Sen. John McKeon

Maddy summaryThis bill requires large supermarkets, grocery stores, and food suppliers in New Jersey to make a reasonable effort to donate food that is still safe to eat but would normally be thrown away. The law specifically targets retail outlets larger than 16,000 square feet where at least 90 percent of the space is dedicated to food sales. Donated items must be given to food banks, nonprofit organizations, or individuals, with the donation covering only the costs of storage, transport, or handling. The measure aims to reduce food waste by ensuring edible surplus is redirected to those in need rather than being discarded.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows for-profit movie theaters in New Jersey to obtain a special license to sell alcoholic beverages on their premises. Under the new rules, theaters can serve alcohol during scheduled showings and for two hours before a first-run movie begins. The license is tied specifically to the theater and cannot be transferred, with an annual application fee of $210,000 that is reduced to $150,000 if the venue sources at least 10% of its drinks from local small-scale producers. Additionally, this new license does not count toward the state's existing limit on how many such licenses a municipality can issue based on its population.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 2362) modifies self-exclusion rules for gambling. It requires individuals seeking removal from a voluntary gambling exclusion list to first watch educational videos about gambling risks and support resources. The bill also allows third parties (like family members or joint credit card holders) to petition for someone else's exclusion if they can prove financial responsibility, legal dependency, or court-ordered obligations. These changes apply to all state gambling venues, including racetracks and online wagering systems, while maintaining the confidentiality of exclusion lists. The bill aims to strengthen safeguards for problem gamblers and expand exclusion options for those affected by others' gambling.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Gaming Enforcement to study and implement specific language in casino and sports pool advertisements to promote responsible gambling. It mandates a 12-month study evaluating how words, phrases, font size, placement, and repetition affect public behavior - especially for problem gamblers, self-excluded individuals, and minors. Following the study, the division must develop 3-10 key phrases to be included in all such ads at optimized frequencies. The bill directly affects casinos and sports betting operators by requiring specific messaging in their advertisements, aiming to deter irresponsible gambling without restricting ad locations.

Maddy summaryS 1757 establishes the Office of Clean Energy Equity within New Jersey’s Board of Public Utilities to ensure equitable access to clean energy benefits for overburdened communities. The bill requires the BPU to create programs targeting 250,000 low-income households by 2030 (reducing their energy burden to under 6% of income) and deploy 1,600 megawatt-hours of energy storage in these communities by 2030, prioritizing community resilience hubs and microgrids. It mandates workforce development training, community outreach grants for local organizations, and requires at least 10% of annual clean energy funds ($50 million+ annually) to support these initiatives. The bill directly affects low-income households and overburdened communities by structuring new clean energy access, efficiency, and storage programs with measurable targets.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 101 declares New Jersey's natural lands, including forests, farms, and wetlands, as essential infrastructure that supports public health, safety, and economic stability. The resolution recognizes the need for strategic land conservation to provide benefits like clean water, flood control, and air quality improvement. It specifically sets a goal for the state to conserve 500,000 acres by 2050 and directs copies of the resolution to the New Jersey State Director of The Nature Conservancy. This bill does not allocate funding or change laws but serves as a formal statement of policy and intent.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires casinos and sports betting operators in New Jersey to send push notifications to their customers about wins and losses. The measure directly affects gaming licensees and the patrons who use their services by mandating a specific method of communication. Under the new rules, the state would enforce this requirement through updated regulations governing how these businesses manage patron information. This change aims to provide players with immediate updates on their gambling activity without altering the underlying laws of the game.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities and the Department of Environmental Protection to conduct a study on the potential for wave and tidal energy within the state. The study will evaluate impacts on energy prices, ecosystems, and the grid, while also exploring the feasibility of creating renewable energy credits or other incentives to encourage development. Following the study, the bill requires the state to update its Energy Master Plan to include specific goals for ocean energy and take steps to position New Jersey as a national leader in this sector.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution from New Jersey formally condemns President Trump's public threats of genocide and war crimes against Iran. The bill specifically targets statements made on social media that called for bombing civilian infrastructure and destroying a civilization, labeling them as violations of international law. While it does not change any laws or policies, it directs copies of the resolution to federal officials and Congress to register the state's official disapproval of these remarks.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries with brain injuries. It requires these rates to match the average reimbursement for Day Habilitation Services (Tiers D and E) under the Division of Developmental Disabilities program, raising payments from $3.65 to $9.09 per 15-minute service unit. The policy directly affects approved brain injury service providers and beneficiaries receiving structured day care for traumatic or non-traumatic brain injuries. It expands existing Medicaid reimbursement rules, which previously only covered community residential services for brain injury care.