Sen. Joe Lagana

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1403) amends New Jersey law to require the president and vice president of the State Board of Medical Examiners to hold specific medical degrees: an M.D. (allopathic physician), D.O. (osteopathic physician), or D.P.M. (doctor of podiatric medicine). It directly affects the board's top officers by establishing these education requirements for their roles. The bill modifies existing provisions (R.S.45:9-2) to add this qualification standard, replacing the current unspecified requirement for these positions. The change takes effect four months after enactment to allow the board time to comply.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires owners of short-term rentals to be physically present at their property while guests stay, unless the rental lasts longer than 30 days or a written agreement states otherwise. It also limits each property to only one active short-term rental agreement at any given time. Owners who fail to follow these rules face a $1,000 fine for each violation, which can be enforced through a summary court proceeding. The law defines "transient accommodations" to include homes rented via online marketplaces or professionally managed units, while excluding hotels, schools, and long-term leases of 90 days or more.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to allow licensed liquor stores in New Jersey to sell low-dose THC beverages, expanding the types of retailers authorized to distribute cannabis products. The legislation achieves this by amending existing state laws to include these beverages within the scope of items that can be sold at licensed cannabis retailers, which now encompasses liquor stores. Key provisions involve updating legal definitions to clarify what constitutes cannabis products and ensuring that sales comply with current regulatory frameworks for low-dose consumption. The change directly affects liquor store owners and operators who would gain the ability to stock and sell these specific cannabis-infused drinks.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a monthly salary of $3,000 for most members of New Jersey's State Board of Medical Examiners, with the exception of the Commissioner of Health and their designee who serve without pay. The funding for these salaries and related board expenses will come from the General Fund through the Division of Consumer Affairs. Additionally, the legislation authorizes a separate payment of $250 for each regular examination held by the board, paid from board receipts or a specific appropriation if available. The act amends existing state statutes to formalize these compensation structures and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2357 requires parties in civil or administrative lawsuits to disclose any third-party funding agreements upfront - when filing a complaint or when the agreement is made. It directly affects plaintiffs, their attorneys, and third-party funders who pay legal costs in exchange for a share of settlement money. The bill mandates that funders act in the client’s best interest (a fiduciary duty), caps their fees at 25% of settlement proceeds (with total fees for funders and attorneys limited to 50%), and bans funders from influencing case decisions or offering legal advice. Funders must also be jointly liable for court costs or sanctions related to the funded case.

Maddy summaryS 1404 expands the types of information insurance companies and fraud detection organizations can legally share to prevent insurance fraud. It specifically allows sharing details about "adverse underwriting decisions" (like coverage denials, rate increases, or failed applications) between insurers, agents, and insurance-support organizations. The bill also provides legal protection (civil immunity) for entities that share this information in good faith. This directly affects insurers, agents, and insurance-support organizations involved in fraud investigations. The changes aim to improve fraud detection without exposing information sharers to lawsuits.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1395) allows limited liability companies (LLCs) in New Jersey to stop using a registered "alternate business name" before the standard 5-year registration period ends. It directly affects LLCs that have previously registered an alternate name (like a brand or shortened version of their legal name) but no longer need it. The key mechanism requires LLCs to file a "termination certificate" with the state office, pay a $50 fee, and state they’ve stopped using the name - though residential landlords must still wait until the 5-year period expires. This change simplifies name management for businesses without altering the basic registration rules or fees for initial registration.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires automobile insurance companies in New Jersey to inform drivers that Medicare and Medicaid cannot be used as the primary insurance for medical expenses after a car accident. Specifically, insurers must provide clear notices at the time of policy purchase, between 15 and 60 days before a driver turns 65, and annually for drivers aged 65 and older. If a driver chooses to rely on these government health programs instead of their auto insurance, the auto insurer will only pay for medical costs that the government programs do not cover.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution commemorates the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and requests that the Governor issue a proclamation to honor the victims and first responders. The bill directly affects state officials by asking them to acknowledge the historical significance of the day and reflect on the resilience shown by the American people. It also mandates that copies of the resolution be sent to federal leaders and members of Congress representing New Jersey. The measure does not change laws or allocate funds but serves as a formal state recognition of the event and its lasting impact.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill prohibits payment card networks from charging interchange fees on sales tax and gratuity amounts included in credit and debit card transactions. The law requires merchants to send tax and tip data separately during the payment process so that fees are only applied to the actual purchase price. If a merchant fails to separate these amounts initially, they can submit the data within 180 days to receive a refund for any fees incorrectly charged on the tax or gratuity. Violations of this rule could result in a $1,000 penalty per transaction and an order to refund the affected fees to the merchant.