Sen. Paul Sarlo

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 347) requires New Jersey's State Board of Education to reinstate the ASVAB-AFQT (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery-Armed Forces Qualifying Test) as an approved alternative test for high school graduation. It directly affects public high school students who need to meet graduation proficiency requirements, allowing them to use the ASVAB-AFQT instead of the standard state test. The key provision adds the ASVAB-AFQT back to the list of "substitute competency tests" that students can use to demonstrate mastery of state learning standards. This change reverses a 2023 decision by the State Board that removed the ASVAB-AFQT from approved alternatives. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that private beach owners and lessees who allow public access for recreation have no legal duty to maintain beach safety or warn visitors about hazards when lifeguards are not present ("unguarded" areas). It grants immunity from liability for injuries occurring on unguarded beaches or adjacent waters, except in cases of willful/malicious acts, negligence in commercial contexts, or gross negligence by the owner. The law specifically removes the requirement to post warnings in unguarded zones and states that granting public access does not create a legal duty of care. It applies to privately owned beaches accessible for activities like swimming or fishing, excluding areas with active lifeguard coverage.

Maddy summaryS 1416 allows registered courier services to sell instant lottery tickets electronically within New Jersey, directly affecting couriers, lottery players, and the State Lottery Commission. The bill requires couriers to undergo background checks, display fraud and gambling addiction warnings on their websites, safeguard customer data, and cannot charge fees on winnings. It also establishes a voluntary self-exclusion list for problem gamblers, enabling them to block access to lottery games and requiring couriers to remove self-excluded individuals from promotions. The State Lottery Commission must create rules for managing the self-exclusion list and overseeing courier services to maintain lottery integrity.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 941, the "Healthy SNAP Act," requires the Department of Human Services (DHS) to request a federal waiver allowing the state to prohibit SNAP benefit purchases of soft drinks. The bill defines "soft drink" as non-alcoholic beverages with added sweeteners (excluding milk alternatives and drinks with over 50% juice). DHS must submit a waiver request within 90 days, including a public health justification, an implementation plan for retail systems, outreach to SNAP recipients about healthy alternatives, and a tracking system for spending and health impacts. If approved, the restriction would take effect within six months; if denied, DHS must resubmit annually. The bill directly affects SNAP recipients in New Jersey who use benefits for soft drinks.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a property tax exemption for New Jersey veterans with service-connected disabilities, calculated proportionally to their disability rating (e.g., 50% disability = 50% exemption). It directly affects veterans declared by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to have a service-connected disability of at least 30% (or deemed unemployable due to such disability), and their surviving spouses under specific conditions. The state will reimburse municipalities 102% of the tax revenue lost from these exemptions, with a $10,000 cap for partial exemptions (below 100% disability).

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a $100,000 limit on sales tax exemptions for businesses in New Jersey's Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) program. It directly affects certified UEZ businesses (those with UZ-4 certification) by allowing them to claim full tax exemptions on all costs for property improvements, such as building repairs or renovations, without the previous $100,000 cap. The exemption applies retroactively to all qualifying property improvements made on or after January 1, 2022. This change simplifies access to tax savings for businesses seeking to upgrade their facilities within designated UEZ areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1931) increases penalties for reckless vehicular homicide when the driver was intoxicated. It elevates the offense to a first-degree crime if the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs while operating a vehicle near schools or school zones, including: within 1,000 feet of school property, through designated school crossings, near school crossings with juveniles present (even if unmarked), or in highway construction zones. Convictions under these circumstances require a minimum prison term of one-third to one-half of the sentence or three years (whichever is greater), with no parole eligibility during that period, plus a license suspension of 5 years to life. The law applies directly to drivers convicted of causing death while driving intoxicated in these specific locations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 898) exempts oversized vehicles with special permits from needing an extra escort vehicle during nighttime travel (sunset to sunrise) if their load is illuminated to be clearly visible from 1,000 feet in all directions. It directly affects commercial operators transporting oversized loads who currently require an additional escort vehicle at night under New Jersey law. The key provision replaces the mandatory extra escort requirement with a lighting standard for nighttime travel. This change applies only to vehicles already authorized with a special permit under state regulations. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies which State Police rank changes require Attorney General approval. It allows the Superintendent to adjust ranks for most personnel (including troopers, detectives, and supervisors) without approval, but mandates Attorney General sign-off for command staff at major and lieutenant colonel levels. All changes must stay within existing budget limits for the Division of State Police. (Note: The bill was withdrawn as it was covered by existing law.)

Maddy summaryS 176 requires fuel distributors, refiners, wholesalers, and suppliers to set the price charged to gas station retailers (tank wagon price) using a negotiated formula. This price must not exceed five cents per gallon above the terminal's listed price at the time of purchase. The bill does not apply to retailers who own their property, consignment sales, or pre-existing contracts. Violations carry a $5,000 fine per delivery. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.