Sen. Linda Greenstein

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to conduct a five-year assessment of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, that are currently unregulated by state or federal law. The assessment aims to determine whether new drinking water standards should be established for these chemicals and to evaluate if existing limits adequately protect children's health, considering their lower body weight and higher water intake relative to adults. The department must collaborate with the Drinking Water Quality Institute, submit written reports of its findings to the Governor and Legislature, and publish each report on its website.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to operate a telephone call center within the state to help residents navigate its website and complete online transactions. The call center must be staffed during weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and offer services in both English and Spanish. The commission may also provide online tutorials and recorded messages to reduce the need for live staff. Additionally, the agency must publish quarterly reports on call center performance, including wait times and call volumes, on its website.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Cybersecurity Task Force to evaluate and recommend strategies for addressing cybersecurity threats facing residents and businesses in the state. The task force will consist of 11 members, including state officials such as the Attorney General and legislative leaders, along with five public members appointed by the Governor from various professional and community organizations. The group will focus on identifying vulnerabilities, preventing cyber breaches, and developing recovery procedures, and must submit its findings to the Governor and Legislature within one year before the task force expires.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals who believe they are victims of identity theft to petition a New Jersey court for a formal judicial determination of factual innocence when crimes are committed using their identity. The process permits courts to review evidence such as affidavits and police reports to decide if the victim did not commit the offense, with the option to expedite the hearing. If the court finds the victim factually innocent, it can issue an order to delete, seal, or label the victim's personal information in public court records to prevent future misuse. Additionally, the bill requires the Administrative Office of the Courts to create a database of identity theft victims with factual innocence determinations, accessible to criminal justice agencies and authorized representatives, and establish a toll-free number for victim access.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to create guidelines specifying minimum percentages of recycled material that should be included in goods purchased by state and local government agencies. The guidelines, which may reference federal EPA standards, must be published online and used in new procurement contracts to the extent practical and feasible. The legislation exempts existing contracts and certain local purchases where following the guidelines would cause unreasonable cost increases or project delays.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public water systems in New Jersey to notify both local officials and customers when boil water notices are issued or lifted due to drinking water quality issues. Water providers must inform affected municipalities within one hour of learning about an emergency and notify customers within 24 hours using both phone and email, while also posting notices on their websites and social media. The legislation also mandates that water bills include a request for customers to specify their preferred contact method for future emergency notifications. These changes aim to improve communication speed and clarity during water quality emergencies, directly impacting public water system operators, municipal officials, and water customers across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public water system operators in New Jersey to pay for drinking water testing at residential properties when contamination levels exceed federal or state standards. The reimbursement is triggered only when a municipal request is made and the testing is conducted by a laboratory certified by the Department of Environmental Protection. Additionally, the bill prohibits water utilities from passing these testing costs on to their regular ratepayers. The Department of Environmental Protection will be tasked with creating rules to implement these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Community Power Storage Program in New Jersey, allowing electricity customers to join remote energy storage projects within their utility service area and receive bill credits equal to the power those projects discharge. The Board of Public Utilities must develop rules within 210 days to set project limits of up to five megawatts each, aim for 2,000 megawatts of total capacity by 2034, prioritize urban and industrial sites, and ensure access for low- and moderate-income residents. Electric utilities participating in the program will be allowed to recover implementation costs, while the board must publish project information online and submit annual reports on the program's performance to the Governor and Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Office of Sustainability within the New Jersey Department of the Treasury to oversee environmental sustainability measures for all state buildings. The office, led by a director appointed by the Governor, will work to improve energy efficiency, conserve water, reduce carbon footprints, and adopt green building standards across state facilities. It also mandates regular energy audits every three years and coordinates the purchase of energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable products by state agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to create a rebate program that helps residents purchase microfiber washing machine filters, which are devices attached to washing machines to trap synthetic fibers before they enter the wastewater system. The program would provide one-time rebates of up to $100 or the cost of the filter, whichever is less, to residents who buy eligible filters and submit a completed application. The state has appropriated $2.5 million from the General Fund to support this initiative, and the DEP must report annually on the program's usage, costs, and effectiveness to the Governor and Legislature.