Sen. Linda Greenstein

Maddy summaryThis bill requires companies and research facilities in New Jersey that use cats, dogs, or ferrets for product testing or research to assess these animals for adoption suitability after testing ends. If deemed suitable, they must offer the animals to animal rescue organizations or private individuals for adoption, following specific procedures. Facilities must report details like animal numbers, assessment results, and adoption outcomes to the Department of Health, with penalties of up to $50,000 for noncompliance. The law directly affects testing facilities, research institutions, and animal rescue organizations, aiming to provide a pathway for animals used in testing to find new homes.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1038) targets short-term home flippers who buy a single-family home, renovate it, and resell it within one year of receiving a certificate of occupancy. It requires these "short-term resellers" to hold 5% of the sale price (or $10,000, whichever is greater) in escrow for four months after sale. This money must cover repairs if renovations violated state building codes, and resellers must provide a truthful property condition disclosure statement to buyers before closing. The bill also mandates that resellers attest they lived in the home during renovations to prevent fraud.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to study and develop rules that would enable more rooftop solar, small wind, and other distributed energy sources to connect to the electrical grid. The study must evaluate specific solutions, including allowing electricity to flow between local and main grid systems, requiring solar inverters and energy storage to help maintain grid stability, and enabling solar systems to adjust output based on weather forecasts. Within one year, the BPU must submit a report with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature, then adopt rules through a pilot program before potential statewide implementation. The bill focuses on creating a process for expanding grid access for clean energy sources without mandating immediate changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all correctional police officers in New Jersey state facilities to wear body cameras that record both audio and video during their duties, with limited exceptions (like restroom use or medical appointments). It mandates that recordings be retained for at least 180 days, extending to three years for incidents involving complaints, disciplinary actions, criminal investigations, or requests from officers, inmates, or victims. The law also specifies that cameras must remain active during violent incidents, use of force, or riots. It directly affects correctional officers, inmates, and visitors by creating a permanent record of interactions within state correctional facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric power suppliers to offer net metering to authorized food waste recycling facilities for electricity they generate using renewable energy. It specifies that facilities receiving excess credits beyond their own usage must be compensated for remaining credits or allowed to continue crediting at a set rate ($0.03/kWh above residential tariff). Facilities can also choose to sell excess power directly to nearby customers within the same utility service area or enter bilateral agreements. The bill directly affects existing food waste recycling centers (defined as Class C facilities authorized under state law) that generate renewable energy on-site.

Maddy summaryS 672 establishes New Jersey's official definition of anti-Semitism by adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) 2016 definition, including its "contemporary examples." It clarifies that criticism of Israel similar to criticism of other countries does not constitute anti-Semitism. The bill requires state agencies and institutions to use this definition when reviewing, investigating, or deciding violations of anti-discrimination policies or laws. It explicitly states the definition does not infringe on First Amendment rights or conflict with existing state, federal, or local anti-discrimination laws.

Maddy summaryS 904 establishes a 25-member "Commission on People with Disabilities" in New Jersey to address the needs of residents with disabilities. The commission includes 13 voting members (with requirements for disability representation) appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and Assembly Speaker, plus 12 non-voting ex-officio members from state agencies. Its core duties are to recommend policies and legislation, serve as a communication hub between government and disability communities, coordinate with state agencies on service delivery, and prevent employment discrimination against people with disabilities. The commission must submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 9, 2024, and referred to the Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1035 increases tax credits for businesses conducting research in the state. It raises the credit rate for qualified research expenses from 10% to 15% for corporations primarily operating in targeted industries like clean energy, life sciences, and advanced transportation. The bill also increases the basic research payments credit to 15% and makes the total credit refundable (allowing taxpayers to receive cash payments for unused credits). These changes apply only to research conducted within New Jersey and affect eligible corporations filing business tax returns.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires nonpublic schools and charter schools receiving state/federal funds to conduct criminal background checks every four years for employees with regular student contact, including bus drivers, aides, teachers, and security staff. It also prohibits tampering with school bus monitoring devices, making it a crime to disable or damage cameras or recording equipment. The law applies to positions involving direct student interaction and mandates schools to suspend or terminate staff if convicted of certain crimes. Background checks must verify no disqualifying criminal history, with bus drivers able to use license renewal checks as an alternative. The bill aims to enhance safety through regular screening and protection of monitoring systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to study the feasibility, costs, and marketability of implementing large-scale geothermal heat pump systems across the state. The study must assess installation challenges, compare geothermal energy to traditional heating sources (like natural gas), evaluate potential financial incentives, and consult with experts, other states, and utilities. The BPU must submit a report within one year with recommendations for a pilot program and potential legislative or policy actions. This study will inform whether geothermal systems could be a viable energy option for public and private buildings. The bill does not implement geothermal systems but sets the groundwork for future decisions.