Sen. Shirley Turner

Maddy summaryS 3593, the "New Jersey Works Act," allows businesses to earn tax credits for creating paid pre-employment training programs in partnership with schools, nonprofits, or educational institutions. These programs must provide at least 12 weeks of training covering skills like math, communication, resume writing, and job readiness, targeting individuals from low- and moderate-income households. Businesses in non-construction industries can apply for tax credits after their programs are approved by the Department of Labor. The bill specifically excludes construction trade businesses from eligibility for these credits.

Maddy summaryS 3214 creates the "New Jersey Earn and Learn Program" to provide tax credits for employers offering structured apprenticeships and paid internships that lead to permanent jobs. Employers receive a $3,000 tax credit per enrolled individual (apprentice or intern) for the first year, with an additional $1,000 available for small businesses, for enrollees from underrepresented groups, or if the enrollee secures full-time employment after completing the program. The program requires participants to maintain full-time employment for six months post-program and limits participation to three years per individual. These tax credits reduce the employer's corporation business tax or gross income tax.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 3234 requires the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) to maintain specific roadways surrounding the State Capitol complex in Trenton, including sections of West State Street, West Lafayette Street, Barrack Street, and Memorial Drive. The bill mandates NJDOT to handle road paving and snow plowing for these routes, shifting responsibility from local authorities to the state agency. NJDOT may collaborate with counties, municipalities, or state agencies managing adjacent roadway sections to fulfill these duties. This bill directly affects NJDOT's operations and the maintenance of Capitol complex access roads.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Senate Bill S3656 prohibits colleges and universities from partnering with sports betting companies. Specifically, it bans institutions of higher education - including athletic departments and booster clubs - from entering agreements that allow betting operators to advertise in stadiums, digital content, or broadcast sports coverage. The law defines such partnerships broadly and takes effect immediately upon enactment. This directly affects all public and private colleges in New Jersey that might have considered commercial sports betting advertising deals.

Maddy summaryS 3692 prohibits prediction markets in New Jersey that allow betting on death, elections, or disasters (like "death markets" or "political markets"), while authorizing sports and horse racing prediction markets that follow existing sports wagering rules. It requires all prediction market platforms to publicly list and display their settlement sources (the information used to determine outcomes) for participants. The bill also establishes a public awareness campaign to inform residents about the risks of these markets. These changes apply directly to prediction market operators and participants within New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3540) creates the New Jersey Veterans' Organization Building Grant Program, which provides financial assistance to nonprofit veterans' organizations for acquiring, constructing, or improving their facilities. The program, administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), offers grants covering building-related costs like construction, repairs, and equipment. It directly affects eligible veterans' groups across New Jersey that own or seek to establish physical locations for their operations. The bill establishes this funding mechanism through statutory amendments without altering veterans' benefits or services.

Maddy summaryS 3542 establishes a three-year Gun Court Pilot Program in Mercer County's Superior Court to handle cases where guns or dangerous weapons were used in violent crimes. The program would assign specialized judges with expertise in criminal law and sentencing for violent offenses, and refer eligible cases to this dedicated court. The Administrative Office of the Courts would administer the program and monitor its impact on sentencing, court workload, and effectiveness, reporting to the Legislature 12 months after launch and six months after the pilot ends. The program is limited to Mercer County and requires a recommendation for potential expansion to other counties after evaluation.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Senate Bill S 3541 increases the income levels at which residents must file and pay state income tax. Starting January 1, 2026, the minimum threshold for single filers rises to $12,000 (from $10,000), for married couples filing jointly to $24,000 (from $20,000), and for married individuals filing separately to $12,000 (from $10,000). This change directly affects low-income earners who currently fall just above the previous thresholds but would no longer need to file or pay tax under the updated rules. The bill modifies New Jersey’s tax filing requirements without altering tax rates or brackets.

Maddy summaryThis bill would increase New Jersey's annual property tax deduction for eligible seniors and disabled residents from $250 to $500, effective starting in tax year 2031. It applies to residents aged 65+ or permanently disabled individuals with an annual income under $10,000 who own or rent their primary residence. The deduction amount would gradually rise to $500 over several years (reaching $300 in 2027, $350 in 2028, etc.). The change requires voter approval of a constitutional amendment before taking effect, as stated in Section 2 of the bill.

Maddy summaryS 3544 establishes the Teaching Scholars Loan Redemption Program within New Jersey's Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. It provides eligible New Jersey high school graduates pursuing teaching degrees at in-state colleges with loan coverage (up to $40,000 for undergrad and $10,000 for grad school) in exchange for five years of full-time public school teaching in New Jersey. To qualify, applicants must be NJ residents, graduate from a NJ high school, exhaust all other grants/scholarships, and maintain academic standing. The program redeems up to $10,000 per year of teaching service, totaling $50,000 maximum, to address the state's educator shortage by incentivizing top graduates to become teachers.