Maddy summaryS 3607 extends accidental death benefits to survivors of State Police Retirement System (SPRS) retirees who died from health conditions linked to World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations, regardless of when the retiree died. It expands eligibility beyond retirees who previously received only accidental disability retirement to include those with ordinary disability, special, or service retirement benefits. The bill removes the requirement for a written sworn statement in applications and allows survivors to submit claims within two years of the retiree's death or two years after the bill's effective date, whichever is later. It also mandates that the State notify eligible survivors by certified mail within 60 days of the bill's effective date.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill (A4374) makes two specific violations of New Jersey's Prevailing Wage Act criminal offenses. It targets employers who knowingly falsify payroll records for public construction projects or submit false information on contractor registration forms. Currently, these violations result in fines up to $25,000 and disqualification from public work; the bill upgrades them to a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to $10,000 in fines, 18 months in jail, or both. The law applies directly to employers working on state or local public construction projects requiring prevailing wage compliance.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate instruction about fentanyl and xylazine dangers in health classes for students in grades 6 through 12. The curriculum must cover 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 education standards, with the state education commissioner supplying approved materials and maintaining online resources for staff and parents. Annual reports will evaluate the program's effectiveness in reducing youth drug poisoning. The bill directly affects all New Jersey public schools and their students in grades 6-12.
Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies eligibility rules for New Jersey's State small business set-aside program, which helps direct state government contracts to small businesses. It specifies that employee count requirements apply only to businesses without a federal revenue standard (13 CFR §121.201), and changes how gross revenue is calculated: businesses must now use a 5-year average (instead of 3 years) of revenue history for eligibility. This directly affects businesses seeking state contracts under the program, requiring updated revenue reporting. The changes update the existing Set-Aside Act (P.L.1983, c.482) and supersede certain existing regulations.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes criminal penalties for possessing, selling, or manufacturing machine gun conversion devices, which are defined as devices designed to modify semiautomatic firearms to fire multiple shots with a single trigger pull. It makes possessing such a device a third-degree crime punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine, with penalties running consecutively to any charges for possessing a machine gun or assault firearm. The bill clarifies that firearms equipped with these conversion devices are considered machine guns under New Jersey law. The legislation directly affects individuals who possess or distribute these devices, with exceptions for law enforcement officers acting within their official duties.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create two new regulatory systems: a license for scrap tire haulers (who collect and transport tires) and a permit for scrap tire storage/disposal sites. It directly affects businesses handling scrap tires, including haulers (who must get licensed, maintain $150,000 financial assurance, and use electronic tracking) and storage facilities (which must obtain permits unless exempt, like small operations storing under 500 tires). Key provisions include mandatory licensing for haulers within 180 days of enactment, an electronic tracking system for tire movement, and tiered penalties of up to $25,000 per violation for noncompliance. Exemptions apply for tire retreaders, auto businesses, and retailers storing under 500 tires, or up to 1,000 tires in secure containers.
Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for fire departments in New Jersey to stop using Class B firefighting foam containing PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) by one year, allowing continued use until January 1, 2028, instead of the original January 1, 2027, deadline. It appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Environmental Protection to expand a grant program that reimburses municipalities for replacing PFAS-containing foam with compliant alternatives. The extension provides fire departments additional time to transition to PFAS-free firefighting foam while ensuring funding is available for the replacement process. The bill does not change the ultimate prohibition date but gives fire departments more time to comply with the broader PFAS restrictions.
Maddy summaryS 3187 makes it a fourth-degree crime for employers to knowingly falsify payroll records required under New Jersey's Prevailing Wage Act or to make false statements on public works contractor registration forms. Currently, such violations carry civil penalties like fines ($2,500-$25,000) and disqualification from public work, but this bill adds criminal penalties including up to 18 months in jail and fines up to $10,000 - applied in addition to existing penalties. The bill also requires county prosecutors or the Labor Commissioner to notify the Attorney General about violations, allowing the Attorney General to decide whether to prosecute directly or refer the case to local authorities. It directly affects employers working on public construction projects in New Jersey who must comply with prevailing wage requirements.
Maddy summaryS 2346 creates a three-year pilot program to protect vulnerable residents during extreme heat and poor air quality events. It establishes "Code Red" alerts triggered when heat index reaches 95°F+ for two days or air quality hits index 151+, requiring counties to coordinate cooling centers, transportation, and outreach for homeless or outdoor residents. The bill appropriates $5 million total - $500,000 per participating county - to fund this effort in 10 selected counties. Counties must develop alert plans with local agencies, report to the state, and submit a final evaluation on the program’s effectiveness after the pilot ends.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to promote state-produced aquaculture products (farm-raised fish and shellfish) through the existing Jersey Fresh Program. It requires an annual $100,000 appropriation from the General Fund to fund advertising and promotion of these products, which must meet department-established quality standards. The Department must also create a specific quality grading system for aquaculture products, distinct from wild-caught seafood, to verify their quality under the program. This directly benefits New Jersey aquaculture businesses by expanding market access for their products through state marketing efforts.