Asm. Heather Simmons

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's community solar program to allow "dual-use" solar facilities - those combining solar panels with ongoing agricultural production on farmland - to participate. It sets a 5-megawatt maximum per project, requires at least two participating customers, and mandates access for low- and moderate-income residents. The law also establishes phased registration goals (225 MW by 2024, then 3,000 MW total by 2029) and requires monthly reporting on energy generation and bill credits. This directly affects electric utility customers in New Jersey who can now access community solar projects on farmland, with specific protections for low-income participants.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3434) requires New Jersey dialysis centers to allow patients receiving treatment to be accompanied by a designated support person who can assist with communication, mobility, and care decisions. It directly affects dialysis patients and the centers providing their treatment. Centers must create and display clear written policies for support person access, implement reasonable health/safety rules (without unnecessary restrictions), and train staff on these policies. The New Jersey Department of Health will enforce the law, investigate complaints about denied access, and impose penalties for non-compliance. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors the 40th anniversary of the Jersey Fresh program, which was established in 1984 to promote locally grown New Jersey produce. The text acknowledges the program's role in supporting family-owned farms and increasing consumer awareness through a distinct labeling system and quality grading standards. It does not enact any new laws or change existing policies, but rather serves to recognize the program's historical success and economic impact on the state's agriculture industry.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to offer mortgage loan counseling to veterans applying for home loans guaranteed by the federal G.I. Bill. Under the new rules, lenders must provide a specific form confirming that eligible applicants have been offered these counseling services, which include a review of loan terms and other relevant information. The program is designed to assist veterans in understanding the conditions of their housing loans, and it applies to all residents of New Jersey who have been honorably discharged from the armed forces.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the Information and Referral Services helpline within New Jersey's Division of Disability Services to assist individuals with disabilities in planning visits to state and county public facilities. The new service will help callers find information on facility accessibility features like ramps and assistive technology, provide guidance on service animal policies, and coordinate necessary accommodations for appointments. To support this expansion, the legislation appropriates $100,000 for the Division of Disability Services to implement the program and consult with relevant agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows licensed businesses in New Jersey to manufacture and sell ice cream and other frozen desserts containing up to 5% alcohol by volume without needing a separate liquor license. The products must be sold in sealed packages that display specific warnings about age restrictions, pregnancy risks, and impaired driving. Selling these desserts to anyone under the legal drinking age is classified as a disorderly persons offense.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates regulations for health care facilities in New Jersey, specifically targeting narcotic and substance use disorder treatment centers. It increases the daily fines for operating these centers without approval or after a license is revoked, raising penalties from $25 to $12,500 for a first offense and from $50 to $25,000 for subsequent offenses. The legislation also grants the state commissioner expanded powers to conduct inspections, require detailed financial and quality reports, and appoint monitors for hospitals facing financial distress. Additionally, the bill allows owners and immediate family members to reside on the third floor of private long-term care facilities, overriding previous safety code restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's brewery licensing rules to create a new "supplemental wine production facility license" (though the text focuses on malt beverages, not wine, indicating a title discrepancy). It allows licensed breweries to sell products made by other licensed breweries under specific conditions, such as when the selling brewery holds a supplemental license. Key provisions include new fee structures for brewery licenses (e.g., $1,250 for up to 1,000 barrels annually) and restrictions on direct retail sales (capped at 50% of annual production). The bill directly affects breweries seeking expanded sales flexibility but does not address wine producers as implied in the title. It was introduced on January 13, 2026, and referred to committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program to reduce student loan debt for veterinarians working in New Jersey's underserved areas. It provides up to $25,000 annually in loan repayment (capped at $150,000 total) for full-time large animal vets, $16,666 annually (capped at $100,000) for mixed-time vets, and $8,333 annually (capped at $50,000) for part-time vets who commit to three years of service in designated shortage areas. Participants must prove annual employment in these areas and meet specific practice hour requirements. The program is funded by a $200,000 state appropriation through the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's existing laws regarding search warrants in domestic violence and stalking cases to require law enforcement to act more quickly when executing them. It specifically updates legal definitions for terms like "wire communication," "electronic communication," and "in-progress trace" to ensure clarity during investigations. The changes aim to streamline the process for police officers and prosecutors who handle these specific types of crimes, while maintaining the legal framework for intercepting communications.