Sen. Vince Polistina

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey teachers and school aides to deduct up to $250 annually from their state taxes for unreimbursed classroom supply expenses. Eligible educators include K-12 teachers, counselors, principals, and paraprofessionals (like classroom aides) who work at least 900 hours yearly in public or private New Jersey schools. The deduction covers books, computers, software, and teaching materials, but excludes health/physical education supplies. It mirrors a federal tax provision and applies to taxable years starting after enactment. The bill directly affects qualifying school staff by reducing their state tax burden for essential classroom costs.

Maddy summaryS 926 requires that the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) include at least one member residing in each of the state's three defined regions: northern (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Warren counties), central (Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Mercer, Ocean, Somerset, Union counties), and southern (Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem counties). The bill amends the BPU's composition rules to mandate this geographic representation for all new appointments after the law takes effect. It requires the Governor to ensure compliance with these regional residency requirements when appointing BPU members. This change directly affects how the Governor selects BPU members and ensures regional geographic balance on the board.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases pension benefits for New Jersey police and firefighters (members of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System) who become permanently disabled while on duty due to weapon-related injuries. It modifies the pension calculation so that affected members receive 100% of their final annual salary instead of the standard two-thirds, providing a significantly higher benefit. The change applies specifically to disabilities caused by weapons, as defined under New Jersey law, and does not alter other disability pension rules. This adjustment aims to better compensate first responders injured in line-of-duty incidents involving weapons.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to exempt emergency personnel from specific personal watercraft operation restrictions while performing official duties. Current law prohibits operating personal watercraft (like jet skis) at high speeds within 100 feet of shorelines, swimming areas, people in the water, residential units, or near other vessels in ways that make the craft airborne. The exemption applies to law enforcement officers, firefighters, beach patrol members, and emergency medical personnel during rescue operations. This change allows these responders to use personal watercraft more effectively for lifesaving missions without being constrained by standard operating rules.

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment would create a $250 annual property tax deduction for New Jersey law enforcement officers who have a permanent disability directly caused by their job. It would apply to the primary residence of eligible officers, including properties in cooperatives or mutual housing. Surviving spouses aged 65+ who remain unmarried and live in the same home would also qualify for the deduction after the officer's death. The Legislature would need to define "law enforcement officer" through future legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Cannabis Regulatory Commission to create a system allowing individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from cannabis dispensaries. It mandates procedures for adding or removing names from the self-exclusion list, sending the list to all dispensaries, and requiring retailers to stop marketing to excluded individuals and deny entry or sales. The list itself is confidential and cannot be publicly accessed. The policy directly affects cannabis consumers who choose self-exclusion and all licensed dispensaries operating in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryS 2041 (now withdrawn as P.L.2025, c.239) establishes a limited license for New Jersey chiropractic medicine students in their final year or two semesters to participate in supervised clinical training ("preceptorship") under a State-licensed chiropractor. Students must apply for the license, pass a background check, pay a fee, and demonstrate good academic standing. The State Board of Chiropractic Examiners must set rules for preceptor qualifications, direct supervision (on-site guidance), and the scope of practice for these students, with the license expiring upon graduation. This bill aimed to create a pathway for final-year students to gain clinical experience under supervision before full licensure.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $200 million mortgage assistance program for New Jersey homeowners with low or moderate incomes who face imminent risk of homelessness due to missed mortgage payments. It provides forgivable, zero-interest loans (called "deep," "moderate," "shallow," or "single" subsidies) to cover arrears, fees, and future payments after qualifying hardships like job loss, illness, or death of a family member. Homeowners must complete a counseling course, commit to living in the home as their primary residence for three years, and use the funds only for their principal residence to qualify for loan forgiveness. The program targets households earning 50% to 80% of the local median income who have experienced financial hardship causing mortgage delinquency.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a New Jersey state tax credit to help offset college costs. It provides a $750 credit for full-time tuition and maintenance payments (for the taxpayer or a dependent under 22) and a $375 credit for part-time attendance (with at least six credits per semester). The credit is applied against the taxpayer's gross income tax liability, directly benefiting families or individuals paying for New Jersey county college education. It aims to make community college more affordable by reducing the tax burden associated with these costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts certain aircraft maintenance, repair, and equipment sales from New Jersey's sales tax within a designated aviation district. It specifically applies to air carriers operating in the area (including Atlantic City International Airport and the FAA Hughes Technical Center plus a one-mile radius) and covers services like repairs, servicing, and sales of machinery/equipment parts for aircraft. The exemption applies to aircraft with a 6,000-pound or greater takeoff weight and includes both the services and the parts sold for installation. This policy change directly benefits aircraft maintenance businesses and carriers operating in that specific economic zone by reducing their operational costs.