Asm. Tennille McCoy

Maddy summaryThis bill would provide property tax rebates to New Jersey veterans with service-connected disabilities. Eligible veterans would receive a rebate equal to their disability percentage of the property taxes paid on their primary residence, with the rebate capped at $5,000 annually. The program is limited to veterans with gross income under $200,000 and does not apply to veterans already exempt from property taxes due to 100% disability ratings. Veterans would need to apply annually for the rebate, and funding would depend on annual legislative appropriations. The bill specifically targets veterans with less than 100% service-connected disability ratings who currently pay property taxes on their primary residence.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2423, now P.L.2025, c.35) formally renames New Jersey's "Juvenile Justice Commission" to "Youth Justice Commission" throughout state law. It updates all statutory references, definitions, and provisions (such as in Sections 1, 3, and 1 of related laws) to replace "Juvenile" with "Youth" while preserving all existing legal procedures and policies unchanged. The bill has no policy impact - it solely adjusts terminology to reflect the commission's focus on youth services rather than juvenile justice. The name change is now law, effective March 17, 2025.

Maddy summaryAssembly Resolution 168 urges the U.S. Congress to enact legislation allowing individuals receiving federal disability benefits (specifically Supplemental Security Income/SSI and Social Security Disability Insurance/SSDI) to retain those benefits upon marriage. Currently, federal law imposes low asset limits for married couples (unchanged since 1989), which can force beneficiaries to lose support if they marry, as seen in cases highlighted by the documentary "Patrice: The Movie." The resolution cites the Social Security Administration's acknowledgment that these policies are outdated and notes recent administrative improvements to SSI. It does not change existing law but formally calls on Congress to update asset limits and marriage rules to prevent loss of benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a mandatory low-carbon transportation fuel standard program under New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). It requires fuel refiners, importers, and alternative fuel producers to ensure their fuels meet annual carbon intensity limits - aiming for a 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from gasoline and diesel by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. The program creates a credit-trading system where entities exceeding standards earn tradable credits to offset deficits from fuels that fall short of requirements. It also mandates that 40% of credits generated by utilities and state agencies must fund electric vehicle programs in overburdened communities, such as school bus electrification and charging infrastructure. The DEP must implement the program within one year of the bill’s effective date.

Maddy summaryThe "Climate Superfund Act" would hold fossil fuel companies liable for climate change damages by requiring them to pay compensatory payments based on their historical greenhouse gas emissions. It targets companies that extracted or refined fossil fuels and are responsible for over one billion metric tons of emissions between 1995 and the bill's effective date. The bill establishes a program through New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to collect these payments and distribute funds for climate adaptation projects, such as flood protection, infrastructure upgrades, and health programs. Companies would pay their proportional share of damages over nine years, with options for installment payments, and the collected funds would specifically support projects that help communities prepare for climate impacts.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1445 requires public colleges and universities to readmit undergraduate students who withdrew due to military service (including active duty, National Guard, or Reserve service). Schools must reinstate students with their exact academic standing from before their service interruption. Students must submit a written request for the next available semester, and institutions cannot charge application or processing fees for these requests. The law applies starting the first full academic year after its effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits self-service storage facilities in New Jersey from charging late fees, pre-foreclosure fees, or unlock fees to customers paying with government-issued vouchers (like those from Work First New Jersey) when payment delays are caused by the issuing government agency. It directly affects low-income residents using state or federal income assistance programs for storage payments. The law imposes a $1,000 civil penalty for first violations and treats subsequent violations as consumer fraud under state law. Storage facilities must comply with these rules to avoid fines or legal action.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 5303) requires New Jersey's Attorney General to review and update the statewide policy for investigating human trafficking. It directs the AG to specifically consider: (1) using audio/video recordings in undercover operations to protect investigations and victims, (2) strict rules for sharing such recordings, (3) involving county prosecutors early in investigations, and (4) other relevant areas. The review responds to a 2024 Commission report on human trafficking in the massage industry. This policy update will affect law enforcement agencies conducting human trafficking investigations statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires human trafficking awareness signs to be displayed in four languages - English, Spanish, Chinese, and Korean - instead of the current two (English and Spanish). It applies to businesses and facilities already mandated to display such signs, including strip clubs, massage businesses, airports, bars, hotels, and emergency rooms. The signs must meet specific size and font requirements (8.5x11 inches, 16-point font) and include the national human trafficking hotline information. The change follows a 2024 State Commission of Investigation report recommending expanded language accessibility for vulnerable communities. The law takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for retail theft offenses based on the value of stolen goods, with shoplifting over $500 becoming a third-degree crime. It creates a new offense for "fostering the sale of stolen property" (including online sales) and upgrades penalties for "leader of organized retail theft enterprise" to a first-degree crime. The bill establishes a retail theft unit within the Attorney General's office to investigate and prosecute organized retail theft, and includes new requirements for gift card retailers to prevent fraud through packaging standards and third-party reseller record-keeping. It also creates extended prison terms for repeat retail theft offenders and increases penalties for tax evasion related to retail theft.