Sen. Parker Space

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a New Jersey tax credit for family caregivers of veterans. It allows caregivers to claim a credit equal to 100% of a veteran's disability compensation (up to $675) if the caregiver has gross income under $100,000 (jointly) or $50,000 (single). The credit applies to caregivers of veterans who are honorably discharged and reside with the caregiver in New Jersey for at least six months during the tax year. It expands eligibility beyond the current law by including all honorably discharged veterans, not just those with service-connected disabilities since September 11, 2001.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 34) urges the Governor to declare an energy generation emergency in New Jersey. It highlights that the state has lost over 20% of its generating capacity in eight years, shifted from a net energy exporter to importer, and faces rising demand from data centers and AI that strains existing infrastructure. The resolution requests the Governor take steps to prioritize new energy infrastructure development and lower consumer energy costs. As a non-binding resolution, it directs the Governor and agencies like the Board of Public Utilities to address these energy challenges through emergency measures.

Maddy summarySCR 41 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit annual increases in most state government spending to 2% per year. The cap would apply to general appropriations for state operations, excluding funding for schools, federal aid, pensions, capital projects, debt payments, emergencies, and property tax relief. It requires a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers to override the cap for "fiscal emergency" situations. The bill is currently under review in the Senate Budget Committee and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryS 2396 upgrades burglary of a residence to a second-degree crime and elevates it to a first-degree crime if committed while armed with a weapon or explosives. This directly affects individuals convicted of burglarizing homes (dwellings or structures adapted for overnight stays), changing their sentencing level based on whether they were armed during the offense. Under the bill, second-degree burglary (unarmed residence burglary) carries a 5-10 year prison term, while first-degree burglary (armed residence burglary) would now carry a higher penalty. The bill amends New Jersey’s burglary statute (N.J.S.2C:18-2) and aligns sentencing with existing parole requirements for serious crimes. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1744) requires the New Jersey Lottery Commission to display the overall odds of winning any prize on lottery tickets and websites. For non-draw games (like scratch-offs), the odds must be prominently printed on every ticket sold. For draw-based games (like Powerball), the odds must be available at checkout points and on the official lottery website, using a standardized format. The bill takes effect seven months after enactment, with rules to be developed by the Commission. It directly affects all New Jersey lottery players purchasing tickets.

Maddy summaryS 1857 amends New Jersey's Local Redevelopment and Housing Law to explicitly exclude farmland actively devoted to agricultural use (and taxed under the Farmland Assessment Act of 1964) from being classified as a "redevelopment area" or "rehabilitation area." This directly affects farmers who maintain agricultural operations and qualify for the farmland tax assessment program, preventing their land from being included in redevelopment projects. The key mechanism is a technical amendment to the legal definition of "redevelopment area" within the law. This change ensures farmland under the Farmland Assessment Act cannot be subject to redevelopment processes governed by the current law.

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 summaryS 2500 requires that any bill certified for a fiscal note or estimate cannot be released from committee until a complete fiscal analysis is provided. This applies to all bills requiring such a note under New Jersey law, directly affecting legislators, committee chairs, and staff who handle bill processing. The key mechanism mandates that the Legislative Budget and Finance Officer must complete the fiscal analysis before a bill may proceed from committee, preventing premature committee action. The bill amends existing law to enforce this requirement, ensuring fiscal transparency before bills advance. (Procedural bill; summary limited to 3 sentences as requested.)

Maddy summaryThe Vehicle Choice Protection Act (S 1930) prohibits New Jersey state agencies from creating rules or policies that restrict the sale, registration, or use of new gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles. It directly affects state departments and commissions by blocking them from adopting regulations that would limit internal combustion engine vehicles. The bill’s key provision bans any rule, regulation, policy, or executive action with the purpose or effect of restricting these vehicles, applying to all state agencies. This bill takes effect immediately upon passage and does not change existing vehicle standards or promote specific vehicle types.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey county clerks to remove voters from mail-in ballot lists under three specific conditions: if USPS returns their ballot mail, they haven't used mail-in ballots for two years, or their address changed (per USPS records). Before removal, clerks must send a 30-day written notice explaining the reason and how to reapply. Voters who don't respond within 30 days are removed and receive a reapplication form. The bill directly affects voters currently enrolled in mail-in voting who no longer meet the criteria for continued mail delivery.