Sen. Tony Bucco

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 35% tax credit against New Jersey corporation business and gross income tax for production companies staging pre-Broadway or post-Broadway theater shows at qualifying venues (350+ seats). The credit covers eligible production costs like sets, costumes, payroll, and advertising, up to a $10 million annual cap. Companies must apply to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority with details about their production, venue, and expenses, and the credit cannot reduce taxes below the state’s minimum. It directly affects theater production companies seeking to offset costs for shows targeting or following Broadway runs.

Maddy summaryThis bill excludes reenlistment and voluntary extension bonuses for U.S. Armed Forces members from New Jersey's gross income tax. It amends the state tax code to specifically remove these bonuses from taxable income, applying to all active-duty and reserve service members, including New Jersey National Guard members on State active duty. The policy directly affects military personnel who receive such bonuses as part of their service compensation. This change provides tax relief by reducing the taxable income of these service members for New Jersey tax purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Veterans Affairs to partner with qualified law firms to provide free legal help to eligible disabled veterans facing denied disability claims at the federal level. It specifically covers veterans with service-connected disabilities and a net worth under $2 million, who need representation before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims after losing at the VA Board of Appeals. Law firms must specialize in veteran benefits, have 10+ years of experience, maintain a New Jersey office, and meet strict case-quantity requirements. The program requires no fees for veterans and will begin July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies which State Police rank changes require Attorney General approval. It allows the Superintendent to adjust ranks for most personnel (including troopers, detectives, and supervisors) without approval, but mandates Attorney General sign-off for command staff at major and lieutenant colonel levels. All changes must stay within existing budget limits for the Division of State Police. (Note: The bill was withdrawn as it was covered by existing law.)

Maddy summaryS 1970 changes New Jersey's rear seat belt law by making failure to wear a seatbelt a primary offense (allowing police to stop vehicles solely for this violation), repealing the current secondary offense rule. It directly affects all rear seat passengers in vehicles and requires law enforcement agencies to report traffic stop data related to rear seat belt violations to the Attorney General one year after the law takes effect. The Attorney General must analyze this data against prior years to assess impacts on enforcement practices and submit findings to the legislature within six months. Additionally, the bill mandates that implementation data be included in New Jersey's annual Highway Safety Plan submitted to federal agencies, focusing on crash injury and fatality trends.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 367) expands when New Jersey juveniles can be tried as adults by adding two specific motor vehicle-related offenses to the list of crimes eligible for waiver to adult court: theft of a motor vehicle and unlawful taking of a motor vehicle. It makes it a strict liability crime for a juvenile to be involved in such thefts, meaning prosecutors do not need to prove the juvenile intended to steal the vehicle. The bill directly affects juveniles aged 15+ charged with these offenses, who would now face automatic referral to adult court without the juvenile’s consent if prosecutors meet specific criteria. The key change is broadening the waiver eligibility to include these thefts and removing intent as a factor for liability. This does not change sentencing for adults but alters the pathway for juvenile cases involving motor vehicle theft.

Maddy summaryS 778 authorizes New Jersey school districts to administer specific motor vehicle services for prospective school bus drivers, including knowledge tests, license manuals, identification verification, fee processing, and endorsement applications. It does not permit schools to conduct road tests, which must still be handled by the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). The bill requires the MVC to develop rules and coordinate with school districts to implement this program, streamlining access to licensing for school bus drivers. This change directly affects school districts, prospective school bus drivers, and the MVC's administrative process.

Maddy summaryS 2599 requires companies, research facilities, and institutions using cats, dogs, or ferrets for product testing, research, or educational purposes in New Jersey to assess each animal for adoption suitability after testing ends and offer it to rescue organizations or private individuals if suitable. These entities must register with the state health department, report animal details (like type, number, and adoption status), and document efforts to place animals for adoption. Noncompliance results in civil penalties of up to $50,000 for repeated violations, with a third offense potentially leading to a court-ordered ban on animal testing. The bill establishes clear reporting procedures and enforcement mechanisms to ensure animals used in testing have adoption opportunities.

Maddy summaryS 1108 creates a grant program within New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to fund homeless veterans' shelters in Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland counties. The bill requires these three southern counties to submit applications proposing specific locations and property they will provide for the state to develop and operate shelters. Grants will be awarded based on criteria set by the Adjutant General, using funds appropriated by the legislature. This directly addresses geographic barriers homeless veterans face in accessing shelter services, particularly during extreme weather, by establishing new facilities in underserved southern counties.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's state marriage license application form to give couples more flexibility when changing their names after marriage. It requires the form to include five specific options for surname changes: adopting a spouse's surname, using a former surname, combining surnames, using a hyphenated name, or listing a pre-marriage surname as a middle name followed by a spouse's surname. The form must also clearly state that neither party is required to change their name and provide guidance on updating Social Security and state ID records. The bill mandates coordination between the Health Department and other state agencies to automatically update name changes on documents like driver's licenses without requiring additional steps from applicants. It directly affects anyone marrying in New Jersey who wishes to change their legal name through the marriage process.