Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryS 3246 requires all New Jersey public school districts to adopt policies setting temperature standards for school buildings. These policies must ensure classrooms maintain a learning-friendly environment by designating staff to monitor temperatures, creating protocols for extreme conditions, and aligning with existing indoor air quality standards. School boards must also follow local building and fire codes when implementing temperature controls. The Department of Education and Department of Health will jointly create guidance to help districts comply. The law takes effect July 1 of the school year following its enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey municipalities to charge development impact fees on new construction projects to fund infrastructure improvements. It requires these fees to follow state-established guidelines and directs the funds toward upgrading roads, water systems, sewer facilities, and school infrastructure strained by new development. Developers of new projects will pay these fees, while municipalities will use the revenue to address specific infrastructure needs identified by the state. The bill also includes a funding appropriation to support this fee program.

Maddy summaryThis bill regulates how large investment firms (defined as "institutional investors") can buy, own, or lease single-family homes in New Jersey. It requires these investors to register with the state's Community Affairs Commissioner and restricts them from purchasing homes that are actively listed for sale on public real estate databases. The bill explicitly excludes nonprofits focused on affordable housing, family trusts, and family-owned limited liability companies from these regulations. It also includes provisions to support existing homebuyer assistance programs, aiming to increase housing options for low- and moderate-income residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require New Jersey to observe daylight saving time year-round if federal law permits it. It affects all residents and businesses in New Jersey by eliminating the biannual clock changes between standard and daylight saving time. The bill amends state law to remove the seasonal time adjustment clause, making daylight saving time the permanent standard. However, it cannot take effect until Congress changes federal law to allow states to adopt year-round daylight saving time.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts and contracted bus providers to maintain at least one school bus aide for every 15 special needs students during transportation. It applies to buses carrying special needs students or mixed groups of special needs and general education students, but excludes students classified solely for "specific learning disabilities" under federal law. The rule takes effect for the first full school year after the bill becomes law. This policy directly affects school transportation services and ensures minimum staffing levels for student safety during bus travel.

Maddy summaryS 3213 establishes the New Jersey Skills Service Corps, a paid volunteer program for state residents aged 18+ who serve with state entities (like agencies or universities) for 1-2 years. Participants receive a monthly stipend for volunteering at least 15 hours per month, plus free training and industry-valued credentials (such as apprenticeship hours) in fields like healthcare, renewable energy, and infrastructure. The program prioritizes underserved communities - defined as areas where 75%+ of students qualify for free/reduced school meals - and requires state entities to certify volunteer hours. It is funded through a dedicated state appropriation and administered by the Department of State’s Office of Volunteerism.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a public awareness campaign and call center to help New Jersey residents access property tax relief programs. It directly affects eligible homeowners and tenants who qualify for six specific programs, including the Stay NJ Credit, ANCHOR, Homestead, and senior/disabled tax deductions. The campaign will explain eligibility, application steps, and required documents through media and online channels, while the call center provides real-time assistance in English and three other common languages. The bill also requires the Stay NJ Task Force to submit an annual report on program administration.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 724, limits annual electricity rate increases for low- and middle-income residential households in New Jersey. It prohibits electric utilities from raising rates for these households by more than the annual inflation rate (based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index). Eligible households are defined as those with annual incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (low-income) or 400% (middle-income). Utilities must report program participation and financial impact to the Board of Public Utilities annually, and non-compliance results in fines determined by the Board. The bill applies to all residential electricity customers meeting the income thresholds, not to commercial or other utility customers.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1228) requires public schools to create emergency policies for students with seizure disorders. It mandates schools to train at least two non-nurse staff members (in addition to the school nurse) to administer nasal seizure rescue medication and use a manual vagus nerve stimulator during emergencies, with parental consent and written documentation. Schools must also develop individualized emergency plans in collaboration with parents and healthcare providers, and ensure students receive hospital evaluation after treatment. The bill protects school staff from liability for good-faith actions under these protocols, provided they follow training and consent requirements. The bill was introduced to the Senate Education Committee in January 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey to issue special Boy Scouts of America (BSA) license plates for each local BSA council in the state. Motorists who apply for these plates pay a $50 one-time fee and a $10 annual fee, with all collected fees deposited into a special fund for each council. The fund supports local Scouting programs and programs, with administrative costs deducted before funds are distributed. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission manages the plate design, issuance, and fee collection in consultation with BSA councils.