Sen. Patrick Diegnan

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1012) expands New Jersey's property tax exemption for veterans. It adds "mental illness" to the list of qualifying service-connected disabilities that allow veterans to receive a proportional tax exemption on their primary residence (based on their disability percentage). The bill also extends survivor eligibility to include surviving partners in civil unions or domestic partnerships, allowing them to claim the exemption after a veteran's death if the veteran would have qualified. This amends existing law (P.L.1948, c.259) to broaden access for veterans with mental health disabilities and ensure surviving partners receive the same benefits as surviving spouses.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1474) requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to prioritize funding for two types of projects: 1) land acquisition for recreation and conservation, and 2) environmental infrastructure projects that include flood mitigation. It specifically mandates that the DEP’s Office of Green Acres must give higher priority to projects protecting floodplains, flood-prone areas, or lands damaged by storms. This change modifies existing funding criteria under the Green Acres Program (P.L.1999, c.152) to explicitly include flood risk reduction as a key factor. The bill affects how local governments and nonprofits apply for and receive state funding for land conservation and infrastructure projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 556) exempts transfers of residential real property between certain family members who co-own the property from New Jersey's inheritance tax. It specifically adds to existing exemptions for transfers to spouses, children, and other close relatives, now including siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, and other extended family members who already co-own the home. The exemption applies to single-family homes or condominiums (defined as "residential real property") where family members share ownership. The change takes effect immediately for taxable years beginning January 1 after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows medical cannabis costs to be covered through four existing New Jersey state programs: the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund, the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) program, the Senior Gold Prescription Discount Program, and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act (VCCO). It specifically enables reimbursement for registered qualifying patients (including children under 21 with catastrophic illnesses) who pay for medical cannabis through licensed dispensaries. The reimbursement covers the purchase price after discounts, as listed on dispensary websites, using the same process as for other covered medications. This change expands eligibility under current programs without creating new funds or altering cannabis regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJT) to create guidelines for on-demand micro transit pilot programs - shared rides via mobile app or phone that pick up and drop off users at their selected times. The guidelines must ensure affordability for residents in "transit deserts" (areas with limited public transit), incentivize unionized driver employment, and specify vehicle types (including those requiring commercial driver licenses). NJT must prioritize expanding these services to Bergen, Mercer, and Middlesex counties, focusing on densely populated areas and locations with no current transit options. The bill takes effect seven months after enactment, setting operational standards for pilot programs without providing new funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 577) allows U.S. military members and their dependents living in New Jersey to qualify for the lower county resident tuition rate at county colleges where they reside or are stationed. Currently, many military families pay higher non-resident tuition because they maintain out-of-county addresses. The bill changes residency determination for tuition purposes at county colleges, ensuring eligible military members and dependents pay the same lower rate as local residents. This directly affects military personnel and their families attending county colleges across New Jersey. The change applies immediately to the next academic year following the bill's effective date.

Maddy summarySCR 54 is a symbolic resolution passed by the New Jersey legislature condemning all forms of anti-Semitism and rejecting efforts to justify anti-Jewish hatred. It specifically addresses modern manifestations like blaming Jewish people for global issues, spreading harmful stereotypes, and targeting Jewish institutions. The resolution references rising anti-Semitic incidents in New Jersey (including 370 reported in 2021) and affirms that such hatred violates constitutional values of tolerance and religious freedom. As a concurrent resolution, it has no legal force but serves as a formal statement of legislative stance.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 334) grants the historical title "Attorney General of the State of New Jersey" to any person who served as Acting Attorney General for a continuous period of at least 180 days. It directly affects individuals filling the Acting Attorney General role, ensuring they receive this official title for historical records after their service ends. The bill specifies that temporary interruptions - such as travel outside the state or illness - do not break the required 180-day continuity. It applies retroactively to anyone serving as Acting Attorney General before, on, or after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how New Jersey's senior property tax freeze benefit is delivered. It converts the current system - where qualifying seniors and disabled homeowners receive a separate refund check for property tax savings - into a direct credit applied to their annual property tax bill. The key mechanism eliminates the need for a separate reimbursement payment, instead reducing the amount owed on the tax bill itself. This directly affects eligible seniors (65+ or disabled persons) who own or rent a primary residence and meet income requirements (e.g., $60,000 or less annual income for single/married filers). The change would streamline the process but does not alter eligibility criteria or benefit amounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new program (the "Resiliency and Environmental System Investment Charge" or RESIC) allowing New Jersey water and wastewater utilities to recover costs for specific environmental and infrastructure projects through a surcharge on customer bills. It covers costs related to compliance with environmental regulations (like clean water laws), installing new systems for public safety/resiliency, or replacing aging infrastructure, provided the projects are non-revenue producing and approved by the Board of Public Utilities. Utilities would calculate a surcharge based on approved investments, with a cap on total recoverable costs, and apply it over a six-month recovery period. The program directly affects investor-owned and qualifying municipal utilities providing water/wastewater service to over 1,000 customers outside their municipality. Note: This bill was introduced in January 2024 but was withdrawn the same day.