Sen. Shirley Turner

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies that run public advertising bids to reserve at least 30% of their advertising budget for eligible local news organizations. The legislation defines eligible news outlets as those that produce original local content, maintain editorial independence, and meet specific operational standards such as staffing levels and financial transparency. By setting aside a portion of advertising revenue, the bill aims to support local journalism while preserving the editorial freedom of news organizations. The measure applies to all state departments and agencies that currently advertise bid solicitations under existing procurement laws.

Maddy summaryS 1525 creates a new criminal offense for financial exploitation of elderly individuals in New Jersey. It directly affects seniors who may be targeted by caregivers, family members, or others in fiduciary roles (like trustees or financial advisors) who misuse their trust. The bill defines key terms to clarify what constitutes exploitation, such as unlawfully withholding or disposing of an elderly person’s property for personal gain. If passed, it would make specific financial abuse of seniors a punishable crime under New Jersey law, with penalties outlined in amended statutes. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's assault law to create a new category of "aggravated assault" for attacks on specific professionals. It adds subsection (b)(5) to define aggravated assault when someone commits simple assault (as defined in subsection a) against: teachers, school staff, emergency medical personnel, firefighters, healthcare workers providing direct patient care, or other designated public safety or service workers while they are clearly performing their duties. The law increases penalties for these attacks by classifying them as aggravated assault rather than simple assault. The bill does not specifically target elderly or disabled victims, as the title incorrectly states; it focuses on protecting designated public service workers. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 725) allows New Jersey municipalities to acquire vacant, abandoned, or tax-delinquent properties more easily. It defines "abandoned" or "vacant" as property meeting at least four specific criteria (e.g., overgrown vegetation, disconnected utilities, or unoccupied for seasonal use), and gives municipalities two options: purchase the property at fair market value (minus unpaid taxes/liens) or use eminent domain. Property owners would receive compensation adjusted for outstanding municipal debts, and unclaimed funds would be held for one year before being treated as abandoned under state law. The bill aims to streamline property acquisition compared to existing laws like the Abandoned Properties Rehabilitation Act, directly affecting municipalities and property owners in blighted areas. It was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates tax credits for New Jersey businesses that pay a salary differential to employees serving in the National Guard or reserve forces during active duty. Specifically, businesses can claim a credit equal to the amount they pay to make up the difference between an employee's regular salary and their military pay during active duty. The credit applies to both corporation business tax and gross income tax, but cannot exceed 50% of the business's tax liability for that period. It directly affects New Jersey employers with qualifying National Guard or reserve members who receive military orders for active duty.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey's Division of Gaming Enforcement to join a national self-exclusion program, enabling gamblers to voluntarily exclude themselves from casinos across multiple states using a single form. It requires the division to create rules and forms for this participation, ensuring individuals can select which states they want excluded from and must give explicit consent before sharing their information. The bill protects casinos from liability if they follow self-exclusion protocols and keeps the list confidential from public view. It directly affects individuals seeking to restrict their access to gambling venues in multiple jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a grant program to help small retail businesses in New Jersey cover extra costs caused by temporary bridge closures. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority will manage the program, offering funds to offset increased expenses like transportation and service costs incurred during the closure period. To receive aid, businesses must prove they are small, independently owned, and show documentation of their regular expenses compared to the higher costs during the bridge project. The state has allocated $1 million for these grants, and the Department of Transportation must notify the authority when such emergency projects begin or end.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires water utilities in New Jersey that use smart meters to send residential customers monthly notifications about their water usage. Notifications must include the cost (in dollars) and volume (in gallons) of water used during the billing cycle, up to two days before the notice is sent. Customers can also opt to set spending thresholds for alerts or receive comparisons of their current usage to prior cycles. Utilities must provide initial sign-up instructions and obtain prior consent for text message notifications, and bills must display previous/current charges and differences. The law applies to all water public utilities, local authorities, and municipal utilities serving residential smart meter customers.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1650 creates a program to reimburse school districts for costs incurred when expanding local food sourcing beyond current levels for students. It directly affects eligible school districts participating in state meal programs (like National School Lunch) that submit plans to increase local food procurement - such as adding more locally grown fruits, vegetables, or meats - above their baseline levels. The bill appropriates $4.5 million annually to cover "eligible costs" like new sourcing efforts, excluding fluid dairy milk and routine procurement at existing levels. Reimbursements are distributed via the Farm to School Local Food Procurement Reimbursement Fund, administered by the Department of Agriculture. This policy change aims to strengthen local food systems in schools while clarifying what costs qualify for funding.

Maddy summaryS 2215 creates a three-year pilot program in New Jersey that allows commercial farms to claim tax credits for donating edible fruits and vegetables to qualified charities. Farms can receive a credit equal to 50% of the wholesale value of their donations (capped at $5,000 per donation period), provided they obtain written verification from the charity detailing the donation. The program is limited to $100,000 in total tax credits per fiscal year and requires farms to submit charity verification forms to the Department of Agriculture for approval. This directly affects commercial farm operators in New Jersey who donate surplus produce to eligible charities, offering a financial incentive to reduce food waste while supporting community food programs.