Sen. John Burzichelli

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires the Board of Public Utilities to create a program that procures and provides financial incentives for transmission-scale energy storage systems (those with at least 5 MW capacity) with a minimum total capacity of 500 MW for the first round of applications. The program will provide annual incentive payments of $60 million over a 15-year period to qualified projects, with applications evaluated based on cost, project readiness, and community benefits. The incentives will be funded through the societal benefits charge, and the BPU must report on the program's impact one year after initial procurement, assessing progress toward the state's 2030 energy storage target.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how New Jersey allocates lottery revenue to the state pension fund. Currently, at least 30% of lottery proceeds must fund the Common Pension Fund L. The bill lowers this minimum to 25% if average annual lottery sales and revenue over three consecutive years (after the bill's effective year) equal or exceed the base year's levels. If sales and revenue fall below the base year's figures during that period, the allocation reverts to 30% the following fiscal year. The change directly affects the state pension fund's funding from lottery revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4628) exempts certain alcohol licenses held by developers, redevelopers, or their tenants from a rule requiring inactive licenses to expire after two consecutive terms. It applies only to licenses tied to premises in designated redevelopment areas that meet two conditions: the area must cover at least 250,000 square feet and have secured municipal site plan approval. The exemption prevents these licenses from expiring due to inactivity while projects are being developed. This directly affects businesses and developers working on qualifying large-scale redevelopment projects in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to specifically determine and consider the *lowest reasonable return on equity* (ROE) when reviewing requests for rate increases from electric, gas, and water utilities. It directly affects utility companies seeking rate adjustments and their customers, as the BPU must now evaluate whether the proposed ROE is the lowest reasonable amount, not just any reasonable amount. Key provisions mandate the BPU to develop an analytic model reflecting state, federal, and industry standards to calculate this lowest ROE. The change applies to all base rate cases filed with the BPU on or after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires homeschooled children in New Jersey and their parents or guardians to meet annually with a designated school district representative (a counselor, nurse, or social worker). The meeting serves two purposes: allowing parents to request support for their home education program and enabling the school staff to conduct a general health and wellness check of the child. It applies to all families using home education programs within a school district and takes effect in the first full school year after enactment. The bill does not mandate specific educational standards or funding but creates a structured annual check-in process.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to study how data centers impact electricity rates for consumers. The study will examine whether non-data center customers unfairly subsidize data centers, if new infrastructure for data centers causes unreasonable rate increases, and project the future cost burden on residential electricity rates over the next 20 years. The BPU must complete the study within one year and submit a report with findings and policy recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 15 months. The bill does not change current rates or policies but mandates this review to inform future decisions about electricity cost allocation.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts small-scale renewable energy projects (under 20 megawatts) from state land-use permitting requirements, allowing developers to seek approval solely from local governments instead of multiple state agencies. It directly affects owners and operators of projects like rooftop solar, small wind farms, or geothermal systems who would otherwise navigate complex state environmental permits. Key provisions require projects to be inspected/approved by local officials and the utility company, while still complying with the State Uniform Construction Code. If a developer applies to a state agency first, they forfeit the option for local-only approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how interest is calculated on unpaid water and sewer utility bills, municipal taxes, assessments, and other municipal charges in New Jersey. It replaces fixed interest rates (which have remained unchanged since 1979-1982) with rates based on the prevailing municipal bond yield, which fluctuates with current market conditions. The bill requires at least 30 days to pass after a payment is due before interest begins to accrue. It affects property owners who owe these payments as well as the municipalities and utility authorities that collect them. The change aims to align interest rates with current market conditions rather than using outdated fixed rates.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies to offer businesses an optional electronic service for receiving legally required notices, such as violation alerts, underpayment notifications, and unemployment claims. Businesses operating in New Jersey that receive these notices from state entities can choose to opt into electronic delivery instead of paper. State entities must notify affected businesses about this option and provide opt-in instructions within 60 days of the bill's effective date (90 days after enactment). The bill applies broadly to all state departments, agencies, and related entities in the Executive Branch.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides tax credits to New Jersey commercial farm operators who experience price losses on crops sold for human consumption. The tax credits equal the difference between actual receipts farmers received and a baseline amount calculated using the Secretary of Agriculture's monthly reference price, which reflects current market conditions and production costs. To qualify, farmers must submit applications with business records showing actual receipts and baseline calculations. The bill also allows farmers to transfer these tax credits to other taxpayers through a "tax credit transfer certificate" that can be sold or assigned. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to seven years for corporation business tax credits or five years for gross income tax credits.