Sen. Raj Mukherji

Maddy summaryS 4376 establishes a new Department of Veterans Affairs in New Jersey, creating a dedicated state agency focused exclusively on veterans' needs. The bill transfers all existing veterans' programs, services, and personnel from the current Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to this new department. The new department will manage veterans' memorial homes, cemeteries, benefits programs, and other services, with a Commissioner who must be an honorably discharged veteran. This change makes New Jersey one of the few states without a separate department for veterans' affairs, aiming to provide more efficient and focused support for veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's electric public utilities (and their affiliates) to submit an annual report by February 1st to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). The report must list every recorded vote cast by the utility or its affiliates at PJM Interconnection meetings (including votes not publicly disclosed by PJM), describe the meeting context, and explain how each vote supports New Jersey's energy goals of affordability, reliability, and sustainability. The BPU must then summarize these reports for the Governor and Legislature. This aims to increase transparency about how utilities influence regional electricity decisions using ratepayer funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3052) expands academic flexibility for New Jersey public college students who are active-duty service members or their dependents (spouses/children) unable to finish a course due to unplanned military obligations like deployment. It changes the attendance threshold from 8 weeks to 55% of a course’s duration to qualify for grade options, adding temporary grades and online course transfers as choices. Students who complete 55% of a course can select a letter grade, pass/fail, incomplete, withdrawal, or online transfer (with approval), while those under 55% can choose incomplete or withdrawal. It also clarifies that pass/fail grades can later be converted to letter grades within a year by completing missed work, and ensures full tuition refunds for withdrawals. The law applies to all public institutions of higher education in New Jersey and takes effect immediately for the next academic year.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 4439 allows student-athletes at four-year colleges offering athletic scholarships to earn compensation for the use of their name, image, or likeness (NIL), while prohibiting schools from blocking such deals. It specifically bans under-21 student-athletes from NIL agreements involving alcohol, tobacco, or cannabis products. The bill requires institutions to provide annual NIL education on financial literacy and brand management, and ensures NIL contracts remain private under public records law. It also prohibits athletic associations like the NCAA from penalizing schools or athletes for engaging in permitted NIL activities. The bill repeals New Jersey's previous "Fair Play Act" to align with updated national standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Rutgers University (including University Hospital) to provide resident and fellow physicians who are eligible for the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) with immediate health insurance enrollment on their first day of employment. Current employees eligible for SHBP will gain coverage immediately upon the bill's effective date. The law applies to these physicians and their dependents, eliminating previous delays in access to health coverage for this group.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4105) requires Rutgers University (including University Hospital) to provide resident and fellow physicians with immediate access to the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) health insurance on their first day of employment. It applies specifically to physicians eligible for SHBP coverage and extends this immediate enrollment to current Rutgers-employed physicians on the bill’s effective date. The key provision eliminates delays in health insurance access, ensuring new and existing physicians and their dependents can enroll without waiting periods. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey electric utilities to submit annual reports by February 1st detailing every recorded vote they cast (or their affiliates cast) at PJM Interconnection meetings during the previous year. The reports must list each vote, describe meeting context (purpose, agenda, utility’s role), and explain how each vote supports state goals for affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity. The Board of Public Utilities (BPU) will compile these reports into an annual summary for the Governor and Legislature. This applies to all electric utilities operating in New Jersey and aims to increase transparency around how ratepayer-funded decisions are made in PJM forums.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how school boards are structured in New Jersey school districts located in cities of the first class that use a Mayor-Council government system. It requires these school boards to have nine members: three appointed by the mayor, three appointed by the city council, and three elected by district voters at annual school elections. The board will be phased in over three years, adding one of each type of member (mayor-appointed, council-appointed, voter-elected) each school year after the law takes effect. All members serve three-year terms.

Maddy summaryS 4687 increases penalties for threatening judicial officers, prosecutors, and their immediate family members, making it a first-degree crime if threats occur within 500 feet of their home. It establishes "doxxing" as a new crime defined as knowingly disclosing personal information with intent to cause fear, violence, or stalking, punishable as a fourth-degree crime (third-degree if it results in serious harm). The bill automatically applies for permanent restraining orders following convictions for these threats and enhances penalties for improper use of personal identifying information to harass public servants or their families. These provisions aim to better protect public servants and their families from threats and harassment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 4685) requires residential landlords to accept rent payments made by cash, certified checks, money orders, personal checks, or through government/local rental assistance programs. It directly affects landlords and tenants in residential leases by mandating these payment methods for on-time rent, regardless of other payment options a landlord may offer. Violations carry a $2,000 penalty per offense, enforceable by the state or through tenant lawsuits for the same amount plus legal fees. Landlords may also prohibit future personal check payments if a check bounces, but tenants remain responsible for associated fees. The bill takes effect immediately.