Sen. Bob Smith

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's "Electric Vehicle Battery Repurposing Fund" to support the environmentally safe reuse of used EV batteries. It requires $500 from the General Fund for every electric vehicle sold in the state each year to fund repurposing (like adapting batteries for home energy storage), remanufacturing (restoring batteries to like-new condition), and recycling. The fund directly affects electric vehicle owners through the sales-based funding mechanism, as it draws revenue from each new EV purchase. The law aims to prevent toxic battery materials - such as lithium and cobalt - from contaminating landfills as EVs become more common in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program to help New Jersey's public buildings become more energy-efficient. It allows the state's Board of Public Utilities to transfer up to $20 million annually from energy efficiency fees to the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank, which will provide loans and financial assistance for projects like solar panels, insulation, and efficient heating systems. State agencies, local governments, and school districts must first complete an energy assessment proving the project will save more on energy costs than it costs over 10 years or the equipment's lifespan before receiving funding. The program requires projects to demonstrate cost savings through lower energy bills, directly benefiting public entities that own or operate buildings across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 215) requires New Jersey public school districts to include an environmental sustainability plan within their existing long-range facilities planning process. Specifically, it amends current law to mandate that districts update their facilities plans every five years to incorporate "environmental sustainability goals" alongside enrollment projections and safety assessments. The policy directly affects all school districts required to submit long-range facilities plans to the state commissioner. This change integrates sustainability considerations into routine infrastructure planning without creating new standalone requirements.

Maddy summaryS 243 (Electric Vehicle Battery Management Act) requires electric vehicle manufacturers selling vehicles in New Jersey to create and implement plans for responsibly managing used EV batteries. The bill mandates that manufacturers cover all costs for collecting, transporting, reusing, and recycling or disposing of used batteries - prioritizing reuse (as batteries retain ~70% capacity when retired) over disposal - using environmentally safe methods. Manufacturers must submit detailed plans within 180 days of the law taking effect, including collection methods, reuse strategies, recycling processes, consumer education, and financing. This directly affects EV manufacturers operating in New Jersey, aiming to prevent toxic battery components from polluting soil/water and reduce landfill waste.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding Senate Resolution (SR 15) urges New Jersey's lending institutions to stop financing fossil fuel projects that contribute to climate change. It cites the $3.8 trillion in fossil fuel financing by major global banks from 2016-2020, along with documented harms like health issues for the Mapuche people in Argentina and forced relocations in Mozambique. The resolution references NatWest's example of shifting toward sustainable energy financing (e.g., $133 billion pledged by 2025) as a model for other institutions. It does not impose new legal requirements but calls for voluntary action to align with international climate goals.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 219 streamlines approval for installing small electric battery storage systems at homes and businesses. At residential properties, these systems are classified as a permitted accessory use, eliminating the need for zoning variances. For commercial/industrial sites, the bill requires only a zoning permit (bypassing site plan reviews) if the installation meets bulk, safety, and construction code standards. The bill also mandates the Commissioner of Community Affairs to publish a model ordinance for installation standards within 30 days of enactment. This directly affects homeowners installing battery systems and businesses seeking to add storage equipment without lengthy municipal approvals.

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily allows grocery stores and third-party delivery services to provide single-use paper bags (with at least 40% recycled content) for delivered, picked-up, or curbside grocery orders for three years. After this period, they must switch to reusable bags only. It also extends the timeframe food banks and pantries can use certain bags and requires a program for disposing of reusable bags. The bill directly affects grocery retailers, delivery services, and food assistance organizations in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create rules allowing low- and moderate-income residential customers to self-attest to their income - instead of providing traditional documentation - to qualify for community solar programs established under 2018 law. It directly affects low-income households seeking to participate in community solar projects by simplifying income verification. The key mechanism is mandating the BPU to adopt rules permitting self-attestation in a specified format, making it easier for eligible customers to enroll. The bill does not change program eligibility criteria but streamlines the application process for qualifying residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a minimum uptime requirement for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations that receive state incentives under New Jersey's EV infrastructure programs. It requires operators of "incentivized EVSE" (charging stations funded through state programs) to maintain a specified operational availability standard, defining "downtime" as periods when hardware or software is offline and unusable. Exceptions ("exempted downtime") cover outages caused by factors outside the operator's control, such as utility failures or internet disruptions. The policy directly affects EV charging station operators participating in state incentive programs, ensuring funded stations remain reliably accessible to the public. This requirement applies to both new and existing incentive-funded charging locations across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 254) amends New Jersey law to expand the contracting and financial powers of local redevelopment authorities. It specifically allows these authorities to provide loans to redevelopers for planning, construction, and improvement of redevelopment projects, and to issue bonds to fund renewable energy upgrades or C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) programs. The changes directly affect local redevelopment agencies and the developers they partner with, enabling more flexible financing for community revitalization efforts. The bill does not create new programs but modifies existing authority powers to streamline redevelopment project funding.