Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to identify and designate municipalities with critical headwaters - those providing drinking water to at least 1 million residents - as "headwater guardians." Within one year, the DEP must develop a process to locate such headwaters, considering factors like watershed health and location in sensitive areas (e.g., Highlands Region), and publish the list of designated municipalities online. Within six months of designation, the DEP must determine if environmental protections (e.g., enhanced stormwater management or vegetated buffers) are needed to safeguard water quality, with all decisions subject to 30-day public comment. The bill also mandates annual reports tracking designations, protections implemented, and outcomes like reduced pollution or flood damage avoided. Municipalities designated as headwater guardians will receive recognition in planning processes and may access DEP grants for watershed stewardship.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1253) establishes a three-year pilot program to study how therapy dogs in public elementary school wellness programs affect student well-being and learning. It requires school districts to apply with details about their schools and therapy dog plans, and the state will select two districts per region (south, central, north) to ensure urban, suburban, and rural representation. Participating districts will receive guidance on safe dog interactions, handler training, health monitoring, and insurance. The program mandates a final report evaluating academic and health outcomes after three years.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4888) allows licensed mortgage loan originators in New Jersey to perform their work from home or other remote locations under specific conditions. It directly affects mortgage professionals who currently must work from office locations. Key requirements include having written supervisory policies, maintaining secure access to customer data via a security plan, prohibiting in-person customer meetings at home (unless the home is licensed), and not storing physical records remotely. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill repeals New Jersey's Corporate Transit Fee, which imposed a 2.5% surtax on certain corporations with over $10 million in New Jersey taxable income during 2024-2028. It directly affects corporations subject to the Corporate Business Tax (CBT) that previously paid this fee. The repeal removes the requirement for these taxpayers to pay the fee for any tax period after the bill's enactment, ending a mandatory surcharge that funded NJ Transit operations and federal matching funds. The bill effectively eliminates this specific tax provision without altering other CBT requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill decreases New Jersey's sales and use tax rate from 6.625% to 6%, effective January 1, 2026. It amends the state's tax code to reflect this change for all taxable sales, services, and hotel stays, including retail purchases, services, and accommodations. The bill also adjusts related tax rates for hotel occupancy fees and municipal taxes to maintain existing combined tax rate limits. This change will directly affect businesses collecting sales tax and consumers purchasing taxable goods and services in New Jersey after January 1, 2026.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A5049) removes a current restriction that allows the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) to withhold retirement or death benefits from members if they are involved in pending civil lawsuits related to their employment. It specifically prohibits the PFRS Board from delaying benefits due to such civil litigation, though it maintains the ability to withhold benefits for members facing criminal charges or administrative dismissal. The bill requires the Board to adjust benefits after any legal case concludes, rather than holding payments indefinitely during litigation. This change directly affects current and future PFRS members who are involved in employment-related civil disputes.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Gold Star Family Annuity Program" within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. It provides an annual $600 payment (starting January 1 each year) to eligible New Jersey residents who are surviving family members (spouses, domestic partners, parents, siblings, children, or legal guardians) of service members who died while on active duty for the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard. Payments will increase annually by up to 4% based on changes to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, but only for New Jersey residents who maintain residency and provide proof of their relationship to the deceased service member. The Adjutant General administers the program, including application processing and annual residency verification.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey courts to automatically transfer juveniles aged 15 or older to adult criminal court for certain homicide charges involving stalking. Specifically, if a juvenile allegedly committed a homicide (excluding vehicular homicide) and engaged in stalking behavior against the victim, the court must waive juvenile jurisdiction without the juvenile's consent. The court must hold a hearing to verify probable cause for both the homicide and stalking elements before transferring the case. If convicted, the juvenile would typically serve custodial sentences in a youth facility until age 21, though transfer to adult prison may occur under specific safety conditions.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates New Jersey State Highway Route 10 (from milepost 0.0 to 23.51) as the "American Legion Memorial Highway" to honor the organization's service to veterans since World War I. It prohibits using state or public funds for signage, requiring private donations or grants to cover costs for producing, installing, and maintaining the highway designation signs. The measure commemorates the American Legion's historical and ongoing support for veterans, service members, and communities across New Jersey.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's $6,000 gross income tax exemption for veterans to include all veterans of the Uniformed Services of the United States, not just those from the traditional "Armed Forces." It specifically adds veterans who served in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) to the eligible groups. Currently, only veterans of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and National Guard (in federal duty) qualified for this exemption. The change aligns New Jersey law with federal definitions of "Uniformed Services" to cover all branches that serve the nation in uniformed roles.