Sen. Paul Sarlo

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill temporarily increases the state child tax credit for residents with incomes up to $80,000 during the tax years 2026, 2027, and 2028. The legislation raises the credit amount by $250 for each income bracket, providing an additional $250 to families earning $30,000 or less and reducing the credit by $250 for those earning between $60,000 and $80,000. After these three years, the credit amounts will revert to their previous levels. The bill does not affect taxpayers with incomes above $80,000 or children over the age of six.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides an additional $358.8 million in funding for New Jersey state agencies and local governments for fiscal year 2026. The money is allocated to various departments, including support for domestic violence housing, prison consolidation savings, school infrastructure, and mosquito control. Specific provisions also authorize a supplemental appropriation for the Cannabis Regulatory Fund and allow nonprofit organizations to host the state's AI supercomputer. Overall, the legislation amends the existing FY2026 Appropriations Act to distribute these funds across education, health, public safety, and other state services.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the New Jersey State budget for fiscal year 2027 by allocating approximately $60.7 billion in state funds and $30.5 billion in federal funds. The legislation distributes these resources across various government departments, including education, health, and human services, with specific amounts designated for direct state services, grants, and state aid. While the total appropriation is slightly higher than the governor's original proposal, the bill ensures that anticipated revenue covers projected spending for the upcoming fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes the State of New Jersey's budget for fiscal year 2027, allocating approximately $60.7 billion in state funds and $30.5 billion in federal funds to support government operations and public services. The legislation authorizes spending from various revenue sources, including sales taxes, corporate business taxes, and fees collected by departments such as agriculture and banking. By approving these specific amounts, the bill enables the state to fund its agencies and programs for the upcoming year without changing existing tax rates or creating new ones.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Senate Bill S 3386 allows candidates and officeholders to use campaign funds for security expenses directly related to their political role. It permits spending on security devices (like alarms, cameras, and fencing), professional security services, and cybersecurity, but only for ongoing threats tied to their position. The bill caps physical security spending at $10,000 per candidacy and prohibits using funds for firearms, payments to immediate family, or general home improvements. All expenditures require documentation and must align with specific security needs, not property enhancements.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the minimum annual thoroughbred race dates required for certain New Jersey racetracks under specific funding conditions. It lowers the current requirement of 141 dates to 25 dates if the state fails to appropriate the full $10 million purse subsidy for thoroughbred racing, or to 40 dates if the subsidy is between $5 million and $10 million. The change applies specifically to Monmouth Park and Meadowlands Racetrack (thoroughbred) and also affects standardbred tracks at Meadowlands and Freehold Raceway, which can reduce their minimum dates to 75 with association consent. The policy directly impacts racetrack operators by linking their required race schedule to the state’s funding level for horse racing purse subsidies.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a regulatory framework for prediction markets in New Jersey, requiring them to operate under state oversight similar to licensed sportsbooks. It specifically prohibits public officials and campaign staff from participating in political betting markets and bans certain high-risk markets involving deaths or disasters. The legislation also mandates that operators pay a surtax on income derived from these activities, ensuring they contribute to the state like other gambling entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how New Jersey school districts calculate the tax levy limits for preschool education aid, specifically targeting districts that operate pilot programs or are newly receiving such funding. It establishes a formula that allows districts to raise taxes to cover local shares of preschool costs by accounting for increases in student enrollment, healthcare expenses, and pension contributions beyond set thresholds. The legislation also includes specific rules for districts with low tax levies and those participating in pilot programs starting in the 2027-2028 school year. Ultimately, the act updates existing state laws to provide clearer guidelines on how much local funding districts can generate to support preschool education.

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 New Jersey bill (S 1526) increases criminal penalties for identity theft when the victim is a senior citizen (62+) or veteran. It amends N.J.S.2C:21-17 to elevate offenses involving these groups: a first offense against a senior or veteran becomes a third-degree crime (previously fourth degree), and a second offense becomes a second-degree crime (previously third degree). The bill also increases penalties for cases involving multiple victims if any victim is a senior or veteran. These changes directly affect identity thieves targeting vulnerable groups, making their offenses more serious under state law.