Sen. Vince Polistina

Maddy summaryS 168 provides tuition-free credits for eligible retired New Jersey law enforcement officers and firefighters who retired due to service-related injuries, as well as for their spouses and dependent children. Retirees can take up to 16 tuition-free credits per semester (max 8 semesters) at public or private degree-granting colleges, after applying for all available federal and state financial aid. Dependents of officers/firefighters who died in the line of duty also qualify for the same tuition benefit, with spouses who already hold bachelor's degrees eligible for graduate studies (excluding medical/law programs). The state reimburses institutions for waived tuition costs not covered by existing grants or scholarships.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 855) amends election law to clarify police presence near polling places. It specifically allows police officers to travel to, remain at, or work from a police station located within 100 feet of a polling place during election-related duties. The bill also permits Class Three special law enforcement officers (defined under existing law) to be assigned to polling places at public schools for security. These changes update prior restrictions that generally prohibited police from being within 100 feet of polling places, except for emergencies or specific election tasks. The bill directly affects election operations, police assignments, and polling place security protocols.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2128) exempts local utilities from specific reporting requirements related to pandemic impacts. It removes the obligation for entities like municipal sewer, water, or utility authorities (defined as "local utilities") to submit detailed quarterly reports on customer disconnections, arrears, assistance programs, and financial data. The exemption applies to the reporting rules established in P.L.2022, c.107, which previously required these reports during the pandemic response period. This change directly affects local utilities that provide essential services but are not regulated by the Board of Public Utilities. The bill does not alter utility rates or customer service requirements, only the administrative reporting burden.

Maddy summaryS 167 creates new offenses targeting threats against New Jersey election officials and workers, making it a disorderly persons offense to intimidate them in writing or electronically while performing duties. It also establishes a process allowing election workers (like county clerks or voting staff) to request removal of their personal information - such as home addresses, phone numbers, or photos - from public internet records if they face an imminent safety threat. Workers must submit written requests with evidence of threat to the Division of Elections, which must then remove the information. The bill directly affects election workers and officials by strengthening protections against harassment and enabling privacy safeguards.

Maddy summaryS 156 establishes a three-year pilot program in New Jersey to help 12th-grade students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) correctly. It requires participating school districts to provide students with at least one mandatory session before 12th grade covering required documents, FAFSA terms, eligibility, and deadlines - delivered through classroom instruction or counselor sessions. Parents or guardians of 12th graders must also receive written or electronic FAFSA guidance, and schools must provide paper FAFSA forms upon request. The program will test in 12 school districts (four per region) across urban, suburban, and rural areas, with a final report assessing statewide feasibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 152) changes how unclaimed funds in inactive New Jersey Internet gaming accounts are handled. It requires that amounts left in accounts inactive for three years become "unclaimed property" under New Jersey's existing unclaimed property law (N.J.S.A. 46:30B-1 et seq.), instead of the current practice of splitting them 50/50 between the casino and the casino control fund. Before closing such accounts, casinos must attempt to contact account holders via mail, phone, or computer. The bill directly affects online gamblers with dormant accounts, casinos, and the state’s unclaimed property system, which will now manage these funds. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts from New Jersey's sales tax the maintenance, servicing, or repair of aircraft (including related machinery, equipment, and replacement parts) when performed within a designated "Aviation District" around Atlantic City International Airport. It directly affects businesses providing these services to qualifying air carriers operating large aircraft (6,000+ pounds takeoff weight) that conduct interstate or international flights. The exemption applies to both labor charges for services and sales of parts/materials used in aircraft maintenance within the defined district. The district includes the airport itself and a one-mile radius around it, aiming to support aviation industry growth in an area historically reliant on tourism and casinos. This is a concrete tax policy change, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Maddy summaryS 1060 requires New Jersey public schools to create policies for emergency treatment of students with seizure disorders. Specifically, schools must develop protocols allowing trained staff to administer nasal seizure rescue medication and use manual vagus nerve stimulators when a school nurse isn't present. The policy mandates that school nurses train at least two volunteer staff members, obtain written parental consent, and ensure schools provide liability protections for staff acting in good faith. These policies must align with guidelines developed by the Department of Education and Department of Health, and require hospital transport after emergency treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an independent Office of Inspector General specifically for New Jersey's veterans' facilities, directly affecting veterans' care facilities, their residents, and staff. The office will investigate complaints about facility safety and care quality, conduct inspections, and refer criminal cases to prosecutors, operating without oversight from the Department of Law and Public Safety. Key provisions include the Governor appointing a qualified inspector general for a five-year term, the power to subpoena witnesses and documents, and requiring state agencies to cooperate with investigations. The office aims to ensure safety and quality in facilities serving veterans, defined as state-run nursing homes and long-term care facilities licensed for veterans' care.

Maddy summaryS 153 directs New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education to study why high school graduates choose out-of-state colleges over New Jersey institutions. The study will survey students, review academic and socioeconomic factors, compare college rankings, and consult guidance counselors. It requires a report within 18 months detailing the outmigration's extent, causes, and potential state actions to address it. This bill affects the state's higher education leadership and aims to inform future policy decisions.