Asm. Alex Sauickie

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 873) amends New Jersey's existing small business loan program to require the Economic Development Authority (EDA) to ensure at least 12% of all loan funds distributed annually go to veteran-owned or veteran-controlled small businesses. It prioritizes businesses owned by veterans declared to have service-connected disabilities by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or Defense. The EDA must administer the program to meet this allocation goal while maintaining existing eligibility rules for all small businesses. This directly affects veteran entrepreneurs seeking loans and the EDA's oversight of the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $500,000 Winery Co-marketing Grant Program administered by New Jersey's Department of Agriculture. It reimburses eligible wineries (with plenary or farm winery licenses) for 25-45% of marketing costs when they partner with other local businesses like restaurants, hotels, or "Jersey Fresh" roadside markets to promote agricultural tourism. Grants are capped at $25,000 per winery annually, with higher reimbursement rates (up to 45%) for campaigns involving three or more partner entities. The program requires annual reports on grant usage and funding status, with the department recommending continued funding or additional appropriations as needed.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill lowers the cost threshold for state reimbursement of special education expenses from $40,000 to $35,000 for students educated in regular public school settings. School districts will now receive 90% state funding for costs exceeding this new threshold (previously $40,000), while maintaining 75% reimbursement for costs above $40,000 in separate public schools and $55,000 for private school placements. It directly affects school districts serving students with disabilities requiring intensive services, adjusting how they receive state aid for high-cost special education programs. The bill is pending before the Assembly Education Committee as of January 2026.

Maddy summaryThis proposed bill establishes the New Jersey Student Teacher Scholarship Program to reduce financial barriers for future teachers. It provides eligible students up to $7,200 per semester for full-time clinical practice (the final teaching internship) in approved teacher preparation programs at New Jersey institutions. To qualify, students must be NJ residents enrolled full-time in an approved program and complete required steps for clinical practice. The program requires annual data collection on participants' demographics and program experiences, with funding to be appropriated annually by the legislature. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Education Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to repeal a 2018 directive (No. 2018-6) that limited local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The directive previously prohibited police from sharing certain information with immigration officials - such as notifying them about detained individuals' release dates or extending detention solely based on immigration requests - when immigration enforcement was the sole purpose. The bill directly affects state, county, and local police departments by removing these restrictions on sharing information with federal immigration authorities. It aims to restore full cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration agencies, as specified in the directive's current provisions. The repeal would take effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 2945) requires election ballots to display voting instructions like "Vote for one" or "Vote for two" in a color other than black to make them more visible. It directly affects voters and election officials by changing how ballot instructions are printed, ensuring these key phrases stand out clearly. The bill amends existing election laws to mandate this color change for all ballot instructions specifying how many candidates to vote for, without altering voting rules or eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from planting non-native plants in state parks, forests, or related facilities starting three months after enactment. It directs the DEP to develop a list of appropriate native plants (those naturally occurring in New Jersey or the Mid-Atlantic region) and establishes a $250,000 grant program to help local governments (counties, municipalities) use native plants in their parks and forests. Grants can be up to $5,000 per project, with local governments allowed to apply for multiple grants annually. The DEP must report annually on the program’s effectiveness in promoting native plants and reducing environmental risks linked to non-native species.

Maddy summaryThis bill gradually reduces New Jersey's Corporation Business Tax (CBT) rate for corporations filing tax returns. It lowers the standard tax rate from 7% for tax years ending after December 31, 2020, to 5% in 2021, 3% in 2022, and 2.5% in 2023. Small New Jersey S corporations with net income under $100,000 will see reduced rates (3.5% for 2020-2021, 2.5% for 2021 onward). The changes apply to corporations calculating tax under existing law, modifying the rate schedule in Section 5 of P.L.1945, c.162.

Maddy summaryACR 88 proposes a constitutional amendment to New Jersey's property tax system, establishing a permanent $250 annual deduction for veterans, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities. It extends the deduction to honorably discharged veterans, veterans with service-connected disabilities, and surviving spouses of veterans who died on active duty or were honorably discharged. The bill also clarifies that veterans living in continuing care retirement communities can receive the deduction through their community, which must pass it to them within 30 days. Additionally, it aligns the deduction amount ($250) and income threshold ($10,000 annually) for senior citizens (65+) and disabled residents with the veterans' deduction, ensuring consistent eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for New Jersey's homestead rebate program to include residents of continuing care retirement communities who pay property taxes as part of their living contract. It amends the definition of "homestead" to explicitly include these residents, allowing them to claim the rebate if they use their unit as their primary residence. Previously, such residents were excluded because they didn't directly own the property they lived in. The change directly affects seniors in continuing care retirement communities who pay taxes through their agreements with the community. The bill makes no changes to rebate amounts or other eligibility categories.