Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A5862 appropriates $34 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues to fund farmland preservation. The funds will provide planning incentive grants to eligible counties - specifically five counties receiving base grants of $500,000-$1 million, plus 10 additional counties eligible for competitive grants - to cover up to 80% of costs for permanent land protections (development easements) on farmland. The grants are administered through the State Agriculture Development Committee under the Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund, with a county’s maximum total award capped at $8.5 million. This bill directly affects participating counties in agricultural areas by enabling local governments to preserve farmland through permanent land protections.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryAJR 150 designates July of each year as "Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month" in New Jersey. This symbolic resolution encourages community organizations, medical institutions, and advocacy groups to raise public awareness about cleft lip and palate birth defects - conditions affecting about 1 in 1,700 babies in the U.S. - and promote collaboration on outreach and research. It does not create new laws or funding but requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to support this awareness effort. The resolution directly affects New Jersey residents and families impacted by these birth defects by fostering community engagement and education.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Assembly Bill 6147 would lower the minimum required uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage for transportation network company (TNC) drivers and companies, such as Uber or Lyft drivers. Currently, when a TNC driver is providing a ride, the law requires at least $1.5 million in such coverage; the bill would reduce this minimum amount. This change directly affects TNC drivers and companies by decreasing their mandatory insurance obligations. The bill amends existing insurance requirements without altering other coverage types like liability or medical payments.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale, manufacture, and distribution of apparel containing intentionally added PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in New Jersey, effective two years after enactment. It covers most everyday clothing (like shirts, pants, athletic wear, swimwear, and school uniforms) as well as specialized outdoor gear designed for extreme weather, but excludes military protective equipment. Violations would be treated as consumer fraud under New Jersey law, subjecting offenders to fines of up to $20,000 per offense, cease-and-desist orders, and potential punitive damages. The law directly affects apparel manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers operating within the state.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-year pilot program allowing eligible counties and municipalities to use a streamlined hiring process for certain civil service positions. Participating jurisdictions must apply to the Civil Service Commission, detailing their hiring needs, and will be selected to ensure geographic and demographic diversity across the state. Under the program, local governments can post vacancies and administer exams (with commission approval), but the Commission creates exams and handles certification; candidates must complete a working test period to gain full civil service status. The Commission must report to the legislature after two years on the program's effectiveness and recommend whether to continue, expand, or modify it. This pilot does not change existing civil service rules for non-participating entities.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A6048) allows municipalities, counties, school districts, and other local government entities in New Jersey to withdraw from the state's civil service system. It permits governing bodies to rescind civil service adoption via ordinance, resolution, or referendum, with rescission taking effect six months later. Existing employees hired before rescission retain civil service protections, while new hires after rescission lose eligibility. Entities cannot rejoin civil service for five years after withdrawal and may only readopt it once. The bill directly affects local governments and their workforce by altering employment protections.
Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's civil service hiring rules by expanding the pool of candidates that appointing authorities can consider from the current "top three" to the "top five" eligible candidates on competitive or promotional lists. It directly affects government departments and agencies that hire through the Civil Service Commission, allowing them to choose from five candidates instead of three for open positions or promotions. The key provision amends N.J.S.11A:4-8 to replace the existing "rule of three" with a "rule of five," while maintaining the requirement to consider veterans' preference. This change aims to provide more flexibility in hiring without altering the core certification process.
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 prohibits sports wagering licensees in New Jersey from offering "micro bets," which are wagers placed on the outcome of the very next play or action in a sporting event (such as whether the next pitch in baseball will be a strike). The bill defines micro bets as proposition bets made live during games on specific plays rather than on the final game outcome. Violating this prohibition would result in a disorderly persons offense with fines ranging from $500 to $1,000 per offense, with each wager constituting a separate violation. The bill aims to address concerns about rapid, high-volume betting contributing to problem gambling, which the bill states has been increasing in New Jersey.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A4971) creates a "Small Business Interruption Grant Program" administered by New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA). It provides grants to small businesses in low-income communities (defined as municipalities under 10,000 population with >7.5% poverty rate) that suffered economic loss due to prolonged state infrastructure or construction projects. Grants are based on actual or projected revenue loss from closures or reduced business, with $750,000 appropriated from the General Fund to fund the program. Businesses must independently own and operate (<100 employees), be located in a qualifying community, and demonstrate project-related revenue loss to qualify.