Sen. Tony Bucco

Maddy summaryS 927 allows New Jersey volunteer firefighters and first aid/rescue squad members to claim a $5,000 state income tax deduction if they meet specific service requirements. To qualify, firefighters must perform 60% of fire duty (e.g., 400 duty hours annually with ≤50% for drills) and hold Firefighter I certification, while rescue members must perform 10% of rescue duty (e.g., 400 hours or 10% alarm attendance) and complete approved training or hold EMT certification. Volunteers must serve the entire tax year, and departments must verify eligibility by submitting annual lists to state health and community affairs agencies by March 31. The deduction is limited to $5,000 per year and requires submission of proof with tax returns.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires companies and research facilities in New Jersey that use cats, dogs, or ferrets for product testing or research to assess these animals for adoption suitability after testing ends. If deemed suitable, they must offer the animals to animal rescue organizations or private individuals for adoption, following specific procedures. Facilities must report details like animal numbers, assessment results, and adoption outcomes to the Department of Health, with penalties of up to $50,000 for noncompliance. The law directly affects testing facilities, research institutions, and animal rescue organizations, aiming to provide a pathway for animals used in testing to find new homes.

Maddy summaryS 817 increases tobacco tax revenues allocated to New Jersey's Commission on Cancer Research from $1 million to $4 million annually. It creates a dedicated, non-lapsing "Cancer Research Fund" within the State Treasury, ensuring these funds cannot be diverted to other state purposes. The fund will hold tobacco tax revenues plus interest, which must be used exclusively for approved cancer research grants and the Commission's authorized activities. This change replaces the previous system where funds were deposited into a lapsing account subject to annual budget reallocation.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 845 requires most health insurance plans sold in the state to cover hearing aids. Specifically, it mandates that insurers provide coverage for one hearing aid per ear every 48 months (as recommended by a licensed audiologist or hearing aid dispenser) with patient out-of-pocket costs capped at 15% of the device's cost. This applies to hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, group and individual health insurance policies, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), and individual health benefits plans. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents with these insurance plans and their providers, ensuring more accessible hearing aid coverage without increasing patient costs beyond the 15% limit. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 9, 2024, and referred to the Commerce Committee.

Maddy summaryS 672 establishes New Jersey's official definition of anti-Semitism by adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) 2016 definition, including its "contemporary examples." It clarifies that criticism of Israel similar to criticism of other countries does not constitute anti-Semitism. The bill requires state agencies and institutions to use this definition when reviewing, investigating, or deciding violations of anti-discrimination policies or laws. It explicitly states the definition does not infringe on First Amendment rights or conflict with existing state, federal, or local anti-discrimination laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires 7% of funds from New Jersey's Main Street Recovery Fund to be allocated as grants specifically for veteran-owned small businesses and service-disabled veterans (as defined under federal law). Eligible businesses must meet standard requirements like tax compliance and paying workers at least $15/hour (or 120% of state minimum wage), with additional rules for capital improvements over $50,000. The grants can cover operating expenses or capital improvements, such as energy-efficient upgrades, and must comply with prevailing wage standards for construction work. The bill amends existing law to prioritize veteran business owners within the Main Street Recovery Finance Program.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 882) amends New Jersey law to extend the bonding period for fire engines from 10 to 20 years and removes an exclusion that previously prevented passenger cars and station wagons from being included in the standard 5-year vehicle category. It directly affects New Jersey municipalities that issue bonds for purchasing fire engines, emergency vehicles, and standard municipal vehicles. The key change allows fire engines to be depreciated over 20 years instead of 10 for bond purposes, while now including passenger cars and station wagons in the 5-year category for vehicles under 15,000 GVWR. This adjustment simplifies asset classification and potentially reduces annual bond costs for local governments.

Maddy summaryS 1656, "River's Law," amends New Jersey law to create a new second-degree crime for animal abuse that demonstrates "extreme indifference to the value of an animal's life." This specifically applies when abuse causes death, serious injury, or involves a prior conviction. Key provisions include raising penalties for such severe cases to a second-degree crime (with potential imprisonment up to 6 months or fines up to $1,000), requiring community service with animal welfare organizations, and mandating restitution for veterinary costs or animal replacement. The bill directly affects individuals who commit severe animal cruelty, such as owners or caretakers whose actions result in death or serious harm. It is currently pending in the Senate Economic Growth Committee after being introduced on January 9, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents healthcare workers in New Jersey from losing unemployment benefits if they were terminated or quit due to refusing to comply with a vaccine mandate (Executive Order 283 of 2022). It directly affects healthcare workers who left jobs at covered facilities over vaccination requirements. The law ensures these workers remain eligible for unemployment benefits, overriding previous rules that could deny benefits for such job separations. The policy applies retroactively to claims filed after January 19, 2022, and expires one year after enactment.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey would join the Counseling Compact, allowing licensed professional counselors from other member states to provide services to New Jersey residents without needing a separate New Jersey license. The bill enables counselors to practice across state lines under the rules of the client's location (e.g., a counselor licensed in Pennsylvania could serve a New Jersey client via telehealth), while preserving each state's authority to regulate practice and protect public safety. Key provisions include mutual recognition of licenses, sharing of disciplinary information between states, and support for telehealth services. This directly affects licensed counselors seeking to practice across state lines and clients in New Jersey who gain easier access to out-of-state counseling services.