Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to study the feasibility, costs, and marketability of implementing large-scale geothermal heat pump systems across the state. The study must assess installation challenges, compare geothermal energy to traditional heating sources (like natural gas), evaluate potential financial incentives, and consult with experts, other states, and utilities. The BPU must submit a report within one year with recommendations for a pilot program and potential legislative or policy actions. This study will inform whether geothermal systems could be a viable energy option for public and private buildings. The bill does not implement geothermal systems but sets the groundwork for future decisions.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners and operators of "high hazard trains" (those carrying 200,000+ gallons of petroleum or 20,000+ gallons of other hazardous materials) to create and maintain discharge response, cleanup, and contingency plans for rail transport. It directly affects rail companies moving these materials through New Jersey. The key mechanism mandates these plans to address potential spills, while also requiring the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to request bridge inspection reports from the U.S. Department of Transportation. These provisions aim to improve safety planning and infrastructure oversight for hazardous material rail transport.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all existing lawn sprinkler systems (installed before September 8, 2000) on residential properties sold after the law takes effect to include an operational rain sensor that automatically stops irrigation during rainfall. It mandates retrofitting within 12 months for commercial/industrial properties and within 24 months for common-interest communities (like HOAs or condos). Property sales cannot close without documentation proving sensor installation, and sellers/owners face up to $500 fines for non-compliance. The law applies to all residential sales but excludes common-interest communities from the sale documentation requirement.
Maddy summaryS 214 requires all public entities in New Jersey (including state agencies, counties, and municipalities) to purchase only electric-powered motorbuses for new public transit routes starting in 2030 (25% of new buses) and fully by 2035. The bill mandates that these entities prepare for the transition by training staff, retrofitting facilities, and reporting progress to the Governor and Legislature by March 1, 2025. It includes an annual appropriation of $82 million to support this transition. The law directly affects public transportation providers operating regular bus routes across the state.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a user fee on water consumption and diversion by public water systems and other major water users. Revenue from these fees will fund projects to improve water quality, secure water supply, and upgrade aging infrastructure. It directly affects municipalities, water utilities, and entities operating public water systems, including small water companies. The fee creates a dedicated, long-term funding source for protecting New Jersey's water resources, as outlined in the legislation.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 987) requires New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to plan for at least 20 years when updating the Statewide Water Supply Plan, replacing the vague current requirement. It adds specific mandates, including 20-year projections of water demand and availability based on population data, 40-year assessments of climate impacts (like sea level rise), and plans to address water deficits and improve efficiency. The DEP must also prioritize protecting sensitive areas like the Pinelands and Highlands Region. Critically, the bill prohibits the DEP from using funds from the Water Supply Bond Act of 1981 until the updated plan is adopted, starting October 5, 2022.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a three-year pilot program through New Jersey's state housing agency to fund sustainable tiny home construction. It appropriates $5 million total ($1.65 million annually) to award grants to builders for developing tiny home communities (each under 300 sq ft) in selected municipalities across northern, central, and southern New Jersey. Builders must follow green building standards, report recycled construction waste (in cubic yards), and include energy-efficient features. The program requires participating towns to temporarily relax zoning rules to enable tiny home projects, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and construction waste compared to traditional housing.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 213) sets mandatory deadlines for transitioning to clean vehicles. It requires 100% of new medium-duty trucks (8,501-32,000 lbs) and heavy-duty trucks (over 32,000 lbs) sold or leased in the state to be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by December 31, 2045. For off-road equipment like construction machinery (e.g., excavators, bulldozers), it mandates 100% ZEV sales/leases by December 31, 2035, where feasible. The Department of Environmental Protection must create regulations, report progress annually, and develop strategies to achieve these goals.
Maddy summaryS 236 requires New Jersey's electric public utilities (companies that distribute electricity to homes and businesses) to create and submit detailed "integrated distribution plans" to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). These plans must outline investments needed to modernize aging infrastructure, improve system safety and reliability, and integrate renewable energy sources like rooftop solar. The BPU must first develop specific criteria for these plans within six months, and utilities must submit their plans within a year after those criteria are set. The BPU then has 90 days to approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove the plans, with utilities required to implement approved plans. This bill directly affects all electricity providers operating in New Jersey.
Maddy summaryS 1641 reaffirms the continuation of Rutgers University's Institute of Management and Labor Relations on its 75th anniversary and appropriates $750,000 annually from the General Fund to support its operations. The bill requires the Institute to offer affordable educational programs (including classes, webinars, and conferences) focused on labor-management relations, with tuition intended to be free for New Jersey residents when possible. It mandates the Institute to conduct applied research on workplace issues and establish an advisory council with equal representation from labor, management, and the public. The funding is supplemental to existing state allocations and must be used to support the Institute's educational, research, and outreach activities as outlined in the bill.