Sen. Carmen Amato

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) to use $78 million from a 2025 False Claims Act settlement with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield to reduce health care contribution costs. It directly lowers the amount paid by local public employees (not state employees) and their dependents for health coverage through the SHBP. The funds come from Horizon’s $100 million settlement payment, with $78 million allocated to the Division of Pensions and Benefits. Independent state authorities are excluded from this cost reduction.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 4930 would replace the current progressive income tax system with a flat 5.9% tax rate for all taxable income above $37,500 (for single filers) or $75,000 (for married couples filing jointly). Taxpayers earning below these thresholds would pay no state income tax. The bill simplifies the tax structure by eliminating multiple tax brackets for higher earners, applying the same rate to all income above the exemption levels. This change would directly affect New Jersey residents with taxable income exceeding these thresholds, while exempting lower-income taxpayers.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4937) requires all standard automobile insurance policies issued or renewed in New Jersey to include minimum liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage. It sets specific, date-based limits: $35,000 per person/$70,000 total for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage (with a $500 deductible) for policies renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The bill also mandates that uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage must be offered at minimum limits of $250,000 per person/$500,000 per accident for bodily injury, and prohibits "stacking" multiple policies to increase coverage limits. These requirements apply to drivers and insurers offering standard auto policies in New Jersey, aiming to standardize coverage levels and prevent gaps in protection.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) and South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to create a program waiving E-ZPass toll fees for motor vehicles used by certified disabled veteran owned businesses. To qualify, businesses must be independently owned and controlled by disabled veterans (with at least a 10% VA disability rating), have at least $2,500 in revenue, operate in New Jersey, and be certified by the state. Vehicles must be registered in New Jersey, owned or leased by a disabled veteran, and have an active NJ E-ZPass account. The program directly affects disabled veteran business owners who meet these specific criteria.

Maddy summaryS 3807 establishes a Veterans Suicide Prevention Commission to coordinate state services and prevent veteran suicides. The commission, composed of 13 members including veterans, agency representatives, and experts in veteran care, will review state programs, develop strategies, and track progress to improve support for veterans, service members, and their families. It will issue annual reports to the Governor and Legislature, conduct research and training, and enhance coordination among state, county, and local agencies. The goal is to strengthen veterans' transition to civilian life through better-coordinated care and services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey State to transfer any unspent funds from its 2024 settlement agreement with Ørsted (the company behind canceled offshore wind projects) to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). The BPU must then use these funds to provide direct ratepayer relief to electricity customers in New Jersey. The bill mandates the BPU to establish specific rules, timelines, and methods for distributing this relief through a formal rulemaking process. This policy change directly affects all electric utility customers in the state by directing unused settlement funds toward lowering their electricity bills.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5049) removes a current restriction that allows the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) to withhold retirement or death benefits from members if they are involved in pending civil lawsuits related to their employment. It specifically prohibits the PFRS Board from delaying benefits due to such civil litigation, though it maintains the ability to withhold benefits for members facing criminal charges or administrative dismissal. The bill requires the Board to adjust benefits after any legal case concludes, rather than holding payments indefinitely during litigation. This change directly affects current and future PFRS members who are involved in employment-related civil disputes.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey counties with greenhead fly nuisance problems to authorize their mosquito commissions to use Rutgers-developed fly box traps for population control. It directly affects coastal counties (especially those relying on tourism) where greenhead flies - abundant June-September - disrupt residents and recreational activities. The bill appropriates $50,000 from the General Fund to provide grants to counties for funding these trap programs. Key provisions require traps to be manufactured, placed, and maintained in affected areas as the primary method of fly reduction.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits electric utilities in New Jersey from including "solar subscription fees" paid to subscriber organizations in community solar subscribers' regular electricity bills. It directly affects community solar participants who currently see these fees added to their utility statements alongside energy credits. The bill requires utilities to develop methods to remove these fees from consolidated bills, defining "solar subscription fee" as any charge paid to entities managing subscriber acquisition or project operations. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities must implement this change through new rules. The policy change eliminates an additional cost for community solar users without altering the program's structure.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU), Department of Community Affairs (DCA), and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create faster approval and permitting processes for artificial intelligence (AI) data centers that use small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). Within 12 months of the bill taking effect, these agencies must adopt rules to expedite site approvals, construction reviews, electrical interconnection, and environmental permits for such projects. The rules must include model processes for local governments and specifically cover permits under environmental laws like the Wetlands Act and Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act. This aims to encourage both new AI data centers powered by SMRs and the retrofitting of existing data centers to use SMRs.