Sen. Tony Bucco

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the requirement for unvaccinated New Jersey state employees to undergo regular (weekly) COVID-19 testing. It directly affects state employees who are unvaccinated against COVID-19, removing a mandatory testing policy previously enforced by state employers. The bill does not prevent employees from voluntarily getting tested or require testing for symptomatic employees regardless of vaccination status. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners of low-speed electric bicycles and scooters in New Jersey to obtain insurance coverage and register the vehicles with the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). It directly affects anyone who owns or operates these devices, replacing current law that did not require registration or insurance. Key mechanisms include: (1) mandating insurance similar to motor vehicles, (2) creating an MVC registration system with a fee, (3) requiring completion of an online safety training module before registration, and (4) establishing labeling standards for manufacturers. The bill also updates definitions and clarifies that these vehicles must follow bicycle traffic rules where applicable.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2767) modifies New Jersey's earned sick leave law to create a new compliance option for employers in the ready-mix concrete industry covered by collective bargaining agreements. It allows these employers to satisfy the sick leave requirement by providing existing fully paid time off (including personal/vacation/sick days) totaling at least 40 hours per benefit year, instead of tracking separate sick leave accruals. The paid time off must be usable for the same purposes as sick leave under the law and must be fully paid. This provision specifically applies to employees under collective bargaining agreements in the ready-mix concrete industry and does not affect employees already excluded from the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 52) upgrades penalties for adults who fail to securely store loaded firearms where minors can access them, resulting in injury or death. Currently a misdemeanor, the offense becomes a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months in prison) if injury occurs, or a third-degree crime (3-5 years) if death or serious injury results. It requires secure storage (locked container, secure location, or trigger lock) to avoid liability, applies to minors under 16, and clarifies exceptions for authorized minor firearm use or self-protection. The law does not change storage requirements but significantly increases criminal penalties for violations causing harm.

Maddy summaryS 2422 requires 7% of funds from New Jersey's Main Street Recovery Fund to be allocated specifically for grants to veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran small businesses. These grants can cover capital improvements or operating expenses for eligible businesses meeting standard program requirements like tax compliance and minimum wage standards. The bill amends existing law to mandate this dedicated funding stream, defining eligible businesses as those owned and controlled by veterans per federal standards (15 U.S.C. §632(q)). It does not change other eligibility rules but ensures a set portion of recovery funds directly supports veteran entrepreneurs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2437) requires New Jersey to create roadside signs and a state website to help visitors find tourism attractions, historic sites, and historic districts. The Department of Transportation must update rules for the Tourist Oriented Directional Signs (TODS) program to include these locations, with eligibility criteria like being within 15 miles of a highway, open to the public 6 hours daily for 20 weeks yearly, and providing cultural/historical value. The state website must feature searchable maps, driving/public transit directions, photos, tour information, and contact details for all listed sites. These changes aim to improve visitor access and promote New Jersey’s tourism and historic resources through standardized signage and digital tools.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates tax credits for New Jersey employers who hire immediate family members (spouse, child, or parent) of military members killed in action. Employers receive a 10% credit on qualified wages paid to these new hires, capped at $1,200 per family member per tax year, provided the employee works full-time for at least nine consecutive months. The credit is nonrefundable but can be carried forward for up to 20 years, and employers cannot combine it with other state tax credits for the same wages. It applies to both corporation business tax and gross income tax, effective for tax years starting after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryS 786 requires all New Jersey public school districts to include water safety instruction in K-12 health education starting with the 2023-2024 school year. The curriculum must cover flotation device use, recognizing water hazards, responding to rip currents, and swimming near lifeguard-monitored areas. This applies to every district implementing the state's Comprehensive Health and Physical Education standards. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public meetings of New Jersey's State Board of Education to be accessible both in person and virtually. It mandates that the Board provide a publicly available virtual meeting link on its website and allows members of the public to submit comments remotely during sessions that accept public input. The law directly affects the State Board of Education in how it conducts meetings and the public who attend or comment on education policy discussions. These changes ensure broader public participation by removing physical attendance barriers for meetings about education policy.

Maddy summaryS 1657 establishes New Jersey's "Energy Infrastructure Public-Private Partnerships Program" to help public entities like schools, hospitals, and emergency facilities upgrade energy infrastructure through private partnerships. The bill allows these entities to enter 25-year contracts for energy projects (such as solar, wind, and storage systems) under existing public contracting laws, without requiring taxpayer funds. Key provisions include authorizing private companies to finance, build, and manage energy projects that improve resilience against weather events, reduce costs, and support renewable energy expansion. This directly affects critical facilities needing modernized energy systems while leveraging private capital to meet the state's decarbonization goals.