Sen. Shirley Turner

Maddy summarySenate Bill S 2788 appropriates $128.241 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues to the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) for farmland preservation. The funds will pay for permanent land protections on farmland through development easements or fee simple purchases, with grants available to counties (covering up to 80% of costs), municipalities, and qualifying nonprofits (covering up to 50% of costs). Additional funds cover administrative expenses, including staff salaries, appraisals, survey costs, and legal enforcement of preservation agreements. This bill implements existing farmland preservation programs under the Preserve New Jersey Act and related legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) to issue project financing tax credits to support housing development. It specifically targets developers of qualified housing projects that have received a 4% federal low income housing tax credit (LIHTC) but still face a financing gap for their projects. The HMFA can award tax credits to cover this gap, up to the amount that would make the project equivalent to a 9% LIHTC. Additionally, the bill requires the reallocation of uncommitted tax credits from the Community-Anchored Development Program to the HMFA to support these housing initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1558) upgrades the penalty for transporting firearms into New Jersey for unlawful sale or transfer from a second-degree crime to a first-degree crime. It directly affects individuals who knowingly bring firearms into the state with intent to unlawfully sell, transfer, or dispose of them. The key change is raising the severity level of this specific offense under New Jersey law, which typically results in longer potential prison sentences. The bill does not create new prohibitions but increases penalties for existing violations related to firearm trafficking.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires payment card networks (like Visa or Mastercard) to make available a specific merchant category code for firearm and ammunition businesses by July 2026. It then mandates that payment processors (merchant acquirers) assign this code to firearms merchants - defined as New Jersey retail dealers where most sales come from firearms, accessories, or ammo - starting May 2027. The Attorney General enforces compliance, with violations carrying a $10,000 penalty per incident, though processors get 30 days to fix issues before penalties apply. The law aims to standardize transaction tracking for firearm-related purchases without restricting sales.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes standardized food date labels in New Jersey: "BEST if Used By" for quality (food may lose quality but remains safe) and "USE By" for safety (food may become unsafe after this date). It prohibits confusing "sell-by" dates meant for retailers and requires manufacturers to use the new standardized labels. Retailers must stop selling food after its "USE By" date but aren't liable for labeling errors. The Commissioner of Health must create a public education program explaining these labels to help consumers distinguish between quality and safety dates, reducing food waste from misinterpreted labels.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to specifically determine and consider the *lowest reasonable return on equity* (ROE) when reviewing requests for rate increases from electric, gas, and water utilities. It directly affects utility companies seeking rate adjustments and their customers, as the BPU must now evaluate whether the proposed ROE is the lowest reasonable amount, not just any reasonable amount. Key provisions mandate the BPU to develop an analytic model reflecting state, federal, and industry standards to calculate this lowest ROE. The change applies to all base rate cases filed with the BPU on or after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how constitutionally dedicated Corporation Business Tax (CBT) revenues are allocated for fiscal year 2026 and beyond. It directs 5% of these revenues annually to a new Preserve New Jersey Urban Agriculture and Horticulture Fund, with an initial $25 million deposit upon enactment. The bill authorizes the Garden State Preservation Trust and local governments to acquire urban land for agricultural or horticultural purposes through purchase or development easements. It also establishes a grant program to support stewardship activities like soil health improvements on land acquired for these purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to study how data centers impact electricity rates for consumers. The study will examine whether non-data center customers unfairly subsidize data centers, if new infrastructure for data centers causes unreasonable rate increases, and project the future cost burden on residential electricity rates over the next 20 years. The BPU must complete the study within one year and submit a report with findings and policy recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 15 months. The bill does not change current rates or policies but mandates this review to inform future decisions about electricity cost allocation.

Maddy summaryS 3429 expands New Jersey's child care assistance program to include full-time graduate and post-graduate students with children. It directly affects students enrolled in higher education programs who meet existing income, asset, and residency requirements. The bill amends eligibility rules to add these students to the program's qualifying categories, without changing other existing criteria. The legislation also requires the Department of Human Services to seek federal funding for these expanded services and update related regulations.

Maddy summaryS 4143 requires new artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities in New Jersey to submit an energy usage plan to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) before connecting to the grid. The plan must detail how the facility will use 100% new clean energy (like solar/wind or nuclear power) for all electricity, minimize cooling energy, optimize water use, and reuse waste heat. This requirement only applies once the BPU confirms a majority of states in the PJM grid region (which includes New Jersey) have similar rules. The bill directly affects developers seeking local approval for these facilities by mandating clean energy compliance before construction begins.