Sen. John McKeon

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to revise community solar program targets, replacing the previous annual goal of 150 megawatts with a new target of 3,000 megawatts to be registered by December 31, 2029. The BPU must open registration for these projects by August 1, 2025, and accept applications until the target is met or the deadline passes. The bill also mandates the BPU to establish appropriate solar credit levels and bill discounts to support this new target. This change directly affects solar energy developers, electric utilities, and community solar participants, including low- and moderate-income residents who must be provided access to the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the "sweepstakes model of wagering" in New Jersey, which typically involves people paying to enter contests where they might win prizes. It establishes civil penalties of up to $100,000 for the first offense and $250,000 for subsequent offenses against operators of unlawful gambling operations. The bill creates limited exceptions for sweepstakes that offer free entry options, tie non-free entries to purchasing low-value merchandise under $20, disclose rules and odds clearly, and don't base winners on sports events (unless all entries are free). It also updates gambling definitions to cover online wagering, expands prohibitions against rigging sports events, and assigns enforcement to the Division of Consumer Affairs (for sweepstakes) and Division of Gaming Enforcement (for other gambling violations).

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to approve sites for small modular reactors (SMRs) exclusively in municipalities with existing nuclear facilities, overriding local zoning laws. It permits SMR operators to store spent nuclear fuel on-site until a national waste repository is established, following U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission safety standards. The BPU must also create a financial incentive program for SMR construction within one year. These provisions directly affect SMR developers, the BPU, and municipalities with prior nuclear operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey property owners to claim a state income tax deduction for the capital gain realized when selling certain real estate interests to qualified conservation organizations. It applies to both full market value sales and "bargain sales" (where property is sold below market value but still includes a conservation component), with the deduction amount matching the federal capital gain calculation. The deduction covers sales to organizations participating in programs like Green Acres, Blue Acres, farmland preservation, historic preservation, and wildlife conservation initiatives. It directly affects landowners who sell conservation-protected property to these groups, helping offset taxable gains while supporting land preservation efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes a permanent annual $500,000 allocation from New Jersey's Clean Communities Program Fund to fund public outreach for the state's single-use plastics reduction program. The funding supports the Department of Environmental Protection's outreach efforts, including educational campaigns and a bag redistribution program that repurposes reusable bags for food banks and pantries. The bill changes current law, which limited this funding to the first three years after the 2020 single-use plastics ban law, making it permanent. This directly affects the DEP's outreach activities and the public receiving information about reducing plastic use.

Maddy summaryS 4263 makes permanent a 72-hour limit on holding individuals in general hospitals or emergency departments for involuntary mental health commitment without a court order. Hospitals may extend this hold for up to 72 additional hours only if they have exhausted efforts to place the person in a less restrictive facility and two psychiatrists certify the person's danger due to mental illness. Hospitals must submit quarterly de-identified reports to the state detailing extended holds, including reasons for extension, duration beyond 72 hours, and placement outcomes, with reports made public within 60 days. This directly affects general hospitals, emergency departments, and individuals subject to involuntary mental health commitments.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits public institutions of higher education in New Jersey from entering into sports wagering partnerships that involve advertising or marketing in stadiums, digital/broadcast sports content, or other campus-related channels. It specifically bans agreements between universities (including athletic departments or booster clubs) and sports wagering operators for student or campus audience access. Exceptions exist for academic partnerships with casinos/sports wagering licensees that provide student learning opportunities, and for related foundations that avoid direct student advertising (e.g., no on-campus marketing or targeted digital ads to enrolled students). The law takes effect immediately upon approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all regular and alternate members of New Jersey's historic preservation commissions to complete a 5-hour historic preservation planning course within 18 months of joining or after the course becomes available. The course, developed by the Department of Community Affairs with input from the New Jersey Historic Trust and State Historic Preservation Office, must be completed in one day. Members who are licensed professional planners or have completed equivalent training within the past year are exempt. The law aims to ensure commission members have consistent knowledge to effectively preserve New Jersey's historic sites and structures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to create a digital platform that automatically reviews and approves residential solar panel installation permits, directly affecting homeowners, solar contractors, and local municipalities. The platform must instantly approve 75% of standard rooftop solar applications that meet building safety rules, process requests 24/7, and eliminate manual paperwork. Local governments must either use this state platform or an equivalent alternative within 18 months, with penalties for non-compliance funding low-income energy assistance. The goal is to cut delays and high costs - currently adding $6,000-$7,000 per installation - by replacing slow, paper-based permitting.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits most sweepstakes wagering models where participants pay to enter for a chance to win prizes, with specific exceptions for free entry options or paid entry tied to purchasing food, beverages, or merchandise under $20. It establishes civil penalties of up to $100,000 for first offenses and $250,000 for repeat violations, with additional requirements for transparency including clear disclosure of rules, odds, and prize values. The bill designates the Division of Consumer Affairs to enforce sweepstakes regulations and the Division of Gaming Enforcement to oversee other gambling prohibitions, including expanded definitions for online gambling resorts. It affects businesses offering sweepstakes or gambling services in New Jersey, requiring them to comply with specific operational rules and disclosure requirements. The law includes protections for senior citizens, requiring restitution of twice the amount for violations against them.