Sen. Patrick Diegnan

Maddy summaryS 3540 would change New Jersey law to give courts discretion in expunging arrest records related to domestic violence cases that don’t result in conviction. Currently, courts must automatically erase such records when charges are dismissed, a person is acquitted, or discharged without conviction. This bill allows courts to delay expungement for up to six months if a prosecutor objects, to prevent potential victim intimidation that might lead to dropped charges. It applies specifically to arrests for domestic violence as defined by state law (N.J.S.2C:25-19), ensuring courts can consider case context before erasing records.

Maddy summaryS 3539 establishes a temporary $10 million grant program for New Jersey pharmacies facing financial hardship due to increased federal remuneration fees. The bill directs the Department of Human Services to create the program, set application rules, and distribute funds to eligible pharmacies. It appropriates up to $10 million from the General Fund, with the program ending once all funds are distributed. The bill specifically targets pharmacies affected by federal fee changes, not other healthcare providers or general funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's MVC to check the federal drug and alcohol clearinghouse before issuing or renewing commercial driver licenses (CDLs) or commercial learner's permits (CLPs). If the clearinghouse indicates a person is prohibited from operating commercial vehicles due to drug or alcohol violations, the MVC cannot issue, renew, transfer, or upgrade the license. The MVC must downgrade CDLs/CLPs for license holders who are prohibited from operating commercial vehicles, completing the downgrade within 60 days of notification. The MVC may reinstate privileges once the driver completes the return-to-duty process, ensuring New Jersey complies with federal requirements for commercial drivers.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the membership requirements for the board of trustees of the State Police Retirement System (SPRS) by removing the requirement that two members appointed by the Governor must be private citizens (not active or retired members of the system). Currently, the SPRS board consists of two active or retired members of the system, two private citizens appointed by the Governor, and the State Treasurer. The bill amends Section 30 of the relevant statute to eliminate the language specifying that Governor-appointed members must be private citizens. This change would allow the Governor to appoint two members who could be active or retired members of the State Police, rather than being restricted to private citizens. The SPRS board is responsible for overseeing the operations of the retirement system for state police officers.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A4534 (A4534) expands the types of projects eligible for funding under the Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) program. It revises the definition of "qualified assistance fund expenses" to explicitly include transportation infrastructure projects (like roads, bridges, and public transit facilities) and related loan payments, regardless of whether they occur in designated commercial corridors. This change allows qualifying municipalities to use UEZ program funds for broader transportation improvements - such as repairing public roads or financing transit infrastructure - rather than being limited to corridor-specific projects. The bill directly affects UEZ-designated areas in economically distressed New Jersey communities seeking to revitalize their infrastructure through state-funded incentives.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers ownership of the Holland Tunnel Service Garage in Jersey City (Block 7203, Lot 2) from the State of New Jersey to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ). The State Treasurer is authorized to sell the property for $11, formalizing a long-standing arrangement where PANYNJ has maintained and controlled the garage since 1931 without formal title. The property was declared surplus to the state's needs, and the sale resolves historical ambiguity about ownership. This transfer affects the state (relinquishing title) and PANYNJ (gaining legal ownership of a facility it has managed for over 90 years).

Maddy summaryS 3573 increases the threshold for state contracts related to public building construction and repair from $25,000 to $150,000. This allows state agencies to award contracts for projects under $150,000 without requiring full public advertising, reducing administrative time and costs for smaller projects. The bill also requires the Governor to adjust this threshold every five years based on inflation, rounding to the nearest $1,000. This change primarily affects state agencies managing public facilities and contractors working on smaller construction or repair projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's bias intimidation law to specifically include Sikhism as a protected class, alongside existing categories like race, religion, and sexual orientation. It requires law enforcement to properly classify anti-Sikh hate crimes and provides $100,000 annually for three years to fund Sikh awareness education and outreach initiatives. The bill mandates training for law enforcement on Sikh identity features (such as turbans and beards) to prevent misclassification of hate incidents. It also requires public entities to incorporate anti-Sikh hate definitions into their bias policies and directs the Attorney General to develop educational programs about Sikhism for schools. These measures address the fact that Sikhs are the second-most targeted religious group for hate crimes in the U.S., with 198 anti-Sikh hate incidents reported by the FBI in 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey volunteer firefighters to receive free, periodic cancer screenings every three years (starting after three years of service) for 11 specific cancers, including colon, lung, breast, and prostate. It mandates that State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) physicians and approved providers offer these screenings without any co-payments, deductibles, or out-of-pocket costs for the firefighter. The state will reimburse participating providers up to $1,250 per firefighter per three-year period, and fire districts must maintain records to facilitate payment. The bill extends existing benefits currently available to paid firefighters under state law to volunteer firefighters serving in fire districts, departments, or companies across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryS 3546 requires large warehouses, distribution centers, and high-traffic facilities (with 50,000+ square feet in overburdened communities or 100,000+ square feet otherwise, or generating 50+ truck trips daily) to obtain a permit from New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and annually implement air pollution reduction measures. The bill establishes a points-based system where facilities earn points for actions like purchasing electric trucks, installing solar power, or using electric forklifts, with the goal of reducing emissions to zero by 2050. Facilities must pay annual permit fees and submit detailed reports on truck traffic, emissions, and health impacts, while the DEP will conduct regular inspections, particularly of facilities in overburdened communities. Violations could result in civil penalties of $10,000-$20,000 per violation.