Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection and State Agriculture Development Committee to develop model wildlife management plans for open space and farmland. It mandates that state and local government units using constitutionally dedicated funds for land acquisition must adopt one of these model plans for the properties they acquire. The bill authorizes using Corporation Business Tax (CBT) revenues - constitutionally dedicated for land preservation - to finance wildlife management activities under these plans. Local governments may instead submit their own pre-existing wildlife management plans for approval instead of using the model plans. This ensures preserved lands for recreation, conservation, and farmland will have active wildlife management strategies in place.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySR 114 is a Senate Resolution supporting New Jersey's pregnancy resource centers (PRCs) and condemning Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin for issuing investigative subpoenas to these centers. The resolution highlights that PRCs provided over $3.6 million in services - including free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and baby supplies - to more than 23,000 people in 2022, often at no cost. It specifically criticizes the subpoenas as "overbroad" and "unduly burdensome," noting they required PRCs to disclose decade-old documents without client complaints, and calls this a misuse of enforcement powers. The resolution urges protection for PRCs, which offer non-profit, faith-based support to pregnant individuals regardless of ability to pay.
Maddy summary# Summary of the "Energy Infrastructure Public-Private Partnership Act" This New Jersey legislative bill creates an Energy Infrastructure Public-Private Partnership Program (Energy P3 Program) and an Energy Infrastructure Financing Program within the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (NJIB). ## Key Provisions: 1. **Expanded NJIB Mission**: The bill amends the "New Jersey Infrastructure Trust Act" to expand the NJIB's mission from primarily water, environmental infrastructure, and transportation projects to include energy-related projects. 2. **P3 Eligible Entities**: Defines "P3 eligible entities" to include: - State, counties, municipalities, school boards - State colleges, universities, regional utility authorities - Private not-for-profit hospitals - Other public entities 3. **Energy Financing Program**: - Provides loans and financial assistance to P3 eligible entities and private entities through P3 agreements - Requires NJIB to submit annual financial plans to the Legislature by May 15 - Legislature can reject the financial plan by June 30 through concurrent resolution 4. **Funding Structure**: - Creates an Energy Loan Origination Fee Fund similar to existing fee funds - Requires strict segregation of funds to prevent mixing of transportation, water/environmental infrastructure, and energy-related monies 5. **Tax Exemptions**: - Components of energy-related projects owned by or leased to P3 eligible entities are exempt from property taxation and special assessments - Land for energy-related projects is exempt from property taxation for the project's useful life 6. **Contracting Changes**: - Amends Public School Contracts Law and Local Public Contracts Law to allow up to 25-year contracts for sale of electricity or thermal energy from facilities constructed under P3 agreements - Requires annual reports on energy-related P3 projects to be submitted to Governor and Legislature 7. **Governance**: - Adds President of the Board of Public Utilities as ex-officio member to NJIB board - Establishes competitive contracting procedures for P3 agreements The bill aims to encourage private investment in energy infrastructure through public-private partnerships, with the NJIB serving as the primary financing vehicle for these projects. It represents a significant expansion of the NJIB's traditional focus on water and transportation infrastructure to include energy infrastructure.
Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Works Act allows businesses to receive tax credits for funding pre-employment training programs developed in partnership with schools, nonprofits, or educational institutions. These programs must provide at least 12 weeks of paid training at minimum wage, covering skills like math, communication, job readiness, and critical thinking, and must target low- and moderate-income individuals. Businesses can claim tax credits equal to 100% of their financial assistance, with a maximum of $12 million in tax credits available statewide each fiscal year. Approved programs must be reviewed and approved by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and must offer participants employment with the funding business upon completion. The bill requires participating institutions to report on program outcomes, including completion rates and employment data for participants.
Maddy summaryThis bill provides a $500,000 supplemental appropriation to fund grants-in-aid for the Main Library Alliance, a nonprofit serving libraries across northern New Jersey. The funding supports the Alliance’s operations, including technology, programs, and shared resources for over 50 member libraries. These libraries serve more than 700,000 patrons in 100+ municipalities across Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Union, and Warren counties. The bill adds this amount to the existing 2025 state budget for the Division of State Library.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "Type S School Bus Certificate" that would allow certain qualified drivers to operate specific school buses without needing a commercial driver's license, passenger endorsement, or school bus endorsement. To qualify, drivers must be at least 21 years old, have held a basic driver's license for three years, pass physical and eye exams, complete a knowledge exam, and finish special training for students with special needs. The certificate would apply to "Type S school buses," defined as vehicles designed for nine passengers or less (excluding driver) with a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or more, used for transporting students to and from school. This would streamline school bus operations for qualified drivers while maintaining safety standards for student transportation. The bill amends existing school bus regulations to include this new certification pathway.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to allow taxicabs, limousines, and transportation network companies (like Uber and Lyft) to provide paratransit services for a two-year period. Currently, paratransit services - transportation for people with disabilities that are not fixed-route bus services - are legally excluded from being provided by these companies, but the bill removes that exclusion. The change modifies the definition of "paratransit service" in state law to include these providers, expanding potential service options. This directly affects transportation companies and people with disabilities who rely on paratransit services, without altering the core requirements for such services.
Maddy summaryS 3647 requires New Jersey voters to present a valid form of identification when voting in person at polling places. Acceptable IDs include a driver's license, passport, voter registration card, or other documents like a birth certificate or property tax statement. If a voter cannot show primary ID, they must provide two forms of supplemental ID, such as a utility bill with their name and address. The bill prohibits digital identification and applies to all registered voters casting ballots in person.
Maddy summaryThis bill removes provisions allowing mail-in ballots to be counted if received after polls close - specifically eliminating the current rules that accepted postmarked ballots by election day received within 144 hours, or unpostmarked ballots received within 48 hours. It directly affects county election boards, which can no longer accept late ballots, and voters who submit ballots after polls close. The bill also increases penalties for violating messenger/bearer rules: exceeding limits (e.g., serving more than three voters) or candidates acting as messengers now carry a second-degree crime charge (up from third degree), with disenfranchisement upon conviction. These changes take effect immediately upon passage.
Maddy summarySCR 115 proposes a constitutional amendment to expand the Council on Local Mandates' authority. Currently limited to reviewing mandates from laws enacted after 1996, the amendment would allow the Council to examine all existing state laws, rules, and regulations - including those adopted before 1996 - to identify unfunded mandates. These are requirements forcing school districts, counties, or municipalities to spend money without state funding. The Council would then recommend eliminating or modifying such mandates to the Legislature and review pending bills to flag potential future unfunded mandates. This change aims to reduce financial burdens on local governments by enabling broader scrutiny of state mandates.