Sen. Tony Bucco

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a task force within New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs to study ways to reduce telemarketing harassment and intimidation. The task force will consist of 11 members, including state officials and public appointees such as telecommunications experts, AARP representatives, and senior citizens who have experienced harassment. The group will evaluate the cost and feasibility of implementing new technologies and methods to combat unwanted calls and must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within 180 days, which will include a cost-benefit analysis and potential draft legislation. The bill takes effect immediately and will expire once the task force completes its report.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the composition of the Lake Hopatcong Commission by increasing the number of public members appointed by the Governor from two to four and adjusting term lengths for certain members. It also requires the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to develop a water level management plan for Lake Hopatcong that must be approved by the commission. The changes directly affect local governments in Morris and Sussex counties, as well as the municipalities bordering the lake, by altering how commission members are selected and how long they serve. The bill establishes clearer roles for the commission in monitoring water conditions, assessing development impacts, and coordinating with state agencies on watershed management.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey counties and municipalities to use open space trust funds to repair collapsed mine shafts and sinkholes on land they own. It amends existing state law to expand the purposes for which these funds can be spent, specifically adding mine remediation to the list of authorized uses. The legislation applies to local governments that have already approved trust funds through voter initiatives for open space, recreation, and related conservation purposes. By making this change, the bill provides local governments with a legal mechanism to address environmental hazards caused by abandoned mines using existing public funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the automatic right to pretrial release for defendants charged with repeat home invasion offenses in New Jersey. It directly affects individuals accused of burglary or home invasion who have prior arrests or convictions for similar crimes within the past 90 days. Under the new rules, judges will no longer presume these defendants should be released on their own recognizance and must instead evaluate whether release conditions can ensure their court appearance and community safety. The legislation allows courts to impose non-monetary restrictions such as avoiding contact with victims and witnesses, curfews, and regular check-ins with law enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state parks, forests, beaches, and Motor Vehicle Commission offices to remain open to the public if a state of emergency is declared due to the failure to pass the state budget by the constitutional deadline. Under the legislation, these facilities would stay operational without charging parking fees, and designated staff would be classified as essential personnel to ensure continued services. The measure applies specifically to situations where the state government cannot enact a general appropriation law by the required date, ensuring public access to these locations during the resulting emergency period.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows pharmacists in New Jersey to provide an emergency supply of certain chronic maintenance medications without a current prescription when a patient cannot reach their doctor for a refill. To qualify, the pharmacy must have a prior prescription on file, the pharmacist must attempt to contact the prescribing practitioner without success, and the medication cannot be a controlled substance. The emergency supply is limited to a 30-day amount and cannot be provided to the same patient more than once within a 12-month period, with full documentation required. Pharmacists and their employers are protected from civil liability unless they act with gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Board of Pharmacy will establish specific rules to implement these provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to waive fees for non-driver identification cards when applicants provide proof of enrollment in public assistance or social service programs. The law defines eligible programs to include state and local assistance such as SNAP, Work First New Jersey, and Medicaid. Applicants must submit documentation of their enrollment at the time of application to qualify for the fee waiver. The amendment modifies existing statutes to expand fee waiver eligibility beyond the current provision for homeless individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program in New Jersey that offers tax credits to companies that contribute money to a student loan fund for residents attending in-state colleges. Companies that make contributions of at least $10,000 can receive an immediate 50% tax credit, plus an additional credit of up to 50% over time as they hire graduates who use the program loans. The program is designed to help businesses recruit and retain local college graduates by funding their education and then paying back portions of those loans when the employees work for the contributing company.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs a portion of New Jersey's constitutionally dedicated Corporation Business Tax revenues to a fund that will provide grants for preventing and addressing harmful algal blooms in the state's lakes and reservoirs. The legislation amends existing laws to establish a revolving fund within the Department of Environmental Protection, allowing it to distribute money to local governments for sewer or stormwater infrastructure projects that reduce nonpoint source pollution. These grants can serve as matching funds to secure additional state or federal funding, and the bill also expands the fund's broader purposes to include water quality monitoring, watershed planning, and pollution prevention efforts. The measure affects local municipalities and environmental agencies by creating a new funding mechanism specifically targeted at water quality issues related to algal blooms.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey municipalities to establish electronic systems for receiving citizen complaints and distributing official municipal announcements. Under the legislation, towns with websites must provide an online complaint form, while those without websites will use a centralized form maintained by the Department of Community Affairs. Municipalities must also offer options for residents to subscribe to electronic notifications for public meetings, budgets, emergencies, and other important updates via email, text, or social media. The bill includes a funding provision, meaning these requirements only apply if state resources are made available to cover implementation costs, and it clarifies that actions taken through these systems are not subject to the New Jersey Tort Claims Act.