Sen. Tony Bucco

Maddy summaryThis bill removes an existing exception in New Jersey's Smoke-Free Air Act that allowed smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities. Currently, the law permits smoking in areas of casinos with at least 150 slot machines or 10 table games, and in simulcasting facilities with dedicated seating for 50+ patrons. The bill deletes this exception from the statute, meaning smoking would be prohibited in all indoor public areas of these facilities under the general smoke-free law. It directly affects casinos and simulcasting venues that currently operate under the smoking exemption.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a New Jersey state grant program to fund substance abuse prevention programs for eighth-grade students in public school districts. It requires school districts to apply for grants and certify they have funding (from district budgets, private donations, or federal sources) to support two key components: (1) staff/parent workshops on recognizing substance abuse risks, and (2) a four-part student education program featuring personal stories from rehab residents, affected families, correctional facility inmates, and positive role models. Students may opt out if parents provide a signed statement citing religious or moral objections. The program is modeled after an existing successful initiative at Copeland Middle School in Rockaway Township.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts New Jersey's income tax rates for married couples filing jointly (and similar filers like heads of household), primarily by increasing the tax-free threshold. Starting in 2022, the lowest tax bracket applies to taxable income under $40,000 (up from $20,000), meaning married couples earning under this amount pay 1.4% on all income instead of a phased rate. The bill also updates rates for higher income brackets but focuses on reducing the tax burden for middle-income married couples, which is the basis for its "Marriage Penalty Elimination" designation.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows licensed hunters to hunt deer with firearms or bows on Sundays at specific locations: State wildlife management areas, private property, federal military lands (with installation approval), and the William J. Hughes Technical Center (with facility approval). It requires hunters to possess a valid deer hunting license (firearm, bow, or "All Around Sportsman" license) and follow all State Fish and Game Code rules. Currently, Sunday hunting for deer is prohibited except for limited exceptions like raccoon hunting or trapping. The change removes the Sunday ban for deer hunting in these designated areas while maintaining existing licensing and regulatory requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover prescription drugs for "serious mental illness" (including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and PTSD) without prior authorization or step therapy protocols. It directly affects individuals with these diagnoses who rely on insurance for mental health medications. Key provisions ban insurers from forcing patients to try lower-cost treatments first (step therapy) or requiring pre-approval for covered medications. The bill also mandates insurers to report how they apply medical necessity standards for mental health coverage to ensure parity with physical health benefits. This creates immediate, concrete changes to medication access for covered mental health conditions.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 477) exempts specific baby products from the state's sales tax. It directly affects parents and caregivers purchasing cribs, child restraint systems (like car seats meeting federal safety standards), nursing bottles/nipples/funnels, and strollers. The key provision removes the sales tax on these items, which are currently taxed under the "Sales and Use Tax Act." The goal is to reduce costs for essential infant care products, as stated in the bill's summary. The exemption takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 2046) expands the Family Leave Act to provide up to 21 days of protected leave for employees experiencing specific bereavement events, including the death of a child (including stillbirth), miscarriage, or failed fertility treatment. It directly affects employees working for employers with 30+ staff (down from 50 under previous rules), covering situations like pregnancy loss or a child’s death, whether through birth, adoption, or gestational carrier arrangements. The leave is available through the existing Temporary Disability Benefits system, with 21 days for cases not covered by other leave types (like miscarriage) and 7 days when other leave applies (like stillbirth). This change ensures employees can take time off without job loss for these deeply personal losses, aligning with New Jersey’s broader family leave protections.

Maddy summaryS 2430 clarifies definitions for affordable housing obligations under New Jersey's 1985 law, directly affecting municipalities, housing agencies, and developers. It defines key terms like "low income housing" (affordable to households earning ≤50% of regional median income) and "moderate income housing" (50-80% of median income), while specifying how municipalities calculate their housing "fair share" using current and projected needs. The bill also details credit requirements for existing housing units built between 1980-1986 that meet affordability standards. These clarified definitions aim to streamline how municipalities determine and meet their affordable housing obligations under state law.

Maddy summaryS 2541 allocates $4.32 billion from New Jersey's Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund to help all 565 municipalities and 21 counties retire existing local debt or fund capital projects (like water systems, parks, or public safety facilities) without issuing new bonds. It directs the Department of Treasury to distribute $3 billion to municipalities equally per resident and $1.32 billion to counties equally per resident, with all funds to be distributed within 30 days of enactment. The bill adds $2.35 billion to the fund from the General Fund to support this allocation. This directly affects every local government in New Jersey by providing immediate, equitable funding for debt reduction and infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 91 ("Homestead School Property Tax Reimbursement Act"), provides a 50% reimbursement for the school portion of property taxes paid by eligible seniors. It directly affects New Jersey residents aged 65 or older who own or lease a primary residence (including single-family homes, condos, mobile homes in parks, or cooperative units) and meet income limits: $35,000 or less in the first year, $75,000 in the second year, and no limit thereafter. The reimbursement covers half of the school tax portion on qualifying homesteads, excluding interest or penalties. It does not apply to secondary residences or properties rented out. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.