Sen. Doug Steinhardt

Maddy summaryS 1669 eliminates the requirement that most state public officials and employees must maintain a principal residence in New Jersey. Currently, many public positions (including state government roles, courts, schools, and local government) require residency, but this bill removes that mandate. The bill preserves existing exceptions (such as for temporary faculty, employees working primarily outside New Jersey, and certain other roles) and adds a new exception for critical need positions at New Jersey Transit. As a result, public employees would no longer face residency restrictions for their primary home, except for these limited exempted cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey State Board of Education to obtain legislative approval for any updates or revisions to the state's core curriculum content standards, which define educational expectations for students. The State Board must submit proposed changes to the Legislature, which then has 45 days to approve or disapprove them through a concurrent resolution. If approved, the changes take effect; if disapproved, they are not implemented. This directly affects the State Board of Education and the Legislature, shifting authority over curriculum updates from the Board to the Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 801) expands free admission to New Jersey state parks, forests, and beaches for veterans and active military personnel. It directly affects: (1) New Jersey-resident veterans (honorably discharged), (2) active-duty military members stationed in New Jersey (regardless of residency), and (3) National Guard members who completed initial training. Key provisions include removing admission fees for these groups and extending free access to disabled veterans for motor vehicle permits on park beaches. The bill updates existing exemptions to broaden eligibility while requiring verification of military/veteran status through acceptable documentation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurers in New Jersey to cover mammograms starting at age 35 for all women, lowering the previous age requirement from 40. It mandates one baseline mammogram at age 35, annual screenings for women 35 and older, and additional testing (like ultrasounds or MRIs) if dense breast tissue, abnormal results, or risk factors (such as family history) are present. The coverage applies to all group and individual health insurance plans, including hospital service, medical service, and health service corporation contracts. Insurers must cover these services to the same extent as other medical benefits, though they may review medical necessity for additional tests. This directly affects women aged 35+ and those with specific breast cancer risk factors under 35.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Aid program by changing how energy tax payments are handled. Instead of energy taxpayers (like gas, electric, and telecom utilities) paying taxes to the state treasury, the bill requires them to pay directly to municipalities. The State Treasurer will determine each municipality's annual share (capped at $740 million) based on historical distributions and direct the taxpayers to pay those amounts. This affects all municipalities receiving property tax relief and energy utility taxpayers statewide, shifting payment responsibility from the state to local governments. The change applies starting in fiscal year 2022 for future payments, though the bill is currently pending in committee.

Maddy summaryS 418 allocates $17 million in supplemental funding to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for Fiscal Year 2023 to provide grants for lake management. The bill directly affects qualified entities - including lake commissions (like Greenwood Lake Commission and Lake Hopatcong Commission), local governments, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits - that manage publicly-accessible lakes. Key provisions require the DEP to prioritize grants for projects improving water quality, preventing harmful algal blooms, and increasing recreational access, with funds covering stormwater management and lake maintenance costs. This is a funding mechanism, not a policy change, directing existing resources toward specific lake conservation activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1883) would deny New Jersey workers' compensation and temporary disability benefits to undocumented immigrants who were not lawfully present in the U.S. at the time of their employment. It amends the state's workers' compensation law to exclude "aliens" from the definition of "employee" unless they were "lawfully admitted for permanent residence," "lawfully present for the purpose of performing the employment," or "permanently residing in the United States under color of law" when hired. The key mechanism is a specific exclusion in the employee definition, directly affecting undocumented immigrant workers who perform services for employers. The bill does not change eligibility for other benefits or address immigration status beyond the employment date. (Note: The bill was introduced in January 2024 and referred to the Labor Committee.)

Maddy summaryThis bill requires individuals and employers to certify that they or their employees have legal U.S. status before receiving New Jersey state benefits like contracts, grants, tax breaks, or licenses. It mandates that applicants sign a form confirming compliance with federal immigration law, with penalties only for knowingly false statements. The New Jersey Department of Labor will provide this standard form to all state agencies, which must incorporate it into existing application processes rather than create new systems. The law directly affects anyone seeking state-funded benefits or licenses, ensuring they verify immigration eligibility as a condition of receiving aid.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 725) criminalizes squatting by creating three new offenses: "housebreaking" (forcibly entering vacant dwellings without permission to occupy), "unlawful occupancy" (taking up residence without permission), and "unlawful reentry" (returning to property after being evicted by court order). It presumes occupants know they lack permission unless they provide a notarized written rental agreement with the owner's current contact details. The law affects individuals occupying vacant properties without owner consent, making these acts fourth-degree crimes punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine. Currently, squatting isn't a criminal offense in New Jersey, requiring owners to seek court-ordered evictions instead.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Division of Investment to review all pension and annuity fund assets to identify investments in businesses with ties to foreign adversaries as defined by U.S. standards (e.g., entities posing national security risks). It directs the Division to consult security experts, define "equity ties" broadly (including ownership stakes), and exclude humanitarian aid activities. Within six months, the Division must report findings and recommend whether the state should divest from such investments to the Governor, Legislature, and State Investment Council. The bill affects New Jersey's public pension funds (serving state employees) but does not mandate divestment - only requires a review and recommendation.