Sen. Joe Lagana

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1360) creates tax credits for residents and employers who pay student loans used for higher education expenses. Qualified taxpayers (New Jersey residents with associate’s, bachelor’s, or graduate degrees in STEM fields who worked in the state) can claim a credit against their state income tax equal to a portion of their student loan payments, based on a federal benchmark. Employers can also claim a credit for paying employees’ eligible student loans (100% for full-time, 50% for part-time), with unused credits carried forward up to seven years. The bill specifically targets STEM graduates and aims to reduce student debt burden through state tax incentives.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $1.3 billion in federal pandemic recovery funds (from the American Rescue Plan Act or similar sources) to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for lead service line replacement projects. It directly affects water suppliers across the state, requiring them to provide matching funds for replacements - except small suppliers (serving ≤3,300 connections), who may defer matching funds with department approval. The DEP and New Jersey Infrastructure Bank will administer the program, using the funds to support low-interest loans and financial assistance for replacing lead pipes connecting water mains to buildings. The program aligns with existing state infrastructure financing rules and aims to address lead contamination in drinking water systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1367) requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to develop a mobile application providing veterans and their families with accessible guidance on state and federal benefits and resources. It directly affects veterans, military families, and service members in New Jersey by creating a centralized tool to navigate programs like healthcare, housing, education, and transition support. The key mechanism is mandating the DMVA to create and maintain this app, building on existing requirements to provide public information about veterans' programs. The bill was withdrawn after being enacted as P.L.2025, c.292, meaning the mobile app requirement is now law.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts book sales at school book fairs from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It directly affects elementary and secondary schools holding book fairs where books are sold exclusively to students and their parents or guardians. The law defines a "school book fair" as events held at these schools with limited sales to the school community. The exemption would take effect four months after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a minimum daily reimbursement rate of $950 for pediatric skilled care nursing facilities (SCNFs) participating in New Jersey's Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs. It directly affects facilities providing specialized, long-term care to medically fragile children and youth up to age 21, such as the four currently operating in New Jersey. To qualify for this rate, facilities must comply with state and federal requirements for licensure, patient safety, and care quality. The bill appropriates necessary funds from the General Fund to implement this rate increase and requires the Commissioner of Human Services to seek federal approval for the change.

Maddy summaryS 1754 increases annual payments from New Jersey's Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund to municipalities over two years. It directly affects all municipalities receiving these state funds, requiring them to reduce their property tax levies by the full amount of the increased aid. The bill mandates that any additional aid distributed under this fund must be subtracted from the municipality's annual property tax levy, preventing local governments from using the extra funds to raise taxes. This policy change ensures that state aid directly lowers the property tax burden on residents and businesses in affected municipalities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to update the State Uniform Construction Code for parking structures to accommodate heavier electric vehicles (EVs). It mandates new parking structures to include at least 10% EV parking spaces, address EV weight loads, and include EV charger installation standards. For existing structures, the DCA must establish monitoring protocols for structural safety, publish upgrade examples, and require owners to fix safety issues within 90 days or face temporary closure. These changes directly affect parking developers, property owners, and builders of both new and existing parking facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1357) raises New Jersey’s minor age threshold for firearm access from 16 to 18, prohibiting firearm owners from leaving loaded guns within easy reach of minors under 18 at their premises. It requires owners to securely store firearms - using locked containers, secure locations, or trigger locks - to avoid a disorderly persons offense (up to 6 months jail or $1,000 fine) if a minor accesses the weapon. Law enforcement officers observing unsecured firearms must return to verify proper storage. The law applies to all firearm owners with minors under 18 on their property, excluding lawful minor firearm use under existing law. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey automobile insurers to reimburse ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) for certain services at 300% of the Medicare Part B payment rate - instead of current rates - if the service isn't already listed in the state's medical fee schedule. It also mandates that unlisted medical supplies used with these services be reimbursed at invoice cost plus 20%. The policy directly affects ASCs and insurers by establishing a standardized, higher reimbursement rate for uncovered ASC services, aligning with Medicare guidelines. This change aims to ensure ASCs receive fair compensation for services not previously covered under insurer fee schedules.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for retirement benefits in New Jersey's state-administered retirement systems. It directly affects current and future retirees, including state employees and teachers, by requiring their benefits to increase each year to match inflation without needing separate legislative action. The key mechanism establishes a permanent automatic adjustment process tied to inflation data, eliminating the need for annual budget amendments. This change ensures retirees' purchasing power remains aligned with rising living costs over time.