Maddy summarySCR 116 is a procedural resolution establishing a "Joint Legislative Statesmanship Task Force" to promote civility in New Jersey schools. The 12-member task force, appointed equally from both legislative parties, will annually visit K-12 schools across urban, suburban, and rural areas to discuss practical civility - sharing examples of respectful disagreement and collaborative problem-solving in legislative work. It directly affects students by providing classroom discussions on applying civility in daily interactions, conflict resolution, and digital communication, using legislators' own experiences as real-world examples. The resolution does not create new curriculum requirements but focuses on experiential learning through direct engagement with students.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill reclassifies golf caddies as independent contractors under New Jersey state law, meaning they are no longer considered employees for certain purposes. It specifically exempts caddies performing services for compensation on golf courses from coverage under state unemployment compensation, disability benefits, income tax, workers' compensation, and wage laws. As a result, caddies would not qualify for benefits like unemployment insurance or workers' comp, and their compensation would not be subject to certain employment-related taxes. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Maddy summaryThis non-binding Senate resolution (SR 143) urges the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife to reduce the state's coyote population. It cites increased coyote sightings across all 21 counties since 1980, growing urban interactions, and risks including disease transmission and habituation from human feeding that may lead to attacks on people and pets. The resolution specifically requests the Division take action to address these concerns but does not create new laws or funding. It is a formal recommendation, not a legislative mandate.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 15-member "Task Force on Scams and Fraud" within New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety. The task force will study scams and fraud targeting residents - especially seniors and vulnerable populations - review current prevention efforts, and develop recommendations to improve coordination between government, law enforcement, and businesses. It will also advise on public reporting methods, identify funding sources for fraud prevention, and propose legislative changes to strengthen victim support. The task force must submit a report within one year and dissolve 30 days after submission.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A5049) removes a current restriction that allows the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) to withhold retirement or death benefits from members if they are involved in pending civil lawsuits related to their employment. It specifically prohibits the PFRS Board from delaying benefits due to such civil litigation, though it maintains the ability to withhold benefits for members facing criminal charges or administrative dismissal. The bill requires the Board to adjust benefits after any legal case concludes, rather than holding payments indefinitely during litigation. This change directly affects current and future PFRS members who are involved in employment-related civil disputes.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires mold inspection and remediation contractors in New Jersey to register annually with the Division of Consumer Affairs. It mandates registration for anyone performing mold inspection or remediation work, including a $500,000 minimum commercial general liability insurance requirement for those not already covered under existing regulations. Contractors are prohibited from conducting both mold inspections and remediation work at the same property, with violations carrying penalties up to $5,000 for first offenses and $10,000 for repeat violations, plus $10,000-$25,000 for false statements. The law directly affects businesses providing mold-related services, aiming to ensure accountability and consumer protection in this specialized field.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey National Guard members who have completed initial training and are in good standing to transfer their existing tuition benefit to a spouse or dependent child. The recipient must be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at a New Jersey public college or university and have applied for all other available state and federal financial aid. The member can only transfer the benefit to one person, and the recipient must meet the same enrollment and financial aid application requirements as the Guard member themselves. This amendment modifies existing tuition benefits under N.J.S.18A:62-24 to expand eligibility to family members.
Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for New Jersey taxpayers to file amended tax returns and claim refunds for overpayments related to military pension or survivor benefit payments. Currently, taxpayers must file within 3 years of filing their return or paying tax; this bill changes that to a 10-year window for these specific errors. It directly affects military retirees or survivors who mistakenly reported exempt military benefits as taxable income on their New Jersey returns. The key change allows taxpayers to correct these reporting errors and recover overpaid taxes up to 10 years after the original filing or payment date.
Maddy summaryThis bill extends the time teachers can be away from service while maintaining membership in New Jersey's Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF). It increases the standard discontinuance period from two to seven years, and extends the return-to-service window to 25 years for teachers who were laid off or voluntarily left with 10 or more years of service. Teachers returning within these extended timeframes will be re-enrolled in the TPAF at their previous tier with no additional contributions required. The changes apply to all current and future TPAF members who meet the specified conditions.
Maddy summaryThe "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act" (S 3309) requires used car dealers to check for open recalls on vehicles before sale using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website and provide prospective buyers with printed recall information if any are found. Dealers cannot sell vehicles subject to stop-sale or do-not-drive notices issued by NHTSA. The bill mandates dealers to report vehicles with unresolved recalls (for which repairs remain uncompleted six months after initial notice) to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission every 180 days, prompting the Commission to send notices directly to vehicle owners. For vehicles with unavailable parts for recalls, dealers receive monthly compensation equal to 1.75% of the vehicle's value until repairs are completed.