Sen. Linda Greenstein

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all existing lawn sprinkler systems (installed before September 8, 2000) on residential properties sold after the law takes effect to include an operational rain sensor that automatically stops irrigation during rainfall. It mandates retrofitting within 12 months for commercial/industrial properties and within 24 months for common-interest communities (like HOAs or condos). Property sales cannot close without documentation proving sensor installation, and sellers/owners face up to $500 fines for non-compliance. The law applies to all residential sales but excludes common-interest communities from the sale documentation requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax incentive program for New Jersey manufacturers with 50 or fewer employees. It allows qualifying businesses to deduct up to $100,000 annually from their taxable income for contributions to a special manufacturing reinvestment account. Funds in the account can be used for machinery/equipment purchases or workforce training at their New Jersey facility, with earnings from the account taxed at half the standard rate when used for these purposes. The tax benefits apply for five consecutive years starting when the business first contributes, after which unused funds are taxed normally.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 987) requires New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to plan for at least 20 years when updating the Statewide Water Supply Plan, replacing the vague current requirement. It adds specific mandates, including 20-year projections of water demand and availability based on population data, 40-year assessments of climate impacts (like sea level rise), and plans to address water deficits and improve efficiency. The DEP must also prioritize protecting sensitive areas like the Pinelands and Highlands Region. Critically, the bill prohibits the DEP from using funds from the Water Supply Bond Act of 1981 until the updated plan is adopted, starting October 5, 2022.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides tax credits to New Jersey employers who hire "qualified veterans" (NJ residents honorably discharged since 1965 with proof of service). Employers receive a 10% credit on qualified wages paid to these veterans, capped at $1,200 per veteran annually, for wages earned during sustained employment (at least 185 business days). To qualify, employers must hire 25% new veterans (or 50% retention from prior year), offer workplace veteran support services, and conduct targeted recruitment. The credit applies only to wages paid between 2020-2024 and cannot be combined with other state employment tax credits or grants.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1012) expands New Jersey's property tax exemption for veterans. It adds "mental illness" to the list of qualifying service-connected disabilities that allow veterans to receive a proportional tax exemption on their primary residence (based on their disability percentage). The bill also extends survivor eligibility to include surviving partners in civil unions or domestic partnerships, allowing them to claim the exemption after a veteran's death if the veteran would have qualified. This amends existing law (P.L.1948, c.259) to broaden access for veterans with mental health disabilities and ensure surviving partners receive the same benefits as surviving spouses.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1474) requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to prioritize funding for two types of projects: 1) land acquisition for recreation and conservation, and 2) environmental infrastructure projects that include flood mitigation. It specifically mandates that the DEP’s Office of Green Acres must give higher priority to projects protecting floodplains, flood-prone areas, or lands damaged by storms. This change modifies existing funding criteria under the Green Acres Program (P.L.1999, c.152) to explicitly include flood risk reduction as a key factor. The bill affects how local governments and nonprofits apply for and receive state funding for land conservation and infrastructure projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Statewide Suicide Prevention Coordination and Oversight Council within the Department of Human Services. The council will survey existing suicide prevention programs, develop standardized reporting requirements for data on suicide attempts and completions (including demographics and methods), and serve as a central hub for collecting non-identifying data from prevention entities. It will create guidelines for informational materials, assist entities with compliance, and compile findings for state and federal authorities to improve suicide prevention efforts. The council requires 25 members, including government officials and public appointees with specific expertise in mental health, suicide prevention, and community representation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-funded loan program to help small New Jersey businesses protect against climate risks. It creates a revolving loan fund managed by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA), providing low-interest loans to qualified businesses with 50 or fewer employees that implement specific resiliency projects - such as flood protection, stormwater management, or climate-adapted infrastructure. Businesses must be registered in New Jersey and maintain operations in-state, with priority given to those in municipalities with climate planning. Loans require annual reporting on fund usage but are designed to offer better terms than typical private business loans.

Maddy summarySCR 54 is a symbolic resolution passed by the New Jersey legislature condemning all forms of anti-Semitism and rejecting efforts to justify anti-Jewish hatred. It specifically addresses modern manifestations like blaming Jewish people for global issues, spreading harmful stereotypes, and targeting Jewish institutions. The resolution references rising anti-Semitic incidents in New Jersey (including 370 reported in 2021) and affirms that such hatred violates constitutional values of tolerance and religious freedom. As a concurrent resolution, it has no legal force but serves as a formal statement of legislative stance.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Senate Bill S 896, the "Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act," requires all public and private colleges and universities in the state to implement comprehensive mental health programs. The bill mandates annual student orientation sessions on mental health, online screening tools for depression/anxiety by 2027, peer support programs using recovery-model best practices, and mandatory Mental Health First Aid training for advisors and campus security staff. Institutions must also form partnerships with community providers to meet a benchmark of one clinical staff member per 1,250 students, while expanding access to on-campus and off-campus services. This law directly affects students seeking mental health support and institutions responsible for implementing these new requirements.