Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $22,431,294 from the 2003 Dam, Lake and Stream Project Revolving Loan Fund and $6,239,630 from the 1992 Dam Restoration and Clean Water Trust Fund - totaling $28,670,924 - to provide loans for dam restoration and inland waters projects. The funds, drawn from unused monies due to project cancellations and repayments, directly support 17 specific projects, including repairs for private dams (like High Crest Lake Dam and Mountain Creek Lake Dam) and lake associations, as well as local government-owned dams. These loans finance restoration costs for dam owners, private lake associations, or local governments working together. The bill specifies that unexpended funds will return to the respective bond funds for future projects.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 3587 upgrades retail theft offenses in New Jersey, including elevating "leader of organized retail theft enterprise" to a first-degree crime punishable by 10-20 years in prison. The bill creates a new offense for "fostering the sale of stolen property" (including online sales), which is a disorderly persons offense punishable by up to six months in jail. It establishes a retail theft unit within the Department of Law and Public Safety to investigate and prosecute organized retail theft, appropriating $1 million for this purpose. The bill also includes new requirements for gift card sales to prevent fraud, such as mandatory notices for retailers and packaging restrictions for both open- and closed-loop gift cards.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows members of New Jersey's State Police Retirement System (SPRS) to purchase retirement credit for specific prior service. It permits purchasing credit for time enrolled in military service academies (like West Point or Annapolis), time in the New Jersey State Police Academy, or employment as a "class two special law enforcement officer" before joining the police force. Members can pay for this credit through installments (at least half the normal contribution) over up to 10 years, with the credit counting equally toward retirement benefits as actual police service. The bill specifically requires that the break between such prior service and joining SPRS must be less than 365 days for the credit purchase to be eligible.
Maddy summaryS 3098 requires health insurers in New Jersey to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, management, or ongoing monitoring of medical conditions when supported by medical evidence. The bill defines biomarker testing as analysis of tissue, blood, or other biospecimens for biomarkers, and specifies coverage must be provided when tests align with FDA approvals, drug indications, CMS determinations, or nationally-recognized clinical guidelines. Insurers must process prior authorization requests within 72 hours for non-urgent cases and 24 hours for urgent cases, while minimizing disruptions like multiple biopsies. This requirement applies to all health insurance plans, including Medicaid, which must provide coverage with no cost-sharing for beneficiaries.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1192 requires health insurers to cover prescription drugs for serious mental illnesses without prior authorization or step therapy (where patients must try cheaper drugs first). It applies to conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and PTSD as defined in the DSM. Insurers must also submit annual reports to the Department of Banking and Insurance detailing how they apply medical necessity standards for mental health coverage to ensure they’re no stricter than for physical health treatments. This bill directly affects health insurers and beneficiaries in New Jersey seeking mental health medication coverage.
Maddy summaryS 2911 expands eligibility for New Jersey's "Combat Infantryman Badge" license plate to include veterans who hold a Combat Action Ribbon, as certified on their DD-214 or discharge form. Currently, only holders of the Combat Infantryman Badge qualify, excluding Marines who receive the Combat Action Ribbon instead. The bill amends existing law to allow these veterans to obtain the same distinctive plate design (bearing the badge emblem and "Combat Infantryman Badge" wording) for a $15 additional fee. Surviving spouses of eligible veterans may retain the plate on their vehicle under the same rules. This change specifically addresses a gap that prevented Marines from accessing the plate under current law.
Maddy summaryS 3466 extends the special appraisal process for Green Acres and farmland preservation programs in the Highlands Region through 2029, requiring landowners to be provided with two appraisal values when selling property for preservation. The bill allocates $7.5 million annually from constitutionally dedicated Corporation Business Tax revenue to the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council for land preservation, with $5 million for recreation and conservation and $2.5 million for farmland preservation. It creates a new "Preserve New Jersey Highlands Preservation Fund" to support land acquisition and conservation efforts in the Highlands Region, including matching federal funding for watershed protection. The bill also requires distributing state aid to municipalities hosting watershed lands that don't receive existing watershed moratorium offset aid.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 4257 establishes a 20-member Forest Fire Preparedness Commission within the Department of Environmental Protection. The commission, including officials like the Environmental Protection Commissioner and State Firewarden, plus appointed members from firefighting groups and environmental experts, will audit the state's wildfire response systems and develop coordination protocols for emergency responders. Key duties include reviewing existing fire plans, creating a statewide response roadmap for firefighters, police, and medical teams, standardizing communication channels, and assessing controlled burns. The commission must submit its final report within two years and dissolve 30 days after submission.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A 5116 revises primary election ballot design to address legal concerns about the previous "bracketing" system. The bill requires all primary ballots to arrange candidates by office in standardized "office blocks" (e.g., all Assembly candidates grouped together), with consistent formatting, left-aligned text, and clear candidate labeling - replacing the prior structure that caused voter confusion and legal challenges. It directly affects voters, election officials, and candidates in New Jersey primary elections by standardizing ballot appearance to improve clarity and reduce misinterpretation. The law also removes State committee members from the primary ballot design process, as mandated by the bill’s legislative findings. This change, enacted as P.L.2025, c.32, aims to align with First Amendment principles while ensuring ballots are user-friendly.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program through New Jersey's Collaborating Center for Nursing (NJCCN) to support veterans' memorial homes in creating nursing residency programs for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and registered professional nurses (RNs). Veterans' memorial homes can apply for financial, material, and technical assistance from NJCCN to develop these 12-month, full-time training programs, which must include preceptor support and data collection on program completion and staff retention. The bill appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund to fund this initiative and requires participating homes to submit applications detailing program details. NJCCN will collect data on program participation and spending, reporting annually to the Governor and Legislature.