Sen. Doug Steinhardt

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits of active and retired New Jersey State Police members enrolled in the State Police Retirement System (SPRS). It amends existing laws (P.L.1965, c.89 and P.L.1958, c.143) to restore annual benefit increases that adjust for inflation, directly affecting SPRS members. The key mechanism requires the retirement system to automatically raise benefits each year based on inflation rates, without needing separate legislative action. This change specifically applies to SPRS members, ensuring their retirement income keeps pace with rising living costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Division of Investment to review pension and annuity fund assets to identify investments in foreign companies with ties to U.S. "foreign adversaries" (as defined by the U.S. Commerce Secretary). It specifies that an "equity tie" includes ownership stakes, facilities, or physical presence in such companies, but excludes humanitarian aid activities. Within six months, the Division must report findings and recommend whether to divest funds from these investments to the Governor, Legislature, and State Investment Council. The policy directly affects New Jersey's public pension funds and aims to address national security concerns related to state investments.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 367) expands when New Jersey juveniles can be tried as adults by adding two specific motor vehicle-related offenses to the list of crimes eligible for waiver to adult court: theft of a motor vehicle and unlawful taking of a motor vehicle. It makes it a strict liability crime for a juvenile to be involved in such thefts, meaning prosecutors do not need to prove the juvenile intended to steal the vehicle. The bill directly affects juveniles aged 15+ charged with these offenses, who would now face automatic referral to adult court without the juvenile’s consent if prosecutors meet specific criteria. The key change is broadening the waiver eligibility to include these thefts and removing intent as a factor for liability. This does not change sentencing for adults but alters the pathway for juvenile cases involving motor vehicle theft.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 333) expands the legal definition of agricultural trespass to cover more types of farmland and activities. It broadens "lands" to include orchards, nurseries, cranberry bogs, equipment storage areas, and land used for farming activities like crop processing or soil management. The bill makes it a violation to enter or remain on these lands without written permission - whether on foot, horseback, or using any vehicle/equipment - and increases civil penalties from $100 to $1,000 for damaging property like crops or fences. It directly affects farmers (who gain stronger legal protections) and anyone entering agricultural properties without authorization.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public schools and colleges to adopt policies explicitly prohibiting antisemitic harassment, intimidation, and bullying, with clear definitions and disciplinary actions like suspension or expulsion for violations. It mandates Holocaust and antisemitism education in K-12 curricula, including lessons on recent antisemitic incidents and the consequences of prejudice. Schools must also provide guidelines distinguishing lawful protests from prohibited conduct, such as vandalism, obstruction, or affiliation with groups like Hamas. The law applies to all public educational institutions in New Jersey, effective upon implementation.

Maddy summaryThe "Energy Security and Affordability Act" (S 1900) requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to prioritize energy security, diversity, and affordability when updating the state's Energy Master Plan. It mandates the BPU to conduct detailed economic and ratepayer impact analyses for all energy generation projects and the Master Plan itself, including cost breakdowns, infrastructure expenses, and public comment periods. These analyses must be published online for 10 years using open-source modeling tools. The bill directly affects ratepayers (utility customers) and energy developers by ensuring decisions consider financial impacts and public input before project approvals.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 370 requires public high schools (grades 9-12) to hold two annual events: a 30-minute assembly in November covering military structure, veterans' contributions, and programs like ROTC/service academies, and a veterans appreciation event. Schools must consult local veterans' associations to develop the appreciation event, which can include honoring veterans, featuring veteran speakers, or alternative military-themed activities. The bill applies immediately to the first full school year after enactment, focusing on providing age-appropriate military and veterans education. It directly affects all New Jersey public high schools with grades 9-12, mandating specific curriculum content and community engagement.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Mass Violence Care Fund" to cover medical, mental health, and related expenses for victims of mass violence events when those costs aren't paid by insurance or other sources. It appropriates $10 million to the fund, which will be administered by the Victims of Crime Compensation Office to pay eligible expenses like medical bills, counseling, lost wages, and funeral costs for qualifying victims and their family members. The fund specifically excludes expenses covered by insurance or public programs and requires payments to be made at least three years after the event. It also creates a working group to develop eligibility rules before distributions begin.

Maddy summarySCR 14 is a New Jersey concurrent resolution urging Congress to pass H.R.225, which would amend the Firearm Owners' Protection Act of 1986. The proposed law would protect law-abiding gun owners transporting legally possessed firearms across state lines by broadening the definition of "transport" to include overnight stays, medical emergencies, and other incidental travel activities. It specifically ensures protection for individuals who store firearms unloaded in a locked container during travel, addressing situations where current law leaves them vulnerable to criminal charges. The resolution cites the 2005 case of Greg Revell, jailed in New Jersey for 10 days while awaiting a connecting flight with his legally transported firearm, as an example requiring this federal fix.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2512) would eliminate the requirement for most New Jersey public employees to maintain their principal residence in the state. Currently, state officials, judges, and employees in government branches, school districts, and public institutions must reside in New Jersey, with limited exceptions for temporary faculty, out-of-state workers, or critical-need roles. The bill removes this residency mandate entirely while preserving existing exceptions for specific positions like visiting faculty, employees working primarily outside New Jersey, and certain critical-need roles (e.g., NJ Transit engineers). It directly affects thousands of state employees across executive, legislative, judicial, and educational roles who currently must live in New Jersey to hold their positions. The change would take effect upon passage, with no new exceptions added beyond those already specified in current law.