Sen. Doug Steinhardt

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3208 prohibits public colleges and universities from receiving state funds if they boycott or divest from Israel-supporting businesses or Israeli entities. Specifically, institutions violating this rule lose access to state operating aid, education facility bonds, general obligation bonds, and student scholarship funds administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. The bill defines prohibited actions as boycotting Israel-related businesses, divesting due to a company's support for Israel, or participating in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. It explicitly excludes divestment for prudent economic reasons, focusing only on actions tied to Israel-related pressure campaigns.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Board of Education to reinstate the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery-Armed Forces Qualifying Test (ASVAB-AFQT) as an approved alternative test for high school graduation. It directly affects students in New Jersey public high schools who need to meet graduation proficiency requirements but haven't passed the standard state test. The key mechanism adds ASVAB-AFQT back to the list of substitute assessments (alongside options like SAT or ACT) that students can use to demonstrate required skills. The bill takes immediate effect, reversing a 2023 decision that had removed ASVAB-AFQT from the approved list.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Senate Resolution (SR 102) urges U.S. Congress to pass the "Safe and Open Streets Act" (pending as S.3492/H.R.6926). The resolution states the proposed federal law would criminalize intentionally blocking public roads or highways during protests, making it a crime to obstruct commerce or movement of goods. It specifically references recent protests in cities like New York and Los Angeles that disrupted traffic and required law enforcement responses. The resolution does not create new law but formally requests Congress take action to address roadway blockages during demonstrations.

Maddy summaryS 3175 removes the requirement that public work contractors must participate in a registered apprenticeship program to bid on or perform construction projects covered by New Jersey's prevailing wage laws. The bill repeals a previous provision (P.L.2021, c.423, section 6) that mandated this participation. Instead, it establishes standards for apprenticeship programs that contractors may choose to use, requiring that any such program's training requirements meet or exceed U.S. Department of Labor standards. This change directly affects contractors bidding on or working on public construction projects subject to prevailing wage requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey to issue special Boy Scouts of America license plates for each local council in the state. Vehicle owners would pay a $50 application fee and $10 annual renewal fee, with these funds deposited into a dedicated fund supporting each council's programs. The program requires Boy Scouts councils to cover initial setup costs (up to $25,000) through private donations and secure at least 500 applications before implementation. The state motor vehicle commission manages the plates, prohibits public funds for initial costs, and must discontinue a program if annual plate costs exceed $50 for two consecutive years.

Maddy summaryS 3146 extends the special appraisal process for land acquisitions under New Jersey's Green Acres program and farmland preservation program in the Highlands Region from June 30, 2024 to June 30, 2029. This process requires land acquirers (state, local government, or nonprofits) to conduct two appraisals of proposed properties - one based on current market value and one based on value as of January 1, 2004 - and use the higher value for negotiations with landowners. The bill directly affects landowners, local governments, and nonprofits acquiring lands in the Highlands Region for conservation or farmland preservation purposes. The extension ensures the current appraisal methodology remains in effect for five additional years, maintaining the balance between fair compensation for landowners and conservation goals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to repeal Attorney General Law Enforcement Directive No. 2018-6, which restricted local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The directive prohibited police from sharing release dates of detained individuals, extending detention based solely on immigration requests, or assisting with civil immigration enforcement. It directly affects all state, county, and local law enforcement agencies in New Jersey. The bill aims to remove these restrictions by mandating the repeal of the 2018 directive.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Senate Resolution 93 opposes any proposal to change the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area's designation to a National Park and Preserve or to expand its boundaries. The resolution specifically addresses a plan by the Delaware River National Park and Lenape Preserve Alliance, citing concerns that such a change could restrict recreational activities like hunting and negatively impact tourism-dependent businesses in Sussex and Warren counties. The Senate directs copies of the resolution to federal agencies, state leaders, and congressional representatives to formally express New Jersey's position on the matter. As a symbolic resolution, it does not alter federal law but aims to influence the federal decision-making process regarding the park's designation.

Maddy summaryThis bill upgrades burglary of a residence to a second-degree crime in New Jersey. It specifically changes the law so that unlawfully entering or remaining in a dwelling (like a home) or structure meant for overnight stays - regardless of whether anyone is inside - becomes a second-degree offense. This change means convicted individuals would face mandatory minimum sentences requiring them to serve 85% of their prison term before parole eligibility under the No Early Release Act (NERA). The bill amends existing burglary statutes (N.J.S.2C:18-2) and NERA sentencing rules (P.L.1997, c.117) to include residential burglary in the list of second-degree crimes triggering this 85% requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3099) revises New Jersey's self-defense laws by removing the duty to retreat before using force. It states that a person is justified in using non-deadly force to defend against imminent unlawful force, and deadly force is permitted to prevent imminent death, serious injury, or specific violent crimes (like murder or aggravated assault under the "Three Strikes" law), without needing to retreat. The bill repeals existing statutes (N.J.S.2C:3-4 through N.J.S.2C:3-7) and clarifies that individuals who are not committing a crime and are in a lawful location have the right to stand their ground. It directly affects anyone involved in self-defense situations, including law enforcement and civilians.