Sen. Benjie Wimberly

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's tax lien foreclosure rules to ensure that any leftover money, known as surplus equity, is returned to property owners in all situations. It also mandates that a court-appointed guardian be assigned to protect the interests of minors, individuals with intellectual disabilities, or those legally declared incapacitated who live in homes facing foreclosure. Additionally, the legislation requires tax lien holders to sell properties through a judicial process similar to mortgage foreclosures to preserve owner equity, rather than using internet auctions where surplus funds might be lost. These changes directly affect tax collectors, lienholders, and vulnerable residents involved in tax sale proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to use $65.55 million in state funds to provide loans for transportation infrastructure projects during the 2027 fiscal year. The legislation specifically allows the bank to lend money to local government units for construction costs and includes a provision for up to $1 million in loans that may be forgiven for planning and design work if certain construction milestones are met. Additionally, the act permits the bank to increase its available funds to cover specific operational expenses, such as bond issuance costs and reserve requirements, ensuring the bank has the necessary resources to manage these loans. Ultimately, the measure directly affects local governments seeking financing for road, bridge, and transit improvements by establishing the legal framework and funding source for these loans.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill allows online news websites to publish required legal notices by meeting specific traffic thresholds instead of relying solely on traditional print circulation numbers. To qualify, an online publication must demonstrate a certain number of monthly unique visits based on its geographic reach, such as 4,000 visits for a municipality, 50,000 for a county, or 350,000 for the entire state. The legislation also mandates that these sites remain free to access, archive notices for at least one year, and display their traffic statistics clearly to the public. Additionally, the bill extends a grace period for newspapers that are currently eligible to continue meeting these standards during the transition.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution from New Jersey condemns federal actions it claims restrict voting rights and urges the federal government to protect those rights. The measure specifically criticizes a 2026 executive order on mail-in voting and the SAVE America Act, arguing they could disenfranchise eligible citizens by requiring strict documentation and federal oversight of state elections. It highlights concerns that these policies might disproportionately affect groups such as women who have changed their names, elderly citizens, and military members, while asserting that states retain constitutional authority over election administration. The resolution formally transmits its text to federal officials, including the President and Congress, to express New Jersey's opposition to these initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies how New Jersey calculates the number of electric vehicle parking spaces required for new developments, specifically rounding up any fractional amounts to ensure developers meet the mandated percentage. It also establishes a limit preventing these rounded-up spaces from reducing the overall parking supply by more than 10 percent. The legislation directly affects developers, property owners, and local land use boards by modifying how parking requirements are determined for multi-unit dwellings and other parking facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows developers in New Jersey to meet electric vehicle charging infrastructure requirements by demonstrating total charging capacity rather than strictly counting the number of equipped parking spaces. It affects construction projects requiring EV supply equipment or Make-Ready parking spaces by offering an alternative compliance method based on kilowatt output. The legislation directs the Site Improvement Advisory Board to create statewide standards within 12 months that specify minimum capacity requirements for different building types and establish equivalency rules for various charging equipment. Developers can choose between the traditional parking space count method or the new capacity-based approach, with the latter requiring adherence to uniform regulations to be implemented.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill prohibits businesses that provide services from charging extra fees to customers who pay with a debit card. It amends existing consumer protection laws to explicitly ban surcharges for debit transactions while maintaining rules that allow small fees for credit card use if clearly disclosed. Sellers must inform customers before payment that debit cards cannot be surcharged, and violations are treated as unlawful practices subject to fines and penalties. The law applies to all service providers in the state and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryS 3451 requires New Jersey state agencies, the New York New Jersey 2026 World Cup Host Committee, and municipalities hosting World Cup venues (like stadiums or fan zones) to submit reports on human rights protections during the 2026 event. These reports must detail actions taken to implement human rights commitments made in the 2021 NY/NJ Human Rights Report, evaluate their effectiveness, and outline future plans. The initial report is due 30 days after the bill's enactment, and a final report is due 30 days after the World Cup final on July 19, 2026. All reports will be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature for review.

Maddy summaryS 3387 allows New Jersey National Guard members to transfer part of their tuition benefit to a spouse or dependent child. Currently, Guard members receive up to 16 tuition-free credits per semester at New Jersey public colleges. Under this bill, a spouse can receive the full benefit (100%, up to 16 credits), while a dependent child receives half (50%, up to 8 credits). To qualify, the spouse or child must be enrolled as a student and have applied for other available financial aid, and the member can only transfer the benefit to one person.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1403) amends New Jersey law to require the president and vice president of the State Board of Medical Examiners to hold specific medical degrees: an M.D. (allopathic physician), D.O. (osteopathic physician), or D.P.M. (doctor of podiatric medicine). It directly affects the board's top officers by establishing these education requirements for their roles. The bill modifies existing provisions (R.S.45:9-2) to add this qualification standard, replacing the current unspecified requirement for these positions. The change takes effect four months after enactment to allow the board time to comply.