Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3141 establishes the Public Education Innovation Fund within the Department of Education to provide grants to low-performing public schools for implementing educational innovation programs. The bill directly affects low-performing schools (defined as those where over 40% of students scored "not meeting expectations" in both math and language arts, or over 65% in one subject, for two consecutive years) and businesses that make qualified donations to the fund. Businesses receive corporation business tax credits (capped at 75% of tax liability) or gross income tax credits (capped at $10,000 per business) for donations, with a total annual limit of $5 million in tax credits. Grants are awarded competitively to schools through an application process detailing how proposed programs address academic barriers, and businesses must submit donation documentation to qualify for tax credits.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill caps annual increases in New Jersey's state school aid at the inflation rate for the New York City/Philadelphia areas (plus 1% for certain districts), preventing larger funding boosts. It creates "Necessary Stabilization Aid" for school districts that would receive less funding under this cap than they would under current law. Districts qualifying for this aid must apply to the Commissioner of Education with justification and a usage plan, receiving up to the difference between their current-law funding and the capped amount. The bill applies to most public school districts but excludes vocational districts receiving separate stabilization aid.
Maddy summaryS 3060 requires all health insurance carriers in New Jersey to cover annual prostate cancer screening without out-of-pocket costs for men aged 40 to 75. This expands current law, which previously only mandated coverage for men 50+ or 40+ with risk factors, by broadening the age range and defining "prostate cancer screening" to include digital rectal exams, PSA tests, and follow-up diagnostics like imaging and biomarker tests. The bill applies to all health plans, including group policies, HMOs, individual plans, and state health benefit programs. It takes effect 90 days after enactment for all new or renewed 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 bill allows for-profit organizations that provide low- and moderate-income housing to join with non-profit housing groups and housing authorities in shared insurance funds. It defines eligible for-profit entities as those focused on housing developments under state fair share plans or federal Section 8 programs. The shared funds cannot include municipalities, school boards, or offer health/life insurance to employees, but may provide environmental liability coverage or join higher-level insurance pools for excess risks. This changes how these housing entities access insurance options under existing law, without creating new funding or a pilot program.
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 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 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 bill would allow affordable housing projects funded by New Jersey's State or municipal affordable housing trust funds to be exempt from property taxes. Instead, housing sponsors would make annual payments to municipalities based on up to 20% of the project's gross revenue. The tax exemption would last until the project's eligible loan is paid in full, with agreements between housing sponsors and municipalities requiring review by the Commissioner of Community Affairs. This policy aims to support affordable housing development while ensuring municipalities still receive revenue for services. The bill specifically applies to housing projects meeting affordability requirements under state or federal programs.