Sen. Andrew Zwicker

Maddy summaryBill S 2166 would allow New Jersey wineries producing more than 250,000 gallons of wine annually to ship directly to consumers. This amendment to New Jersey's alcohol licensing law (R.S.33:1-10) creates a new licensing category for larger producers, removing current restrictions that prevent direct shipping. The bill specifically affects established wineries meeting the production threshold, enabling them to sell and deliver wine directly to customers without requiring a distributor. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Commerce Committee for review.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a separate fringe benefit rate for New Jersey's public colleges and universities, starting in fiscal year 2025. Currently, these institutions use a general state rate that doesn't reflect their actual employee benefit costs - many staff are in the less expensive Alternative Benefit Plan (ABP) rather than the standard Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). The new rate will be based on the actual cost of retirement programs at these institutions and applied to all federal, dedicated, and non-State funded programs. This change directly affects public higher education funding by aligning benefit costs with actual employee retirement plan expenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1621) would expand access to New Jersey’s Medicare Savings Programs by raising the income eligibility limit to 133 1/3% of federal poverty levels and eliminating the asset test (which previously disqualified people with modest savings). It directly affects low-income seniors (65+), blind individuals, and people with disabilities who need help affording Medicare costs. The bill requires the state to appropriate new funds to cover these expanded benefits, simplifying eligibility without requiring applicants to meet asset limits. This change aims to make Medicare coverage more accessible for vulnerable residents who currently face barriers due to savings thresholds.

Maddy summaryS 1675 establishes New Jersey's Advanced Transmission Technologies Workforce Development Program (ATT Program) within the Department of Labor. The program trains electrical engineers and utility workers to install and manage advanced transmission systems, directly affecting these workers and students in career technical education. Key provisions include creating job training linked to infrastructure projects, using community agreements to connect training with jobs, and retraining existing workers to meet industry demands. The program will leverage state and federal funds while requiring annual reports on its effectiveness to the Governor and Legislature starting in 2027.

Maddy summaryS 2173, "Chiara's Law," requires New Jersey animal shelters and pounds to hold impounded animals for at least seven days before euthanizing them, unless specific exceptions apply. The bill prohibits euthanasia except for health/safety reasons (like rabies suspicion) or when an animal is voluntarily surrendered by its owner. Shelters must provide written notice to owners and allow up to seven days for claimants to provide proof of ownership (e.g., license, vet records) or pay holding fees. Animals cannot be sold for experimentation under this law. This directly affects all municipal shelters, pounds, and kennels operating in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows 16- and 17-year-olds who are U.S. citizens, reside in a school district for at least 30 days, and live in New Jersey to vote only in local school board elections. It requires the Secretary of State to create a separate registration process and ballot design for these voters, mirroring existing systems for other eligible voters. The bill does not permit voting in any other elections (like mayoral or state elections) and does not require school boards or municipalities to take action to implement it. This change would take effect January 1 following the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2167) amends New Jersey's conflict-of-interest law to remove a requirement that state agencies must hold property rights in scientific or technological innovations before state employees can contract with them for development. It revises Section 1 of P.L.1991, c.254, eliminating the condition that previously restricted such contracts to cases where the agency had a property interest. The change directly affects state employees and agencies when entering agreements for developing new scientific or tech projects. The amendment maintains existing ethics procedures but broadens eligibility for these contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill, now law as P.L.2025, c.296, establishes a regulated system for psilocybin use in New Jersey to treat behavioral health conditions. It authorizes licensed psilocybin service centers to provide supervised sessions for adults 21+ with conditions like depression or anxiety, requiring trained facilitators and mandatory follow-up therapy sessions. The law creates licensing requirements for service centers, manufacturers, and facilitators, and mandates a state advisory board to oversee implementation. It directly affects New Jersey residents aged 21+ with behavioral health needs seeking this treatment option, while prohibiting access for minors and preventing illegal diversion.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits paid to eligible retired members of New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). It requires the PFRS board of trustees to restore these COLAs to their previous statutory level without requiring additional contributions from retirees, provided actuarial certification confirms the change won't increase employer costs or jeopardize the system's long-term financial health. The policy directly affects retired police officers and firefighters who receive benefits under the PFRS. The change reverses a prior reduction to these automatic inflation adjustments for this specific retirement system.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits candidates who fail to meet constitutional eligibility requirements from appearing on New Jersey's general election ballots. It directly affects candidates who do not satisfy age, citizenship, or term limit qualifications under either the New Jersey State Constitution or the U.S. Constitution. The key mechanism amends state ballot law to require election officials to exclude such candidates' names from ballots. For example, this would prevent candidates who are underage or exceed term limits from being listed. The bill takes effect January 1 following enactment.