Maddy summaryThis bill (S 938) requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to assist veterans who received an "other than honorable," bad conduct, or dishonorable discharge and later received a diagnosis of a mental health condition linked to their military service. The DMVA must provide free, confidential help with federal forms to petition the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to change their discharge status to "honorable." Veterans with a revised discharge designation will gain access to the same state benefits and rights as those honorably discharged. The bill expands existing DMVA assistance - previously limited to veterans separated due to sexual orientation or gender identity - to include those with service-connected mental health conditions.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill limits the Governor's power to declare and extend state of emergency or public health emergency declarations in New Jersey. It requires the Legislature to approve any extension of these declarations, with automatic termination after 60 days for state emergencies (or 30 days for public health emergencies) unless approved by a majority vote of both legislative chambers. The Governor must notify the Legislature in writing at least seven business days before seeking an extension, detailing the ongoing threat. The bill also prohibits the Governor from issuing identical declarations for the same emergency after termination without specific legislative authorization.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey municipalities to report quarterly on fines collected for local ordinance violations, creating a public "Municipal Penalty Database" managed by the Division of Local Government Services. The database will display each municipality's fine types, penalty amounts, violation counts, and total collections, updated quarterly and searchable by town. Municipalities failing to submit required data cannot collect fines exceeding $25 for ordinance violations until compliance is verified. The database will be publicly accessible online, allowing residents to view local enforcement data and use non-compliance as a defense against excessive fines.
Maddy summaryS 1691 directs New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education to appoint a special auditor (a state-certified public accountant) to investigate complaints about misuse of public funds at public colleges and universities. Anyone can file a formal complaint, triggering a 90-day investigation where the auditor must determine if "probable cause" exists for abuse. If abuse is confirmed, the involved entity must repay misused funds plus a penalty equal to 125% of the investigation cost, with fines funding future audits. The bill also prohibits retaliation against whistleblowers who report fund misuse or cooperate with investigations.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1678) allows New Jersey residents to deduct the full amount of state property taxes paid on their primary home from their state income tax liability, replacing a previous $15,000 annual cap. It directly affects homeowners who pay property taxes on their principal residence, reducing their taxable income for state tax purposes. Key provisions include removing the prior deduction limit and clarifying rules for shared ownership, rental properties, and tax years after 1997. The policy change applies to all qualifying homeowners regardless of income level (though certain income thresholds still apply under existing law). This is a direct tax deduction adjustment, not a property tax rate change.
Maddy summaryS 1684 directs New Jersey's Attorney General to create a state-wide anonymous reporting program for school safety threats. It establishes accessible methods like a phone tip line and mobile app, allowing students, parents, school staff, and community members to report unsafe or criminal activities in schools without revealing their identity (except if they voluntarily disclose it). The program requires forwarding reports to authorities, providing training to schools and law enforcement on handling tips, and distributing student guidelines and awareness materials. The Attorney General must annually report on program usage, misuse, and outcomes to the Governor and legislature.
Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey law to extend the term of municipal court judges from three years to five years. It directly affects judges serving in municipal courts across the state, as well as the municipalities or counties that appoint them. The key provision amends the statute governing judicial terms, updating the duration from "three" to "five" years while maintaining existing appointment processes (e.g., mayors appointing judges in mayor-council municipalities). The change implements a 2018 Supreme Court committee recommendation aimed at promoting judicial stability and experience. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 49) urges the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to immediately pause sonar testing and wind turbine mapping activities off New Jersey's coast. It follows a surge in unexplained marine mammal deaths - 12 whale deaths (including 8 humpbacks) and 5 dolphin deaths in February 2023 - occurring near offshore wind energy development zones. The resolution cites concerns that sonar and underwater mapping used in these projects may disrupt marine mammals' navigation and communication, warranting a temporary halt for scientific study. As a non-binding resolution, it does not impose legal restrictions but requests agencies consider a moratorium while investigating potential links to the marine life deaths.
Maddy summaryS 160 requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to issue only one license plate per vehicle for most cars and motorcycles, replacing the current requirement of two plates (front and rear). It directly affects all New Jersey vehicle owners who register cars or motorcycles, allowing those currently issued two plates to return one to the MVC and display a single plate on the rear. The bill amends existing law to remove the front plate requirement and specifies that the single plate must be clearly visible on the rear, while maintaining current visibility rules. This change applies to new registrations and existing owners who return a second plate under the transition provision.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies to promote manufacturing career pathways for students through higher education. It creates a $10 million annual grant program for colleges, universities, and vocational schools to establish or expand manufacturing programs (with 50% of funds going to county colleges, 25% to four-year schools/private colleges, and 25% to vocational districts). The bill also directs a state liaison to assist manufacturing businesses with marketing, referrals to support services, and workforce reskilling initiatives. These provisions directly affect students seeking manufacturing careers, educational institutions developing relevant programs, and manufacturing businesses statewide.