Sen. Tony Bucco

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a permanent "Civil Air Patrol Fund" within New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, requiring an annual $100,000 appropriation from the state General Fund. The fund supports New Jersey's Civil Air Patrol Wing by financing specific programs like cadet STEM/aviation training, search and rescue readiness, disaster relief equipment (including a Redbird Simulator), and volunteer training. Unspent funds carry forward annually, and the fund may also accept federal grants and public donations. The bill directly affects the Civil Air Patrol's operations in New Jersey, providing dedicated state funding for its community and emergency services programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens New Jersey's human trafficking law by increasing penalties for traffickers. It defines trafficking more broadly (including holding people for sexual activity or labor through threats, fraud, or document confiscation) and makes violations a first-degree crime punishable by 20 years to life in prison with no parole eligibility for the first 20 years. Perpetrators must pay restitution to victims based on New Jersey's prevailing wage laws or federal standards, and fines will fund a new "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund." The law directly affects traffickers facing harsher sentences, victims receiving restitution, and agencies managing the survivor fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey municipalities to provide basic life support (BLS) services - including CPR, wound care, and emergency stabilization - to meet community needs. It designates BLS as an "essential service," mandating that each municipality arrange for it through one of five methods: licensing private providers, contracting with public/private entities, creating mutual aid agreements with other towns, partnering with hospitals, or using existing fire/EMS departments. The law applies statewide and takes immediate effect, ensuring consistent access to critical pre-hospital care.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to collect and review electricity load forecasts submitted by electric utilities to the regional grid operator (PJM). It directly affects electric public utilities (like Jersey Central Power & Light) that must share their long-term demand forecasts with the BPU, excluding short-term forecasts. The BPU must analyze these forecasts for accuracy, coordinate with PJM and neighboring states to prevent duplicate project counting, and submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature starting in 2026. The goal is to increase transparency in how future electricity demand is projected, ensuring forecasts better reflect actual needs and avoid unnecessary infrastructure costs.

Maddy summaryS 3503 provides a 35% tax credit against New Jersey corporation business and gross income tax for production companies that incur eligible costs for pre-Broadway and post-Broadway theater productions performed at qualified facilities in the state. The credit covers 35% of production and performance expenditures including sets, costumes, payroll (up to $250,000 per week), advertising, and transportation costs. Production companies must apply to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority for approval, with final approval by the Division of Taxation, and the total annual tax credits are capped at $10 million. This bill directly affects theater production companies seeking to offset costs for shows intended for or following Broadway performances.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Rutgers University's Economic Advisory Service to study how military installations in New Jersey impact the state's economy, including jobs, tax revenue, infrastructure projects, and overall economic activity. The study must analyze direct and indirect effects at both state and local levels, and report findings to the Governor and Legislature within one year. Rutgers will receive $155,000 from the state budget to conduct this analysis, using available state agency resources as needed. The report will provide data to inform future budget decisions and economic planning related to military installations.

Maddy summaryS 4903 allows New Jersey municipalities to permit new cigar lounges to open by adopting local ordinances. To register, a new lounge must not sell food or alcohol (except at private events), have a distinct public entrance, maintain proper ventilation, and prohibit hookah use, while generating at least 15% of annual income from tobacco sales and humidors. Registration is granted for one year and renewable only if these conditions are met annually, including replacing the exhaust system filter. This bill directly affects new cigar lounge operators seeking to open in municipalities that adopt such ordinances.

Maddy summaryS 4919 requires New Jersey's Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) to create and maintain a toll-free hotline for reporting violations of state election laws. The hotline will specifically cover campaign finance rules (under P.L.1973, c.83), election-related crimes under Title 19, and other election law breaches. ELEC must review each report and can refer findings to the Attorney General, county prosecutors, or other law enforcement for action. This bill directly affects ELEC (which must operate the hotline) and anyone seeking to report election law violations. The hotline would be available 24/7, with implementation required 60 days after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4920) increases the required notice period for certain local land use hearings from 10 to 21 days before the hearing. It directly affects property owners within 200 feet of proposed developments, requiring municipalities to mail written notice of hearings to their last known addresses. The bill amends two key statutes: R.S.40:49-6 (for ordinances on local improvements) and Section 7.1 of P.L.1975, c.291 (for development applications). The change applies to hearings involving street changes, property assessments, and most development approvals, ensuring affected residents have more time to prepare.

Maddy summaryS 4898 would lower the minimum required uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage for transportation network company (TNC) drivers and companies in New Jersey, such as Uber or Lyft. Current law requires TNC drivers to maintain at least $1.5 million in such coverage when providing rides. The bill would reduce this minimum coverage amount to a lower figure, though the exact new amount is not specified in the text. This change would directly affect TNC drivers and companies by reducing their insurance requirements.