Sen. Andrew Zwicker

Maddy summaryS 1390 requires New Jersey's Division of Highway Traffic Safety to create a public awareness campaign about bicyclist and pedestrian safety. The campaign must explain current state laws, including rules for cyclists keeping to the right side of roads (C.39:4-14.2) and rules for motorists safely passing pedestrians or cyclists (C.39:4-92.4), along with the penalties for breaking these rules. It directly affects drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians by providing clear information about existing safety regulations. The bill mandates this campaign without changing any current laws, focusing on education rather than new restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Innovation Partnership" program, administered by New Jersey's Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology, to fund nonprofit organizations supporting emerging technology businesses. It directly affects minority-owned and women-owned tech companies (defined as businesses where 51%+ ownership and control is held by minorities or women) in fields like cybersecurity, biotechnology, renewable energy, and advanced computing. The program provides funding through a dedicated "Fund" to help these businesses develop new technologies, conduct pilot manufacturing, and commercialize innovations. Nonprofit "Innovation Partners" certified by the commission will identify and support qualifying businesses, aiming to strengthen New Jersey's tech ecosystem.

Maddy summaryS 2346 extends health insurance coverage for adult children with disabilities beyond the typical age limit of 26. It requires health plans to continue coverage for individuals 26 or older who have an intellectual disability or physical handicap and are chiefly dependent on their parent for support. The law prohibits health plans from denying coverage based on factors like marriage, having a child, or not living with the parent. This applies to hospital, medical, and health service corporation contracts in New Jersey, ensuring continuous coverage for a specific group of disabled adults who rely on parental support.

Maddy summaryS 3020 requires New Jersey health insurance plans to cover all childhood immunizations recommended by the state Department of Health (DOH) without patients paying copays or deductibles. The DOH bases these recommendations on the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and the bill updates state law to align insurance coverage with these guidelines. Insurers must provide this coverage as part of preventive care and notify policyholders in writing of any changes to immunization coverage. This applies to all health insurance plans offering medical benefits in New Jersey, directly affecting insurers and policyholders.

Maddy summaryS 1665 creates a New Jersey program offering grants to small businesses and tax credits to large businesses that make workplace adjustments for neurodivergent employees. Small businesses (fewer than 150 employees with at least one neurodivergent worker) can receive grants up to $25,000 for sensory-friendly layouts, adaptive equipment, or neurodiversity training. Large businesses (150+ employees with three neurodivergent workers) can claim tax credits covering up to 50% of qualifying investments, capped at $25,000 per business. The program is funded by a $2.5 million appropriation, with no more than $25,000 in grants issued annually to small businesses.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 459 prohibits installing, planting, or placing nonfunctional turf (like decorative grass requiring frequent mowing) or invasive plant species (such as Japanese barberry or English ivy) on commercial, institutional, industrial, or government-owned properties during new construction or major redevelopment projects requiring landscaping permits. The law applies to properties including streets, parking lots, and public spaces but excludes residential areas and functional turf used for recreation (e.g., sports fields, parks, or water-quality treatment areas). It takes effect January 1, 2026, allowing maintenance of existing installations before that date and permitting municipalities to adopt stricter rules. The bill defines "invasive species" and requires annual updates to a statewide list of regulated plants.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits sports wagering licensees (such as casinos and racetracks) in New Jersey from offering bets that target specific college athletes, like "Will Player X score a touchdown?" It directly affects sports betting operators by banning these "player-specific proposition bets" on college sports events. The key provision adds a new restriction to existing sports wagering law, explicitly banning such bets to protect college athletes and reduce gambling risks. This policy change amends New Jersey's sports wagering regulations (P.L.2018, c.33) to include this prohibition. The bill does not alter licensing structures or operational rules detailed in the provided text.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows current or future members of New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to buy back up to one year of retirement credit for time served as an Eagleton Science and Politics Fellow at Rutgers' Eagleton Institute. Members must pay contributions based on their salary during the fellowship or their highest prior salary, using a formula set by the retirement system. To qualify, they must submit a signed statement from the Eagleton Institute Director verifying their fellowship service and cannot have already earned retirement benefits for that time through another system. The contributions are paid solely by the member, not their employer.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey property owners to deduct the capital gain from selling land to qualified conservation organizations on their state gross income tax return. It applies to both full-market-value sales and "bargain sales" (where land is sold below market value but with conservation restrictions). The deduction equals the gain calculated under federal tax rules, covering sales to groups like Green Acres, farmland preservation programs, or wildlife conservation initiatives. This directly benefits landowners who sell environmentally valuable property to these conservation entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates a requirement that public school employees (in school districts, charter schools, and renaissance school projects) must live in New Jersey. It applies for three years after the bill's effective date, allowing schools to hire out-of-state residents without requiring them to move to New Jersey. To qualify, the position must have been advertised to New Jersey residents for at least three months before hiring, and the employee cannot have been a New Jersey resident working in a school district within the past year. This change aims to help schools recruit staff with specialized skills who might otherwise be unavailable.