Sen. Shirley Turner

Maddy summaryS 989 requires automatic fire sprinkler systems in newly constructed townhouses in New Jersey for which construction permit applications were not finalized before the bill's effective date. It directly affects builders and developers constructing townhouses under specific state building codes. The bill mandates the Commissioner of Community Affairs to adopt rules within five months incorporating 2021 International Residential Code standards for sprinkler system design and installation. This bill was introduced in January 2024 but was withdrawn on January 9, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's tax credit for child and dependent care expenses. It raises the income limit from $60,000 to $150,000 for residents to qualify, directly affecting middle-income families who pay for childcare or dependent care and claim the federal credit. The bill also increases the maximum credit amount to $1,000 for one dependent and $2,000 for multiple dependents (up from $500/$1,000), while expanding income brackets that qualify for higher credit percentages (e.g., keeping the 50% credit level up to $50,000 instead of $20,000). These changes aim to make the credit more accessible to a broader range of New Jersey taxpayers.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a New Jersey gross income tax credit for full-time tuition costs at eligible institutions. It provides a 10% credit (up to $1,000 per year) for taxpayers with gross income under $150,000 who pay tuition for themselves or a dependent under age 22 enrolled full-time at a New Jersey four-year college, county college, or accredited vocational school. The credit excludes taxpayers who claimed a deduction for the same tuition under other provisions. It applies to taxable years beginning after enactment and directly affects New Jersey residents pursuing higher education at qualifying institutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $20 million in supplemental funding for New Jersey's STEM Teachers Loan Redemption and Tuition Reimbursement Programs. It directly affects new STEM teachers (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) who are graduating from educator preparation programs or completing STEM graduate studies in 2021-2022 and are hired as novice teachers in New Jersey public schools. Participants receive an upfront lump-sum payment covering up to 25% of eligible student loan or tuition costs (capped at $20,000) in exchange for a legally binding commitment to teach STEM for four consecutive school years. Failure to complete the four-year service period requires repayment of the benefit as a loan.

Maddy summaryS 1541 allows eligible voters in New Jersey to register to vote on election day at their assigned polling place for municipal, primary, or general elections. To register, voters must present an acceptable ID (like a driver's license or utility bill), complete a registration form, and sign an affidavit confirming they are not already registered, have lived in the county for 30 days, and will not vote more than once. Upon approval, voters receive a temporary registration certificate and may cast a provisional ballot. The county must mail written confirmation of registration within two days, and investigate any cases where the confirmation is returned undeliverable.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school districts to provide full-day kindergarten programs by specific deadlines: districts in categories A, B, CD, or DE must start by the 2020-2021 school year, and others by 2021-2022. It also establishes a uniform age requirement, mandating that children must be age 5 by October 1 of the school year to enroll in kindergarten (replacing district-specific cutoffs). The bill directly affects all public school districts and kindergarten students in New Jersey. It is currently pending, having been introduced in the Senate on January 9, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new "farm brewery and winery-brewery license" in New Jersey, expanding opportunities for small-scale producers. It allows limited brewery license holders to sell beer directly to consumers on-site (with tour requirements) and off-site (up to 15.5 gallons per person), host unlimited on-premises events without permits, and hold up to 18 off-site events annually with director approval. The license features tiered fees based on annual production capacity (e.g., $1,250 for ≤50,000 barrels, $7,500 for ≤300,000 barrels). It directly affects small breweries and wineries seeking to increase retail sales and event hosting while maintaining restrictions on food service (only coffee/soda allowed).

Maddy summaryS 1556 creates the "New Jersey Alternate Route Opportunity Fund" to provide financial assistance to economically disadvantaged New Jersey residents seeking police officer training through the state's alternate route program. This program targets individuals without existing police department appointments who must pay for training themselves, covering costs like tuition at approved schools. The fund will be administered by a board of nine members (including a Police Training Commission representative and eight Governor-appointed public members) who will establish eligibility criteria based on financial need and develop recruitment strategies. Grants will be paid directly to the Police Training Commission or approved schools to cover training expenses for qualifying applicants.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1585 establishes ranked-choice voting for statewide and federal elections, including races for Governor, State Senate, General Assembly, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House, as well as presidential primaries and general elections. Voters would rank candidates in order of preference on ballots (with a minimum of six rankings allowed), and ballots would be counted in rounds: candidates needing 50%+1 votes win immediately in single-winner races, while multi-winner Assembly races use a 33%+1 threshold with vote transfers. The bill requires ballot design accommodating rankings and mandates implementation after voting machines are certified for ranked-choice use, with Governor elections requiring a separate constitutional amendment approved by voters. This directly affects all voters participating in these elections across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a home-buyer assistance program for police officers, firefighters, public school teachers, corrections officers, and sanitation workers in New Jersey. It provides $10,000 zero-interest second mortgage loans for down payments and closing costs on single or two-family homes or condos, with 20% of the loan forgiven annually over five years. To qualify, applicants must work full-time in an eligible municipality (coextensive with an "SDA district" school system), have at least one year of pension-eligible service, and agree to live in the home as their primary residence for five years. The $5 million program, administered by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, requires municipalities to adopt ordinances designating participating neighborhoods.