Sen. Gordon Johnson

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2584) allows local government business administrators - such as municipal finance officers - to join New Jersey’s Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS), a defined-benefit retirement plan. Currently, these roles are excluded from PERS and must use a separate defined-contribution retirement savings plan. The bill specifically amends eligibility rules to include business administrators under PERS membership and permits those already in the defined-contribution plan to transfer to PERS. This change directly affects municipal staff in financial management roles, shifting their retirement coverage from a savings-based system to a guaranteed-benefit plan.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2758) requires certain choice districts in New Jersey (specifically those in second-class cities under court-ordered desegregation efforts) to provide transportation for public school choice students living more than 2 miles from elementary schools or 2.5 miles from secondary schools. It mandates that sending districts (the districts students come from) receive state transportation aid for these students, which they must then pay directly to the choice district. If the choice district’s actual transportation costs exceed the state aid received, it may qualify for supplemental state reimbursement - provided it uses cost-efficient routes (like centralized pickups) and reports annual cost differences to the Department of Education. The bill aims to cover transportation expenses for students in interdistrict school choice programs without shifting costs to participating districts.

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 summarySJR 21 designates every March as "Fibromuscular Dysplasia Awareness Month" in New Jersey. The bill requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with awareness activities. It directly affects individuals and families living with FMD, a rare vascular condition causing abnormal artery growth that often leads to misdiagnosis and complications like hypertension or stroke. The resolution aims to increase public and medical community understanding of FMD, which currently has no cure and lacks standardized treatment protocols.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2191 would make individual owners, managers, and officers of LLCs and corporations personally liable for unpaid housing, building, or health code violations when acting as residential landlords. It applies if three or more charges remain unpaid 13 months after the first due date, after proper notice is sent to all relevant parties (including mortgage holders). The bill requires the individual to hold at least a 10% ownership stake in a member-managed LLC or serve as a director/officer, with a defense available if they couldn't influence payment. This expands liability beyond the entity itself to specific individuals under defined conditions. The bill is currently pending in the Senate (introduced January 13, 2026).

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Commission on Insurance Reimbursement within New Jersey's Department of Banking and Insurance. It requires health insurance carriers to get the Commission's approval before reducing payments for certain medical services (like office visits or procedures), ensuring proposed cuts won't limit patient access to care or harm providers. The Commission, made up of medical experts, hospital representatives, health plan leaders, and patient advocates, reviews applications detailing the proposed cut, its justification, and potential impact on patients and providers. They must issue a final decision within 60 days and report annually to the Governor and Legislature. This directly affects insurers, doctors, hospitals, and patients receiving health care covered by insurance plans.

Maddy summaryS 1486 establishes an independent Office of Inspector General for Prosecutorial Review within New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety (though not under its control). This office investigates complaints about misconduct by prosecutors or their teams (including detectives), with authority to subpoena witnesses and documents, and ensures confidentiality for complainants. It directly affects prosecutors, law enforcement personnel working on cases, and the public who can file complaints. The inspector general must have dual experience as both a prosecutor and defense attorney, and cannot be blocked by legal privileges once a case is closed.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on "service in the Armed Forces of the United States or liability for service" (covering active duty, veterans, and National Guard/reserve members) in employment, housing, and public accommodations. It directly affects military service members, veterans, and their families by adding these categories to the list of protected characteristics under the law. The key mechanism is updating existing definitions and prohibitions in the statute to include military service status as a protected class, ensuring equal treatment in employment, housing, and public spaces. This change aligns with New Jersey's existing anti-discrimination framework without creating new enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2272) requires all New Jersey state and county correctional facilities to provide female inmates with feminine hygiene products (like tampons and pads) in varying absorbency levels, not just standard options. It directly affects all female inmates in these facilities by mandating free, accessible products tailored to individual needs. The key change amends existing law (P.L.2019, c.288) to replace the requirement for "standard" products with the new standard of "varying absorbency levels." This is a concrete policy change focused on improving access to essential hygiene items for incarcerated women.

Maddy summarySCR 58 is a New Jersey legislative resolution condemning President Trump's 2025 decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord. It urges the President to rejoin the agreement, noting this withdrawal conflicts with New Jersey's state law (P.L.2018, c.3) and the position of 23 states in the U.S. Climate Alliance. The resolution will be formally sent to the President, Vice President, and New Jersey's congressional representatives. As a non-binding statement, it does not change U.S. policy but expresses legislative disapproval.