Sen. Jon Bramnick

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits any entity receiving a grant from the New Jersey State Council on Arts from scheduling in-person or online educational courses, classes, or lectures on days when local schools are closed for a religious holiday. The restriction applies for 12 months after receiving the grant and covers all public courses - whether fee-based or free. It specifically targets the scheduling of educational programming offered by grantees during school closures for religious holidays. The law applies to all courses requiring attendance (in-person or online) held within the school district where the grantee operates.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a third-degree crime to deliberately damage or deface military monuments in New Jersey. It specifically targets monuments erected to honor military personnel or commemorate battles, defining "desecrate" as defacing, damaging, or polluting such sites. The law elevates penalties for harming these monuments from a disorderly persons offense to a criminal offense, with third-degree crimes carrying potential jail time. It directly affects anyone who intentionally damages these specific types of monuments, which include war memorials and military cemeteries.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to annually pay municipalities $75,000 for each low- or moderate-income housing unit they commit to providing, as certified through their housing plans under the Fair Housing Act (P.L.1985, c.222). It directly affects municipalities that comply with state affordable housing obligations, addressing their unfunded infrastructure costs (like roads, schools, and water systems) tied to housing development. Payments are deposited into a dedicated Local Infrastructure and Planning Fund and distributed equally over 10 years per housing obligation round, starting in 2026. Funds can cover infrastructure planning, compliance costs, or operational/capital expenses for public facilities affected by affordable housing projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3125) raises the mandatory medical expense benefit limit in New Jersey auto insurance policies from $15,000 to $250,000 per person per accident. It eliminates lower-cost insurance options that previously offered reduced coverage and requires all standard and basic auto insurance policies to include this higher medical benefit level. The change directly affects all auto insurance policyholders in New Jersey, ensuring broader coverage for medical treatment after accidents. Key provisions include specific exceptions for severe injuries (like brain/spinal cord trauma) and requirements for referrals for physical therapy and acupuncture to qualify for coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes the "New Jersey Kratom Consumer Protection Act," which would regulate kratom products sold in the state. It directly affects kratom retailers (stores selling kratom) and manufacturers by requiring clear product labeling showing mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine content, banning sales to anyone under 21 with strict ID verification (including age-checking devices), and prohibiting products mixed with harmful substances or exceeding 2% of a specific alkaloid. Key provisions include banning kratom products with synthetic compounds, unsafe solvent levels, or undisclosed ingredients, and imposing civil penalties up to $1,000 for violations. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Commerce Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the minimum tax requirement for New Jersey S corporations. It removes the "alternative minimum assessment" that previously applied to these entities, meaning they will no longer be subject to a baseline tax payment regardless of their income level. The change specifically targets S corporations (pass-through entities where profits are taxed at the shareholder level), which are currently subject to this minimum tax under Section 5 of New Jersey's corporation business tax code. The bill amends the tax code to explicitly state that no minimum tax will apply to S corporations, investment companies, or certain professional or cooperative entities. This is a direct policy change affecting small to mid-sized New Jersey S corporations by reducing their tax burden.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1002) creates a disorderly persons offense for individuals who falsely claim to be public utility employees to gain entry into a residence, without possessing a legitimate utility ID badge or having authorization to access property. It directly affects people who impersonate utility workers to enter homes and homeowners who might be deceived by such claims. The key provision makes it illegal to verbally misrepresent this status when entering a residence, based on a recent incident where an impersonator gained access and became aggressive. The law aims to enhance security by closing a gap in existing rules that only addressed false badges, not verbal deception. (Note: Bill is pending, introduced January 2026.)

Maddy summaryThis bill removes an existing exception in New Jersey's Smoke-Free Air Act that allowed smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities. Currently, the law permits smoking in areas of casinos with at least 150 slot machines or 10 table games, and in simulcasting facilities with dedicated seating for 50+ patrons. The bill deletes this exception from the statute, meaning smoking would be prohibited in all indoor public areas of these facilities under the general smoke-free law. It directly affects casinos and simulcasting venues that currently operate under the smoking exemption.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1000) adds current members of the New Jersey State Legislature to the list of people authorized to perform weddings and civil unions in New Jersey. It directly affects all active state legislators, allowing them to solemnize marriages or civil unions during their term in office. The bill amends existing law to explicitly include legislators alongside judges, mayors, clergy, and certified civil celebrants. It does not change the certification requirements for civil celebrants, which remain separate. The bill is pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee and would take effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 960) modifies New Jersey's automobile insurance law to remove a legal limitation on lawsuits for non-economic damages (like pain, suffering, or emotional distress) when an accident is caused by a drunk driver. Specifically, it states that the standard "limitation on lawsuit option" does not apply if the at-fault driver was convicted of operating a vehicle while intoxicated (under N.J.S. 39:4-50 or similar laws). This means victims of drunk driving accidents can pursue full compensation for non-economic losses, rather than being restricted to insurance benefits under the usual rules. The change directly affects victims in these specific drunk driving cases and insurers/defendants facing such claims.