Sen. Joe Pennacchio

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4315) requires businesses that collect personal data (called "controllers" or "processors" under the law) to de-identify personal data before selling it. It prohibits these businesses from re-identifying de-identified data themselves or providing third parties with means to re-identify such data. The bill mandates the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs to establish standards for de-identification, with limited exceptions allowed only for medical research or environmental protection purposes. These requirements apply to most businesses handling personal data in New Jersey, with specific exemptions for healthcare, financial services, and government entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey local governments - including municipalities, counties, school districts, and public agencies - from naming public property (such as roads, parks, schools, or buildings) after a foreign terrorist organization designated by the federal government. It requires these entities to remove all existing signs, plaques, or displays referencing such groups within 30 days of the law taking effect and to rename the property within 90 days. The state will reimburse local governments for the costs of removal and renaming, and violations will trigger daily deductions from state aid. The Division of Local Government Services must maintain an annual list of designated foreign terrorist organizations and lands they control, excluding sovereign nations.

Maddy summaryBill A4163 requires health insurers in New Jersey to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, management, or ongoing monitoring of diseases when supported by medical evidence such as FDA approvals, drug labels, or clinical guidelines. The bill applies to all health insurance plans including individual, group, Medicaid, and health maintenance organization contracts. Insurers must provide coverage without causing unnecessary disruption (like multiple biopsies) and must make prior authorization decisions within 24 hours for urgent requests or 72 hours for non-urgent requests. This ensures patients can access precision medical testing that's clinically supported without excessive administrative barriers.

Maddy summaryS 3098 requires health insurers in New Jersey to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, management, or ongoing monitoring of medical conditions when supported by medical evidence. The bill defines biomarker testing as analysis of tissue, blood, or other biospecimens for biomarkers, and specifies coverage must be provided when tests align with FDA approvals, drug indications, CMS determinations, or nationally-recognized clinical guidelines. Insurers must process prior authorization requests within 72 hours for non-urgent cases and 24 hours for urgent cases, while minimizing disruptions like multiple biopsies. This requirement applies to all health insurance plans, including Medicaid, which must provide coverage with no cost-sharing for beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryS 3466 extends the special appraisal process for Green Acres and farmland preservation programs in the Highlands Region through 2029, requiring landowners to be provided with two appraisal values when selling property for preservation. The bill allocates $7.5 million annually from constitutionally dedicated Corporation Business Tax revenue to the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council for land preservation, with $5 million for recreation and conservation and $2.5 million for farmland preservation. It creates a new "Preserve New Jersey Highlands Preservation Fund" to support land acquisition and conservation efforts in the Highlands Region, including matching federal funding for watershed protection. The bill also requires distributing state aid to municipalities hosting watershed lands that don't receive existing watershed moratorium offset aid.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds fusion energy to the definition of "Class I renewable energy" under New Jersey's Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act. It directly affects fusion energy developers and utilities by making fusion projects eligible for the same state incentives, tax credits, and regulatory benefits currently available to established Class I renewables like solar and wind. The key mechanism is amending the statutory definition to explicitly include fusion, aligning it with other qualifying renewable sources for purposes of state energy programs. This change enables fusion projects to participate in New Jersey's renewable energy market and benefit from existing support structures.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense for impersonating a first responder (such as police, firefighters, or EMTs) to commit another crime. It directly affects individuals who falsely claim to be first responders - like wearing a fake uniform or lying about their identity - to facilitate other illegal acts. The penalty for this offense is one degree higher than the underlying crime (e.g., a fourth-degree crime if the underlying act was a minor disorderly persons offense), with the most serious cases carrying first-degree penalties. The law aims to deter exploitation of emergency situations where public trust in first responders is critical.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey public schools from teaching concepts associated with critical race theory, as defined by 14 specific examples (such as claiming inherent racial superiority or assigning guilt based on race), and bans teachers from promoting political, ideological, or religious views in the classroom. It allows exceptions for teaching ethnic group history, impartial historical discussions of oppression, and historical documents. School districts violating the bill risk losing state funding until compliance is confirmed, and the State Board of Education must establish rules requiring balanced presentation of controversial issues. The law applies to all public school courses and instructional materials.

Maddy summarySJR 147 establishes a New Jersey Government Efficiency Commission to review state government operations. The commission, consisting of seven members including the State Treasurer (as chair), a Chamber of Commerce representative, and five public members appointed by legislative leaders, will identify ways to streamline government functions, eliminate unnecessary processes and overlapping work, and find cost savings. It must submit an initial report to the Governor and Legislature within one year of formation, followed by annual reports. The bill directly affects state government operations by creating a formal process for reviewing efficiency, with no direct impact on residents or businesses outlined in the text.

Maddy summaryS 4057 prohibits remote work for New Jersey state employees in career, senior executive, and unclassified positions. It amends state law (N.J.S.11A:6-24) to require that the Civil Service Commission's rules for work schedules and compensation must not permit remote work, ending the existing Model Telework Pilot Program that allowed up to two remote workdays per week. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment. This directly affects thousands of state workers currently eligible for remote work under the 2022 pilot program.