Asm. Mike Torrissi

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits of certain retired police and firefighters in New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). It applies specifically to members who have been retired and receiving benefits for at least 10 years, excluding those hired after the bill's effective date, those in deferred retirement, and those with 20-24 years of service. The COLAs are tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners, with benefits up to $75,000 receiving full adjustment, while higher benefits are capped at a 1% annual increase. The $75,000 threshold will adjust annually based on inflation, and the bill requires the Legislature to appropriate funds to cover both state and local costs for these adjustments.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes potable water well construction projects on preserved farmland eligible for state soil and water conservation grants administered by the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC). Currently, these grants cover projects like irrigation systems and erosion control, but the bill explicitly adds water well construction to the list of qualifying activities. To qualify, the farmland must be part of a preservation program (such as a municipal program or a program with a development easement), and the well project must be maintained for at least three years as part of a conservation plan. The bill does not change the existing application process, which involves local Soil Conservation Districts and the State Soil Conservation Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill delays New Jersey's implementation of Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulations until January 1, 2027 - pushing back the current 2025 deadline. It directly affects vehicle manufacturers of medium- and heavy-duty trucks, requiring them to sell increasing percentages of zero-emission vehicles (capping at 40-75% of annual sales by 2035). The bill modifies New Jersey’s adoption of California’s 2021 ACT regulations, which mandate phased EV sales targets, by prohibiting the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from enforcing these rules before 2027. The delay gives manufacturers more time to adapt to the requirements while maintaining the state’s alignment with California’s emissions program.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey police departments (including municipal, county, and state agencies) and educational institutions with appointed police officers to adopt formal policies cooperating with federal immigration authorities. It mandates that these agencies comply with federal requests for information or assistance related to immigration enforcement. The bill also provides legal protections: the state must defend officers in civil lawsuits arising from cooperation (if no intentional misconduct occurred) and cover any settlements or judgments against them under the same conditions. It defines "law enforcement officer" as those with arrest powers under state law. The policy applies to all covered agencies without exception.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all battlefield cross memorials in New Jersey - both existing and future - to include replicas of a vertical rifle, helmet, boots, and dog tags in the standard configuration established since the Gulf War (1991). It applies to every such memorial located within the state, mandating this specific design as a symbol of honor for fallen soldiers. The bill does not create new policies but standardizes memorial elements to align with the widely recognized post-Gulf War representation.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $106.5 million from the Property Tax Relief Fund to provide Emergency Supplemental Aid to New Jersey school districts affected by reduced state funding. Eligible districts must have received less than their required funding level (based on 2024-2025 aid) and less than or equal to $19,000 per enrolled student, with specific adjustments compared to the prior year’s funding. Aid amounts are calculated as $250 multiplied by each district’s resident pupil count as of October 16, 2023. The aid targets districts negatively impacted by P.L.2018, c.67 (the "S2" school funding law), which has caused budget shortfalls leading to staff cuts, reduced programs, and school closures in over 290 districts statewide.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution designates July 3 of each year as "Indian Christian Day (Yeshu Bakti Divas)" in New Jersey. It directly affects Indian Christian communities in the state, providing an annual opportunity to celebrate the message of Jesus Christ through worship, service to the poor, and promoting community unity. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of the day. It references July 3 as the traditional martyrdom date of Saint Thomas the Apostle in India and aligns with the Decade of Celebration (2021-2030) honoring Jesus Christ's ministry. The designation is symbolic and commemorative, with no new funding or regulatory requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4886) raises fines for damaging agricultural or horticultural lands in New Jersey. It increases the minimum civil penalty from $1,000 to $2,500 when court-ordered damages exceed $10,000 for acts like vandalizing crops, fences, or livestock. Landowners can also seek reimbursement for restoration costs and attorney fees. The law directly affects individuals who trespass or cause damage on farmland or gardens, strengthening legal remedies for property owners.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to waive walk-in and bicycle entrance fees at all state parks and forests during three specific holiday periods: Memorial Day weekend, the week of the Fourth of July, and Labor Day weekend. It applies directly to visitors entering these public lands on those designated dates, eliminating the standard fee for walk-in and bicycle access. The policy change would take effect one year after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A2402 authorizes special license plates for active and honorably separated U.S. Coast Guard members, their spouses, parents, and business owners they control. Applicants pay a $50 one-time fee and $10 annual renewal fee, with proceeds funding a dedicated "Coast Guard License Plate Fund" that annually allocates money to the U.S. Coast Guard. The plates must display the Coast Guard seal and design approved by the Motor Vehicle Commission in consultation with the Coast Guard. Implementation requires 500 pre-paid applications and $25,000 in initial funding from the Coast Guard or private donors before plates can be issued.