Sen. Renee Burgess

Maddy summaryThis bill requires data center owners or operators in New Jersey to submit quarterly water and energy usage reports to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). The reports must include specific metrics like total energy consumption, water sources, renewable energy usage, waste heat reuse, and efficiency indicators such as power usage effectiveness. Data centers operating for at least one year must submit their first report within three months of enactment, while newer centers have six months. The BPU would publish all submitted data online within 30 days, making it publicly accessible.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Senior Citizen Tenant Protection Act," would allow renters aged 55 or older who live in the same rental unit for at least 10 years to apply for rent increase limits. To qualify, applicants must have an annual income under $80,000 (adjusted annually), not use federal or state housing assistance, and reside in non-public housing. If approved, landlords could only raise rent by an amount tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), not exceeding the current rent multiplied by an annual CPI-based rate factor. Landlords may request waivers for financial hardship, but the rent cap would remain in effect unless a waiver is granted.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1188) amends New Jersey's "Extended Employment Act" to modernize support for people with significant disabilities. It revises key definitions - such as replacing "sheltered workshop" with "extended employment" to describe nonprofit-run programs providing work opportunities for individuals with disabilities who cannot compete in the open labor market. The bill updates funding mechanisms to tie annual increases to the CPI-W index (not fixed amounts) and requires contracted providers to submit detailed annual reports on participant outcomes. It directly affects nonprofit service providers administering these programs and people with significant disabilities who qualify for extended employment services. The changes aim to better align program structure with current vocational rehabilitation standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey acute care hospitals to attempt contacting a family member within 72 hours of a patient's release after receiving treatment for a drug overdose. It applies only if the hospital has the family member's contact information and the notification complies with federal and state privacy laws. Hospitals must make this attempt but are not required to notify families if privacy laws prevent it. The law takes effect immediately upon passage. This directly affects hospitals and patients who experience drug overdoses in hospital settings.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 805 requires the Department of Health to create a standardized system categorizing maternity care facilities into five levels based on the complexity of care they provide. This directly affects all hospitals and birthing centers offering inpatient maternity services, defining their capabilities for low-risk (Level I) through highly complex cases (Level IV, including regional centers for critically ill patients). The bill mandates facilities meet specific clinical standards - such as ACOG guidelines for hospitals and AABC standards for birthing centers - and establish transfer protocols between levels to ensure seamless care. It also requires participation in a Maternal Data Center to track outcomes and reduce preventable complications and health inequities in maternal care.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2351) requires New Jersey's State Police to notify local law enforcement when a background check reveals someone is prohibited from purchasing firearms or ammunition under state law. It applies directly to licensed firearm dealers, who must conduct background checks for all handgun and rifle/shotgun purchases. If the check shows a prohibited person (e.g., convicted of certain crimes or domestic violence), the State Police must inform the local chief law enforcement officer. The notification ensures local police are aware of potential risks when prohibited individuals attempt to buy firearms.

Maddy summaryS 2711 requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to prohibit electric and gas utilities from charging residential customers lump-sum payments when actual usage exceeds estimated usage under equal payment plans. It also bans utilities from "underbilling" residential customers - charging them for the difference between estimated and actual usage after the fact - and prevents adding those unpaid balances to future bills. The bill mandates that any annual adjustments to equal payment plans must be based solely on a customer’s actual usage data, not estimates. This directly affects residential electricity and gas customers in New Jersey by preventing unexpected large charges tied to billing practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes an existing exception in New Jersey's Smoke-Free Air Act that allowed smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities. Currently, the law permits smoking in areas of casinos with at least 150 slot machines or 10 table games, and in simulcasting facilities with dedicated seating for 50+ patrons. The bill deletes this exception from the statute, meaning smoking would be prohibited in all indoor public areas of these facilities under the general smoke-free law. It directly affects casinos and simulcasting venues that currently operate under the smoking exemption.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2707) caps annual electric and gas utility rate increases for residential customers in New Jersey, prohibiting the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) from approving hikes that would raise the average residential bill by more than 2% over any five-year period. It directly affects residential utility customers by limiting how much their monthly bills can rise through regulated rate changes. The key provision requires the BPU to reject any proposed rate increase that exceeds this 2% cumulative cap over five years. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment and aims to provide predictable utility cost stability for households.

Maddy summaryThe "Healthy Smiles Act" (S 3011) increases NJ FamilyCare's fee-for-service reimbursement rates for pediatric dental services by 20% starting July 2025, and requires managed care organizations to pay providers at least the same rate for identical services. This directly affects dental providers treating NJ FamilyCare enrollees (20% of New Jersey's population, including low-income and minority children) and aims to improve access to dental care. The bill addresses longstanding low reimbursement rates - ranked in the bottom 10% nationally since 2007 - that have reduced provider participation and delayed care for children with high rates of untreated tooth decay. It mandates annual adjustments tied to regional inflation and imposes penalties on managed care plans that fail to comply.