Sen. Jon Bramnick

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 591) removes a long-standing ban preventing retired New Jersey judges from practicing law while receiving a pension or retirement allowance from the Judicial Retirement System. It amends state law to allow retired judges to engage in legal practice before New Jersey courts, directly affecting judges who have retired but wish to continue legal work. The key change deletes the existing prohibition in Section 13(a) of the law, with the Supreme Court retaining authority to establish rules governing such practice. The bill does not alter pension amounts or create new financial obligations for the state.

Maddy summaryS 572 protects New Jersey residents who report terrorism-related crimes to law enforcement by granting them immunity from civil lawsuits. It applies when someone reports in good faith about specific terrorism crimes, including terrorism itself, possession of weapons of mass destruction, material support for terrorism, or terroristic threats. The immunity covers reports to law enforcement officials but does not apply if the report was made with bad faith or malicious intent. This bill directly affects the public by removing legal risks for sharing information about terrorism threats, aiming to encourage reporting without fear of civil liability.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's civil service rules to clarify that veterans (including disabled veterans) who meet either federal or New Jersey's state definition of veteran qualify for civil service preference. It directly affects veterans seeking state government jobs by ensuring they are recognized under the broader, aligned definitions. The key change amends the law to reference both federal and state veteran criteria, removing ambiguity about eligibility. This ensures veterans who served under recognized conditions - such as World War II, Korea, Vietnam, or other conflicts - can access hiring preferences when applying for state civil service positions. The bill focuses on standardizing definitions, not creating new benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 578) requires New Jersey public school districts to update their anti-bullying policies with specific new elements. It mandates schools to investigate bullying incidents within 30 school days (up from 10), provide parents in writing with detailed investigation results - including evidence findings and disciplinary actions - within 5 school days after the school board meeting, and explain student rights during investigations. The policy must include clear reporting procedures (allowing anonymous reports but not using them for discipline alone), define bullying broadly, and outline response options like counseling or referrals to the Bullying Prevention Fund. These changes directly affect all public school students, parents/guardians, school staff, and administrators in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2268) requires auto insurers in New Jersey to ensure consumers consult with a licensed insurance agent before purchasing a motor vehicle liability insurance policy. If sold online without consultation, insurers must provide a clear cost-benefit analysis of the policy to the consumer beforehand. The bill applies to all auto insurers authorized in New Jersey (excluding specific residual market entities) and directs the Department of Banking and Insurance to define acceptable consultation methods and cost-benefit analyses. It does not take effect until enacted, as it was introduced in the Senate on January 9, 2024, and referred to the Commerce Committee. The measure aims to ensure consumers understand policy terms before purchasing.

Maddy summaryThis bill would increase New Jersey's property tax deduction for seniors and disabled residents, raising the annual income limit from $10,000 to $25,000 and the deduction amount from $250 to $500 per year. It directly affects eligible residents aged 65+ or permanently disabled individuals with income under $25,000 who own or rent their homes. The changes, which have not updated since 1983, would take effect only after voters approve a constitutional amendment. The bill amends existing law (N.J.S.A. 54:4-8.41) to reflect these new limits.

Maddy summaryS 573 makes it a misdemeanor for someone to falsely claim to be a public utility employee solely to gain entry into a residence, provided they don't have the required official badge or authority to access utility property. The bill specifically targets individuals who verbally misrepresent their status (without using a fake badge) to enter homes, as seen in a recent New Jersey incident where an impersonator demanded access and became aggressive. It amends existing law to address gaps where fake verbal claims, rather than fake badges, were previously not criminalized. This directly affects people who impersonate utility workers to access private residences, creating a new enforcement tool for such deceptive conduct.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey school districts to create a "school property tax relief trust fund" through board resolution. School boards may accept donations (including bequests, legacies, and gifts) to deposit into this fund, which must be used exclusively to reduce local property taxes paid by residents in the district. The fund requires a non-board member trustee to manage assets, notify tax collectors of annual funding amounts, and directly offset property tax levies. It affects all school districts in New Jersey and their property taxpayers by providing a new mechanism to lower local tax burdens using private donations, without impacting state aid eligibility.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 566 bill reclassifies threats of violence against prosecutors, law enforcement officers, or their immediate family members (including spouses, children, parents, or cohabiting relatives) as a second-degree crime. This change means offenders convicted of such threats must serve 85% of their prison sentence before becoming eligible for parole, per the "No Early Release Act." The law specifically targets threats made with intent to cause immediate fear of harm to these individuals or their families. It applies to all threats meeting this definition, increasing penalties for crimes previously classified as third-degree.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's auto insurance law to remove a legal exemption for drunk drivers in personal injury lawsuits. Under current law, victims generally cannot sue for "noneconomic losses" (like pain and suffering) unless they suffer severe injuries. This bill specifically states that the exemption does not apply when an accident is caused by a driver convicted of operating under the influence (OUI) under state or similar laws. It directly affects victims of drunk driving accidents who would otherwise be barred from seeking compensation for non-monetary damages. The change applies automatically upon conviction for OUI, without requiring additional proof from the victim.