Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's Aspire Program requirements for major development projects. It adjusts the "net positive benefits test" by adding new criteria that automatically qualify projects as "of special economic importance," such as brownfield remediation with $15 million+ cleanup costs, healthcare facilities near universities or trauma centers, or projects near transportation hubs. Projects must meet specific size thresholds (e.g., 200,000+ sq. ft. in restricted areas, 500,000+ sq. ft. elsewhere) and include housing/commercial space requirements (e.g., 700+ residential units or 30,000+ sq. ft. commercial space). It also mandates 20% of new housing units be affordable for low-to-moderate-income households, with exceptions for historic tax credit projects. These changes apply to projects applying after specified effective dates.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary exemption to New Jersey's ban on importing woodchucks (groundhogs) specifically for Groundhog Day celebrations. It allows counties or municipalities to replace a deceased local Groundhog Day mascot by importing a woodchuck from another state, provided they first try to use a woodchuck found within New Jersey or imported from a state without certain rabies variants. The Division of Fish and Wildlife must provide guidelines for safe handling, housing, and prioritize local sources before approving out-of-state imports, with the goal of minimizing public health risks.
Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies the authority of the New Jersey State Police Superintendent to change personnel ranks and grades. It specifies that rank changes for troopers, detectives, first-line supervisors, mid-level managers, and executives can be made without Attorney General approval. However, changes to command staff positions (majors and lieutenant colonels) still require Attorney General approval. All personnel adjustments must stay within existing budget limits, consistent with current law. The bill directly affects State Police staff and the Attorney General's oversight role.
Maddy summaryS 3529 criminalizes the use of signal jammers in New Jersey - devices that block cell phone calls, texts, GPS signals, Wi-Fi, or emergency communications. The bill amends state law to make interfering with FCC-licensed radio communications or U.S. government communications a fourth-degree crime, aligning with existing federal prohibitions. It directly affects individuals and businesses using these devices, such as those blocking cellular service in vehicles or workplaces. The law does not create new federal rules but enforces current federal restrictions at the state level.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a minimum daily reimbursement rate of $950 for pediatric special care nursing facilities (SCNFs) participating in New Jersey's Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs. It directly affects four facilities in New Jersey - Children’s Specialized Hospital (Mountainside and Toms River), Phoenix Center for Rehabilitation and Pediatrics, and Voorhees Pediatric Facility - that provide specialized long-term care to medically fragile children and youth up to age 21. To qualify for this rate, facilities must comply with state and federal requirements for licensure, patient safety, and care quality. The state will fund this increase through General Fund appropriations and requires the Department of Human Services to seek necessary federal approvals for reimbursement.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires funeral directors to notify the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) when they possess unclaimed cremains of veterans one year after cremation, after making diligent efforts to locate relatives. It mandates the DMVA to create and maintain a central online registry of unclaimed veteran cremains to help veterans' organizations locate these remains. Qualified veterans' organizations can then receive these unclaimed cremains and dispose of them by scattering at sea or interring them at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery if eligible. The bill aims to address the issue of veteran cremains being unclaimed for decades (up to 66 years in some cases), reducing the burden on funeral directors and helping organizations locate remains more efficiently.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A3739) makes it a fourth-degree crime in New Jersey to use devices that block or interfere with wireless communications, such as cell phones, Wi-Fi, GPS, or emergency services. It directly affects anyone using "signal jammers" (also called signal blockers or cell phone jammers), which prevent calls, texts, or emergency location signals. The law updates existing state law to explicitly prohibit interfering with radio communications licensed under federal law, including blocking cellular frequencies or using modified scanning receivers. These devices are already illegal under federal law, but this bill strengthens state enforcement by adding specific language to criminalize their use. The key provision ensures that jamming technology cannot disrupt public safety communications or commercial services.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 357) clarifies the rights of juveniles aged 14+ (or younger for murder charges) who voluntarily choose to be tried as adults in New Jersey. It requires courts to hold a hearing ensuring juveniles understand the sentencing differences between juvenile and adult systems before approving such a transfer. Juveniles who elect adult trial retain the right to request remand back to juvenile court if it serves their interests or public safety. If convicted, they must serve custodial sentences in juvenile facilities until age 21, unless transferred to adult corrections or they consent to continue in juvenile facilities after age 21.
Maddy summaryThis resolution symbolically designates the Saturday before Thanksgiving as "National Adoption Day" and November as "National Adoption Month" in New Jersey. It does not create new policies or funding but requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to raise public awareness about adoption services and celebrate finalized adoptions. The resolution aims to highlight the foster care system and encourage adoption, referencing existing annual events where counties finalize adoptions during this period.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to develop a mobile application that provides veterans and their families with guidance on available state and federal resources. The app would consolidate information about benefits, healthcare, housing, education, and other support services into a single accessible tool. It specifically mandates the DMVA to create this mobile resource as a new method for delivering the existing public information requirement currently covered by subsection (y) of N.J.S.38A:3-6. The bill directly affects all New Jersey veterans and their families who rely on state and federal veteran support programs.