Sen. Vince Polistina

Maddy summaryThis bill upgrades the crime of trespassing on casino gaming property from a minor offense to a fourth-degree crime in New Jersey. It directly affects individuals who knowingly enter or remain on licensed casinos and hotel complexes without permission. The legislation amends existing state statutes to list casinos alongside other high-security locations, such as schools and power plants, where unauthorized entry carries heavier penalties. By reclassifying this specific act, the bill increases the legal consequences for unauthorized access to these regulated facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the capital reserve funding requirements for homeowners associations in planned real estate developments in New Jersey. It mandates that these associations conduct professional reserve studies every five years to assess the costs of maintaining and repairing common building areas. The studies must include detailed financial projections, such as a 30- or 35-year funding plan that allows the reserve fund balance to reach zero at the end of the period, and they must be reviewed by licensed engineers, architects, or credentialed specialists. Additionally, the bill exempts associations with less than $25,000 in total common area capital assets from these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill restructures the governance of New Jersey's State Health Benefits Program by creating a new 13-member State Health Benefits Commission. The commission will include existing state officials, representatives from local and higher education employers, and members appointed by various public employee unions, including specific seats for police and firefighters. It also establishes a process for selecting an independent expert to advise on health plan design while ensuring the commission operates with a majority vote requirement. The legislation mandates that commission members serve without pay but receive expense reimbursement, and it requires the commission to publish an annual financial report for public review.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the New Jersey Child Tax Credit to include resident taxpayers with children between the ages of six and 11, whereas the current law only covers children under six. The credit provides a tax reduction of up to $1,000 per child for households earning $30,000 or less, with the amount decreasing as income rises, and it phases out completely for families earning over $80,000. Effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, the legislation also clarifies that the credit is refundable and will not count as income for determining eligibility for other state assistance programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey's Division of Gaming Enforcement to join a national self-exclusion program, enabling gamblers to voluntarily exclude themselves from casinos across multiple states using a single form. It requires the division to create rules and forms for this participation, ensuring individuals can select which states they want excluded from and must give explicit consent before sharing their information. The bill protects casinos from liability if they follow self-exclusion protocols and keeps the list confidential from public view. It directly affects individuals seeking to restrict their access to gambling venues in multiple jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey residents to claim a state tax deduction for theft losses that are also deductible on their federal tax returns. It directly affects individuals who suffer financial losses from crimes such as larceny, embezzlement, or fraudulent schemes like investment scams. The key provision ensures that the amount of the state deduction matches the federal deduction allowed under the Internal Revenue Code, provided the loss is not already offset by other income calculations. By aligning state rules with federal standards, the legislation simplifies the process for victims of theft to reduce their taxable income.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the law governing the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) to require that at least three of the six members appointed by the Governor be residents of Atlantic County. The CRDA is the agency responsible for overseeing investment and development projects in Atlantic City, and this change directly affects the composition of its board of directors. Under the new provision, the residency requirement applies only to appointments made after the bill becomes effective, meaning current board members are not required to relocate. The legislation aims to ensure local representation on the board without altering the existing appointment process or the total number of seats.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2064) changes New Jersey law to allow soil conservation districts to have more than five supervisors. Currently, each district must have exactly five supervisors appointed by the State Soil Conservation Committee. The bill authorizes the Committee to set the maximum number of supervisors for each district based on local needs, rather than requiring a fixed five. This change directly affects soil conservation districts across the state, giving them flexibility in local governance.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2579) extends New Jersey's in-state tuition eligibility to spouses and dependents of active-duty military service members when the service member is transferred to another state. It ensures that if a military spouse or dependent was already enrolled in a New Jersey public college or university before the transfer, they can continue to qualify for in-state tuition rates - provided they maintain continuous enrollment at the same institution. The law directly affects military-connected students who face relocation due to service, preventing them from losing affordable tuition status during temporary relocations. It builds on existing protections for military dependents who attended New Jersey high school for three years.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish a public awareness and education program about Alzheimer's disease. The program must promote awareness of symptoms, early detection, and community resources through a public campaign, educational materials for healthcare providers, and specialized training for first responders, judicial staff, and social services personnel. It specifically mandates DHS to develop content covering disease symptoms, coping strategies, safety concerns, and treatment options, making this information available online in English and Spanish. The initiative directly affects New Jersey residents living with Alzheimer's, their caregivers, and the state's healthcare, emergency response, and legal systems. DHS may accept grants to fund the program but is required to implement it regardless of funding availability.