Sen. Owen Henry

Maddy summaryS 483 creates a $100,000 grant program to help nonprofit organizations teach financial literacy. The Commissioner of Banking and Insurance will award grants of up to $5,000 each to 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on financial counseling or education. These grants fund classes covering budgeting, credit management, loans, and investing, specifically for high school, college, and adult education settings. The program expires after one year or once all $100,000 is spent.

Maddy summaryS 1982, the "Fentanyl and Xylazine Poisoning Awareness Act," requires New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate instruction on the dangers of fentanyl and xylazine in health and physical education curricula for students in grades 6-12. The bill mandates teaching about 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 standards, and the state education department must post related materials online for staff, students, and parents. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, after being approved as P.L.2025, c.278, and is no longer active.

Maddy summaryS 803 creates a program for New Jersey to acquire development easements on privately-owned woodlands, permanently restricting future development to protect land for farming, forestry, and conservation. Woodlands must be at least 20 acres, used for agriculture or forestry production, and managed under approved stewardship plans to qualify. The program will use existing farmland preservation funds and coordinate with federal agencies to access additional support, such as the federal Forest Legacy Program. Landowners who sell these easements retain ownership but lose development rights, with restrictions recorded to last indefinitely.

Maddy summaryThe "Energy Security and Affordability Act" (S 1900) requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to prioritize energy security, diversity, and affordability when updating the state's Energy Master Plan. It mandates the BPU to conduct detailed economic and ratepayer impact analyses for all energy generation projects and the Master Plan itself, including cost breakdowns, infrastructure expenses, and public comment periods. These analyses must be published online for 10 years using open-source modeling tools. The bill directly affects ratepayers (utility customers) and energy developers by ensuring decisions consider financial impacts and public input before project approvals.

Maddy summarySCR 65 is a symbolic resolution passed by New Jersey's Senate condemning Hinduphobia - defined as prejudice or hatred against Hinduism and Hindus - and anti-Hindu bigotry. It declares New Jersey a welcoming state for Hindu Americans, recognizing their contributions to U.S. society and citing documented hate crimes against the community. The resolution has no binding legal effect but directs copies to the governor, New Jersey's congressional delegation, and the Hindu American Foundation. It serves as a formal statement of support, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's Large Animal Veterinarian Loan Redemption Program, targeting licensed veterinarians who practice large animal medicine in state-designated underserved areas. It allows eligible participants - New Jersey residents who graduated from an approved veterinary school, completed a residency program, and commit to five years of service - to redeem 20% of their qualifying student loan debt (principal and interest) each year. Participants must practice in areas identified by the Agriculture Secretary as having veterinarian shortages, with the state covering up to 100% of eligible debt after five full years. The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority administers the program, matching participants to underserved areas and verifying annual service.

Maddy summaryS 1911 establishes a Veterinary Medicine Loan Redemption Program in New Jersey to help veterinarians repay student loans. It targets licensed New Jersey veterinarians who work full-time (40 hours/week) for five years in designated underserved areas, with at least 75% of their practice focused on large animal care (such as cattle, horses, and farm animals). Eligible participants can have up to $30,000 in annual loan expenses repaid by the state over five years (with payments distributed as 12% in year one, 20% in years two and three, and 24% in years four and five), funded by an annual $500,000 appropriation. The program prioritizes applicants for areas with the greatest veterinary shortages and requires participation in a state-designated underserved area.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for retirement benefits in New Jersey's state-administered retirement systems. It directly affects current and future retirees, including state employees and teachers, by requiring their benefits to increase each year to match inflation without needing separate legislative action. The key mechanism establishes a permanent automatic adjustment process tied to inflation data, eliminating the need for annual budget amendments. This change ensures retirees' purchasing power remains aligned with rising living costs over time.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts nonprofit historic educational programs operating steam locomotive railroads from being regulated as amusement parks or rides. It specifically applies to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or government entities that meet three requirements: personnel must be trained per railroad standards, all maintenance and boiler inspections must be completed (with proof submitted), and no paid admission or ticket sales for rides may be offered. The law clarifies that these educational programs - focused on historical railroad experiences, not public transportation - will not face amusement park regulations as long as these conditions are met. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a whistleblower reward program for employees reporting tax law violations by construction industry employers in New Jersey. Whistleblowers who provide specific, credible information leading to an administrative or judicial action against an employer can receive 15% to 30% of recovered taxes, penalties, and interest (or up to 10% if the tip came from public sources like media or audits). The award amount is based on how much the information contributed to the case outcome. It excludes employees who obtained information through their official duties and includes protections against retaliation under existing law.