Maddy summaryThis bill creates a New Jersey grant program for public and private K-12 schools to collect plastic waste, donate it to approved recyclers, and receive funding proportional to their plastic collection to purchase new school furniture made from those materials. Schools must document plastic collection activities from the previous school year and donate the plastics to authorized upcyclers, who reprocess them into items like desks or chairs. The Environmental Protection Department would administer the program, distributing annual grants based on each school’s share of collected plastics relative to all participating schools. Schools use these funds exclusively to buy furniture produced through the upcycling process, with grants adjusted annually based on plastic collection data.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill streamlines EMT-Basic certification in New Jersey for veterans who served as Combat Army Medics or Navy Hospital Corpsmen. It allows eligible veterans - defined as those honorably discharged after serving in these specific military medical roles - to bypass standard certification requirements if they hold a current National Registry EMT certification and pass a background check. The law requires the state health commissioner to publish clear online instructions about this process for veterans. It directly affects veterans with these specific military medical backgrounds seeking to work as EMTs in New Jersey.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners of low-speed electric bicycles and scooters in New Jersey to obtain insurance coverage and register the vehicles with the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). It directly affects anyone who owns or operates these devices, replacing current law that did not require registration or insurance. Key mechanisms include: (1) mandating insurance similar to motor vehicles, (2) creating an MVC registration system with a fee, (3) requiring completion of an online safety training module before registration, and (4) establishing labeling standards for manufacturers. The bill also updates definitions and clarifies that these vehicles must follow bicycle traffic rules where applicable.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public meetings of New Jersey's State Board of Education to be accessible both in person and virtually. It mandates that the Board provide a publicly available virtual meeting link on its website and allows members of the public to submit comments remotely during sessions that accept public input. The law directly affects the State Board of Education in how it conducts meetings and the public who attend or comment on education policy discussions. These changes ensure broader public participation by removing physical attendance barriers for meetings about education policy.
Maddy summaryS 395 ensures funding for New Jersey's Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse if state funds fall short during fiscal years 2022-2023. It requires the Governor to use federal pandemic relief funds (like CARES Act or American Rescue Plan money) to cover gaps when dedicated state revenues - collected from criminal surcharges and alcohol taxes - prove insufficient. The Alliance uses these funds to support community coalitions that run school programs, parent education, student intervention, and public awareness campaigns against substance abuse. This bill applies only to 2022-2023 and expires June 30, 2023.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 122) requires all motor vehicles in New Jersey to have mufflers and exhaust systems that do not amplify noise beyond the original factory level. It directly affects vehicle owners, auto repair shops, and mechanics who install or modify exhaust systems. The bill bans modifications that increase noise and adds noise inspections to standard vehicle safety checks during annual inspections. Violations carry fines up to $500, and the law applies to most registered vehicles except motorcycles, historic vehicles, and those over 8,500 pounds.
Maddy summaryS 812 requires New Jersey public colleges to award academic credit to undergraduate students who volunteer as emergency responders. To qualify, students must have served within five years of enrollment (or concurrently), provided proof of hours, volunteered with approved organizations (like fire companies or emergency management), and held required certifications. Credit is calculated based on volunteer hours and applied toward relevant coursework. The state’s Higher Education Secretary must develop credit guidelines for institutions, though the bill does not affect admission standards. This takes effect immediately for the first full academic year after enactment.
Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (SCR 46) is a symbolic legislative statement condemning all forms of anti-Semitism and rejecting justifications for anti-Jewish hatred. It specifically references rising anti-Semitic incidents in New Jersey - including 370 reported cases in 2021, including 44 at Jewish institutions and 82 in schools - to underscore the urgency of protecting Jewish communities. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally expresses the New Jersey Legislature’s opposition to anti-Semitism, citing historical context and recent violence (like the Pittsburgh synagogue attack). It applies broadly to all residents and institutions in New Jersey, emphasizing that anti-Semitism violates constitutional principles of tolerance and religious freedom.
Maddy summaryS 2461 requires New Jersey's Energy Master Plan (EMP) and each 3-year revision to gain official state policy status only after the Legislature passes a concurrent resolution approving it within six months of the committee's adoption. The bill modifies existing law to mandate this legislative approval step, directly affecting the Energy Master Plan Committee (which develops the EMP) and the Legislature (which must act on the plan). Key provisions include requiring the committee to submit the EMP to the Legislature for approval within six months, with the plan becoming policy only if approved. This change ensures the Legislature has final authority over the state's energy policy direction before it takes effect.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands reimbursement eligibility under New Jersey's Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Training Fund to include volunteer firefighters seeking EMT certification or recertification. Previously, only volunteer ambulance, first aid, and rescue squad members received reimbursement for training costs; this bill explicitly adds volunteer fire company members to the covered groups. The fund will reimburse certified training providers for EMT-A, EMT-D, and epinephrine auto-injector training, prioritizing EMT-A certification first. It also prohibits training organizations from charging fees to volunteer members of these groups.