Sen. Renee Burgess

Maddy summaryS 4478 requires New Jersey's electric and gas public utilities to create or maintain warranty programs covering the full cost to repair or replace specific household appliances. Covered appliances include furnaces, water heaters, HVAC systems, refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers, and similar items. Utilities must notify all customers about the program via bill inserts every billing cycle for one year after the law takes effect, explaining their rights and how to switch from existing programs. The bill also prohibits utilities from passing on the cost of these programs to customers through higher rates. This law directly affects residential utility customers and the state's electric and gas utility providers.

Maddy summaryS 4479 requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities to prohibit electric and gas companies from charging residential customers extra fees when their actual energy use exceeds estimates under equal payment plans (which average yearly usage into monthly bills). It also bans companies from billing customers for the difference between estimated and actual usage (a practice known as underbilling) and prevents them from adding unpaid balances from such differences to future bills. Utilities must adjust monthly payments only once a year, based solely on a customer's actual energy use, rather than making mid-year changes. This bill aims to create more predictable and stable billing for New Jersey households.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Rate Counsel to hire an independent third party to study whether publicly owning or jointly operating electric and gas utilities (like those serving homes and businesses) would be feasible and cost-effective. The study must analyze options such as state agencies taking over utilities or partnering with current providers, including impacts on costs for ratepayers, service quality, environmental effects, and potential savings from clean energy programs. It mandates that utilities and public entities cooperate with the study and requires a report with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year. The state appropriates $100,000 from the General Fund to cover the study costs. This is a procedural study, not a direct policy change, and would inform future legislative or executive actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic annual cost-ofiving adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits of certain retired police and firefighters in New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). It applies to members who have received retirement benefits for at least 10 years, excluding those who retired with 20-24 years of service, are in deferred retirement, or were hired more than 30 days after the bill's effective date. COLAs will be calculated based on the Consumer Price Index, with a $75,000 annual benefit threshold for the first year (adjusted annually thereafter), and capped at a 1% increase for benefits exceeding this amount. The bill requires the Legislature to appropriate funds from the General Fund to cover these adjustments, with the State Treasurer taking over implementation if the Board of Trustees fails to comply within six months. The adjustments apply only to future benefit payments, not retroactively.

Maddy summaryS 4487 creates a new State Board of Midwifery to regulate midwifery practice in New Jersey, replacing the current system where midwifery was overseen by the State Board of Medical Examiners. The bill establishes licensing requirements for three types of midwives (certified midwives, certified nurse midwives, and certified professional midwives) and requires the new board to approve licensure applications, recognize midwifery certification programs, and set continuing education standards including bias training. The legislation also authorizes midwives to prescribe medications under certain conditions and requires health insurance providers to cover midwifery services and home births. This bill directly affects midwives seeking licensure, their patients, and healthcare insurers across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to teach age-appropriate financial literacy to students in kindergarten through fifth grade, shifting the requirement from the current standard for grades six through eight. It mandates instruction on practical topics like budgeting, saving, banking, and consumer skills, tailored to young students' developmental levels. The State Board of Education must develop this requirement, and the Commissioner of Education will provide sample lesson materials to support implementation. The law takes effect immediately for the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summarySJR 160 designates August of each year as "Psoriasis Awareness Month" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to raise public awareness about psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune skin condition affecting millions. It aims to improve understanding of the disease's physical and psychological impacts, reduce stigma, and encourage support for those living with psoriasis across the state. The bill does not create new laws or funding but promotes public recognition and education.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey public utilities from charging three specific fees to customers: (1) surcharges for payment processing, (2) fees for choosing one-time payments instead of automatic payments, and (3) fees for requesting paper statements instead of paperless billing. It directly affects residential utility customers who pay bills manually or opt for paper statements. The bill defines "surcharge" as an extra fee added to cover third-party payment processing costs. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4319) requires that convictions for human trafficking (N.J.S.2C:13-8), assisting human trafficking (N.J.S.2C:13-9), and commercial sexual abuse of a minor (N.J.S.2C:13-10) be subject to the No Early Release Act (NERA) sentencing rules. Currently, these crimes were not covered by NERA, which mandates that offenders serve 85% of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Under this bill, individuals convicted of these trafficking-related offenses must serve 85% of their prison sentence before parole eligibility, aligning them with other serious crimes like murder and aggravated assault. This change directly affects people convicted of these specific trafficking crimes in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill would grant full police powers to special agents in the New Jersey Department of Treasury, allowing them to act as peace officers for detecting, apprehending, and arresting offenders against the law. Currently, these agents can only carry firearms while performing their duties or traveling to/from work, but this bill would authorize them to carry firearms at all times, subject to regulations set by the Director of the Division of Taxation. To receive these new powers, special agents must complete a basic police training course approved by the Police Training Commission. The bill also expands their authority to seize contraband when enforcing tax laws, beyond current limits that only permit seizure of counterfeit stamps, counterfeit impression devices, and cigarettes.