Sen. Raj Mukherji

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's film and digital media tax credit program to expand eligibility for tax credits. It increases the credit rate to 40% for qualified digital media content production expenses related to post-production services performed at New Jersey film-lease production facilities (requiring at least $500,000 in such expenses). The bill also expands eligible expenses to include wages paid to workers not subject to New Jersey income tax due to reciprocity agreements with other states, such as Pennsylvania. This change directly affects film and digital media production companies operating in New Jersey that meet the program's requirements.

Maddy summaryS 3297 requires New Jersey's Department of Children and Families to develop and implement a statewide program promoting trauma-informed care to address adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress. The bill mandates all state agencies serving children and adults to adopt specific practices, including staff training on ACEs and toxic stress, using trauma-sensitive language in service contracts, and implementing evidence-based resilience-building services. Key provisions include creating a shared trauma-informed care toolkit for state employees, promoting a Trauma Awareness Month, recognizing frontline workers, identifying service gaps, and coordinating statewide data collection on ACEs. This directly affects state agencies, service providers, and children/families exposed to ACEs by requiring systemic changes in how trauma is addressed across public services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school districts in New Jersey that offer 403(b) retirement plans (tax-sheltered annuity plans) to select a minimum of six financial institutions or pension managers to provide investment options for employees. School districts with fewer than 1,000 students may select fewer providers, but must still ensure employees have sufficient investment choices, including annuity contracts and custodial accounts, plus self-directed options. The selection process must be negotiated with employee unions, and participating institutions must provide detailed fee and investment data in electronic format. The bill clarifies that school districts and unions are not liable for investment losses or underperformance.

Maddy summaryS 3258, the "Preserving Affordable Main Streets Act," changes zoning rules to encourage housing near transit and commercial areas. It requires municipalities with transit stations to allow mixed-use or multi-unit housing (with at least four units) without parking minimums if projects meet density (15 units/acre), infrastructure coverage (50% sewer/water), and location (within ½ mile of transit). For areas without transit, it allows similar housing in densely populated municipalities (500+ people/sq mile or 7,500+ population) located within ¼ mile of a main street corridor. The bill also sets a 65-day deadline for approving housing applications and mandates municipalities to update zoning within six months or face nullification of noncompliant rules.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3269 amends state law to specifically address false alarms targeting religious sites, making such acts a second-degree crime (vs. third-degree for general false alarms). It defines "place of worship" as buildings seating over 50 people used regularly for religious services by registered 501(c)(3) organizations. The bill increases civil penalties for false alarms involving these sites to a minimum of $5,000 or actual emergency response costs (vs. $2,000 for general false alarms). It also requires annual reporting of such incidents by law enforcement to state authorities.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Senate Bill S 3220 establishes a state grant program to help small and mid-sized businesses (fewer than 500 employees operating primarily in New Jersey) hire cybersecurity staff. The program, funded with $750,000 from the General Fund, provides grants covering one year of startup salary costs for cybersecurity specialists at qualifying businesses. To qualify, businesses must submit proof of eligibility and comply with wage requirements based on state labor data. The Department of Labor and Workforce Development administers the program, requiring quarterly reports from recipients and annual oversight reports to the Governor and Legislature.

Maddy summaryS 3240 would allow 16 and 17-year-olds who are U.S. citizens and residents of a New Jersey school district (for at least 30 days before the election) to vote *only* in local school board elections. The bill directs the Secretary of State to create a registration process and ballot design for these voters that mirrors existing systems for all other eligible voters. It does not change voting eligibility for state, federal, or other local elections, and school boards or municipalities are not required to take any action to implement it. The law would take effect January 1 following its enactment.

Maddy summarySJR 113 is a New Jersey Senate Joint Resolution honoring John Sterling, a Bergen County resident and longtime Yankees radio broadcaster, for his 36-season career calling over 5,400 Yankees games. The resolution requests the Governor issue a proclamation to recognize Sterling's contributions to sports broadcasting and his role in iconic Yankees moments. This symbolic gesture does not create new laws or affect any policies, as it solely celebrates Sterling's retirement.

Maddy summarySJR 112 establishes a 15-member task force to address the under-reporting and lack of attention to missing and murdered Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) women and girls in New Jersey. The task force, including state agency leaders and community representatives, will develop culturally competent first responder training, create prevention education materials for BIPOC communities, and recommend strategies for collecting and sharing data on these cases. It will also identify high-risk locations and design a statewide public awareness campaign. The task force must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 18 months of its formation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires courts handling domestic violence cases to inform victims and abusers about counseling services specifically for children who were physically present during the incident or who saw/heard it. It amends existing law to mandate that courts advise both parties about available support programs for affected minors at the time of filing a complaint. The key mechanism is a court-mandated referral process, ensuring children exposed to domestic violence are connected to counseling resources without requiring new programs to be created. This directly affects children in domestic violence cases and the court system's procedural requirements. The bill focuses on integrating counseling access into standard court procedures for domestic violence cases.