Sen. Parker Space

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a permanent "Civil Air Patrol Fund" within New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, requiring an annual $100,000 appropriation from the state General Fund. The fund supports New Jersey's Civil Air Patrol Wing by financing specific programs like cadet STEM/aviation training, search and rescue readiness, disaster relief equipment (including a Redbird Simulator), and volunteer training. Unspent funds carry forward annually, and the fund may also accept federal grants and public donations. The bill directly affects the Civil Air Patrol's operations in New Jersey, providing dedicated state funding for its community and emergency services programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens New Jersey's human trafficking law by increasing penalties for traffickers. It defines trafficking more broadly (including holding people for sexual activity or labor through threats, fraud, or document confiscation) and makes violations a first-degree crime punishable by 20 years to life in prison with no parole eligibility for the first 20 years. Perpetrators must pay restitution to victims based on New Jersey's prevailing wage laws or federal standards, and fines will fund a new "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund." The law directly affects traffickers facing harsher sentences, victims receiving restitution, and agencies managing the survivor fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2159) prohibits New Jersey's State Lottery Commission from selling lottery tickets online through its own website or mobile apps. It also prevents the Commission or its contractors from acting as online sales agents for lottery games. The bill specifically exempts licensed courier services (as permitted under existing law) from this restriction. It blocks the Commission's planned 2024 rollout of direct internet sales while allowing couriers to continue online lottery ticket sales.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Rutgers University's Economic Advisory Service to study how military installations in New Jersey impact the state's economy, including jobs, tax revenue, infrastructure projects, and overall economic activity. The study must analyze direct and indirect effects at both state and local levels, and report findings to the Governor and Legislature within one year. Rutgers will receive $155,000 from the state budget to conduct this analysis, using available state agency resources as needed. The report will provide data to inform future budget decisions and economic planning related to military installations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4883) transfers responsibility for inspecting on-farm dairy processing operations from the Department of Health (DOH) to the Department of Agriculture. It requires the Department of Agriculture to take over all existing inspections, along with all related records, equipment, and DOH staff who conducted these inspections. Dairy farmers processing milk on their farms will now be inspected by the Department of Agriculture instead of the Department of Health. The bill makes no new regulatory requirements but shifts existing inspection authority and resources between agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5049) removes a current restriction that allows the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) to withhold retirement or death benefits from members if they are involved in pending civil lawsuits related to their employment. It specifically prohibits the PFRS Board from delaying benefits due to such civil litigation, though it maintains the ability to withhold benefits for members facing criminal charges or administrative dismissal. The bill requires the Board to adjust benefits after any legal case concludes, rather than holding payments indefinitely during litigation. This change directly affects current and future PFRS members who are involved in employment-related civil disputes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4603) allows commercial farmers in New Jersey to recover reasonable legal costs and attorney fees when defending against complaints they win under the "Right to Farm Act." It directly affects farmers who successfully prove a complaint was filed in bad faith and that their farming activity met the Act's legal standards. Key provisions require farmers to apply to their county agriculture board or the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC), which must then determine if the complaint was filed in bad faith (by a preponderance of evidence) and if the costs/fees are reasonable before ordering the complainant to pay. The change provides a specific remedy for farmers facing frivolous legal challenges, strengthening existing protections under the Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies to submit monthly data on firearm permit applications - including applicants' race, ethnicity, gender identity, and denial reasons - to the Attorney General. The Attorney General must compile this data and publish monthly reports online, starting retroactively from June 23, 2022. These reports cover permits to carry handguns, permits to purchase handguns, and firearm purchaser ID cards. The bill directly affects all applicants for these firearm permits by mandating the public tracking of demographic and outcome data.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases annual payments to New Jersey municipalities for lands owned by the state or qualifying nonprofits that are preserved for recreation and conservation (like parks and wildlife areas). It raises per-acre payment rates based on the percentage of such land within each municipality: from $2 to $3 per acre for areas with under 20% conservation land, $5 to $7.50 for 20-40%, $10 to $15 for 40-60%, and $20 to $40 for 60% or more. These payments, made from the state's General Fund, compensate municipalities for lost property tax revenue when land becomes tax-exempt. The changes apply to both lands acquired using dedicated funds (Section 29) and those acquired with other funding (Section 30).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires contractors and subcontractors working on public projects to submit payroll records to New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD). It applies to any business performing work for public bodies (like state/local governments or projects funded by public money), including construction, maintenance, or repair work. The key mechanism mandates that these contractors must register with DOLWD and provide payroll details to verify compliance with prevailing wage laws and apprenticeship program requirements. This affects all employers engaged in public work contracts, ensuring transparency in worker compensation and program participation.