Sen. Vince Polistina

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new "County Tourism Incentive Grant Fund" within New Jersey's Department of Treasury. The fund will use excess state hotel and motel occupancy tax revenues (those exceeding budgeted amounts) to provide annual grants to counties for tourism advertising and promotion. Counties must apply by October 1 each year, detail how funds will be used for tourism marketing, and agree not to reduce existing tourism funding. Grants are calculated based on each county's share of statewide hotel tax revenue, with strict rules requiring repayment if funds are misused or used to replace current tourism budgets. The program begins in fiscal year 2024 and applies to all eligible counties.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 2062) requires businesses offering automatic renewals or continuous services to clearly disclose terms before charging consumers. It mandates that businesses: (1) present renewal terms in plain language before agreement, including post-trial pricing; (2) obtain explicit consent before charging; and (3) provide easy cancellation methods online or via toll-free numbers. The law treats goods sent without consent as unconditional gifts, requiring full refunds if charged. It directly affects businesses selling subscriptions or ongoing services to New Jersey consumers.

Maddy summaryBill S 2002 establishes a 11-member New Jersey Higher Education Funding Formula Commission to study and recommend a new funding model for the state's colleges and universities. The commission will examine funding approaches used in other states, collect data from all New Jersey institutions (including medical, law, and graduate schools) on their needs and operations, and develop a proposed funding formula. It must submit its final report with recommendations to the Governor and legislative committees within six months of its first meeting, after which the commission will dissolve. This bill creates a procedural process for reviewing higher education funding but does not implement any new funding changes itself.

Maddy summaryS 1754 increases annual payments from New Jersey's Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund to municipalities over two years. It directly affects all municipalities receiving these state funds, requiring them to reduce their property tax levies by the full amount of the increased aid. The bill mandates that any additional aid distributed under this fund must be subtracted from the municipality's annual property tax levy, preventing local governments from using the extra funds to raise taxes. This policy change ensures that state aid directly lowers the property tax burden on residents and businesses in affected municipalities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public and independent colleges and universities to maintain a supply of opioid antidotes (like naloxone) in secure, accessible locations. It mandates that institutions develop emergency policies allowing licensed medical staff and trained employees to administer antidotes to anyone showing signs of an opioid overdose, including students, staff, or visitors. The policies must require trained personnel to administer antidotes in good faith, then arrange immediate transport to a hospital via emergency services. Institutions must also provide required training on overdose response protocols, with liability protection for good-faith actions under the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for retirement benefits in New Jersey's state-administered retirement systems. It directly affects current and future retirees, including state employees and teachers, by requiring their benefits to increase each year to match inflation without needing separate legislative action. The key mechanism establishes a permanent automatic adjustment process tied to inflation data, eliminating the need for annual budget amendments. This change ensures retirees' purchasing power remains aligned with rising living costs over time.

Maddy summaryS 1998 requires New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education to study why high school graduates choose out-of-state colleges over in-state options. The study will survey students, compare academic/socioeconomic factors between in-state and out-of-state students, review the quality of out-of-state schools, and consult guidance counselors. It must analyze factors like New Jersey's small size and students' desire for independence. The Secretary must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 18 months. This bill affects New Jersey high school graduates and state education leadership, focusing solely on gathering data to understand the trend.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's school bus stop laws to authorize the use of school bus monitoring systems for enforcement. It directly affects drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses (including those transporting children or individuals with developmental disabilities) and school districts/municipalities that install such systems. Key provisions establish that violations captured by these systems result in a $250 civil penalty (instead of criminal penalties), with collected funds directed to municipal and school safety programs. The bill also clarifies that registered vehicle owners are presumed responsible for violations recorded by the systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-funded grant program to support new apprenticeships in New Jersey's wind energy and nuclear power industries. It provides grants to eligible organizations (like businesses, schools, or nonprofits) that partner with industry sponsors and meet federal accreditation standards for apprenticeship programs. Applicants must demonstrate workforce needs, recruitment plans, and financial commitments, with grants to be awarded starting in 2025. The program requires annual reporting on enrollment, completion rates, and job placements to evaluate effectiveness, aiming to address skilled labor gaps in these clean energy sectors.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2005) changes New Jersey's license plate law to require only one plate per vehicle, displayed on the rear instead of the front and rear. It directly affects all New Jersey vehicle owners currently required to display two plates. The bill amends state law to specify that the single plate must be placed on the rear, and allows owners who received two plates before the law takes effect to return one to the Motor Vehicle Commission. The bill is pending in the Senate Transportation Committee and has not yet been enacted.