Sen. Tony Bucco

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey taxpayers with overdue local property taxes to have their state income tax refunds (including earned income tax credits and homestead rebates) automatically applied toward those delinquent property tax bills. It updates state procedures so the Department of Treasury will apply refunds directly to property tax arrears instead of issuing refunds to taxpayers who owe property taxes. Child support debt takes priority over other debts in this process. The bill affects taxpayers who would otherwise receive a refund but have unpaid property taxes, streamlining how the state collects these debts. It modifies existing laws to require tax collectors to report delinquent property owners to the state.

Maddy summaryS 831 removes stump grinding from the list of services requiring a license from New Jersey's Board of Tree Experts. This change affects tree care operators and experts who previously needed a license specifically for stump grinding services. The bill amends existing law by deleting "stump grinding" from the definitions of both "tree care operator services" and "tree expert services," meaning individuals or businesses can now perform stump grinding without a state license. The bill became effective immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryS 1352 requires New Jersey school districts to obtain written permission from a parent or legal guardian before administering certain health surveys to students. The bill applies to surveys about substance use (alcohol, tobacco, drugs, vaping), sexual behavior, violence-related behaviors, or nutrition/physical activity. School districts must provide detailed written notice at least two weeks in advance, including survey descriptions, purposes, data access, and clear permission/denial instructions. Collected data must be submitted to state education and health departments for public health initiatives only, not for commercial use, and violations may result in monetary penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 822) requires New Jersey to replace the wheelchair symbol on accessibility signage with a new dynamic character logo (showing movement) and change the word "handicapped" to "accessible" on all public signs, placards, license plates, and markers identifying accessible features like restrooms, ramps, and parking. It applies only to new installations or replacements - not mandatory for existing signs - and takes effect 60 days after enactment. The change aligns with similar laws in New York and Connecticut and reflects the Accessible Icon Project’s global adoption of a symbol emphasizing mobility and action over passivity. The bill does not impose new state costs, as it only affects signs replaced during routine maintenance or installation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to accept five specific documents - birth certificates, marriage certificates, social security cards, divorce decrees, or court orders - as valid proof of a legal name change for driver's licenses. It directly affects New Jersey drivers who have legally changed their names through marriage, divorce, or court order. The bill extends the deadline to update a driver's license from two weeks to six months after a name change (or until the next license renewal, whichever comes first) and clarifies that digitized signature images count as handwritten signatures for this purpose. It also specifies that failing to update within the new timeframe won't trigger a surcharge under New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Violations Surcharge System.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 801) expands free admission to New Jersey state parks, forests, and beaches for veterans and active military personnel. It directly affects: (1) New Jersey-resident veterans (honorably discharged), (2) active-duty military members stationed in New Jersey (regardless of residency), and (3) National Guard members who completed initial training. Key provisions include removing admission fees for these groups and extending free access to disabled veterans for motor vehicle permits on park beaches. The bill updates existing exemptions to broaden eligibility while requiring verification of military/veteran status through acceptable documentation.

Maddy summaryS 808 requires New Jersey's State Treasurer to publish detailed financial data on a public, searchable government transparency website. It mandates the website display quarterly expenditures, monthly revenue, public employee compensation, debt information, pension liabilities, and specific spending details (like Governor travel costs, Attorney General legal services, and economic development subsidies). All information must be in plain language, include visual aids for clarity, and be updated regularly. This directly affects how state financial data is made accessible to taxpayers, replacing scattered reports with a centralized, user-friendly resource. The bill does not change spending policies but standardizes and increases transparency around existing state finances.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-funded loan program to help small New Jersey businesses protect against climate risks. It creates a revolving loan fund managed by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA), providing low-interest loans to qualified businesses with 50 or fewer employees that implement specific resiliency projects - such as flood protection, stormwater management, or climate-adapted infrastructure. Businesses must be registered in New Jersey and maintain operations in-state, with priority given to those in municipalities with climate planning. Loans require annual reporting on fund usage but are designed to offer better terms than typical private business loans.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 834) expands New Jersey's riot and disorderly conduct laws. It makes rioting a more serious crime (third degree) when property is damaged or people are injured, and increases penalties for destroying public monuments during riots (now a fourth-degree crime). The bill also creates a new offense for promoting violent or disorderly assemblies and clarifies that refusing to disperse during public safety threats (like highway obstructions) is a punishable violation. These changes directly affect individuals participating in protests or riots, public safety officials enforcing dispersal orders, and communities protecting monuments.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 815 requires the Department of Human Services (DHS) to contract with service dog training agencies to provide psychiatric service dogs at no cost to eligible first responders, healthcare workers, and other frontline workers diagnosed with PTSD stemming from pandemic-related stress. To qualify, individuals must be New Jersey residents, certified by a physician as having pandemic-related PTSD under the ADA, and meet administrative requirements like submitting an application. Recipients receive the trained dogs free of charge but are responsible for ongoing care costs (food, vet visits, etc.) and must register the dog locally. They may choose to keep the dog or return it to DHS, which would then return it to the training agency.