Sen. Raj Mukherji

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create rules for small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), defined as reactors under 300 megawatts requiring U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing. It authorizes the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to use 60% of the Global Warming Solutions Fund to provide financial incentives for the construction and operation of SMRs. The EDA must determine grant levels, selection criteria (prioritizing projects with measurable greenhouse gas reductions), and application processes for these incentives. This directly affects the EDA, reactor developers, and potential investors in SMR projects within New Jersey.

Maddy summaryS 2241 expands New Jersey's subsidized child care assistance program to cover families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL), raising the income limit from 200% FPL ($55,500 for a family of four in 2022) to 300% FPL ($83,250 for a family of four in 2022). The bill requires the Division of Family Development to establish at least four income tiers for determining eligibility and co-payment amounts. It appropriates necessary state funds for implementation, to be determined by the Commissioner of Human Services and approved by the budget office. This change directly affects low-to-moderate-income working families who previously exceeded the income threshold for child care subsidies.

Maddy summaryS 2239 extends New Jersey's requirement that child care subsidy payments for licensed centers and registered family day care providers be based on the number of enrolled eligible children (not attendance) until June 30, 2025. The bill mandates that providers set staff wages and hours based on enrollment numbers, not attendance, and requires the Division of Family Development to study the cost differences between enrollment-based and attendance-based payments. This study must be reported to the Governor and Legislature within three years of the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's school bus safety laws to authorize using school bus monitoring systems for enforcement. It changes penalties for drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses: violations captured by these systems will result in only a $250 civil penalty (instead of potential fines or jail time), with funds directed to municipalities and school districts for safety programs. The law applies to buses transporting children or individuals with developmental disabilities when stopped to load/unload. It does not create new monitoring systems but specifies how existing systems can be used to enforce stop laws through civil penalties.

Maddy summaryS 304 would expand Medicare coverage to all New Jersey residents, regardless of age, health, or disability, by requiring the state to seek a federal waiver to replace current health programs like Medicaid with a unified New Jersey Medicare program. The bill mandates that the state apply to CMS for necessary waivers, with CMS adjusting costs and premiums based on existing Medicare and Medicaid payments. It also prohibits private insurers from offering duplicate coverage for services already provided by Medicare to ensure full participation in the new system. This would provide comprehensive health coverage to all New Jersey residents meeting the 30-day domicile requirement, including those currently uninsured or facing restrictive private insurance plans.