Sen. Raj Mukherji

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (NJDOT) to inspect all traffic signs on state highways at least once yearly to ensure they are legible, visible, and properly maintained. NJDOT must also create a public awareness campaign explaining how residents can report missing, damaged, or illegible signs through specific channels. The law directly affects NJDOT (by mandating inspections and reporting) and the public (by providing a way to report sign issues). It establishes concrete procedures for maintenance checks and public engagement, with annual inspection records and reports submitted to the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 40) urges Governor Murphy to impose an immediate moratorium on new fossil fuel infrastructure projects (like pipelines and power plants) until the state adopts rules to meet its climate goals. It specifically requests this pause until regulations are in place to achieve an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2006 levels by 2050, as required by law. The resolution does not create new law but asks the Governor to halt such projects while the state develops a plan to transition to clean energy. It directly addresses the state's Energy Master Plan, which lacks provisions for existing and proposed fossil fuel projects. (Note: As a resolution, this is non-binding and only recommends action to the Governor.)

Maddy summaryThis bill replaces the terms "alien" and "illegal alien" with "noncitizen" and "undocumented noncitizen" throughout New Jersey state statutes and prohibits executive branch agencies from using the outdated terms. It directly affects all state laws and agency communications that currently reference these terms, including inheritance, estate, and lottery prize assignment provisions. The key mechanism is a straightforward language update to modernize terminology in existing statutes without creating new policies or requirements. The bill focuses solely on terminology, not on changing rights or responsibilities for noncitizens.

Maddy summaryS 2883, "Chloe's Pet Access Law," allows restaurants in New Jersey to permit dogs in their outdoor dining areas if specific conditions are met. Restaurants must elect to participate, provide a separate outdoor entrance for dogs, keep dogs leashed or in carriers, and ensure no contact between staff and dogs. The law requires single-use water containers, strict cleaning of contaminated surfaces, and prohibits dogs from sitting on furniture or entering food prep areas. It does not require restaurants to allow dogs but codifies existing sanitation rules for animals in food establishments. This directly affects restaurant owners who choose to implement the policy and dog owners seeking outdoor dining options.

Maddy summaryS 2886 revises New Jersey's Work First New Jersey program to allow individuals convicted of drug-related offenses (involving possession, use, or distribution of controlled substances) to qualify for general assistance benefits if they enroll in or complete a licensed drug treatment program. Previously ineligible individuals can now access benefits through treatment participation, with exceptions if no program is available or for approved "good cause" excuses. Benefits are paid directly to the treatment provider during participation and to the individual after completion, requiring drug testing for 60 days post-treatment (except for prescribed medications). This change applies to those convicted on or after August 22, 1996, under state or federal law.

Maddy summaryS 2936 prohibits New Jersey municipalities, school districts, and state agencies from purchasing, installing, or using artificial turf for any new or existing athletic fields. The bill cites health and environmental concerns, noting artificial turf contains harmful chemicals (including carcinogens and "forever chemicals" like PFAS), microplastics, and can reach dangerously high temperatures. Existing artificial turf fields may remain in use but cannot be replaced with artificial turf. The law aims to shift investments toward natural grass fields, which the bill states are free of these hazards and can be maintained safely through organic practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a process for certain elderly inmates to seek early release based on long-term incarceration and rehabilitation. It allows individuals who have served at least 20 years (or 30 years for murder convictions) and are age 60 (or 62 for murder) to receive a Certificate of Eligibility for Rehabilitative Release. Courts must then consider factors like public safety, demonstrated rehabilitation, victim input, and reentry planning before potentially modifying sentences. If approved, inmates face a 5-year parole supervision term and must address victim notification requirements during the process.

Maddy summaryS 457 expands New Jersey's "Nosey's Law" (P.L.2018, c.141) by banning rabbits, hares, and rodents from traveling animal acts like circuses and carnivals. It removes previous exemptions for domestic animals such as cows, horses, and dogs, adding these species to the prohibited list. The bill limits existing exceptions to apply only to educational institutions - outreach programs at schools can still use animals for bona fide education, but not for general entertainment. This change takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill would replace current voting systems with ranked-choice voting for New Jersey's state and federal elections. It directly affects voters in races for Governor, State Senate, General Assembly, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and presidential primaries/elections, requiring them to rank candidates in order of preference. The process counts votes in rounds: if no candidate reaches 50%+1 (for governor/senate/US House) or 33%+1 (for Assembly) in the first count, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated each round until one meets the threshold. Ballots are redistributed based on voters' ranked choices until a winner achieves the required majority.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes public-private partnerships to create AI job training programs in New Jersey. It directly affects displaced workers (those losing jobs due to AI) and current workers seeking AI-related skills, aiming to strengthen the state's workforce competitiveness. Key mechanisms include allowing private companies to manage training programs full-time (handling finances and operations) while exempting them from standard procurement rules and prevailing wage requirements. The Department of Labor will review proposals and require an annual progress report from an advisory council, with training deliverable remotely or in-person.