Maddy summaryS 3359, "CJ's Law," would criminalize the manufacture, sale, and possession of substances containing kratom (mitragyna speciosa korth), with penalties based on quantity. Possessing or distributing 1 ounce or more of kratom would be a second-degree crime punishable by 5-10 years in prison or a $150,000 fine, while smaller amounts would be third or fourth-degree crimes with lesser penalties. The bill directly affects individuals who use, sell, or distribute kratom products, which are currently legal in New Jersey but are warned against by the FDA for potential addiction and health risks. The law is named after Christopher James Holowach, who died from cardiac arrest related to kratom use combined with prescription medication. This bill aims to address public health concerns about kratom, which the FDA has identified as posing risks including addiction, abuse, and dependence.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state loan program to help New Jersey school districts facing significant budget shortfalls avoid eliminating nonmandatory programs. School districts must demonstrate they've already tried budget cuts and tax increases (with at least a 2% annual levy increase over five years) and spent below state adequacy levels in the prior year. The loans prevent cuts to programs like advanced placement courses, sports teams, music programs, and student clubs. The Department of Education will review applications, with county superintendents and State monitors providing recommendations before approval.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) to create a policy for using video reviews in high school basketball playoff games. The policy must mandate official video and audio recordings of all playoff games to review game clock decisions. Head coaches will be allowed up to two challenges per game regarding clock errors. The policy applies to all NJSIAA basketball playoff tournaments starting with the first full school year after the bill takes effect.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to issue special windshield stickers for electric vehicles (EVs) that are exempt from emission inspections. The stickers will indicate to law enforcement that the vehicle qualifies for this exemption, and there will be no fee for obtaining them. Owners or lessees must display the stickers visibly and return them to the MVC within 30 days if they no longer own or lease the EV. The bill defines "electric vehicle" as any vehicle powered solely by electricity without an on-board engine or generator, including plug-in electric vehicles but excluding plug-in hybrids.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "Type S School Bus Certificate" allowing qualified drivers to operate smaller school buses (defined as vehicles with max 9 passengers plus driver, used by schools for student transportation) without needing a commercial driver's license. To qualify, drivers must be 21+, hold a valid license for 3+ years, pass medical/vision exams, pass a knowledge test, and complete disability-specific training. The certificate holder faces penalties including license suspension for operating while suspended, leaving students unattended, or accumulating traffic violations, and must complete 10-hour safety training for reinstatement. This directly affects school bus drivers, school districts, and the Motor Vehicle Commission, streamlining operations for smaller school transportation vehicles.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill S 3293 increases the income threshold for certain retirement income exclusions. It raises the limit for other income sources (like wages or business income) that would disqualify a taxpayer from the exclusion from $3,000 to $25,000. This change applies to New Jersey residents aged 62+ receiving retirement income, but only if their total gross income does not exceed $100,000. The bill modifies existing tax code provisions (N.J.S.54A:6-15) to adjust these eligibility requirements. It does not change the maximum exclusion amounts for retirement income itself.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey volunteer firefighters, first aid squad members, and rescue squad members who meet specific service and training requirements to claim a $2,000 deduction from their state gross income tax. To qualify, volunteers must complete either 10% of rescue duty (with EMS training or EMT certification) or 60% of fire duty (with Firefighter I certification), while serving the entire tax year. The exemption applies directly to qualifying volunteers who meet these thresholds, adding to existing state tax exemptions. It does not create new benefits but provides a concrete tax deduction for eligible volunteers.
Maddy summarySCR 106 proposes a constitutional amendment to provide a property tax exemption for the primary residence of a surviving spouse whose first responder spouse (law enforcement officer, firefighter, or emergency medical personnel) died while on duty. The exemption applies only to properties that were the primary residence of the deceased first responder at the time of death, requires the surviving spouse to continue living there as their primary home, and ends if the spouse remarries. The state would reimburse local taxing districts annually for the lost property tax revenue from these exempt properties. This change would affect surviving spouses of eligible New Jersey first responders who lose their partners in the line of duty.
Maddy summaryS 3175 removes the requirement that public work contractors must participate in a registered apprenticeship program to bid on or perform construction projects covered by New Jersey's prevailing wage laws. The bill repeals a previous provision (P.L.2021, c.423, section 6) that mandated this participation. Instead, it establishes standards for apprenticeship programs that contractors may choose to use, requiring that any such program's training requirements meet or exceed U.S. Department of Labor standards. This change directly affects contractors bidding on or working on public construction projects subject to prevailing wage requirements.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 95) is a formal statement urging the U.S. Congress and President to pass the "Laken Riley Act." It does not create new law but calls for federal legislation requiring that migrants who enter the U.S. illegally and are accused of theft or burglary be placed in federal custody. The resolution references the 2024 murder of nursing student Laken Riley, alleging that prior minor arrests of the suspect (who entered illegally) were not flagged in databases, and claims the proposed law would prevent similar tragedies by enabling detention of such migrants. The resolution directly affects migrants entering the country illegally with theft-related charges and aims to influence federal immigration policy.