Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3997) restructures New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) by eliminating membership tiers and granting current non-retired PERS members and certain retirees the same benefits available to members who joined before July 1, 2007. It requires public employers to enroll eligible employees (meeting salary but not hour requirements) into PERS within 60 days, and automatically transfers service credit from the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) to PERS for DCRP participants - without transferring their contributions - unless they opt out within six months. Disabled PERS members receiving long-term disability insurance become eligible for disability retirement benefits within two years. These changes apply only to members processing retirement applications after the bill's effective date.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school districts, charter schools, and "renaissance school projects" to install at least one exterior key box meeting safety standards at every school building by June 30, 2027. The key boxes must contain physical keys/access devices for all building areas and printed emergency mapping data, with locations determined in collaboration with emergency responders. The state appropriates $2.5 million from the General Fund to cover installation costs. This directly affects school administrators and emergency response teams by standardizing access during emergencies.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a voluntary program for New Jersey commercial farms to safely dispose of unused pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. The state will establish regional collection sites (with at least two annual events per site) and manage recycling of containers, overseen by the Department of Environmental Protection. Farms can participate to properly manage these materials without cost, and the program requires annual reports on participation, environmental benefits, and program costs. The initiative aims to reduce environmental risks from improper disposal while supporting farm compliance.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A6275) appropriates $44.4 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The funds are specifically allocated for acquiring lands for recreation and conservation, including Blue Acres flood mitigation projects and administrative costs for the Green Acres Program. The bill directs funding toward 15 specific land acquisition projects across six counties (Monmouth, Ocean, Cape May, Atlantic, Bergen, and Burlington), as detailed in the bill text. It does not create new policy but redirects existing constitutionally protected tax revenues to support land conservation efforts.
Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $55 million from existing constitutionally dedicated tax revenues and Green Acres funds to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The funds will finance specific capital projects for state parks and recreation areas, including boating access facilities, campground improvements, habitat enhancements, bridge and building repairs, and historic structure maintenance. The allocation details $55 million across 16 categories, such as $13.2 million for recreational development and $10 million for health/safety projects. These projects directly affect state park infrastructure and public access to New Jersey's conservation lands managed by the DEP.
Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $15,815,984 in constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues to the New Jersey Historic Trust. It provides grants for specific historic preservation projects (like restoring historic sites and managing preservation efforts) and covers related administrative costs. The funds are distributed through three grant categories: capital preservation, historic site management, and emergency repairs, as approved by the Trust. This is a direct funding mechanism for existing preservation programs, not a new policy initiative.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1067) requires the state's Department of Human Services to conduct a landscape analysis of mental health services accessible to deaf and hard of hearing residents. It mandates that mental health services be provided in a client's primary communication method (like sign language or speech), delivered by professionals certified in that method and trained in culturally appropriate care for the deaf community. The bill also requires the creation of a resource guide listing providers meeting these standards and defines key terms like "culturally affirmative mental health services." It directly affects deaf and hard of hearing individuals seeking mental health care across New Jersey.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey municipalities to submit quarterly data on affordable housing and senior citizen housing units to the Department of Community Affairs. The information includes building addresses, management contacts, application status, and online application links. This data will be published on state government websites (Community Affairs, Housing Finance Agency, and Housing Resource Center) and linked from municipal websites. The bill directly affects local governments by mandating data reporting and aims to make housing availability information more accessible to the public. It does not change housing eligibility or funding but creates a centralized public resource.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 17-member Chronic Absenteeism Task Force to study chronic absenteeism in New Jersey public schools. The task force, including the Commissioner of Education and members appointed by legislative leaders and education stakeholders, will analyze causes like barriers to attendance, mental health impacts, and pandemic-related absences. It must issue a final report with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year, after which the task force will expire. The bill does not change school policies or funding but creates a structured process to assess and address absenteeism trends.
Maddy summaryS 4796 amends the lists of environmental infrastructure projects approved for long-term funding under New Jersey's FY2026 environmental infrastructure funding program. The bill specifies 151 clean water projects and 51 drinking water projects across numerous municipalities that will receive funding for construction and infrastructure improvements. It details specific funding amounts for each project, with total clean water project funding at approximately $1.28 billion and total drinking water project funding at approximately $1.16 billion. This bill authorizes funding for specific, pre-approved projects rather than creating new programs or policies.