Sen. Shirley Turner

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public schools to teach cursive handwriting and reading to students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Specifically, schools must provide age-appropriate instruction ensuring students can read and write cursive by the end of third grade. The law applies to all public school districts and takes effect immediately for the next full school year after enactment. It directly affects K-5 students and their educators by mandating cursive as part of the curriculum, without specifying additional funding or resources.

Maddy summarySJR 76 designates the second Friday in December each year as "PSRPs in Our Schools Day" in New Jersey to recognize paraprofessionals and school-related personnel (PSRPs). This resolution honors PSRPs, including instructional aides, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and custodial staff, who support students through tutoring, classroom assistance, meal preparation, facility maintenance, and student transportation. The resolution does not create new programs or funding but calls for the Governor, Legislature, and citizens to observe and acknowledge these staff members' contributions. It takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $18,518,738 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues to fund historic preservation projects through the New Jersey Historic Trust. The funds will support 43 capital preservation projects ($15.03 million total) including historic buildings and landmarks like fire stations and lighthouses, 34 historic site management projects ($1.47 million total) for preservation planning and heritage tourism, $100,000 for easement purchases, and $1.92 million for administrative costs. All projects must be listed or eligible for listing in the New Jersey and National Register of Historic Places, and recipients must provide matching funds. The funding comes from revenues constitutionally dedicated to historic preservation under the Preserve New Jersey Act, with changes to projects requiring Joint Budget Oversight Committee approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and Economic Development Authority (EDA) to give priority consideration to municipalities that meet their affordable housing requirements when awarding competitive state grants and financial assistance. Specifically, it applies to programs like the Main Street New Jersey Program and Neighborhood Preservation Program, but excludes grants intended to help municipalities fulfill their housing obligations. Municipalities are deemed compliant if they meet their fair share housing requirements under state law, with compliance determined by the DCA using factors like prior housing fulfillment rates and settlement agreements during the first five years of a new housing obligation cycle. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryMoose's Law (S 3746) prohibits individuals convicted of animal cruelty offenses from owning animals or working/volunteering at animal-related businesses for a court-specified period. The bill requires courts to order forfeiture of animals owned by offenders (with exceptions for co-owners), and to prohibit offenders from owning animals for at least two years following conviction or release from incarceration. It also establishes a presumption against pretrial intervention for defendants charged with animal cruelty offenses. The law defines "animal-related enterprises" broadly to include pet shops, animal shelters, veterinary clinics, and animal training facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for New Jersey's homestead property tax reimbursement program to include disabled individuals receiving disability payments under the federal Railroad Retirement Act. Previously, only those receiving disability payments under the Social Security Act qualified. The amendment adds Railroad Retirement Act recipients to the definition of "disabled person" in the law, allowing them to claim the reimbursement if they meet other standard requirements like income limits and residency. This change directly affects disabled railroad workers who previously could not access this property tax relief.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4034) expands eligibility for soil and water conservation grants from New Jersey's State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) to include potable water well construction projects on preserved farmland. It directly affects landowners enrolled in state farmland preservation programs or holding development easements on their agricultural land. The key change adds "potable water well construction" to the existing list of eligible projects (like irrigation systems and erosion controls) under Section 17 of the Farmland Preservation Act. To qualify, projects must be part of a conservation plan approved by local soil conservation districts and maintained for at least three years.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 4031 requires school meal service providers to give purchasing preference to foods produced by in-state farmers and food producers within 100 miles of schools when receiving federal or state funding for local food procurement. The bill applies to school food authorities, food service management companies, and third-party vendors contracted to provide school meals. It mandates that contracts include geographic preference requirements, prioritizing foods produced within 100 miles with preference for in-state producers within that radius. Providers must maintain documentation to demonstrate compliance with these requirements for review by the Department of Agriculture.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors in housing for seasonal farm workers staying up to three months. It defines "short-term farm labor housing" as facilities for workers under existing farm labor camp rules (P.L.1945, c.71). Meeting these fire safety standards automatically makes the housing compliant with New Jersey's State Uniform Construction Code. The bill directly affects farm labor camps providing temporary housing to seasonal agricultural workers.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $3 million from the General Fund to provide one-time bonus awards to specific state workers. It directly affects members of Local 195 of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFTPE) who worked frontline, essential roles during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be distributed by the Division of Budget and Accounting in consultation with the union president to eligible employees across state agencies. The appropriation is supplemental to the 2025 budget and requires no new policy changes, focusing solely on compensating pandemic-era frontline staff.