Maddy summaryThis bill, S 320, authorizes New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to use funds from the "Global Warming Solutions Fund" to provide grants to **farmers** for replacing inefficient or polluting agricultural equipment with more efficient, less polluting alternatives. The key provision requires applicants to prove the old equipment has been permanently dismantled or decommissioned before receiving a grant. Funds for this program are allocated from the 60% of the "Global Warming Solutions Fund" designated for agricultural, commercial, and industrial energy efficiency projects under existing law. The bill does not change the fund's overall structure but specifically expands EDA's grant authority for agricultural equipment upgrades.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to post detailed curriculum plans online for each grade level and course at least 30 days before the school year starts. It mandates that districts include units of study, learning objectives, and specific textbook/material information on their websites, with updates whenever plans change. Parents and legal guardians must be given the opportunity to review all instructional materials before they are used in classrooms. The law aims to increase transparency by making curriculum details and materials accessible to families ahead of instruction.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 851 requires correctional facilities (prisons, jails, youth detention centers) to verify the citizenship and legal immigration status of every inmate. If an inmate is not a U.S. citizen or cannot be confirmed as lawfully present, the facility must not release them - except to federal immigration officials - and must document this determination. Violations by facility staff could result in civil penalties set by the Corrections Commissioner. The bill directly affects non-citizen inmates and correctional facility operators, aiming to prevent releases into the general population for those unlawfully present in the U.S.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 348) makes it a criminal offense (third-degree crime) to pay or receive money for referring patients to substance use disorder treatment facilities, including payments based on the number of patients or type of care. It directly affects health care providers, facilities, non-profits, and recovery residences that refer patients. The law allows flat fees or payments not tied to patient volume or treatment specifics, but prohibits all other referral-based payments. Violators face a mandatory $50,000 fine and restitution to victims.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2775) allows military law enforcement officers who separated under honorable conditions within the past three years to receive credit toward New Jersey's police training requirements when seeking civilian law enforcement jobs in the state. Specifically, it requires the Police Training Commission to grant exemptions for parts of the basic training course that match their prior military training, provided the courses were substantially equivalent. It does not exempt applicants from the entire training course, only the comparable sections. This directly affects veterans transitioning from military law enforcement roles to positions with New Jersey state, county, or municipal police agencies. The bill amends existing law to ensure military experience is recognized in the state's certification process.
Maddy summarySCR 40 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit New Jersey governments' use of eminent domain (taking private property for public use) to specific "essential public purposes." It would remove the current authority to take property for "blighted area" redevelopment, while explicitly listing allowed purposes like utility corridors, schools, prisons, waste facilities, health care, and recreation. The amendment would prohibit government from seizing land solely to eliminate blight but would allow tax exemptions for private redevelopment projects under strict profit limits. This change aims to restrict eminent domain powers as defined in the state constitution, requiring voter approval after legislative passage.
Maddy summaryS 365 makes it a crime to cause property damage during auto theft or immediate flight from it, directly affecting individuals committing or involved in such thefts. Damage of $500 or more triggers a third-degree crime (up to 5 years in prison), while damage under $500 is a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months). The bill requires convicted individuals to pay restitution to property owners for repairs or replacement, regardless of whether the damage was caused by the defendant, police during a pursuit, or others. This law applies even if the defendant wasn’t the driver of the stolen vehicle.
Maddy summaryThis bill extends New Jersey's $6,000 gross income tax exemption for veterans to their surviving spouses. Currently, spouses can claim the exemption only in the year a veteran dies (if filing jointly), but not in subsequent years. The bill would allow surviving spouses to continue claiming the exemption annually until they remarry, provided the veteran was eligible for the exemption in the year they died. This change directly affects spouses of deceased veterans who were honorably discharged and received the tax benefit. The exemption reduces taxable income for qualifying households, lowering their state tax liability.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state permit program allowing New Jersey dairy farms to sell raw (unpasteurized) milk directly to consumers on-site at the farm. It requires farms to obtain a permit from the Department of Agriculture after meeting strict health and safety standards, including regular microbiological testing of milk (bacterial count, coliform, etc.), cooling requirements, and mandatory labeling with health warnings. The program prohibits sales outside the farm property, mandates visible signage stating raw milk may contain harmful organisms, and includes penalties for non-compliance, including permit revocation after two testing failures in a year. It directly affects dairy farmers seeking to sell raw milk and consumers purchasing it directly from farms.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a whistleblower reward program for employees reporting tax law violations by construction industry employers in New Jersey. Whistleblowers who provide specific, credible information leading to an administrative or judicial action against an employer can receive 15% to 30% of recovered taxes, penalties, and interest (or up to 10% if the tip came from public sources like media or audits). The award amount is based on how much the information contributed to the case outcome. It excludes employees who obtained information through their official duties and includes protections against retaliation under existing law.