Sen. Shirley Turner

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3029) requires comparable salary increases for approximately 13,000 New Jersey State employees in the Executive Branch who hold job titles without set pay ranges ("no-range titles"). It mandates that these employees receive salary increases based on the average percentage given to employees in structured salary groups (Aligned Employee Relations Groups), but not exceeding that average. The bill also prevents withholding performance-based pay adjustments unless an employee has an unsatisfactory performance rating. It takes effect July 1, 2024, addressing a gap where these employees previously lacked scheduled step increases.

Maddy summaryS 3060 requires all health insurance carriers in New Jersey to cover annual prostate cancer screening without out-of-pocket costs for men aged 40 to 75. This expands current law, which previously only mandated coverage for men 50+ or 40+ with risk factors, by broadening the age range and defining "prostate cancer screening" to include digital rectal exams, PSA tests, and follow-up diagnostics like imaging and biomarker tests. The bill applies to all health plans, including group policies, HMOs, individual plans, and state health benefit programs. It takes effect 90 days after enactment for all new or renewed contracts.

Maddy summaryThe John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey establishes new protections for voters in racial, color, and language-minority groups. It requires that all voting policies be interpreted in favor of protecting voting rights and prohibits policies that burden these voters. The law creates a preclearance process for certain political subdivisions needing Attorney General approval before implementing voting changes. It also mandates language assistance for limited English proficient voters and establishes a New Jersey Voting and Elections Institute to maintain public voting data.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1422) modifies state tax rules to encourage new affordable housing development. It allows developers to deduct a larger portion of construction costs over a 10-year period based on the percentage of affordable units in a project - specifically, 2 times the ratio of affordable units to total units. To qualify, projects must include at least 20% affordable units (for households earning ≤80% of regional median income), avoid federal/subsidy funding for affordable units, and begin construction after the bill's effective date. The change applies to eligible construction costs for developments completed in the 2025 tax year and later.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2352, the "John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New Jersey," establishes state-level protections to prevent voting discrimination against racial, color, and language-minority groups (referred to as "protected classes"). The bill prohibits counties and local governments from implementing election policies that disproportionately burden these voters or dilute their political influence, requiring such policies to be narrowly tailored to a compelling justification. It defines key terms like "racially polarized voting" and sets specific evidence standards for proving violations, such as prioritizing historical election data over partisan explanations. The law directly affects all New Jersey counties, cities, school districts, and other political subdivisions responsible for election administration.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits campaigning or electioneering (like distributing materials or speaking about candidates) within 25 feet of any voter waiting in line at a polling place or ballot drop box. It tightens previous rules by reducing the protected zone from 100 feet around the polling location to a 25-foot buffer specifically around waiting voters. Violating this rule is classified as a disorderly persons offense (a minor criminal violation in New Jersey). The law directly affects campaign volunteers, candidates, and supporters who might approach voters during line waits, while allowing nonpartisan voter assistance and newspaper racks.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits how long continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) can hold onto refundable entrance fees after a resident leaves. It requires CCRCs to refund these fees within one year of a resident vacating the facility, or based on the current sequential refund system, whichever occurs first. The change directly affects residents who paid refundable entrance fees, ensuring they receive their money faster than under current law, which could delay refunds indefinitely depending on unit resale availability. The bill amends existing law to prioritize timely refunds without altering the fee amount or beneficiary designation process.

Maddy summaryS 2972 requires fire districts to seek voter approval for property tax increases exceeding the allowable limit through a public question submitted at general elections, rather than at separate annual fire district elections. Currently, fire districts hold annual elections on the third Saturday in February where voters can approve such tax increases. Under this bill, only fire districts that hold their annual election at the time of the general election may submit such public questions. The board of fire commissioners must notify the county or municipal clerk at least 60 days before the general election if they need to conduct such a referendum. This change aims to increase voter participation by aligning these tax increase votes with higher-turnout general elections.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey county clerks to provide physical copies of mail-in ballot applications at all polling places on election day. It directly affects voters who wish to request mail-in ballots for future elections but are not yet registered for them. The key provision mandates that county clerks make these application forms available at every polling location during elections, ensuring voters can easily apply for mail-in voting access for subsequent elections. The bill takes effect January 1 following its enactment.

Maddy summarySCR 43 proposes adding a constitutional amendment to New Jersey's Constitution that grants every resident a fundamental right to a clean and healthy environment, including pure water, clean air, a safe climate, and ecologically healthy habitats. It requires the state to act as trustee of public natural resources - such as air, water, public lands, and wildlife - and mandates that these resources be conserved and maintained for all people, both present and future. The amendment specifies that these rights are self-executing, meaning they can be directly enforced in court without requiring new legislation. If approved by voters, this would become a permanent part of New Jersey's Constitution.