Sen. Patrick Diegnan

Maddy summaryS 3914 prohibits the farming (aquaculture) of any octopus species for human consumption in New Jersey. It also bans businesses from selling, possessing, or transporting octopus raised through aquaculture. Violations carry daily civil penalties of up to $1,000, with each day of violation treated as a separate offense. The law takes immediate effect and excludes wild-caught octopus and octopus used solely for research.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3673 allows people with diagnosed traumatic or acquired brain injuries to voluntarily add a notation to their driver's license, ID card, and the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) registry. The bill creates a secure MVC registry storing vehicle details and emergency contact information to help law enforcement communicate effectively during stops. It also mandates annual training for all law enforcement agencies on de-escalation techniques and using the registry when interacting with individuals with brain injuries. Participation is entirely voluntary, and registry data is protected from public disclosure except during specific law enforcement actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow restaurants and licensed alcoholic beverage retailers (including bars, wineries, breweries, and distilleries) to operate in designated outdoor spaces adjacent to their business premises, including on public sidewalks. It creates a "premises expansion permit" process requiring applications to either the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (for licensed businesses) or municipal zoning officers (for restaurants without alcohol licenses), with requirements for security plans and property descriptions. Municipalities may regulate hours of operation but must allow outdoor service outside specific hours (10pm-11am on Sundays-Wednesdays, and 12am-11am on Thurs-Sat), and cannot prohibit outdoor service for businesses already operating under legal or disciplinary restrictions. The bill specifies that State-owned rights-of-way require separate approval from the New Jersey Department of Transportation, with setback requirements for roads intersecting state highways.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates New Jersey's inheritance tax for step-grandchildren by changing the state's tax code to treat them the same as biological grandchildren and stepchildren. Currently, step-grandchildren (the children of a stepchild) face a 15% tax on inheritances up to $700,000 and 16% on larger amounts, while biological grandchildren and stepchildren pay no tax. The bill amends tax law to classify step-grandchildren as "Class A" beneficiaries, removing their tax liability entirely. This change applies to all estates where the decedent dies on or after January 1, 2025. The policy directly affects step-grandchildren inheriting property from a step-grandparent in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3854) expands New Jersey's Wounded Warrior Caregivers Relief Act to cover caregivers of all honorably discharged veterans, not just those with service-connected disabilities from post-9/11 conflicts. It provides a state tax credit equal to 100% of a veteran’s federal disability pay, capped at $675 annually, for caregivers meeting income limits ($50,000 single/$100,000 joint filers) who reside with the veteran for at least six months. The credit applies to family caregivers (relatives within the third degree) providing care for veterans meeting the revised definition. This change directly affects New Jersey caregivers of veterans who were honorably discharged but previously did not qualify under the narrower post-9/11 service requirement.

Maddy summaryS 3886 creates a new criminal offense for committing, attempting, conspiring, or threatening to commit certain crimes (such as assault or theft) against senior citizens (62 years or older) or people with disabilities. The offense is punished one degree higher than the underlying crime (e.g., a fourth-degree crime for a disorderly persons offense), and courts must impose a separate sentence for it. For first or second-degree underlying crimes, the sentence also includes mandatory parole supervision (5 years for first-degree, 3 years for second-degree) after prison time.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the third Sunday of November each year as "World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims" in New Jersey. It does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes an existing international observance to honor victims of traffic incidents and acknowledge emergency responders. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance through appropriate activities. It directly affects all New Jersey residents by establishing a state-level observance date, aligning with the United Nations and U.S. Department of Transportation's recognition of this day. The bill passed unanimously in the Assembly and was approved as P.L.2024, JR-3.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Stay NJ property tax credit program, providing eligible senior citizens (65+ years old) with a property tax credit equal to 50% of their property tax bill, up to a maximum of $6,500 for tax year 2026 (with annual adjustments based on property tax increases). The program targets New Jersey residents with annual income under $500,000 who own or rent their principal residence as a homestead. Eligible claimants will receive the greater of the Stay NJ credit or the combined ANCHOR rebate and homestead property tax reimbursement, with a single application process to replace current multiple programs. The credit will be implemented starting in 2026, with applications accepted February 1 through October 31 each year.

Maddy summaryAJR 46 designates January of each year as "Hindu Heritage Month" in New Jersey to recognize the state's significant Hindu community. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with activities honoring Hindu cultural contributions. It acknowledges New Jersey has the highest percentage of Hindus in the U.S. (about 3% of the population) and home to the world's largest Hindu temple in Robbinsville. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes the community's heritage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Stay NJ property tax credit program, providing property tax relief to New Jersey seniors aged 65 or older with annual income under $500,000. It consolidates three existing property tax relief programs into a single application process, allowing eligible claimants to receive the greater of the Stay NJ credit or the combined amount of the ANCHOR rebate and homestead property tax reimbursement. The credit equals 50% of the claimant's property tax bill, capped at $6,500 in 2026 with annual adjustments based on property tax increases. The bill requires a single combined application form to be available from February 1 through October 31 each year, and revises income definitions to include Social Security payments and other excluded income sources for eligibility purposes.