Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Textbook Access Act," requires textbook publishers to disclose pricing and availability information to faculty or departments at New Jersey's public colleges and universities (like Rutgers, NJIT, and Rowan) when they select course materials. Publishers must reveal the price for college bookstores and indicate when unbundled textbook options (without extra materials like CD-ROMs) are available in the same edition. It also mandates that institutions establish policies encouraging timely ordering to check for used books or digital alternatives, and requires publishers to provide substitute product pricing if the requested textbook is unavailable. The goal is to increase transparency in textbook purchasing to help students save money on required course materials.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill changes who pays for a State monitor appointed under New Jersey's School District Fiscal Accountability Act. Currently, school districts cover the salary and costs of these monitors, but S 3240 directs the State to pay all associated expenses instead. The monitor is appointed when a district faces specific financial issues like audit failures, deficits, or repeated financial mismanagement. This shift in funding responsibility directly affects school districts that require state oversight of their fiscal operations and staffing decisions.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey municipalities to charge development impact fees on new construction projects to fund infrastructure improvements. It requires these fees to follow state-established guidelines and directs the funds toward upgrading roads, water systems, sewer facilities, and school infrastructure strained by new development. Developers of new projects will pay these fees, while municipalities will use the revenue to address specific infrastructure needs identified by the state. The bill also includes a funding appropriation to support this fee program.
Maddy summaryThis bill regulates how large investment firms (defined as "institutional investors") can buy, own, or lease single-family homes in New Jersey. It requires these investors to register with the state's Community Affairs Commissioner and restricts them from purchasing homes that are actively listed for sale on public real estate databases. The bill explicitly excludes nonprofits focused on affordable housing, family trusts, and family-owned limited liability companies from these regulations. It also includes provisions to support existing homebuyer assistance programs, aiming to increase housing options for low- and moderate-income residents.
Maddy summarySenate Bill S 3241 (Turner) requires voter approval at the annual school election for Type II districts or board of school estimate approval for Type I districts before a charter school can be established. This bill directly affects school districts seeking to create new charter schools by adding a mandatory community approval step to the existing application process. The key provision amends New Jersey law to prevent the Commissioner of Education from approving charter school applications without this local approval. The policy change ensures that community input, through either a school election or board vote, must be obtained prior to charter school establishment.
Maddy summaryS 3238 requires Type I school districts and charter schools in New Jersey to establish citizen budget oversight committees. These committees, composed of at least five members (including parents, educators, and taxpayers with at least two having financial expertise), must review monthly financial data, monitor budgets, and report to the governing board. Committees will have access to non-confidential financial documents, can recommend changes to tax levies or special initiatives, and must complete a two-hour training program on school budgeting. The bill aims to increase transparency in school financial management by involving community members in oversight.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "Opioid Prevention and Rehabilitation Program Fund" to support treatment services for people with substance use disorders. It imposes a 1-cent tax per milligram of active opioid ingredient on pharmaceutical distributors at the first wholesale sale in New Jersey. The collected tax funds will be used annually by the Department of Human Services to provide treatment for uninsured, underinsured, or Medicaid-enrolled individuals. The tax applies to opioid drugs distributed by licensed wholesale distributors, with definitions aligning with existing pharmaceutical distribution laws.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases the percentage of cigarette and tobacco tax revenues dedicated to anti-smoking programs in New Jersey from 1% to 3%. It directs these funds - projected to rise from approximately $5 million to $15 million annually - to the Department of Health for evidence-based tobacco control programs. These programs must align with CDC best practices and focus on preventing youth smoking, reducing secondhand smoke exposure, and promoting cessation, with priority given to Medicaid populations and youth initiatives. The change applies to revenues collected under the Cigarette Tax Act and Tobacco Products Tax Act, effective for fiscal years beginning July 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public schools and child care centers to test drinking water for lead at every accessible outlet (like sinks and fountains) every two years. If lead levels exceed 5 parts per billion, schools must install NSF/ANSI-certified filters to reduce lead and notify parents, staff, and the state within 24 hours. The law mandates specific testing procedures, including 8-48 hour water stagnation periods and public posting of results. It directly affects over 1,500 school facilities statewide by establishing a regular testing and remediation process for drinking water safety.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3232) amends New Jersey law by upgrading the crime of transporting firearms into the state for unlawful sale or transfer from a second-degree to a first-degree offense under N.J.S.2C:39-9(i). It directly affects individuals who knowingly bring firearms into New Jersey with the intent to illegally sell, transfer, or dispose of them. The key change increases the severity of punishment for this specific act, moving it from a second-degree crime (currently punishable by 5-10 years in prison) to a first-degree crime (10-20 years). This amendment targets the transportation phase of illegal firearm sales, not manufacturing or other firearm-related offenses.