Sen. Owen Henry

Maddy summaryThis bill makes farming a legally permitted activity in every zoning district across New Jersey, ensuring that local governments cannot ban it. It defines farming as the production of agricultural or horticultural products and requires all municipalities to treat it as an inherently beneficial use. By overriding conflicting local laws, ordinances, or rules, the measure allows farmers to operate on their land regardless of existing zoning restrictions. The changes take effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3622) changes how county planning boards in New Jersey are staffed. It authorizes the director of a county's Board of County Commissioners to appoint a designee to serve on the county planning board instead of requiring the director to serve personally. Currently, the director must serve as a member; this bill allows them to delegate that role to a chosen representative. The change applies to all counties with planning boards established under existing law and involves no substantive policy shift, only a procedural adjustment to board membership rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes faster notification procedures for sex offenders moving to New Jersey from other states. It requires individuals already registered as sex offenders in another jurisdiction to register in New Jersey if they enroll in state educational institutions or work in the state for more than 14 consecutive days or over 30 days in a calendar year. The legislation defines specific sex offenses that trigger registration requirements and sets a 120-day deadline for new registrants to complete the process. Failure to register as required would result in a third-degree criminal charge.

Maddy summaryThe "Compassionate Spousal Visits for Veterans Act" creates a transportation grant program in New Jersey to help spouses of veterans visit them at long-term care facilities or VA medical centers. This initiative allows eligible spouses to receive reimbursement for travel costs on public transit, county vehicles, or private rides when they cannot drive themselves and lack other funding options. The Department of Veterans Affairs will manage the program, which includes setting up rules for reimbursement, ensuring liability insurance for transport vehicles, and notifying the public about the new benefits. To fund these efforts, the bill appropriates $500,000 from the state's General Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum state funding for farmland preservation projects led by nonprofit organizations in New Jersey from 50 percent to 80 percent of acquisition costs. Sponsored by Senator John J. Burzicelli, the legislation amends existing laws to align the financial support given to nonprofits with the higher rate already available to local government units. The funds, drawn from the Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, can be used to purchase development easements or fee simple titles on farmland, with the latter requiring agricultural deed restrictions upon resale or lease. By removing the lower funding cap for nonprofits, the bill aims to expand the scope of farmland preservation initiatives managed by these organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires private contractors performing construction work in New Jersey (excluding public work or home improvement projects) to register with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development before starting work. It mandates registration with specific details including business information, licenses, and disclosures about labor law violations. The registration process includes providing tax IDs, unemployment insurance numbers, and documentation showing compliance with state business requirements. Contractors already registered for public works projects are exempt from these new requirements. The bill directly affects businesses engaged in private construction work who must register to legally operate in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases annual funding for cancer research in New Jersey by directing $10 million in cigarette and tobacco tax revenues to the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research (NJCCR), up from the current $1 million. It establishes a permanent, non-lapsing "Cancer Research Fund" in the state Treasury, ensuring these funds cannot be diverted to other state budgets. The fund must allocate at least $5 million annually to general cancer research and at least $5 million specifically to pediatric cancer research, with all spending requiring approval by the NJCCR. The State Treasurer manages the fund, and any interest earned is reinvested into the fund for ongoing research support.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education to provide school districts with specific details about how their state funding is calculated when requested. Under the new rule, the department must explain the general methodology used for state aid and offer a detailed review of the district's specific allocation, including factors like adequacy budgets and local shares. Additionally, the department must complete and deliver this information within five business days of receiving the request. The legislation aims to increase transparency in the state school funding process by giving districts clearer insight into the financial formulas applied to them.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires ticket resellers and resale websites to provide a full refund or a credit for tickets when an event is postponed. The refund must include all fees paid by the customer, except for handling and delivery charges if those fees were explicitly excluded in the original guarantee. Resellers have 30 days after a postponement is announced to issue the refund or offer the credit. This law directly affects consumers who buy tickets through secondary market platforms and ensures they receive compensation when events are delayed.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new program within the Department of Children and Families to screen children and young adults aged five to 21 for brain injuries and to educate various professionals and families about these conditions. The initiative requires the use of validated screening tools and structured interviews to identify at-risk youth, while also providing training for educators, judges, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and government employees to better recognize and support those affected. Additionally, the program will launch outreach efforts through schools, community organizations, and online platforms to raise awareness about available treatment and rehabilitation services. To ensure accountability, the Department of Children and Families must adopt specific rules to implement the program and submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature on its progress and effectiveness.