Sen. Troy Singleton

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for municipalities to report non-residential development fee collections from 90 to 180 days after the enactment of a related law (P.L.2024, c.2). It directly affects municipalities authorized to collect and retain these fees (typically for commercial construction projects), requiring them to submit detailed accounting of all collected fees since authorization. The bill also applies retroactively to validate reports submitted within 180 days of the March 2024 law's enactment, harmonizing inconsistent reporting requirements. The change does not alter the fee calculation (2.5% of assessed value) or exemption rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's down payment assistance program to provide additional support for first-generation homebuyers. It increases the maximum down payment assistance to $20,000 for first-time homebuyers, with an extra $7,000-$10,000 specifically for first-generation homebuyers (defined as individuals whose parents never owned residential property and who may have been in foster care). The program requires recipients to use the home as their primary residence for five years, complete homebuyer counseling, and repay the loan if they move before the five-year term. The assistance is structured as a zero-interest, forgivable loan if all conditions are met.

Maddy summarySJR 45 is a symbolic resolution designating June of each year as "Gun Violence Awareness Month" in New Jersey. It does not create new laws or regulations but formally recognizes the issue through an annual observance. The resolution requests the Governor issue a proclamation urging public officials, organizations, and citizens to hold awareness activities during June. It directly affects New Jersey residents and state officials through this ceremonial designation, with no financial or policy impacts. The bill passed the Senate in June 2024 and is now under review in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1443 provides mortgage payment relief and foreclosure protection for homeowners directly impacted by Hurricane Ida's 2021 remnants. It requires mortgage servicers to grant a one-year forbearance (temporary payment pause) to eligible homeowners who received federal disaster assistance for Ida-related home damage, meet income limits (under 150% of area median income), and have limited savings. During this period, servicers cannot charge fees, penalties, or report missed payments to credit agencies, and must halt foreclosure actions. The law aims to prevent displacement for thousands of affected homeowners while ensuring temporary financial relief.

Maddy summaryS 3484 would allow licensed health care practitioners in New Jersey - including doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants - to use their professional judgment to determine which medical conditions qualify patients for medical cannabis, moving away from a fixed list of approved conditions. Currently, patients must have a condition explicitly listed in state law; this bill would expand eligibility by letting practitioners assess conditions they deem appropriate based on patient needs. The change directly affects patients seeking medical cannabis for conditions not currently covered and health care providers who would gain more flexibility in recommending treatment. The bill amends the existing medical cannabis law (P.L.2009, c.307) to replace the predefined list of qualifying conditions with a practitioner-driven standard.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates an additional $100 million to New Jersey's Affordable Housing Production Fund within the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). The funds will directly support municipalities and developers by providing grants to complete 100-percent affordable housing projects - where all residential units are reserved for low- and moderate-income households. The money supplements existing funding under the 2023-2024 budget to accelerate finishing projects that meet the state's fair-share housing obligations. This is a procedural funding measure with no new policy requirements, solely expanding resources for existing affordable housing initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to screen all kindergarten through grade 3 students three times yearly for reading deficiencies using approved assessments. It also mandates annual screening for newly enrolled students in grades 4-12 and allows screenings at parent request for any student. Districts must notify parents within 15 days of identifying a deficiency, provide evidence-based interventions, and report screening data to the state. The assessments must measure core reading skills like decoding and comprehension, and the Department of Education will approve and distribute valid screening tools.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a "New Jersey Green Bank" within the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to provide financial assistance for environmentally beneficial energy projects. The bank would offer loans, loan guarantees, and other financing to New Jersey residents, local governments, nonprofits, and businesses for projects like renewable energy installations, energy efficiency upgrades, and electric vehicle infrastructure. It appropriates $50 million from the societal benefits charge (a surcharge on energy bills) to initially fund the program, with the EDA developing separate programs for residential, municipal, small business, and commercial projects. The EDA would set eligibility standards and limit financing to 80% of costs for renewable energy projects or up to 100% for other eligible projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies to designate a State Contract Manager for each state contract. The manager must monitor that certified disadvantaged businesses (including minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, and other designated categories) are only assigned work within their certified expertise area by prime contractors. If a prime contractor stops using a certified business as a subcontractor, the manager must obtain a formal explanation. Additionally, the manager must submit quarterly reports to the Chief Diversity Officer detailing any instances where certified businesses were assigned work outside their expertise, including the prime contractor's name and description of the mismatched work.

Maddy summaryS 3171 clarifies when a hotel or motel guest qualifies as a residential tenant (entitled to eviction protections) rather than a transient guest. It establishes a seven-factor test: a guest stays three+ months, demonstrates long-term intent (e.g., voting, school enrollment, using the address for mail), the hotel operator knew of long-term plans, the hotel is their only residence, most other guests are long-term residents, the unit has kitchen appliances, and the guest uses personal linens for housekeeping. This bill directly affects hotel/motel operators and guests who might otherwise be treated as temporary visitors. It codifies existing court standards for determining eviction rights under New Jersey’s Anti-Eviction Act, effective immediately.