Sen. Vince Polistina

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to preserve all employee benefits and rights as a condition if the authority sells or leases Atlantic City International Airport. It mandates that employees retain existing collective bargaining agreements, civil service status, pension credits, and accumulated benefits (like sick leave) when transferred to a new owner or operator. The bill also requires maintaining current employee representatives until workers elect new ones. These provisions apply specifically to SJTA employees working at the airport during any sale, lease, or management transfer. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the S.E.E.D. Program to provide initial funding for student-led projects at New Jersey's public colleges and universities. It creates a dedicated fund to award competitive grants supporting new business concepts, research, or products developed by students, with grants requiring a plan for long-term sustainability. Funding is calculated based on institutional enrollment (e.g., $2,500 per 500 full-time students), administered by a seven-member board, and must be used for eligible student projects. The program requires a four-year report on grant outcomes, including applicant numbers and project results. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Higher Education Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2584) allows local government business administrators - such as municipal finance officers - to join New Jersey’s Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS), a defined-benefit retirement plan. Currently, these roles are excluded from PERS and must use a separate defined-contribution retirement savings plan. The bill specifically amends eligibility rules to include business administrators under PERS membership and permits those already in the defined-contribution plan to transfer to PERS. This change directly affects municipal staff in financial management roles, shifting their retirement coverage from a savings-based system to a guaranteed-benefit plan.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a property tax exemption for New Jersey veterans with service-connected disabilities, calculated proportionally to their disability rating (e.g., 50% disability = 50% exemption). It directly affects veterans declared by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to have a service-connected disability of at least 30% (or deemed unemployable due to such disability), and their surviving spouses under specific conditions. The state will reimburse municipalities 102% of the tax revenue lost from these exemptions, with a $10,000 cap for partial exemptions (below 100% disability).

Maddy summaryS 2014 establishes a New Jersey Department of Education grant program to reimburse full-time public school teachers for classroom supply expenses, directly affecting teachers in all public school districts. Teachers may receive up to $250 annually for eligible items like books, computers, or classroom materials (excluding physical education supplies), with reimbursement requiring submission of receipts to their school district. Unused funds after initial reimbursements cover teachers who spent over $250, with remaining balances carried forward to the next school year. The program is funded exclusively through federal pandemic relief funds (e.g., the American Rescue Plan Act), not state budget dollars.

Maddy summaryS 2015 requires most New Jersey employers to provide up to two full paid workdays for employees to attend their children's school events (like conferences or meetings), in addition to existing earned sick leave. Employers offering this benefit would receive tax credits equal to the wages paid during those days, reducing their corporate or income tax liability. The tax credits are capped at $10 million annually, with reports to the legislature on program usage. The bill is pending and would take effect in 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how revenue from casino hotel parking fees in Atlantic City is allocated. Currently, casinos charge $3.00 daily for parking, with $2.50 going to the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) fund and $0.50 to the Casino Revenue Fund. S 2066 requires all $3.00 per parking fee to be directed entirely to the CRDA, expanding its permitted uses to fund projects across Atlantic City (not just the "corridor region") for infrastructure, public safety, or economic development. This directly affects casino hotels (as fee collectors), the CRDA (as the sole recipient), and Atlantic City residents through potential improvements funded by the full parking revenue.

Maddy summaryS 2054 allows New Jersey county commissioners to create a "Sharing Resources" program that provides grants and loans to municipalities within their county. This program funds feasibility studies, consultant fees, and one-time startup costs for shared services agreements, joint meeting contracts, or municipal consolidation - excluding costs covered by debt or capital leases. County boards can set funding limits to ensure cost-effectiveness and may receive state, federal, or private funds to support the program. It directly affects local municipalities exploring efficiency measures, with the Commissioner of Community Affairs establishing application guidelines. The bill enables counties to proactively support local government collaboration through financial assistance.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a refundable tax credit for New Jersey renters who use their rental unit as their primary residence. It replaces an existing tax deduction with a direct credit equal to 30% of rent paid for residential rental property (capped at $15,000 annually), effectively reducing the renter's tax bill dollar-for-dollar. The credit applies to tenants in standard rental units (not condos, co-ops, or manufactured homes in parks), targeting those whose rent includes property taxes. This policy directly benefits low-to-moderate income renters by providing immediate tax relief instead of a future deduction.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the definition of "child" under New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) and State Police Retirement System (SPRS). It adds two specific scenarios: children aged 18+ enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester at a college or university, and children of any age with a documented disability preventing substantial gainful work for 12+ months. These changes directly affect the children of retired or deceased police officers and firefighters who previously might not have qualified for benefits under the old definition. The bill modifies eligibility criteria for retirement benefits but does not change benefit amounts or other system mechanics.