Sen. Linda Greenstein

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1039 codifies specific operating rules for breweries holding limited licenses (not larger "plenary" licenses). It allows these breweries to sell beer directly to customers on-site (with tour requirements), sell up to 15.5 gallons per person off-site, host unlimited events without permits, and sell limited food snacks. The bill establishes graduated license fees based on annual production volume ($1,250 for under 50,000 barrels up to $7,500 for up to 300,000 barrels). These provisions directly affect small-to-midsize breweries operating under limited licenses in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryS 1243 requires New Jersey's Secretary of State to contract with a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit vendor to create a national marketing campaign promoting the state's innovation economy. The campaign will target out-of-state businesses, entrepreneurs, investors, and job seekers - especially in high-tech fields and manufacturing - by highlighting employment opportunities, competitive wages, infrastructure, and business-friendly assets. Key provisions include developing a branding strategy, promoting well-paying careers in technology and manufacturing, and using radio, TV, print, and online media. The bill appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Fund to fund this initiative.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides tax credits to New Jersey small businesses that pay higher unemployment insurance premiums than standard rates. Specifically, it allows eligible small businesses (meeting federal SBA size criteria) to claim a credit against their state income tax equal to the difference between their actual unemployment insurance payments and what they would have paid at standard "column C" rates. The credit applies for 2023, 2024, and subsequent years until unemployment insurance rates drop to or below standard levels. Businesses cannot claim credits if other subsidies already cover the same cost increase.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1202) increases accidental death benefits for surviving spouses and children of certain public safety workers who die on duty in New Jersey. It directly affects members and retirees of the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) and Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS), specifically law enforcement officers, correction officers, firefighters, and related emergency personnel. Key changes include expanding the definition of "child" to include students under 24 enrolled full-time in higher education, children of any age with qualifying disabilities, and clarifying eligibility for "widower" benefits. The benefit applies only when death results from an accident during the performance of duty, excluding willful misconduct. The bill amends existing retirement system statutes to update these provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to evaluate the overall stormwater impact - across multiple municipalities and watersheds - when reviewing permits for warehouses or other high-density development projects. It directly affects developers seeking approvals for such projects and municipalities adjacent to proposed sites. Key provisions mandate the DEP to ensure stormwater management minimizes runoff to neighboring areas, promotes groundwater recharge, protects stream channels, and prevents increased pollution in the watershed. The law applies immediately upon passage and focuses on regional environmental impacts rather than just local effects.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create rules allowing low- and moderate-income residential customers to self-attest to their income - instead of providing traditional documentation - to qualify for community solar programs established under 2018 law. It directly affects low-income households seeking to participate in community solar projects by simplifying income verification. The key mechanism is mandating the BPU to adopt rules permitting self-attestation in a specified format, making it easier for eligible customers to enroll. The bill does not change program eligibility criteria but streamlines the application process for qualifying residents.

Maddy summaryS 983 establishes an annual $15,000 death benefit for the families of part-time forest firefighters in New Jersey who die while performing official duties. The benefit applies to firefighters paid hourly (not salaried) and requires death to occur during line-of-duty service without willful negligence. Payments go first to surviving spouses, then children, parents, or designated beneficiaries, and must be requested within 30 days of the incident (with possible waiver). The State Treasurer will fund these payments from the General Fund, with the bill taking effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates New Jersey's statewide high school proficiency test requirement for graduation. It directly affects all public high school students and local school districts by removing the mandate that students must pass a state-administered test to earn a diploma. The key mechanism deletes references to the "Statewide assessment test" and "High School Proficiency Test" from existing law, shifting authority to local boards of education to set their own graduation standards. The bill does not create new requirements or assessments - only removes the existing statewide test as a graduation condition.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes mandatory early intervention programs for children aged 0-5 who are deaf or hard of hearing, directly affecting them and their parents or guardians. It requires two annual meetings between families, a language team (including a hearing specialist, teacher of the deaf, speech therapist, and deaf mentor), and automatic enrollment in language development services - though parents may opt out. Parents of these children will be paired with trained deaf mentors who provide personal guidance and support in language development. The program continues until age 3 for toddlers or until kindergarten entry for preschoolers, with mentors required to be deaf/hard of hearing and certified through the SKI-HI training program.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Pharmacy Audit Bill of Rights (S 1008) establishes clear rules for insurance companies, pharmacy benefits managers, and other entities conducting audits of pharmacies. It requires 14 days' notice before an audit, limits audits to 100 prescriptions per audit (max 200 annually), and prohibits recouping costs for simple clerical errors like typos. Pharmacies must be given 60 days to correct errors and 30 days to appeal unfavorable audit findings, while audits cannot occur during the first seven days of a month without consent. The bill also bans using "extrapolation" to calculate overpayments and prevents repeated audits by the same entity within six months.