Sen. Joe Vitale

Maddy summaryThis bill increases taxes on nicotine products in New Jersey. It raises the cigarette tax from $0.135 to $0.15 per cigarette, the liquid nicotine tax from $0.10 to $0.30 per milliliter, and sets a 30% tax on container e-liquid based on retail price. These changes affect retailers, distributors, and wholesalers selling these products within the state, requiring them to file tax returns and pay the new rates. Revenue from these taxes will fund the Health Care Subsidy Fund. The bill modifies existing tobacco tax laws without changing the fundamental structure of nicotine product taxation.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an independent Office of the Veteran Advocate within New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), with the position appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The Veteran Advocate will investigate complaints about veteran services, monitor care in state facilities, and ensure veterans receive proper treatment, with authority to conduct site visits, issue subpoenas, and establish a 24-hour hotline. The office will report annually to the Governor and Legislature on issues affecting veterans and make recommendations for improving services. The bill appropriates funds from the General Fund to support this new office, which will serve as an ombudsman for veterans and their families receiving services from state entities or state-funded private providers.

Maddy summaryS 3064 increases the tax rate on online casino gaming and online sports wagering in New Jersey from 15% and 13% to 30% respectively. This applies only to internet-based gaming and betting services operated by licensed casinos and sports wagering platforms, not to traditional in-person casino operations or non-Internet betting. The additional tax revenue will fund the Casino Revenue Fund, with an extra 1.25% tax on internet sports wagering specifically supporting Atlantic City marketing efforts. The bill does not change tax rates for non-Internet gaming or sports betting activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's healthcare facility licensing laws to strengthen oversight and transparency. It requires all ambulatory care facilities and hospitals to maintain specific systems for cost accounting, discharge planning, and annual service planning, while capping license fees at $10,000 for hospitals and $4,000 for other facilities. Key provisions include mandating public posting of inspection reports (including serious violations) on the department's website within 72 hours and requiring surgical practices to obtain licensure within one year. The bill directly affects healthcare facilities operating in New Jersey, particularly those providing surgical services or ambulatory care, by standardizing licensing requirements and increasing accountability through public reporting.

Maddy summaryThis bill legalizes and regulates "natural organic reduction" (also called "controlled supervised decomposition") in New Jersey, a process that converts human remains into soil-like material through contained, accelerated decomposition. It directly affects mortuaries and funeral homes seeking to offer this service, requiring them to register with the State Board of Mortuary Science and operate facilities under licensed mortuary professionals. Key provisions include mandatory facility registration, visible display of operator licenses, and adherence to board-established health and safety rules. The bill updates existing mortuary laws to define the process, set facility requirements, and authorize the Board to create regulations for oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases tax rates on three forms of online wagering in New Jersey: from 15% to 19.75% for Internet gaming, from 13% to 19.75% for Internet sports wagering, and from 10.5% to 19.75% for fantasy sports operations. The tax revenue will be directed to the Casino Revenue Fund, State General Fund, and specific associations supporting horse racing and gambling prevention programs. The bill also establishes that 0.75% of funds from racetrack operations will go to the municipality and 0.5% to the county where racetracks are located. These tax changes apply to operators providing these services and take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThe Healthcare Finance Enhancement Act modifies New Jersey's assessment system for healthcare facilities. It reduces the ambulatory care facility assessment rate from 2.95% to 2.5% beginning in Fiscal Year 2026, eliminates the exemption for surgical practices from this assessment starting in FY 2026, and extends the 2.5% rate to all ambulatory care facilities beginning in FY 2027. The bill also increases the hospital per adjusted admission charge from $10 to $12.50 effective July 1, 2025, and extends this charge to non-public psychiatric hospitals. These changes will affect ambulatory care facilities, hospitals, and the Department of Health, with assessment revenues continuing to fund the Health Care Subsidy Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases tax rates on cigarettes, liquid nicotine, and container e-liquid in New Jersey. It raises the cigarette tax from $0.135 to $0.15 per cigarette (or $2.70 to $3.00 per pack), increases the liquid nicotine tax from $0.10 to $0.30 per milliliter, and raises the container e-liquid tax from 10% to 30% of retail price. The bill requires businesses to file inventory reports and pay the higher tax rates on existing inventories when the changes take effect on August 1, 2025. It also dedicates $2 million annually from these new tax revenues to the Health Care Subsidy Fund, which supports healthcare programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the tax rate on liquid nicotine from $0.10 to $0.30 per fluid milliliter and raises the tax on container e-liquid from 10% to 30% of its retail price. It directly affects distributors, wholesalers, and retailers of these products by requiring them to pay higher taxes on sales and inventory. The bill also mandates that these businesses file tax returns with the Division of Taxation by the first day of the second month after the effective date, reporting their liquid nicotine inventory and paying the additional tax due. The changes take effect on August 1, 2025, as part of the Governor’s FY2026 Budget recommendations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to cover continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and related supplies for individuals diagnosed with diabetes who meet specific eligibility criteria. To qualify, recipients must be treated with insulin or have documented history of severe hypoglycemia (two or more episodes below 54 mg/dL requiring third-party assistance, or one episode causing altered mental state). The coverage requires CGMs to be prescribed according to FDA-approved indications, recipients must demonstrate proper training in device use, and beneficiaries must participate in regular follow-up care with healthcare providers (at least once every six months for 18 months, then annually). The bill directs the Commissioner of Human Services to seek necessary federal approvals to implement this coverage. This change would directly affect Medicaid recipients with diabetes who rely on CGMs for blood glucose management.