Sen. Linda Greenstein

Maddy summaryS 2630 creates a $1.5 million grant program administered by New Jersey's Division of Local Government Services to help municipalities and counties improve operational efficiency. Local governments can apply for grants up to $150,000 (for counties) or $100,000 (for municipalities), with the recipient required to contribute 25% of the grant amount. The program funds efficiency reviews conducted by licensed consultants, focusing on shared services, cost savings, and service delivery improvements. Recipients must submit detailed reports on fund use, achieved savings, and operational changes within one year, with results compiled into public reports for the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Rate Counsel to evaluate environmental impacts when representing the public interest in utility rate or service decisions. It mandates consideration of climate effects, including the social cost of carbon, how proposals affect the state's de-carbonization goals, and whether they worsen environmental health burdens in overburdened communities. The Division must prioritize cases with the greatest potential impact on climate, carbon goals, or environmental stressors. This change applies to all utility rate proceedings where the Division advocates for the public interest. The bill directly affects how utility rate decisions are reviewed by the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1674) prohibits public libraries in New Jersey from entering contracts with publishers or distributors that include specific restrictive terms for digital books and audiobooks. It blocks provisions that would limit libraries’ ability to: loan materials to patrons, set loan periods, make preservation copies, use digital security tools, or share contract terms with other libraries or the state. Violations are treated as consumer fraud under New Jersey law, and contracts containing banned terms are unenforceable. The law applies only to new contracts signed after its effective date, leaving existing agreements unaffected.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1755) expands eligibility for New Jersey's small employer health benefits plans to include volunteer firefighters and emergency responders. It amends the definition of "eligible employee" to specifically cover members of volunteer fire companies, first aid squads, or emergency/rescue teams serving their municipality under state law (N.J.S.40A:10-26 through N.J.S.40A:10-32). This change allows these volunteers - previously excluded - to enroll in their municipality's small employer health plan, which typically covers full-time municipal employees working 25+ hours weekly. The bill does not alter plan benefits or costs; it only adjusts who qualifies as an eligible participant under existing statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Statewide Suicide Prevention Coordination and Oversight Council within the Department of Human Services. The council will collect and analyze non-personal data on suicide attempts and completions from all suicide prevention organizations across the state, including details like age, gender, race, method, and mental health history. It will develop standardized reporting requirements for these organizations and provide guidance on best practices for suicide prevention materials and programs. The council will include state agency representatives and appointed members with mental health expertise, including survivors of suicide, to coordinate statewide efforts and improve data-driven prevention strategies.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a tax credit against New Jersey's corporation business tax for businesses that retrofit existing warehouses (100,000+ square feet used for storage) with a designated solar-ready zone and install solar panels. The credit covers up to 50% of retrofit costs or $250,000 per warehouse, with a maximum $25 million total for all taxpayers. To qualify, businesses must prove solar panels are installed after retrofitting and meet specific roof-area requirements for the solar-ready zone. The credit applies to up to eight warehouses owned by the same business in one tax period.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts where new crematories can be built in New Jersey. It prohibits construction within 1,000 feet of public or private schools, residential zones, or parks/playgrounds, recreation areas, beaches, or similar properties. The New Jersey Cemetery Board cannot approve new crematory construction meeting these proximity criteria after January 1, 2025. The law takes effect immediately but applies retroactively to January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryS 1275 requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey (including hospital, medical, and health service corporation plans) to cover diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations without cost-sharing. Diagnostic exams evaluate abnormalities found in screenings or detected otherwise, while supplemental exams screen high-risk patients (e.g., those with dense breasts or family history) when no abnormality exists. The bill mandates coverage "to the same extent as for any other sickness" under insurance contracts, eliminating deductibles, copays, or coinsurance for these specific exams. This directly affects New Jersey residents with health insurance who require these medically necessary breast screenings.

Maddy summaryS 1248 requires New Jersey municipalities providing water services through water districts or municipal utilities to give property owners written terms and conditions about their service. These documents must clearly explain the property owner's financial responsibility for water payments and who is responsible for maintaining or repairing service lines connecting to their property. Municipalities must post these terms online and mail them annually with the first billing statement, and again within 45 days if property ownership changes. The bill aims to increase transparency, addressing situations where owners unexpectedly face costs for repairs to pipes linking their property to municipal water systems. It applies to all properties served by municipal water systems under New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts privately owned buildings and land from property tax when leased to New Jersey's state, county, or municipal governments (including schools and agencies) for qualifying public purposes. It directly affects private property owners who lease space to public entities, removing their property tax obligation during the lease term. Key provisions define "public purposes" to include government operations, stadiums, historical exhibits, school leases to nonprofits, and municipal property acquired through tax foreclosure (if not used privately). The exemption applies only while the property is used for these public purposes under the lease agreement. The bill amends existing tax law to clarify this exemption, effective immediately upon enactment.