Sen. Doug Steinhardt

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's school bus stop laws to authorize the use of school bus monitoring systems for enforcement. It directly affects drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses (including those transporting children or individuals with developmental disabilities) and school districts/municipalities that install such systems. Key provisions establish that violations captured by these systems result in a $250 civil penalty (instead of criminal penalties), with collected funds directed to municipal and school safety programs. The bill also clarifies that registered vehicle owners are presumed responsible for violations recorded by the systems.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 360 prohibits foreign governments and specific foreign persons (including non-citizen individuals and entities controlled by foreign entities) from acquiring or owning land within 10 miles of any U.S. military facility in the state. Existing foreign owners of such "protected land" may retain ownership for up to five years after the bill's effective date but must sell or transfer it to a U.S. person or entity within that timeframe. Limited exceptions allow temporary ownership through debt collection, foreclosure, or inheritance, but even these require transfer within two years. The bill includes treaty exemptions for countries with U.S. agreements and applies immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryS 351 establishes a presumption that Parkinson's disease in emergency medical technicians, firefighters, and police officers is caused by their job duties, allowing them to qualify for accidental disability retirement under New Jersey's Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) and Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS). This means affected first responders no longer need to prove a specific traumatic event caused their condition to access retirement benefits. The bill amends existing retirement law to explicitly include Parkinson's disease as a qualifying condition for this presumption. It directly affects current and future PERS/PFRS members who develop Parkinson's disease during their service as first responders.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Senate resolution (SR 13) urges Congress and the President to pass the "Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act" (H.R. 38). If enacted, this federal bill would require all states to recognize concealed carry permits issued by other states, allowing law-abiding citizens with valid permits to carry concealed firearms while traveling. Currently, 18 states only honor permits from select states, leaving travelers without protection in some jurisdictions. The resolution specifically asks Congress to advance this measure to ensure consistent Second Amendment rights during interstate travel.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 884 prohibits state pension and annuity funds from investing in Chinese pharmaceutical companies or any company with significant business ties to them. The bill defines "Chinese pharmaceutical company" as entities with at least 51% ownership by China's government, state-run entities, or citizen-controlled civilian enterprises. Funds must divest from such investments within three years of the bill's effective date, with annual reports to the legislature tracking progress. The law also requires the State Investment Council to consult an independent research firm to guide divestment decisions while shielding officials from legal liability for compliance actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations act to change how $1.5 million in state grant funding for Centenary University can be used. Currently restricted to capital improvements (like building repairs), the bill removes this limitation, allowing the university to use the funds for general operational purposes instead. The bill does not increase the total funding amount - it only expands the allowable uses of the existing appropriation. This change directly affects Centenary University's budget flexibility for the 2026 fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill upgrades penalties for cyber-harassment targeting public servants or their family members, making it a third-degree crime (up from fourth degree under current law). It establishes the Office of Cyber-Harassment Support within the Department of Law and Public Safety to provide victim assistance, develop educational programs, and coordinate with law enforcement and social media platforms. The office will create accessible reporting systems, offer counseling, promote cyber ethics in schools, and train law enforcement on investigating cyber-harassment cases. The bill appropriates state funds to implement these provisions, directly affecting public servants, their families, and victims of online harassment.

Maddy summaryThis bill classifies tianeptine, an antidepressant medication, as a Schedule II controlled substance under New Jersey law. It makes possession, distribution, or manufacturing of tianeptine illegal without authorization, with penalties including up to 10 years in prison for larger quantities (second-degree crime) or 3-5 years for smaller amounts (third-degree crime). The law directly affects anyone possessing or distributing tianeptine, including patients prescribed the drug, as it would require a prescription to legally obtain it. The policy change aligns tianeptine with other high-risk substances under New Jersey’s Controlled Dangerous Substances Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1927) extends New Jersey's $6,000 gross income tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans to their surviving spouses. Currently, the exemption applies only to the year a veteran dies (if filing jointly), but the bill would allow the spouse to continue claiming it in all subsequent years until they remarry. It directly affects spouses of deceased veterans who were eligible for the exemption during the veteran's lifetime. The change modifies the existing tax code (N.J.S.54A:3-1) to add this ongoing benefit, with no other policy changes described in the bill text.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires retail stores to provide refunds for defective merchandise purchased at third-party automated kiosks located within their premises but operated by separate vendors. Consumers must show a receipt or proof of purchase to qualify for a refund. The kiosk operator must reimburse the store for the refund cost, and violations carry civil penalties of up to $5,000 for repeat offenses. The law applies to kiosks like those selling snacks or electronics in malls or stores, directly affecting consumers, retailers, and kiosk operators.