Sen. Britnee Timberlake

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits electric power suppliers and gas suppliers from charging residential customers more for standard electricity or gas service than the established "basic service" rates. It directly affects residential utility customers in New Jersey by capping their monthly charges for electricity and gas supply at the existing basic service price points. The key provision requires suppliers to maintain rates at or below the baseline rates set under existing law (P.L.1999, c.23), preventing increases that would exceed these levels. This policy change aims to limit rate hikes for households without altering the underlying basic service rates themselves. The bill applies specifically to residential customers, not businesses or industrial users.

Maddy summaryS 4478 requires New Jersey's electric and gas public utilities to create or maintain warranty programs covering the full cost to repair or replace specific household appliances. Covered appliances include furnaces, water heaters, HVAC systems, refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers, and similar items. Utilities must notify all customers about the program via bill inserts every billing cycle for one year after the law takes effect, explaining their rights and how to switch from existing programs. The bill also prohibits utilities from passing on the cost of these programs to customers through higher rates. This law directly affects residential utility customers and the state's electric and gas utility providers.

Maddy summaryS 4479 requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities to prohibit electric and gas companies from charging residential customers extra fees when their actual energy use exceeds estimates under equal payment plans (which average yearly usage into monthly bills). It also bans companies from billing customers for the difference between estimated and actual usage (a practice known as underbilling) and prevents them from adding unpaid balances from such differences to future bills. Utilities must adjust monthly payments only once a year, based solely on a customer's actual energy use, rather than making mid-year changes. This bill aims to create more predictable and stable billing for New Jersey households.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Rate Counsel to hire an independent third party to study whether publicly owning or jointly operating electric and gas utilities (like those serving homes and businesses) would be feasible and cost-effective. The study must analyze options such as state agencies taking over utilities or partnering with current providers, including impacts on costs for ratepayers, service quality, environmental effects, and potential savings from clean energy programs. It mandates that utilities and public entities cooperate with the study and requires a report with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year. The state appropriates $100,000 from the General Fund to cover the study costs. This is a procedural study, not a direct policy change, and would inform future legislative or executive actions.

Maddy summaryS 4487 creates a new State Board of Midwifery to regulate midwifery practice in New Jersey, replacing the current system where midwifery was overseen by the State Board of Medical Examiners. The bill establishes licensing requirements for three types of midwives (certified midwives, certified nurse midwives, and certified professional midwives) and requires the new board to approve licensure applications, recognize midwifery certification programs, and set continuing education standards including bias training. The legislation also authorizes midwives to prescribe medications under certain conditions and requires health insurance providers to cover midwifery services and home births. This bill directly affects midwives seeking licensure, their patients, and healthcare insurers across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations without requiring patients to pay deductibles, copays, or other cost-sharing. It applies to all types of health insurance in the state, including private insurers, health maintenance organizations, and state employee health programs. Diagnostic exams evaluate abnormalities found in screenings or detected another way, while supplemental exams screen for breast cancer when no abnormality is present but based on personal/family medical history or risk factors like dense breasts. Insurance plans must cover these examinations at the same level as other medical conditions, with no out-of-pocket costs for patients.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities to hire a third party to study whether de-privatizing public utilities (like electricity or water providers) would be feasible and cost-effective. The study must examine two main options: public entities (such as state agencies) fully or partially acquiring utilities, or public entities jointly operating utilities with existing providers. It must analyze short- and long-term costs, benefits, environmental impacts, service quality, ratepayer effects, and revenue from clean energy programs. The Board must complete the study within one year, submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature, and the state will appropriate $100,000 to fund the study.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4372) prohibits New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) from approving electric or gas utility rate increases that would raise the average residential customer's bill by more than 2% over any five-year period. It directly affects residential utility customers in New Jersey by limiting cumulative rate hikes on their monthly bills. The key provision requires the BPU to reject any proposed rate increase that projects exceeding this 2% cap over five years. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryS 3199 establishes the New Jersey-Haiti Commission within the Department of State to strengthen economic and cultural ties between New Jersey and Haiti, with a specific focus on addressing economic challenges faced by New Jersey's Haitian-American community - the state's fourth-largest Haitian population in the U.S. The 13-member commission, led by the Secretary of State and including 12 public members appointed by the Governor (based on legislative recommendations), will conduct research, hold quarterly public hearings, and analyze data on migration patterns, demographics, and economic impacts. It will identify opportunities for collaboration in areas like trade, healthcare, education, and cultural exchanges, then submit annual reports with policy recommendations to the Governor and Legislature. This bill creates a formal structure for ongoing dialogue and evidence-based policy development between New Jersey and Haiti.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey financial institutions (like banks, credit unions, and mortgage servicers) to allow homeowners (mortgagors) to choose biweekly payments (every two weeks), bimonthly payments (twice monthly), or extra payments directly to their mortgage principal - without penalties. It mandates that any amount paid beyond the annual required total in biweekly plans must reduce the principal balance. The law applies to all new mortgage agreements signed six months after enactment and affects homeowners seeking more flexible repayment options to potentially pay off loans faster. It does not change existing mortgage terms but expands payment choices for future agreements.