Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 740) expands protections for agricultural landowners by broadening the definition of "agricultural trespass" and increasing penalties for violations. It adds new categories of land to the definition, including cranberry bogs, orchards, nurseries, and woodlands contiguous to farms, plus equipment storage areas. The law now prohibits entering or remaining on such lands without written permission - covering activities like walking, riding horses, or operating vehicles - and damages to property (e.g., crops, fences, equipment). Violations now carry a $1,000 civil penalty (up from $100) plus costs for restoration, directly affecting farmers, landowners, and anyone entering agricultural properties without authorization.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1600) adds specific notification rights for children in resource family care (foster care) and their foster parents. It requires child welfare agencies to promptly inform children and resource family parents when a case manager or supervisor is assigned or reassigned to the child's case. The bill also mandates that children be notified about property or benefits they own (such as Social Security) upon placement outside their home, including details about applications filed on their behalf. These provisions amend existing law (P.L.1991, c.290) to strengthen transparency in case management and financial oversight for children in care.
Maddy summaryThis bill would create a new Department of Commerce and Innovation as a central agency within New Jersey's state government to coordinate business, economic development, and innovation efforts. It centralizes functions previously spread across multiple departments (like tourism under the Department of State and business assistance under the Economic Development Authority) into one department led by a commissioner appointed by the Governor. The department aims to streamline business support services, eliminate confusion for businesses navigating state programs, and position New Jersey as a leader in business and innovation. The bill appropriates $1 million for this new department's initial operations.
Maddy summaryS 1057 creates an Office of Financial Assistance within New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to help businesses and non-profit organizations access public financial assistance like grants, loans, and tax credits from state or federal agencies. The office will develop a common online application platform allowing these entities to identify available assistance, store application information for reuse, submit multiple applications simultaneously, and track their status. All state agencies offering such assistance must coordinate with the office to ensure applications can be submitted through this platform and that all information remains current. The bill requires the EDA to appoint a director with relevant experience and mandates the office to provide technical assistance on application processes and compliance.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 800) provides accidental death benefits to survivors of New Jersey State Police recruits who die during required pre-service training or related complications at the State Police Academy. It classifies such deaths as "in the line of duty," allowing surviving spouses, children, or parents to claim benefits under the State Police Retirement System. The law guarantees a minimum $50,000 benefit for surviving spouses, with calculated benefits for children or parents if no spouse survives. It also allows retroactive claims for deaths occurring before this bill’s enactment, with a 12-month filing window after the bill becomes law.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public schools, private schools, and institutions of higher education in New Jersey to test building air for radon gas or radon progeny at least once every five years. Buildings not tested within the five years before the bill's effective date must be tested within 60 days, while those previously tested must follow the five-year cycle starting from their last test. School administrators and education officials must work with environmental protection agencies to identify testing locations, methods, and notify the public about results. The bill repeals an outdated requirement that was deemed an unfunded mandate, applying the testing rule uniformly across all school types.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program to help New Jersey public colleges and universities host scientific conferences and seminars. It appropriates $250,000 from the state General Fund to cover costs like venue rentals, speaker fees, travel, and lodging for these events. Grants cannot be used for food or unrelated vendor expenses. The program is administered by the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, with applications requiring event details and speaker information.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Senate passed SR 36 urging Congress to support H.R.3339, a bill that would establish a national infrastructure bank to fund large-scale projects. The resolution cites a $6 trillion infrastructure funding gap identified by the American Society of Civil Engineers and notes New Jersey's deteriorating infrastructure, with only 29% of roads and 27% of bridges in good condition. It argues the bank - modeled after commercial banks and funded by trading U.S. Treasury bonds - would address current funding shortfalls for critical projects like transportation, energy, and broadband. The resolution specifically references pending federal legislation (H.R.3339) as the mechanism for creating this bank.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health to create two online platforms: one for employers to list job openings for behavioral health care workers (treating mental illness, emotional disorders, or substance use) and another for employers to post internship/externship opportunities that provide academic credits for health care students. It directly affects in-state employers posting positions, behavioral health care workers seeking jobs, and health care students pursuing licensure or certification. The portals must be maintained online, with the department allowed to hire third parties to develop them. The bill defines "behavioral health care" specifically and mandates that internship postings must qualify for academic credits toward health care professional training.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes legal protections for minors receiving gender-affirming healthcare in New Jersey by clarifying court jurisdiction. It directly affects courts making child custody decisions, parents, and healthcare providers when a minor travels to New Jersey for care unavailable in their home state. The key provision states that a child's presence in New Jersey for gender-affirming care satisfies jurisdictional requirements for custody cases, ensuring courts can address custody matters without delaying access to necessary healthcare. The bill amends existing child custody laws to prioritize a minor's health needs over jurisdictional disputes when care is unavailable in their home state.