Sen. Vince Polistina

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program to help New Jersey public colleges and universities host scientific conferences and seminars. It appropriates $250,000 from the state General Fund to cover costs like venue rentals, speaker fees, travel, and lodging for these events. Grants cannot be used for food or unrelated vendor expenses. The program is administered by the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, with applications requiring event details and speaker information.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the Governor's power to declare and extend state of emergency or public health emergency declarations in New Jersey. It requires the Legislature to approve any extension of these declarations, with automatic termination after 60 days for state emergencies (or 30 days for public health emergencies) unless approved by a majority vote of both legislative chambers. The Governor must notify the Legislature in writing at least seven business days before seeking an extension, detailing the ongoing threat. The bill also prohibits the Governor from issuing identical declarations for the same emergency after termination without specific legislative authorization.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school districts receiving "commercial valuation stabilization aid" and located in municipalities under state fiscal oversight (like Atlantic City) to report weekly directly to the State Director of Local Government Services. It grants this Director authority to review and approve school district spending, including funds managed by a State monitor appointed for the district. The law aims to coordinate existing state oversight of municipal and school district finances under separate laws. These changes apply immediately to qualifying districts, ensuring the State Director oversees spending efficiency.

Maddy summaryS 154 creates the New Jersey Higher Education Student Advisory Commission, composed of 15 student members representing all higher education sectors in the state - including public colleges, research universities, county colleges, independent institutions, and proprietary schools. Students apply through the Secretary of Higher Education, with appointments requiring leadership experience and institutional recommendations. The commission advises the Secretary on student concerns and annually reports to the legislative Higher Education Committees, including recommendations for potential policy changes. It directly affects students across New Jersey’s higher education system by providing a formal channel for their input on education policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a 100% gross income tax credit for "A-list" performing artists (determined annually by the Secretary of State based on national rankings) who perform live at least four times yearly within New Jersey's Atlantic City Tourism District. The credit covers income from these performances, effectively exempting it from state income tax when calculated at the highest marginal rate. It also allows the credit to apply to performances in other New Jersey locations. Taxpayers must obtain prior written approval from the Division of Taxation, with automatic approval if the process exceeds 90 days. The credit applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2015, and later.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that if the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) sells or leases the Atlantic City International Airport, the sale or lease agreement must preserve all existing employee benefits and rights. It directly affects SJTA employees whose jobs would transfer to a new owner, ensuring they retain pension credits, civil service status, and accrued benefits like sick leave and vacation time. The bill mandates that new agreements only replace current contracts after they expire or are mutually revised, and existing employee representatives must continue serving until employees elect new ones. This prevents any loss of benefits or status during ownership changes.

Maddy summaryS 160 requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to issue only one license plate per vehicle for most cars and motorcycles, replacing the current requirement of two plates (front and rear). It directly affects all New Jersey vehicle owners who register cars or motorcycles, allowing those currently issued two plates to return one to the MVC and display a single plate on the rear. The bill amends existing law to remove the front plate requirement and specifies that the single plate must be clearly visible on the rear, while maintaining current visibility rules. This change applies to new registrations and existing owners who return a second plate under the transition provision.

Maddy summaryS 592 establishes a new third-degree crime called "gang assault" in New Jersey. It makes it a crime punishable by up to 5 years in prison or a $15,000 fine when someone, aided by two or more others present, intentionally causes bodily injury (defined as physical pain, illness, or impairment of physical condition) to another person or a third person. The bill models this offense after a similar provision in New York law and would take effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates two tax benefits in New Jersey. First, it permanently exempts from sales tax retail purchases of specific school-related items bought by individuals for personal use, including computers under $3,000, school supplies (like notebooks and pencils), art supplies, and instructional materials. Second, it allows eligible K-12 teachers to deduct up to $500 annually from their gross income for unreimbursed classroom supply expenses, such as books, computers, or lab equipment. The sales tax exemption applies to all sales after the fourth month following enactment, replacing the temporary annual "back-to-school" tax holiday. It directly affects individual consumers buying school items and public/private school teachers purchasing classroom materials.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) to finance transportation projects connecting Atlantic City Airport to the Atlantic City Tourism District. It directly affects the CRDA, which would manage these projects, and the Tourism District, defined as areas primarily serving tourism (including casinos, convention centers, and adjacent properties). The key provision allows the CRDA to fund transportation infrastructure improvements between these two locations. The bill does not create new taxes or alter existing district boundaries but enables CRDA to use its existing authority for this specific transportation purpose.