Sen. Tony Bucco

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2584) allows local government business administrators - such as municipal finance officers - to join New Jersey’s Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS), a defined-benefit retirement plan. Currently, these roles are excluded from PERS and must use a separate defined-contribution retirement savings plan. The bill specifically amends eligibility rules to include business administrators under PERS membership and permits those already in the defined-contribution plan to transfer to PERS. This change directly affects municipal staff in financial management roles, shifting their retirement coverage from a savings-based system to a guaranteed-benefit plan.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Superintendent of State Police to collect and publish annual statistics on fatal motor vehicle crashes involving cannabis. It directly affects the State Police (who must gather and release the data) and the public (who will gain access to this information). The key provision mandates that the data collection use the same definition of "cannabis" as established in existing law (P.L.2021, c.16), similar to how alcohol-related crash data is currently reported in the annual Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash Report. The bill does not change cannabis laws or enforcement but adds transparency about cannabis-related crash fatalities.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for New Jersey taxpayers to file amended returns correcting overpayments related to military pensions or survivor benefits. It specifically ensures that taxpayers affected by errors in reporting these payments can file claims within 2 years of the required federal correction, instead of facing shorter time limits. The change directly helps military retirees and survivors who overpaid state income tax due to initial misreporting of pension income. The key mechanism clarifies that the 2-year window under existing law (N.J.S.54A:9-8(c)) applies to these specific military benefit corrections. This adjustment provides a practical administrative fix without altering tax rates or eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey state employees enrolled in certain retirement systems (PERS, TPAF, PFRS, SPRS) to purchase retirement credit for time spent at military service academies (e.g., West Point, Annapolis). Employees can buy up to 10 years of credit by paying into the retirement fund based on salary and age, with payments spread over up to 10 years - employers are not responsible for these costs. The credit purchase applies specifically to academy enrollment periods, not general military service, and does not affect eligibility for health care benefits after retirement. It amends existing retirement rules to clarify this process for military academy enrollment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a property tax exemption for New Jersey veterans with service-connected disabilities, calculated proportionally to their disability rating (e.g., 50% disability = 50% exemption). It directly affects veterans declared by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to have a service-connected disability of at least 30% (or deemed unemployable due to such disability), and their surviving spouses under specific conditions. The state will reimburse municipalities 102% of the tax revenue lost from these exemptions, with a $10,000 cap for partial exemptions (below 100% disability).

Maddy summaryThis bill redirects 1% of the Workforce Development Partnership Fund to provide permanent, dedicated annual funding for the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research. It replaces the previous $1 million annual allocation from cigarette tax receipts (which had been diverted to other budget needs in recent years). The Commission, established in 1983, uses this funding to support cancer research projects and advance cancer prevention, treatment, and palliation efforts across New Jersey. The bill ensures consistent funding for the Commission without affecting other existing sources like "Conquer Cancer" license plate revenue.

Maddy summaryS 1119 requires New Jersey's Secretary of State to establish a statewide voter list maintenance and crosscheck program to ensure voter registration accuracy. The bill mandates that the Secretary of State crosscheck voter data with state databases (including Motor Vehicle Commission records, death records, and corrections data) to remove ineligible voters while preserving eligible registrations. It also requires an annual report to the Governor and Legislature by February 1st each year, detailing the program's effectiveness, system needs, and recommendations for improvement. This directly affects state election officials (Secretary of State and county registrars) and ensures the accuracy of voter registration lists for all eligible voters in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health care providers to obtain written parental or guardian consent before sharing any child's medical information with government agencies, including the Department of Health. It applies to all existing reporting requirements for conditions like newborn hearing screenings, lead testing, autism diagnoses, cardiac events, and immunization records. Exceptions allow sharing only if a provider suspects child abuse, including sexual abuse. The law directly affects parents/guardians (who must consent), health care providers (who must seek consent), and government agencies (which cannot receive unconsented data).

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1931) increases penalties for reckless vehicular homicide when the driver was intoxicated. It elevates the offense to a first-degree crime if the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs while operating a vehicle near schools or school zones, including: within 1,000 feet of school property, through designated school crossings, near school crossings with juveniles present (even if unmarked), or in highway construction zones. Convictions under these circumstances require a minimum prison term of one-third to one-half of the sentence or three years (whichever is greater), with no parole eligibility during that period, plus a license suspension of 5 years to life. The law applies directly to drivers convicted of causing death while driving intoxicated in these specific locations.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates a $15 fee for special license plates for New Jersey firefighters and members of first aid or rescue squads. It directly affects volunteer, partially compensated, and compensated members of these emergency services who currently pay the $15 fee on top of standard vehicle registration costs. The key change removes this additional charge, meaning applicants will pay only standard registration fees for the plates. The bill maintains existing requirements, including annual renewal and proof of active membership.