Sen. John McKeon

Maddy summaryS 3064 increases the tax rate on online casino gaming and online sports wagering in New Jersey from 15% and 13% to 30% respectively. This applies only to internet-based gaming and betting services operated by licensed casinos and sports wagering platforms, not to traditional in-person casino operations or non-Internet betting. The additional tax revenue will fund the Casino Revenue Fund, with an extra 1.25% tax on internet sports wagering specifically supporting Atlantic City marketing efforts. The bill does not change tax rates for non-Internet gaming or sports betting activities.

Maddy summaryS 4660 eliminates a $25 application fee for individuals or healthcare providers to appeal insurance denials, reductions, or terminations of health benefits through New Jersey's Independent Health Care Appeals Program. It directly affects covered people (patients) and healthcare providers who must contest an insurer's final decision after exhausting the insurer's internal appeals process. The bill removes the financial barrier by deleting the fee requirement (previously allowing hardship waivers), while maintaining the 60-day application window and documentation requirements. This change applies only to appeals about medical necessity or appropriateness of services, not to coverage exclusions. The policy shift aims to make the appeals process more accessible without altering the program's scope or review standards.

Maddy summarySCR 131 is a concurrent resolution approving the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank's Fiscal Year 2026 Financial Plan. The bill does not create new policy but formally endorses the bank’s submitted plan for financing eligible environmental projects, including clean water, drinking water, stormwater management, and pollution control initiatives. This approval is required by state law annually to authorize the bank to fund projects on the approved list developed by the Environmental Protection Department. The resolution affects the Infrastructure Bank directly, enabling it to proceed with its planned financing for public infrastructure projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3812) removes a restriction that allowed the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) to withhold retirement or death benefits from members due to ongoing civil lawsuits related to their employment. It directly affects current and future PFRS members (police officers and firefighters) who are involved in civil litigation over their jobs. The bill requires the PFRS Board to pay benefits immediately, but permits adjustments if a legal case later results in penalties. It maintains existing rules that allow withholding for criminal charges or administrative dismissals from public employment.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases tax rates on three forms of online wagering in New Jersey: from 15% to 19.75% for Internet gaming, from 13% to 19.75% for Internet sports wagering, and from 10.5% to 19.75% for fantasy sports operations. The tax revenue will be directed to the Casino Revenue Fund, State General Fund, and specific associations supporting horse racing and gambling prevention programs. The bill also establishes that 0.75% of funds from racetrack operations will go to the municipality and 0.5% to the county where racetracks are located. These tax changes apply to operators providing these services and take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates a $25 application fee for patients or healthcare providers appealing health insurance denials, reductions, or terminations of benefits. It directly affects New Jersey residents covered by health insurance plans who dispute carrier decisions after completing their insurer's internal appeals process. The key provision removes the fee requirement from the existing Independent Health Care Appeals Program, making the process more accessible without altering the program's structure. The change applies to all appeals reviewed under this state program, streamlining access to independent review. (3 sentences)

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Department of Transportation (DOT) to create a "Wildlife Corridor Action Plan" within 24 months. The plan must identify natural wildlife movement pathways, areas with frequent animal-vehicle collisions, and barriers like roads, then prioritize safety projects to protect both wildlife and drivers. It mandates the plan be updated every 10 years and coordinated with conservation groups, existing projects like NJ CHANJ, and road construction. The state appropriates $90,000 to fund the DEP and DOT's work on this plan. The bill directly affects wildlife habitats, driver safety, and state agency planning processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to set a legal limit of 10 parts per billion for hexavalent chromium (chromium-VI) in drinking water. It directly affects all public water systems in the state, with phased implementation deadlines: larger systems (10,000+ connections) must comply within two years, medium systems (1,000-9,999 connections) within three years, and smaller systems (<1,000 connections) within four years after the bill takes effect. The law does not change existing limits for total chromium but specifically mandates the new chromium-VI standard. The DEP may later adopt stricter limits if recommended by the Drinking Water Quality Institute.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey's Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission to seek court orders stopping unauthorized amusement games (like unlicensed video games with prizes) and imposes civil fines. Operators violating these rules face up to $7,500 for a first offense and $15,000 for repeat violations. The commission can pursue these penalties directly in court, or the Attorney General can enforce them through a simplified legal process. The law specifically targets unlicensed operations while exempting registered, active businesses. It does not change existing gambling regulations but strengthens enforcement against illegal game operators.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires individuals seeking to leave New Jersey's self-exclusion gambling list to view educational and counseling videos about gambling risks and support resources before removal. It also allows third parties (such as family members or creditors) to request that another person be added to the exclusion list by providing documentation showing financial responsibility, legal dependency, or court orders related to gambling debts. The bill establishes a process where excluded individuals receive notice and can request a hearing to challenge the exclusion. Gambling venues must remove excluded individuals from marketing materials, deny them access to credit and promotions, and cannot be held liable for enforcing the exclusion. The bill applies to casinos, racetracks, and off-track wagering facilities across New Jersey.