Sen. John McKeon

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's electric utilities to install new or replacement distribution poles using the highest-grade wood or equivalent non-wood material of equal quality, and transmission towers using the highest-grade materials permitted under federal standards. The Board of Public Utilities (BPU) must adopt these standards, including penalty schedules for violations, and utilities must report annual compliance publicly. The BPU must reference national electrical standards when classifying poles and towers, considering factors like local weather and engineering practices. This directly affects all electric public utilities installing or replacing infrastructure in New Jersey.

Maddy summarySR 44 is a New Jersey Senate Resolution expressing support for Israel following Hamas' October 7, 2023 attacks. It condemns Hamas' violence - including rocket attacks, killings, and hostage-taking - and affirms New Jersey's commitment to Israel as a strategic partner. The resolution directs that copies be sent to Israel's Prime Minister, its U.S. Ambassador, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, and New Jersey's members of Congress. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or allocate funds but publicly aligns New Jersey with Israel's defense efforts.

Maddy summaryS 1140 imposes a 2.5% tax on retail sales of firearms and a 10% tax on retail sales of firearms ammunition in New Jersey. It applies to retailers selling these items within the state, excluding sales to federal, state, or local government entities and sales delivered outside New Jersey. The tax is calculated on gross receipts (total sales revenue), not the item's price, and must be reported monthly to the Division of Taxation. The bill takes effect 30 days after enactment, applying to sales starting in the first full calendar quarter following that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens New Jersey's existing assault weapons ban by updating the legal definitions of prohibited firearms. It specifically expands the ban to include more weapons classified as "assault firearms" under revised definitions, such as rifles or pistols with certain features. The changes directly affect individuals possessing or selling firearms that meet these new criteria, including weapons capable of rapid fire. The key mechanism is clarifying which firearms fall under the ban through precise language in the law, rather than adding new restrictions. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 9, 2024.

Maddy summaryS 1111 requires retail health clinics (like those in pharmacies) and urgent care facilities in New Jersey to register annually with the Department of Health, providing details about staff, services, and operating hours. It mandates that these facilities must share patient records with primary care providers within 5 days upon request, make records available to patients within 24 hours, and not charge fees for copies. The bill also prohibits these facilities from treating patients under 18 or enrolled in Medicaid/NJ FamilyCare (except in emergencies) and requires them to inform patients of their rights, including access to care records and follow-up with a primary provider. These requirements directly affect all retail clinics and urgent care centers operating in New Jersey that aren’t already licensed as ambulatory care facilities.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 43) urges New Jersey's Governor to immediately halt all fossil fuel infrastructure projects - like pipelines and power plants - until the state adopts regulations meeting the 80% greenhouse gas reduction target by 2050. It directly addresses the Governor and state environmental agencies, referencing gaps in Governor Murphy's current clean energy plan. The resolution does not create new law but requests a moratorium to align with the state's climate goals under the Global Warming Response Act. Introduced on January 9, 2024, it remains pending before the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.

Maddy summaryThe "State Bank of New Jersey Act" (S 1144) creates a state-owned bank to provide financial services focused on supporting small businesses, affordable housing, community development, and infrastructure projects across New Jersey. The bank will use state funds deposited by the State Treasurer and other public sources to make loans under standard interest rates (matching state-chartered banks) while prioritizing fair lending and economic development. It directly affects New Jersey residents and businesses - especially small enterprises and underserved communities - by offering a public alternative to private banking for key economic needs. The bank must operate under a 13-member board appointed by the Governor, with specific expertise requirements, and cannot lend to its own board members or associates.

Maddy summaryS 1345 creates a permanent "New Jersey Anti-Semitism Task Force" within the Department of State. The task force, composed of 18 members including legislative leaders, community representatives (like Hadassah and ADL), and experts, will research anti-Semitism and develop recommendations to address its harms. Its work directly affects Jewish communities in New Jersey, aiming to improve safety at synagogues, schools, and institutions amid rising hate incidents. The bill requires the task force to produce actionable plans based on its research, without specifying new funding or enforcement measures.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a process to bar health care providers from receiving payment for services under New Jersey's auto insurance personal injury protection (PIP) coverage when they engage in specific misconduct. It directly affects providers who bill for services never rendered, make false medical reports, solicit patients improperly, or refuse to cooperate with investigations. The Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, after a due process hearing, can temporarily suspend or permanently bar providers from reimbursement and must publicly list barred providers. The law aims to prevent fraudulent or unnecessary billing while ensuring providers receive notice and hearing opportunities before being barred.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 669) extends Medicaid reimbursement rates for telehealth-based partial care behavioral health and substance use disorder services for 180 days after the federal waiver expires, while permanently eliminating prior authorization requirements for these services. It directly affects Medicaid providers and beneficiaries receiving non-residential behavioral health care, including psychiatric care, counseling, and case management. Key provisions require providers to submit progress reports on transitioning to in-person services and cover up to five hours daily (five days weekly) without prior approval. The bill ensures continued access to critical care during the pandemic recovery period while reducing administrative barriers for providers.