Sen. Tony Bucco

Maddy summaryThis bill automatically adjusts New Jersey's income tax thresholds and qualification limits for inflation starting in 2022. It affects taxpayers who qualify for specific deductions or exemptions, such as those using education savings accounts, paying student loans under state programs, or claiming tuition deductions at in-state colleges. The key mechanism requires the state tax director to annually update these thresholds using the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), rounding to the nearest $5. This ensures the income limits for these tax benefits grow with the cost of living, without requiring new legislation each year.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts all property transfers between direct family members (such as parents to children, grandparents to grandchildren, or adopted children) from New Jersey's Transfer Inheritance Tax. It directly affects individuals receiving inherited assets from lineal relatives, eliminating tax liability on these transfers. The key change permanently implements an existing 2022 provision (effective January 1, 2022) that previously provided this exemption, making it automatic for all future transfers. The exemption applies regardless of the transfer amount and covers both biological and legally adopted lineal relationships.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to allocate at least 12% of all funds from its existing small business loan program to businesses owned or controlled by veterans, with priority given to veterans with service-connected disabilities. It directly affects eligible veteran-owned small businesses in New Jersey seeking loans under the program. Key mechanisms include mandating the EDA to track and report loan allocations to meet this 12% minimum, while prioritizing veterans certified as having service-connected disabilities by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or Defense. The requirement applies to all loan funds disbursed in any calendar year under the program, as amended from existing law (P.L.2011, c.201).

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 935 establishes a 20-member Forest Fire Preparedness Commission within the Department of Environmental Protection. The commission includes state officials (like the Environmental Protection Commissioner and State Firewarden), fire service representatives, and appointed members from firefighting organizations, environmental groups, and the public. Its key duties are to audit the state's wildfire response readiness, develop a coordination roadmap for emergency responders (firefighters, police, medical teams), and create standardized communication systems for wildfire incidents. The commission must submit a final report within two years, after which it will dissolve. This bill directly affects state and local emergency response systems and aims to improve coordinated wildfire prevention and response across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health insurers, third-party administrators, pharmacy benefits managers, and state health benefit programs (like the State Health Benefits Program and School Employees’ Health Benefits Program) from requiring pre-approval or precertification for covered medical tests, procedures, or prescription drugs. It directly affects patients and healthcare providers by removing insurance company barriers that previously delayed care. The key provision states that payment for covered services must be made without pre-approval if the service is prescribed by a licensed provider and included in the plan. The bill applies to all health and prescription drug plans issued or purchased on or after its effective date. It aims to streamline access to medically necessary treatments by ensuring insurers pay for doctor-recommended care without bureaucratic delays.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits paid to eligible retired members of New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). It requires the PFRS board of trustees to restore these COLAs to their previous statutory level without requiring additional contributions from retirees, provided actuarial certification confirms the change won't increase employer costs or jeopardize the system's long-term financial health. The policy directly affects retired police officers and firefighters who receive benefits under the PFRS. The change reverses a prior reduction to these automatic inflation adjustments for this specific retirement system.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 2412, removes restrictions preventing police officers from being near polling places under specific circumstances. It allows police officers to travel to, remain at, or return from a police station located within 100 feet of a polling place for official duties. It also permits Class Three special law enforcement officers (defined for school security) to be assigned to polling places at public schools to maintain order during elections. These changes apply to all polling places in New Jersey, directly affecting law enforcement officers, polling locations, and election security protocols. The bill does not alter voting procedures or ballot handling.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to obtain written permission from a parent or legal guardian before administering certain student health surveys. It specifically applies to anonymous, voluntary surveys about substance use (alcohol, tobacco, drugs, vaping), sexual behavior, injury/violence behaviors, or physical activity/nutrition. Schools must provide a detailed permission form at least two weeks prior, explaining the survey's purpose, data access, and how to approve or deny participation. Collected data must be submitted to state education and health departments for public health initiatives (not commercial use), and districts violating the requirement face monetary penalties.

Maddy summaryS 2494 creates a new crime called "fiscal victimization" targeting seniors (60+) and disabled individuals (with documented physical/mental impairments). It makes it illegal to commit theft or identity theft against these groups, with strict liability - defendants cannot claim they didn’t know the victim’s status. Penalties increase by one degree (e.g., from disorderly persons to fourth-degree crime) unless the underlying crime is a first-degree offense, which could lead to 10-30 years in prison. The law requires separate sentencing for both the theft and fiscal victimization charges, and the victimization charge is dismissed if the underlying theft is dropped.

Maddy summarySR 41 creates a bipartisan Senate Task Force to review New Jersey's state statutes, rules, regulations, and executive orders. The task force will assess whether these rules impose excessive costs on businesses, workers, school districts, and local governments compared to their intended benefits. It must hold public hearings, gather input from affected groups, and submit an initial report to the Senate within one year, followed by annual reports with recommendations to repeal, rescind, or amend burdensome rules.