Sen. Gordon Johnson

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's unemployment benefit rules to protect workers who leave one job to accept another but lose the new job offer through no fault of their own. It extends the time period between leaving the first job and starting the second job from seven to ten days. The change codifies a 2019 court ruling (McClain v. Bd. of Review) that established these workers should be eligible for unemployment benefits. This directly affects workers experiencing rescinded job offers during employment transitions, ensuring they can access benefits during this period.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the portion of rental payments that New Jersey renters can count toward property tax deductions from 18% to 30% of rent paid for a unit used as their primary residence. It also raises the maximum property tax credit amount from $50 to $250 for eligible seniors (65+), blind, or disabled taxpayers who pay property taxes or qualifying rent. The change applies to residential rental properties, including manufactured homes in mobile home parks, and affects renters who use their housing as their principal residence. The bill amends existing tax code provisions to adjust these specific deduction and credit thresholds.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey to create "250th Anniversary Revolutionary War" license plates for motor vehicles registered in the state. Vehicle owners who apply will pay a $50 one-time fee and a $10 annual renewal fee, with the additional funds (after covering administrative costs) deposited into a dedicated fund to support Revolutionary War site preservation across New Jersey. The program requires the New Jersey Historical Commission to cover initial costs (up to $25,000) and provide 500 completed applications before implementation. The license plate design will be selected by the Motor Vehicle Commission in consultation with the Historical Commission, and the program may end if annual costs exceed the $50 fee for two consecutive years.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 900) changes New Jersey's unemployment benefits law to exempt wages paid to poll workers from being counted when calculating eligibility and benefit amounts. Specifically, it amends the definition of "average annual payroll" to exclude poll workers' wages, ensuring their temporary election-related earnings don't reduce their unemployment benefits. This directly affects poll workers who serve during elections and may later qualify for unemployment benefits. The change modifies how the state calculates payroll data for unemployment purposes, without altering other eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill renames New Jersey's "Blue Star Memorial Highway Council" to the "Blue and Gold Star Memorial Highway Council" and changes the "Blue Star Memorial Highway system" to the "Blue and Gold Star Memorial Highway system" to honor Gold Star families (immediate relatives of military personnel killed in service). It requires the New Jersey Department of Transportation to update all highway signage across the state within 90 days of the law's effective date to reflect these new names. The change is symbolic, with no alteration to the council's existing duties or the highway system's purpose of maintaining roadside landscaping as living memorials for military service.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3673 allows people with diagnosed traumatic or acquired brain injuries to voluntarily add a notation to their driver's license, ID card, and the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) registry. The bill creates a secure MVC registry storing vehicle details and emergency contact information to help law enforcement communicate effectively during stops. It also mandates annual training for all law enforcement agencies on de-escalation techniques and using the registry when interacting with individuals with brain injuries. Participation is entirely voluntary, and registry data is protected from public disclosure except during specific law enforcement actions.

Maddy summaryAJR 46 designates January of each year as "Hindu Heritage Month" in New Jersey to recognize the state's significant Hindu community. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with activities honoring Hindu cultural contributions. It acknowledges New Jersey has the highest percentage of Hindus in the U.S. (about 3% of the population) and home to the world's largest Hindu temple in Robbinsville. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes the community's heritage.

Maddy summarySJR 12 designates October of each year as "Hindu Heritage Month" in New Jersey through a ceremonial resolution. It requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with activities honoring Hindu cultural contributions. The resolution recognizes New Jersey's large Hindu community and their influences on the state's culture, economy, and society. This is a symbolic designation with no new laws, funding, or regulatory changes.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 98) commemorates two milestones: the 45th anniversary of the U.S. Taiwan Relations Act (enacted April 10, 1979) and the 35th anniversary of New Jersey’s sister-state relationship with Taiwan. It formally recognizes the longstanding economic and diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Taiwan, including $127.5 billion in bilateral trade in 2023, and highlights New Jersey’s $723 million in exports to Taiwan and 200 Taiwanese companies investing in the state. The resolution directs the Senate to send copies to the American Institute in Taiwan and Taiwan’s New York representative office, expressing support for continued economic and educational collaboration. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or alter policy.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 359 requires motor vehicle inspection facilities and the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to notify vehicle owners about active safety recalls during inspections and registration processes. The bill mandates that notices include a recall description and confirmation that repairs at authorized dealers are free for owners, excluding recalls involving buybacks or manual errors. If state funding doesn't cover implementation costs, manufacturers conducting business in New Jersey must pay a fee to the MVC, calculated annually based on actual expenses. This affects vehicle owners (who receive notices), inspection facilities (required to check for recalls), and manufacturers (potentially liable for fees).