Sen. Britnee Timberlake

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey electric utilities to submit annual reports by February 1st detailing every recorded vote they cast (or their affiliates cast) at PJM Interconnection meetings during the previous year. The reports must list each vote, describe meeting context (purpose, agenda, utility’s role), and explain how each vote supports state goals for affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity. The Board of Public Utilities (BPU) will compile these reports into an annual summary for the Governor and Legislature. This applies to all electric utilities operating in New Jersey and aims to increase transparency around how ratepayer-funded decisions are made in PJM forums.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Banking and Insurance to evaluate banks, credit unions, and mortgage companies on how well they serve low- and moderate-income consumers and underserved communities. The department will rate institutions on a scale from "Outstanding" to "Substantial noncompliance" based on their lending, investments, and financial services in these communities. Institutions rated "Low satisfactory" or worse must develop improvement plans with public input, and the department will conduct a statewide disparity study to identify underserved areas. Financial institutions must post public notices about their performance ratings in branches and on websites. These evaluations, conducted every three years, will influence the department's decisions on applications for new branches or licenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a "Summer Termination Program" that prevents utility disconnections for eligible residential customers during extreme heat. It prohibits local authorities, municipal utilities, rural electric cooperatives, and public utilities from cutting off electric, water, or sewer service if a 72-hour heat forecast shows temperatures reaching or exceeding 85°F for 24+ hours. Eligibility includes customers receiving assistance under the existing Winter Termination Program or those facing financial hardship due to unemployment, illness, medical expenses, or family emergencies. The program requires departments to establish a self-certification process for customers claiming hardship, ensuring service continuity during dangerous heat events.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Senate resolution (SR 133) requests the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to reject the results of PJM Interconnection's 2025/2026 electricity capacity auction and require a new auction. It cites an unprecedented price spike - nearly 10 times higher than prior years - that would raise average New Jersey residential electricity bills by 17-20% starting June 2025. The resolution argues flaws in PJM’s market rules, identified by New Jersey’s energy regulators and an independent monitor, may have caused artificial supply shortages and inaccurate pricing. As a symbolic measure (not a binding law), it directly affects New Jersey ratepayers who rely on the Basic Generation Service auction to secure electricity.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases tax credits for investors who fund New Jersey emerging technology businesses, raising the credit rate from 20% to 60% of qualified investments, with an additional 5% available for investments in opportunity zones, low-income communities, or certified minority/women-owned businesses. It also lowers the maximum employee count for qualifying businesses from 225 to 150 employees. The bill repeals the "New Jersey Ignite Act" while updating definitions and mechanisms for the tax credit program to better support technology startups across fields like biotechnology, renewable energy, and advanced computing. This change directly affects individual investors and venture funds making qualifying investments in New Jersey-based technology businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Civil Service Commission to create a free mentoring program for firefighter applicants living in municipalities with a median income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level. The program provides guidance through the application, exam, and hiring process via workshops, study groups, and mentorship from current or former firefighters. Mentors (volunteers with no payment) are encouraged to match the mentee's racial or ethnic background, and participants may use the program up to three times within a decade. The Commission must annually review the program's effectiveness and remove mentees once they accept a job offer.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey municipalities with career fire departments (paid or part-paid) to organize and deploy firefighters according to the national NFPA 1710 standard (2020 edition), which focuses on firefighter safety and effective response protocols. It amends state law to mandate that municipal governing bodies or fire district boards ensure deployment for fire suppression, rescue, and related activities aligns with this standard, and directs the Commissioner of Community Affairs to create implementing rules. The requirement applies specifically to career departments that respond to at least 50% of initial full-alarm assignments, directly affecting over 100 New Jersey fire departments. The policy change prevents local units from lowering safety standards due to budget or political pressures, ensuring consistent national safety benchmarks for firefighters.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric utilities owning transmission facilities in New Jersey to join and transfer control of those facilities to federally approved regional transmission organizations (like independent system operators). It directly affects electric utilities operating transmission infrastructure within the state, mandating they comply with specific standards for these entities. Key provisions include preventing "rate pancaking" (multiple duplicate fees for electricity delivery), ensuring transmission control is separate from power generation, improving grid reliability, and requiring independent governance. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage, with the Board of Public Utilities authorized to implement necessary rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey State Police to begin recruit training classes at least once every six months. It mandates that the Superintendent of State Police, working with the Attorney General, set annual recruitment goals within 30 days of the budget passing - based on available funding and expected staff losses from retirement or resignation. The bill also establishes a formal recruitment program with specific targets for hiring women and minority officers, using strategies like community outreach in low-income areas, partnerships with schools and local organizations, and social media advertising. The program must be evaluated yearly to ensure it meets diversity goals and effectively attracts qualified applicants reflecting the communities the police serve.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Office of State Police Affairs (OSPA), an independent office within the Department of Treasury (though not under its control), to oversee the Division of State Police. OSPA will investigate misconduct and criminal complaints against state police officers, require the State Police Superintendent to report regularly to OSPA, and review internal investigations to ensure compliance with procedures and appropriate discipline. The office will also oversee officer appointments, promotions, and conduct exit interviews, submitting annual reports to the Governor and Legislature on recruitment and hiring practices. OSPA has authority to subpoena witnesses and documents, and must coordinate with other oversight bodies like the State Auditor and State Commission of Investigation.