Sen. Shirley Turner

Maddy summaryS 3326 ends the tax-exempt status for most property owned by the State of New Jersey and its agencies/authorities, requiring them to pay local property taxes starting July 1, 2026. This affects State-owned buildings, land, and facilities (like offices or campuses) that were previously exempt, while leaving local government property (counties, schools) unchanged. The bill allows exceptions if a certification proves tax assessment would violate bondholder covenants signed before July 1, 2026, and requires State payments in lieu of taxes for those parcels. Delinquent taxes would be enforced like other property taxes, and the State cannot reduce municipal aid to offset these new tax payments.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises the mandatory school transportation requirement for preschool through fourth-grade students in New Jersey. It changes the current 1.5-mile distance limit (where school districts must provide bus transportation) to a new, unspecified threshold. The policy directly affects families with young children living beyond the revised distance from their public school. School districts would no longer be required to provide transportation for students living within this new limit, shifting responsibility to families for those living closer. The bill focuses solely on adjusting the mileage threshold for transportation eligibility, without altering costs or other provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance carriers in New Jersey (including HMOs, health service corporations, and state program administrators) to cover medically necessary care for children and teens under 18 with "complex medical needs," as defined by the bill. Key provisions mandate that insurers must approve such coverage within three days of a doctor's written request and cannot require pre-approvals or precertification for covered services. "Complex medical needs" refers to serious conditions that are life-threatening, persistently disabling, emergent, or require specialized care to prevent serious harm. The law applies immediately to new health plans and directly affects families of young people with qualifying high-risk medical conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey municipalities' planning boards to include specific recommendations for warehouse locations in their required 10-year master plan reexamination reports. These recommendations must align with the State Development and Redevelopment Plan and the State Planning Commission's most recent warehouse siting guidance policy. It directly affects all New Jersey municipalities with planning boards that adopt master plans, ensuring warehouse siting decisions consider state-level guidelines. The bill does not change existing approval processes but mandates that planning boards formally address warehouse locations in their periodic reviews.

Maddy summarySJR 77 is a symbolic resolution expressing New Jersey's support for ending hostilities between Israel and Palestine and promoting peace. It directly affects all New Jersey residents, particularly Jewish, Palestinian, Israeli, Arab, and Muslim communities, by condemning hate and bigotry while affirming the Legislature's commitment to "stand up for the other" against discrimination. Key provisions include extending condolences for lives lost since October 7, 2023, pledging to challenge hate speech, and sending copies to the U.S. President and New Jersey's congressional delegation. This resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally states the Legislature's position on the conflict. It is a non-binding statement of support for peace and respect, adopted immediately upon introduction.

Maddy summaryThis bill phases out New Jersey's State tuition aid grants for students attending for-profit colleges starting with the 2026-2027 academic year. Current students enrolled at these institutions who received aid before that year will continue to receive it until their eligibility ends, but new students at for-profit colleges will no longer qualify. The redirected funds will instead support the state's summer tuition aid program, which helps students cover costs during summer sessions at public colleges, community colleges, and other eligible institutions. The change takes effect immediately for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Maddy summaryBill S 3340 allows New Jersey counties to establish specialized "central municipal drug courts" to handle drug-related cases. Counties that choose to create such courts would manage cases referred by county health departments, police, or the court system, focusing specifically on drug offenses within their jurisdiction. The bill requires counties to pass an ordinance and file it with the Administrative Director of the Courts to create these courts. This provides an optional framework for counties to develop dedicated court resources for drug-related matters, without mandating any county to implement it.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3321) requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to create a Medicaid payment strategy that improves access to long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), such as IUDs and implants, for Medicaid clients. It mandates specific actions: ensuring comprehensive coverage for LARCs, separately reimbursing for immediate postpartum insertion, removing supply chain barriers, and eliminating administrative hurdles for providers. The strategy must be implemented by all Medicaid health insurers (managed care organizations) serving low-income women. The bill aims to address existing reimbursement gaps that limit LARC use, which the CDC identifies as highly effective contraception with very low pregnancy rates.

Maddy summaryS 3354 would expand New Jersey's Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) program to include part-time undergraduate students at eligible public and private colleges and universities. Currently, only full-time students qualify, but this bill adds that part-time students meeting financial need and academic requirements would receive TAG awards, with each part-time year counting as half a full-time year toward the maximum four-and-one-half-year eligibility period. This change directly affects part-time students who are currently excluded from the state's financial aid program, making them eligible for the same grant support as full-time students.

Maddy summarySCR 89 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the annual income limit for New Jersey seniors (65 or older) and disabled citizens (permanently and totally disabled under federal standards) to qualify for a property tax deduction. Currently, the income limit is $15,000 per year, and the amendment would raise this threshold. The deduction, limited to $250 annually, would then become available to more eligible residents who currently earn above $15,000. This change would directly affect seniors and disabled citizens who are currently ineligible due to income restrictions.