Sen. Benjie Wimberly

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3223 removes the requirement that health sharing ministries must have operated continuously since December 31, 1999, allowing new organizations to form. It exempts members of these ministries from the state's health insurance mandate, meaning they no longer need to maintain coverage or pay related taxes. The bill requires ministries operating in New Jersey to publicly report detailed data - including participant numbers, fees collected, reimbursement rates, and denials - via their websites. Non-compliant ministries face penalties such as fines or legal action initiated by the Director of Consumer Affairs.

Maddy summaryS 3240 would allow 16 and 17-year-olds who are U.S. citizens and residents of a New Jersey school district (for at least 30 days before the election) to vote *only* in local school board elections. The bill directs the Secretary of State to create a registration process and ballot design for these voters that mirrors existing systems for all other eligible voters. It does not change voting eligibility for state, federal, or other local elections, and school boards or municipalities are not required to take any action to implement it. The law would take effect January 1 following its enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a certification program for businesses owned and controlled by LGBTQ+ individuals in New Jersey. To qualify, a business must be at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by LGBTQ+ persons (including real, substantial management authority), not just formally registered. The Division of Revenue will process applications and maintain a public listing in the SAVI database for state contracting agencies to identify certified businesses. This creates a standardized process for certification but does not require state agencies to prioritize these businesses in contracts.

Maddy summaryThe John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey establishes new protections for voters in racial, color, and language-minority groups. It requires that all voting policies be interpreted in favor of protecting voting rights and prohibits policies that burden these voters. The law creates a preclearance process for certain political subdivisions needing Attorney General approval before implementing voting changes. It also mandates language assistance for limited English proficient voters and establishes a New Jersey Voting and Elections Institute to maintain public voting data.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill extends the Transportation Trust Fund Authority's bond issuance capacity from $12 billion to $15.6 billion through 2029 and establishes an annual fee of $250 for zero emission vehicle owners starting July 1, 2024 (increasing by $10 annually to $290 by 2028). It also modifies the gas tax rate calculation to gradually increase annual revenue targets from $2.032 billion in 2025 to $2.366 billion in 2029. The fee revenues and adjusted gas tax collections will be credited to the Transportation Trust Fund to support transportation infrastructure projects, with the zero emission vehicle fees specifically going to the fund's capital reserves.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey municipalities to authorize their municipal clerks, rather than the full governing body, to provide written statements supporting affordable housing projects. This change would make it easier for housing projects to qualify for state funding from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund by accepting a clerk's statement instead of requiring a formal resolution from the entire municipal council. The bill also streamlines the application process for housing loans by allowing the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) to accept the clerk's statement as proof of municipal need. It applies to any affordable housing project that conforms to the municipality's fair share housing plan. The bill is designed to simplify the process for communities to support affordable housing development without requiring full council approval for every project.

Maddy summaryThis bill abolishes New Jersey's Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) and replaces its system with a new municipal framework for meeting affordable housing obligations. Municipalities must now determine their own "fair share" of low- and moderate-income housing through binding resolutions, using state-published calculations, while allowing advocates to contest these determinations. The law appropriates $16 million for housing programs to support new construction and rehabilitation of substandard housing, particularly in urban areas. It directly affects all New Jersey municipalities and low-to-moderate-income residents seeking housing, ending regional contribution agreements and establishing clearer deadlines to prevent previous compliance gaps.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows affordable housing projects funded by New Jersey's State or municipal affordable housing trust funds to be exempt from property taxes. Instead of paying property taxes, housing sponsors would make payments to municipalities equal to up to 20% of the project's annual gross revenue. These agreements between housing sponsors and municipalities must be reviewed by the Commissioner of Community Affairs and expire when the eligible loan for the project is paid in full. The policy directly affects housing developers, municipalities, and low-to-moderate income households who benefit from subsidized housing projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts sales of materials, supplies, and services used in building or improving affordable housing projects from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It specifically applies to projects where all housing units are intended for moderate, low, or very low-income residents, as defined by state law. The exemption covers transactions with contractors or repairmen for these projects, reducing development costs for housing sponsors. This expands existing tax exemptions to include a new category of affordable housing developments.

Maddy summaryThis bill would establish a certification program for businesses owned by LGBTQ+ individuals in New Jersey. To qualify, a business must be at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by LGBTQ+ persons, with specific documentation required to verify eligibility. Certified businesses would be listed in the SAVI database, making them eligible for state contracting opportunities and public recognition. The program formalizes an existing executive order (E.O. 295) that created this certification process, making it permanent rather than temporary. Businesses seeking certification would apply through the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, with appeal processes available for denials or revocations.