Sen. Mike Testa

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey's Department of Transportation, municipalities, or counties to create temporary "special event zones" around large events (25+ attendees) to improve traffic safety. Within these zones, authorities can lower speed limits, ban reckless driving stunts ("exhibition driving"), and increase penalties for traffic violations like speeding or parking offenses. Drivers violating rules in these zones face fines up to $1,000 or up to 60 days in jail for severe offenses. The zones remain active during the event plus a reasonable time before and after, with clear signage indicating speed limits and restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1371) requires New Jersey's Attorney General to publish quarterly crime data collected from local police within six months after each quarter ends, making it publicly available on the Department of Law and Public Safety website. It also sets a deadline of 13 months after the reporting period for the Attorney General to submit an annual crime report to the Governor and Legislature. The bill updates existing laws (P.L.1966, c.37 and P.L.2007, c.303) to create these specific timelines, replacing the current lack of deadlines. This directly affects the Attorney General’s office in managing data release and benefits the public by providing more timely crime statistics.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 976) prohibits the non-consensual creation and distribution of deepfake pornography depicting intimate acts or exposed body parts without the person's consent. It makes distributing such deceptive media a third-degree crime, with potential fines up to $30,000, and applies specifically to images falsely appearing to show someone engaged in sexual activity. The law directly affects individuals whose private images are used without consent in fabricated content. Key provisions define "deceptive audio or visual media" and include limited exceptions, such as retail fitting room photos with posted notice, but criminalize unauthorized sharing online or otherwise.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to create a program providing up to $10,000 in one-time grants to veterans who purchase franchises in the state. It directly affects New Jersey veterans who are approved by the EDA and become franchisees (owners of franchised businesses) after the bill takes effect. The EDA must establish application procedures, set eligibility criteria, and require grantees to report within a year on how the funds were used for franchise purchases. The program prioritizes veterans applying within six months of the bill's effective date, with grants funded through state appropriations or private donations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1334) requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to operate at least one agency in every county that provides both vehicle registration services (like license plates and vehicle titles) and driver licensing services (like driver's licenses and ID cards). It directly affects all New Jersey residents who need to register vehicles or obtain driver licenses/ID cards, ensuring they can access these services within their own county. The key mechanism mandates that the MVC either establish separate vehicle and licensing agencies in each county or operate a single combined agency offering both services. This replaces the current system where some counties lack full MVC service locations.

Maddy summaryS 1360 allows New Jersey resident taxpayers to deduct the full cost of purchasing and installing a qualifying whole-house backup generator at their primary residence from their gross income. The generator must be natural gas or propane-powered, permanently connected to the home's electrical system, and only activate during power outages, while meeting all state and local installation requirements. This tax deduction applies to one- or two-family residential properties and takes effect immediately upon enactment. The bill creates a direct financial incentive for homeowners to install backup power systems, focusing solely on the tax provision without specifying intended outcomes.

Maddy summaryS 597 requires electric, gas, water, and sewer utilities in New Jersey to notify customers about upcoming hearings on proposed rate increases. Utilities must include clear notice in customer bills or send it via mail/electronic means, and also publish the hearing details in local newspapers. The bill also revises where hearings must be held, mandating they occur in the largest-population municipality affected (or each affected county's largest municipality if multiple counties are involved). These changes aim to improve transparency for rate increase decisions before they take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey school districts to administer certain motor vehicle services for prospective school bus drivers, including knowledge tests, providing driver manuals, verifying identification, processing fees, and handling endorsement applications. It specifically excludes road tests, which must still be conducted by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). The MVC must create a program to coordinate with schools and promote these services at school facilities, aligning with federal commercial driver licensing standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 938) requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to assist veterans who received an "other than honorable," bad conduct, or dishonorable discharge and later received a diagnosis of a mental health condition linked to their military service. The DMVA must provide free, confidential help with federal forms to petition the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to change their discharge status to "honorable." Veterans with a revised discharge designation will gain access to the same state benefits and rights as those honorably discharged. The bill expands existing DMVA assistance - previously limited to veterans separated due to sexual orientation or gender identity - to include those with service-connected mental health conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the Governor's power to declare and extend state of emergency or public health emergency declarations in New Jersey. It requires the Legislature to approve any extension of these declarations, with automatic termination after 60 days for state emergencies (or 30 days for public health emergencies) unless approved by a majority vote of both legislative chambers. The Governor must notify the Legislature in writing at least seven business days before seeking an extension, detailing the ongoing threat. The bill also prohibits the Governor from issuing identical declarations for the same emergency after termination without specific legislative authorization.