Sen. Joe Cryan

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2428) adjusts the New Jersey veterans' income tax exemption amount to keep pace with inflation. It directly affects honorably discharged veterans who qualify under state law, increasing their current $6,000 exemption annually based on the Chained Consumer Price Index (C-CPI-U). The exemption will automatically rise each year if the C-CPI-U increases from the previous year's 12-month period ending August 31, but remain unchanged if inflation is flat. This change applies to tax years starting in 2023 and beyond.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1487) requires colleges and universities - including public institutions and licensed proprietary schools - to notify the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority when the federal government approves a student loan discharge under "borrower defense" (where students get federal loans canceled due to school misconduct). Specifically, institutions must report these federal discharges to the Authority’s Executive Director and indicate if the student was a New Jersey resident during enrollment. The bill aims to help the Authority track discharges for New Jersey residents but does not change federal loan policies. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill waives the 15-day waiting period for terminally ill patients in New Jersey who, based on reasonable medical certainty, are not expected to survive 15 days. It directly affects qualified terminally ill patients seeking medical aid in dying under the existing 2019 law. The waiver applies only when a physician documents the medical basis for the patient's limited survival timeframe, while retaining the 48-hour waiting period after a written request. The law does not change other requirements like two oral requests or physician consultations about palliative care options.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey residents who graduated from an in-state high school or college to deduct all their wage income from state income tax for two consecutive years after graduation. It directly affects recent graduates who live in New Jersey for the entire tax year of the deduction. To qualify, graduates must have earned a diploma from a New Jersey high school or a bachelor’s degree from a New Jersey public or private institution meeting specific accreditation standards. The deduction applies to all salaries, wages, and other earnings received during those two years, with no income limit.

Maddy summaryS 813 requires New Jersey public colleges and universities to post bias intimidation statistics and related policy information on their websites. It mandates these institutions to adopt a formal policy prohibiting bias intimidation (defined as offenses targeting protected characteristics like race or religion), including disciplinary procedures and reporting mechanisms. The bill also requires first-year students to complete a course module covering bias intimidation prevention, statistics, and campus resources. These requirements apply to all public institutions seeking state student aid funds, aiming to increase transparency and prevention efforts on campus.

Maddy summaryS 1348 would have established a Farmland Assessment Review Commission within New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to annually review the state's farmland assessment program. The commission would have evaluated program eligibility (affecting over 37,000 farmland properties), benefits distribution, inspection requirements, and potential fee structures for landowners. It aimed to ensure fair, uniform statewide application and address issues like benefit allocation based on farm sales data. This bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was superseded by enacted legislation (P.L.2025, c.274).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) to adopt the Attorney General's most recent "Internal Affairs Policy and Procedures" for handling internal investigations of state law enforcement. It also mandates that OPIA submit detailed reports to the Legislature for any investigation taking over 180 days, summarizing all actions taken during that time. The bill directly affects OPIA (which investigates misconduct by state law enforcement) and the Legislature (which receives the reports). These provisions aim to standardize internal investigation procedures and increase transparency for ongoing cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public colleges and universities in New Jersey to create campus food waste reduction programs. The programs must redirect unused food from dining halls, events, and facilities to local food security programs like soup kitchens and pantries, while following all food safety standards. Institutions must also submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature detailing their contributions and post these reports online. The law aims to reduce food waste while supporting community food assistance efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public employees' contributions to flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to follow the same annual inflation-adjusted limit as federal law. It applies to all state, local government, and school district employees who participate in employer-sponsored FSAs for medical/dental expenses. The key provision mandates that the contribution limit - currently $3,200 for 2024 - be updated yearly to match the federal inflation-adjusted amount, rather than using a fixed state limit. This ensures public employees' FSA benefits stay aligned with federal tax code standards.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1455 prohibits colleges, career schools, and third-party recruiters from misleading service members or veterans about tuition costs, federal education benefits (like the Post-9/11 GI Bill), or financial aid terms. It requires the state to create a public awareness campaign explaining how veterans can verify GI Bill eligibility, confirm benefit applicability at institutions, and access additional financial aid. The law directly affects educational institutions and recruiters who serve military-connected students. It focuses on ensuring accurate information about existing federal benefits rather than creating new programs. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.