Maddy summaryS 4679 increases the New Jersey Commission on Environmental Education from 23 to 32 members by adding specific roles: a representative from the Board of Public Utilities, a representative from the Department of Agriculture, an additional public school teacher, an additional industry representative, an additional cultural institution representative, and a representative from an environmental justice organization. The bill requires the commission to prioritize appointing members who live in, work in, or represent overburdened communities as defined by the Department of Environmental Protection. It updates the commission’s duties to include advising on climate, sustainability, and environmental literacy education implementation statewide, replacing outdated provisions. Additionally, the Inter-agency Work Group’s role is revised to focus on soliciting partnerships for professional development and technical assistance to expand environmental education programming in schools and communities.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 3917 modifies New Jersey's school funding system by changing how school districts can increase their local tax levies, allowing up to the district's local share (what the funding formula determines they can afford) for some districts, or up to a 7% increase for others, while maintaining a 2% cap for districts already above their local share. It lowers the cost threshold for extraordinary special education aid from $40,000 to $35,000 for students in integrated public school programs and gradually phases in full funding over five years. The bill establishes "reduction adjustment aid" to ensure State school aid doesn't decrease by more than 2% of a district's total operating budget and creates "municipal overburden protections" for districts in high-tax municipalities. Additionally, it requires the Department of Education to make school funding calculations more transparent and establishes a Special Education Funding Review Task Force.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Commissioner of Education to provide school districts with preliminary State aid notices by December 1st each year, detailing the minimum State aid amount for the following school year. It creates a New Jersey Education Funding Portal that will make school funding calculations transparent to districts and the public, allowing them to adjust data inputs like enrollment and property values to estimate impacts on State aid. The bill also allows districts facing potential aid reductions to submit and revise their budgets within the first six months of the budget year. For the 2026-2027 school year, it specifies that Statewide property and income rates will remain the same as in the 2025-2026 school year.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2159) prohibits New Jersey's State Lottery Commission from selling lottery tickets online through its own website or mobile apps. It also prevents the Commission or its contractors from acting as online sales agents for lottery games. The bill specifically exempts licensed courier services (as permitted under existing law) from this restriction. It blocks the Commission's planned 2024 rollout of direct internet sales while allowing couriers to continue online lottery ticket sales.
Maddy summaryS 2001 allows military members on active duty (including National Guard and Reserve on specific orders) to participate remotely in meetings of local and state government bodies. It directly affects municipal governing members, county commissioners, school board members, and state board members serving in the military. The bill requires that remote participants count toward quorum for meetings and directs state departments to develop guidelines for remote participation. It defines "active duty" to include National Guard/Reserve members on orders under federal law (10 U.S.C. chapters 1209 or 1211). The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 142) formally recognizes open water lifeguards in New Jersey as first responders and emergency services providers. It acknowledges their critical role in protecting lives and property through training and duties equivalent to first responders, including emergency medical response and water rescue. The resolution notes that federal law and other countries already grant lifeguards this status, and it directs copies to NJ Lifeguard and the American Lifeguard Association. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new legal rights or benefits but affirms their professional standing.
Maddy summaryS 4898 would lower the minimum required uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage for transportation network company (TNC) drivers and companies in New Jersey, such as Uber or Lyft. Current law requires TNC drivers to maintain at least $1.5 million in such coverage when providing rides. The bill would reduce this minimum coverage amount to a lower figure, though the exact new amount is not specified in the text. This change would directly affect TNC drivers and companies by reducing their insurance requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill adds $1.2 million in supplemental funding to New Jersey's Community College Opportunity Grant program for fiscal year 2026. The grant helps eligible low-income community college students cover tuition and fees not covered by other aid, specifically for those with household incomes between $0 and $65,000. It also adjusts support for prior recipients with higher incomes ($65,001-$80,000 receive half the maximum award, and $80,001-$100,000 receive one-third). The funding directly supports community college students enrolled in at least six credits who meet income and academic requirements. The bill modifies existing program funding without changing eligibility criteria.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's executive county superintendents to develop plans to consolidate school districts with fewer than 500 students into regional districts. The plan must propose either all-purpose regional districts serving multiple grade levels or limited-purpose districts for specific services like transportation or administration. The commissioner of education must approve or modify the plan within six months, and if approved, feasibility studies must be conducted to ensure regionalization doesn't increase segregation, improves efficiency, and coordinates curriculum. If the feasibility study meets specific requirements, the regional districts would be established within five years without requiring voter approval.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Senate Resolution (SR 140) is a symbolic statement condemning Turkey's 1974 military invasion and ongoing occupation of Cyprus. It calls for Turkey to immediately withdraw its forces, respect international law, and cooperate on resolving the displacement of over 160,000 Cypriots and identifying missing persons (including four U.S. citizens). The resolution urges support for a UN-backed solution based on a single Cyprus with shared sovereignty, not a "two-state" arrangement. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but expresses New Jersey's position to federal officials.