Asm. Lou Greenwald

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces New Jersey's premium receipts tax for surplus lines insurance coverage from 5% to 3% of gross premiums. It affects insurers, surplus lines agents, and policyholders purchasing specialized insurance for high-risk or hard-to-cover risks (like unusual property or complex liability). The bill clarifies that for fire insurance policies in municipalities with firemen's relief associations, all 3% tax must now go directly to those associations (previously split between them and the state). This change reverts the tax rate to its level before 2009, as stated in the bill's summary.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures certain volunteer workers, including firefighters, first responders, emergency management volunteers, healthcare workers on emergency duty, and others listed in the law, receive the maximum workers' compensation benefit for work-related injuries or deaths - regardless of their income from other jobs. It amends New Jersey law to require compensation based on the state’s maximum rate, eliminating reductions tied to outside employment. The bill also removes the standard seven-day waiting period for these workers’ claims. This clarifies and strengthens existing protections for these volunteer groups, as highlighted in a 2019 court case interpreting the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's unemployment benefits rules for workers who leave one job to accept another, but the second job offer is rescinded through no fault of the employee. It allows these workers to receive unemployment benefits in this situation, which was previously uncertain under the law. The bill increases the allowable time period between leaving the first job and the start of the second job from seven days to ten days. This change codifies a 2019 court decision (McClain v. Bd. of Review) that established this right for workers facing rescinded job offers. The bill directly affects workers who experience job offer rescissions without their own fault.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey colleges and universities to let final-year graduate students in mental health care programs (like psychiatry, psychology, or social work) graduate early or start clinical residencies early during the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 academic years. To qualify, students must have completed all required coursework, and institutions must assign a staff mentor to guide them during clinical placements. It aims to address mental health workforce shortages amplified by the pandemic by accelerating the entry of trained professionals into the field. The measure applies only to institutions that choose to implement it, with no requirement for mandatory participation.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A1133 bill standardizes rules for deploying small wireless facilities (like cell towers on street poles) across the state. It requires local authorities to allow wireless providers to install these facilities on existing poles without special zoning approval, with specific height limits (50 feet or 10% taller than surrounding structures), and sets maximum fees for deployment. The bill prevents local governments from creating exclusive contracts with wireless companies for pole space and establishes clear timelines for permit approvals (60 days for existing structures, 90 days for new poles). It also requires wireless providers to repair any damage to public rights-of-way and to notify authorities before removing facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey employees to deduct up to $5,250 annually from their gross income tax for employer-paid educational assistance (like tuition, fees, or textbooks) and up to $5,250 for employer-paid student loan payments toward qualified higher education expenses. It directly affects employees who receive these benefits from their employers, provided the assistance meets federal tax exclusion rules under Section 127 of the IRS Code. Educational assistance must be part of a written employer plan and cover costs for courses not related to sports or hobbies, while student loan payments must address principal or interest on debt for qualified education expenses. The deduction applies in addition to other tax exemptions and takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's alcohol licensing rules by removing limits on how many plenary retail distribution licenses a single person or business can hold, specifically for stores that primarily sell food or alcohol. Under current law, individuals could only hold up to two retail alcohol licenses, but this bill allows for up to four licenses after two years (with two used in qualifying food stores) and up to six licenses after six years (with four used in qualifying stores). A qualifying food store is defined as one where groceries and food make up at least 65% of annual sales, while a qualifying liquor store must have alcohol sales making up at least 90% of annual sales. Businesses acquiring additional licenses beyond the original two will pay a 10% transfer fee to the municipality, except for stores in urban food deserts. The bill does not increase the total number of licenses a municipality can issue, but rather changes how many licenses one entity can own.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey county improvement authorities to establish student loan refinancing programs for eligible residents. It permits student borrowers who live in a county or parent borrowers who are New Jersey residents or have primary employment in the state to refinance their student loans at lower interest rates. The programs must offer at least two repayment plans, including one with income-based options, and cannot create undue financial hardship for borrowers. Refinanced loans cannot be discharged in bankruptcy, and authorities must ensure borrowers can speak with live representatives who have access to their loan information.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey municipalities with voter-approved open space taxes to use those funds for developing or maintaining recreation and conservation land they didn't originally acquire, as long as the land is within the municipality and benefits residents. Currently, funds can only be used for land the municipality owns, but this bill expands eligibility to include land owned by other public entities (like schools or parks authorities) within municipal boundaries. The key change removes the restriction that funds must be spent on "acquired" land, aligning with a recent court interpretation that blocked funding for school fields. It applies to any municipality that has already implemented an open space tax via voter referendum.