Sen. Tony Bucco

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 802) expands free entry to New Jersey State parks and forests by adding three new eligibility groups: active-duty military personnel (any branch), veterans, and New Jersey-resident first responders (including police, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel). It also extends free admission to immediate family members (spouse, children, parents, or grandparents living together) when the qualifying person is present. Currently, free entry already covers residents 62+ or totally disabled, and NJ National Guard members after training. The bill does not change existing fee structures but broadens who qualifies for the benefit.

Maddy summaryThis bill permits licensed organizations in New Jersey, such as charities, veterans' groups, and churches, to conduct a new raffle game called "Queen of Hearts." The game uses a board with 54 shuffled cards; participants who win a raffle ticket select a card, receiving a cash prize for non-Queen cards or 50% of the prize (with the rest retained by the organizer) if they select the Queen of Hearts, with drawings held weekly until the Queen is chosen. The Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission must create regulations for these raffles, and organizers may use the net proceeds as allowed by law. The bill does not change existing eligibility for raffle licenses but adds a specific game format to permitted activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health insurers, pharmacy benefits managers, and state health programs from requiring pre-approval or precertification for medical tests, procedures, or prescription drugs that are already covered under a health plan and prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider. It directly affects patients, doctors, and healthcare providers by eliminating insurer-imposed delays for covered services. Key provisions ban these entities from conditioning payment on prior authorization for any covered service, ensuring patients receive prescribed care without bureaucratic delays. The law applies immediately to all health and prescription drug plans issued or purchased after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts people with disabilities and homeless individuals from paying standard identification card fees in New Jersey. To qualify, people with disabilities must provide proof of disability (verified by the Motor Vehicle Commission and the Social Security Administration), and homeless people must provide proof of temporary residence through a social worker or emergency shelter coordinator. The waiver applies to all standard fees (such as for original, duplicate, or renewal cards) without changing fees for other residents. The bill also requires the Motor Vehicle Commission to report annually to the Office of Homelessness Prevention about fee waivers granted to homeless applicants.

Maddy summaryS 894 requires school buses transporting students with special needs in New Jersey to install three safety features: an interior video camera for monitoring student safety, real-time GPS tracking for location/speed, and two-way communication equipment. The bill specifies that collected video footage and GPS data are not considered government records under state disclosure laws. It directs the State Board of Education and Motor Vehicle Commission to create rules for installing, using, and retaining this data, including retention time limits. The law applies specifically to school buses serving students with special needs and takes effect six months after enactment.

Maddy summaryS 723 prohibits foreign governments and foreign persons from acquiring or purchasing agricultural land in New Jersey after the bill's effective date. Current foreign owners must sell their land within five years to a non-foreign entity (such as a U.S. citizen or business), with a deed ensuring the land remains devoted to agricultural use. The bill requires annual reports to the governor and legislature detailing foreign ownership acreage, top nationalities, and land use trends. Limited exceptions apply for land acquired through debt collection (requiring sale within two years) or inheritance, and the law does not override U.S. treaties with foreign nations.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's rear seat belt law by making failure to wear a seatbelt a primary offense (allowing police to stop drivers solely for this violation), rather than a secondary offense under current law. It requires all state and local law enforcement agencies to report traffic stop data related to rear seat belt citations one year after the law takes effect, including details about the stop, citations issued, and whether searches or arrests occurred. The Attorney General must analyze this data compared to pre-law enforcement practices and report findings to the Governor and Legislature within six months. Additionally, implementation data must be included in New Jersey's annual highway safety plan submitted to federal agencies. The bill aims to improve safety by strengthening seat belt enforcement, with no changes to vehicle search or inspection authority.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's legislature passed SCR 15 to request Congress call a state-led convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. The convention would propose constitutional amendments to limit federal spending, reduce federal government power over states, and impose term limits on federal officials and members of Congress. This is a continuing application, meaning New Jersey's request remains active until at least two-thirds of states join the same effort. The bill itself does not change laws but seeks to initiate a process for potential constitutional amendments.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 58) provides property tax exemptions for New Jersey veterans with service-connected disabilities. It allows veterans with a 30% or higher disability rating (including specific conditions like blindness, amputations, or paralysis) to receive a tax exemption proportional to their disability percentage, up to 100%. Surviving spouses of eligible veterans or those who died in service also qualify for similar exemptions under defined conditions. Crucially, the bill requires the state to reimburse municipalities 102% of the lost tax revenue from these exemptions, ensuring local governments aren’t financially burdened. The policy directly affects honorably discharged veterans with qualifying disabilities and their surviving spouses.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 820) allows residents to deduct expenses for functional home improvements and routine repairs made to their primary residence from their state gross income tax. It applies to owners and renters who maintain a home in New Jersey as their permanent residence (excluding vacation homes or cosmetic remodels). Deductions cover work that materially improves operating condition (like roof repairs) or maintains essential habitability (like HVAC maintenance), but exclude aesthetic changes or adaptations for new uses. Married couples filing separately may each claim half of qualifying expenses. The deduction applies to all qualifying expenses with no annual limit.