Sen. Shirley Turner

Maddy summaryThis bill requires voter approval at the annual school election (for Type II school districts) or board of school estimate approval (for Type I districts) before a new charter school can be established. It directly affects school districts seeking to create charter schools by adding a community approval step to the existing application process. The key provision amends existing law to prevent the Education Commissioner from approving charter school applications without this local authorization. This change applies to all new charter schools established after the bill's effective date, not to existing public schools converting to charters under current rules.

Maddy summaryThe "Homeowners' Historic Property Reinvestment Act" (S 2391) allows New Jersey homeowners who live in and rehabilitate qualifying historic properties to claim a tax credit against their state income tax. Homeowners can receive a credit equal to 25% of eligible rehabilitation costs - such as repairs preserving historical features - if the property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, New Jersey Register, or locally designated as historic under approved criteria. To qualify, the rehabilitation must meet specific cost thresholds (at least 50% of the property’s assessed value, with no more than 60% for interior work), and the homeowner must occupy the property as their primary residence for 12 consecutive months after completion. The credit is capped at $25,000 per property over a 10-year period and requires certification from the State Historic Preservation Officer.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's existing Lifeline Credit Program and Tenants' Lifeline Assistance Program to include water utility bill assistance, which was previously limited to electric and gas bills. It directly affects low-income residents who qualify for the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) program, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Social Security disability benefits and meet income/residency requirements. The key change adds water utility bills to the covered services, with one-third of the annual $225 credit now applied to water bills, while the remaining two-thirds continue to cover electric and gas (split between them or combined if provided by one utility). The eligibility criteria and credit amount remain unchanged, but the expansion ensures water costs are included in the assistance.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2401 regulates smoking in apartment buildings and multi-unit housing. It requires existing building owners to group nonsmoking units together by 2026 and disclose smoking policies in all new leases. For new constructions, the bill mandates specific building standards - like air pressure differentials and ventilation systems - to prevent secondhand smoke from reaching nonsmoking areas. These rules aim to protect nonsmoking residents' health while allowing smoking in designated, properly separated units or rooms.

Maddy summarySJR 68 is a symbolic resolution expressing New Jersey's support for ending the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine and promoting peace. It directly affects New Jersey residents by condemning hate and bigotry, pledging to "stand up for the other" against discriminatory remarks, and extending condolences for civilian casualties since October 7, 2023. Key provisions include declaring zero tolerance for hate based on race, religion, or ethnicity, committing to the safety of Jewish, Palestinian, Israeli, Arab, and Muslim communities, and sending copies to federal leaders. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a public statement of solidarity and a call for peaceful coexistence. It was introduced in January 2024 and remains pending.

Maddy summarySR 65 is a Senate resolution supporting the National Black Caucus of State Legislators' efforts to advance President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative. It specifically endorses the Caucus’s Resolution ETE-23-34, which calls for establishing oversight committees to coordinate with federal agencies and ensure 40% of federal infrastructure investments benefit communities of color and other disadvantaged areas. The resolution does not create new funding or alter existing laws but formally expresses the New Jersey Senate’s backing for these coordination efforts. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to share the resolution with federal officials and the National Black Caucus. This is a procedural statement of support, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryS 2355 establishes the "Revolutionary War Park Study Commission" to evaluate creating a National Historical Park incorporating Washington Crossing State Park, Trenton Battle Monument, and Princeton Battlefield State Park. The nine-member commission - appointed by state officials and including historical preservation experts - will assess feasibility, impacts on preservation and local communities (including tourism and tax revenue), and potential solutions to challenges. It must issue a final report to the Governor and Legislature within one year of its first meeting. The bill does not create the park but studies whether it would be viable. The commission expires upon submitting its report.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Investment Council to issue quarterly reports (in August, October, February, and May) detailing investment returns for state retirement funds by asset class. It mandates that external managers handling these funds disclose all fees, including performance-based earnings, which the Council must include in its reports. The bill also expands political contribution reporting rules to apply equally to federal or national committees, not just state-level committees. These changes directly affect the State Investment Council, external fund managers, and state retirement systems like the Common Pension Fund. The policy focuses on increasing transparency around investment performance and fee structures for public oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2388) requires New Jersey municipalities to provide 15 days' written notice before cutting off water service for non-payment of bills. It mandates notices to property owners, bill-paying customers, and tenants (with an offer of a payment plan for tenants), and requires municipalities to provide reasonable payment plans upon request before disconnecting service. The law applies to both water and sewer service charges and affects residential property owners, tenants, and municipal authorities managing water systems. It aims to prevent sudden disconnections by giving residents time to arrange payments. The bill is currently pending in the Senate.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 2357) adds a tax deduction for certain retirement savings contributions under the state's gross income tax. It specifically allows taxpayers to deduct contributions to qualifying individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and excludes certain deferred compensation plan contributions from taxable income. The bill amends the state tax code to create these deductions, directly affecting New Jersey residents who make eligible retirement savings contributions. The policy change simplifies tax filing for these taxpayers by reducing their taxable income through these specific retirement savings deductions.