Sen. Tony Bucco

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies and increases penalties for obstructing highways or public passages in New Jersey. It separates reckless obstruction (now a disorderly persons offense, punishable by up to 6 months in jail or $1,000 fine) from purposeful obstruction that affects commerce (now a fourth-degree crime, punishable by up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fine). The bill also specifies that gathering to hear speech or communicate does not alone constitute obstruction, and makes it a violation to refuse a reasonable official order to move from a public passage. It directly affects individuals who block roads or public areas, whether alone or in groups, and updates existing penalties from current petty disorderly offense standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all school buses transporting students with special needs in New Jersey to install two safety features: (1) an electronic seat belt alert system that audibly and visually notifies drivers if any seat belt is unfastened during motion, and (2) unique barcodes on the bus interior/exterior that drivers scan after trips to confirm no students were left behind. It directly affects school bus operators and drivers serving special needs students. The Commissioner of Education will develop implementation rules with the Motor Vehicle Commission, and the law takes effect six months after enactment. The bill aims to prevent accidents and ensure student safety during transportation.

Maddy summaryS 2451 adds a "preservation bonus credit" to New Jersey municipalities' affordable housing obligations under the Fair Housing Act. It allows municipalities to earn credit toward their required low- and moderate-income housing targets by preserving existing affordable units rather than building new ones. The bill amends Section 11 of the Fair Housing Act to include this credit as a new option for meeting housing obligations. This directly affects all New Jersey municipalities with affordable housing requirements under state law. The policy change provides a specific mechanism for municipalities to fulfill their housing obligations through preservation efforts, which was not previously available as a credited method.

Maddy summaryS 2393 requires New Jersey urgent care clinics and retail health clinics (like those in pharmacies or stores) to have an automated external defibrillator (AED) on-site and train staff in its use. Clinics must acquire at least one AED stored centrally, maintain it, notify emergency services of its location, and ensure all employees receive CPR and AED training. At least one trained employee must be present during business hours. The bill takes effect immediately but gives clinics one year to comply. This bill is currently pending in the Senate Health Committee.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's SCR 32 is a procedural resolution requesting Congress to call an Article V Convention of States. It asks for a convention limited to proposing constitutional amendments that would impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, reduce federal power and jurisdiction, and establish term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. This resolution serves as a continuing application, remaining active until at least two-thirds of state legislatures support the same request. The bill does not create new laws but formally requests Congress to convene a convention to address these specific constitutional limitations.

Maddy summarySR 24 is a non-binding Senate resolution supporting the preservation of Columbus Day as both a federal and state holiday. It expresses the Senate's recognition of the holiday's historical significance since 1892 and its importance to Italian-American heritage, citing longstanding observances like the New York City parade. The resolution directs copies to federal leaders, the President, congressional members, and Italian-American organizations like Unico National, but does not alter current holiday status. It serves as a symbolic statement of support, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all school bus drivers in New Jersey (for public, private, or parochial schools) to undergo unannounced drug and alcohol testing twice each school year, in addition to existing medical requirements. Drivers who fail the test or refuse testing become immediately ineligible to operate school buses. The Commissioner of Education must establish disqualification criteria and an appeal process allowing drivers to challenge inaccurate test results before termination. The bill also mandates that school districts and contractors submit proof of this testing to county superintendents annually.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows registered medical cannabis patients in New Jersey to grow their own cannabis at home for personal medical use. It specifically authorizes cultivation within a patient's residence by the patient or their designated caregiver, as defined in the law. The provision applies only to individuals already registered under New Jersey's medical cannabis program and does not permit commercial cultivation or distribution. The bill amends existing statutes to clarify that home cultivation is permitted under the medical program, distinct from licensed dispensary operations. It does not create new registration requirements but expands access for existing registered patients and caregivers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to identify and designate municipalities with "critical headwaters" (water sources supplying drinking water to at least 1 million residents, per census data) as "headwater guardians." These municipalities must implement specific environmental protections like enhanced stormwater management, groundwater recharge standards, and riparian buffers to safeguard water quality and supply. The DEP must develop this process within one year, publish designated municipalities online, and hold public comment periods before finalizing protections. Annual reports will track outcomes like pollutant reductions and preserved buffers, aligning with existing water quality laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2379) expands free admission to New Jersey State parks and forests to include active-duty U.S. military personnel (including reserves), veterans, and New Jersey-resident first responders (such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMTs). It also extends free admission to immediate family members (spouses, children, parents, etc.) of qualifying individuals when they are physically present with them. Currently, free admission covers only NJ National Guard members, seniors 62+, and disabled residents; this bill adds the new categories without changing existing provisions. The policy change applies to all state parks and forests, with specific definitions provided for "veteran," "first responder," and "immediate family member" in the bill text.