Sen. Andrew Zwicker

Maddy summaryS 650 requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a program promoting building electrification and decarbonization within one year of enactment. It directs electric utilities to develop multi-year plans meeting BPU-established greenhouse gas reduction targets, focusing on switching to efficient electric equipment like heat pumps for water/space heating, cooking, and industrial processes. Plans must be cost-effective from a societal perspective, considering environmental benefits, and include specific methods such as replacing gas systems with electric alternatives. This bill directly affects electric utilities across New Jersey and aims to reduce emissions while aligning with the state's energy master plan.

Maddy summaryS 2034 establishes a $250,000 grant program within New Jersey's Office of the Secretary of Higher Education to support public colleges and universities hosting scientific conferences. The program provides grants to cover venue costs, speaker fees, travel, and lodging for conferences held in New Jersey, but excludes food and unrelated vendor expenses. Institutions must submit applications detailing conference agendas, speaker credentials, and cost information to receive funding. This bill directly affects public higher education institutions seeking financial assistance for scientific events.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for accidental disability benefits under New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to cover certain state employees. It directly affects workers employed at State psychiatric institutions or correctional facilities after January 2003 but before becoming PERS members, who sustained injuries or illnesses during those jobs. The key provision deems such injuries as occurring "during membership" if the employee later joins PERS without interruption in the same employment. This allows them to apply for benefits based on those pre-membership work-related injuries, rather than requiring membership at the time of injury. The change specifically applies to traumatic injuries sustained while performing duties related to patient care or security at these facilities.

Maddy summaryS 2186 designates the hazelnut as New Jersey's official State nut, recognizing its growing economic significance. This symbolic bill directly affects New Jersey residents and the state's agricultural identity, highlighting Rutgers University's development of blight-resistant hazelnut varieties that enable commercial farming in the state for the first time. The bill references how Rutgers' 2020 release of disease-resistant varieties - named after NJ locations like Raritan and Somerset - allowed over 30 growers to plant more than 100 acres, making New Jersey the first East Coast state to cultivate this cash crop. The designation acknowledges hazelnuts' role in a multi-billion-dollar industry with increasing demand for products like nut butters and baked goods.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans surgical declawing (onychectomy) of cats and other animals unless a licensed veterinarian determines it is medically necessary for the animal's health, such as treating an infection or injury. It directly affects veterinarians who perform procedures, pet owners who seek declawing, and animal care facilities. Veterinarians must document medically necessary cases in writing, file a report with the Department of Health, and provide a copy to the pet owner. Violating the ban is a disorderly persons offense, while failure to document a necessary procedure could lead to disciplinary action against the veterinarian.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a law that allowed New Jersey municipalities to charge applicants up to $200 for a public defender application. It directly affects people seeking public defender services in local courts who might have faced this fee. The key provision removes municipal authority to impose such fees, eliminating a potential financial barrier. The sponsor states this aligns with the Sixth Amendment right to counsel by removing fee-related obstacles. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program in New Jersey public schools for project-based learning (PBL) in grades 9-12. It allows school districts with students in those grades to apply to participate by submitting course plans, student estimates, and other required details. The Education Commissioner will select up to six districts - two per geographic region with diverse urban, suburban, and rural representation - to implement PBL courses. After the pilot, the Commissioner must report to the Governor and Legislature on the program's implementation and whether it should continue or expand.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1218, the "Invasive Species Management Act," bans the sale, distribution, import, export, and propagation of 31 specific invasive plant species (like English ivy, Japanese barberry, and purple loosestrife) starting 13-49 months after enactment. It directly affects nurseries, gardeners, landscapers, and anyone selling or propagating these plants, requiring conditional use waivers for limited exceptions. The bill establishes the New Jersey Invasive Species Council to advise state agencies on management and mandates labeling for exempted cultivars (e.g., certain Japanese barberry varieties) with educational materials. Key provisions include phased implementation of bans and funding for state departments to control invasive species, aiming to protect ecosystems and natural resources from economic and environmental harm.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 572, the Caregiver's Assistance Act, provides a refundable tax credit to residents caring for eligible seniors. It allows qualifying caregivers earning under $100,000 (or $50,000 if filing separately) to claim a credit equal to 22.5% of up to $3,000 in annual care expenses - capped at $675 per year - covering services like home health care, adult day care, and home modifications. The credit applies to seniors aged 60+ (or 50+ with disability benefits) who meet income thresholds, and it is refundable, meaning caregivers can receive cash back if the credit reduces their tax liability to zero. Multiple caregivers sharing responsibility for the same senior must split the credit equally unless they agree otherwise in writing.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1643) allows New Jersey municipalities and school boards to adopt ranked-choice voting for local elections through voter referendum or local ordinance. It permits communities to choose ranked-choice voting for mayoral, council, or school board races - using instant runoff for single seats (like mayor) or single transferable vote for multiple seats (like council). Voters would need to approve the change via referendum, requiring signatures from at least 10% of voters who participated in the last General Assembly election. The bill defines key terms like "exhausted ballot" and voting thresholds but does not mandate ranked-choice voting statewide. It is currently pending in the Senate (introduced January 2026).