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.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1422) modifies state tax rules to encourage new affordable housing development. It allows developers to deduct a larger portion of construction costs over a 10-year period based on the percentage of affordable units in a project - specifically, 2 times the ratio of affordable units to total units. To qualify, projects must include at least 20% affordable units (for households earning ≤80% of regional median income), avoid federal/subsidy funding for affordable units, and begin construction after the bill's effective date. The change applies to eligible construction costs for developments completed in the 2025 tax year and later.
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 abolishes New Jersey's Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) and replaces its system with a new municipal process for meeting the state's constitutional obligation to provide affordable housing. Municipalities must now adopt binding resolutions setting their own affordable housing goals using state-calculated standards, with public opportunities to contest these determinations. The legislation appropriates $16 million for housing programs and aims to streamline compliance with the Mount Laurel housing mandates, which require communities to provide a "realistic opportunity" for low- and moderate-income housing. It directly affects all New Jersey municipalities and low/moderate-income residents seeking housing access.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Senate Resolution (SR 82) urges the U.S. Congress to renew funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides monthly internet discounts ($30-$75) and one-time device subsidies to low-income households. The resolution highlights that the ACP currently serves over 20 million households nationwide, including 335,079 in New Jersey, saving enrolled households $8.3 million monthly in broadband costs. It notes the program’s $14.2 billion funding is set to expire in April 2024, risking loss of access for millions who rely on it for work, education, and healthcare. As a non-binding request, the resolution formally asks Congress to extend funding but cannot enact changes itself.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2309) allows municipalities to authorize their municipal clerks, via local ordinance, to submit written statements supporting affordable housing projects or stating a municipality's need for such projects. It directly affects municipalities seeking state funding through the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA), replacing the prior requirement for the full governing body to provide these statements. The key mechanism is delegation: clerks can now act on behalf of the governing body to meet statutory requirements in two existing laws (P.L.1985, c.222 §20 and P.L.1983, c.530 §6), provided projects align with approved municipal housing plans. This streamlines administrative processes for affordable housing developers without altering funding criteria or housing requirements.
Maddy summaryS 1415 creates a pilot program requiring New Jersey's Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) to establish an Affordable Housing Insurance Fund. It directly affects for-profit affordable housing entities that receive federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits, providing financial assistance for insurance premiums on eligible housing projects (like new developments using tax credits or existing properties facing 50%+ premium increases). The bill appropriates $5 million from the General Fund to cover up to $250 per unit annually or $1 million per project, with the program running for up to 20 years. The fund will use interest earnings from investments and fees collected, and HMFA must report on the pilot's success after completion.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1484) exempts sales tax on construction materials, supplies, and services used for specific affordable housing projects. It directly affects housing sponsors who have secured federal, state, or local subsidies for projects where all units are restricted to moderate, low, or very low-income residents (as defined by state law). The exemption applies to materials/services used in building, improving, or repairing qualifying housing, requiring sponsors to apply through state-prescribed procedures. This policy change reduces construction costs for affordable housing developers by removing a sales tax burden on essential building inputs.
Maddy summaryThis bill, "The Voter Convenience Act," allows New Jersey voters to cast ballots at any polling place within their municipality on election day, rather than being restricted to their assigned location. County election officials must develop uniform guidelines using electronic poll books to verify voter eligibility and provide the correct ballot for the voter's election district. It applies to all municipalities that choose to implement the change, with optional countywide voting locations also permitted. The bill modifies election procedures but does not alter voting eligibility or ballot content.
Maddy summaryThis bill waives tuition for the classroom portion of state-recognized apprenticeship programs at New Jersey public colleges and vocational schools for students with household income below the state median. To qualify, students must not have employer-covered tuition, exhaust federal financial aid options, and maintain active apprenticeship employment with satisfactory academic progress. The state will reimburse institutions for waived tuition costs, effective immediately for the next academic year. It directly affects low-income apprentices in eligible vocational training programs across New Jersey.