Asm. Mike Torrissi

Maddy summaryThis bill (A719) creates a New Jersey STEM Entrepreneur Fellowship Program to support individuals developing business ideas in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. The program will provide 20 three-year fellowships at state colleges and universities for entrepreneurs who demonstrate their STEM ideas will create self-sustaining businesses with societal benefits. Priority will be given to applicants with support from state-backed business incubators. The Secretary of Higher Education, working with state labor and economic development agencies, will administer the program and evaluate its success within five years.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands a defense for employers accused of wage law violations by allowing them to rely on interpretations from any authorized employee of New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD), not just top officials. It also creates a formal process for employers to request written opinions from DOLWD about their overtime obligations, requiring a written response within two weeks of a request. The bill directly affects employers who face wage and hour claims, giving them a clearer path to seek guidance before potential violations occur. This change responds to a court case where an employer couldn't use a lower-level DOLWD employee's interpretation as a defense.

Maddy summaryThis bill would permit holders of rectifier and blender licenses in New Jersey to sell their distilled beverage products at seasonal farm markets (currently only available to certain brewery and winery license holders), on their licensed premises for off-premises consumption, and at off-premises special events like festivals. It expands the current sales options available to these license holders, who previously could not sell at seasonal farm markets. The bill specifies that sales at special events would be limited to five liters per person. This change would align rectifier and blender license holders with other beverage producers who already have these retail sales opportunities.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey farm operators to immediately deduct certain capital expenses and use accelerated depreciation for tax purposes, aligning state tax rules with current federal provisions. It specifically permits farmers to deduct up to $1 million of eligible equipment costs in a single year (under federal Section 179) and apply 100% bonus depreciation (under federal Section 168) for qualifying assets. The policy directly affects farming enterprises - defined as businesses primarily producing agricultural or horticultural commodities for sale - when calculating state corporation business and gross income taxes. This change updates New Jersey’s tax code to match federal depreciation rules, which the state had previously decoupled from since 2001/2002.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides tax credits to New Jersey farm employers who offer lodging or transportation benefits to their employees. Farm employers can claim a $250 credit per employee for lodging and up to $500 per employee for transportation benefits, provided the lodging is on-site, required for employment, and offered continuously for six weeks, while transportation benefits must reimburse documented commute costs like public transit or fuel. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to four years. The credits apply against corporation business tax and gross income tax liabilities, but cannot exceed 50% of the tax owed.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A706) requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to create a program specifically designed to help young drivers (typically ages 18-25) obtain commercial driver licenses (CDLs). The program must assist young drivers in getting CDLs, promote the benefits of holding one, and connect them with employment opportunities in the commercial trucking industry through industry partnerships. The MVC must include annual reports on program participation, CDL completions, and job placements in its public reports. The bill directly affects young New Jersey residents seeking careers in commercial driving and aims to address workforce needs in the trucking sector.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A687) establishes an independent Office of Economic Development Inspector General within New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA). The Inspector General, appointed by the Governor, investigates fraud, waste, or abuse in EDA's economic development incentive programs - including tax credits, grants, and loans - directly affecting EDA staff, board members, and program recipients. Key mechanisms include examining EDA documents, interviewing employees, recommending disciplinary actions, and publicly reporting investigation findings after redacting confidential details. The Inspector General must annually report to the Governor, Legislature, and Attorney General on office activities and program management recommendations.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends whistleblower protections to employees of New Jersey government entities (including state agencies, counties, municipalities, school districts, and other public bodies) who report specific issues. It prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who disclose substantial waste of public funds, gross mismanagement (negligent or incompetent actions harming public operations), or abuse of authority (illegal, malicious, or arbitrary actions by government employers). The bill defines these terms clearly: "gross mismanagement" involves actions deviating from reasonable standards that harm public functions, "abuse of authority" involves illegal or malicious conduct, and "substantial waste" means misuse of public funds without value. These protections apply immediately to all government employers and cover disclosures, testimony in investigations, or refusal to participate in prohibited activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill dedicates at least 5% of funds allocated for displaced workers (from the existing 25% of Workforce Development Partnership Fund revenues) to promote apprenticeships and apprenticeship programs. The funds will be dispersed by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to One Stop Career Centers for this purpose. These programs must be accredited and approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, directly supporting job seekers and employers seeking to expand apprenticeship opportunities across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Homeschool Parent's Bill of Rights" in New Jersey, directly affecting parents and guardians who homeschool their children. It legally affirms their fundamental right to direct their child's education at home, including choosing curriculum, teaching methods, pace, and topics of interest without state interference. Specific provisions guarantee homeschooling families the right to create individualized education plans based on their child's needs, select instructors, explore subjects freely, maintain a safe learning environment, and determine teaching approaches solely. The bill takes immediate effect and defines these rights as non-infringeable. It does not create new programs or funding but codifies existing parental authority in homeschooling.