Sen. Shirley Turner

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's school bus stop laws to authorize the use of school bus monitoring systems for enforcement. It directly affects drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses (including those transporting children or individuals with developmental disabilities) and school districts/municipalities that install such systems. Key provisions establish that violations captured by these systems result in a $250 civil penalty (instead of criminal penalties), with collected funds directed to municipal and school safety programs. The bill also clarifies that registered vehicle owners are presumed responsible for violations recorded by the systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires County Clerks to provide copies of mail-in ballot request forms at every polling place on election day for use in *future* elections. It directly affects voters who wish to vote by mail in upcoming elections and County Clerks responsible for implementing the requirement. The key provision mandates that polling places must have these forms available on election day, so voters can request mail-in ballots for future elections without needing to do so beforehand. The bill does not change current voting procedures but ensures access to mail-in ballot applications during elections. It takes effect January 1 following its enactment.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2919 allows eligible voters who missed the standard 21-day registration deadline to register and vote on election day or during early voting. It permits voters to register in person at their assigned polling place on election day or at an early voting site in their county, provided they show ID or utility bill proof and complete a registration affirmation. The bill amends existing law to ensure provisional ballots cast under these conditions are counted if valid, without requiring prior registration. This change directly affects voters who register late but meets the in-person verification requirements at voting locations.

Maddy summaryS 1653 prohibits New Jersey colleges and universities from withholding student transcripts due to debts under $2,000 for non-essential fees (like activity or parking charges), but allows withholding for unpaid tuition, room, or board. Institutions cannot refuse transcripts, charge extra fees, or use transcript issuance to collect small debts, though they may require repayment plans for larger debts. The law specifically protects students needing transcripts for new or refinanced student loans. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was incorporated into an existing law (P.L.2025, c.353).

Maddy summaryS 716, "The Manufactured Home Park Protection Act," would have given residents in New Jersey manufactured home parks the right to purchase their park if the landowner sells it, directly affecting homeowners who live in these communities. Key provisions include requiring landowners to offer the park for sale to resident homeowners first and establishing a state website to notify nonprofits about potential sales. The bill aimed to prevent displacement by expanding residents' ability to collectively buy their park through groups or cooperatives. This bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, after being incorporated into an already-approved law (P.L.2025, c.362).

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies New Jersey's existing Attorney General directive to prevent state and local law enforcement from participating in federal immigration enforcement. It prohibits police from stopping, questioning, or arresting people based solely on immigration status, asking about immigration status (except in specific criminal investigations), or sharing personal information like license numbers or addresses with federal immigration authorities. The law explicitly states that police must focus on enforcing New Jersey's criminal laws, not federal immigration law, to maintain community trust and public safety. It directly affects all New Jersey state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies and officers.

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies New Jersey's existing Attorney General directive to prevent state and local law enforcement from enforcing federal immigration laws. It prohibits police from stopping, questioning, or detaining people solely based on immigration status, asking about immigration status unless relevant to a crime investigation, or sharing personal information (like addresses or social security numbers) with federal immigration authorities. Exceptions apply only for serious crimes (e.g., violent offenses or recent convictions) or when required by law for criminal investigations. The law directly affects all New Jersey state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies and officers, aiming to build trust between police and immigrant communities by clarifying that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility.

Maddy summaryS 5007 requires the Garden State Preservation Trust to conduct a comprehensive audit of New Jersey's land preservation programs - including Green Acres, Blue Acres, farmland, and historic property initiatives - within six months of the bill's effective date. The audit must identify inefficiencies and recommend fund reallocations, with results shared publicly and submitted to the Governor and Legislature. The bill also allows local governments and qualified nonprofits to use constitutionally dedicated land preservation funds for administrative costs like staff time, outreach, and document preparation (capped at 3% of property value). It appropriates $150,000 to cover the audit costs. This directly affects the Trust, state agencies managing preservation programs, and local entities administering land conservation efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $10 million from existing school funding to build parking facilities at Colin Powell Elementary School in Union City, New Jersey, for staff and students. It also appropriates $3.25 million from the General Fund specifically for high-cost special education services in the Union City School District. Both provisions directly benefit Union City School District students and staff by funding infrastructure improvements and specialized educational support. The funds are directed through the Department of Education with required grant agreements for oversight. The bill makes no changes to existing education programs beyond these targeted allocations.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey school districts that have moved their annual school election to November to submit separate proposals for additional funding for either the current budget year, the following year, or both. Currently, districts that move elections to November must implement funding increases during the school year when the election occurs, creating budgeting challenges. The bill provides these districts with greater flexibility by enabling them to delay implementing tax levy increases for approved proposals until the subsequent school year. It specifically prevents districts from using "banked" tax levy amounts for the subsequent year if they approve a separate proposal for that year. This change helps districts better plan for initiatives like expanding educational programs, as they can time funding implementation to align with their budget cycles.