Sen. Shirley Turner

Maddy summaryS 585, "The Voter Convenience Act," allows voters in New Jersey municipalities to cast ballots at any polling place within their town or city on election day, rather than being restricted to their assigned polling location. The bill requires county election officials to create uniform guidelines enabling this system, using existing electronic poll books to verify voter eligibility and provide the correct ballot for their district. It amends election statutes to update sample ballots with websites listing all available polling places in the municipality. This change directly affects all registered voters in New Jersey municipalities by increasing voting location flexibility on election day.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires social media companies to verify the age of all users and obtain explicit parental consent before minors under 18 can create accounts on platforms. To provide consent, parents must submit government-issued identification and credit card information, with a fee of up to 35 cents charged to the card. The law also prohibits direct messaging between adults and minors on social media platforms and mandates that accounts without proper verification be denied access within 14 days. These requirements apply to social media platforms with at least five million worldwide users that allow users to create profiles and share content.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution urges New Jersey's Attorney General to investigate whether price-fixing or other anticompetitive behavior contributed to a sharp rise in motor fuel prices in March 2026. The bill directly affects state residents and businesses by requesting an official inquiry into potential market manipulation that may have caused gasoline prices to increase by approximately 65 cents nationally and 58 cents in New Jersey within one month. The resolution requires the Attorney General to examine the sale of motor fuels for anticompetitive conduct and report findings to the Governor and Legislature at the earliest possible date. This measure focuses on ensuring transparency and accountability in the fuel market without determining whether price-fixing actually occurred.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to create and offer payment incentives to drivers who owe certain motor vehicle surcharges every three years. It specifically targets drivers who haven't paid surcharges for traffic violations (like accumulating penalty points) but excludes those with surcharges related to drunk driving convictions. The incentives may include waived down payments or interest on overdue amounts. The bill updates current law, which previously only required "periodic" offerings, to mandate a precise three-year cycle for these payment relief options.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners of homes or small apartments (in buildings with fewer than three units) to install fuel gas sensors or dual-function carbon monoxide/fuel gas detectors before selling, leasing, or allowing new occupancy. It applies to residential properties where a municipal certificate of occupancy or inspection is required, exempting units with no gas or carbon monoxide hazards. Owners must obtain a certificate from local fire safety officials confirming sensor installation or hazard exemption, following safety standards from Underwriters Laboratories and NFPA. Violations may result in a $100 fine, but the bill focuses on preventing gas-related incidents through mandatory sensor placement.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 13-member Task Force on Higher Education Governance and Funding to study New Jersey's higher education system, including its organizational structure, oversight mechanisms, and financial support. The task force will include representatives from state agencies, universities, colleges, and labor organizations, with appointments made within 60 days of the bill's effective date. The group is required to hold at least one public hearing, examine how current funding affects tuition and student outcomes, and submit data-driven recommendations to the Legislature on how to adequately and equitably fund public higher education institutions. The bill appropriates $200,000 to cover the task force's operational costs and member reimbursement for necessary expenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits most retail businesses in New Jersey from charging extra fees when customers pay with cash. It requires businesses to accept cash without adding "convenience fees" to the total price, directly affecting in-person retail transactions like grocery stores or clothing shops. Key exemptions include airports (with minimum cash-accepting vendors), municipal parking facilities, mobile-only payment parking, car rentals (if accepting cashier's checks), and large sports venues. The law aims to make cash payments equal in cost to other payment methods, with penalties for violations including civil fines up to $5,000.

Maddy summaryS 303 requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to sell mobile sport fishing permits - used for operating vehicles on beaches for fishing - in a 14-day initial window exclusively for New Jersey residents. This applies to all permit types (annual, 3-day, weekday, and daily) and directly affects anyone seeking these permits, excluding non-residents during that period. The DEP may create rules to verify residency, such as acceptable ID, under the Administrative Procedure Act. The law takes effect six months after enactment.

Maddy summaryS 680 requires new artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities in New Jersey to use electricity exclusively from new renewable energy sources or newly constructed nuclear power. Applicants must submit an energy usage plan to the Board of Public Utilities detailing how they will minimize energy use for cooling, optimize water sourcing, and improve building efficiency. The bill aims to prevent these facilities from increasing strain on the state's power grid and raising electricity costs for ratepayers. All electricity must be derived from new clean sources as measured hourly, with no net decrease in verifiable clean energy on the grid.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2980) requires nursing home owners to submit detailed financial and ownership information before transferring ownership or delegating management to third parties. It mandates disclosure of 100% ownership structures, organizational charts, and third-party service providers paying over $200,000 annually, along with resolution of outstanding Medicaid debts. The Department of Health must publicly post applications (with privacy redactions) and allow a 30-day public comment period. These changes aim to increase transparency for prospective buyers and the public while ensuring new owners meet financial and operational standards.