Sen. Mike Testa

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1035 increases tax credits for businesses conducting research in the state. It raises the credit rate for qualified research expenses from 10% to 15% for corporations primarily operating in targeted industries like clean energy, life sciences, and advanced transportation. The bill also increases the basic research payments credit to 15% and makes the total credit refundable (allowing taxpayers to receive cash payments for unused credits). These changes apply only to research conducted within New Jersey and affect eligible corporations filing business tax returns.

Maddy summaryS 1357 offers temporary tax credits to New Jersey businesses that relocate operations to the state. It provides a 35% credit for expenses moving operations from outside the U.S. and a 25% credit for expenses moving from within the U.S. but outside New Jersey, covering costs like relocating staff and eliminating overseas units. To qualify, businesses must maintain more full-time employees in New Jersey during the credit year than before relocation, and unused credits expire by 2025. If a business later reduces its New Jersey workforce, the state can recapture the credit. This bill directly affects corporations relocating operations to New Jersey under specific conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises penalties for unlawfully taking a motor vehicle without the owner's consent in New Jersey. It upgrades the basic offense (taking or operating a vehicle without consent) from a fourth-degree crime to a third-degree crime, increasing potential penalties to 3-5 years in prison or a $15,000 fine. It also upgrades the offense involving risk of injury or property damage from a third-degree to a second-degree crime, with penalties of 5-10 years in prison or a $150,000 fine. The bill directly affects individuals who take vehicles without permission, including cases commonly referred to as "joyriding."

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey State Board of Education to obtain legislative approval for any updates or revisions to the state's core curriculum content standards, which define educational expectations for students. The State Board must submit proposed changes to the Legislature, which then has 45 days to approve or disapprove them through a concurrent resolution. If approved, the changes take effect; if disapproved, they are not implemented. This directly affects the State Board of Education and the Legislature, shifting authority over curriculum updates from the Board to the Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill broadens the definition of riot to include assemblies of three or more people engaging in violent disorderly conduct causing injury, property damage, or imminent danger. It creates new offenses of "mob intimidation" (using force/threats to compel someone) and "cyber-intimidation by publication" (sharing personal information to incite violence), and enhances penalties for crimes committed during riots. The bill establishes a duty for municipalities to allow law enforcement to respond appropriately during riots and requires pretrial detention for those arrested for these offenses. Penalties range from up to 18 months imprisonment for basic riot offenses to up to 10 years for aggravated riot.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2169 provides tax credits to businesses that hire apprentices in U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)-registered programs. Businesses receive a base $1,000 credit per apprentice per tax year, with an additional $2,000 credit if the apprentice is a veteran, displaced worker, previously incarcerated, or from an underrepresented group (based on race, gender, etc.). To qualify, the apprentice must be employed for at least seven months during the tax year, and the credit cannot be claimed for more than four years per apprentice. The bill also prohibits using these credits to displace existing workers or undermine collective bargaining agreements.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's SCR 35 is a state resolution requesting Congress to call an Article V Convention of States to propose constitutional amendments. It specifically seeks amendments requiring a balanced federal budget, imposing term limits on members of Congress and Supreme Court Justices, and changing how electoral votes are allocated (using the Congressional District Method, like Maine and Nebraska). If adopted, these changes would directly affect federal budget processes, congressional elections, Supreme Court appointments, and presidential election outcomes. The resolution is a formal state-level application to initiate this constitutional convention process, not a law itself.

Maddy summaryS 1352 requires New Jersey school districts to obtain written permission from a parent or legal guardian before administering certain health surveys to students. The bill applies to surveys about substance use (alcohol, tobacco, drugs, vaping), sexual behavior, violence-related behaviors, or nutrition/physical activity. School districts must provide detailed written notice at least two weeks in advance, including survey descriptions, purposes, data access, and clear permission/denial instructions. Collected data must be submitted to state education and health departments for public health initiatives only, not for commercial use, and violations may result in monetary penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires non-profit organizations that train service dogs for disabled veterans to register annually with New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs. It mandates these organizations to provide handlers (disabled veterans) with vests or harnesses labeled "DISABLED VETERAN ASSISTANCE DOG" or "DVAD," featuring a logo identifying the dog as trained for veterans. Organizations must also issue ID cards with the handler's name, dog's details, and training organization upon request. Violating these requirements would be considered an unlawful practice under New Jersey's Consumer Fraud Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey municipalities to create outdoor public spaces where alcohol consumption and cannabis use are prohibited. Towns must hold public hearings before adopting such zones, which would ban open alcohol containers and public cannabis smoking/vaping outdoors. Violators could face civil fines in addition to other existing penalties. The law directly affects local governments' regulatory authority and residents/visitors in designated areas.