Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum state funding for farmland preservation projects led by nonprofit organizations in New Jersey from 50 percent to 80 percent of acquisition costs. Sponsored by Senator John J. Burzicelli, the legislation amends existing laws to align the financial support given to nonprofits with the higher rate already available to local government units. The funds, drawn from the Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, can be used to purchase development easements or fee simple titles on farmland, with the latter requiring agricultural deed restrictions upon resale or lease. By removing the lower funding cap for nonprofits, the bill aims to expand the scope of farmland preservation initiatives managed by these organizations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill prohibits payment card networks from charging interchange fees based on a percentage of the total transaction amount if that calculation includes sales taxes or tips. The law directly affects merchants, banks, and payment processors by banning fee structures that apply a percentage rate to the full gross dollar value of a debit or credit card purchase. Additionally, the bill sets strict limits on fees charged specifically for charitable donations, capping them at 0.2% for debit cards and 0.3% for credit cards. By defining these terms and restricting how fees can be calculated, the legislation aims to prevent networks from embedding taxes or gratuities into the base amount used to determine interchange charges.
Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the New Jersey Dialysis Patient Support Person Accommodation Act, requires licensed dialysis centers to allow patients to bring a designated support person during their treatment. The support person is permitted to assist with communication, mobility, and decision-making as needed, though centers may enforce reasonable health and safety rules that do not unreasonably block access. Facilities must create and display written policies on this access, train their staff on the new requirements, and allow patients to file complaints with the Department of Health if they are denied a support person.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities procures and incentivizes large-scale energy storage systems, primarily affecting developers and utilities seeking to build transmission-scale storage facilities. It establishes a two-phase program requiring projects to meet specific readiness milestones, such as completing interconnection studies with PJM or securing capacity rights, while setting a goal of awarding incentives for at least 1,000 MW of storage capacity by December 2026. The legislation also outlines application requirements, including proof of site control, permit acquisition plans, financial capability, and safety assurances, with a requirement that at least 350 MW be approved in the first phase by December 2025.
Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to approve incentive awards for transmission-scale energy storage projects from June 30, 2026, to December 31, 2026. It also broadens eligibility requirements for the second tranche of the program, allowing more projects to qualify for financial support. These changes aim to give the board more time to review applications and potentially include a larger pool of applicants without altering the size or duration of the existing 15-year incentive payments. The legislation primarily affects the Board of Public Utilities and energy storage project developers seeking state funding.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows gas and electric public utilities in New Jersey to use alternative methods for setting customer rates instead of relying solely on traditional annual rate cases. Under the legislation, utilities could adopt tools like multi-year rate plans, performance-based pricing, or earnings-sharing mechanisms that adjust rates based on specific metrics rather than just reviewing financial statements each year. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities would oversee these new approaches and approve plans that may include features like decoupling, which separates utility profits from the amount of energy sold. Residential, commercial, and industrial customers would be directly affected as these changes could alter how their utility bills are calculated and adjusted over time.
Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that testosterone therapy is covered under New Jersey's existing Menopause Coverage Act, which requires health insurance plans to cover medically necessary treatments for perimenopause and menopause. The legislation specifically ensures that insurance providers cannot deny coverage for testosterone therapy if it is prescribed by a medical provider, even if the federal Food and Drug Administration has not approved it for menopause treatment. It applies to hospital and medical service corporation contracts issued or renewed in New Jersey after the act's effective date. The bill also mandates that insurers provide clear information to subscribers about covered menopause treatments.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows state agencies to extend the 60-day grace period for small businesses to fix certain violations by an additional 30 days when good cause is shown. It applies only to businesses with 50 or fewer employees and excludes serious offenses like criminal acts, intentional violations, or those involving public safety, labor laws, or federal requirements. Under the law, agencies must report annually how many fines they waived, and the extension is at their discretion for first-time violations that do not harm employees or the public.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires nursing schools in New Jersey to include education on inflammatory breast cancer in their professional nursing curricula. The law mandates that this training be developed with input from medical experts specializing in the study, diagnosis, and treatment of this specific type of cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare form that blocks lymph vessels in the skin and often lacks the typical breast lump seen in other breast cancers, making it harder to detect. By ensuring nursing students learn to recognize its unique symptoms, the bill aims to improve early detection and treatment outcomes for patients. The changes will take effect at the start of the 12th month following enactment, allowing time for nursing programs to update their curricula accordingly.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits sports wagering licensees (like casinos and online sportsbooks) in New Jersey from offering "micro bets," which are live wagers on the outcome of the very next play in a game (e.g., whether the next baseball pitch will be a strike). It directly affects businesses operating sports wagering services by requiring them to stop this specific betting type and establishes penalties for non-compliance. The key mechanism is a clear ban on micro bets, defined as proposition bets concerning the next immediate play during an ongoing event. The bill aims to address concerns about rapid betting contributing to problem gambling, as highlighted by rising helpline calls and studies on athlete gambling risks.