Sen. Mike Testa

Maddy summaryThis bill allows wineries with plenary, farm, or out-of-state winery licenses to sell wine by the glass for on-premises consumption in their licensed salesrooms. Currently, these wineries could only sell wine in original packages, but this amendment adds the option to serve individual portions of wine (or wine mixed with nonalcoholic beverages) in open containers. The bill defines "by the glass" as selling an individual portion in an open container, which must be consumed on the premises. This change applies to wineries that already hold the appropriate licenses under New Jersey's alcohol licensing system and does not alter existing licensing requirements.

Maddy summaryBill A5258 allows plenary winery license holders, out-of-state winery license holders, and farm winery license holders to sell wine by the glass for on-premises consumption in their licensed salesrooms. The bill defines "by the glass" as selling individual portions of wine (or wine mixed with nonalcoholic beverages) in open containers. This change expands the sales options available to these wineries, permitting them to serve wine by the glass in their salesrooms without requiring customers to purchase full bottles. The bill modifies existing licensing provisions without changing the fees or other requirements for these winery licenses. The sponsor states this will provide additional purchase options for consumers and increase revenue for winery license holders.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate instruction about fentanyl and xylazine dangers in health classes for students in grades 6 through 12. The curriculum must cover prevention, symptoms of poisoning, emergency response, and legal protections for seeking help, using resources from federal agencies like the CDC and DEA. School districts must provide this instruction as part of existing health education standards, with the state education commissioner supplying approved materials and maintaining online resources for staff and parents. Annual reports will evaluate the program's effectiveness in reducing youth drug poisoning. The bill directly affects all New Jersey public schools and their students in grades 6-12.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to promote state-produced aquaculture products (farm-raised fish and shellfish) through the existing Jersey Fresh Program. It requires an annual $100,000 appropriation from the General Fund to fund advertising and promotion of these products, which must meet department-established quality standards. The Department must also create a specific quality grading system for aquaculture products, distinct from wild-caught seafood, to verify their quality under the program. This directly benefits New Jersey aquaculture businesses by expanding market access for their products through state marketing efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill, "Max's Law," requires New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate instruction about fentanyl and xylazine dangers in health classes for students in grades 6 through 12. The curriculum must cover prevention, symptoms of poisoning, emergency response, and relevant laws protecting those seeking help. School districts must use resources from federal agencies like the CDC and NIH, and the state education department will provide materials and post online resources for staff, students, and parents. The law takes effect immediately, applying to the first full school year after enactment, with annual reports evaluating its impact on youth drug use and poisoning.

Maddy summaryS 4545 expands New Jersey schools, colleges, and youth camps' ability to administer epinephrine during anaphylaxis emergencies by allowing any FDA-approved device - not just pre-filled auto-injectors. It directly affects students with severe allergies, their parents/guardians (who must provide written authorization and physician orders), and school staff (including nurses and trained designees). Key provisions require schools to maintain accessible, secure epinephrine supplies, ensure staff are trained per Department of Education protocols, and retain existing liability protections for schools. The bill does not change parental authorization requirements but modernizes device options to include all FDA-approved mechanisms.

Maddy summaryS 4845 extends New Jersey's Municipal Stabilization and Recovery Act (P.L.2016, c.4) for five years, affecting financially struggling municipalities designated under the law. It updates key deadlines, changing the recovery plan timeframe from nine to fourteen years and extending oversight until the 169th month (from 109th) after a municipality is deemed in need of stabilization. The bill maintains the existing framework where municipalities must submit recovery plans to the state commissioner for approval, with continued oversight if plans fail to achieve financial stability. This extension preserves the current process for managing municipal fiscal distress without creating new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows winery license holders who produce no more than 250,000 gallons of wine annually to sell their wine to other wineries within New Jersey or to wineries outside the state, following the purchasing winery's regulations. It also establishes a new "supplemental wine production facility sublicense" that permits these wineries to produce wine at facilities they own or lease, separate from their main winery location. Wine sold to other wineries doesn't count toward the seller's annual production total but does count toward the buyer's total for fee calculations and eligibility. The sublicense requires a $750 fee and prohibits retail sales at the supplemental facility. This change provides wineries with more flexibility in production and distribution while maintaining New Jersey's wine production regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $52,798,268 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and existing farmland preservation funds to New Jersey's State Agriculture Development Committee. It funds the protection of farmland through purchase or easements, providing grants to counties (up to 80% of acquisition costs) and nonprofits (up to 50% of costs), plus $3.45 million for stewardship activities like soil conservation and deer fencing. The funds also cover administrative costs ($28.3 million) for program management and enforcement. This directly supports landowners selling easements, local governments acquiring farmland, and farm operators maintaining preserved land.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $34 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues to fund farmland preservation. It provides counties with base grants ($500,000-$1 million) and eligibility for competitive grants (up to $7.5 million per county) to cover up to 80% of costs for acquiring development easements - conservation agreements that permanently protect farmland from development. The funds target specific counties and municipalities approved for farmland preservation projects under existing state law. The bill redirects existing constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues (approved by voters in 2014) to the Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund, with no new tax revenue required.