Sen. Benjie Wimberly

Maddy summaryS 452 would limit annual rent increases to 5% plus the local cost-of-living change (or 10% maximum) for most rental units in New Jersey. It affects landlords and tenants in standard residential leases, but excludes affordable housing units, new constructions (within 15 years), single-family homes owned by individuals (not corporations), and duplexes where the landlord resides. The cap applies only to future rent increases, not current rates, and tenants could challenge violations through existing tenant protection laws. The bill does not alter current rent levels or apply to exempt properties like dormitories or government-subsidized housing.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense for targeting senior citizens (60+ years old) or people with disabilities (defined as those with long-term medical conditions limiting their ability to resist). It automatically upgrades the penalty for any crime committed against these groups by one degree (e.g., a fourth-degree offense becomes a third-degree crime), and makes the perpetrator strictly liable - meaning ignorance of the victim’s status is never a defense. The bill also requires separate sentencing for both the original crime and the new "victimization" offense, rather than merging the charges. It specifically includes protections for crimes listed in New Jersey’s criminal code, such as assault, burglary, and harassment.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases pension benefits for New Jersey police and firefighters (members of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System) who become permanently disabled while on duty due to weapon-related injuries. It modifies the pension calculation so that affected members receive 100% of their final annual salary instead of the standard two-thirds, providing a significantly higher benefit. The change applies specifically to disabilities caused by weapons, as defined under New Jersey law, and does not alter other disability pension rules. This adjustment aims to better compensate first responders injured in line-of-duty incidents involving weapons.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey sewerage authorities from charging new connection or tapping fees to property owners redeveloping land that was connected to the sewer system for 20+ years, regardless of whether the property was actively used after initial connection. Exceptions apply if the redevelopment involves adding structures, changing the property's use, or modifying existing sewer connections. The bill also requires authorities to reimburse property owners who paid such fees under protest before the law took effect. It directly affects property owners and developers redeveloping older connected properties in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryS 3082 creates a New Jersey Student Learning Standards Advisory Council with 15 members representing K-12 education, higher education, business, parents, and students to oversee revisions of state education standards. The council will form subject-specific subcommittees that must review existing standards, gather public feedback through online surveys and 60-day comment periods, and consider research and standards from other states before proposing changes. All materials, meeting minutes, and feedback must be posted online for public access. The process requires annual conflict-of-interest disclosures and mandates public hearings before revised standards are submitted to the State Board of Education for adoption. This bill establishes a structured, transparent review mechanism affecting all New Jersey public schools, higher education institutions, and families through the standards revision process.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires children in home education programs and their parents or guardians in New Jersey to meet annually with a school district representative. The representative must be a designated school counselor, nurse, or social worker employed by the district. The meeting serves two purposes: allowing parents to request school support for their home education, and enabling the school staff to conduct a general health and wellness check on the child. The requirement takes effect in the first full school year after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3045 requires parking facilities with 100+ public spaces to set aside 5% of spots for hybrid, electric, and alternative fuel vehicles. These designated spaces must be the most accessible (but not closer than handicap spots), marked with green paint and signs reading "Hybrid and Alternatives Parking Only." Vehicle owners must obtain a state-issued window sticker meeting specific fuel efficiency standards (45 MPG initially, then 163% of federal CAFE standards) to legally use these spots, with violations punishable by up to $250 fines. The 10-year pilot program mandates annual review of eligible vehicles and requires the Motor Vehicle Commission to report on implementation to the Legislature.

Maddy summaryS 3027 establishes a temporary pilot program through New Jersey's Department of Health to provide pet food to low-income pet owners struggling to afford it for their cats and dogs. The bill appropriates $1 million to fund the program, directing the Department of Health to partner with selected non-profits and volunteer groups to set up pet food banks across the state. Key provisions include creating eligibility criteria, distributing pet food and monetary donations, and requiring a report to the legislature after one year on whether to make the program permanent. The program directly affects financially strained pet owners and participating non-profit organizations operating the food banks.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a voluntary contribution option on New Jersey's gross income tax returns, allowing taxpayers to direct a portion of their refund or make an additional payment to the "NJ SHARES Fund." The fund supports NJ SHARES, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides temporary energy bill assistance to New Jersey households facing short-term financial crises. To qualify, households must not be eligible for welfare or other income-based energy programs and must have a history of paying utility bills on time. Funds collected through this mechanism will be distributed annually to help households cover urgent energy costs during temporary financial hardships.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows 16- and 17-year-olds who are U.S. citizens, reside in a school district for at least 30 days, and live in New Jersey to vote only in local school board elections. It requires the Secretary of State to create a separate registration process and ballot design for these voters, mirroring existing systems for other eligible voters. The bill does not permit voting in any other elections (like mayoral or state elections) and does not require school boards or municipalities to take action to implement it. This change would take effect January 1 following the bill's enactment.