Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill S 2355 expands eligibility for Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) payments to victims of motor vehicle crashes resulting in death or requiring ambulance removal from the scene. It adds these crashes to the list of qualifying incidents under the existing "Criminal Injuries Compensation Act," allowing victims to access compensation for medical bills, counseling, lost wages, and funeral costs. The bill also establishes a "Traffic Crash Victim’s Bill of Rights," granting victims free access to crash reports and evidence, notification of court proceedings, employer leave for related hearings, protection from intimidation by the other driver, and clear information about their rights and compensation options. These changes apply directly to crash victims and their families, not to the drivers involved in the accidents. The bill is pending in the Senate Transportation Committee after its January 2026 introduction.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 570 requires businesses selling lithium-ion battery electric vehicles to provide prospective buyers with a disclosure statement. The statement must explain that lithium is a scarce resource with environmentally impactful extraction methods and identify the specific source of lithium used in the vehicle's battery. Sellers must obtain a signed receipt from each buyer acknowledging receipt of this disclosure. Violations carry civil penalties of $150 for the first offense and $300 for subsequent violations, enforceable through summary proceedings. This law directly affects all EV dealers in New Jersey and aims to inform consumers about battery sourcing and environmental considerations.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2043) revises New Jersey's reckless vehicular homicide law to increase penalties for drivers causing death while operating a vehicle recklessly. It directly affects drivers convicted of such crimes who were driving under the influence (DUI), with a suspended license, or near schools (within 1,000 feet of school property or school crossings). Key provisions include: a mandatory minimum prison term (one-third to one-half of sentence or three years, whichever is greater), automatic pretrial detention, a license suspension of 5 years to life, and vehicle forfeiture (unless the defendant proves hardship). The law also specifies that ignorance of school proximity or lack of students present does not excuse violations near schools.
Maddy summaryS 431 would require safety certifications for low-speed electric bicycles, motorized bicycles, scooters, and their batteries sold in New Jersey, directly affecting businesses that sell or lease these devices. The bill bans selling lithium-ion batteries made from reconditioned cells (common in unsafe DIY modifications) and mandates that products meet specific safety standards (UL 2849 for bikes, UL 2272 for scooters, UL 2271 for batteries), with certification displayed on the product or packaging. It also requires commercial operators (like bike rental companies) to provide fire safety materials to employees operating these devices. The bill creates a fire risk awareness campaign but focuses on concrete safety requirements for manufacturers and sellers, not outcomes. (Bill S 431, introduced January 13, 2026)
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's "Safe and Sanitary Rental Housing Act," requiring landlords to register with local authorities within 30 days of creating a new tenancy or building occupancy. Landlords must provide detailed information including owner contact details, emergency contacts, and maintenance staff locations. The law also mandates a 90-day registration period before landlords can pursue eviction proceedings and ties eligibility for state housing subsidies to this registration requirement. It directly affects landlords of rental properties, particularly multi-unit buildings, and aims to improve tenant safety through stronger accountability measures.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's Lifeline Credit Program and Tenants' Lifeline Assistance Program to include water utility bill assistance, which was previously limited to electricity and gas. It directly affects low-income households already eligible for benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI), disability benefits, or the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled program. The key mechanism adds one-third of the $200 annual credit to water bills (with the remaining two-thirds split between electricity and gas), applying to both homeowners and tenants. The program remains funded through state appropriations, with payments applied to utility bills as soon as eligibility is confirmed.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to determine and consider the lowest reasonable return on equity (ROE) when reviewing rate increase requests from electric, gas, and water utility companies. It directly affects utility companies seeking rate hikes and the BPU, which must now actively seek the minimum reasonable ROE as a factor in its approval decisions. The key mechanism mandates the BPU to develop or adopt specific analytic models reflecting state, federal, and industry standards to assess this lowest reasonable ROE. This change would shift the BPU's process from evaluating proposed ROEs to proactively identifying the lowest acceptable return for rate cases, impacting how utility rate increases are approved.
Maddy summarySJR 52 designates the last full week of September each year as "Frontotemporal Degeneration Awareness Week" in New Jersey. This symbolic resolution aims to increase public awareness of frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), a terminal neurodegenerative disease affecting speech, personality, and motor skills, which often impacts people under 60. The bill requires the governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance through community activities. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as an annual reminder of FTD's impact on New Jersey residents.
Maddy summaryS 2931 establishes rules for on-demand micro transit programs in New Jersey, which are technology-enabled shared rides (via app or phone) that pick up and drop off users at selected locations. It directly affects NJ Transit, county transit agencies, and other operators by requiring them to: pay drivers fairly (matching existing wages/benefits), serve transit deserts without replacing existing routes, provide non-smartphone access, ensure disability accessibility, and report monthly data (cost per ride, wait times, etc.) for publicly funded programs. The bill creates a Micro Transit Oversight Committee to certify programs meet these standards before operation. Key mechanisms include mandatory driver licensing, prohibitions on replacing existing transit, and data transparency requirements for public funding.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1642) would allow public universities in New Jersey to include fees for legislative advocacy groups on student tuition bills as "waivable fees," rather than requiring a prior student referendum. It directly affects public university students, as these fees would appear as separate line items on tuition bills but could be opted out of by students. The bill requires clear labeling explaining the fee’s purpose, that it’s not mandatory, how to waive it, and that it doesn’t reflect university endorsement. Currently, such fees require a student vote; this change eliminates that step while maintaining student choice to waive the fee. The policy would take effect immediately upon passage.