Sen. Linda Greenstein

Maddy summaryS 1243 establishes the New Jersey Alzheimer's Disease Master Plan Study Commission within the Department of Human Services. The 15-member commission includes state agency representatives, bipartisan legislators, and community stakeholders like healthcare providers, caregivers, and legal experts. It must develop a two-year master plan addressing Alzheimer's and related dementias, focusing on public education, healthcare improvements, family caregiver support, community-based care options, abuse prevention, and poverty reduction. The plan will be submitted to the Governor and Legislature within two years, after which the commission expires.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's property tax deduction program for seniors and disabled residents. It increases the annual income limit for eligibility from $10,000 to $20,000 for 2023, and adjusts this limit each year thereafter based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for cost-of-living, rounded to the nearest $100. The deduction amount itself remains fixed at $250 annually. This change directly affects New Jersey residents aged 65+ or permanently disabled with income under the new threshold who own or reside in qualifying property.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the existing Air Pollution Control Act and Global Warming Response Act. It directly affects large industrial facilities (defined as "major facilities" emitting over specific thresholds like 100 tons/year of carbon monoxide or 10 tons/year of hazardous pollutants) by requiring them to report emissions annually and pay emission fees. Key provisions include setting statewide emission limits based on the 2007 Global Warming Response Act, mandating annual emission statements, and defining "greenhouse gas" consistently with prior law. The bill creates a framework for tracking and fees but does not establish new emission targets or penalties beyond existing regulatory mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill would change how New Jersey voters cast ballots for president by implementing ranked-choice voting in both presidential primaries and the general election for presidential electors. Voters would rank candidates in order of preference (e.g., 1st, 2nd, 3rd), and ballots would be counted in rounds: if no candidate reaches 50%+1 votes in the first count, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their ballots are redistributed to the next ranked choice until one candidate achieves the threshold. The bill requires ballots to allow ranking at least six candidates and directs the Secretary of State to create implementation guidelines. It would take effect immediately but remain inactive until voting machines are certified to support the new system, likely requiring a 12-month delay after certification.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public water systems in New Jersey to notify customers within 30 days if PFAS levels exceed state limits, including specific details about health effects and directing them to a new DEP educational program. Landlords must distribute these notices to tenants within 3 business days of receiving them from water systems, and post them prominently in rental properties. The notice must cover vulnerable groups like schools, hospitals, and facilities serving children, and include updates on contamination mitigation efforts. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) must create an online educational program about PFAS health risks and water safety. These requirements apply until PFAS levels return to acceptable limits.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 2643) amends charter school laws to clarify enrollment rules, student placements, and reporting requirements. It requires charter schools to admit all students without discrimination (except for grade-level or program-specific limits), prioritize local students with random selection for oversubscribed seats, and establish procedures for non-resident enrollment. The bill also mandates charter schools to appoint student placement liaisons who track student transitions, conduct exit interviews for non-graduating students, and report exit data (like reasons for leaving) in annual reports. The bill was withdrawn after becoming law as P.L.2025, c.276.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to study whether microgrids and small-scale power systems (like rooftop solar) can reduce the duration of extended power outages. The BPU must compare New Jersey's grid performance to other states, assess real-world microgrid impacts during outages, consult with utilities and experts, and evaluate costs for ratepayers and the state. The study requires the BPU to submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within nine months. It does not change existing laws or fund new projects - it solely mandates a data-gathering study to inform future energy resilience decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands retirement coverage under New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) by adding specific Department of Law and Public Safety (DLPS) employees to the "Prosecutors Part" of PERS. It directly affects directors, assistant directors, deputy directors, assistant attorneys general, and deputy attorneys general in the Divisions of Law and Alcoholic Beverage Control within DLPS - roles currently excluded from this retirement system. The amendment updates the legal definition of "prosecutor" to include these positions, ensuring they receive the same retirement benefits as existing prosecutor roles. This change aligns their retirement membership with current law for other DLPS employees in the Division of Criminal Justice.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 459 prohibits installing, planting, or placing nonfunctional turf (like decorative grass requiring frequent mowing) or invasive plant species (such as Japanese barberry or English ivy) on commercial, institutional, industrial, or government-owned properties during new construction or major redevelopment projects requiring landscaping permits. The law applies to properties including streets, parking lots, and public spaces but excludes residential areas and functional turf used for recreation (e.g., sports fields, parks, or water-quality treatment areas). It takes effect January 1, 2026, allowing maintenance of existing installations before that date and permitting municipalities to adopt stricter rules. The bill defines "invasive species" and requires annual updates to a statewide list of regulated plants.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1383) requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to prioritize funding for two types of projects: 1) land acquisition for recreation and conservation, and 2) environmental infrastructure projects that include flood mitigation. It directs the DEP to use specific criteria - such as protecting floodplains, wetlands, and flood-prone areas - to rank projects for funding under existing Green Acres programs. The bill amends current law to ensure projects addressing flood risk receive priority when allocating constitutionally dedicated funds. This affects local governments and nonprofits applying for DEP grants to acquire or develop land for public recreation or conservation uses.