Asm. Greg Myhre

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey to use excess revenue from energy sales and use taxes (above the 2025 fiscal year level) into the Universal Service Fund. The fund supports utility assistance programs like the Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric Program, which helps low-income households with energy costs. It specifically allocates funds when tax collections exceed the 2025 baseline, ensuring ongoing support for these programs. The policy directly affects utility assistance programs and the households they serve.

Maddy summaryACR 25 proposes a constitutional amendment to ensure funds from a 90-cent fee on phone bills (collected since 2004) are exclusively used for 9-1-1 and emergency response needs. The amendment would prohibit diverting these funds for general state budget purposes, mandating they cover specific costs like emergency equipment, training, operating 9-1-1 service centers, and implementing federal 9-1-1 requirements. It directly affects how New Jersey allocates nearly $100 million annually from this dedicated trust fund. The amendment requires voter approval to take effect, preventing future legislative use of these funds for non-emergency purposes.

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 summaryNew Jersey's A1841, the "Small Modular Nuclear Energy Incentive Act," creates a competitive bidding program to incentivize the construction of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) by offering payments per megawatt-hour of electricity produced. The Board of Public Utilities will administer this program, prioritizing projects at sites of retired nuclear, coal, or natural gas plants and including retraining for former plant workers. Eligible projects must interconnect to New Jersey's grid, with bids evaluated on price and site preference, aiming to support reliable, low-emission power generation while replacing fossil fuel infrastructure. The bill directly affects nuclear developers, utilities, and workers transitioning from retiring power plants.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises how New Jersey allocates state funds for public highway projects to municipalities and counties. It establishes a new formula based on factors like county population, municipal road mileage, evacuation routes, and flood plain locations to determine funding distribution. The bill specifies that 37.5% of annual highway funds must go to municipalities under this formula, with additional fixed amounts set aside for specific programs (like the Local Aid Infrastructure Fund, Local Freight Impact Fund, and Local Bridges Fund). The formula also requires prioritizing projects based on traffic volume, safety, and whether they address hazardous conditions for school routes or pedestrian safety. This directly affects all New Jersey municipalities and counties managing public road infrastructure.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A 841 requires voters to present physical identification at polling places during any election. It specifies 13 acceptable forms of ID (like driver's licenses, passports, voter registration cards, or utility bills) and allows two supplemental documents if primary ID isn't available. Voters without matching ID may face challenges, but the bill states it does not deny voting rights if challenges are resolved. This affects all voters casting ballots in person at New Jersey polling locations.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill updates voter identification requirements for all in-person voters starting January 1, 2025. It mandates that voters present one document meeting specific criteria: a photo ID with the voter's registered name, current address, a valid expiration date, and issuance by a federal or state government. Voters without acceptable ID will receive a provisional ballot instead of voting by machine, except for those with religious objections (who may use a sworn affidavit) or eligible absentee voters under federal law. The bill also standardizes procedures for challengers examining ID at polling places and updates record-keeping rules for voter registration information.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) from providing any financial assistance - including grants, loans, tax credits, or other subsidies - to wind energy projects. It directly affects wind energy developers who would have sought EDA funding for project development or operations. The key mechanism removes wind energy projects from eligibility under the EDA’s existing funding allocation for renewable energy, specifically deleting references to "qualified offshore wind projects" from the 60% funding allocation meant for energy efficiency and renewable projects. This change shifts EDA funding priorities away from wind energy toward other renewable and energy efficiency initiatives. The bill also repeals prior provisions that allowed wind project subsidies.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes establishing New Jersey's "Gold Star Family Annuity Program" within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. It would provide eligible surviving family members of service members who died on active duty with an annual $600 payment starting January 1 each year, with future increases tied to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefit adjustments (minimum 1%, maximum 4% annually). The program specifically supports New Jersey residents who are spouses, domestic partners, parents, siblings, children, or legal guardians of fallen service members. Residency is required for eligibility, and remarriage does not disqualify recipients. The bill defines "Gold Star family member" and outlines application requirements, including proof of relationship and New Jersey residency.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to restart the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation program using leftover funds to assist homeowners still recovering from Superstorm Sandy. It directs the DCA to accept grant applications for financial aid covering unmet rebuilding needs, as defined under existing law (P.L.2015, c.102). The program will provide direct funding to eligible Sandy-impacted homeowners who have not yet received full financial assistance for repairs or mitigation. The DCA must act if sufficient uncommitted funds remain, with the bill taking effect immediately.