Sen. Tony Bucco

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state program to permanently restrict development on qualifying privately-owned woodlands through easement acquisitions. Landowners with woodlands meeting specific criteria (minimum 20 acres, used for agriculture/forest products, or managed under approved stewardship plans) can participate. The State Agriculture Development Committee will administer the program using existing farmland preservation funds and seek federal programs like the Forest Legacy Program, with easements recorded similarly to property deeds. The goal is to preserve forested lands for agricultural, silvicultural, and conservation purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school staff (including those in after-school programs) to complete epilepsy and seizure disorder care training every five years. It directly affects school boards, administrators, and all school personnel who interact with students. The key provision mandates that training must be provided through a Department of Health-approved course from a nonprofit epilepsy support organization. This ensures staff can recognize seizures, provide appropriate care, and know when to seek help, as outlined in individualized health plans developed with parent input and physician guidance. The law applies to all schools in the state and takes effect at the start of the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Farmland Assessment Review Commission within New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to annually review and recommend changes to the state's farmland assessment program. The commission would evaluate the program's application, eligibility requirements, funding mechanisms, and interactions with other land preservation programs to ensure fair, equitable, and uniform statewide implementation. It would assess factors such as the number of properties under assessment, potential inspection fees for landowners, income-based eligibility considerations, and how other land preservation programs affect farmland assessment. The commission, consisting of nine members including state officials and representatives from farmland owners and local tax assessors, would submit annual reports with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature for potential legislative action.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate instruction about fentanyl and xylazine dangers in health classes for students in grades 6 through 12. The curriculum must cover prevention, symptoms of poisoning, emergency response, and legal protections for seeking help, using resources from federal agencies like the CDC and DEA. School districts must provide this instruction as part of existing health education standards, with the state education commissioner supplying approved materials and maintaining online resources for staff and parents. Annual reports will evaluate the program's effectiveness in reducing youth drug poisoning. The bill directly affects all New Jersey public schools and their students in grades 6-12.

Maddy summaryS 2346 creates a three-year pilot program to protect vulnerable residents during extreme heat and poor air quality events. It establishes "Code Red" alerts triggered when heat index reaches 95°F+ for two days or air quality hits index 151+, requiring counties to coordinate cooling centers, transportation, and outreach for homeless or outdoor residents. The bill appropriates $5 million total - $500,000 per participating county - to fund this effort in 10 selected counties. Counties must develop alert plans with local agencies, report to the state, and submit a final evaluation on the program’s effectiveness after the pilot ends.

Maddy summaryThis bill, "Max's Law," requires New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate instruction about fentanyl and xylazine dangers in health classes for students in grades 6 through 12. The curriculum must cover prevention, symptoms of poisoning, emergency response, and relevant laws protecting those seeking help. School districts must use resources from federal agencies like the CDC and NIH, and the state education department will provide materials and post online resources for staff, students, and parents. The law takes effect immediately, applying to the first full school year after enactment, with annual reports evaluating its impact on youth drug use and poisoning.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5598) modifies New Jersey's requirements for obtaining a public accountancy license. It changes the education requirement from 120 semester hours to either a baccalaureate degree or 150 hours of education with an accounting concentration. For out-of-state license holders, it removes the "substantial equivalence" standard and instead requires a current valid license from another state, passing the Uniform CPA exam, and one year of experience. The bill includes a grandfather clause allowing individuals with licenses from other states before December 31, 2025 to continue practicing without meeting the new requirements. It also clarifies experience requirements and updates processes for foreign license holders.

Maddy summaryS 4858, the "New Jersey Veterans and Military Spouses Asset Protection Act," provides enhanced creditor protections for veterans, active-duty service members, and their military spouses. It exempts their primary and secondary homes from forced sale for debts (with exceptions for mortgages, taxes, or fraud), protects retirement accounts and veterans' benefits from creditors, and shields up to two vehicles per household valued at $25,000 each. The law applies to debts incurred on or after January 1, 2025, and supplements existing federal protections like the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. It does not cover debts from willful misconduct, fraud, or government obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts health care professionals licensed in foreign nations from New Jersey's standard licensing requirements when providing medical services exclusively to athletes or team personnel affiliated with international teams participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The exemption applies only during the tournament period (June 1-July 31, 2026), covering services related to training and events leading up to and during the World Cup (June 11-July 19, 2026). It does not affect licensing for general practice in New Jersey or services outside this specific event. The policy aims to streamline medical support for participating teams without altering permanent licensing standards.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A5217, the "Ensuring Fairness in Cost-Sharing Amounts Act of 2024," requires health insurance carriers and pharmacy benefits managers to count third-party discounts and payments toward patients' out-of-pocket costs like copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance. This means discounts from drug manufacturers, patient assistance programs, or other third parties must reduce what patients actually pay for covered health services, rather than being ignored by insurers. The bill prohibits insurers from using "accumulators" that would prevent these discounts from counting toward a patient's deductible. It applies to all health benefits plans in New Jersey and requires annual compliance certification from insurers and pharmacy benefits managers.