Sen. Britnee Timberlake

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Office of Information Technology (OIT) to partner with private companies to build and operate a statewide wireless network through a public-private partnership agreement. It directly affects state government agencies that would use the network and private telecommunications companies eligible to bid on the contract. Key provisions include: requiring OIT to hold public hearings, prove the partnership costs less than a public option, and structure agreements where the private entity manages the network for a set term before returning full control to the state. The private entity finances construction and receives network revenue during the agreement, while OIT retains ownership and final oversight. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Economic Growth Committee after introduction on January 13, 2026.

Maddy summarySCR 27 proposes a constitutional amendment to guarantee all New Jersey residents a fundamental right to a clean and healthy environment, including clean air, pure water, safe climate, and healthy habitats. It designates the State as the trustee of all natural resources (waters, air, lands, wildlife, and climate) for both current and future generations, requiring the state to conserve and maintain these resources for public benefit. The amendment would be self-executing, meaning courts could enforce it directly without new laws, and it explicitly states these rights are in addition to existing environmental protections. This change would apply to all New Jersey residents and require the state government to uphold these environmental rights through its actions and policies.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2677 allows counties and municipalities to create programs reserving government contracts for specific business types. It authorizes local governments to set goals for awarding a percentage of total contracts to qualified minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, or small businesses, or to joint ventures involving these businesses. To qualify, businesses must be 51% owned by the relevant group (e.g., minority members, women, or veterans), based in New Jersey, and independently operated. The bill defines key terms like "qualified minority business enterprise" and requires written agreements for joint ventures to ensure compliance with the program goals.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill S 1917 requires the state’s Transportation Commissioner and Highway Traffic Safety Director to annually update public awareness campaigns and use variable message signs at least once yearly. The campaigns must inform motorists about their duty to change lanes or reduce speed when approaching pedestrians, bicycles, or personal conveyances (like scooters), as specified in existing law (C.39:4-92.4). The bill mandates that these materials cover the importance of compliance, risks of non-compliance, and associated penalties. It directly affects all drivers in New Jersey through updated public safety messaging. The bill amends prior statutes (P.L.2017, c.358 and P.L.2019, c.370) to expand awareness beyond emergency vehicles to include vulnerable road users.

Maddy summaryS 3012 creates two new state entities: the Health Care Cost Containment and Price Transparency Commission and the Office of Health Care Affordability and Transparency within New Jersey’s Department of Health. The bill requires hospitals and other health care entities (including insurers and providers) to publicly report detailed pricing data for services like inpatient care, emergency visits, and physician services using standard medical codes. It establishes price growth benchmarks to monitor cost trends, mandates public reporting of pricing data, and empowers the Commission to address entities exceeding these benchmarks through transparency measures and potential penalties. The law directly affects all New Jersey hospitals and health care payers by requiring data transparency and cost monitoring to improve affordability.

Maddy summaryS 2646 requires New Jersey county superintendents of schools to develop and submit a plan to the state commissioner for consolidating local school districts into regional districts. The plan must eliminate non-county-based school districts (excluding preschool/k-12 districts) and be approved by voters via a special election following commissioner review. Key provisions mandate county superintendents to recommend consolidation based on cost-efficiency standards, review shared services, and disapprove excessive budget items. This directly affects all school districts in counties not already operating as regional systems, requiring them to either consolidate or face potential elimination. The bill is pending in the Senate Education Committee as of its introduction on January 13, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's electric and gas utilities to reset their rates to levels from 2020 for a five-year period. Utilities must submit rate filings reflecting 2020 rates to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), which must approve them within 30 days. The approved rates would then remain in effect until 2029, directly affecting all residential and business customers of these utilities. The policy change prevents new rate increases above 2020 levels during this period.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2701) expands accidental death benefits for survivors of New Jersey police and fire officers (PFRS members) who die on duty. It explicitly adds "companion" as a beneficiary category - defined as a cohabiting partner meeting specific criteria (e.g., 2+ years together, shared household expenses) - to receive the same 70% of final salary benefit previously reserved for spouses, when no spouse, children, or parents survive. The bill also clarifies that final salary used for calculations must be adjusted for inflation, as required by existing law. These changes apply to accidental death benefits, not other pension types, and ensure companions receive benefits equal to spouses under the same conditions.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 2671) pauses mortgage and rent payments for affected residents and small businesses during the pandemic emergency. It requires property owners to grant 90-day mortgage forbearance (extendable to 180 days total) without proof of hardship, and landlords to suspend rent for residential tenants and small business commercial tenants for up to 180 days total, with no fees or penalties. The bill also prohibits foreclosures and evictions for 90 days after the emergency declaration and mandates landlords to provide written notices about payment suspensions. It directly affects homeowners, residential renters, and small business tenants in New Jersey during the covered emergency period.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits electric, gas, and water utilities from disconnecting service to residential customers (including renters in multi-unit buildings) for nonpayment during a declared epidemic. It requires utilities to resume service as soon as possible to customers disconnected before the epidemic, unless a "public utility emergency" (like a safety threat) occurs. The ban ends when the Governor officially declares the public health emergency and state of emergency no longer exist. Customers remain liable for unpaid bills once the epidemic ends, but cannot face disconnection during the emergency period.