Maddy summaryS 1062 establishes a Division of Minority and Women Business Development within New Jersey’s State Department of the Treasury, led by a State Chief Disparity Officer, to monitor and improve participation of minority-owned and women-owned businesses in state contracting. The officer will track contract awards to these businesses (including total value and percentage of contracts), report findings to the Governor and Legislature, and require state agencies to designate liaison officers. The bill mandates full implementation of certified business status for minority/women-owned enterprises (banning self-certification) and modifies small business set-aside contracts under $2,000 to be negotiated without public bidding but using competitive methods. This directly affects state agencies, certified businesses, and the state’s procurement process.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 2746 establishes a 4-year "Rent for Credit Pilot Program" in New Jersey, enabling low-income tenants in subsidized housing (renting units funded by state or federal aid) to build credit history through rent payment reporting. Participating landlords voluntarily report tenants' rent payments (including timely, late, or missed payments) to credit bureaus, with tenants paying a maximum $10 monthly fee for this service. Tenants may join or leave the program anytime but cannot rejoin for six months after opting out. The Department of Community Affairs will review the program after two years to assess participation, tenant demographics, credit impacts, and cost, then recommend whether to continue it.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows registered medical cannabis patients in New Jersey to grow their own cannabis at home for personal medical use. It specifically authorizes cultivation within a patient's residence by the patient or their designated caregiver, as defined in the law. The provision applies only to individuals already registered under New Jersey's medical cannabis program and does not permit commercial cultivation or distribution. The bill amends existing statutes to clarify that home cultivation is permitted under the medical program, distinct from licensed dispensary operations. It does not create new registration requirements but expands access for existing registered patients and caregivers.
Maddy summaryS 1392 allocates $1 million from New Jersey's Property Tax Relief Fund to fund a school-based mentoring pilot program in 14 specific Bergen County school districts. The money will cover administrator salaries, program costs, and stipends for staff and mentors in participating schools. Funds will be distributed by the Commissioner of Education through a competitive application process. After the pilot concludes, the Commissioner must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature evaluating the program's effectiveness and whether it should expand statewide.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits businesses receiving New Jersey state development subsidies of $25,000 or more from making campaign contributions to candidates, political parties, or committees during the subsidy period. It applies to recipient businesses, their key employees, and affiliates, but does not prevent candidates from contributing to their own campaigns. Violations carry fines up to $200,000 for individuals or $500,000 for entities, plus potential loss of the subsidy, ineligibility for future subsidies, or a 5-year ban on state contracting. The bill excludes subsidies for affordable housing, environmental programs, or nonprofit services from this restriction.
Maddy summarySJR 61 designates October of each year as "Chiropractic Health Month" in New Jersey to raise public awareness of chiropractic care as a drug-free treatment option for musculoskeletal conditions. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging state agencies, organizations, and citizens to participate in activities promoting chiropractic health. It does not create new laws, funding, or requirements but aims to highlight chiropractic adjustments as a safe, evidence-based alternative to pain medications for conditions like back pain. This is a ceremonial resolution focused on recognition, not policy change.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to use funds from the "Global Warming Solutions Fund" to provide grants and financial assistance to commercial, institutional, and industrial entities for projects that refurbish or upgrade existing electricity generation facilities. Specifically, 60% of the fund's annual allocation must support these facility upgrades (alongside other efficiency and renewable projects), with selection criteria requiring measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions or energy demand. The remaining funds are allocated to low-income residential energy programs (20%), local government climate initiatives (10%), and forest/tidal marsh restoration (10%). The bill clarifies how these funds will be distributed and administered, focusing on concrete policy changes to support energy modernization and emissions reduction.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 209) regulates video visitation services for inmates and mandates contact visits. It requires correctional facilities to contract with vendors charging no more than 11 cents per minute for video visits (including remote access), prohibits additional fees or commissions, and mandates refunds for failed or low-quality visits. The bill also bans charges for attorney, clergy, or legal representative visits and requires facilities to allow contact visits with only reasonable safety-related conditions. These provisions directly affect inmates, correctional facilities, and video service providers across state, county, and private prisons.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2763) expands New Jersey's authority to prosecute certain crimes against children committed outside the state. It applies to individuals who had a legal duty or assumed responsibility for a child's care *within New Jersey*, even if the crime (like sexual conduct or exploitation) occurred elsewhere. Key provisions include extending jurisdiction to cover out-of-state acts that impair a child's morals or cause harm, and creating strict liability for knowingly distributing or storing child sexual exploitation material via file-sharing programs. Penalties range from second-degree crimes (for 1-999 items) to first-degree crimes (for 1,000+ items), with mandatory minimum sentences for larger quantities.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 911) removes the requirement that disabled veterans' businesses must have their principal place of business in New Jersey to qualify for state contracts under the "Set-Aside Act for Disabled Veterans’ Businesses." It directly affects businesses owned by disabled veterans seeking to compete for state contracts. The key change amends the definition of "disabled veterans' business" by deleting the "principal place of business in the State" clause, allowing businesses verified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as service-disabled veteran-owned to qualify regardless of location. This aims to expand the pool of eligible businesses, potentially helping state agencies meet their goal of awarding at least 3% of contracts to disabled veterans' businesses. The bill amends P.L.2015, c.116 and takes effect immediately.