Maddy summaryS 3737 revises New Jersey's greenhouse gas emissions monitoring and reporting rules, primarily affecting the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and major emitters like fossil fuel companies, electricity generators, and gas utilities. The bill requires emissions reports to calculate global warming potential using a 20-year time horizon (with 100-year values also reported when needed for federal or international compliance), mandates annual reports published within six months, and expands reporting to include hydrogen and fugitive emissions. It also requires the DEP to contract with satellite monitoring technology and ensures all state agency emissions analyses use a 20-year time horizon. These changes provide more accurate, timely data to track progress toward New Jersey's climate goals, including the 2030 emissions reduction target.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Target Zero Commission" within the Department of Transportation, consisting of 13 state agency representatives (including Transportation, Health, and Public Safety officials). The commission’s primary duty is to develop a statewide action plan by 2040 aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries through engineering, education, and enforcement strategies focused on equitable road safety for all users. Key mechanisms include creating a public data portal for crash statistics, requiring annual public hearings and reports to the Governor and Legislature, and advising on policy changes to support safer transportation infrastructure. The commission must adopt its action plan within 12 months of the bill’s effective date and host public feedback sessions before finalizing it. This is a procedural bill creating a study body, not a direct policy change.
Maddy summaryS 3472 creates a new "Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program" (CHAMP) for the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to provide loans for hazard mitigation and resilience projects. The program will fund projects undertaken by state entities, local government units, and nonprofit organizations, including allowing local governments to provide loans to private property owners for measures like floodproofing and wind retrofits. It includes a graduated loan forgiveness program that provides full forgiveness for households earning 50-80% of median income and partial forgiveness for higher-income households. The bill also extends the deadline for the bank to stop incurring new debt from 2033 to 2053.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Target Zero Commission" within the Department of Transportation to develop strategies for eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2040. The 13-member commission - including agency heads from transportation, public safety, health, and environmental departments - will create a statewide action plan, promote data transparency through a public safety portal, and advise state and local governments on equitable road safety improvements. It requires annual reporting to the Governor and Legislature on progress, including traffic crash data and demographic information. The commission focuses on "safe system approach" strategies like roadway design, speed management, and expanding accessible transportation options for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and people with disabilities.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a "Bear Smart Fund" within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to fund the distribution of bear-proof garbage cans to residents. The fund will be financed by civil penalties from bear-feeding violations (e.g., $100-$500 fines) and state or federal grants. The DEP will prioritize distributing these cans in counties with large bear populations - Sussex, Warren, Morris, and Passaic - to reduce human-bear conflicts, with residents possibly paying a small fee. The program may partner with municipalities or waste companies to lower costs, while existing bear-feeding prohibitions remain in place except for specific exceptions like bird feeders under strict conditions.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) to distribute the National Core Indicators State of the Workforce Survey to all eligible service providers for people with developmental disabilities. Service providers who fail to complete the survey would face an annual $5,000 fine, collected through a summary court proceeding. The mandate applies whenever the DDD participates in this specific workforce survey or a similar survey designated by the division. The law aims to gather standardized workforce data from providers without altering existing service requirements.
Maddy summaryS 1630 requires New Jersey mortgage lenders to provide veterans applying for GI Bill-backed home loans with a disclosure form confirming they've been offered free counseling. It directly affects veterans seeking housing loans under Chapter 37 of the U.S. Code (GI Bill) in New Jersey. Lenders must include this disclosure with loan applications, and veterans can request the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (DMVA) to refer them to the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) for counseling. The counseling must review loan terms, provide GI Bill-specific guidance, and include any required federal information. This bill aims to ensure veterans receive tailored financial assistance before finalizing their home loans.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey county clerks to automatically mail an application for a mail-in ballot to any registered voter who turns 18. It specifically applies to 17-year-old registered voters who will be 18 by the next general election, as permitted under current law. The key mechanism is sending the application on the voter's 18th birthday, rather than requiring them to request it. The state will reimburse counties for any additional costs related to implementing this change.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1637 creates a $4.5 million Farm to School Local Food Procurement Reimbursement Grant Program. It requires the Agriculture Secretary to reimburse eligible school districts for costs incurred when they expand local food sourcing beyond existing baseline levels - such as adding new local produce to meals or serving it during more meal periods. The program excludes fluid dairy milk and costs for ordinary procurement at current baseline levels, focusing only on new initiatives. This directly affects school districts serving subsidized meals that implement expanded local food policies through submitted plans, with reimbursement limited to documented new expenses.
Maddy summaryS 3492 creates a "Reproductive Health Care Access Fund" to address gaps in reproductive health care access in New Jersey, particularly noting that five southern counties have no identifiable abortion providers. The fund will support three specific programs: training for health care professionals through the Reproductive Health Care Clinical Training Program, security grants for clinics facing threats through the Reproductive Health Care Security Grant Program, and loans for facility improvements through the Reproductive Health Care Facility Loan Program. These programs will be administered by state agencies including the Department of Law and Public Safety and the Office of Homeland Security. The bill also requires a statewide needs assessment to examine gaps in reproductive health care access and the impact of out-of-state restrictions.