Sen. Linda Greenstein

Maddy summaryS 1022 would allow honorably discharged veterans in New Jersey to obtain special license plates displaying "Veteran" and their military branch insignia. To qualify, applicants must provide proof of honorable discharge (like a DD-214 form) and pay a $15 fee on top of standard vehicle registration costs. Surviving spouses of deceased veterans may retain these plates on their vehicles. The plates must follow a design approved by the Adjutant General and Motor Vehicle Commission, with details about eligibility included in registration renewals. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Transportation and Budget committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Budget and Accounting to establish a separate fringe benefit rate for public colleges and universities starting in fiscal year 2025. It directly affects employees at these institutions and the state budget, as current funding uses a general state rate that doesn't reflect their actual retirement costs (many use cheaper plans like ABP instead of the standard PERS). The new rate will be based on the actual cost of employee retirement programs at these schools, applied to all federal, dedicated, and non-State funded programs. This change aims to align state funding more accurately with the actual benefit expenses of public higher education employees.

Maddy summaryS 1019 requires New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to create a program connecting people with disabilities to job training and employment opportunities. The bill mandates DOLWD to develop an online resource hub listing qualified training organizations, allowing employers to post job openings and providing information on state labor laws and fair employment practices. Qualified organizations must be nonprofits with at least five years of experience serving people with disabilities, and DOLWD must collaborate with them to develop training materials. The program will require annual reports to the Governor and Legislature on its implementation and effectiveness, starting 30 days after the bill takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public schools to maintain specific staffing ratios for certified school library media specialists based on student enrollment. Schools with fewer than 300 students must have at least a half-time specialist, those with 300-1,499 students must have one full-time specialist, and schools with 1,500+ students must have two full-time specialists. Additionally, schools with 500 or more students must employ at least one full-time library clerk, plus one additional clerk for every 500 students beyond 500. The bill includes limited waivers for schools unable to hire certified staff and specifies minimum daily time specialists must dedicate to library work based on school size. It applies to all public schools in New Jersey starting with the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases annual payments from New Jersey's Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund to municipalities over two years, replacing the current fixed $740 million allocation. It prohibits municipalities from counting anticipated revenue from this fund when creating their annual budgets and requires that any additional aid must be subtracted from their property tax levy amounts. The bill directly affects all New Jersey municipalities receiving these state aid payments, including cities, towns, and counties. If enacted, it would provide incremental funding increases while ensuring local tax burdens are adjusted downward proportionally.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1006) requires schools and apprenticeship programs in New Jersey to get approval from the U.S. Department of Labor before counting high school classroom hours as credit toward the classroom portion of a registered apprenticeship. It applies to existing school-to-apprenticeship programs and standard apprenticeship programs, ensuring federal oversight for credit transfers. The law does not create new benefits but mandates a consultation step with the Department of Labor before such agreements are made. This change affects schools, employers, and apprenticeship programs collaborating on training pathways. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 9, 2024.

Maddy summaryS 1015 establishes the New Jersey Water Data Center at a public college or university to collect, analyze, and publish data on drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems statewide. The center will track key metrics like water quality (including lead levels), system leaks, household costs, and transparency measures, updating this information annually on a public website. The Governor must select the host institution within 30 days, and the center must form an advisory council with representatives from environmental and utility agencies. The bill appropriates $1 million from the state budget to fund the center's initial operations.

Maddy summaryS 1590 establishes a three-year pilot program in New Jersey's Department of Education to help 12th graders in pandemic-impacted school districts access free college coursework during their senior year. The program targets districts with high economic disadvantage, low college enrollment rates, and significant learning loss from COVID-19. Participating students must take 6-15 postsecondary credits per semester (with a 2.0 GPA minimum), while partnering colleges provide free courses, waive fees, and charge districts no more than $100 per credit. Districts must collect demographic data on student progress, and the program will conclude with a state report evaluating its potential for statewide expansion.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey employers (state, counties, municipalities) to use a mandatory "super conciliation" process when negotiations with emergency responder unions (EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, 9-1-1 operators) deadlock after standard mediation. It also mandates that all existing contract terms - like pay increases - remain in effect during negotiations until a new agreement is reached, preventing unilateral changes by employers. The super conciliator, randomly selected by the Public Employment Relations Commission, must resolve disputes within 90 days and issue a public report if unsuccessful. The bill applies to all current and future contracts for these emergency service employees.

Maddy summaryS 985 proposes a state-administered financing program to help New Jersey utility customers afford clean energy equipment like solar panels and energy-efficient upgrades. Instead of requiring large upfront payments, the program would allow customers to pay for installations through small, recurring charges added to their monthly utility bills. It specifically targets underserved households and businesses that cannot access traditional financing due to cost barriers. Administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority with oversight from the Board of Public Utilities, the program aims to expand access to affordable clean energy solutions while supporting the state's renewable energy goals.