Photo of Gary Schaer
D New Jersey House · District 36

Rep. Gary Schaer

Compare
Total votes
2,858
all sessions
Attendance
91%
94 missed
Near the chamber average
With party
99%
of cast votes
Near the chamber average
Bipartisan score
0%
crosses aisle rarely
Near the chamber average
Sponsored
610
bills & resolutions
Near the chamber average
Committees
2
assignments
610 bills and resolutions

Sponsored bills

Total
610
Primary
466
Co-sponsor
144
This page
610
matching current filters
Primary A 1502
Passed · New Jersey House · Lead sponsor
"Patient and Provider Protection Act."

Maddy summaryThis bill regulates pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and insurance carriers to increase transparency and fairness in prescription drug coverage. It requires carriers and PBMs to establish pharmacy and therapeutics committees with strict conflict-of-interest rules, prohibits commission-based PBM compensation (mandating flat fees instead), and mandates detailed reporting of PBM fees for insurance filings. The law directly affects insurers, PBMs, and pharmacies by changing how drug formularies (approved drug lists) are managed and how PBM costs are calculated and disclosed. Key provisions include banning preferential formulary placement for higher-cost drugs over lower-cost generics/biosimilars and requiring actuarial documentation for PBM compensation. The bill aims to reduce patient cost-sharing and ensure PBM compensation aligns with administrative costs.

Passed May 18, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Co-sponsor A 4901
In committee · New Jersey House · Co-sponsor
Establishes State Seal of Civic Readiness to recognize certain students attaining high level of proficiency in civics.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a voluntary program in New Jersey that awards a State Seal of Civic Readiness to high school graduates who demonstrate strong civic knowledge and engagement. To earn this distinction, students must show proficiency in civics through existing coursework, complete a civic-focused extracurricular activity or community service, and finish a citizenship-related project or portfolio. Participating school districts will issue a certificate and add an insignia to transcripts, while the State Board of Education will set specific criteria without adding new graduation requirements. The Commissioner of Education will also submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature detailing how many students received the award.

In committee May 7, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Primary A 4907
In committee · New Jersey House · Lead sponsor
Provides that unexpended nonpublic textbook aid or aid for Nonpublic Technology Initiative may be used to support services provided under other program.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey school districts to use leftover state funding from one nonpublic school program to pay for services in the other program. Specifically, it permits unspent money from the nonpublic textbook aid or the Nonpublic Technology Initiative to be redirected to the alternative program if the district does not spend the full amount originally allocated. Under current rules, districts must return any unused funds to the state by December 1 after the school year ends, but this legislation changes that requirement by enabling the transfer of funds between the two specific aid categories. The change applies directly to school districts that receive state assistance for nonpublic schools and aims to provide more flexibility in how they utilize available financial resources.

In committee May 7, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary A 4906
In committee · New Jersey House · Lead sponsor
Permits use of unexpended State aid for specific nonpublic school programs may be used to support certain other nonpublic school programs rather than being refunded.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey school districts to use leftover state funding from one nonpublic school program to pay for services in another program instead of returning the unused money to the state. Specifically, it permits funds originally designated for nursing services or security services to be redirected to the other category if a district spends less than the allocated amount. Under current rules, districts must refund any unspent aid after the school year ends, but this legislation creates flexibility by letting districts apply those funds to the alternative program's needs. The change directly affects public school districts that manage state aid for private school nursing and security services, enabling them to utilize available resources more efficiently.

In committee May 7, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary A 4897
In committee · New Jersey House · Lead sponsor
Establishes "New Jersey Holistic Representation Model" in Office of Public Defender.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Holistic Representation Model" statewide within the Office of the Public Defender to expand a pilot program that previously operated in three counties. The law requires each regional office to form teams for eligible clients that pair a public defender attorney with a non-attorney client services specialist. These specialists are tasked with connecting individuals to resources for mental health, substance abuse, housing, employment, and other life challenges while attorneys focus on legal defense. The act also mandates the creation of databases to track community resources and requires all team members to maintain client confidentiality.

In committee May 7, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary A 4840
In committee · New Jersey House · Lead sponsor
Permits school districts to utilize on-demand micro transit programs for provision of pupil transportation services; establishes grant program to incentivize use of on-demand micro transit programs for pupil transportation.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey school districts to hire on-demand micro transit services to transport students to and from school, with specific rules for student age and parental consent. It creates a grant program to encourage districts to use these services and defines the technology required, such as GPS tracking that sends trip confirmations to parents. The legislation also outlines safety requirements for drivers, including background checks and training, while clarifying that these drivers do not need commercial licenses. Additionally, the bill specifies that transportation providers must carry liability insurance and that school districts will not be held liable for injuries occurring during these rides.

In committee May 4, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Co-sponsor A 3571
Passed · New Jersey House · Co-sponsor
Authorizes establishment of regional economic development partnerships.

Maddy summaryBill A 3571 allows counties, municipalities, and local agencies (like economic development organizations) to form regional partnerships for joint economic planning. These partnerships can include businesses, schools, nonprofits, and other local entities to develop strategies for attracting new businesses, retaining existing ones, redeveloping areas, and sharing project costs. Partnerships may access loans or matching grants for marketing, advertising, and business support programs. The bill also permits local governments to create alternative agreements for economic development, requiring approval from the Local Finance Board. (Bill A 3571, introduced January 13, 2026)

Passed May 4, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor A 4071
Signed into law · New Jersey House · Co-sponsor
Codifies AG directive, "Strengthening Trust Between Law Enforcement and Immigrant Communities."

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies New Jersey's Attorney General's "Strengthening Trust Between Law Enforcement and Immigrant Communities" directive into law. It directly affects all New Jersey state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies and officers by prohibiting them from: (1) stopping or detaining people based solely on immigration status, (2) asking about immigration status except during specific criminal investigations, and (3) sharing personal information with federal immigration authorities for immigration enforcement purposes. The law clarifies that officers' primary duty is enforcing state criminal laws, not federal immigration law, and emphasizes that this does not prevent enforcing state criminal laws. The goal is to build trust in immigrant communities and ensure law enforcement resources focus on public safety rather than immigration enforcement.

Signed into law Mar 25, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor A 1514
In committee · New Jersey House · Co-sponsor
Requires new flooring for schools, community centers, and child care centers to be certified mercury-free.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires new flooring installations in schools, community centers, and licensed child care centers to be certified mercury-free by the manufacturer. It applies to all facilities using identified mercury-risk flooring materials, including existing buildings where such flooring was installed before current occupancy. Key provisions mandate certification for permits, require air quality testing if mercury is detected, and obligate owners to implement mitigation or remove unsafe flooring within six months if tests exceed safety thresholds. Violations by manufacturers issuing false certifications carry civil penalties of $10,000 for first offenses.

In committee Mar 23, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Primary A 4522
In committee · New Jersey House · Lead sponsor
Establishes presumption of knowledge that display of noose or Nazi or Confederate symbol would cause bias intimidation; enhances penalties.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill amends bias intimidation law to establish that displaying a noose, Nazi symbol, or Confederate symbol during a crime allows a court to infer the perpetrator knew or should have known the display would intimidate based on race, religion, gender, or other protected characteristics. It applies to any underlying offense (such as vandalism or assault) and treats these symbols as an aggravating factor, potentially leading to harsher penalties. The law directly affects individuals who commit crimes involving these symbols by making it easier to prove bias motivation in court. This change is based on documented historical uses of these symbols to intimidate and harm marginalized groups, as cited in the bill's findings.

In committee Mar 9, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Showing 11 to 20 of 610 bills