Sen. Linda Greenstein

Maddy summaryThis bill delays the implementation of fire sprinkler system requirements for new townhouses in New Jersey. It extends the deadline from 7 months to 25 months after the original law's enactment (P.L.2023, c.265) for local building departments to require sprinklers in new townhouse construction permits. It also exempts developments with existing approvals (like zoning board resolutions, building permits, or housing agreements) submitted before the 25-month mark. The bill further extends the deadline for the state to adopt building code rules for sprinkler systems from 5 to 13 months. These changes apply specifically to new townhouse developments subject to the state's one- and two-family dwelling building code.

Maddy summaryS 212 requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to establish updated safety and power quality rules for connecting Class I renewable energy systems (like solar, wind, and small-scale hydro) to the electric grid within 18 months. It also mandates a fixed, one-time "grid modernization fee" paid by renewable energy project owners, based on project size (capped at $50 per kilowatt for small residential systems under 10 kW), to cover interconnection costs like grid upgrades. The bill affects renewable energy developers and electric utilities, which can recover excess costs through rate adjustments. The BPU must report on implementation impacts within a year, including effects on New Jersey's clean energy goals.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey municipalities to assess impact fees on developers of new construction to fund necessary capital improvements like infrastructure, schools, parks, and public safety facilities. Municipalities must have a capital improvement program and master plan in place before implementing these fees, which must be proportional to the development's share of the costs. The bill establishes a commission to review and certify fee ordinances, exempts low and moderate income housing from fees, and requires 50% of fees to be paid before construction begins and the remainder before occupancy. It also limits how long municipalities can hold unspent fees (eight years after final payment, unless construction has begun).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires landlords of public housing for seniors (subsidized housing for residents 55+ years old) to remove late fees for tenants who are hospitalized. Specifically, landlords must waive late charges during a tenant's hospitalization and for five business days after discharge, provided the tenant submits written proof of hospitalization. Tenants remain responsible for rent due before lease termination, and the grace period ends if they are immediately admitted to another health care facility. Violations carry fines up to $500, enforced by the Attorney General.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all new voting machines purchased or leased for use in New Jersey elections to produce a permanent paper record for every vote cast. Voters must be able to verify their paper record at the time of voting, and these records become the official tally in any election recount. The requirement applies to machines acquired after the bill's effective date, though it may be temporarily suspended if sufficient federal or state funds aren't secured for implementation. Existing machines in use before the bill's effective date are exempt from the new requirement.

Maddy summaryS 2358 requires investor-owned electric utilities in New Jersey to submit an annual emergency response plan to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) by May 15 each year. The plan must detail procedures for restoring power during widespread outages, including customer communication, medical needs coordination, employee safety protocols, and resource deployment. Utilities that fail to file the plan or meet BPU-established standards face fines of up to $10,000 per day per violation (capped at $1 million for related incidents). Collected fines fund grants for municipalities to maintain infrastructure near power lines - like tree trimming - to prevent future outages.

Maddy summaryS 2364 establishes a 11-member Commission on Career and Technical Education to study program availability, equity, and expansion opportunities across New Jersey counties. The commission, including education officials, vocational school leaders, teachers, and business representatives, must evaluate access to high-quality career programs and issue a report within one year. The bill requires school principals to promote CTE programs through annual announcements to students and parents, and gives preference to charter and choice districts offering non-duplicative CTE programs. It also grants county vocational districts the right of first refusal to lease or purchase closed public school facilities in their county.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes an existing exception allowing smoking in casinos and simulcasting facilities under New Jersey's smoke-free law. It eliminates the specific exemption that previously permitted smoking in casinos with at least 150 slot machines or 10 table games, and in simulcasting facilities with dedicated seating for 50+ patrons. As a result, smoking will now be banned in these venues, aligning them with the general smoking restrictions in public places. The change directly affects all New Jersey casinos and simulcasting facilities operating under the state's regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a permanent "Drinking Water Emergency Response Fund" within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and appropriates $6.85 million for FY 2024. The fund will provide emergency response funding for unexpected drinking water contamination incidents (like chemical spills, harmful algal blooms, or other releases) to both the DEP and municipal water systems. It also allocates $1 million directly to the new fund, plus $5.85 million to specific DEP divisions (including Water Supply, Land Use Regulation, Forest Management, and Park Services) to hire new staff. The funding is intended to strengthen the state's capacity to address immediate drinking water threats.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1470 establishes that public safety workers (firefighters, police, EMTs) who responded to the September 11, 2001 attacks and participate in the federal World Trade Center Health Program are deemed eligible for state workers' compensation benefits for related illnesses or injuries. The bill creates a presumption of compensability regardless of when a claim is filed, provided the worker is enrolled in the federal health program. Workers must file claims within two years of the bill's effective date or when they knew of a disability linked to 9/11 exposure, and prior benefits from federal or other state programs reduce new awards. Employers and government entities must notify affected workers and their families within three months of the bill's enactment about this eligibility.