Sen. Tony Bucco

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the Governor's power to declare and extend state of emergency or public health emergency declarations in New Jersey. It requires the Legislature to approve any extension of these declarations, with automatic termination after 60 days for state emergencies (or 30 days for public health emergencies) unless approved by a majority vote of both legislative chambers. The Governor must notify the Legislature in writing at least seven business days before seeking an extension, detailing the ongoing threat. The bill also prohibits the Governor from issuing identical declarations for the same emergency after termination without specific legislative authorization.

Maddy summaryS 864 (New Jersey Senate Bill) allows municipalities to create a preference for first responders (firefighters, police, EMTs) in affordable housing projects. Specifically, it permits municipalities to reserve up to 50% of affordable units in a development for qualifying first responders who apply within the first 90 days of marketing. After this period, remaining units are available to the general public, and qualified first responders join a special waiting list for future vacancies. The bill amends existing housing law to add this preference option without changing how municipalities count these units toward their affordable housing requirements. This directly affects eligible first responders seeking affordable housing in participating municipalities.

Maddy summaryS 830 (New Jersey Senate Bill 830) would allow the Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to waive non-driver ID card fees for applicants who provide proof of enrollment in qualifying public assistance programs. It directly affects low-income New Jersey residents who need identification but cannot afford the standard $18 fee for a new card. The key provision requires applicants to submit documentation showing enrollment in programs like SNAP (food assistance), Work First NJ, or Medicaid at the time of application. The bill, introduced in January 2024 and pending before the Senate Transportation Committee, amends existing MVC fee rules to expand fee waiver eligibility beyond current homeless-specific provisions.

Maddy summaryS 814, "Levi's Law," requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to provide evidence-based information about spina bifida to parents and families who receive a prenatal or postnatal diagnosis of the condition. This expands an existing law that already provided similar information for Down syndrome. The DOH must post this information on its website in English and Spanish, covering outcomes, treatment options, and support services, and healthcare providers must give it to affected parents when they receive a positive test result. The law directly affects parents of newborns with spina bifida, healthcare providers, and the DOH, ensuring they have access to updated, accessible resources.

Maddy summaryThis proposed bill, S 476 (Homestead School Property Tax Reimbursement Act), would provide New Jersey seniors aged 65+ with a state reimbursement for 50% of the school portion of their property taxes. To qualify, seniors must own or lease a qualifying primary residence (including single-family homes, condos, mobile homes in parks, or cooperative units) and meet income limits ($35,000 or less in the first year, $75,000 in the second year, with no limit after that). The reimbursement covers only the school tax portion of property taxes paid on eligible homesteads, excluding penalties or delinquent amounts. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.

Maddy summaryS 1684 directs New Jersey's Attorney General to create a state-wide anonymous reporting program for school safety threats. It establishes accessible methods like a phone tip line and mobile app, allowing students, parents, school staff, and community members to report unsafe or criminal activities in schools without revealing their identity (except if they voluntarily disclose it). The program requires forwarding reports to authorities, providing training to schools and law enforcement on handling tips, and distributing student guidelines and awareness materials. The Attorney General must annually report on program usage, misuse, and outcomes to the Governor and legislature.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 847 requires mail-in ballot envelopes to display a "Do Not Forward" label and return instructions for voters receiving ballots at outdated addresses. It allows voters to "cure" ballots with missing or detached certificates by submitting corrections within a specified timeframe. The bill also mandates that county clerks enter voter data related to returned ballots into official records within 30 days of receipt. These changes aim to streamline mail-in ballot processing and reduce rejection rates for eligible voters.

Maddy summaryS 803 removes the requirement for Class Two and Class Three special law enforcement officers in New Jersey to turn in their firearms at the end of each work shift. This change applies to officers employed by municipalities with over 300,000 residents (per the 1980 census) or county sheriffs, under specific training and employment conditions. Previously, these officers had to return firearms to the station house after shifts, but the bill eliminates this mandate. The legislation does not alter other firearm rules, such as off-duty carry with a permit or on-duty firearm use requirements.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 49) urges the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to immediately pause sonar testing and wind turbine mapping activities off New Jersey's coast. It follows a surge in unexplained marine mammal deaths - 12 whale deaths (including 8 humpbacks) and 5 dolphin deaths in February 2023 - occurring near offshore wind energy development zones. The resolution cites concerns that sonar and underwater mapping used in these projects may disrupt marine mammals' navigation and communication, warranting a temporary halt for scientific study. As a non-binding resolution, it does not impose legal restrictions but requests agencies consider a moratorium while investigating potential links to the marine life deaths.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates and permanently preserves the 21.5-acre Caven Point Peninsula within Liberty State Park in Jersey City as natural habitat. It specifically protects the peninsula’s estuarine ecosystem, critical bird breeding grounds, and urban environmental education resource. The legislation overrides conflicting laws to ensure the area - identified on Hudson County tax maps - remains preserved for wildlife and public education. The bill directly affects this specific coastal habitat by prohibiting development or alteration that would disrupt its ecological function.