Sen. Troy Singleton

Maddy summaryS 63 requires public bodies in New Jersey to set aside 0.5% of funds from eligible construction contracts (over $1 million or funded by federal ARRA dollars) into a dedicated fund. This money must support outreach and training programs specifically for minorities and women seeking careers in construction trades, including registered apprenticeships, supportive services, and partnerships with community organizations and educational institutions. The bill mandates annual public reports tracking funds allocated, program participation, and outcomes like employment placement and earnings growth for participants. It directly affects public construction projects, contractors, and minority/women job seekers in the industry.

Maddy summaryS 995 establishes New Jersey's Household Water Assistance Program, appropriating $75 million to help low-income households afford water, sewer, and stormwater services. It directly affects households with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, those receiving specific benefits (like SNAP, SSI, or veterans' payments), or facing temporary financial hardship. The program prevents service disconnections, covers unpaid bills (arrears), provides water efficiency support, and offers debt relief. It requires coordination with existing assistance programs like the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and mandates the Department of Community Affairs to implement the program within eight months of enactment.

Maddy summaryS 2137 requires New Jersey's Civil Service Commission to add test questions to entry-level law enforcement exams that identify implicit racial bias in candidates. This applies to all applicants for municipal and county police, correctional officers (adult and juvenile), and sheriff's positions. The bill mandates the Commission, working with testing experts, to include these questions starting four months after enactment. The goal is to assess unconscious biases that could affect officer behavior, as defined in the bill's statement. The change directly affects all new law enforcement hires across New Jersey's public safety agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1031) increases accidental death benefits for firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, hazardous materials responders, and fire instructors who die in the line of duty while active PERS members. It raises the survivor spouse pension from 50% to 70% of the member’s last-year compensation (with a $50,000 minimum), increases children’s benefits from 25% to 70% if no spouse survives, and adds state-paid health insurance premiums for surviving spouses and children. The benefits are retroactive to January 1, 2021, with lump-sum payments for past differences between old and new benefit amounts. The bill aligns PERS accidental death benefits with the existing Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) structure.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1485, the "Safe Playing Fields Act," prohibits the use of lawn care pesticides at child care centers and schools serving kindergarten through eighth grade, except for emergency health threats. The bill requires that children be kept off treated areas for at least seven hours after pesticide application and directs environmental and health officials to create rules for pesticide use, recordkeeping, and parent notifications at these facilities. It defines "lawn care pesticide" broadly but excludes "low impact pesticides" (as defined in existing law). The law directly affects child care centers and K-8 schools by restricting chemical applications on their grounds, including playgrounds and athletic fields.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program to help New Jersey's public buildings become more energy-efficient. It allows the state's Board of Public Utilities to transfer up to $20 million annually from energy efficiency fees to the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank, which will provide loans and financial assistance for projects like solar panels, insulation, and efficient heating systems. State agencies, local governments, and school districts must first complete an energy assessment proving the project will save more on energy costs than it costs over 10 years or the equipment's lifespan before receiving funding. The program requires projects to demonstrate cost savings through lower energy bills, directly benefiting public entities that own or operate buildings across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates two grant programs for small public water systems (under 500 service connections) using federal funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The first program funds operational improvements like leak detection, asset mapping, and infrastructure repairs to prevent water loss. The second program supports data-sharing systems for water quality, infrastructure needs, and cybersecurity technology, including regional data hubs. Both programs require grantees to report on funded projects within three years, with the department publishing eligibility criteria and grant details online.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to create rules for inspecting and removing mold hazards in residential buildings and school facilities, including public and charter schools. It mandates certification programs for mold inspectors and abatement workers, requiring specific training in mold identification, sampling methods, moisture source detection, and safety protocols. The DCA must adopt these rules within six months for inspections and 12 months for certifications, including continuing education requirements and enforcement mechanisms. The bill directly affects property owners, tenants, school districts, and contractors working in affected buildings.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $70 million in federal pandemic relief funds to New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to support arts and culture organizations negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The EDA will award $50 million in grants for general financial recovery (including $10 million specifically for arts education programs in schools and after-school settings) and $20 million for placemaking projects that beautify public spaces like sidewalks and parks with art installations. Qualifying groups include both for-profit and nonprofit arts organizations that experienced pandemic-related revenue losses. The funds come directly from New Jersey's allocation of federal "Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund" money under the American Rescue Plan Act.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1434) allows emergency shelter operators to seek state reimbursement for costs and lost revenue when evicting occupants who refuse to leave after their authorized stay period expires (per existing law P.L.2013, c.204). Shelters must submit reimbursement requests within 30 days of an eviction warrant, including shelter name, date range, amount, and supporting documentation of the occupant's refusal to vacate. The state would fund reimbursements through annual appropriations from the General Fund to the Department of Community Affairs. It directly affects emergency shelters and their operators by covering expenses tied to pending eviction proceedings.