Maddy summaryThe "Safe and Sanitary Rental Housing Act" requires landlords to register with detailed information (including contact details and Social Security numbers for corporate owners) and mandates 90 days of registration before courts can issue eviction judgments. It establishes a tiered inspection system for multiple dwellings based on violation history, with more frequent inspections for properties with unresolved safety issues, and requires landlords who accept federal rental subsidies to register for 90 days before receiving rehabilitation funding. The act ensures courts address habitability violations by directing tenant rent payments toward repairs when non-payment is due to unsafe conditions. This bill directly affects landlords and tenants in rental properties, particularly in multiple-dwelling buildings.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a one-year pilot program to provide pet food assistance for cat and dog owners facing financial hardship. The New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) must partner with selected non-profits and volunteer groups to operate food banks for pets, using a $1 million state appropriation. The program includes liability protections for good-faith donors and distributors of pet food, and requires the DOH to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within one year with recommendations on making the program permanent or ending it. The initiative directly affects pet owners in financial need and the non-profits managing the food distribution.
Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Senior Citizen Tenant Protection Act," would allow New Jersey residents aged 55 or older who have lived in the same rental unit (not public housing) for at least 10 years and earn $80,000 or less annually to apply for "protected senior citizen tenant" status. Approved tenants would limit rent increases to 75% of the annual Consumer Price Index change in their region, adjusted each year. Landlords violating this limit could face penalties of $500 or three times the excess rent, plus legal fees. Landlords may request hardship waivers if the limit causes financial strain, but waivers do not override local rent control laws.
Maddy summaryThis bill provides a 10% tax credit against New Jersey business income taxes to developers who build rental housing reserved exclusively for veterans. The credit covers approved construction and rehabilitation costs (including land, materials, labor, and professional fees) up to the developer's annual tax liability, with a total annual cap of $5 million across all developers. To qualify, housing must be reserved for veterans for at least 15 years, and developers must obtain a Department of Community Affairs eligibility certificate before claiming the credit. The credit applies to new construction or rehabilitation projects meeting specific criteria, aiming to increase veteran housing access while reducing developers' tax burden.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's certification process for minority-owned and women-owned businesses (MWBEs) to prevent disqualification based solely on not maintaining physical inventory. It allows businesses engaged in procurement (not production) to qualify if they: place orders with manufacturers, take possession by payment, assume ownership risk, and ship products to customers. The bill also requires the certification procedure to include safeguards against shell companies created to evade ownership rules. This change directly affects MWBEs operating as intermediaries in supply chains, expanding eligibility for state contract opportunities.
Maddy summaryS 2948 requires that only structural engineers or employees of certified fire escape inspection companies can install, service, repair, inspect, and maintain fire escapes. The bill amends New Jersey's fire protection laws to add fire escapes to the definition of "fire protection equipment" and creates a new "Fire Escape Contractor" certification classification. It specifies that building occupancy certificates for structures with fire escapes can only be issued after inspections by these qualified professionals, and requires officials enforcing fire code related to fire escapes to be structural engineers or certified employees. This directly affects contractors, building inspectors, and property owners who must comply with these new requirements for fire escape installations and inspections.
Maddy summaryS 2386 creates a New Jersey gross income tax credit for active volunteer members of fire departments, ambulance squads, or rescue organizations who use their personal vehicles for emergency duties. It allows eligible volunteers to claim a credit based on miles driven for active duty (defined as direct response to emergencies), calculated using the federal IRS business mileage rate, with a maximum credit of $500 for single filers or $1,000 for married couples filing jointly. To qualify, members must maintain active status without regular pay (only receiving clothing allowances or limited service awards), meet attendance requirements for drills/meetings, and document service through their organization’s certification. The credit applies to taxable years beginning after the bill’s enactment and is refundable if it reduces tax liability to zero. This directly benefits New Jersey volunteer emergency responders who incur vehicle costs while serving.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey's Department of Health to directly purchase medical countermeasures, supplies, and therapeutics under federal programs when needed for public health and safety. It permits the Commissioner of Health to bypass standard procurement rules (like those in P.L.1954, c.48) and federal contract requirements to make these purchases immediately. The bill also lets the Commissioner quickly adopt temporary regulations (effective up to 18 months) without full administrative review to implement this authority. It directly affects the Department of Health and its Commissioner, streamlining access to critical medical resources during health emergencies.
Maddy summaryS 4151 requires New Jersey public utilities (like electricity, gas, and water companies) to clearly inform customers about proposed rate increases. Utilities must send a plain-language notice via bill insert or local newspaper explaining the reason for the increase and its impact on customers before filing a petition with the Board of Public Utilities. After the Board issues a final decision, utilities must provide a written summary to affected customers 30 days before new rates take effect if approved, or within 14 days if the rate doesn’t change. The bill also mandates the Board of Public Utilities respond in writing to public questions asked during hearings within 14 days after the final hearing.
Maddy summarySR 100 is a New Jersey Senate resolution urging the federal government to update the official poverty line used to determine eligibility for public assistance programs. It argues the current poverty line, established in the 1960s and based solely on food costs, no longer reflects modern expenses like housing, healthcare, and transportation. The resolution states this outdated measure excludes nearly 53 million households facing basic needs shortages from accessing programs like Medicaid and food assistance, despite only 37.9 million being officially counted as poor. By raising the poverty line to better reflect living costs, the resolution aims to expand access to these critical programs for low-income households. As a resolution, it does not change federal policy but formally requests federal action.