Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the use of eminent domain to take farmland actively used for farming or gardening (agricultural or horticultural production) if the government or entity seeking the land plans to develop it for non-farming purposes, such as housing or commercial projects. It directly affects farmers, landowners with active farmland, and government agencies or developers seeking to acquire such land. The key mechanism amends New Jersey's eminent domain law to block condemnation for non-farming development, requiring condemnors to first negotiate fairly and prove they cannot acquire the land through agreement. This change aims to protect existing farmland from being lost to development, aligning with state goals for farmland preservation. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Economic Growth Committee.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires certain group homes for adults with developmental disabilities (receiving Tier C services from New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities) to install video-only electronic monitoring devices in common areas **only when all residents and their legal representatives consent**. Key provisions include: no forced consent for current residents, written consent from new residents, annual reminders of the right to request monitoring, and the ability for residents to withdraw consent anytime. Devices must be unobstructed, recordings kept for 90 days, and residents/representatives can access footage upon request. The bill ensures monitoring is consent-based and does not affect housing placement for those who decline.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to allow students attending nonpublic schools to try out for and join their district's high school sports teams, provided they meet the same eligibility requirements as public school students (including academic standards, physical exams, and fees). Nonpublic school students must provide proof of district residency and comply with all team rules, behavior expectations, and participation requirements set by the district. School districts may charge nonpublic students a fee up to the actual per-pupil cost of the sport (excluding those with financial hardship, defined by school lunch program criteria), but are not required to provide transportation or alter team schedules. The bill does not change existing eligibility rules governed by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association.
Maddy summaryThis bill bans foreign governments and foreign persons from owning or acquiring agricultural, horticultural land, or agricultural woodlands in New Jersey after its effective date. Existing foreign owners may retain ownership for up to five years but must sell to domestic individuals or entities (not foreign governments) within that timeframe, with land remaining devoted to agricultural use. Exceptions include debt collection, foreclosure, or inheritance, but even then, land must be sold within two years and retain agricultural use. The law aims to preserve farmland for domestic agricultural operations by restricting foreign control over these lands. It is currently pending in the Senate Economic Growth Committee.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 318) criminalizes three specific acts related to vacant dwellings: forcibly entering without permission to take residence ("housebreaking"), occupying without permission ("unlawful occupancy"), and reentering after a court-ordered eviction ("unlawful reentry"). All are classified as fourth-degree crimes punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine. The law presumes occupants know they lack permission unless they have a notarized written rental agreement with the owner's current contact details. It directly affects property owners seeking to evict unauthorized occupants and occupants in vacant properties without documented authorization.
Maddy summaryThis bill makes property tax exemptions for 100% disabled veterans retroactive to the date the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs officially determines their total disability. It directly affects veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities (like paralysis, blindness, or amputations) who previously paid property taxes during the gap between their disability determination and when they applied for the exemption. The key provision requires the state to reimburse municipalities for property taxes paid by veterans during this retroactive period. This changes the existing law to ensure veterans receive tax relief for all eligible periods, not just from the application date forward.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools in New Jersey from requiring students to wear face masks indoors or outdoors on school grounds, or while riding school buses. It directly affects all K-12 students attending these schools by eliminating mandatory mask policies. The law allows students to voluntarily wear masks if they choose, but does not require schools to enforce mask-wearing. The policy change takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Maddy summarySJR 36 designates the fourth Saturday of September each year as "New Jersey Hunting and Fishing Day" to recognize and promote these recreational activities. It directly affects New Jersey residents who hunt or fish, including the 94,000 hunters and 766,000 anglers who generated billions in economic activity in 2011. The bill requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging participation and directs the Division of Fish and Wildlife to publicize the day while coordinating at least one of the state’s free fishing days with it. This resolution does not change laws or funding but aims to highlight the connection between hunting/fishing, conservation, and community engagement.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's small business loan program to include rural broadband telecommunications service providers certified by the Board of Public Utilities. It adds these providers to the list of eligible borrowers under the program, specifically targeting those offering broadband in rural areas (defined as municipalities with populations under 30,000 and low density). The change allows these providers to access loans for capital purchases, employee training, and new hires, aligning them with other small business categories. The bill amends existing law to include this new eligibility category without altering other program requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey optometrists' scope of practice to include administering vaccines for coronaviruses, influenza, and shingles (for patients 18+), prescribing certain medications (including controlled substances under specific conditions), and performing limited eye procedures like laser treatments and minor surgeries. It requires optometrists to follow CDC vaccine guidelines, report immunizations to the state system, and avoid invasive surgeries or general anesthesia. The changes clarify that optometrists must adhere to medical standards for pharmaceutical use and cannot perform procedures requiring full-thickness eye incisions or orbital surgery. This modernizes optometric care while maintaining safety boundaries for patient treatment.