Sen. John McKeon

Maddy summaryS 684 establishes a three-year pilot program in New Jersey allowing gas public utilities to replace aging natural gas pipelines with geothermal energy infrastructure (like underground heating/cooling systems) and recover the project costs through customer utility rates. Gas utilities must submit detailed infrastructure plans to the Board of Public Utilities for approval, which will evaluate project costs, benefits like reduced emissions, and impacts on ratepayers. The program requires annual reports to the Governor and Legislature, with a final assessment on whether to make it permanent. This directly affects gas utilities operating in New Jersey, aiming to transition infrastructure toward renewable geothermal energy.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 679 requires large companies (with over $1 billion in annual revenue operating in the state) to annually report all greenhouse gas emissions - including direct operations (scope 1), purchased energy (scope 2), and supply chain activities (scope 3) - to a designated emissions reporting organization. Companies must provide this data with independent third-party verification and make it publicly accessible. The law aims to increase transparency for investors and residents about corporate climate impacts, as mandated by the bill's findings on climate risks. It takes effect three years after enactment, applying to businesses already operating in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to cover emergency contraceptives without needing a prescription or additional authorization. Currently, Medicaid only covers these medications when obtained with a prescription, forcing enrollees to pay out-of-pocket for over-the-counter options. The law mandates that all Medicaid managed care organizations include this coverage as a standard benefit. It directly affects Medicaid enrollees in New Jersey seeking accessible emergency contraception without unnecessary provider visits.

Maddy summaryThis bill encourages New Jersey local governments to share services (like waste management or IT) through agreements between municipalities, aiming to reduce local expenses and potentially lower property taxes for residents. It requires "employment reconciliation plans" when shared services affect civil service employees, including terminal leave payments (one month per five years of service) for those terminated due to cost savings, and creates a pilot program in seven diverse counties to test these arrangements. The bill amends existing laws to address Civil Service tenure barriers that previously hindered such cost-saving collaborations. It also establishes procedures for resolving disputes and expeditiously approving shared service agreements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2333) requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to install and maintain highway exit signs that direct motorists to electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. It directly affects EV drivers traveling on designated highways, including Interstates and limited-access roads. The signs must follow federal design standards for traffic control devices, ensuring clear, consistent placement and sizing. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1228) requires public schools to create emergency policies for students with seizure disorders. It mandates schools to train at least two non-nurse staff members (in addition to the school nurse) to administer nasal seizure rescue medication and use a manual vagus nerve stimulator during emergencies, with parental consent and written documentation. Schools must also develop individualized emergency plans in collaboration with parents and healthcare providers, and ensure students receive hospital evaluation after treatment. The bill protects school staff from liability for good-faith actions under these protocols, provided they follow training and consent requirements. The bill was introduced to the Senate Education Committee in January 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey hospitals to annually report drug-related attempted and completed suicides involving minors (under 18) to the New Jersey Poison Control Center. Hospitals must provide data including the minor's age, ethnicity, gender, race, and the specific drug used, while protecting personal identifiers under privacy laws. The Poison Control Center will compile this data into an annual report for the Governor and Legislature to track suicide trends among minors. The law does not alter treatment protocols or require disclosure of private health information beyond what is legally permitted.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all sports wagering advertisements (including print, digital, and broadcast) and applications (online websites and mobile apps) to display a specific warning: "Gambling is risky and can become addictive, resulting in catastrophic life consequences. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800 GAMBLER." The warning must include the words "risky," "risk," "consequences," and "gambling problem" as specified. It directly affects sports betting operators (casinos, racetracks, and online platforms) who must implement this language in all promotional materials and user interfaces. The change modifies an existing requirement to make the warning more explicit about gambling risks and consequences.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 676 requires all new residential, commercial, and state-use washing machines sold on or after January 1, 2030, to include a built-in microfiber filtration system with a mesh size of 100 micrometers or smaller. The bill mandates that these machines display a visible label stating: "NOTICE: THIS WASHING MACHINE CONTAINS A FILTER TO CAPTURE MICROFIBERS. CHECK THE FILTER REGULARLY AND DISPOSE OF CAPTURED LINT IN A WASTE BIN." Sellers violating this requirement face civil penalties of up to $10,000 for the first offense and $30,000 for subsequent violations. The law aims to reduce microplastic pollution by capturing microfibers released during laundry cycles before they enter wastewater systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2309) amends New Jersey's existing assault weapons ban by updating definitions in state law (N.J.S.2C:39-1). It clarifies terms like "firearm," "destructive device," and "assault weapon" through detailed definitions, including restrictions on features like barrel length and magazine capacity. The bill directly affects firearm owners, dealers, and law enforcement by defining prohibited weapons under current law. As introduced (Jan. 13, 2026), it focuses on refining legal language rather than adding new prohibitions, with no specific new restrictions detailed in the provided text. The bill is pending review by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.