Sen. Andrew Zwicker

Maddy summaryS 1638 updates the list of environmental infrastructure projects eligible for loans from New Jersey's Infrastructure Bank during fiscal year 2024. The bill specifically amends the list of qualifying projects (referenced in sections 2 and 4 of P.L.2023, c.119) to include specific drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater management systems. This change directly affects local governments and public water utilities seeking financing for these projects through the bank's loan program. The bill does not alter funding amounts but ensures only approved projects qualify for FY 2024 loans.

Maddy summaryS 1599 requires health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover home care services for disabled or elderly residents (65+ years old) when in-person clinic visits aren't medically feasible. The bill mandates that hospital, medical, and health service insurance contracts provide coverage for home care "to the same extent as for any other medical condition," excluding custodial care. It defines home care as preventative, primary, specialty, or urgent medical treatment provided in a patient's home by licensed professionals, documented by clinical judgment. This directly affects disabled or elderly New Jersey residents seeking home-based medical care and their insurance providers, ensuring coverage without new network requirements. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Health Committee after introduction on January 9, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Treasury to review and approve a blockchain-based digital payment platform for legal businesses without access to traditional banking services. The platform must enable cashless transactions with virtual currency converted to U.S. dollars at a 1:1 rate, record all transactions on an immutable blockchain ledger, and allow businesses to pay sales tax to municipalities. Only state-approved businesses can use the platform, which aims to help cash-reliant businesses participate in digital commerce while meeting regulatory and audit requirements. The bill takes effect six months after enactment.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1035 increases tax credits for businesses conducting research in the state. It raises the credit rate for qualified research expenses from 10% to 15% for corporations primarily operating in targeted industries like clean energy, life sciences, and advanced transportation. The bill also increases the basic research payments credit to 15% and makes the total credit refundable (allowing taxpayers to receive cash payments for unused credits). These changes apply only to research conducted within New Jersey and affect eligible corporations filing business tax returns.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill S 1591 requires the Department of Education to create and maintain a searchable website listing all special education resources for students with disabilities. The website must include information on approved schools (both in-state and out-of-state), specialized programs, assistive technologies, and support organizations, all organized for easy public access. It must be searchable by disability type, location, and keyword, updated annually, and developed with input from the State Special Education Advisory Council. The bill, introduced in January 2024, directly affects special education students and families by centralizing hard-to-find resource information in one accessible location.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to explicitly include virtual currency (like Bitcoin) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) within the legal definition of "gift" for public officials. It directly affects state employees and officials (excluding legislators) who are prohibited from accepting these digital assets as gifts under existing ethics rules. The key mechanism is a straightforward definition change in the statute, ensuring these new forms of digital assets are treated the same as traditional gifts under state ethics laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds two student representatives to Rutgers University's board of governors. The student members must be full-time, in good academic standing, 18+ U.S. citizens, and elected by Rutgers students. For the first election, one student serves a one-year voting term while the other serves as an alternate for year one (then voting in year two); subsequent elections follow this alternate-to-voting two-year pattern. The board must hold a public hearing within 90 days to decide if students elect reps directly or through student government, and student reps cannot vote on personnel, property, or litigation matters.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a permanent $25 million fund within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to support the Blue Acres program. The fund provides relocation assistance for homeowners and tenants displaced by property buyouts and covers the cost of acquiring flood-prone lands for natural flood storage, parks, or open space. It specifies that no more than 5% of annual fund revenue can cover DEP administrative costs. The funding directly affects residents in flood-prone areas who participate in Blue Acres buyouts, helping them relocate and enabling the state to acquire properties to reduce flood risks.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1607) would require New Jersey Transit (NJT) to create an on-demand transit service in specific areas, including transit deserts (areas with limited public transit access), within 10 miles of existing transit stations, and within first-class counties or cities. The service would use motor vehicles seating at least 10 people (including the driver) and prioritize electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles when feasible. NJT would offer discounted fares for existing transit pass holders, seniors/disabled riders, and households at or below twice the federal poverty level, funded using available federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. The bill was introduced in January 2024 but withdrawn from consideration and is not currently active legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1581) would amend New Jersey law to allow wineries producing more than 250,000 gallons of wine annually to ship directly to consumers within the state. It specifically modifies the Class A license framework for alcohol producers (though the bill title references wine while the text discusses malt beverages, which may indicate a discrepancy). The key provision would remove current restrictions preventing large wineries from selling directly to consumers via mail or delivery, expanding their distribution options. This change would directly affect larger commercial wineries in New Jersey seeking to sell directly to end users. The bill was introduced in January 2024 and referred to the Senate Commerce Committee.