Sen. Carmen Amato

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4652) creates a new offense for "inciting a public brawl" when someone purposefully organizes or promotes a group of four or more people to engage in disorderly conduct. It upgrades penalties for disrupting public gatherings or events, making such conduct a "disorderly persons offense" (up to 6 months jail or $1,000 fine) instead of a lesser "petty disorderly persons offense." The bill also adds a provision penalizing people who conceal their identity during disorderly conduct to avoid arrest. These changes directly affect individuals organizing group disturbances or attempting to hide their identity at public events. The law amends New Jersey statutes N.J.S.2C:33-1 and N.J.S.2C:33-2.

Maddy summarySenate Bill S 4500 requires New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA), New Jersey Transit (NJT), and South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to provide 15 days' notice to the Governor and Legislature before holding public hearings on proposed fare, toll, or charge increases. It also mandates 70 days' notice before NJTA implements any toll, fare, or charge increase. The bill similarly requires the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to provide 15 days' notice to the Governor and Legislature before considering or making final decisions on public utility rate increase filings. These provisions aim to increase transparency in transportation pricing decisions by giving state officials more time to review proposed changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state license applicants (such as for driver's licenses, professional permits, or recreational licenses) to certify on a separate form that they are not behind on child support payments (specifically, with no arrears exceeding six months of payments) and have met other conditions like providing court-ordered health coverage for six months. The form, signed under penalty of perjury, also explains the legal basis for license suspension due to unpaid child support and the right to a hearing if the applicant disputes the obligation. Licensing authorities cannot issue or renew a license if an applicant has child support arrears exceeding six months, hasn't provided required health coverage, or is subject to a warrant. The bill clarifies that applicants who dispute their obligation can request a hearing within 20 days, during which the license cannot be suspended.

Maddy summarySJR 164 designates March 17 each year as "Profound Autism Day" in New Jersey to raise awareness about people with profound autism and their caregivers. It does not create new policies or funding but requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation recognizing this day. The resolution highlights that people with profound autism often require 24/7 care, have severe intellectual disabilities or minimal communication abilities, and face higher rates of health challenges and exclusion from support programs, as noted in a 2023 CDC study showing 26.7% of autistic children in the U.S. have profound autism. This designation aims to foster inclusion for a group frequently marginalized in research and services.

Maddy summaryThe bill modifies how New Jersey defines flood hazard areas by requiring the state to set flood hazard boundaries no more than one foot above the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) 100-year flood elevation for each watercourse. It prohibits the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from implementing or adopting its proposed "NJPACT Rules" (which would have set flood hazard areas five feet above FEMA levels) before June 1, 2038, without legislative approval. The DEP must update flood hazard delineations within three months of any FEMA updates and must seek legislative authorization before adopting new rules related to flood hazard areas. This affects property owners, developers, and local governments in flood-prone areas by changing the standards for development permits under the Flood Hazard Area Control Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases annual funding for New Jersey's Commission on Cancer Research (NJCCR) from $1 million to $10 million by redirecting cigarette and tobacco tax revenues into a dedicated, permanent Cancer Research Fund. The fund, established within the Department of the Treasury, must use at least $5 million annually for general cancer research and at least $5 million for pediatric cancer research, with all funds exclusively supporting approved research projects. Unlike the previous system, this fund is non-lapsing (permanent), preventing annual budget transfers that previously reduced available resources. The bill also repeals outdated provisions and designates the State Treasurer to manage fund disbursements.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents New Jersey's standard 6% annual growth limit on state school aid from applying to specific school districts during the 2025-2026 school year. It directly affects districts that saw a net decrease in their total state school aid between the 2017-2018 and 2024-2025 school years. The key provision ensures these districts receive their full calculated state aid amount (including equalization, special education, security, and transportation aid) without the growth cap being applied to increases in that total. The policy change applies immediately to the 2025-2026 school year's state aid allocations.

Maddy summaryThis bill suspends two specific charges on residential electricity and gas utility bills in New Jersey from June 1 to September 30, 2025. It exempts customers from the sales and use tax (under the Sales and Use Tax Act) and removes the societal benefits charge (per P.L.1999, c.23) during this period. The policy directly affects residential utility customers by preventing these fees from being added to their monthly bills. The suspension applies only to electric and gas public utilities serving end users, as defined in state law, and expires October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic annual cost-ofiving adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits of certain retired police and firefighters in New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). It applies to members who have received retirement benefits for at least 10 years, excluding those who retired with 20-24 years of service, are in deferred retirement, or were hired more than 30 days after the bill's effective date. COLAs will be calculated based on the Consumer Price Index, with a $75,000 annual benefit threshold for the first year (adjusted annually thereafter), and capped at a 1% increase for benefits exceeding this amount. The bill requires the Legislature to appropriate funds from the General Fund to cover these adjustments, with the State Treasurer taking over implementation if the Board of Trustees fails to comply within six months. The adjustments apply only to future benefit payments, not retroactively.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits telecommunications, utility, and cable companies from charging customers early (before their regular billing due date) for services paid via credit card or automatic bank payments. Companies may only charge early if customers provide written consent or request it by phone or other approved method. It directly affects customers using automatic payment methods for electricity, gas, cable, or telecom services. The law requires companies to adjust billing practices to prevent pre-billing charges without explicit customer permission.