Sen. Joe Pennacchio

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 416) allows homeowners to deduct up to $45,000 annually from their gross income for specific property cleanup costs, regardless of income. It covers lead-based paint abatement, asbestos removal, lead plumbing replacement, soil remediation, leaded window replacement, and water treatment for sodium/chloride-contaminated well water (from road salt). Homeowners must submit municipal affidavits verifying work done by certified contractors and meet specific property requirements (e.g., primary residence). The deduction applies to expenses incurred since January 2018 and expires December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 423) changes employment rules for specific staff at New Jersey's public colleges. It removes certain professional academic, administrative, and teaching employees (as defined in existing law) from the state's civil service system and allows college boards of trustees to directly negotiate collective bargaining agreements with them. Currently, civil service rules govern these positions, but the bill would let boards set terms for these staff without those restrictions. The change affects staff at all 11 New Jersey state colleges, shifting bargaining authority from civil service regulations to individual college boards. It does not alter pay scales or working conditions but changes the process for establishing them.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Tort Claims Act to make the state strictly liable for injuries caused by vaccines that are mandated by state law for attendance at child care centers, preschools, elementary or secondary schools, or colleges. It creates a clear legal pathway for injured individuals to seek compensation by proving the vaccine was state-mandated, administered by authorized personnel, and directly caused the injury (using evidence from the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program or court rulings as proof). Damages would be reduced if the person already received compensation from other sources like insurance or the federal program. The law specifically applies to school-mandated vaccines, not all vaccines, and does not change existing limits on pain-and-suffering damages for other injury claims.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows students aged 16-18 to earn high school graduation credits in health, safety, and physical education by completing a county fire academy course. To qualify, students must pass a junior firefighter exam (or equivalent) and commit to two years of volunteer service at their local fire department. The credits apply only toward specific graduation requirements under existing regulations (N.J.A.C.6A:8-5.1), and the bill does not replace requirements for the Junior Firefighter’s Auxiliary. The policy would take effect immediately upon enactment for the next full school year.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges Congress to eliminate the $10,000 cap on the state and local tax (SALT) deduction, which was imposed by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. It directly affects New Jersey taxpayers and the state, as New Jersey residents averaged a $19,089 SALT deduction before the cap (over double the current limit) and the state is a "donor state" receiving only 79 cents back for every federal tax dollar paid. The resolution argues that reinstating the unlimited deduction would reduce the financial disparity New Jersey faces by allowing residents to deduct full state/local tax payments from federal income tax. As a symbolic measure, it does not change tax law but formally requests congressional action to address this issue.

Maddy summaryS 391 exempts municipal and county building expansions or reconstructions within 125% of existing footprint from the Highlands Water Protection Act, provided they don’t increase impervious surfaces by more than 0.25 acres. It specifically applies to local government projects like fire stations, libraries, and emergency services buildings in New Jersey’s Highlands Region. The exemption excludes agricultural buildings being converted to non-agricultural use. This change simplifies regulatory requirements for routine infrastructure updates without altering the Act’s core environmental protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 10-member State Pension Cost of Living Reform Commission to examine options for reinstating cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for New Jersey retirees and beneficiaries in state-administered pension systems. The commission, including the State Treasurer, pension agency director, and public members appointed by leadership, must analyze the cost and feasibility of restoring COLAs for each pension system type (State/Local parts) within six months. It will propose specific legislative recommendations to the Governor and Legislature based on its findings, focusing on statutory revisions and cost impacts. The commission expires after submitting its final report.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 398 establishes the Innocence Study and Review Commission to investigate wrongful convictions in the state. The nine-member commission, appointed within 45 days of enactment (including a retired judge as chair and balanced legislative appointees), will study causes of wrongful convictions, review cases, examine restitution systems, and recommend reforms to prevent future errors. It must report findings and proposed legislation to the Governor and Legislature within 18 months. The commission would also consider creating a permanent panel for incarcerated individuals to request conviction reviews, unless rejected by the panel itself.

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 904 establishes a 25-member "Commission on People with Disabilities" in New Jersey to address the needs of residents with disabilities. The commission includes 13 voting members (with requirements for disability representation) appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and Assembly Speaker, plus 12 non-voting ex-officio members from state agencies. Its core duties are to recommend policies and legislation, serve as a communication hub between government and disability communities, coordinate with state agencies on service delivery, and prevent employment discrimination against people with disabilities. The commission must submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 9, 2024, and referred to the Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.