Maddy summaryThis bill designates 2026 as "The Year of Black History" in New Jersey to celebrate 100 years since the establishment of Black History Month (originally "Negro History Week" in 1926) and the 250th anniversary of American independence. It requires the New Jersey Department of State to coordinate events, the Department of Education to develop teaching materials about African American history, and the Economic Development Authority to support media initiatives on Black history. The bill appropriates funds from the General Fund to cover these activities, including educational programs, cultural exhibitions, and support for filmmakers. The legislation directly affects state agencies and public schools, aiming to promote awareness of Black contributions through structured state-led initiatives.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill provides a $4 million supplemental appropriation from the General Fund to Hinchliffe Stadium Partners for infrastructure development at Paterson Great Falls National Park. The funds are specifically designated to support sports, entertainment, and tourism infrastructure projects within the park, supplementing an existing $900,000 FY2026 appropriation for the same entity. The funding requires approval from the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting before use. This is a direct financial allocation targeting park infrastructure improvements, not a policy change affecting broader public programs.
Maddy summaryS 5007 requires the Garden State Preservation Trust to conduct a comprehensive audit of New Jersey's land preservation programs - including Green Acres, Blue Acres, farmland, and historic property initiatives - within six months of the bill's effective date. The audit must identify inefficiencies and recommend fund reallocations, with results shared publicly and submitted to the Governor and Legislature. The bill also allows local governments and qualified nonprofits to use constitutionally dedicated land preservation funds for administrative costs like staff time, outreach, and document preparation (capped at 3% of property value). It appropriates $150,000 to cover the audit costs. This directly affects the Trust, state agencies managing preservation programs, and local entities administering land conservation efforts.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations act to change how $1.5 million in state grant funding for Centenary University can be used. Currently restricted to capital improvements (like building repairs), the bill removes this limitation, allowing the university to use the funds for general operational purposes instead. The bill does not increase the total funding amount - it only expands the allowable uses of the existing appropriation. This change directly affects Centenary University's budget flexibility for the 2026 fiscal year.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires contractors to pay the prevailing wage rate for workers on data center construction projects meeting specific size thresholds (250 kilowatts electrical capacity or designed for 500 kilowatt-hours average usage). It directly affects contractors and subcontractors working on such projects in New Jersey, mandating registration, safety documentation, certified payroll submission, and OSHA training compliance. Key provisions include requiring all workers to complete OSHA-10 safety training, restricting third-tier subcontractors, and banning temporary labor unless tied to registered apprenticeships. The bill also establishes joint liability for unpaid wages and requires detailed weekly worker attendance records.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program in eligible New Jersey counties (population over 950,000) to fund nursing services for nonpublic schools. It redirects existing nursing aid funds directly to county-wide groups of nonpublic schools (called "county consortia") instead of school districts, requiring these consortia to provide all required nursing services to participating schools. The program mandates annual audits, an oversight committee with appointed members, and a report after two years to evaluate whether to expand statewide. It directly affects nonpublic schools in qualifying counties that currently receive nursing services through school districts.
Maddy summaryThis bill upgrades penalties for cyber-harassment targeting public servants or their family members, making it a third-degree crime (up from fourth degree under current law). It establishes the Office of Cyber-Harassment Support within the Department of Law and Public Safety to provide victim assistance, develop educational programs, and coordinate with law enforcement and social media platforms. The office will create accessible reporting systems, offer counseling, promote cyber ethics in schools, and train law enforcement on investigating cyber-harassment cases. The bill appropriates state funds to implement these provisions, directly affecting public servants, their families, and victims of online harassment.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey school districts that have moved their annual school election to November to submit separate proposals for additional funding for either the current budget year, the following year, or both. Currently, districts that move elections to November must implement funding increases during the school year when the election occurs, creating budgeting challenges. The bill provides these districts with greater flexibility by enabling them to delay implementing tax levy increases for approved proposals until the subsequent school year. It specifically prevents districts from using "banked" tax levy amounts for the subsequent year if they approve a separate proposal for that year. This change helps districts better plan for initiatives like expanding educational programs, as they can time funding implementation to align with their budget cycles.
Maddy summaryS 3529 criminalizes the use of signal jammers in New Jersey - devices that block cell phone calls, texts, GPS signals, Wi-Fi, or emergency communications. The bill amends state law to make interfering with FCC-licensed radio communications or U.S. government communications a fourth-degree crime, aligning with existing federal prohibitions. It directly affects individuals and businesses using these devices, such as those blocking cellular service in vehicles or workplaces. The law does not create new federal rules but enforces current federal restrictions at the state level.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a minimum daily reimbursement rate of $950 for pediatric special care nursing facilities (SCNFs) participating in New Jersey's Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs. It directly affects four facilities in New Jersey - Children’s Specialized Hospital (Mountainside and Toms River), Phoenix Center for Rehabilitation and Pediatrics, and Voorhees Pediatric Facility - that provide specialized long-term care to medically fragile children and youth up to age 21. To qualify for this rate, facilities must comply with state and federal requirements for licensure, patient safety, and care quality. The state will fund this increase through General Fund appropriations and requires the Department of Human Services to seek necessary federal approvals for reimbursement.