Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to create and offer payment incentives to drivers who owe certain motor vehicle surcharges every three years. It specifically targets drivers who haven't paid surcharges for traffic violations (like accumulating penalty points) but excludes those with surcharges related to drunk driving convictions. The incentives may include waived down payments or interest on overdue amounts. The bill updates current law, which previously only required "periodic" offerings, to mandate a precise three-year cycle for these payment relief options.

Maddy summaryS 1574 allows New Jersey counties to create voluntary registries for senior residents (65+), enabling them to receive emergency assistance. Counties must collect basic contact and medical information from participants, keep this data confidential, and run public awareness campaigns about the registry. Each county may also prepare and distribute emergency supply kits to registered seniors during crises, with kit contents determined by local emergency management offices. The bill requires counties to maintain registry data solely for emergency preparedness and prohibits public disclosure of registry information.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Fair Pricing and Transparency Act, would require grocery stores in New Jersey to disclose when they use automated systems to set personalized prices for food items based on consumer data. It directly affects retailers selling groceries and other foodstuffs, as well as consumers who shop at these stores. The law prohibits charging different prices to different customers for the same products based on their browsing history, purchase patterns, or other personal information collected through electronic systems. Additionally, the bill mandates that stores using such dynamic pricing technology must clearly inform customers about the practice at the point of sale.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the second full week in September each year as "Truck Driver Appreciation Week" in New Jersey to formally recognize the contributions of professional truck drivers. The resolution directly affects truck drivers and the public by encouraging officials and citizens to acknowledge the importance of the trucking industry to the state's economy and daily life. It requires the Governor to issue a proclamation for the week and does not change laws or regulations. The measure is symbolic and aims to highlight the essential role truck drivers play in transporting goods and maintaining supply chains.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits electric public utilities in New Jersey from charging fees to public entities when relocating utility poles. It directly affects counties, municipalities, and other public agencies that may need to move poles for infrastructure projects. The law defines utility poles to include the poles themselves, attached wires or cables, and similar replacements, ensuring the fee ban covers all related components. The measure takes effect immediately upon passage, removing potential costs that public entities might otherwise face during pole relocation efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 13-member Task Force on Higher Education Governance and Funding to study New Jersey's higher education system, including its organizational structure, oversight mechanisms, and financial support. The task force will include representatives from state agencies, universities, colleges, and labor organizations, with appointments made within 60 days of the bill's effective date. The group is required to hold at least one public hearing, examine how current funding affects tuition and student outcomes, and submit data-driven recommendations to the Legislature on how to adequately and equitably fund public higher education institutions. The bill appropriates $200,000 to cover the task force's operational costs and member reimbursement for necessary expenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Fair Price Protection Act, prohibits retail food stores and third-party grocery delivery platforms in New Jersey from charging different prices to different consumers for the same product based on surveillance data collected through cameras, sensors, or other tracking technologies. The law directly affects grocery retailers, delivery services, and consumers by making it illegal to use personal information about shopping habits, location, or biometrics to set individualized prices. Exceptions are allowed for legitimate cost differences, bona fide discounts for groups like seniors or students, and loyalty programs, provided that pricing criteria are clearly disclosed to customers and surveillance data is not used for other purposes like targeted advertising. The bill aims to prevent discriminatory pricing while permitting standard business practices such as loyalty rewards and group discounts when properly communicated.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a temporary New Jersey Task Force to improve coordination among nonprofit social service organizations. The task force will develop recommendations focused on reducing administrative costs through shared services, eliminating service duplication by forming alliances, and creating uniform reporting procedures for expenditures to policymakers and the public. It consists of 17 members, including state agency commissioners and 13 public representatives from diverse social service sectors (e.g., mental health, domestic violence support, homelessness services). The task force must report its findings to the Governor and Legislature within 12 months of its first meeting, after which it will dissolve.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires midwives and physicians who provide obstetric care to give pregnant patients written, evidence-based information about all available birthing options (including hospital births, home births, scheduled procedures, and associated health risks) before labor begins. The information must be provided in English and at least seven common non-English languages spoken by limited-English-proficiency patients in New Jersey, based on census data. Providers must also offer annual language-appropriate education on these options during pregnancy. The law applies directly to pregnant patients receiving care from certified midwives or physicians in New Jersey, aiming to improve informed decision-making.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) and Department of Health (DOH) to provide SNAP, WFNJ, and WIC recipients with clear information about card skimming, cloning, and fraud prevention. It mandates that DHS and DOH distribute written materials at enrollment/recertification points, post digital/paper resources online and at offices, and establish processes to replace benefits stolen through these fraud methods using federal or state funds. The bill also directs both departments to coordinate with card vendors to implement security measures like chip technology and transaction alerts. Recipients must report fraud to DHS/DOH or law enforcement, with annual reports tracking fraud incidents and benefit replacements.