Maddy summaryS 3816 (Sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal) gives New Jersey election boards the authority to make the first decision on whether unusual ballot markings - like marks outside voting boxes or unclear votes - were intended as valid votes or accidental errors. It amends election laws (R.S.19:16-3 and R.S.19:16-4) to require boards to use their discretion when assessing if marks next to candidate names or on blank spaces reflect voter intent, rather than automatically rejecting such ballots. This directly affects voters whose ballots have ambiguous markings and election boards responsible for initial ballot counting. The bill shifts the initial validity determination from judges (who currently review disputes) to election boards, streamlining the process without changing voter requirements.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new requirements for school counselors in New Jersey public schools, charter schools, and renaissance school projects. It defines school counselors as those holding a specific state certification and mandates their duties, including supporting students' academic, career, social, and emotional needs through individual planning, classroom lessons, and referrals. The bill requires all school counselors to complete mandated professional development in areas like mental health awareness, suicide prevention, cultural competency, and trauma-informed practices. It also creates a new State School Counselor Liaison position within the Department of Education to coordinate best practices, support professional development, and report annually to the Governor and Legislature.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3486) regulates satellite locations for medical cannabis dispensaries in New Jersey. It limits existing dispensaries to a maximum of two satellite locations (with specific exceptions for three alternative treatment centers, which can maintain one satellite). The bill also restricts new permit holders from owning multiple types of cannabis licenses during an 18-month transition period and caps total cultivator permits at 28 (excluding microbusinesses). It directly affects current and future medical cannabis businesses seeking to expand through satellite locations or hold multiple licenses. The bill does not address Cannabis Regulatory Commission membership or post-employment restrictions, as referenced in its title but not detailed in the provided text.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey electric utilities to submit annual reports by February 1st detailing every recorded vote they cast (or their affiliates cast) at PJM Interconnection meetings during the previous year. The reports must list each vote, describe meeting context (purpose, agenda, utility’s role), and explain how each vote supports state goals for affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity. The Board of Public Utilities (BPU) will compile these reports into an annual summary for the Governor and Legislature. This applies to all electric utilities operating in New Jersey and aims to increase transparency around how ratepayer-funded decisions are made in PJM forums.
Maddy summarySCR 131 is a concurrent resolution approving the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank's Fiscal Year 2026 Financial Plan. The bill does not create new policy but formally endorses the bank’s submitted plan for financing eligible environmental projects, including clean water, drinking water, stormwater management, and pollution control initiatives. This approval is required by state law annually to authorize the bank to fund projects on the approved list developed by the Environmental Protection Department. The resolution affects the Infrastructure Bank directly, enabling it to proceed with its planned financing for public infrastructure projects.
Maddy summaryS 4388 authorizes the Capital City Redevelopment Corporation (CCRC) to issue grants for projects in the Capital City District, expanding its financial tools beyond loans. The bill removes a requirement that 65% of funds must be recovered through repayment, allowing the CCRC to set more flexible terms for project financing. This change directly affects the CCRC's ability to fund redevelopment projects without the previous repayment mandate, aiming to improve program attractiveness for local businesses and organizations.
Maddy summaryS 4071 redirects $400 million in tax credits from the Community-Anchored Development Program and Cultural Arts Incentives Program to the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA). The bill requires HMFA to conduct competitive tax credit auctions to sell these credits, with annual limits of $75 million and a minimum sale price of 85% of the credit value. Proceeds from these auctions must fund middle-income workforce housing developments, defined as housing for households earning 80-120% of the local median income, located near public transportation or job opportunities. This housing must be deed-restricted for these income-eligible households.
Maddy summaryS 4146 requires New Jersey driver education programs, the driver's manual, and written knowledge examinations to include specific information about drivers' responsibilities when approaching and passing pedestrians, cyclists, and people using personal conveyances. The bill mandates that this information cover safe passing practices, recognizing bicycle lanes, navigating intersections safely, and the penalties for failing to comply with these responsibilities. This affects all new drivers in New Jersey, including those under 18 who are learning to drive, as well as driver education instructors and the Motor Vehicle Commission. The bill does not change existing traffic laws but requires this content to be included in all driver education materials. The goal is to improve road safety by ensuring new drivers understand their obligations toward vulnerable road users.
Maddy summaryS 4255 modifies New Jersey's Cultural Arts Incentives Program by expanding eligibility to include entities with any cultural arts component in their mission, allowing limited pre-application construction for environmental work and repairs, and changing the application process to a rolling basis. The bill eliminates the Community-Anchored Development Program (established in P.L.2020, c.156, sections 43-53) and removes a provision allowing tax credits for operating reserves. It also revises tax credit certificate usage rules, permitting transferees to use credits in the tax period issued or the next three years, with unused credits expiring after five years. These changes affect cultural arts institutions seeking tax credits and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority administering the program.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases tax rates on three forms of online wagering in New Jersey: from 15% to 19.75% for Internet gaming, from 13% to 19.75% for Internet sports wagering, and from 10.5% to 19.75% for fantasy sports operations. The tax revenue will be directed to the Casino Revenue Fund, State General Fund, and specific associations supporting horse racing and gambling prevention programs. The bill also establishes that 0.75% of funds from racetrack operations will go to the municipality and 0.5% to the county where racetracks are located. These tax changes apply to operators providing these services and take effect July 1, 2025.