Sen. Linda Greenstein

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits homeowners' associations in New Jersey from banning solar panel installation on roofs of single-family homes (where the roof isn't common property) and townhouses (where the owner, not the association, is responsible for roof repairs). Associations may still set limited rules about installer qualifications, placement, color matching, and size - but cannot impose rules that increase installation costs by more than 10% or reduce panel efficiency. The law applies to standard homeowner associations, excluding developer-controlled communities. It clarifies existing protections for solar adoption while ensuring reasonable regulations don't create undue financial or functional barriers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that partnerships in existing school-to-apprenticeship programs consult and obtain approval from the U.S. Department of Labor before counting high school classroom hours as credit toward the classroom training portion of registered apprenticeships. It applies to both school-to-apprenticeship linkage programs and established apprenticeship programs under New Jersey law. The key mechanism is mandating federal approval for agreements that allow secondary school coursework to fulfill apprenticeship classroom requirements. This change does not alter existing apprenticeship structures but adds a procedural step for credit recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases accidental death benefits for firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, hazardous materials responders, and fire instructors who are members of New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). It raises the surviving spouse's pension from 50% to 70% of the member's final-year compensation (or $50,000, whichever is greater), and increases child benefits from 25% to 70% if no spouse survives. The bill also adds a lump-sum payment equal to 3.5 times the final-year compensation and requires the state to cover health insurance premiums for surviving spouses and children. Benefits are retroactive to January 1, 2021, with lump-sum adjustments for existing cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $10 million grant program within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to help municipalities fix outdated sanitary landfills that closed improperly before June 1, 1987. Municipalities owning such landfills can apply for grants to cover costs for infrastructure upgrades like methane gas vents, leachate monitoring systems, and proper capping to meet DEP closure standards. Applicants must prove their landfill was improperly closed and detail how upgrades will reduce pollution and health risks, with grants only covering costs not already funded by federal sources. The DEP must prioritize projects with the greatest environmental benefits, and applications require specific project plans and cost breakdowns.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey State employees with access to agency computers - including legislators - to complete annual cybersecurity training focused on practical safety measures. The training, developed by the state's Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC), covers essential topics like updating passwords, identifying phishing scams, preventing ransomware attacks, and responding to data breaches. It applies to every department, board, or commission within the Executive and Legislative Branches of state government. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summarySJR 89 designates October 27th of each year as "Tree of Life Remembrance Day" in New Jersey. The resolution requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and residents to observe the day with appropriate activities honoring the victims of the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, which killed 11 people. This commemorative resolution affects all New Jersey residents and state officials through its annual observance requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey health insurance companies to offer electronic fund transfers (EFT) as a standard option for reimbursing covered persons (policyholders) for medical expenses. It mandates that insurers must notify policyholders about any fees for using EFT and provide clear instructions on their website for selecting this payment method. Insurers who fail to comply may face fines from the Department of Banking and Insurance and must reimburse policyholders for any fees they incurred due to non-compliance. The law applies to all standard health insurance plans (excluding Medicare, Medicaid, workers' compensation, and similar coverage) for claims submitted after the effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) program offering low-interest loans to eligible small businesses. It covers 100% of costs for energy audits (conducted by licensed contractors) and installing energy efficiency or conservation equipment at their buildings. Loans are capped at 10 years with interest rates not exceeding 3% or half the prime rate, and are available to independently owned businesses operating primarily in New Jersey. The program directly affects small businesses seeking to reduce energy use through certified improvements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes clear rules for audits of pharmacies conducted by entities like insurance companies or pharmacy benefit managers. It requires 14 days' notice before an audit, limits audits to 100 prescriptions per audit (and 200 annually), and prohibits recouping costs for simple clerical errors like typos or data entry mistakes. Pharmacies must be given 60 days to address discrepancies found in audits, and audits cannot occur during the first week of any month without consent. The law ensures audits are conducted fairly, with pharmacist oversight for clinical issues, and bans duplicate audits by the same entity within six months.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 3560) increases tax credits for corporations conducting research in targeted industries like clean energy, life sciences, and high-tech sectors. It raises the research credit rate from 10% to 15% for businesses in these industries and boosts the basic research payment credit to 15%. Crucially, it makes the research tax credit refundable - meaning corporations can receive cash payments if credits exceed their tax liability, rather than only reducing taxes owed. The bill directly affects New Jersey-based corporations engaged in qualifying research activities, with "targeted industries" defined by the state's Economic Development Authority.