Sen. John McKeon

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 4646 establishes the Unified Responsible Gambling Evaluation Board within the Department of Law and Public Safety. The board will study gambling trends, review responsible gambling programs across casinos, sportsbooks, and online platforms, and assess problem gambling resources. It must create a central online hub compiling all state gambling reports, treatment programs, self-exclusion options, and prevention resources. All state gambling agencies (including the Casino Control Commission and Lottery) are required to link to this website to direct the public to these resources.

Maddy summaryBill S 4644 requires state employees who interact with the public at gambling-related agencies to complete a problem gambler training program. It directly affects staff at the New Jersey Racing Commission, State Lottery, Casino Control Commission, Gaming Enforcement Division, and Mental Health Division. The training, developed by the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services with input from gaming and gambling experts, teaches employees to respond empathetically, share resource information, and guide individuals through self-exclusion options. The program must be updated periodically as treatment guidelines evolve.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mattress producers in New Jersey to join a stewardship organization that will implement a program for environmentally sound management of discarded mattresses. The program will be funded by a stewardship assessment added to the price of new mattresses, which retailers must collect at point of sale. Stewardship organizations must submit detailed plans to the Department of Environmental Protection, including collection locations, recycling targets, and budget information. Retailers and renovators must register with a stewardship organization and provide consumers with information about mattress collection opportunities. The goal is to reduce mattress waste in landfills by creating a system for proper collection, recycling, and disposal of discarded mattresses.

Maddy summaryS 4374 requires parties in civil lawsuits to disclose third-party litigation funding agreements to the court and all parties at the time of filing or when the agreement is made. It defines "litigation funders" as entities providing funding for lawsuit expenses in exchange for a share of proceeds and mandates they act as fiduciaries to the funded party. The bill prohibits funders from influencing case decisions, offering legal advice, or taking more than 25% of settlement proceeds (or 50% total with attorneys without consent), and makes agreements unenforceable if these rules are violated. This directly affects civil lawsuit participants, their attorneys, and third-party funders, while excluding family loans, regular attorney fee agreements, and nonprofit legal aid from disclosure requirements.

Maddy summaryS 4004 updates New Jersey's law governing employment programs for people with disabilities by renaming the "Sheltered Workshop Act" to the "Extended Employment Act" and replacing outdated terminology. It expands eligibility to include individuals with "significant" disabilities (not just "severe" ones) and removes requirements like prior workshop completion or proof of inability to compete in the open labor market. The bill shifts oversight from the New Jersey Commission for the Blind to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, revises funding to tie annual increases to inflation or 80% of provider expense reports (whichever is greater), and repeals outdated labeling and transportation rules for program products. This directly affects nonprofit extended employment providers, people with disabilities using these programs, and state agencies managing vocational rehabilitation services.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits public colleges and universities in New Jersey from entering partnerships with sports betting companies for advertising in stadiums, digital content, or other promotional activities. It specifically bans agreements that allow betting companies to market directly to students through on-campus locations, off-campus facilities tied to the institution, or targeted digital ads. Two exceptions exist: related foundations may partner if they exclude student-directed advertising, and academic partnerships with casinos/sports wagering licensees for student learning opportunities remain permitted. The law applies only to public institutions of higher education, not private colleges or athletic departments.

Maddy summaryS 4143 requires new artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities in New Jersey to submit an energy usage plan to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) before connecting to the grid. The plan must detail how the facility will use 100% new clean energy (like solar/wind or nuclear power) for all electricity, minimize cooling energy, optimize water use, and reuse waste heat. This requirement only applies once the BPU confirms a majority of states in the PJM grid region (which includes New Jersey) have similar rules. The bill directly affects developers seeking local approval for these facilities by mandating clean energy compliance before construction begins.

Maddy summaryS 4366 requires New Jersey's Division of Gaming Enforcement to study which words and phrases in gambling advertisements most effectively encourage responsible gambling and deter problem gambling. The study will evaluate factors like message placement, font size, and effectiveness with specific groups including problem gamblers, self-excluded persons, and underage individuals. After completing the study within 12 months, the Division will develop 3-10 key phrases to be included in all casino and sports pool advertisements, in addition to the existing "If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800 GAMBLER" message. The bill also restricts gambling ads near schools, college campuses, and from targeting underage or self-excluded persons.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a three-year pilot program allowing New Jersey gas public utilities to replace aging natural gas pipelines with geothermal energy infrastructure. Gas utilities would be permitted to recover project costs through customer rates, but must submit detailed infrastructure plans to the Board of Public Utilities for review. The Board would evaluate each project based on size, cost, environmental benefits, and financial impact on ratepayers. Annual reports would be required, and the Board would determine after three years whether to make the program permanent. The bill also updates definitions to include geothermal energy as part of public utility services.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the State House Complex Welcome Center in Trenton as the "Governor Richard J. Codey Welcome Center" to honor New Jersey's 53rd governor and longest-serving legislator. It requires the State Capitol Joint Management Commission to install appropriate signage bearing the new name and allows the commission to accept public or private donations to cover sign costs. The bill has no policy impact beyond renaming a facility and does not create new laws or funding.