Sen. Brian Stack

Maddy summaryThis bill bans the farming (aquaculture) of octopuses for human food in New Jersey. It prohibits anyone from raising octopuses in facilities for consumption and stops businesses from selling, possessing, or transporting farmed octopus. Violations can result in daily civil penalties up to $1,000, with each day of violation counted separately. The law specifically excludes wild-caught octopus and octopus raised solely for research unrelated to commercial production.

Maddy summaryS 2718 requires New Jersey state agencies (including the Department of Community Affairs, Department of Human Services, and Board of Public Utilities) to review and potentially raise income thresholds for utility bill assistance and energy efficiency programs within one year of a related BPU decision. The bill directs agencies to consider factors like program alignment, cost impacts, and public input when determining if higher income limits would better serve low- and moderate-income households. If thresholds increase for low-income energy efficiency programs, the BPU must adjust utility programs to ensure households qualify for only one program and expand access to moderate-income options. This directly affects residential customers seeking help with energy costs by potentially making more households eligible for assistance.

Maddy summaryS 2712 requires New Jersey's Division of Rate Counsel to hire an independent third party to study the feasibility and cost savings of de-privatizing electric and gas public utilities (companies serving residents) by exploring two options: public ownership or joint public-private operation. The study must analyze short- and long-term impacts - including environmental effects, service quality, ratepayer costs, and financial implications - and include input from utilities and public entities. It mandates all electric/gas utilities and public entities to cooperate with the study and requires a final report to the Governor and Legislature within one year. The bill appropriates $100,000 from the state budget to fund this study, which will inform future decisions but does not implement de-privatization itself.

Maddy summaryS 390 (New Jersey) allows voters to change their party affiliation at the polling place on primary election day or by submitting a different party's mail-in ballot. This changes existing rules that required voters to declare a party affiliation 55 days before a primary. Voters who sign a declaration at the polls or return a different party's mail-in ballot become members of that party for the election. The bill directly affects all New Jersey voters participating in primary elections, removing the previous 55-day deadline for party affiliation changes. It amends election law sections to enable same-day party switching for in-person and mail-in voters.

Maddy summaryS 834 prohibits New Jersey automobile insurers from raising premiums based on a policyholder's involvement in a motor vehicle accident where they were deemed not at fault. This directly affects drivers who were not responsible for accidents but might have faced higher insurance costs under current practices. The bill amends existing law to ban insurers from using accident involvement (without fault) as a factor in underwriting rules or rating plans. The legislation requires insurers to file underwriting rules with the state commissioner and apply them uniformly, though it remains pending and is not yet law.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 329) makes it a crime to use artificial intelligence or deepfake technology to impersonate someone for fraudulent purposes. It specifically adds AI-generated impersonation to the state's identity theft law, covering cases where someone falsely depicts another person through deepfakes to obtain benefits, avoid payments, or cause harm. Penalties range from a fourth-degree crime (small-scale, under $500) to a second-degree crime (large-scale, $75,000+ or five+ victims). The law also requires courts to correct false records created by such fraud and may order restitution to victims.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 473) increases penalties for prostitution-related crimes, particularly those involving minors or family members. It creates two new offenses: "leader of a prostitution network" and "participant in a prostitution network," with mandatory minimum prison terms for certain violations. For example, promoting child prostitution is now a first-degree crime, and operating a network involving a spouse or family member requires a minimum 5-year prison sentence. The law directly affects individuals who manage or participate in organized prostitution operations, especially those exploiting vulnerable people.

Maddy summaryS 452 would limit annual rent increases to 5% plus the local cost-of-living change (or 10% maximum) for most rental units in New Jersey. It affects landlords and tenants in standard residential leases, but excludes affordable housing units, new constructions (within 15 years), single-family homes owned by individuals (not corporations), and duplexes where the landlord resides. The cap applies only to future rent increases, not current rates, and tenants could challenge violations through existing tenant protection laws. The bill does not alter current rent levels or apply to exempt properties like dormitories or government-subsidized housing.

Maddy summaryS 1185 requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to create a free, statewide online database for local government legal notices. This bill directly affects municipalities, counties, and other local government units that currently publish legal notices in newspapers, allowing them to instead submit notices electronically to DCA without cost. Key provisions mandate DCA to maintain the database, enable local units to submit notices via a simple form, and provide public access through DCA's website. The database replaces newspaper publication requirements for these notices, making them searchable online for residents. The bill takes effect three months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1826) requires online platforms primarily distributing sexually explicit material (defined as "obscene material" under New Jersey law) to verify users are at least 18 years old before accessing such content. It applies specifically to "sexually oriented online entities" where more than one-third of revenue, user accounts, or content consists of obscene material - such as dedicated adult platforms or sites with significant adult content. The law mandates using approved age verification methods, including New Jersey’s driver’s license system, to confirm users’ age before access. It does not apply to general social media or non-explicit content, focusing solely on platforms meeting the defined threshold for obscene material. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.