Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $71.4 million Stabilized School Budget Aid Grant Program to help eligible New Jersey school districts offset state aid reductions for the 2024-2025 school year. It provides grants covering up to two-thirds of a district’s state aid reduction, but requires districts to first fully use all available tax authority (including "banked" tax capacity) before receiving aid. Districts receiving aid may also increase local tax levies by up to one-third of the aid amount, but cannot exceed a 9.9% tax levy growth limit relative to the prior year. The program directly affects school districts facing state aid cuts, with eligibility based on positive state aid differentials and subject to specific spending and staffing requirements.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey Transit's Access Link paratransit service to include all U.S. Veterans Health Administration facilities in the state. It requires NJ Transit to provide origin-to-destination service to these facilities regardless of location, creating a 1.5-mile service radius around each facility and a 1.5-mile-wide corridor along the most direct route connecting each facility to the nearest NJ Transit bus or rail stop. The bill appropriates $1 million from the state General Fund to cover implementation costs for NJ Transit. This change directly affects veterans using VA healthcare facilities by improving their access to paratransit service.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows specific New Jersey school districts facing state aid cuts to submit their budgets after the state's FY2025 budget is finalized. It applies only to districts where the proposed state aid reduction exceeds their unused tax authority ("banked cap") under current law. The Commissioner of Education must permit these districts to submit budgets within five days of the FY2025 appropriations act's enactment, with the option to adjust the budget calendar to a compressed timeline. The change is limited to the 2024-2025 school year only.
Maddy summarySJR 113 is a New Jersey Senate Joint Resolution honoring John Sterling, a Bergen County resident and longtime Yankees radio broadcaster, for his 36-season career calling over 5,400 Yankees games. The resolution requests the Governor issue a proclamation to recognize Sterling's contributions to sports broadcasting and his role in iconic Yankees moments. This symbolic gesture does not create new laws or affect any policies, as it solely celebrates Sterling's retirement.
Maddy summaryS 3173 requires New Jersey group homes housing adults with developmental disabilities (eligible for Tier C+ services) to install video-only electronic monitoring devices in common areas only when all residents and their authorized representatives (like court-appointed guardians) provide written consent. The bill mandates group home licensees to develop internal policies for consent procedures, provide annual notices about monitoring rights, and retain footage for 90 days. It exempts homes already using such devices and imposes penalties ($5,000 first offense) for non-compliance, while ensuring consent withdrawal cannot block housing placement. The law focuses on resident autonomy through explicit consent, not mandatory surveillance.
Maddy summaryS 3175 removes the requirement that public work contractors must participate in a registered apprenticeship program to bid on or perform construction projects covered by New Jersey's prevailing wage laws. The bill repeals a previous provision (P.L.2021, c.423, section 6) that mandated this participation. Instead, it establishes standards for apprenticeship programs that contractors may choose to use, requiring that any such program's training requirements meet or exceed U.S. Department of Labor standards. This change directly affects contractors bidding on or working on public construction projects subject to prevailing wage requirements.
Maddy summarySCR 104 is a symbolic resolution (not a law) passed by the New Jersey Senate condemning hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry. It formally declares New Jersey's opposition to prejudice against Hinduism and Hindus, recognizing the religion's global significance and Hindu Americans' contributions to society. The resolution defines hinduphobia as "antagonistic, destructive, and derogatory attitudes" toward Hinduism and Hindus, citing documented hate crimes. Copies will be sent to the Governor, New Jersey's Congress members, and the Hindu American Foundation. It has no legal effect beyond expressing the state's stance.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3138 allows emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to administer epinephrine using a standard needle and syringe (not just pre-filled auto-injectors), expanding their current authorization under state law. To use this method, EMTs must complete an approved training program and pass an exam on non-prefilled syringe administration, as set by the Commissioner of Health. The Commissioner will maintain a public registry of certified EMTs and may charge a fee for training/testing if not covered by existing funds. This change directly affects EMTs in New Jersey who provide emergency care for severe allergic reactions.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 323) requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to conduct unscheduled surprise inspections of school buses in addition to scheduled inspections. It directly affects school bus operators (owners or day-to-day operators) by mandating at least two annual inspections per bus fleet - one scheduled and one surprise - along with emission checks during all inspections. Operators must maintain and provide records of bus maintenance, repairs, and driver compliance during these inspections. Violations, such as failing to provide records or withhold buses without 24-hour notice, incur fines of $50-$500 per violation.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires drivers in New Jersey to safely pass pedestrians, cyclists, and users of mobility devices like wheelchairs, scooters, and skateboards. Drivers must either change lanes (if safe), maintain at least four feet of distance, or slow to 25 mph when passing these road users. It specifically defines "personal conveyance" to include devices such as electric scooters, manual wheelchairs, and skateboards, and expands "pedestrian" to cover workers and emergency responders on roadways. Violating these rules results in fines of $100 (without injury) or $500 (with injury), plus penalty points for serious violations. The law, now effective as P.L.2024, c.11, aims to improve safety for vulnerable road users.