Sen. Patrick Diegnan

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's NJBEST program to treat distributions from NJBEST accounts rolled into a Roth IRA as "qualified withdrawals" for tax purposes. It directly affects NJBEST account owners who want to transfer funds to a Roth IRA without incurring New Jersey state income tax on the rollover amount. The key provision excludes these specific Roth IRA rollovers from gross income calculations, aligning New Jersey tax treatment with a recent federal change to Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. This allows account holders to move funds tax-free to retirement savings while maintaining the program's tax-advantaged status for education savings.

Maddy summarySJR 129 is a ceremonial resolution designating February 12th of each year as "Carly Day" in New Jersey. It commemorates Carly Fetzer, a Bayville resident born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (a congenital heart defect), who lived 18 years despite medical challenges before passing away. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to raise awareness about congenital heart defects, aligning with National Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week (February 7-14). It does not create new laws or affect any specific group, focusing solely on commemoration and awareness.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school athletic coaches to obtain cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification. It directly affects coaches in both public school districts and nonpublic schools who lead athletic activities. The Department of Education must create a free, state-funded program using current national CPR guidelines, modeled after recognized training (like Red Cross or American Heart Association), including hands-on practice for all participating coaches. The program will be provided at no cost to coaches, with all implementation expenses covered by the state.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3596 increases penalties for denying access to service dogs and their handlers from civil fines to criminal charges. Businesses, public facilities, NJ Transit, and transportation network companies (like ride-sharing services) that block access now face a petty disorderly persons offense (up to 30 days jail or $500 fine) for a first violation, and a disorderly persons offense (up to one year jail or $1,000 fine) for repeat violations. Fines collected fund law enforcement training on service dog access rights under New Jersey's disability laws. The bill updates existing statutes to strengthen enforcement of access protections for people with disabilities.

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).