Sen. Tony Bucco

Maddy summaryThis bill allows veterans to earn Firefighter 1 certification without completing the standard recruit training course if they completed at least 12 months of active military duty and military firefighter training. It directly affects veterans who meet other eligibility and examination requirements set by New Jersey's Division of Fire Safety. The key provision replaces the mandatory training course requirement with military service and training verification, streamlining certification for qualified veterans. The bill does not alter other certification standards or create new financial obligations. It is currently pending in the Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1188) amends New Jersey's "Extended Employment Act" to modernize support for people with significant disabilities. It revises key definitions - such as replacing "sheltered workshop" with "extended employment" to describe nonprofit-run programs providing work opportunities for individuals with disabilities who cannot compete in the open labor market. The bill updates funding mechanisms to tie annual increases to the CPI-W index (not fixed amounts) and requires contracted providers to submit detailed annual reports on participant outcomes. It directly affects nonprofit service providers administering these programs and people with significant disabilities who qualify for extended employment services. The changes aim to better align program structure with current vocational rehabilitation standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $750 monthly stipend program for new volunteer firefighters in New Jersey who serve at least 15 hours per month during their first year of service. Funded by a $2 million state appropriation, the program is administered by the Department of State's Office of Volunteerism, requiring firehouses to certify volunteer hours and need. It also encourages school districts to create after-school programs for middle school students (grades 6-8) to learn about fire safety and recruitment opportunities. The bill directly affects new volunteer firefighters, fire departments, and school districts, aiming to improve recruitment and retention through financial support and early career exposure.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all state agencies and political subdivisions (including counties, municipalities, school districts, and local government entities) to make a good faith effort to purchase 5% of their goods and services from the Central Nonprofit Agency (CNA), which sources products from approved rehabilitation facilities. The CNA is granted the right of first refusal for these purchases, meaning state entities must consider the CNA before other vendors. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Division of Purchase and Property establish mandatory training protocols for purchasing agents, requiring new hires to complete training and renewing it every two years. The bill also requires regular reporting to track compliance with the 5% procurement goal and training requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to annually pay municipalities $75,000 for each low- or moderate-income housing unit they commit to providing, as certified through their housing plans under the Fair Housing Act (P.L.1985, c.222). It directly affects municipalities that comply with state affordable housing obligations, addressing their unfunded infrastructure costs (like roads, schools, and water systems) tied to housing development. Payments are deposited into a dedicated Local Infrastructure and Planning Fund and distributed equally over 10 years per housing obligation round, starting in 2026. Funds can cover infrastructure planning, compliance costs, or operational/capital expenses for public facilities affected by affordable housing projects.

Maddy summaryS 2375 requires mental health practitioners licensed in New Jersey - including clinical social workers, psychologists, counselors, and therapists - to complete four hours of approved suicide prevention training. New license applicants must complete this training before licensure, and all licensed practitioners must renew it every six years. Existing practitioners must complete the initial training within one year of the law's effective date. The Division of Consumer Affairs will maintain a list of approved training programs, which must cover suicide prevention, assessment, screening, treatment, and management in clinical settings. This bill directly affects all 9 licensed mental health practitioner categories under Title 45 of New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of State and county election officials to conduct a 90-day audit of voter registration records in the Statewide Voter Registration System. The audit must identify: (1) ineligible voters who successfully registered, (2) attempts by ineligible voters to register (even if unsuccessful), and (3) whether current procedures for removing ineligible voters are effective. Officials must jointly develop uniform audit methods and submit findings with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 30 days of completion. The law takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryS 2458 adjusts how New Jersey municipalities calculate their regional affordable housing needs under the Fair Housing Act. It changes the method to base "prospective need" on certified new residential housing units created (excluding replacements), rather than previous approaches. This bill directly affects all New Jersey municipalities required to meet affordable housing obligations, giving them extended timelines to revise their plans based on the new calculation method. The change aims to align housing requirements with realistic development patterns, as highlighted in recent court decisions. The bill amends 1985 and 2024 housing laws to implement this data-driven approach.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the "New Jersey Disability Savings Act" to expand tax benefits for individuals with disabilities who use ABLE accounts. It provides a one-time $750 state match for new ABLE account deposits (for taxpayers earning $150,000 or less) and allows full state income tax deductions for all contributions to qualifying ABLE accounts. The program directly affects New Jersey residents with disabilities (or their families) who open ABLE accounts for disability-related expenses like housing, education, or medical costs. Funding for the matching grant depends on annual state appropriations, with the Department of Human Services handling allocation if funds are limited.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding Senate Resolution (SR 20) urges New Jersey's Governor to adopt the federal tax credit scholarship program created by the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (Pub.L.119-21). If adopted, the program would allow New Jersey taxpayers to claim a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 annually for donations to state-recognized scholarship organizations, which would then provide scholarships covering elementary/secondary education costs like tuition, books, and transportation. The resolution directly affects New Jersey families seeking educational options, as state participation would determine whether residents can access these tax benefits and scholarship funds starting January 2027. States have sole discretion to opt into the program, and this resolution formally requests the Governor take necessary steps to join it.