersey-based technology businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the "New Jersey Veterans Assistance Trust" within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to provide financial and programmatic support to veterans, their families, and organizations serving them. The trust will accept donations from federal, state, local, or private sources and use funds to award grants or loans to veterans, veteran-supporting programs, or related initiatives. It will be governed by a 14-member board including state agency heads, veteran service representatives, and legislative appointees, with investments restricted to AA-rated securities. The trust must annually report its activities, funding sources, and expenditures to the Governor and Legislature by February 1.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 196) urges Congress to renew federal enhanced premium tax credits set to expire at the end of 2025. The credits help nearly 19 million Americans, including over 500,000 New Jersey residents enrolled in Get Covered New Jersey, pay low monthly premiums for health insurance - nearly half currently pay $10 or less per month. Without renewal, the average annual cost for affected individuals in New Jersey would rise by $1,260, with older residents facing increases of $1,860 yearly. The resolution does not change policy but formally requests Congress extend these credits to maintain affordability and prevent increased uninsured rates and strain on healthcare providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates New Jersey's sales tax on specific baby products and sunscreen. It exempts baby wash, shampoo, lotions, powders, car seats (child restraint systems), cribs (including bassinets), nursing bottles/nipples/funnels, and strollers from the state sales tax. Sunscreen is also exempt if it's FDA-regulated for UV protection (lotion, cream, spray, or gel), excluding cosmetic products. The tax change applies to retail sales starting October 1, 2025, directly benefiting parents and caregivers purchasing these items.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires anyone convicted of driving under the influence (DWI) or initially charged with DWI but later pleading guilty to reckless, careless, or unsafe driving to complete a specific online course about the impact of drunk driving. The required "qualified online victim impact panel" course must be available 24/7, offered in English and Spanish, include testimony from at least eight victims and offenders, take a minimum of 3.5 hours to complete, include comprehension testing, and provide follow-up communication six months later. This course requirement is added to New Jersey's Intoxicated Driving Program administered by the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services. The bill applies to those convicted of DWI offenses under R.S.39:4-50 or who were initially charged with DWI but pleaded guilty to related traffic offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) Chief Administrator, with input from the Department of State, to negotiate a reciprocity agreement with the Republic of Ireland. If enacted, it would allow New Jersey license holders to obtain an Irish driver's license without tests (subject to agreement requirements), and Irish license holders to get a New Jersey license without tests. The key provision eliminates the need for driving knowledge or skills tests for eligible individuals already holding valid licenses from either jurisdiction. It directly affects residents of New Jersey and Ireland who hold valid driver's licenses and wish to drive in the other country. The agreement would take effect immediately upon signing.